Tips for Visiting the Museum of Modern Art with Kids

The more I experience modern art with my family, the more I like it. How about you?

Sure, there were some works at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City that I really didn't understand. Like the snow shovel hanging from the ceiling. Or the potato house. Or A wall pitted by a single air rifle shot in which there is no actual air rifle shot in the blank wall.

I'm still scratching my head about that last one, and I think that's the point. Art, especially modern art, is supposed to evoke emotion. When I look at a piece of modern art, I might feel happiness, love, peace, curiosity, political unrest, alarm, confusion or disgust, and it's OK if I can't clearly identify the what or why of the art.

I think that many children understand this naturally, which just one reason that MoMA is a good destination for families in New York City. Here are a few more.

Famous Names

The Museum of Modern Art is home to some of the most famous works of the most famous artists of all time. My 10-year-old daughter was taking art classes at the time of our visit and she was excited to see some of the pieces she had learned about. Here are some of the well-known art pieces on display that were on her list:

• The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
• The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
• Water Lilies by Claude Monet
• Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth
• Campbell's Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
• Fulang Chang and I by Frida Kahlo

Many of the older and most recognizable works of art by artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Dali are located on the top floor of the museum. We started there and worked our way back down.

Family Programs

The Museum of Modern Art offers a variety of programs especially for families. You may wish to print art cards before you leave home, pick up an audio guide especially for kids after you arrive, or spend time in a hands-on art lab during your visit.

We visited the Museum of Modern Art at the end of a big day and did not take advantage of the programs and labs for children that would likely have made our visit even more fun and meaningful. Visit MoMA's Kids and Families page to learn more about resources for families.

Kids get in Free

Kids aged 16 and under get in free to the Museum of Modern Art. Enough said.

Conveniently Located

The Museum of Modern Art is located in Midtown Manhattan and we were pleasantly surprised to see how close it is to other popular attractions like Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway and the shops on 5th Avenue. We walked there after our trip to the Top of the Rock.

The Museum of Modern Art was one of my daughter's favorite places on our action-packed family vacation in New York. My husband and I found it fascinating and worthwhile too. I'm betting that if we had got my son into one of the hands-on art labs, in addition to the video games, even he would admit to having a good time.

Good to Know

Where: 11 West 53 Street, New York City

When: Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours are typically 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Open until 8:00 pm on Fridays. Check the website for updates.

How Much: Updated January 2018.

• Adults: $25
• Children (16 and under): FREE
• Students with ID: $14
• Seniors (65+ with ID): $18
• FREE on Fridays from 4-8 pm

How Long: 2-4 hours

Amenities: gift shop, three restaurants, family programs

Website: www.moma.org

Allison

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 17 and 20, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.