LACMA Family Tours: Docent Walks on Nov 7 and 8

LACMA's family tours turn a trip to the museum into something kids can actually follow. A docent leads a 30-minute, interactive walk through outdoor sculptures and highlights from the Modern Art Galleries, pitched at families rather than at art-history majors. If you are looking for things happening in Los Angeles this weekend that work for a mixed-age group, this is an easy one to slot in.

When: Sat, Nov 7 at 12:00 PM; Sun, Nov 8 at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM Where: LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (Resnick Lawn) Price: Free with museum admission

What to expect

Each tour is short on purpose. Thirty minutes is about the right length for younger kids, and the docent keeps it interactive, so children are asked to look closely, point things out and say what they notice instead of listening to a lecture. The tours start outdoors, meeting on the W.M. Keck Plaza, and the route covers sculpture plus a few highlights from the Modern Art Galleries.

The museum's own promotional photo for the program shows a docent talking with kids in front of pop art, including a Campbell's Soup can, which gives you a sense of the tone: approachable, curious and a bit playful.

The four tour times

There are four departures across the weekend. Saturday has a single noon tour. Sunday has three, at noon, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, so you can pick the slot that fits naps, lunch or a morning soccer game. For anyone scanning LA events this weekend, Sunday gives the most flexibility.

Practical info

Museum admission is required, and the tour itself carries no extra charge. If you live in Los Angeles County, LACMA offers a free NexGenLA membership for kids and teens 17 and under. Members can visit anytime and bring one guest for free, which makes it a good fit for families who plan to return more than once.

Because the tours meet outdoors, dress for the weather and bring water. Arrive a few minutes early so you can find the Keck Plaza meeting spot and settle the kids before the docent begins. LACMA sits on Wilshire Boulevard in Mid-City, next to the La Brea Tar Pits and the Petersen Automotive Museum, so it is easy to build a half-day around it. Parking is available on site, and Metro buses run along Wilshire.

Make a day of it

After the tour you are already inside a museum campus with room to roam. Wander the Resnick Lawn, take a look at the outdoor sculpture again at your own pace, or head into the galleries for the pieces the docent pointed out. Kids tend to remember what they have already been introduced to, so the second look is often the best part.

For more upcoming events in Los Angeles, browse our arts and culture listings and the Mid-City page.