Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Arts – Kids + Family Fun

Have you taken your children to visit Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art recently? Did you know they have terrific programs for kids and families?

We haven’t been for a while, so it’s on the radar for the next school holidays.

If you check out the Kids and Families section of the MCA website, you’ll be amazed at variety of family-friendly activities available.

Susie Rugg is Kids and families Co-ordinator, she says: ‘We are very passionate about family learning and strive with all of our program’s to have outcomes for both adult and child. It is really important to us that families feel welcome in the Galleries and that coming to visit really is an enjoyable experience for the whole family.’

There are Art Play and Art Baby sessions, plus Art Safari programs.  Most programs are for adults and children together but in school holidays there are some Junior Art School programs just for children aged eight – 12 years.

Susie adds: ‘We also have SKETCH available at all times from level one which is an activity book for ages 5+ that can be done all year round in the Galleries. A gold coin donation as appreciated for this.’

Check the website for current programs and all details.

Museum of Contemporary Art

140 George Street, The Rocks

Sydney 2000

Phone: 9245 2416

Website: www.mca.com.au

Open: Daily 10am–5pm, open until 9pm on Thursday. Closed Christmas Day.

General admission is free.

Housed in a splendid old building on Circular Quay, the museum has exhibitions of contemporary art in all its forms. Check the website or call to find out what the current exhibitions are.

For art-loving adults it is an important and popular venue and one that presents no real problems for strollers.

Cafe: The MCA Cafe on Level 4 is the most family-friendly eatery at the MCA.  The MCA Restaurant on the ground level is more of an adult environment, although children are still made welcome.

The Café does have a Kids menu and they also have high chairs. You just need to ask a waiter if you would like a high chair as they are tucked away a bit.

Baby change: Baby change is on ground level and level 3.

Strollers: There are shallow steps up to the main entrance on West Circular Quay. The entrance at 140 George Street has no steps. There are lifts to all levels.

Shop: Yes

Guided tours: Yes, free with entry

Mum’s report: The museum can work if you just want to take in one or two exhibits, especially those involving lots of colour. It’s great to watch your child’s unbiased and instinctive reaction to this type of art. But you do have to be careful around installations that involve dangly, bright things, which can be just a little too interesting for young tots.

Extra: See Circular Quay information here.

Map reference: Gregory’s 1 H11, Sydway 24 J14, UBD 1 H11

Parking: Pay parking stations at George Street and Harrington Street in the Rocks Nearest station: Circular Quay

Nearest ferry: Circular Quay

Bus stop nearby: Yes

Two of my four children are very keen artists, so we must get to the MCA again soon.

I’d love to sit and enjoy the views from the cafe for a while as well myself. It really is in a wonderful spot.

Do you take your children to art galleries?

Can you recommend one to others?

Have you been to the MCA recently?

 Many thanks to Susie Rugg for sending me the lovely photos of the MCA’s kids and families programs.

Find more Sydney Museums on the Sydney.com website here.

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