My kids want to climb everything -- so I'd want art that they are either invited to climb OR at least be sure it's something that doesn't invite climbing. It's just awful when there is some sculpture that is practically begging a kid to climb it next to a sign forbidding it. Or worse -- at the capitol there are guards there to keep kids from having fun. I think interaction is key. They love goofing around in front of those wacky mirrors that make you look taller or fatter. They love ringing giant chimes. They like it if they can fit inside it or hide behind it. They love the big, lighted disco dance floor in front of The Long Center. They love garden paths that lead to leafy "secret hide-outs". They like the giant terrazzo maps at the airport. They like the big fruit/veggie bollards in front of Central Market. They love mosaics -- discovering little details stuck into the design. They also LOVE things they got to help create or that were obviously created in part by other children.
It doesn't have to be "kid art". It shouldn't look like Romper Room. It just needs to be unexpected and OK to touch. It's not like they'll only like it if it's primary colors. In fact, I think that's pretty condescending. They kind of dig the manipulation of nature type of art exhibits -- the Andy Goldsworthy type stuff. They enjoy the maze out at The Natural Gardener.
Here's one I really like where the public can alter the piece.
My two criteria are that kids can touch and climb on the art. My kids love to climb on the statue "philosophers rock" at Barton Springs. It's not really kid friendly because it says you should not crawl on it and it's made of bronze which heats up like crazy in summer, but they love to try anyway.
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| Philosophers Rock at Barton Springs in Austin |
I think interactive sculptures really capture kids attention -- like the Dell Children's hospital art. Interactive water features are also great -- push a button & water shoots out. Also, musical features are always a huge hit with kids -- they like to make noise. Murals are great and kids like things they can look through, like the painted body & they put there head or face through and get a picture taken. They like telescopes.
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| Dell Children's Hospital |
Interactive art-either that kids can climb on or 'play' like an instrument-really engages my kids! Or also they LOVED the one at Dell childrens, the balls when you first come in the door. That appeals to all ages.
In my experience and travels, child-friendly art is interactive and touch-able. Sculptures, fountains, anything reflective, climb-able, touch-able, etc. We go to Denver a couple of times each year. Our go-to is the science museum and the zoo. Both have great sculptures that kids can climb on and run around. In San Francisco, both the California Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung Museum are great examples. There is a fabulous, open plaza connecting the two museums. DeYoung has an amazing sculpture garden. The kids can't climb on the sculptures (it's "art"!), but they spent a solid hour running around them, hiding amongst them, making up stories based on the sculptures' names, etc. Plus, there were installations/designs in the stone work leading up to the museum. It fosters conversations and play. My favorite child-friendly art isn't even art per se.
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| Asheville, North Carolina |
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| Breckenridge, Colorado |
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| Breckenridge, Colorado |
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