Families come to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to look, imagine, tell stories, ask questions, search for answers, and have fun!

PLANNING FOR YOUR VISIT

• Talk to your child about what you can expect to see at the Gardner Museum. Each gallery is filled with many kinds of objects! Find out about the collection in About the Gardner.
• Please remind your child about the no-touch rule. Why? Even art objects made from stone or wood, along with fragile paintings and textiles, can be damaged by touching. Instead, we hope you’ll look, imagine, and talk together as you explore the Museum.

AT THE MUSEUM

General tips:
• Talk together about what you see. Stop and look together at objects that catch your child’s interest. Ask your child to tell you about what s/he sees.
• Pace yourselves. Break up discovery in the galleries with time enjoying the courtyard or exploring the outside gardens.
• Don’t try to see it all in one visit. You can always plan a return trip. The mood of a certain gallery can feel very different, depending on the time of day and the weather. You’ll also notice that different objects will catch your eye each time you visit.

Ways to enjoy the Museum as a family:
• Use one of our family guides to focus your looking in a fun way. Family guides are available free of charge at the Information Desk.
• Decide on one type of object to search for and discuss in the galleries. The possibilities are endless, and include: animals, fantastic creatures, boxes of all sizes, fancy furniture, pictures of people, and interesting architecture.
• Explore paintings, tapestries, or other artworks that seem to tell a story. “Finding the story” is an effective way to introduce children to looking and understanding on their own. Ask your child what s/he sees happening, following up with questions like “What do you see that makes you say that?” or tell a story together, based on what you see.
• Come to a Family Fun program. Offered five Saturdays a year, Family Fun workshops lead families in gallery looking and art-making activities, modeling ways to discover the world of art together.

Practical information:
• Information Desk–Find maps and family guides at the Information Desk, located by the courtyard.
• Strollers & Carriers–Due to space constrictions in some galleries, horizontal tandem strollers and baby joggers are not permitted in the Museum. If necessary, please ask for an alternate stroller to use while visiting the Museum. For the safety of the collection, only baby carriers worn in front may be used in the Museum.
• Restrooms & Baby Changing–All restrooms are located on the first floor. Our women’s and men’s rooms are equipped with changing tables.
• Food–The Gardner Café is open 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on weekends.