Video: Try making your own engraving using a milk carton!
Video: Make a collage cityscape or landscape using materials salv
Video: Engage your baby's senses with this activity box.
Video: Make an expressive collage self-portrait.
Video: Try out this creative activity inspired by Turner's waterc
Video: Draw a colourful self-portrait.
Video: Make your own printed portrait.
Video: Make a textured mini sculpture.
Video: Draw cubist-style horses inspired by Mainie Jellett!
Video: Make a collage inspired by Sir John Lavery's painting Her
Video: An activity for parents/guardians to explore with young ba
Video: Create your own profile portrait at home!
Video: Make a feathery collage inspired by Edward Murphy's painti
Activities for children who seek sensory input
Video: Draw a picture-perfect window view inspired by Van Gogh!
Video: Follow along to create your own camera obscura!
Download and colour in some works from the national collection
Video: Create a mixed-media landscape picture.
Make your own mini windmill inspired by Mondrian's paintings
Follow this step-by-step activity to create your own wearable vie
Discover the mysterious and surprising qualities of plants
Video: Draw a big apple tree inspired by Walter Osborne's paintin
Video: Make a field explorer notebook to record the things you se
Video: Create a collage and crayon drawing
Video: Learn how to spot hidden clues in Renaissance paintings.
Follow this step-by-step activity to create a Mondrian-inspired p
Follow this step-by-step video to make a Sorolla-inspired cape.
Video: Learn about this fascinating time in art history.
What do we do?
The Early Years, Children and Families Programme plays a major part in encouraging learning through art at the National Gallery of Ireland. It is informed by research in the field, working with highly engaging early years and family learning specialists, and has developed through ongoing project evaluation and in dialogue with the core audience. This strand is for all the family, from babies and toddlers to younger teens and their parents/carers.
We embrace play, enquiry, problem solving, independent thinking and collaboration through multi-disciplinary sensory activities responding to the national collection. We programme general activities onsite for everyone from seasoned museum visitors to tourist families on holidays, and offsite through outreach projects for families who have not visited the Gallery before and are less likely to connect with cultural institutions for geographical, social, or financial reasons.
We offer drop-in workshops, tours and activities, all with a family focus. Our Atrium Creative Space is open everyday, and free art packs are available to borrow to support independent creative activity. Our scheduled workshops and events are designed with age-appropriate learning in mind. We are currently developing our existing online strand for Early Years, Children and Families which aims to take learning through art out of the gallery and into the home.
Types of Activities
Find out more
General children and families queries: contact Joanne Drum T: 01 663 3505 | E: [email protected]
For more info on family drop-in workshops and activities contact Caomhán Mac Con Iomaire
T: 01 663 3507 E: [email protected]
Find out what to expect on your visit.
Activities for young people visiting the National Gallery
Downloadable resources for students and teachers
Some tips for slowing down and reflecting on art.