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Families

Explore the Museum as a family with special guides, events, and a dedicated play space for kids at our 81st Street Studio.

Closures

Parts of the Temple of Dendur gallery are not currently accessible due to an energy efficiency upgrade.

The Met Fifth Avenue coat check is currently closed while we prepare for a state-of-the-art coat check opening Fall 2025.

See a list of currently closed galleries.

Know Before You Go

Admission to The Met is free for children 12 and under, and the 81st Street Studio at our Met Fifth Avenue location is always free to children and their caregivers—no Museum admission required.

There’s plenty for kids of all ages to enjoy in our galleries. Get ideas for exploring the museum with our Family Guides, listed below.

See our Plan Your Visit page for more information on our locations, tickets, and hours.

Where’s the family restroom?

The all-gender, family restroom is on the Ground Floor. Most restrooms in the Museum have changing stations. See the Museum Map for all locations.

Is there a lactation room?

Yes, our Lactation Room is on Floor 4. It is accessible via the elevator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts galleries near Galleries 555 and 399 (Floor 1) or the elevator in the Modern and Contemporary Galleries near Gallery 999 (Floor 2).

Where can we eat or drink?

We recommend The Eatery, our casual family-friendly New York City inspired food-hall. Children are welcome at all dining locations. See the Food and Drink page for more information. High chairs and booster seats are available at all locations upon request. While plastic baby bottles are allowed in the museum, eating and drinking is not allowed in the galleries.

Can I bring my stroller?

Strollers and front-facing baby carriers are welcome. Please note that some exhibitions do not allow strollers. Check the related exhibition page for more information. For families visiting the 81st Street Studio, stroller parking is available outside. Jogging strollers and wagons are not allowed.

Can I bring a bag?

Small backpacks are allowed but must be worn on your front or carried in your hand.

Are there quiet spaces in the Museum?

Yes! Download a sensory friendly map to find a full listing. Find more resources for visitors with developmental and learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum here.

If I leave the Museum can I come back on the same day?

Yes! Your ticket grants you all day entry (including re-entry) to both Met locations for the date on your ticket.

Is there a step-free stroller entrance?

Yes, at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street and in the Museum parking garage at 80th Street.

Is there a lost and found?

Yes, it's located at the Great Hall Security Desk. You can also call them at 212-570-3981.


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The 81st Street Studio

This discovery and play space for kids ages 3-11 is always free to children and their caregivers—no Museum admission required

Learn more
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Family Programs

Look, learn, and create together through interactive programs for kids of all ages.

Learn more

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Mother and her daughter wearing flower crowns drawing in the galleries.

Drop-in Drawing—Calligraphic Patterns

September 5 6:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Two girls, wearing paper flower garlands in their hair engage in arts and crafts within a stone walled gallery.

Family Tours at The Met Cloisters

September 6 2:00 PMThe Met Cloisters
A Met educator reads a picture book to a group of children seated on the floor. They sit in a room filled with potted plants and surrounded by arched columns.

Storytime at The Met Cloisters

September 9 11:30 AMThe Met Cloisters

Wu Man and The Knights

September 9 7:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Drop-in Drawing at The Met Cloisters

September 13 1:00 PMThe Met Cloisters
Hands of artist Bil Donovan creating a fashion illustration

Open Studio—Remake and Recycle

September 13 1:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
On the right, a Met educator with short black curly hair signs while in conversation. The person on the left has curly grey hair. Both are wearing blue denim smocks in an art studio.

Met Signs in the Studio

September 13 2:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
A young tattooed woman wearing a headscarf is making art with a baby on her lap. Two other toddlers are seated next to her making arts and crafts.

Family Afternoon—Monochrome Magic

September 14 1:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Monday Painting Lab (Ages 5–8)

September 15 7:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Toddlers are sat on the floor, gathered around a storyteller showing them a picture book.

Storytime at The Met—Exciting Experiments

September 16 10:15 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Toddlers are sat on the floor, gathered around a storyteller showing them a picture book.

Storytime at The Met—Exciting Experiments

September 16 11:15 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Art Investigators (Ages 3–5)

September 16 3:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Material Exploration (Ages 9–12)

September 16 3:30 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Toddlers are sat on the floor, gathered around a storyteller showing them a picture book.

Storytime at The Met—Exciting Experiments

September 18 10:15 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Hello, Met! (Ages 2–4)

September 18 11:00 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue
Toddlers are sat on the floor, gathered around a storyteller showing them a picture book.

Storytime at The Met—Exciting Experiments

September 18 11:15 AMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Thursday Painting Lab (Ages 5–8)

September 18 3:30 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Painting Lab (Ages 9–12)

September 19 3:30 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Stories and Glories: World Mythology (Ages 5–8)

September 19 5:00 PMThe Met Fifth Avenue

Two circus monkeys appear on stage balancing atop balls, each adorned with a mauve-colored star.
Video
Instead of mixing paint colors on a palette, what happens if we let our eyes do the mixing? Learn about Pointillism and how the artist Georges Seurat used the science of optics to create a whole new way of painting!
October 20, 2023
A cracked egg floats over a table top surface featuring a bowl and whole eggs as well as a bucket of paint brushes and bottles of blue, yellow, and red pigments.
Video
What does a cake have in common with an Italian Renaissance painting? The answer may surprise you! Watch to learn about the special properties of egg yolk that make it just as perfect for painting as it is for baking.
October 20, 2023
A painting of a Madonna and egg and an illustrated egg artist holding a paint brush flank either side of an open sketch book with colorful test paint swatches labeled bright, grainy, and dull.
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Did you know that you can make paint in your very own home? In this experiment, make a glorious painting using only ingredients from your kitchen cabinet and refrigerator.
October 20, 2023

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Family Membership

Enjoy unlimited free admission, Member Mornings at the 81st Street Studio, early access to children’s camps and classes, and more.

Join our Family Membership
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The Met Store

Shop online or at one our Museum stores to find unique art gifts for all ages.

Shop the store