Visiting With Kids

Exploring MAM with kids

Memphis Art Museum is made for families. With open-air spaces to explore, art from around the world, and room to roam, there's no wrong way to spend a day here with kids. Here are a few simple ways to make the most of your visit.

Before you visit

What is an art museum? Talk with your children about what they think an art museum is and what they might see there. There aren't any fish or dinosaurs here; rather, we have sculptures, paintings, photographs, drawings, and even design objects.

Explain museum behavior. Look with your eyes, not with your hands. Use indoor voices. Walk, don’t run in the galleries.

When available, use one of our interactive Family Guides, which you can pick up at our Visitor Services desk. Or attend a family-friendly program. See our calendar for upcoming events.

Looking at art with your children

No touching, please!

Please help us protect the art by not touching. The oils from hands can damage works of art. Follow your children’s lead as to what excites and interests them.

Play I Spy

Hunt for shapes, colors, and animals, or count everything blue in a gallery. Describe a detail out loud and see if your child can find the artwork it came from.

Journey around the world

Journey across continents without leaving Memphis. "Step into" a landscape painting to swim in a lake or hike up a mountain.

After Your Visit

Keep the discovery going at home:

Ask what their favorite work was, and why.
Encourage them to draw or write about what they saw.
Or start a collection of your own, buttons, rocks, toy cars, anything, and become curators together.