Kids and Family Programs
Special events and in-gallery activities are a great way to enjoy the MFA with your family. Extend your experience with at-home art activities inspired by the MFA’s collection and special exhibitions.
Boston Family Days
Thanks to a partnership between the MFA and the City of Boston, Boston Family Days provide students who live in Boston and their families free access to the Museum on the first and second Sundays of each month.
See Boston Family Days for more information.
At the Museum
Visiting with Kids and Family
The MFA is a great place to bring children. Learn how to make the most of your Museum visit.
Discovery Guides
Explore the MFA with in-gallery guides that are fun for all ages! Search for imagery, learn about the art, and get creative with drawing and writing prompts. Each activity focuses on a specific theme, linking objects across many time periods and cultures. Pick them up at Sharf Visitor Center on your next visit!
Activities for Kids and Families
Drop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Embellished Flowerpots: Decorate a flowerpot with paint markers, then pick up a seed starting kit to plant flowers at home. (Rain location: Shapiro...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Printing with Balls: Roll and shake your way to creating wild abstract prints using paint-covered balls.
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Painting with Watercolors: Get inspired by the world around you. Discover basic watercolor techniques while creating a painting of your own! (Rain...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Printing with Gelli Plates: Create surprising one-of-a-kind works of art by layering inks and textures on a Gelli printing plate!
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Mosaic Bookmarks: Get inspired by the bright, bold patterns found in mosaics in the Museum’s collection. Then mix, match, and assemble colorful pieces...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Printing with Bubbles: Create dreamy, layered prints using bubbles!
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Clay Explorations: Explore hand-building techniques and create a bowl or pot using air-dry clay. (Rain location: Shapiro Family Courtyard.)
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Candle Making: Discover how the traditions of American candle making have evolved from necessity to a modern art form then roll and decorate your own...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Canvas Pencil Cases: Get inspired by abstract paintings in the collection, then use colorful fabric markers to create a zippered canvas pouch. (Rain...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Kinetic Sculptures: Get inspired by the works of artist Alexander Calder in galleries 258 and 332. Then make a kinetic artwork of your own while...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Make a Puppet: Using a variety of materials, design and build your very own sock puppet! (Rain location: Shapiro Family Courtyard.)
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Candle Making: Discover how the traditions of American candle making have evolved from necessity to a modern art form then roll and decorate your own...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Japanese Carp Streamers: Koinobori, or Japanese carp streamers, are flown to celebrate Children’s Day in Japan. Koi fish are a symbol of strength and...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Kinetic Sculptures: Get inspired by the works of artist Alexander Calder in galleries 258 and 332. Then make a kinetic artwork of your own while...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Mini Modernist Sculptures: Get inspired in our Modern Art galleries then twist, bend, and manipulate wire to create a miniature sculpture! (Rain...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Candle Making: Discover how the traditions of American candle making have evolved from necessity to a modern art form then roll and decorate your own...
In PersonDrop-In Art Making
10:00 am–4:00 pm
Make a Button! Use colorful collage materials and mixed media to create a wearable button. (Rain location: Shapiro Family Courtyard.)
In PersonStudio Art Classes and Workshops
The MFA offers studio art classes and workshops for families, children, teens, and adults, taught by experienced educators who are also professional artists. Students are invited to question, explore, experiment, and solve problems as they create and interact with art.
Artful Adventures at the MFA
A customized introduction to the MFA and its collections for groups of children from early childhood, after school, nontraditional school settings, special needs programs, and summer camps. Participatory and interactive, programs at the MFA last an hour and a half and include a tour and an art-making activity.
Home School Programs
Specially designed home school programs for children between the ages of 6-18 years that meet on Friday mornings September through June.
At Home
Art Making at Home
Learn something new! Enjoy free step-by-step instructions for a variety of art-making techniques related to the Museum’s collections.
MFA Playdates at Home
Listen to a story and make art while watching free 15-minute videos appropriate for children ages 4 and under.
Junior Artists at Home
Enjoy Junior Artists with free videos online! Kids can see exactly how to create their own art project inspired by a work of art in the Museum’s collection. Recommended for children ages 5 to 8.