Families Welcome!


The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a place where families can spend fun time together learning about themselves and our world through art.

We have everything ready so you can maximize your creative quality time together.

Weekends at the Museum
Join us every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. for FREE hands-on activities, close looking and conversation with museum guides in the galleries and in the Bloch Lobby. Activities and gallery locations change every few months, so come back often!

FREE Family Festivals
Celebrate different cultures, special holidays and more with one of our FREE Family Festivals! Annual events such as the Day of the Dead/El Dia de los Muertos Festival, Chinese New Year and the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park Celebration include art activities, family-friendly performances, in-gallery experiences and more.

View images and videos from past events here, and don’t forget to check the calendar for upcoming events!

Story Time for Preschoolers
Enjoy FREE story time every second Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in Noguchi Court.

Before the Visit

Plan Your Family Visit
Short and repetitive visits are more effective and exciting for children. It is more valuable to view and discuss a few art objects rather than trying to see all the art at once.

Shorten the museum visit so your children do not get too tired or bored. Try just 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time. The Museum is free, so come often!


At the Museum

The following activities are available daily.

Tours
Browse and explore the Museum with free mobile audio guide tours. Check-out an iPod Touch or connect with your own web-enabled device. The mobile audio guide has a special Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park Tour just for kids!

Guided tours are free and available every day. Tours are offered for the Museum collection and building architecture. Visit the Information Desk or online for times and availability.

Family Gallery Guides
We have several Family Gallery Guides to make the trip more interactive and fun for children. Pick one up in the Bloch Lobby or print one here.

Take a Break!
Take a break from the galleries to have lunch in Rozzelle Court Restaurant, enjoy a picnic outside, run around in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, or sit in the Family Fun Spot and talk about what you’ve seen today.

Museum Store
The Museum Store has a special section for children. Engage their imaginations with puzzles, posters, books, and more.

Swing by the Museum Store and have your child pick out a few of their favorite postcards. Then go on a hunt to find the art objects in the Museum. The postcards are souvenirs of their visit!

After the Visit
Be sure to let us know about your visit. Contact us at families@nelson-atkins.org to share your experience, ask questions and provide feedback.

Click on Facebook and Twitter below to tell your friends and family.