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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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.
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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
A father and daughter craft a pom-pom
Two boys admire their collaborative artwork
Making drawing sculpture-bots at a family studio
Mask making at a costume workshop
Making a 3D string sculpture at a family studio workshop
Artworks created during the Dream Up programme
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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Young Artists' Summer Show
Now in its third year, the Young Artists’ Summer Show is a free, open submission exhibition for students aged 5 - 19 studying in the UK and British schools overseas. Have a look at last year’s exhibition.
Submissions are now open for this year’s exhibition. In order to take part, teachers are required to register their school. Once the school is registered, students can enter their artworks via the RA website until the deadline on 26 April 2021. Visit the link below to register and submit.
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