Children and Family Programs
Family programs at PAFA engage parents and children with the museum collection and art-making - virtually and in person.
Family Arts Academy
For kids of all ages
Due to COVID-19, Family Arts Academy programming will take place online once a month, until further notice.
Talleres de en linea en 2021-2022.
Join our PAFA art educators live on zoom, and make a fun creative projects with materials found mostly at home.
FREE with registration.
Click here to see upcoming events and register.
Art Club - Afterschool Program
For kids 6-9
Keep your young artists ages 6-9 busy after the school day is over with art-making and museum exploration. Our educators run fun and creative art-making activities, ranging from drawing and mixed media art to sculpture and paper art.
Young Artist Academy
For kids 10-14
We are excited to offer studio classes virtually AND in person at the Museum's Historic Landmark Building!
Art Classes allow budding artists ages 10–14 the opportunity to build skills in different areas of art-making, learn from the PAFA's collection of American art, and to meet new friends who share a common interest. Museum galleries and studios are open again to welcome young artists, while our online programs use Canvas Learning Management System, Zoom conferencing, and other technologies to bring learning into your home with the same level of educational rigor, social connection, and creative fun as always.
Homeschool Days at PAFA
For Grades K-8
Homeschool and Cyberschool families and educators are invited to join us for special monthly programs filled with interactive art tours and lessons. Activities facilitated by professional museum educators are designed to serve homeschools, co-op groups, and individual families, as well as locally attending cyberschool students. Each two-hour monthly program offers an engaging theme and focuses on the enhancement of academic curriculum highlighting literacy, observation, critical thinking, communication, and social skill development. This program offers a great opportunity for interaction between different homeschool groups in a creative setting.
COMING UP:
Math in Art: Jan 11th, 2022, Tuesday, 1:00-3:00
For the full schedule and to learn more CLICK HERE
Learning to Look - Online Resources for Kids and Families
Here you can find hands-on activities and short educational videos exploring PAFA collection for the whole family to enjoy.
Summer Art Camps
For kids 6-14
Designed for all artistic skill levels, our Art Camp is where your children can expand their creativity and imagination, make new friends, create artworks, and explore PAFA's historic museum collection. Cam usually runs from last week on June- till second week of August. Every week is a new artistic adventure, so you can register for individual weeks or for the whole summer.
For teens 15 and older, visit Teens and Pre-College Summer Programs.
Community Outreach Programs
Online for 2021 PAFA offers art-making projects and workshops for a variety of communities throughout Philadelphia. Need help bringing virtual art-making to your audiences during COVID-19? PAFA can help! Available workshops for non-profits, corporations and schools coming September 2020.
Visitor's Guide for Families
Does the museum accomodate strollers?
Yes. However, during COVID-19, PAFA's coat check spaces will be temporarily closed, so please be prepared to keep diaper bags, kids coats, and other bulky items together during your visit.
Are there family-friend restrooms?
Yes. Both of PAFA's museum buildings have family restrooms available with changing tables and space for strollers.
Can we take photographs and selfies during our visit?
Non-flash photography is permitted in PAFA's galleries. Feel free to tag us online at #pafamuseum
Does the museum have tips for talking about art with my children?
PAFA encourages parents to ask questions like "What do you think is going on in this painting and what makes you say that?" to help young visitors develop their own vocabulary around art. PAFA also provides a downloadable Family Gallery Guide of some objects from the permanent collection which has activities for children to do during or before a visit to the museum. (Please note: Only pencils may be used in the galleries.)
Download the Family Gallery Guide
Are all PAFA exhibitions appropriate for my child?
Some PAFA exhibitions are geared more toward adults and PAFA's tradition of celebrating the human figure does include nudes at times. Ultimately, this is a personal preference and parents are encouraged to preview exhibitions or to contact info@atarimllc.com to learn more about what objects are on view.
How should my children behave in the museum galleries?
Your child should look, talk, laugh, question, play, and explore during their museum visit. We encourage active learning of all kinds, so feel free to encourage your child to act out poses from paintings, sketch with pencil and paper, tell stories and to do all of it sitting on the floor if that's where they are comfortable. We ask that you be cognizant of the experience of other visitors in a shared space and make sure there is no running or touching, but please, have fun!
Contact Us
PAFA offers programs for artists and art lovers of all ages and skill levels who want to learn about and make art.