Guggenheim

For Parents

• Familiarize yourself with the exhibitions that will be on view and determine which might be of greatest interest to you and your child.
• If you are visiting on a weekend, look into attending a family program.
• If possible, come to the museum in the morning. Children are less tired, and the museum is less crowded.
  
• A meaningful and comfortable visit for most children (and many adults) might be 30–90 minutes. View information about hours, admission prices, and more.

For Kids

• Look at photos of the museum with your child to get her excited about seeing the Guggenheim's iconic architecture. You may want to download our Architecture Family Activity Guide, or pick it up when you arrive.
• Talk about what he might see in an art museum, such as paintings, sculpture, photography, films, and installations.
• Tell your child that there are certain special rules that all visitors must follow when they come to a museum:
  • Touch the works of art only with your eyes, never with your hands.
  • Do not disturb other visitors by running or shouting.
  • Stay at least three feet (two meters) away from works of art when you look at them.

Strollers and Coat Check

• Check your bags and coats. This is a free service that will greatly enhance your ability to enjoy your visit.
  
• Single baby strollers are generally permitted. Special exhibitions may have restrictions that prevent the use of strollers in the galleries. All backpacks, large toddler carriers, double-sided strollers, jogging strollers, large umbrellas, and bags or packages larger than 16 x 16 inches (40 x 40 cm) must be checked.

Restrooms

• Women's and men's restrooms are located on every ramp, as well as on level B in the Sackler Center for Arts Education.
• Baby-changing stations are available in men's and women's bathrooms on levels B, 4, and 7.
  

Food

• In the Rotunda (lobby) small snacks for kids are permitted while they are in strollers or on the benches. Visit the Museum's café on the third floor for family-friendly snacks and beverages. No food or drink is permitted in the galleries. Outside the museum there are various food vendors. Other kid-friendly restaurants are located on Madison and Lexington avenues, just a short walk from the Guggenheim.
  

Family Activity Kiosk

• On weekends, look for the Family Activity Kiosk in the center of the Rotunda. There you will be greeted by an educator who will tell you all about the Family Activity Packs, Family Activity Guides, journals and pencils that are available with ideas for making your visit both fun and interactive. Pens, crayons, and markers are not allowed in the galleries. On weekdays these materials are available at the Information Desk.

You Don't Have to See the Whole Museum in One Visit

• Expect to spend between 30 and 90 minutes in the galleries.
• Remember to take breaks for bathrooms and snacks. Take cues from your kids (you know them best).
• Walk around the galleries, but encourage stopping, sitting, and talking about at least two of works of art in depth (see below for tips).

Look and Talk

• Seat yourself comfortably, either on one of the museum benches or on the floor in front of a work of art.
• Start a conversation with your child by asking open-ended questions, which have many possible answers.
• Examples of open-ended questions to ask in front of an artwork:
  • What do you see?
  • What colors do you see? What shapes?
  • What is happening here? What were your clues?
  • What may have happened before? What might happen next?
  • Does the remind you of anything you know or have experienced?

Encourage Drawing, Writing, and Actively Engaging with Works of Art

Some suggestions include:

• Pick up our family activity packs, family activity guides, or a sketchbook and pencils at our kiosk or the information desk. They're free!
• Draw part of the picture—focusing on one object or altering something from the work.
  
• Write a list of words that come to mind or a poem about the work either as a group, or individually and followed by sharing.
• Compare two works of art. How are they similar to each other? How are they different?
• Imagine your own title for a work of art. Then look at the label to see what the artist titled it. Does knowing the title change the way you understand the artwork?

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