Photo by Natasha Moustache
Photo by Mel Taing.
Photo by Meg Elkinton
Photo by Natasha Moustache
Photo by Natasha Moustache
Photo by Cassandra Rodriguez
Photo by Natasha Moustache
Photo by Cassandra Rodriguez
“The ICA is one of the most family-friendly, kid-friendly, down-to-earth museums in Boston” (Boston Globe). Admission is always free for visitors 18 and under.
Explore hands-on art-making, writing, and close looking activities to work on at home.
Get creative!
Learn more about visiting the ICA, visitor guidelines and safety protocol, admission and hours, parking and transportation, accessibility, and more here
Youth 18 and under, and all BPS students, always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership — A free ICA membership program for youth 0–18.
When accompanied by kids 12 and under, up to 2 adults per family are admitted free the last Saturday of every month (except November and December). See the event calendar for program details.
Pick up a gallery game card to explore the museum as a “Thinker, Maker, Explorer, or Performer”. Great for a variety of ages and for intergenerational audiences to play together. Also, check our Art Lab at Home page for gallery activities to use on your phone or tablet while exploring the galleries with kids—like Close Looking activities.
Join us the last Saturday of each month for Play Dates! Free for families, Play Dates offer a full day of activities—including hands-on art-making, performance, films, and more. See our calendar for a schedule of upcoming Play Dates and other kid-centric events. Play Dates occur every month except December.
On the last Saturday of each month museum admission is FREE for families when accompanied by kids ages 12 and under, with up to 2 adults per family. Limited timed tickets are available in-person on the day of the event. Check the calendar for more details
Do the kiddos like to draw? Bring a pencil and paper to sketch during your museum visit—please note pens are not allowed in the galleries. Step outside to our Jill Medvedow Grandstand during the warmer months and sketch the harbor views.
The Bank of America Art Lab is located on the first floor of the building and is the museum’s studio classroom space. The Art Lab is where schools and groups visit for hands-on art-making experiences. When the Art Lab is open, museum visitors of all-ages are invited to explore seasonal artist’s exhibitions and experience hands-on art-making.
Have questions about something you see? The Visitor Assistants stationed in every gallery are there to help. Ask away!
Please no running inside the museum. We don’t want kids to get hurt or bump into the art by accident! If you have a child under the age of five, please hold his or her hand when in the galleries.
We love to hear conversation in the galleries; please talk with inside voices.
This is to protect the objects from being damaged and also because our fingers have natural oils that can leave harmful prints on artworks. Also, contemporary art uses a wide variety of media, which may include staining, toxic, and/or sharp materials. Instead, encourage your child to think about how it was made and imagine what it feels like.
It is the job of ICA Security Guards and Visitor Assistants to protect the art—and protect you!
Changing stations are located in both the women’s and men’s restrooms on the first and fourth floors.
Strollers are permitted throughout the ICA. For safety, please do not leave strollers unattended, unless in a designated “stroller-check” area during events. The ICA is not responsible for strollers left in self-check.
Light refreshments are available onsite for limited hours in our coffee and snack bar the Common Room Cafe! There are also restaurants, coffee shops, and more located nearby to meet various tastes and price points. Explore the options here to learn what else the neighborhood has to offer.
Parents may nurse anywhere they feel comfortable, including in the first floor lobby; chairs are provided in the restrooms.