Family Programs at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts: Babies, Pre-K and the Big Kids

Today I have a guest post from my friend Barb who is an amazing person, wife & mother! You can read more about Barb, her family and her goals to stay active, live well but on a budget at A Life In Balance.net. Barb is truly a mother I look up to, ask for guidance and inspires to try new things with my kids and in my house! You can also find Barb at Frugal Local Kitchen.



Imagine a giant paintbrush with a huge splotch of orange paint underneath looms over the sidewalk. A World War II era plane lies on its side between two buildings, green plants filling its canopy. These are just a few of the fun sculptures to be found at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts located just north of City Hall in Center City Philly. Inside PAFA, a whole world of art education awaits your family, including one of the best deals around for family art classes.


With the loss of funding for art education in local school districts, Philly museums like the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts are providing alternatives for parents by designing programs specifically for preschool and elementary-age children. These programs are free with a PAFA membership, or a nominal fee with the cost of admission. Don't forget to pick up a Gallery Guide at the front desk to foster your children's process of discovery in the gallery with activities, questions, and ideas.


Pre-K Family Tour Designed specifically for young children and their caregivers, PAFA's interactive tour invites children to explore works of art in the collection, listen to stores, and participate in creative movement exercises in the museum's galleries that incorporate ideas and concepts about art. Tours take place March 12th, April 16th, and May 14th, 10:30 - 11:30 am. Ages 3 to 5 Cost: $10 per Family (Free for PAFA members.)

Stroller Tour New parent? Need a break from your normal routine? Take a fun tour of the museum's collection with PAFA staff. Meet local parents and caregivers who love art and lively discussion. Paretns and caregivers with pre-toddlers and infants are welcome. Single strollers, tandem strollers, and front-carrying baby carriers are permitted. Crying and loud cooing are okay! Tours take place March 15th, April 19th, and May 17th, 9:00 - 10:00 am. Cost: $10 per Family (Free for PAFA members.)

Family Arts Academy Workshops Add a dose of creativity to your weekends! Whatever shape your family takes, you're welcome to learn about, create, and celebrate art with PAFA. Upcoming workshops include: One Book, One Family on March 10th; Pattern Painting on March 17th; What's in a Name? on March 24th. Check here for the full spring schedule.

Cost: Free after Museum Admission. Free for students and families in the School District of Philadelphia and Chart Schools. Children 12 and under are free. (Free for PAFA Members.)

PAFA
118 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-972-7600

Admission
Adults: $15
Seniors (60+)/Students (with ID): $12
Youth (12-18): $10
Children under 12 (excluding groups): Free
Members: Free

Directions Public Transportation

Parking
Discounted visitor parking is available at the Parkway Corporation Garage at the southwest corner of Broad and Race Streets and at their outdoor lot at the northeast corner of 15th Cherry Streets. Be sure to get your ticket validated before you leave PAFA.