Join us on the first Sunday of the month for a day of free family fun! Enjoy art-making, gallery activities, performances, and workshops designed to deepen kids and families’ connections with contemporary art. All activities are drop-in, first come first served. Space is limited. Explore our Kids + Families page to help plan your visit!
Reserve free admission tickets online in advance. When accompanied by kids 12 and under, up to 2 adults per family receive free museum admission. Use the code PLAYDATE when reserving your ticket(s). Tickets will become available mid-month the month before each Play Date. Advance tickets are strongly recommended; day-of tickets are not guaranteed.
October Play Date | October 4
Celebrate the beginning of fall with artwork, artmaking, and activities for the whole family!
Art-making: Autumnal Garlands | 10 AM – 3PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Create an artwork inspired by autumn’s bounty! Design leaves and objects that remind you of fall, then string your family’s creations together into a beautiful hanging garland.
Art Lab: Paper Tapestries | 10 AM – 3 PM
Bank of America Art Lab, First Floor
Weave your own paper tapestry! Decorate paper strips and then join them together to create a one-of-a-kind design. Try a new artmaking technique or perfect a new pattern!
The Big Draw! with The Gottabees and Meg Rotzel | 11AM and 1PM
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater
Let’s make a very big drawing of the very special people, creatures and green things that live in our city. Bring your friends, family and neighbors for a joyful 45 minutes of movement, collaborative drawing, live music, and even a shadow puppetry performance! No drawing experience needed.
Participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis; space is limited.
Books and Looks | 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
Galleries, 4th Floor
Connect with art through the creative worlds of picture books! Join our staff for a guided reading of family-friendly storybooks in the galleries.
November Play Date | November 1
Enjoy art, performances, and creative projects that celebrate gratitude and community!
Lobby: Folding Pictures
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Create a 3-D picture inspired by techniques used by artist Caroline Monet in the site-responsive installation for the Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Art Wall Man-Made Land. Layer and interlock folded paper to create designs that pop from the page.
Art Lab: Fill Your Gratitude Cup!
Bank of America Art Lab, First Floor
Reflect and share your gratitude through art! Design and decorate a paper cup or vessel, then write or draw the people and things that you appreciate.
Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers | 12– 1 PM
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, Second Floor
Enjoy an interactive performance of Eastern social songs and dances by The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers. This group includes musicians, educators, and artisans from the tribal communities of Mashpee on Cape Cod, Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard, and Herring Pond in Bourne. Their performances have educated and entertained audiences of all ages in museums, schools, and various multicultural events.
Books and Looks | 11 AM and 1 PM
Galleries, Fourth Floor
Connect with art through the creative worlds of picture books! Join our staff for a guided reading of family-friendly storybooks in the galleries. Each Books and Looks reading lasts approximately 30 minutes.
December Play Date | December 6
The ICA is turning 90! Celebrate and create with us at our last Play Date of the year!
Artmaking: Party Hats! | 10AM – 3PM
State Street Corporation Lobby, First Floor
Design a hat fit for a birthday party! Use inspiration from the contemporary art you see to craft your costume. Artmaking is on a first come, first serve basis; last call 2:45PM.
Art Lab: Musical Shakers | 10AM – 3PM
Bank of America Art Lab, First Floor
A party isn’t complete without music! Decorate an egg shaker and use it to make the sound of celebration! Artmaking is on a first come, first serve basis; last call 2:45PM.
Birthday Bash with Grooversity | Time TBD
Barbara Lee Family Theater, Second Floor
Join maestro Marcus Santos for an ensemble of soul-stirring Afro-Brazilian traditional rhythms, the joyful drumming of carnival marching bands, and the modern sounds of Samba Funk.
Books and Looks | 11 AM and 1 PM
Galleries, Fourth Floor
Connect with art through the creative worlds of picture books! Join our staff for a guided reading of family-friendly storybooks in the galleries. Each Books and Looks reading lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Free Admission for Youth
Youth 18 and under always receive FREE museum admission. The ICA is committed to providing access to the art and artists of our time—and we do this with the incredible support of our community. Explore the +1 Membership: a free ICA membership program for youth 0-18.
Questions? Reach out to us at familyprograms@icaboston.org.
