Kids rule the ICA the last Saturday of every month, when the museum fills up with fun, creative, and even zany activities for kids and adults to do together. See schedule below.
For our February Play Date, we are excited to partner with Boston-based Wee the People, a social justice project for kids, as they invite visitors to reflect on their unique identities through an engaging and family-friendly workshop! Plus, play around with printmaking with resident artist Merill Comeau in the new Art Lab installation Threads of Connection.
Art Making
Our art making investigations are developed for visitors of all ages to work on together. All activities are drop-in and space is limited. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Threads of Connection: Block Printing
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM + 1 – 4PM
Bank of America Art Lab, 1st Floor
Have fun with block printing and contribute to a growing community-made artwork! Make your own stamp and experiment with mark making and layering techniques to compose and design original textiles—take them home or add to the community tapestry on view! The activity is inspired by the fiber work of Art Lab resident artist Merill Comeau, and of artists Tschabalala Self and Nina Chanel Abney, whose artwork is currently on view.
Threads of Connection: Quilt Squares, 10:30 AM – 4 PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, 1st Floor
Create a unique quilt square that represents your unique identity! Working with textiles, experiment with composition through cutting, layering, and sewing. Threads of Connection was developed by local artist Merill Comeau in collaboration with ICA educators. Take home your quilt square, or donate it to the museum to be added to the ever-growing community tapestry.
Wee The People: Imagine Your Self!, 1 PM – 2:30PM
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, 2nd Floor entry
Join Boston-based social justice project Wee The People for a workshop that dives into the exuberant world of mixed media artist Tschabalala Self. This drop-in workshop will guide and encourage kids + families to celebrate our “limitless” selves, creating silhouettes collaged with a wild mash-up of shapes, colors, and textures!
In the Galleries
ICA galleries are open from 10 AM – 5 PM. Our family-friendly Visitor Assistants are always eager to talk about the artworks and answer your questions.
Books and Looks, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Poss Family Mediatheque, 4th floor
Picture-book readings led by gallery staff that make connections to art on view. Designed in mind for kids ages 3–7 and their grownups.
Family Tours, 10:15 – 10:45 AM
Meet on the 1st Floor Lobby
10:45 – 11:15 AM
Meet on the 4th Floor Lobby
Join us for a 30 minute family-friendly tour exploring multiple artworks in the galleries! Designed in mind for kids ages 6+ and their grownups.
Note: Timed tickets are required to enter Yayoi Kusama: LOVE IS CALLING and must be reserved online in advance for upcoming visits in February (subject to availability).
Your support helps keeps programs like this free and accessible. If you’ve enjoyed our free family programs, Holiday Mondays, Thursday Nights, talks, tours, and film screenings – or would like to see more of them! – please consider a donation today.
Play Dates are sponsored by Vivien and Alan Hassenfeld, the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, and Alexion.
Los Días de Juegos (Play Dates) son patrocinados por Vivien y Alan Hassenfeld, la Hassenfeld Family Foundation y Alexion.
Tours and workshops are supported, in part, by The Willow Tree Fund and the Raymond T. & Ann T. Mancini Family Foundation.
