The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is one of our favorite FREE destinations for scorching hot days, rainy days, out of town visitors, and cool summer nights when we want to enjoy the galleries and the beautifully lit Block Building when the Nelson is open late (till 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays). It is a wonderful family outing, date night, or Parent's Night Out.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak, KCMO. Click here for Driving Directions to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Regular Hours: Wed, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.; Thurs, Fri, 10 a.m.—9 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Sun, Noon—5 p.m. Admission: FREE. There are fees for some exhibits and special programs. Parking is $5 in the museum garage.
Visitors will enjoy exhibits from around the world. You will discover something new upon each visit. Best of all, as admission is free you don't have to do it all in one day! Visit for 30 minutes or just an hour or two and come back another day. With young children, come when after they've enjoyed breakfast and are well rested, then visit for a bit and return another day to see more.
This summer, their exhibit, Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs through August 19 is fun for all ages. World’s Fairs showcased thousands of objects. The themes of the exhibition Inventing the Modern World. Style, Historicism, Cross-Culturalism, Nationalism and Technology display extraordinary works for visitors. The exhibit does require tickets (Members: Free; Adults: $8; Seniors: $7; Students with ID: $5; Children 12 and under: Free).
Tips for a Fun Filled Family-Friendly Day at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art:
- Scavenger Hunt: Use our Nelson- Atkins Scavenger Hunt and take photos of your finds! For little ones, we offer a pre-readers Scavenger Hunt for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Race against two teams to complete the scavenger hunt, or try to complete one as a family project. And, the hunt for young children features objects found in multiple works of art. Track how often you find any one thing or try the hunt more than once to discover there is more than one way to solve it.
- Visit the Fun Spot. Located in Bloch Lobby, the Fun Spot offers family activities each day to maximize the fun. This summer, children can construct a paper pavilion in the Bloch Building lobby and learn about other items inspired by world's fairs.
- Bring a Sketch Pad and Pencils. They do not allow pens in the galleries, but you are welcome to write and draw with pencils (furnished at the Information Booth if you forget to bring your own). Have the kids draw their own version of the artwork or write stories as though the paintings were the illustrations. Jot down the names of favorite pieces and artists and plan to look for books about them at the library.
- Pack a picnic! The lawn of the gallery is also Sculpture Park, with the famous Shuttlecocks standing guard. Take fun photos, play catch or frisbee, and enjoy a picnic in one of the most scenic settings in the city. Break your visit up with a lunch or snack break.
- art + fun = Family Every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in May and June enjoy the following activities: Creative Café - Design your own retro world's fair poster inspired by Inventing the Modern World and discover more about the exhibition. Galleries 217 & 218 - Enhance your visit to the American galleries with careful looking, conversation and a sketching activity. Visit the Fun Spot and construct a paper pavilion.
- Tours & Guide. Visit the Information Desk for information on the various tour options. You can take FREE mobile audio guided tours. Check-out an iPod Touch or connect with your own web-enabled device. The mobile audio guide has a special Kansas City Sculpture Park Tour just for kids! Guided tours are also offered for free every day!
- Family Guides. Guides are offered of various exhibits in the Bloch Lobby, the Family Guides are designed with kids in mind. You may pick up free copies fo the guide at the museum, or read the Family Guides online before your trip!
After Your Visit
Visit the nearby Kauffman Memorial Gardens, one of the most beautiful places in Kansas City. Located at 4800 Rockhill Rd., just two blocks South of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kauffman Memorial Gardens are a beautiful place for a stroll and photography. The gardens are FREE and open to the public. Moms will appreciate that the gardens are gated, keeping children within the walls to explore the flowers and fountains without worry that they'll wander into the street or parking lot. The indoor gardens offer a nice place to sit and relax and they have public restrooms as well.
The Kauffman Memorial Garden is a collaboration between the Kauffman Foundation and Powell Gardens. Powell Gardens manages the garden itself, with all of the annuals and many of the perennial plants grown at the Powell Gardens greenhouses. Bonus Tip: On select dates throughout the summer, you may catch a FREE ride from Kauffman Gardens to Powell Gardens. Read the Powell Gardens Shuttle Schedule for more information.
