Kids & whānau

Ignite young imaginations

Explore the Gallery with the whānau

The Gallery is full of stories and secret spots to ignite young imaginations! Bring the tamariki (children) and begin an adventure together discovering art, getting creative with art-making at free Whānau drop-ins or exploring the Gallery with one of our free guides for tamariki.

Make sure you check out the Gallery's Te Aka Matua | The Creative Learning Centre – a family friendly space with fun, hands-on activities that encourage tamariki and whānau to engage with art and develop their own creative voice.

Babies and toddlers can be bottle fed on seated areas in the North Atrium (next to Te Ata Matua | The Creative Learning Centre) or the main foyer. Please note that other food and drink is not permitted elsewhere in the Gallery, but can be enjoyed on our outdoors East Terrace, which is sheltered and has heating for rainy, cold days. You are welcome to store your food or drink in the Gallery’s cloakroom while visiting the Gallery’s exhibitions until you’re ready for a break. Refreshments are also available to purchase in the café.

For more information about visiting with little ones, check out our FAQs below.

We have a variety of activities and events for young people, including our family friendly activity space Te Aka Matua | The Creative Learning Centre, weekly Whānau drop-ins, activity booklets and trails for exploring the Gallery as well as activities to complete at home. 

People who breastfeed are welcome to feed their babies on any of the public seating in the galleries. If you wish for a more private spot, there is a chair available in the accessible bathroom on the Mezzanine level.

Due to restrictions on food and drink around artworks, bottle feeding for babies or toddlers can only take place in the seating areas in our North Atrium, South Atrium, up on the East Terrace or in the entrance foyer. Likewise, if children need a top-up of food during their visit, please use these areas only. We can assist in guiding you to the right area, so please ask the nearest Gallery Assistant for help. For all other visitors there is no food and drink permitted in the Gallery

 

Children 14 years and over can visit the Gallery unsupervised by an adult.

Baby change facilities can be found in the accessible bathrooms on the Lower Ground, Ground and Mezzanine levels.

Baby strollers are welcome at all times and must be in the control of an adult. Children are not permitted to push strollers in the Gallery.

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