Families
From artist-led workshops to galleries full of art and architecture, and at-home art activities, we have a lot on offer for families – and kids under 16 go free to all RA exhibitions.
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The Royal Academy is temporarily closed until further notice – the safety of our valued visitors, loyal Friends and staff is our highest priority.
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![The Families Team lead a workshop in the Fine Rooms]()
Visiting with young children
You will find baby changing facilities next door to the accessible toilet on the ground floor in Burlington House. In Burlington Gardens, they can be found on the ground floor, on the left beyond the entrance to the toilets. Highchairs are available in all our restaurants and cafés and you can breast-feed wherever you feel most comfortable. Bring pushchairs and buggies into exhibitions or, if you’d rather, store them in either cloakroom.
Under 16s go free to all RA exhibitions. If the party size is four or more, they must be accompanied by a fee paying adult. Under 12s must be accompanied by a fee paying adult regardless of party size.
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We have cloakrooms in both Burlington House and Burlington Gardens. Space is limited: we can only accept coats, umbrellas and small bags (28 x 38 x 40cm). We are unable to accept any luggage, musical instruments, scooters, skateboards or folding bikes. Please do not bring these as we will have to refuse.
To help with high demand, we’ve partnered with local luggage storage company, Stasher. Visitors must book online and will receive 10% off storage at Stashers in Mayfair and Piccadilly Circus when booked with the promo code: ROYALACADEMY. At this moment in time, Stasher are unable to store musical instruments or works of art.
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Art Detectives sketchbooks and activities
Perfect for budding young artists, each free Art Detectives pack includes a sketchbook to use in the exhibition or at home, as well as a pack of cards bursting with activities. Each card focuses on an artwork in the exhibition, helping you to look at and discuss art as a family. Pick yours up at the entrance of the exhibition or from the reception desk in the Front Hall.
Download the Eco-Visionaries Art Detectives
Download the Antony Gormley Art Detectives
Download the Félix Vallotton: Painter of Disquiet Art Detectives
Download the Summer Exhibition 2019 Art Detectives
Download the Phyllida Barlow cul-de-sac Art Detectives
Download the RA Collection Art Detectives
Art Detectives are sponsored by the Flow Foundation.
![A family enjoying an Art Detectives activity]()
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![Chameleon from the family labels]()
Find the chameleon in our free Collections displays
Look around our free Collections displays across the RA to find the chameleon. The chameleon introduces you to the artworks on display, with questions to encourage you to look closely at art as a family. The labels can be found in Burlington Gardens in the Collections Gallery and the Julia and Hans Rausing Hall. The chameleon is even hiding on the ceiling in the Front Hall of Burlington House. See if you can spot it!
You can also find family-friendly labels in our Picasso and Paper exhibition with interactive questions and drawing prompts to help young visitors explore Picasso’s technique.
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Family events
Through free, drop-in family studios and workshops in the school holidays, we encourage children and adults to learn together. Some of our workshops are particularly tailored for families with children with special educational needs.
At our events, families can explore art materials and creative techniques, learn more about our exhibitions through collaborative projects and build a shared interest in art.
Family studios are supported by Jeanne and William Callanan.
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Participating in a family event
![Drawing workshop in the Fine Rooms]()
Drawing workshop in the Fine Rooms
![A father and daughter craft a pom-pom]()
A father and daughter craft a pom-pom
![Two boys admire their collaborative artwork]()
Two boys admire their collaborative artwork
![Making drawing sculpture-bots at a family studio]()
Making drawing sculpture-bots at a family studio
![Mask making at a costume workshop]()
Mask making at a costume workshop
![Making a 3D string sculpture at a family studio workshop]()
Making a 3D string sculpture at a family studio workshop
![Artworks created during the Dream Up programme]()
Artworks created during the Dream Up programme
![Adding drawings to a sketchbook]()
Adding drawings to a sketchbook
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This is an amazing series of workshops, each one has exceeded my expectations. My son has seen art in a new light and enjoys it very much!
Workshop participant, 2017
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Art activities for families
Want to get creative at home? Check out our Family how-to series of simple step-by-step activities you can do as a family. Using easy-to-source materials, these activities are designed to teach you techniques you might not already know and encourage you to think creatively. Ranging from creating slime to crafting a relief print from polystyrene, these simple step-by-steps are fun for the whole family.
Share a photo of your finished work with @royalacademy on Twitter or @royalacademyarts on Instagram using #familyhowto
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![Family how-to sculpture]()
Artists
1 year ago
Family how-to: make a recycled sculpture
Be inspired by the work of Phyllida Barlow RA and create a sustainable sculpture from reusable household rubbish. Build it, play around with decoration and then recycle the parts.
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![What do you notice about the different brushes?]()
Artists
1 year ago
Family how-to: make your own paintbrush
Venture outside to hunt for dry leaves, flowers and twigs so you can construct your own brushes and play with mark-making using natural, foraged materials.
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![Header Family how-to: adapt your tools GIF]()
Artists
1 year ago
Family how-to: adapt your art tools
Tailor art activities to your needs by adapting the tools you use. Follow our step-by-step way to extend or improve the grip on your pencils, paintbrushes and pens.
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![Family how-to: make a Christmas cookie cutter print- header large]()
Artists
> 1 year ago
Family how-to: make a Christmas cookie cutter print
Why not put your stamp on the festive season with our cookie cutter Christmas prints and Funky Foam reliefs?
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![Sir John Gilbert RA, Study of a skull]()
Artists
> 1 year ago
Family how-to: carve a Halloween pumpkin inspired by the RA Collection
Have a go at using a stencil to carve a pumpkin this Halloween. These stencils are all inspired by artworks from the RA Collection. Download it and get crafting!
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![John Frederick Lewis RA, Nero at Exeter 'Change]()
Artists
2 years ago
Family how-to: colour the RA Collection
Have a go at colouring different artworks from the RA Collection! Download a colouring sheet and crack out your pencils and pens.
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![Celery rose family how-to gif]()
Artists
> 2 years ago
Family how-to: print with fruit and vegetables
Print a posy of springtime roses, a potato polar bear or some birthday wrapping paper.
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Young Artists' Summer Show
Now in its second year, the Young Artists Summer Show is an opportunity for students aged 5–19 to exhibit their work online and at the RA. You can view last year’s exhibition here
From 6 January 2020, teachers will be able to register their school to take part in next year’s exhibition. Once their school is registered, students can enter their artworks via the RA website until the deadline on 24 April 2020. Visit the link below to add your details to the mailing list to hear more about the project when registration opens in January.
![Freya, Year 12, A Spectacle]()
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