Nov 8, 2024 At the Museum Family time and feasting may be on your agenda for the last week of November, but what about some hands-on, creative fun? When school is out and your relatives are in town, it’s the perfect opportunity to round up your crew and make lasting memories together—perhaps adding new activities and outings to your family’s fall traditions. If you’re looking for fun things to do beyond gathering around the dinner table, you’ve come to the right place! We love offering a wide range of experiences, from an extensive art collection to over five miles of scenic trails—all with free general admission. Specifically for your fall break, we’ve curated this guide of our favorite festivities and happenings for all ages to enjoy together at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. 1. Jump into daily Fall Break Fun activities The best way to enrich your break with family fun every day? Celebrate the season with unique programming happening each afternoon at Crystal Bridges, featuring hands-on activities and festive performances. Spend the day making pinecone critters or building autumn mobiles, get your faces painted and playful caricatures drawn, and explore the museum’s galleries with fall-themed scavenger hunts. There’s also live music, dance, and theater performances, as well as bingo for some extra excitement! Activities change each day, so stay in the loop by checking out the full schedule here. Activities are free, no tickets required. Drop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except during our regular closed hours on Tuesday and holiday closure on Thanksgiving Day). 2. Sign your kiddos up for a Fall Break Mini Camp Photo by Stephen Ironside. Perhaps the petite Picassos in your household want to go a bit further with their art exploration. Lucky for them, our mini camps are a great opportunity for kids to get inspired together and learn about new art techniques and mediums. These half-day camps held from November 25–27 invite kids ages 6–8 to dive into painting or explore the animal kingdom through art, and kids ages 9–12 to shape unique pieces in ceramics or try their hand at printmaking. Each camp is led by expert instructors who guide campers through exciting projects, blending skill-building with a love for creativity, culture, and the world around us. Choose a camp and sign up now to make the most of this creative art-venture! Pro-tip: Grab lunch as a family at our restaurant, Eleven, when you pick up your campers at noon. You can relax and hear about what they’ve learned, plus enjoy tasty American comfort food and a seasonal menu while you’re at it. 3. Raise the woof at the Best in Show House Party Winnie Au, Lana, 2017. Inkjet print, 11 7/8 in. x 9 1/2 in. © Winnie Au The party animals in your family are in for a treat! On November 23, we’re kicking off the opening of the Momentary’s new exhibition Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography with a day (and night!) of free, family-friendly festivities celebrating our beloved furry friends. Kids and parents alike can watch live pet portrait painting, join activities like pet tag making and a treat-making workshop for the pup in your life, and even adopt a new forever fur-baby at a pop-up with Best Friends Animal Society. When the daytime activities wrap up at 4 p.m., we’ll transition to an after-hours dance party from 8 to 11 p.m. for all you night owls. Check out the full schedule and drop by anytime! 4. Get your steps in together on a guided tour Charles Schreyvogel (1861–1912) Breaking Through The Line, early 20th century Oil on canvas 38 in x 50 3/4 in. Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma Love taking family walks? Liven them up even more by surrounding them with art! Discover your museum in new ways on a guided drop-in tour of our expansive collection and campus. There’s a little something for everyone, with tours ranging in themes from architecture, to nature, to highlighted artworks in our galleries. Make your time together even more special by joining a Friday tour of our exhibition Knowing the West before it closes in January. You’ll get an inside look at the exhibition and uncover some of the hidden stories behind the American West through diverse artists and a more inclusive lens. The tour is free with purchase of an exhibition ticket (though youth ages 18 and younger can see it completely free!). 5. Watch art come to life at a Studio Demo Visit the Studio to watch a local artist at work! Throughout November, our Studio Demo features Jasmine Phetsacksith, the founder of Ribbon Roots—a Native American apparel business where she designs ribbon skirts, dresses, bags, and baby bonnets. Drop by anytime between 1 – 5 p.m. to see this artist’s process up close, ask questions, and connect with her approach to storytelling through art. Inspired by the exhibition Knowing the West, it’s perfect for anyone interested in exploring the intersections of culture and creativity. Ready to make some fall memories at your museum? Check out our calendar and plan your visit today!
