Exploring the Tate Modern with Kids
The Tate Modern in London offers a fantastic destination for exploring modern and contemporary art with kids. What’s more, it has free entry (although some specific exhibitions do have a charge).
Exploring art with children is a rewarding experience that can boost their creativity and imagination. It is also a valuable way to expose children to different cultures, histories, and perspectives.
The Tate Modern is one of the world's leading contemporary art museums, offering a rich variety of art experiences for families, with galleries and exhibitions that are specifically designed to engage and inspire children.
In this blog post, I have set out the key tips and information to help you get the most out of a day at the Tate Modern with your children.
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Practical Tips for Your Visit to the Tate Modern
Practical Tips for Your Visit to the Tate Modern
To get the most out of your visit to the Tate Modern, a bit of preparation can go a long way in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some tips for families visiting the Tate Modern with kids:
When to visit: The Tate Modern is very large and it can take a lot of walking to visit everything, so it is worth making this the main item on your itinerary for the day. Plan to visit when the museum is less likely to be crowded. Weekday mornings or early afternoons tend to be the best options.
This is not always possible if your children are school-age, so my advice would be to visit as early as you can if visiting on a Saturday or Sunday.
Plan ahead: Before heading out, take a look at the museum's website and social media channels to get a sense of what's on and plan your visit accordingly. Consider booking tickets for any special exhibitions in advance to avoid long queues and ensure entry at your preferred time.
Also consider researching some of the artists and artworks to discuss with your children beforehand and to show them pictures. This can help build excitement and curiosity, as well as give the children a sense of what to expect.
Bring snacks and water: While the Tate Modern has a few cafes and restaurants, they can get quite busy and you are likely to need to queue, especially at peak times. Bringing your own snacks and water can keep everyone happy during your visit or while you wait to be seated.
There are three cafes and restaurants in the Tate Modern; The Espresso Bar is on Level 3, which offers drinks and snacks, including a Pick and Mix kids lunch offer. The Terrace Bar, which serves an all-day deli-style menu is located in Blavatnik Building on Level 1. The Kitchen and Bar is located in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 6. This Kitchen and Bar has great views over the River Thames towards St Pauls. The menu is more grown-up than the other two bars, but it is worth visiting, even for a quick drink, just to see the view.
Dress comfortably: The Tate Modern can get quite warm, so dress in layers that can be easily removed. Comfortable shoes are also a must, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Make use of facilities: The museum has plenty of facilities to make your visit more comfortable, including buggy storage and lockers for bags and coats.
Engage with staff: The Tate Modern’s staff are friendly and knowledgeable and can offer tips and suggestions for making the most of your visit.
Have fun: Above all, remember that exploring modern and contemporary art with kids is meant to be a fun and enriching experience. Embrace the unexpected and enjoy the journey together.
By following these practical tips, you're sure to have a memorable and enjoyable visit to the Tate Modern that sparks your kids' curiosity and imagination.
Tate Modern Highlights for Kids
To get the most out of visiting Tate Modern with your children, you will want to focus on the exhibits that will keep your children interested. Fortunately, the museum has plenty to offer young art enthusiasts, with many galleries and exhibitions specifically designed with children in mind.
The Turbine Hall - One of the most child-friendly galleries at the Tate Modern is the Turbine Hall, a vast space that hosts large-scale installations and interactive exhibits.
In recent years, the Turbine Hall has featured works such as Olafur Eliasson's "The Weather Project" and Tania Bruguera's "Tatlin's Whisper #5," both of which captivated visitors young and old. Check the museum's website before your visit to see what's currently on display.
Blavatnik Building - Whilst there is a lot of art to explore, you may find that your children are just as happy simply exploring the vast spaces of the Tate Building. On a visit to the Tate Modern myself, when my daughter was a toddler, she wanted to spend all her time climbing up and down the stairs in the Blavatnik Building!
I recently visited Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirror Rooms” in the Blavatnik Building at the Tate Modern. One room is called “Filled with the Brilliance of Life” and is one of Kusama’s largest installations to date. The second room is called “Chandelier of Grief”, which creates an endless universe of rotating crystal chandeliers. Children will enjoy these wonderful immersive experiences, but note, you only have a few minutes in each room.
The Tanks - Another gallery that is sure to captivate children is The Tanks, which are dedicated to live art, performance, and film. Here, your children can watch artists create immersive and interactive works, such as dance performances and film screenings.
UNIQLO Tate Play - Look out for UNIQLO Tate Play. This is Tate Modern’s free programme of art, activities and workshops for families with children of all ages. These activities tend to be on during the school holidays, although there are sometimes activities on during term time.
Natalie Bell building, Level 1 – Tate Draw is located on this level. This space has a number of drawing desks that allow children (as well as parents!) to make their own artworks on the digital sketch pads and then see these pictures projected on to the wall.
Natalie Bell Building, Level 2 – Look out for “Quarta-Feira de Cinzas / Epilogue (2006)”, as this will captivate your children as they look for ants in the artwork. They may also also like “Fiona Rae, Untitled (grey and brown) (1991)”, with its use of marks to create energy and shapes in the painting.
Natalie Bell Building, Level 3 - Another popular gallery for children is the Level 3 Collection Displays, which features a variety of artworks from the museum's permanent collection. Look out for pieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Salvador Dalí, whose colourful and playful works are sure to appeal to young imaginations. These pieces are not only visually stunning, but they also provide an opportunity to introduce your children to key artists and art movements.
Natalie Bell Building, Level 4 – On this level you will find “Cildo Meireles, Babel”, an unworldly sculpture of radios. You will also find “Haegue Yang, Sol LeWitt Upside Down - Structure with Three Towers, Expanded 23 Times, Split in Three” a sculpture that looks like a building in the sky.
Engaging with Art as a Family
While you are exploring the Tate Modern and discovering some new favourite artworks, here are some strategies to make art appreciation a fun and interactive experience for all the family:
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings about the artwork by asking open-ended questions. For example, "What do you think is happening in this painting?" or "How does this artwork make you feel?" These types of questions help to spark creativity and imagination. The beauty with art is that there are no right or wrong answers!
Encourage Exploration: Allow children to explore the artwork on their own terms by giving them space to move around and view the artwork up close. This allows them to take in the details and form their own opinions about the artwork.
Create Connections: Help children to make connections between the artwork and their own lives by asking questions such as "Does this artwork remind you of anything?" or "Can you think of a time when you felt like the artist in this artwork?"
Make it Fun: Incorporate games and activities into the art appreciation experience to keep children engaged and excited. For example, you could challenge children to find specific elements in the artwork or have them create their own artwork inspired by what they've seen.
If your children want to continue creating artwork once you have returned home, I have a wide variety of blog posts providing art and craft activities for children.
My Thoughts on Tate Modern as a Family Day Out
Exploring modern and contemporary art with kids at the Tate Modern can be a fantastic way to inspire creativity, encourage curiosity and broaden horizons. By providing children with the opportunity to engage with art, we are opening up a world of imagination, ideas and inspiration that can last a lifetime. So why not plan your next family day out at the Tate Modern and discover the power of art together?
To find out more about the Tate Modern, please see my other blog posts featuring this gallery.
I hope you have found this guide helpful and enjoy visiting the Tate Modern as much as I do. If there is anything else you think I should include here, please email me at [email protected].
