Boone Children's Gallery at LACMA: Free Art Drop-In

If you are looking for things to do in Los Angeles with kids this week, the Boone Children's Gallery at LACMA is an easy answer. It is a free, hands-on art-making space inside the W.M. Keck Education Center, the museum's new home for hands-on learning, creativity and family programs. Nobody needs a ticket, a plan or any art experience. You walk in, sit down and make something.

When: Mon Nov 2, Tue Nov 3, Thu Nov 5 and Fri Nov 6, starting at 11:00 AM Where: Boone Children's Gallery, W.M. Keck Education Center, LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Price: Free

What to expect

The gallery is built around a simple idea: art is something you do, not only something you look at. The museum invites the whole family to explore the joy of art-making, and the format is drop-in. Pick up a brush or a pencil, try a material you have not used before and see where it goes.

That low-pressure setup suits a wide range of ages. A parent who has not drawn since school can sit beside a kid who draws constantly, and neither has to follow a lesson. The listing stresses that the space welcomes everyone, so siblings, grandparents and friends are all fair game.

LACMA lists four separate sessions this week, each starting at 11:00 AM: Monday November 2, Tuesday November 3, Thursday November 5 and Friday November 6. There is no session listed for Wednesday. Because each date has its own page on the museum's site, check the one that matches the day you plan to go before you head out. If you are scanning for LA events this weekend instead, these are weekday morning sessions, so they will not help with Saturday or Sunday plans.

Making a visit of it

A morning at the gallery pairs well with the rest of the museum campus. Once the kids have made their art, you can walk over to the main galleries or step outside for a break. Wilshire Boulevard puts you in the middle of Mid-City, with plenty of places nearby for lunch afterward.

For more cultural options around town, browse the rest of our arts and culture listings, which cover museum programs, exhibitions and free community events.

Practical info

• Admission to the gallery program is free, per LACMA's listing.
• No experience or registration is mentioned, and the format is drop-in.
• Arrive at or shortly after 11:00 AM so you have time to settle in and make something.
• The address is 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Street parking on Wilshire can be tight, so give yourself extra time or consider transit.

The museum may adjust program details, so confirm times on the official LACMA event page before you go. If your week is full, keep an eye on upcoming events Los Angeles families can enjoy, because LACMA runs these family sessions on a rolling schedule and the next batch of dates is likely to follow.