Whitney Families

The Whitney welcomes families to create lasting memories together through art, learning, and fun for children and teens! Explore what’s available from spontaneous visits to signature programs created by our world-class educators and inspiring partners.

Open Studio on Saturdays

Join us on select Saturdays from 11 am–3 pm for Open Studio on Floor 3 and discover the Museum’s collection together through hands-on artmaking inspired by works on view.

April 25
May 2, 16, 30
June 6, 20, 27
July 18, 25
August 1, 15, 22, 29

Open studio

Free Second Sundays

Admission to the Whitney is free all day on the second Sunday of every month. Families will find so much to enjoy with artmaking, story time, tours, classes, and other special events that celebrate Whitney exhibitions and community.

May 10
Mother's Day with Floral Artmaking
Storytime with Spiral Books

June 14
Whitney Pride Celebration with Queer Urban Orchestra
Storytime with Spiral Books

July 12
West Side Fest

August 9
Biennial Closing Celebration and High Line Partnership


Free Second Sundays Reserve Free Tickets

Free Friday Nights at the Whitney

Free Friday Nights  are perfect for teens. Every Friday from 5–10 pm, experience the Whitney transformed by music, special programming, late-night menus, and a lively social atmosphere with great art and city views. 

Join us on select Fridays from 4–6 pm for  Open Studio for Teens, created for teenagers to engage in hands-on projects alongside contemporary artists and educators.

April 17
Alvin Ailey Extension Dance Class

April 24
Aspen Institute: Aspen Conexión Latinos in Sport 

May 1
WICKED and Broadway League
Art + You: Gallery Conversations For Younger Adults

May 8
Dance Class with Debbie Allen

May 15
Biennial Live Performances

May 22
Alvin Ailey Extension Dance Class

May 29

June 5
New York Gay Men's Chorus

June 12
Queer Teen Night

June 19
Alvin Ailey Extension Dance Class
World Cup Streaming

June 26
World Cup Streaming

July 3
Art + You: Gallery Conversations For Younger Adults

July 10
West Side Fest

Free Friday Nights Reserve Free tickets

Woman helps young girl write on a clipboard while they sit by a window with city skyline.
Woman helps young girl write on a clipboard while they sit by a window with city skyline.

Second Sunday, December 14, 2025. Installation view of Mary Heilmann: Long Line (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, April 9, 2025-January 19, 2026). Photograph by Filip Wolak

Special Events for Families

The Whitney periodically hosts private receptions for our closest patrons and supporters. We have upcoming special events on the following dates: 

Please contact doteam@whitney.org for more information.


A museum guide points to a large textured wall artwork while a family observes closely.
A museum guide points to a large textured wall artwork while a family observes closely.

Installation view of “Untitled” (America) during Free Second Sunday (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, October 12, 2025). From left to right: Norman Lewis, American Totem, 1960; Jay DeFeo, The Rose, 1958–66. Artworks © Norman Lewis, courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC; © 2025 The Jay DeFeo Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photograph by Filip Wolak

Book a private family tour
At the Museum

Private tours offer a one-hour experience, welcoming up to 25 guests. Please submit the form linked below to request a tour. A member of our team will get back to you within 3-5 business days. Please note, we recommend three weeks’ advance notice.

Request your visit


Whitney Kids Art Challenge
At home

Eager to inspire the young artists in your family? Enjoy art projects designed for kids and grown-ups to do together at home.

Get started

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Frank WANG Yefeng, The Levitating Perils #2

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.