Boone Children's Gallery Drop-In Art at LACMA

If you are looking for things to do with kids LA that do not require a reservation, a ticket, or a plan more complicated than showing up, LACMA's Boone Children's Gallery is one of the easiest calls on the calendar. On Monday, October 5, the museum's Keck Education Center opens its doors for a free, drop-in art-making session built entirely around families, from toddlers holding a paintbrush for the first time to older kids who want to sketch, build, or just make a mess in a space designed for exactly that.

What the day looks like

The Boone Children's Gallery lives inside the W.M. Keck Education Center, LACMA's newer home for hands-on learning and family programs. There is no theme to prep for and no skill level required: staff set out materials, families drop in whenever works for their schedule between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and kids work at their own pace. Younger visitors can experiment with color and texture at a low table built for small hands, while older siblings tackle something closer to an actual drawing or sculpture. Parents are welcome to sit back and watch or dig in alongside their kids.

This kind of open studio is a good example of why LACMA keeps showing up on lists of family events los angeles families rely on when the weekend needs an anchor that does not cost anything. There is no ticket queue, no timed entry, and no pressure to finish a project before the room closes. Kids can spend fifteen minutes or two hours, and the low-stakes format tends to work well for siblings with different attention spans.

Practical info and getting there

LACMA sits on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile, a short walk from the La Brea Tar Pits and easy to fold into an afternoon that also covers the museum's permanent collection. Parking is available on-site for a fee, and the Metro Rapid line along Wilshire drops riders close to the entrance for anyone skipping the car. Because the gallery itself is free and does not need advance booking, it is one of the simpler kids activities LA has to offer on a weekday when after-school hours leave a gap to fill.

Families looking for other things to do around the museum can check LACMA's ongoing exhibitions or wander the outdoor installations on campus before or after the studio session. For more ideas on what else is worth building into an LA events this weekend plan, browse Out Of The Box LA's family and arts-and-culture event listings for neighborhood picks around the city.

When: Monday, October 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Boone Children's Gallery, LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles Price: Free, drop-in, no reservation needed Good for: All ages, especially toddlers through elementary-age kids