de Young Museum
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"git cultured! it's fun!"
The DeYoung Museum is my favorite, if only for the building itself: the spiral tower with a 360 view of the city is hard to beat; the simulated earthquake crack that kids can follow from the front sidewalk, through boulders, to the entrance; the incredible, permanent exhibit; and the I-have-never-been-disappointed rotating exhibits ranging from Chihuly to YSL gowns. If you can find a way to make the annual flower show, don't miss it!
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1 family found this helpful
"For flexible families looking for culture..."
We have visited the De Young Museum with our two children (3 & 6) for a number of special exhibits including the King Tut exhibit, Picasso, and Orsay Museum. (Special exhibits are a separate charge from your normal museum entrance fee) We have also visited the regular exhibits with the children.
This is not a museum that is geared toward children, so bear that in mind when bringing young toddlers. We, however, are always bringing the kids along for adventures like these when we hope to educate or culture them :). Our kids are home schooled, so we do what we can to expose them to art and science. However, our 3 year old needed to be monitored well and was bored easily.
If you have a grammar school age child, please take them to see the large, mural-sized map of the world in the large exhibit near the cafe, it's wonderful.
There are two areas that I recommend as a break area for kids: 1) The sculpture garden outside, and 2) The little-known observation deck at the top of the museum. Head to the extreme right of the museum, past admission desks, and take the elevator to the top. Wonderful views of the city and a great diversion.
The special exhibits hosted by the museum are absolutely wonderful. An audio tour is offered for a charge, and might keep boredom at bay for small children. I hate to recommend gift stores ;) but the gift stores at the exit always have books about the exhibits geared towards young children, and we've always found excellent resources there to follow up our visit.
Come prepared, and you can have a great time with your young kids!
0 families found this helpful
"Not too great for really young kids!"
Contrary to the title, younger kids might not last that long here, and us moms will really enjoy this museum!! I havent gone with my kids, I went with one of my friends, but I cant imagine them liking this, its very artsy and hard to appreciate! Even I had trouble, and Im an artist. Maybe this one is one we visit without the kiddos!!
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"De Young Museum"
My family really enjoyed going to the De Young Museum. There is a lot to look at so you can spend a lot of time really looking around. The only problem with the museum is that it is a lot of money. With all there is to look at it I thought it was worth the money, so if you are willing to spend it I would definately go. I would leave this for an activity if your family is older. With younger children it is often hard to look around and here they can easily get bored. If you have an artistic family and this sounds like something you would enjoy I really do recommend it. My family is not necessarily the museum type, but we stull enjoyed it.
1 family found this helpful
"Cool Art and Awesome Views"
Yes, it is an art museum, so most toddlers will be rather bored. But like most attractions geared towards adults, you'll have to modify your visit (and expectations). We have been going to the De Young since my kid was a preschooler, and we get different things out of it each time.
My son's favorite part of the museum is actually totally free for everyone in the whole family: the observation deck in the North Tower. Just head past member's admission desk to the elevator up to the Tower.
It is good to note that kids under the age of 12 are free (except for some special exhibits), so you can feel less guilty about not seeing everything in the museum. The food is pricey, but so are most of the places in Golden Gate Park.
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"Neat to see, Hard with Kids"
Kids and art don't always mix, they get too bored or loud. This place is neat and has a lot to admire. We happened to go when the King Tut experience was there, and that was really the highlight of this place almost. The elevator is something worth checking out though while there, it's sort of hidden behind the main ticket desk, but gives some good views of the park and the city.
1 family found this helpful
"For older art enthusiasts"
the de Young is a San Francisco icon. That being said, there is not much to hold the interests of young kids. The art work is impressive, but there isn't much that the young kids can get inspired by.
For older kids, they will find classical artwork that can fill their minds with ideas. You could plan whole lesson plans around the galleries.
My kids were too young when we took them (4 and 3). All they wanted was a hot dog and a place to play. What we found was - the cafe was WAY too expensive ($12 for a cheeseburger, $9 for a corn dog - - seriously). There is a cute little garden area outside that the kids can run in and play on sculptures - but watch them because there is a hidden tunnel and room behind the garden. We lost our kids for a few moments and it scared the jeepers out of me until I found the hidden path.
1 family found this helpful
"An enjoyable experience"
The DeYoung is located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park so there is plenty of things to do after the museum visit. We were not into the American impressionism but we really enjoyed the rest of the art: primitive, African, and especially the Glass Art. My kids really spent a while admiring them. There are plenty of pieces that will fascinate the children and will make the visit to this museum a very pleasant one. Do not forget to take the elevator to the Observatory Tower: San Francisco at your feet!
Avoid their parking garage: no validation and expensive.
1 family found this helpful
"Friday Family Night is Wonderful!"
Our kids have always liked the De Young, but for me, it's sometimes stressful trying to keep a 3 and 6 year old quiet and their hands off all that precious art. Last Friday at "Family Night" (not the official name), our experience of the De Young went from 4 to 5 stars. On Friday nights, the De Young brings in an excellent band, sets up craft tables for kids (and parents too), and usually has a special exhibit. All for FREE.
Last Friday and for the rest of Nov 09, they have an interactive exhibit called Ra-Balisk. It is an exhibit that takes you through the experience of an Eygptian Temple using lights, music, and movement. Our 3 year old was a little scared, but our 6 year old thought is was super cool. Very psychedelic and trippy.
To see the regular galleries, you have to pay the regular admission fee. (Kids under 12 are always free.) I love that the De Young is not overwhelmingly large but has a good variety of art. The best thing about visiting on Friday nights is that the galleries were so empty. With a band jammin' in the foyer, we didn't feel the need to keep the kids quiet as we walked through the galleries. Instead, we talked freely about what we saw. We are a pretty noisy bunch, so I was grateful for this opportunity to have my kids experience art in such a relaxed environment. All in all, this was the most kid-friendly experience we've had visiting an art museum.
On Saturdays, the De Young has excellent art classes for children (free with admission ticket). Professional artist-teachers hold studio workshops for kids. And on the weekdays, they hold after school art for kids of various ages. They website has a calendar of after school art classes. Thank you De Young for making art accessible for kids.
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"Fun with the Family"
Replacing the grand old museum, a colossal, contemporary-design, copper-clad,world-class museum surrounded by the park. Large, open galleries, plenty of placesto take breaks, and dramatic, primitive art displays that kids like are reasons to bring the family. Ascend to the top of the tower to see 360-degree views of the city, then head for the African and Oceania galleries to see scary masks, fantastical ceremonial costumes and headdresses, towering Maori carvings, and other dramatic pieces that appeal to children. After that, wander in the other huge galleries of Mesoamerica, Central and South America; and those showing American art of the last two ceturies—perhaps less interesting to little kids. Tall glass windows viewing interior courtyards and the park and the light-filled interior piazza are restful to young eyes.
Check out the Education Gallery on the first floor, to learn about and interact with art. Offered from 10:30 A.M. to noon on Saturdays are free tours for ages 31⁄2 to 12, followed by workshops; kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult (415–750–3658). On Friday nights are special events for all ages involving live music and dancing, artists’ demonstrations, and art-making workshops, with food and drink.
Look in the gift shop for toys, games, and art projects. Have snacks or lunch in the excellent cafe, and sit indoors, on the covered patio, or outdoors adjacent to the sculpture garden and lawns. The museum is located across from the new Academy of Sciences and the aquarium; adjacent to the Japanese Tea Garden and near the Conservatory of Flowers.
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"Great Art Abound!"
The DeYoung Fine Art is a great resource for art exploration. There are many mediums of art, some historical, some regional, some modern, all of it interesting. Some of the special exhibits are no strollers so it's a good idea to bring along the sling. For those exhibits I'd order tickets ahead of time using WillCall via Ticketmaster so you don't have to wait in line! The food is good, the art is plentiful and varied, and the Music Concourse is a great place to get some energy out after being indoors.
1 family found this helpful
"Beautiful Museum"
This recently renovated art museum is located in the lovely Golden Gate Park and it is stunning. I have taken my toddler, but I think it is more appropriate for kids a bit older. If you do have young ones, sitting outside of the cafe on the grass and letting them play on the outside art is a great place for them to get their energy out. The art is stunning here and their revolving exhibits are always great. The cafe is o.k. you're probably better off packing a lunch for yourselves, but the coffee is great and it's all you can drink. I often go just to observe some art and enjoy a cup of joe.
2 families found this helpful
"gardens, observatory and museum"
Most art museums in San Francisco are free on the first Tuesday of the month, and the science museums free on the first Wednesday of the month. The De Young Museum has a beautiful garden with artful sculptures next to their cafeteria that will delight you and your child. The well planned outdoor garden on the other side of the building has landscaped sitting areas and walking decks next to the fountain. As you enter the door from that side of the museum, an elevator takes you up to the observatory, where you and your children will enjoy a panoramic view of the City. http://www.famsf.org/deyoung/visiting/index.asp
1 family found this helpful
"Nice Museaum"
I'm not big on Art museums, but my kids and I enjoyed the free trip to the lookout tower where we could see all of San Francisco.
3 families found this helpful
"Great kid art programs"
I went to the DeYoung recently with my nieces, ages 9 and 12. There was a wonderful free art program where the girls got to paint and take home their finished works. Ask for the family arts schedule of activities when you visit the museum. They don't have activities everyday, so make sure you plan your visit.
1 family found this helpful
"King Tut and toddlers"
7/09 Just went this afternoon with my sister and 2 year old to check out King Tut. The exhibit is amazing, but long for a toddler. The lines are long and the exhibit is crowded. We had tickets for the 1:30-2pm entry and still waited about 45 minutes to get into the exhibit.
Here's a secret. The lines are up on the main floor of the deYoung. Go downstairs where the garage entrance is and purchase your tickets and enter the exhibit there. You'll save yourself about 25 minutes of wait time.
Overall, there's plenty to check out and my son was wow'd by all the gold and kept asking to sit in the King Tut chairs. If your 2 year old is into his ABC's and animals, you can easily occupy his time looking for different animals (birds, lions, etc.) and reading off letters in all the exhibits. My favorite part was taking a picture at the end in the gift shop with the King Tut headpiece on each of our heads. My son is totally destined to be king. :)
We ate at the cafe around 12:30 and there were only 3 people ahead of us in line which was nice. We quickly ordered and the best part is that they bring the food to your table versus having to carry it all yourself. there's an Egyptian chicken dish that my sister got and it was awesome!
There's no real stroller parking for the exhibit, but you can leave it with security on the lower level.
8/08 We recently took my 18 month old son to the Chihuly exhibit here. The colors are captivating to both young and old. Definitely a must see.
The hard part was that many of the pieces were at floor level and within easy reach of a toddler who's eager to touch and explore anything that catches his eye. As a result, we had to hold him through the entire exhibit which is tough on the arms! Would recommend going with friends who can also take a shift in holding your young ones if you go.
1 family found this helpful
"Loved it!"
We went recently with our kids and got to also see the current Chihuly exhibit. We've seen his glass blown pieces before in places like Las Vegas, but it was amazing to see it all in one place. Our kids were blown away by all the colors and designs.
Given that the museum is right in Golden Gate Park also made it easy to find other fun activities for the kids to enjoy like the Koret playground and boating on Stowe Lake.
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