Having lived in Southern Maryland for over 5 years, I feel like our family has visited all of the popular attractions—zoos, aquariums, history museums. When I come across a unique experience that the whole family can enjoy, and even better it’s FREE, I can’t wait to tell all my friends about it!

I recently took my daughter to a homeschool art program at The Walters Art Museum.  During the class, my daughter was introduced to themed like Age of Exploration and Portraits. They learned about curating exhibits by visiting the Ancient Egyptian World and the Arms and Armor room, and then curated their own collage shadow boxes. The museum staff was engaging and helpful, and my daughter eagerly asked to attend another class even before we had made it out to the parking lot!

The Walters is small enough that my daughter could explore all three floors in just a couple of hours. Art carts were located around the museum with all sorts of building materials, puzzles, books, and more to keep little hands busy. And the Family Art Center offers drop-in art projects that you can take home with you. Mark your calendars for the upcoming FREE events:

Drop-In Art Activities: The Five Senses
Saturday, November 05, 2016–Sunday, November 27, 2016
11:00 AM–04:00 PM

Thanksgiving Break Drop-In Art Activities
Friday, November 25, 2016
11:00 AM–04:00 PM

Drop-In Art Activities: A Medieval Life
Saturday, December 03, 2016–Saturday, December 31, 2016
11:00 AM–04:00 PM

The Walters also offers programs children of all ages at the low cost of $5/session. Check the calendar for upcoming classes for Art Babies newborn-10 months, Art Babies 11-23 months, Art Tots for 2-3 year olds, and Art Kids for 3-5 year olds, as well as family-friendly tours and drawing workshops. Consider visiting The Walters over Thanksgiving or Winter break, especially if you have family in town. The museum will not be as crowded as other popular attractions, yet will be enjoyable for all generations!

Check out the newest exhibit: A Feast for the Senses. Medieval European “works of art that stirred all the senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—and that are the focus of the ground-breaking international loan exhibition A Feast for the Senses: Art and Experience in Medieval Europe, at the Walters from October 16, 2016 to January 8, 2017.”

What to Know When You Go

-Entry is FREE for everyone! Construction is heavy right now in the neighborhood around the museum. Street parking is limited but the museum has a staffed parking lot right across the street. Parking rate is $12 for 3+ hours.

-The Walters is CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays.

-There is a café area with lots of seating and healthy option vending machines, but there is no other food for sale, nor is food allowed anywhere else in the museum.

-The Walters offers programs for Scouts, those with Sensory Processing Disorders, and birthday parties!

-Visit http://thewalters.org/family/gallery-fun.aspx for printable youth-friendly guides to use with your children throughout the museum.

The Walters Art Museum
Visit Walters Art Museum on the Web
600 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
410-547-9000

Written by Contributing Author: Piper S.