Family Programs

Special Family Programs | Family Festival | Community Celebration | Yoga Flow | Storytelling |

Art Projects to Make at Home

The museum's interactive Family Programs allow parents and children to explore the many aspects of Asian art and culture together. Listen to lively storytelling in the galleries, watch a video or performance, or create a piece of original artwork—these are just a few of the entertaining activities the whole family can enjoy. So bring the kids and have some fun learning about art!

Unless indicated otherwise, all Family Programs are FREE with museum admission, and kids 12 and under always get in FREE!

For more information on Family Programs, e-mail familyprograms@asianart.org or call 415.581.3666. All dates and times are subject to change; please check our calendar for the latest updates.

Special Family Programs

Explore different aspects of Asian art and culture through special family programs such as the Lunar New Year dance and music celebration, special exhibition storytelling and more.

Family Festival

Spring Family Festival

Sunday, May 9, 2010

10:30 am—4:00 pm

Museum-wide

Ages 3 and up

Hey Bay Area families! Celebrate Mother’s Day and the richness of the Bay Area Chinese American community at the Asian Art Museum’s Spring Family Festival! Catch a dance or music performance, observe artist demonstrations, make your own art project, listen to a story in the galleries and more! On hand demonstrating the classic Chinese fan and ribbon dances are members of the China Dance School. Try the dances yourself, and then watch them performed along with dances from Shanghai and other parts of China. Play an instrument and learn hand movements as Faye-Lin Wu and Kieran Dutcher introduce songs and rhymes in two languages with their book, Chinese and English Nursery Rhymes. Author and illustrator Pauline Tsui leads you through a tiger themed art activity inspired by her book, Grandpa's Treasure Box: The Adventures of Bobo and Tashi. Listen to the Asian Art Museum storytellers spin tales from China, hop on a docent family tour and much more!

A biannual museum-wide event during which the cultural and artistic traditions of Asia come alive, the festival celebrates the parent-child relationship with a fun-filled day of engaging programs—all FREE with museum admission—that promise to delight and excite the imaginations of both young and old. From performances to hands-on activities and storytelling, there’s something for the entire family. You won’t want to miss the special exhibition, Shanghai, featuring contemporary artwork from this dynamic city.

Learn about Asian festivals and cultural traditions, such as Chuseok, Diwali, Pasko and more, through hands-on activities, games, performances, workshops and storytelling.

YogA Flow

First Sunday of every month

2:00–3:00 pm

Education Studios. Check at the Information Desk upon arrival.

Part of the Target First Free Sunday program

Ages 5 and up

Get centered with Yoga Flow. Learn basic poses (asanas) for balance, flexibility and strength as you move your body into positions inspired by sculptures in the museum collection. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Storytelling

Every Sunday

1:00 pm

FREE with museum admission

Ages 4 and up

The museum’s storytellers bring the galleries to life telling tales from Asia’s most beloved myths and folktales. From “How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head” to the “Inch High Samurai”, visitors of all ages delight in the richness and wonder of these classic stories.

art projects to make at home

Learn more about Asian art and cultural traditions with these fun, hands-on art projects you can make at home.

New Activity! Make a Thai Style Shadow puppet (pdf) and Thai Spirit House (pdf)

Mempo Mask (pdf)

Kimono Doll Finger Puppet (pdf)

Stencil (Katazome) Kimono (pdf)

Katazome is a traditional Japanese method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste applied through a stencil. Try designing fun kimono using different patterns and colors.

Samurai Helmet (Kabuto) (pdf)

Template One (pdf)

Template Two (pdf)

Template Three (pdf)

Chashitsu: Japanese Teahouse Model (pdf)
Make your own three dimensional Teahouse and decorate with colors and fun materials.

Samurai Armor Instructions (pdf)

Template One (pdf)

Template Two (pdf)

Samurai Sword Instructions (pdf)

Make a tsuba (sword guard) and a sword at home with paper, ribbon and other simple materials.

Haiku Instructions

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry made of three lines (5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables) that is commonly a meditation on nature. Make an image using colorful paper and ink, and then write a haiku inspired by your creation.

Lead funding for the Asian Art Museum’s Education and Public Programs is provided by the Bank of America Foundation.

Major support provided by the Koret Foundation, Freeman Foundation, Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, and Douglas Tilden.

AT&T is the 2010 Education sponsor for the Asian Art Museum. Additional support provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Wells Fargo, Louise Rosenberg & Claude Rosenberg Jr. Family Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, San Francisco Foundation – Shenson Foundation, Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, Louise M. Davies Foundation, Joseph R. McMicking Foundation, Margaret Liu Collins and Magdalene Chan, Nancy and Stephen Grand Philanthropic Fund, John and Lisa Pritzker Family Fund, Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Philanthropic Fund, Deborah Strobin, Dodge & Cox, Mem Dryan Bernstein, and Bingham McCutchen.

"Target First Free Sundays"—free admission on the first Sunday of every month and the family programs offered on that day—is made possible by Target. Free admission to Target First Free Sundays is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to capacity restrictions, admission is not guaranteed.

The Art Speak teen program made possible in part by a grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Company.