FOR FAMILIES
Kids Maker Fest 2024
Calling all childhood creatives! The Akron Art Museum invites you to Kids Maker Fest on Sunday, December 8th from 11am-3pm. The event will feature kid vendors who have used their skills to create artwork, products, inventions and more for you to browse and buy. Choose something for yourself or pick up a gift for a friend, all while supporting the community’s budding business owners.
If your child would like to be considered as a vendor, please fill out an application here by November 1st.
Want to participate in Kids Maker Fest ’24 but don’t have a product to sell? Do you play an instrument or like to sing & dance? Got a special talent up your sleeve? Sign up for a chance to perform & show off your creativity during the event! We are looking to fill up the event from 11am-2pm with some creative performances put on by our local, talented youth. If your child would like to be considered as a performer, please fill out an application here by December 1st.
If you have any questions, please email Joanne Wright at JWright@akronartmuseum.org
A Kid’s Visit to the Akron Art Museum
A “Social Story” is a tool that helps individuals prepare for a specific experience by explaining what will happen and what they can expect. Social Stories were originally developed for children with autism, but are useful for all people when embarking on new experiences.A
Family Programs
We have a variety of offerings designed for children and caregivers with a focus on exploring creativity and creating attachment to the Museum. Check the calendar for current in-person family programming. Check our calendar for the latest in-person family programs.
FAMILY DAYS
Looking for some family friendly fun? Come down to the Museum and see what our various Family Days have to offer! Every year, the Museum hosts six drop-in style Family Day events for children of all ages (and their grown-ups). These large-scale events are generally organized in a way that invites families to move around and participate in creation stations & local partners/vendors tables as they enjoy that day’s theme at their own pace.
Family Days take place primarily on Sunday afternoons from 11am-3pm and are FREE to the public. Registration requested.
MESS MAKERS
Park the stroller and wander over to learn, play, and explore creation stations designed with the messiest kids in mid. Each session is a new adventure with the freedom to investigate various materials, techniques, and textures. Dress for a mess and artistic success. Art smocks provided. Recommended for ages 0-5. Registration is required. Free for member households/$15 for non-member households.
Mess Makers occurs on the third Wednesday of the month from 11am-1pm September through May.
AFTER SCHOOL OPEN STUDIO
This monthly event will be offered during the post-school afternoon hours and will lead participants through a guided art making experience centered on a specific method or material. Takes place on free Thursday. Registration requested (unless stated otherwise – some sessions, based on the art making activity, may have required registration). Grown-ups can stay and create or visit the galleries on their own, but must remain in the building.
After School Open Studio is a free program and occurs the first Thursday of each month from 4pm-6pm September through May.
CAMP CREATIVE
Missing art class during the summer? Or just looking for some more summer fun? Head down to Camp Creative and explore themed art exploration days at the Museum. You’ll enjoy guided artistic experiences as you create and play outdoors alongside an art educator. Every two weeks, there will be new materials and techniques to discover as you sharpen your creative skills through making messes and working together to solve artistic problems. Dress for a mess and artistic success! Art smocks provided. Camp Creative sessions will be offered the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the summer months (June-August) from 11am-1pm. Camp Creative is intended for children aged 5-12 (siblings welcome). Drop in any time during the two-hour window. Grown-ups can stay and create or visit the galleries on their own, but must remain in the building.
Free for member households/$15 for non-member households.
No crowds, no rush, no experience, or registration required. The Museum invites you to explore the new Open Studio in the lobby. A space designed for all ages.
Whether you’re a serious artist or just looking for a laid-back space to explore, Open Studio offers something for everyone. From sensory play areas for babies, to the messy materials school-age kids adore, and even art for adults.
Move freely between a wide range of inspiring materials, spending as little or as much time as you like. Along with special, featured activities, you will also find rotating areas devoted to clay, drawing, painting, printmaking, beading, collage, construction, and more.
Open Studio is creativity on your schedule.
AAM At Home offers many types of resources
STUDIO PROJECTS
#TryThis: Pipecleaner Prints
Pipecleaners can make an interesting repeat geometric pattern for prints. What You Need: paper, cardboard, pipecleaners, and ink Try this?
Virtual Family Day: Mark-Making
Everyone wants to make their mark on life. Learning to express yourself on paper is one way to do just that. Explore many ways to make your own mark
Virtual Family Day: Bookmaking Bonanza
Try your hand at making simple books and book-related objects. This month we have bookmaking tutorials plus some options for turning out artful bookmarks.
#TryThis: Vinyl Decal Callograph
Vinyl is durable and easy to cut. It makes for an easy way to do repetitive patterns. What You Need cardboard, vinyl, ink, a roller, paper Try this?
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#TryThis: Drawing Tools
Drawing from life is easiest with items at hand, like drawing utensils. What You Need paper and writing utensils Try This? Take your time to draw something at hand. Try it over and over.
GAMES
Doodlebug: An Interactive Game
Following along on a tour through the Akron Art Museum with Doodlebug, the art loving bug. During your visit, you’ll get the chance to meet four different paintings from the Museum’s collection and ask them questions about themselves and their makers.
Art Bingo
Wandering around museum galleries can be relaxing and recharging. But sometimes, you might want to add a level of play. This simple Bingo card invites you to look close and enjoy the surprises. Play with a friend or against a family member. Print this card to bring with you or to use why you explore the online galleries.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESOURCES ABOUT ART
George G. Adomeit’s First Snow
Stay warm while you explore this snowy scene from home by George Gustav Adomeit, (Memel, Germany, 1879 – 1967, Cleveland, Ohio). First Snow from 1933 is a Linocut on paper (Gift of Dr. Roy G. Pearce, 1947.8)
Lee Bontecou’s Untitled
Explore Lee Bontecou’s mixed media relief sculpture from 1966 (Gift of Leo Castelli, Castelli Galleries, 1974.122).
