Family Programs

Discover the Museum through fun, educational activities for kids, teens, and families! For everyone from beginners to art experts, programs offer diverse opportunities for the whole family to view, understand, and interact with art on view.

Explore family programs below and visit the Museum Calendar to view a full list of upcoming programs and events.


 
 

Free Museum Admission for Youth

Visiting the Museum is free year-round for youth aged 17 and younger. Complimentary general admission lets kids enjoy the Museum galleries and sculpture garden through every season. Please note, children younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (age 18 years or older) at all times.

Free Museum Admission for Students

The Museum also extends free general admission through 2024 to all students at any level with a student ID thanks to Access for All funding. Student IDs can be from any accredited institution. Just show the Museum admissions team for complimentary general admission and enjoy art from around the world and spanning hundreds of years.

Please note: The Museum is closed on Wednesdays. Additional scheduled closures include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. See Museum hours and admission for possible additional closures. Free admission programs are not valid for Art Alive or specially ticketed events and exhibitions.

Family Art Adventures

Free, interactive guided tours are available daily at the Museum. We also offer regular Family Art Adventures, which are dynamic family tours specially designed for families with school-aged children ages 5 to 12. Tour theme changes monthly and each family tour includes a hands-on art-making activity. All materials are provided. Free with Museum admission. RSVP requested.

Books & Art: Storytime in the Library

Families are invited to enjoy lively storytelling and readings art-inspired children’s books at The San Diego Museum of Art Library with entry near the Panama 66 restaurant. Each Storytime features a theme inspired by the SDMA collection and larger community celebrations.

See all upcoming family programming on the Museum event calendar.

SDMA at Play

The Museum Education team shares at-home activities for emerging and established art students of all ages as part of SDMA at Play. Join us online for art activities, crafts, writing prompts, videos, podcasts, and more inspired by the SDMA collections. See the full collection of SDMA at Play digital activities online.

Alexander Calder, Untitled (Sea Creatures), 1975. Lithograph. Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Kornreich. 1996.16.