Family art workshops in London
Families have so many opportunities to engage in creative activities together, as London's museums and galleries offer a huge variety of family art workshops. We look at some of the best
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Somerset House workshop
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Dulwich Picture Gallery
7 Gallery Rd, London, SE21 7AD
The gallery offers an eclectic range of creative activities for young people aged four to 18 and families in its fully equipped contemporary art studio. Courses include drop-ins, workshops, portfolio development; craft courses and experimental media. Families are also encouraged to explore the gallery and its grounds using free activity trails and create art together at Artplay sessions on the first and last Sunday of every month. Read more
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Foundling Museum
40 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ
Here the regular Family Fun programme offers free drop-in sessions for three-to-12 -year-olds on the first Saturday of most months and on Thursdays and Fridays during Camden school holidays. Children under 16 are admitted to the Foundling Museum free of charge. Read more
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National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
The National Gallery runs a wide range of programmes for children and aims to make access to the paintings enjoyable and welcoming to the widest possible public – including little ones and their carers. Children must be accompanied to all events. There’s no need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival. Read more
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National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
As well as monthly art workshops and holiday activities for families, the National Portrait Gallery runs a popular programme of free activities for 14-to-21year-olds which explore aspects of portraiture in all sorts of ways (for more information email youthbookings@npg.org.uk or call 7312 2483). Read more
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Somerset House
The Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
At Somerset House activities for under-fives don’t involve a gallery visit at all. They encompass short bursts of drama, singing and storytelling to make sure that kids don’t get bored and there’s a separate space with beanbags, building blocks and a water cooler for those who do get fractious and need a break. Older groups talk about appropriate behaviour before entering the gallery. Read more
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Tate Britain
Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
Like Start at Tate Modern (see below), the Art Trolley at Tate Britain is designed to encourage family groups of all ages to engage with artworks through games and participation. Read more
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Tate Modern
Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
A children’s multimedia guide (£3.50, £3 concs) allows kids aged five or over to listen to music, watch video clips and play games to find out more about some of the most family-friendly art works on display. At weekends and during school holidays over-fives and their parents can browse art books in the Family Zone on the Level 3 Concourse. ‘Start’ sessions for accompanied over-fives offer a variety of object and paper-based games to play together in the Tate Modern galleries. Read more
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Whitechapel Gallery
77-82 Whitechapel High St, London, E1 7QX
The Whitechapel Gallery’s Family Trail complete with scrapbook, stickers and art materials (suggested donation £1) is available from the Information Desk. Read more
