Go See Some Art!
The Craft Contemporary Museum
Since it's summer, we're all looking for ways to get outside and enjoy the weather. If you've got kids home on break, you might be scrambling for things to do as a family, so we've done the work for you finding cool arts experiences that check all the boxes. Kids belong in art museums - there are plenty of accommodations for families, free admissions for kids, and kid-centric activities put on by these museums to encourage learning and play. And if you don't have kids, don't be ashamed to still ask for scavenger hunts or activity books because: you have free will. Exercise it.
Brentwood
Take advantage of this gorgeous museum while it's still open to the public, before it closes in March for a full year of renovations. The Getty is home to a wide variety of art spanning centuries and art mediums, so you're bound to find something that piques your interest. Admission is free for both children and adults, only requiring advanced timed reservations, and a parking fee of $25. Kids can explore the gardens or run around on the big grassy lawns (which double as a great picnic spot.) Plus, they have kid-specific activities like their “Art Detective” cards, which prompt kids to track down pieces of art in an interactive game. PLUS plus, you get to go on a fun little train ride up the mountain to get to the museum, and who doesn't love that?
Pacific Palisades
The Getty Villa centers around ancient Greek and Roman artwork. It truly feels like stepping back in time into a Roman estate, and kids (and whimsical adults) will enjoy learning about the extensive cast of characters that feature in Greek and Roman mythology via their special “Demigods” audio tour inspired by Percy Jackson. They also have a Family Forum, where kids get a hands-on learning experience about ancient pottery. Like the Getty Center, admission is free with a timed reservation. Parking costs $25, but here's a tip: If visiting both the Getty Center and Getty Villa in the same day, you can take advantage of their “Pay Once Park Twice” program by visiting the information desk at your first stop for a parking coupon.
DTLA
Another museum with free admission - we love to see it. Make sure to reserve your time in advance, both for entry to the museum, and for any free weekend workshops or events that might be taking place. This museum features some pretty amazing interactive art exhibits that will dazzle kids and adults alike. They even have a family-friendly audio tour narrated by the one and only LeVar Burton! For very young visitors, take advantage of their free stroller check-out, and remind them that art is for looking, not touching: they even created a handy “Social Narrative” to help you prepare for a visit. It's geared toward children, but it doesn't hurt to peek at it so you know exactly where you're allowed to eat a snack.
Miracle Mile
Unfortunately, not free - unless you are an L.A. County resident between the ages of 3 and 17 (or any child under 3.) LACMA offers a free membership for kids, which includes complimentary admission for one accompanying adult. I definitely remember having NexGenLA membership when I was a kid even though we lived in Ventura County, so… I'm not not saying you can finesse them even if you live across the county line. Besides that, they have some really cool art workshops for kids and adults, and the Boone Children's Gallery is a space fully dedicated to hands-on learning and art-making throughout the week (free regardless of membership status.) You can also walk around and explore the stinky La Brea Tar Pits outside the museum for free!
Miracle Mile
Right across from LACMA lies the Craft Contemporary museum, formerly known as the Craft and Folk Art Museum. It's completely free for kids under 12, and on Sundays they offer donation-based admission for all ages (aka, pay what you wish.) This museum showcases art created with craft media: clay and ceramics, textile, wood, metal, architectural materials, and even multi-sensory artwork - in the past they've featured scent-based exhibitions. It's a unique museum experience, and kids can get hands-on with their free family workshops or open craft and open clay time, included in the price of admission of their accompanying adult.
Speaking of which, if you'd rather stick around closer to home, you can take advantage of our Open Studio at the Arterie! It's open to both children and adults, so you can make alongside your kiddo.
Don't forget about our Artcade open studio hours for adults, which happen every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.