Follow this step-by-step activity to create a Mondrian-inspired p
Try out this creative activity inspired by Turner's watercolours
Follow this step-by-step activity to create your own wearable vie
A step-by-step art activity video for children
Make your own printed portrait inspired by George Wallace
A creative activity to engage your child's senses
Learn to draw cubist-style horses inspired by Mainie Jellett
Follow these simple steps to make your own collage at home inspi
An activity for parents/guardians to explore with young babies an
Create your own profile portrait at home, inspired by Antonio
Activities for children who seek sensory input
An activity for children inspired by Edward Murphy's painting.
Follow along to create your own camera obscura!
Learn about this fascinating period in art history
Download and colour in some works from the national collection
Draw your own picture-perfect window view, inspired by Van Gogh!
Follow along with an easy step-by-step video!
Follow this step-by-step video to make a Sorolla-inspired cape.
Discover the mysterious and surprising qualities of plants
Draw a big apple tree, inspired by Walter Osborne's painting!
Exploring nature together as a family can be fun and creative.
Create a collage and crayon drawing inspired by Gerard Dillon and
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.
At the Gallery, Sunday is our ‘Family Day’ when drop-in workshops, tours and activities all have a family focus. However, any day of the week our Maples Group Creative Space and free art packs support independent creative activity, while 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 Sunday family drop-in workshops and activities contact Caomhán Mac Con Iomaire
T: 01 663 3507 E: [email protected]
The Gallery will be closed from 24 December until further notice
Downloadable resources for students and teachers
Some tips for slowing down and reflecting on art
Take a virtual tour around some of the Gallery spaces