Family Programs

Special Family Programs | AsiaAlive | Yoga Flow | Storytelling | Family Festival |

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

Samurai Stories

Thursdays, June 18–August 20

10:30–11:00 am

Daimyo for a Day Activity Room

FREE with museum admission

Step into the world of samurai through story. The Asian Art Museum Storytellers share samurai stories sweet or wise, funny or fierce. Each story session is different.

India Comes Alive! Theater & Dance Class for Kids
Tuesday–Friday, July 28–31

1:00–4:00 pm

Education Studios

$170 plus $40 materials fee, members; $172 plus $40 materials fee materials, general

Indian history dances to life in this class for kids ages ten to thirteen. The museum's South Asian art collection provides the backdrop for an exploration of three periods in Indian history—Ancient India, the Mughal Period and modern India.

Discover ancient Indian mythology through storytelling and Bharatnatyam dance; learn the basic Kathak footwork (Tatkar) seen in Mughal Period miniature paintings; through role play and writing, gain an understanding of modern India’s freedom struggle and Gandhi’s practice of truth and non-violence. From the past to the present, India’s rich and textured history is woven together with dance, movement and storytelling.

co-sponsored by the India Community Center and taught by TATTVA co-founders Shalini Haranahalli and Ashwini Srivatsan, this class brings India to life! Pre-registration required. Click here to pre-register.

Crazy for Kanji

Sunday, August 3

10:00 am–1:00 pm

Education Studios

Part of the Target First Free Sunday program

Get crazy for kanji at the Asian Art Museum! Author Eve Kushner serves up a palatable plate of kanji from her new book, Crazy for Kanji. Using games, puzzles, cultural clues and fun facts, Crazy for Kanji delivers Japanese written characters with a side of fun. Join Eve at this engaging program for kids and families—watch a presentation about, and learn the stroke order of, characters related to samurai, train your brain with verbal logic quizzes and play a game of sudoku, kanji style. Books are available for purchase in the Museum Store.

"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.

AsiaAlive

AsiaAlive is a free, interactive, drop-in program for all ages, featuring live artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, and videos and books on rotating themes. See the upcoming AsiaAlive schedule.

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

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

The Asian Art Museum Storytellers bring the galleries to life with the myths and folktales of Asia.

family festival

Check Back soon for upcoming Family Festivals.

art projects to make at home

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

Mempo Mask (pdf)

Kimono Doll Finger puppet (pdf)

Lead funding for the Asian Art Museum’s education programs and activities is provided by the Bank of America Foundation.

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

"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.

Additional support provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Louise Rosenberg & Claude Rosenberg Jr. Family Foundation, the San Francisco Foundation, the Mary Tanenbaum Fund, the Robert and Helen Odell Fund, the United States-Japan Foundation, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the Joseph R. McMicking Foundation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Dodge & Cox, the Stanley S. Langendorf Foundation, the Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation, Inc., and the Joel E. Ferris Foundation.

Support for AsiaAlive is provided by the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.

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