Explore The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a world of ancient temples, armor, and timeless art. Travel through history and cultures in NYC’s iconic art museum!
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Family Guide
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s largest art museums, with over 2 million amazing treasures inside!
- WHOA! The Met is so big that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each artwork, it would take you more than 6 months to see everything!
- SUPER COOL! The Met’s armor collection has real swords and shields that are over 500 years old – that’s older than your great-great-great-grandparents!
- HOLY MOLY! The Egyptian Temple of Dendur was saved from underwater when Egypt built a huge dam – it was taken apart piece by piece (like a giant puzzle) and rebuilt inside the Met!
- AWESOME SAUCE! The Met’s roof is like a secret garden with amazing views of Central Park – and sometimes they put giant art installations up there that look like they’re touching the sky!
- WOW! Some of the instruments in the musical collection are so rare and special that they’re the only ones like them in the whole world!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Temple of Dendur (Egyptian Art) Get Ready for the Temple of Dendur (Egyptian Art) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Walk into a real Egyptian temple that’s over 2,000 years old! The whole room feels like you’re in ancient Egypt, complete with a reflecting pool and huge windows.
INTERESTING FACT! This temple was actually given as a gift to the United States by Egypt and was rebuilt piece by piece inside the museum.
COOL ACTIVITY! Pretend you’re an archaeologist! Count how many hieroglyphs (ancient Egyptian pictures) you can find on the temple walls. Try to draw your favorite one when you get home.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could build a temple, what would you put inside it?”
DISCUSS: Ancient Egyptians built temples as homes for their gods and filled them with colorful pictures and special gifts.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Temple of Dendur was built to honor two Egyptian gods, Isis and Osiris. The ancient Egyptians believed these gods helped the Nile River flood each year, which was super important for growing food. They would leave offerings like flowers, food, and precious items at the temple. Sometimes, they would even have parades and celebrations there!
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What do you think the squiggly pictures (hieroglyphs) on the walls are trying to say?”
DISCUSS: Each hieroglyph is like a letter or word in a secret code – some look like birds, others like little people or zigzag lines.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Ancient Egyptians used these pictures to write everything from stories about their gods to shopping lists! Some hieroglyphs stand for whole words, while others represent sounds, just like our alphabet. They wrote from right to left and top to bottom, and it took years to learn how to read and write them all.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the crocodile carved into the temple walls.
HINT: Look near the bottom of the temple walls – the ancient Egyptians often carved animals they saw along the Nile River.
OBJECTIVE: Spot the sun disk symbol (it looks like a circle with rays coming out).
HINT: Look up high on the temple walls, especially above doorways.
Arms and Armor Gallery Get Ready for the Arms and Armor Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? It’s like walking into a real knight’s castle! You’ll see shiny suits of armor that real knights and their horses wore, plus swords and shields that look like they’re from fairy tales.
INTERESTING FACT! Some suits of armor were so heavy that if a knight fell off his horse, he needed help getting back up – just like a turtle on its back!
COOL ACTIVITY! Stand next to a suit of armor and make your best knight pose. How different would you look wearing all that metal?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think a knight ate lunch wearing all that armor?”
DISCUSS: Knights had special parts of their helmet that opened up like a door so they could eat and drink without taking off all their armor!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Just like you have special clothes for different activities (like rain boots for rainy days or swimsuits for swimming), knights had different types of armor for different occasions. They had lighter armor for parties and ceremonies, and super strong armor for battles. Some armor even had decorations like golden dragons or lions to make the knight look extra fancy!
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could design your own suit of armor, what color would it be and what pictures would you put on it?”
DISCUSS: Some knights painted their armor in bright colors and added special symbols that told stories about their family.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Knights used pictures on their armor and shields called “coats of arms” – like a family logo! They might use a lion to show they were brave, or an eagle to show they were swift. Some even added their favorite colors or patterns. Today, sports teams do something similar with their team logos and colors!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the smallest suit of armor in the room (it was made for a child!).
HINT: Look for armor that’s about your size – yes, even kids sometimes wore armor!
OBJECTIVE: Spot a horse wearing armor.
HINT: Look for the biggest suit of armor in the room – horses needed protection too!
American Wing Courtyard Get Ready for the American Wing Courtyard : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This bright, sunny space feels like an indoor park with a beautiful glass ceiling and lots of amazing sculptures, including a giant bronze horse!
INTERESTING FACT! The fountain in this courtyard is over 100 years old and came from a garden in Mexico.
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Statue Freeze Dance” – when the music stops (or Mom/Dad says “freeze”), pose like your favorite statue in the courtyard.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If this giant horse could jump off its stand, where do you think it would want to go first in New York City?”
DISCUSS: This bronze horse is so big that it took 15 people to move it into the museum!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: This horse was created by an artist who spent years watching real horses run and play. He wanted to make sure every muscle and movement looked just right. The artist made the horse look like it’s about to leap into the air – can you see how its muscles are tensed and ready to spring? Real horses can jump as high as 8 feet – that’s taller than most grown-ups!
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What sounds do you think you’d hear if this courtyard was a real garden?”
DISCUSS: The glass ceiling above us is made of over 1,000 pieces of glass and lets in natural sunlight just like a real garden!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: In a real garden like this, you might hear birds chirping, water splashing from the fountain, and leaves rustling in the wind. The people who built this courtyard wanted to bring the feeling of being outside into the museum. That’s why they added real plants, flowing water, and lots of natural light. It’s like having a magical garden that never gets rained on!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find something in the courtyard that moves (hint: it’s wet!).
HINT: Listen for the sound of splashing water.
OBJECTIVE: Look for animals hidden in the sculptures around the courtyard.
HINT: Check the fountain and look at the details on the walls – you might find birds, fish, or other creatures!
Musical Instruments Gallery Get Ready for the Musical Instruments Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? It’s like a musical treasure hunt! You’ll see instruments from all over the world, some so strange and wonderful you won’t believe your eyes.
INTERESTING FACT! Some of these instruments are bigger than a grown-up, while others are smaller than your thumb!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Name That Sound” – make the sound you think each instrument would make and see if your family can guess which instrument you’re thinking of.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could play any instrument in this room, which would you choose and what song would you play?”
DISCUSS: Some of these instruments are so old that they were played for kings and queens hundreds of years ago!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Just like you might have different toys for different times (quiet toys for bedtime, noisy toys for playtime), people all around the world made different instruments for different occasions. Some were for happy celebrations like parties and weddings, others for quiet prayer time, and some were even used to talk to people far away! Each instrument has its own special voice, just like you do.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Can you spot any instruments that look like they could be animals?”
DISCUSS: Many instruments were made to look like or sound like animals – there are even drums that roar like lions!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: People have always been inspired by the sounds they hear in nature. Some flutes were made to sound like bird calls, while drums might copy the sound of thunder. In China, there’s even an instrument called a “tiger box” that makes a sound just like a tiger’s growl! Can you think of any animals that make music with their voices?
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the biggest instrument in the room.
HINT: Look for something that might need more than one person to play it!
OBJECTIVE: Spot an instrument that’s shaped like something from nature.
HINT: Look for instruments that might look like animals, flowers, or trees.
Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery Get Ready for the Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Welcome to a room full of giant marble statues that look like they just stepped out of a storybook! This bright, sunny gallery feels like walking through a garden of frozen heroes and mythical creatures.
INTERESTING FACT! Many of these statues were once painted in bright colors, even though they’re white now. Imagine purple togas and rosy cheeks on these marble figures!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Statue Says” (like Simon Says) – take turns copying the poses of different statues and see who can hold their pose the longest.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If these statues could come to life for one hour, what do you think they would want to do first?”
DISCUSS: Some of these statues are taller than a giraffe and weigh as much as five cars put together!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The ancient Greeks and Romans loved telling stories through their statues. Each one represents a different character – some were gods who could control the weather, others were brave heroes who went on amazing adventures. They made these statues so big because they wanted everyone to look up and feel amazed, just like you might feel when you look up at a tall building or a huge tree.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Can you find any statues wearing sandals? How are they different from your shoes?”
DISCUSS: Ancient Greek and Roman sandals were often tied up the leg like ballet slippers, and important people would decorate them with gold and jewels!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Just like you have different shoes for different activities, ancient Greeks and Romans had different sandals for different occasions. Soldiers had tough leather sandals for marching, athletes had light sandals for running, and fancy people had decorated sandals for parties. Some even had special platforms to make them look taller – like ancient high heels!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find a statue holding something in its hands.
HINT: Look for objects like shields, spears, or special containers called “vases.”
OBJECTIVE: Spot a statue with an animal companion.
HINT: Some heroes and gods had special animal friends – look for dogs, snakes, or birds.
OBJECTIVE:
HINT: Look at different statues’ expressions – some are smiling, some look serious, and some look very wise.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Metropolitan Museum of Art
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Central Park Zoo: Just a short walk away, where you can meet penguins, snow leopards, and red pandas! The children’s zoo lets kids get up close with gentle farm animals.
Central Park’s Ancient Playground: This Egypt-themed playground (inspired by the Met’s collection!) has pyramid-shaped climbing structures, obelisk-shaped sprinklers, and tons of fun slides – perfect for burning off energy after the museum.
Swedish Marionette Theater in Central Park: A charming puppet theater that performs classic fairy tales with hand-carved marionettes – it’s like watching your favorite stories come to life with string puppets!
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum” by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman – A wordless picture book about a balloon’s adventure through the museum
- “My Met: A Day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art” by Claire Manes – A colorful introduction to the museum’s treasures
- “ABC: The Metropolitan Museum of Art” – A fun alphabet book featuring artwork from the museum
- Visit #MetKids website (www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/) – An interactive map and time machine made especially for children
- Watch “Museum Stories” on the Met’s YouTube channel for kid-friendly videos about special exhibits
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- WHOA! The Met is so huge that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each artwork, it would take you more than 17 days (without sleeping!) to see everything!
- HOLY MOLY! The museum’s oldest artwork is a stone sculpture from Iran that’s around 6,000 years old – that’s older than the pyramids!
- MIND-BLOWING! The Met’s armor collection includes a suit of armor made for a horse – and yes, it even protected the horse’s face!
- INCREDIBLE! There’s a real ancient Egyptian tomb’s chamber hidden within the Egyptian galleries, and it still has its original 4,000-year-old paint!
- AMAZING! The American Wing has 20 entire rooms that were transported from real historical houses and rebuilt piece by piece inside the museum!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Temple of Dendur Get Ready for the Temple of Dendur : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This isn’t just any temple – it’s a real 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple that was carefully moved piece by piece from Egypt to New York! The entire room is designed to make you feel like you’re actually in ancient Egypt.
INTERESTING FACT! The temple was actually saved from being underwater forever! When Egypt built the Aswan Dam, many ancient temples would have been flooded, so this one was given to the United States as a thank-you gift for helping to save it.
COOL ACTIVITY! Try to find the ancient graffiti on the temple walls! Yes, even ancient Romans and Greeks who visited the temple centuries ago left their marks. Can you spot any ancient names or drawings?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could build a temple today, what would you put on the walls to tell future generations about our time?
DISCUSS: Ancient Egyptians didn’t use paper to write their stories – they carved them into stone using special picture-writing called hieroglyphs, and each symbol had a specific meaning!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Temple of Dendur was built during the time of Roman Emperor Augustus, around 15 BC. The ancient Egyptians created their art and architecture to last forever – literally! They believed that as long as their names and images existed, they would live forever in the afterlife. That’s why they carved everything in stone and created such massive buildings. The temple walls tell stories about offerings to the gods Isis and Osiris, and even show the Roman Emperor Augustus dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh!
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think they moved this massive temple across the ocean without breaking it?
DISCUSS: The temple was cut into 642 separate blocks, carefully labeled, and packed in 661 crates before being shipped to America!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Moving the temple was like solving the world’s biggest puzzle. Each stone block was photographed, mapped, and numbered before being dismantled. The entire process took years of planning and execution. Engineers had to create special tools and techniques to ensure none of the ancient stones were damaged. When it arrived in New York, architects had to design a special room with the perfect lighting and environment to protect the temple and make it look like it was still in Egypt.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the ancient graffiti carved by visitors from thousands of years ago
HINT: Look carefully at the lower parts of the temple walls, especially near the doorways
OBJECTIVE: Locate the carved offerings being presented to the gods
HINT: Check the walls near the main entrance – look for people holding items in their hands
Arms and Armor Gallery Get Ready for the Arms and Armor Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Step into a real-life medieval adventure! This gallery is packed with actual armor and weapons used by knights, samurai, and warriors from around the world. It’s like walking through the ultimate costume closet of history’s greatest fighters!
INTERESTING FACT! A complete suit of armor could weigh up to 65 pounds – that’s about the same as 8 gallons of milk! Yet knights could still run, mount their horses, and even do cartwheels in them.
COOL ACTIVITY! Try the “Knight’s Challenge” – Stand in front of a suit of armor and try to identify all its different parts. Can you figure out how each piece protected the knight? Bonus points if you can spot the special decorations that showed how wealthy or important the knight was!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think some armor is decorated with gold and fancy designs while other pieces are plain?
DISCUSS: Armor wasn’t just for protection – it was also a medieval status symbol! The more decorated your armor, the more important and wealthy you were, just like how some people today wear designer clothes or expensive jewelry.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Medieval armor was like the original custom-made clothing. Each piece was carefully crafted to fit its owner perfectly. The most expensive suits could take years to make and cost as much as a modern mansion! Kings and wealthy nobles would often have their family crests, favorite animals, or religious symbols decorated on their armor. Some even had special tournament armor that was extra fancy, used just for showing off at medieval competitions – kind of like having a special outfit for important events today.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think blacksmiths tested armor to make sure it would protect the knight?
DISCUSS: Armorers would actually shoot crossbow bolts and strike the armor with weapons to test it – while it was empty, of course! They would even leave the dents in to prove the armor’s strength.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Medieval armor-making was a high-tech industry of its time. Armorers were like scientists, constantly experimenting with different metals and techniques to make armor stronger yet lighter. They discovered that curved surfaces deflected weapons better than flat ones, which is why armor has all those rounded shapes. The most skilled armorers were famous throughout Europe, and their marks (like signatures) on armor were as valuable as designer labels are today. Some suits of armor even had special features like built-in emergency releases and adjustable parts – medieval engineering at its finest!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the smallest piece of armor in the gallery
HINT: Look for children’s armor – yes, they made armor for young knights-in-training!
OBJECTIVE: Locate armor that wasn’t made in Europe
HINT: Check out the Japanese samurai section for completely different styles of protection
Egyptian Art Gallery Get Ready for the Egyptian Art Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Journey back over 4,000 years to discover mummies, ancient treasures, and secrets of the pharaohs! This gallery holds one of the largest collections of Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt itself.
INTERESTING FACT! The ancient Egyptians invented toothpaste! They made a cleaning powder from ox hooves, ashes, burnt eggshells, and pumice. Some of their toothpaste recipes were written on papyrus that you can see in the gallery.
COOL ACTIVITY! Become an ancient Egyptian scribe! Pick up a gallery guide and try to decode the hieroglyphs on different artifacts. Count how many sacred animals you can find (hint: look for cats, falcons, and crocodiles).
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you were a pharaoh, what would you want to take with you to the afterlife, and why?
DISCUSS: The ancient Egyptians packed their tombs with everything they thought they’d need in the afterlife – from favorite foods to board games, and even tiny servant statues called ushabti that would do their chores!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Egyptians believed life after death was just like regular life, but better! They filled tombs with miniature versions of everything: tiny boats for river trips, small carved food for eternal feasts, and even little wooden servants. Some pharaohs had thousands of these ushabti figures – King Tut had 413 of them! They also included instruction manuals (written on tomb walls) about how to navigate the afterlife, like the world’s first travel guide. The more important you were, the more stuff you got to take with you, which is why pharaohs’ tombs were packed with treasures.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How did ancient Egyptian artists create such bright colors that have lasted thousands of years?
DISCUSS: Egyptian artists created their paints from natural materials like crushed semi-precious stones, minerals, and even insects! The blue they used was so special it’s called “Egyptian Blue” and was the first human-made pigment in history.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Ancient Egyptian artists were also chemists! They discovered how to make colors that would last forever by grinding up materials like lapis lazuli (for blue), malachite (for green), and ochre (for red and yellow). They mixed these with egg whites or tree sap to make paint that would stick to walls. The color had special meanings too – gold meant immortality, blue represented the sky and heavens, and green stood for new life and growth. Some of these paint recipes were so good that scientists today are still studying them to learn their secrets!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the oldest object in the Egyptian gallery
HINT: Look for dates written as “Dynasty” numbers – the higher the dynasty number, the more recent the object
OBJECTIVE: Locate three different types of ancient Egyptian musical instruments
HINT: Check the cases showing daily life objects – look for harps, rattles, or drums
The American Wing Get Ready for The American Wing : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Step into actual rooms from American history! Imagine eating breakfast in a 1700s kitchen, studying in a colonial bedroom, or relaxing in a fancy living room from 200 years ago. It’s like walking through a time machine where every room tells the story of how Americans really lived.
INTERESTING FACT! Some of these rooms were carefully taken apart from real historic houses, moved piece by piece to the museum, and rebuilt exactly as they were – right down to the original wallpaper and floorboards!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Then and Now” – In each room, try to find three things that we still use today and three things that we’ve replaced with modern technology. For example, can you spot what people used before electric lights or microwaves?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If someone preserved your bedroom for a museum 200 years from now, what would future kids learn about how we live today?
DISCUSS: In colonial times, most kids didn’t have their own bedrooms! Children often shared rooms with siblings or even slept in the same room as their parents, and their beds were smaller because people actually slept sitting up – they thought lying flat was unhealthy!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The way we use rooms has changed dramatically over time. Colonial homes didn’t have living rooms – they had “parlors” for special occasions only. Kitchens were often separate buildings to prevent house fires, and bathrooms… well, those were outside! Families spent most of their time in one multi-purpose room where they cooked, ate, worked, and studied. Kids did their homework by candlelight, and in wealthy homes, they practiced proper manners by having tea parties with tiny, child-sized furniture – some of which you can see in these rooms.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think people stayed warm, cool, or entertained before electricity?
DISCUSS: Colonial Americans used “bed warmers” – metal pans filled with hot coals that they’d slide between their sheets before bedtime, like a colonial electric blanket!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: People were incredibly creative about comfort before modern technology. In summer, they built houses with special windows for cross-ventilation and used hand-held fans (some decorated with beautiful paintings). For entertainment, families would gather around the fireplace for storytelling, play musical instruments, or create shadow puppet shows on the walls. Kids played with toys that moved without batteries – like Jacob’s ladders, spinning tops, and dolls with wardrobes made from scraps of real clothing. Many of these toys required more imagination and skill than today’s electronic games!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of lighting devices used before electricity
HINT: Look for candlesticks, oil lamps, and special mirrors designed to reflect light
OBJECTIVE: Locate the most expensive piece of furniture in a room and figure out why it was so valuable
HINT: Look for items with intricate carvings or unusual materials – these showed wealth and status
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Metropolitan Museum of Art
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Central Park Zoo: Just a short walk from The Met, meet snow leopards, penguins, and red pandas in this compact but amazing zoo. Don’t miss the sea lion feedings!
American Museum of Natural History: Cross Central Park to discover dinosaurs, space exhibits, and the famous blue whale. Perfect for young scientists and explorers!
The Guggenheim Museum: Marvel at this unique spiral-shaped museum just a few blocks away. The building itself looks like a giant piece of art!
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg – A classic story about two kids who run away to live in The Met! Reading this before your visit makes exploring the museum feel like you’re part of the adventure.
- “You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum” by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman – A fun picture book that takes you through the museum’s masterpieces.
- “How the Sphinx Got to the Museum” by Jessie Hartland – Perfect for understanding how ancient artifacts made their way to The Met.
- “Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs” by Marcia Williams – Great preparation for understanding the Egyptian galleries.
- “Knights & Armor” (DK Eyewitness Books) – Excellent background reading for the Arms and Armor gallery.
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Met is the largest art museum in the Americas and among the most visited museums in the world!
- WOW! The Met’s collection includes over 2 million works of art spanning 5,000 years of human creativity
- HOLY COW! The museum’s building covers about 2.2 million square feet – that’s like 40 football fields!
- SUPER COOL! The Met’s armor collection includes pieces worn by Henry VIII and other historical figures
- FIRE! The museum houses an entire 16th-century Spanish patio from the castle of Vélez Blanco
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Temple of Dendur Get Ready for the Temple of Dendur : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This complete Egyptian temple from 10 BCE sits in a naturally lit room with a reflecting pool, offering a rare chance to experience ancient Egyptian architecture exactly as it stood 2,000 years ago.
INTERESTING FACT! The temple was actually given to the United States as a gift from Egypt in 1965, and each stone was carefully numbered, dismantled, and rebuilt inside The Met.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use your phone’s camera to document the hieroglyphics you find most intriguing, then use Google Lens or a hieroglyph translation app to try decoding their meanings.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think the ancient Egyptians built their temples to last for thousands of years, while we often build structures meant to last only decades?”
DISCUSS: The Temple of Dendur was built using sandstone blocks that weigh up to 6.5 tons each – about the weight of an elephant!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The ancient Egyptians believed in eternal life and built their structures accordingly. They used massive stone blocks and precise engineering techniques that we still don’t fully understand today. Their architectural methods were so advanced that many of their structures have survived earthquakes, floods, and centuries of desert storms. Modern buildings, in contrast, often prioritize cost-efficiency and quick construction over longevity.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think the ancient Egyptians managed to create such precise carvings without modern tools?”
DISCUSS: Egyptian artisans used copper chisels, stone hammers, and wooden mallets to create these intricate designs, and some hieroglyphs are only a few millimeters deep but perfectly consistent.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The ancient Egyptians developed sophisticated tools and techniques for working with stone. They used copper tools because copper was soft enough not to shatter the sandstone but hard enough to carve it. They also used abrasive sand to smooth surfaces and created guidelines using string dipped in red ochre. These techniques were passed down through generations of craftsmen, who spent years perfecting their skills.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the cartouche (oval-shaped hieroglyphic name plate) of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar on the temple walls.
HINT: Look near the temple entrance, where the Romans added their own marks to the Egyptian structure.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of ancient graffiti left by 19th-century travelers before the temple was moved.
HINT: Check the lower portions of the temple’s exterior walls for carved names and dates.
Arms and Armor Gallery Get Ready for the Arms and Armor Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Step into a medieval knight’s world with one of the finest collections of arms and armor outside Europe, featuring full suits of armor, ornate weapons, and tournament gear that tells stories of honor, craftsmanship, and battlefield innovation.
INTERESTING FACT! Some suits of armor were so well-articulated that knights could run, mount horses, and even do cartwheels while wearing them!
COOL ACTIVITY! Choose a suit of armor and sketch its decorative details, noting how the design combines both beauty and functionality. Compare different styles across cultures and time periods.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think some armor was decorated so elaborately if it was meant for battle?”
DISCUSS: A single decorated suit of armor could cost as much as a modern luxury car, often taking up to a year to create!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Armor wasn’t just protective gear – it was a status symbol. Noble knights would commission elaborate designs to showcase their wealth and power. The decorations often included family crests, religious symbols, and intricate patterns that required master craftsmen to create. These artisans used techniques like blueing, gilding, and etching that are still studied today. The more ornate the armor, the more likely it was for ceremonial use or tournaments rather than battlefield combat.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do modern military protective gear and sports equipment compare to medieval armor?”
DISCUSS: A full suit of medieval plate armor weighs between 45-55 pounds, while modern soldiers carry up to 100 pounds of gear!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern body armor uses advanced materials like Kevlar and ceramic plates, which can stop bullets – something medieval armor couldn’t do. However, medieval armorers understood anatomy and engineering remarkably well. They created articulated joints that moved naturally, used hardened steel that could deflect arrows, and designed ventilation systems to prevent overheating. Many principles from medieval armor design influence today’s sports equipment, from football padding to motorcycle gear.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the armor made for a child prince or king-to-be.
HINT: Look for a smaller-than-usual suit of armor that’s just as ornate as the adult versions.
OBJECTIVE: Find examples of armor from three different cultures (European, Japanese, Middle Eastern).
HINT: Pay attention to the different materials and design philosophies used by each culture.
The American Wing Get Ready for The American Wing : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the evolution of American art and design through period rooms, iconic paintings, and architectural elements that showcase the nation’s creative journey from colonial times to the early 20th century.
INTERESTING FACT! The wing includes entire rooms rescued from historic houses before they were demolished, preserved exactly as they were hundreds of years ago.
COOL ACTIVITY! Choose a period room and create a social media post (real or imaginary) from the perspective of someone living in that time period. What would they share about their daily life?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think American artistic style evolved from copying European traditions to developing its own unique identity?”
DISCUSS: Early American artists often painted without formal training, creating a distinctive style that valued storytelling over technical perfection.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: American art underwent a fascinating transformation from colonial times to independence. Early artists relied heavily on European techniques and subjects, often painting in the style of English masters. However, as America developed its own identity, artists began focusing on uniquely American subjects: vast landscapes, Native American life, frontier scenes, and everyday American experiences. This shift reflected the nation’s growing confidence and desire to establish its own cultural identity.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What do these period rooms tell us about social class and daily life in early America?”
DISCUSS: The Frank Lloyd Wright Room showcases America’s first truly original architectural style, featuring built-in furniture and over 250 art glass panels.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Period rooms are like time capsules that reveal social hierarchies, technological advances, and cultural values. The formal parlors were designed to impress visitors, while servants’ quarters were purely functional. The furniture placement, decorative choices, and architectural details all conveyed messages about wealth, status, and taste. These rooms also show how technology changed daily life – from candle holders to early electric fixtures, from cooking hearths to modern kitchens.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find an example of trompe l’oeil painting (art that creates optical illusions).
HINT: Look for paintings that seem to pop off the wall or fool your eye into seeing three dimensions.
OBJECTIVE: Locate three different styles of American chairs from different time periods.
HINT: Compare the materials, construction methods, and decorative elements to see how furniture design evolved.
European Paintings Gallery Get Ready for the European Paintings Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Immerse yourself in one of the world’s finest collections of European paintings, featuring masterpieces from artists like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer that revolutionized the art world.
INTERESTING FACT! Some paintings contain hidden symbols and messages that functioned like a visual language for viewers of their time – a practice called iconography.
COOL ACTIVITY! Choose a painting and create a “soundtrack” for it. What music would capture its mood, time period, and emotional impact? Share your playlist with friends and explain your choices.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How did artists use light and shadow to create emotional impact before the invention of photography and cinema?”
DISCUSS: Caravaggio’s dramatic lighting techniques influenced not just painters but also modern cinematographers – next time you watch a film noir, you’re seeing his legacy!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Artists like Rembrandt and Caravaggio developed a technique called chiaroscuro, using extreme contrasts between light and dark. This created intense drama and psychological depth in their paintings. They would often use a single light source, like a candle or window, to create powerful shadows that drew attention to important elements. This technique influenced everything from Dutch Golden Age painting to modern photography and film lighting. Directors like Stanley Kubrick and Gordon Willis studied these paintings to create memorable movie scenes.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think self-portraits were so popular, and how do they compare to today’s selfie culture?”
DISCUSS: Rembrandt created over 80 self-portraits throughout his life, essentially documenting his aging process in an era before photography.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Self-portraits served multiple purposes in art history. They were advertisements of an artist’s skill, personal experiments with technique, and intimate psychological studies. Artists used mirrors and careful observation to capture not just their appearance but their inner state. Unlike today’s instant selfies, these paintings took weeks or months to complete, allowing for deep self-reflection. The tradition continues today through different media – from Frida Kahlo’s paintings to Andy Warhol’s photographs to contemporary digital art.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find a painting that includes a hidden self-portrait of the artist (hint: sometimes they appear as background figures).
HINT: Look for faces in mirrors, crowds, or reflective surfaces within the paintings.
OBJECTIVE: Identify three different painting techniques (impasto, sfumato, glazing) in different artworks.
HINT: Pay attention to texture – some paintings are smooth, others have visible brushstrokes or thick paint.
The Roof Garden Get Ready for The Roof Garden : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience contemporary art installations against the backdrop of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, creating a unique dialogue between art, nature, and urban landscape.
INTERESTING FACT! The roof garden’s exhibitions change annually, making it a different experience each time you visit, and it’s one of the few places where you can see contemporary art in conversation with the city itself.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a photo essay comparing the geometric patterns of the cityscape with the organic shapes of Central Park, incorporating the contemporary art installation as a bridge between these two worlds.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How does viewing art outdoors change your perception compared to viewing it in traditional gallery spaces?”
DISCUSS: The changing natural light throughout the day can completely transform how an artwork looks, something artists specifically consider when creating installations for this space.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Outdoor art installations face unique challenges and opportunities. Artists must consider weather conditions, seasonal changes, and how their work interacts with natural light. The environment becomes part of the artwork itself – shadows move throughout the day, materials react to weather, and the surrounding cityscape provides ever-changing context. This creates a dynamic viewing experience where the same piece can look dramatically different depending on when you visit. Contemporary artists often use these environmental factors as creative elements in their work.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think museums are increasingly incorporating outdoor spaces and contemporary art into their traditional collections?”
DISCUSS: The Met’s roof garden didn’t open until 1987, marking a shift in how museums thought about using their entire space as potential galleries.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Museums are evolving from being mere repositories of historical artifacts to becoming dynamic spaces for contemporary dialogue. Outdoor spaces allow for larger-scale installations that wouldn’t fit indoors, and they attract visitors who might feel intimidated by traditional gallery spaces. The combination of historic art inside and contemporary art outside creates a conversation across time periods. This approach helps visitors understand art as a continuing human endeavor rather than just a historical practice.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify three different ways the current installation interacts with its environment (shadows, reflections, framing of views).
HINT: Visit at different times of day to see how changing light affects the artwork.
OBJECTIVE: Find specific viewpoints where the artwork, architecture, and natural elements align in interesting ways.
HINT: Use your phone’s camera viewfinder to help compose these “perfect shots” that combine multiple elements.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Metropolitan Museum of Art
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
Central Park: Just steps away from The Met, explore 843 acres of urban paradise with attractions like Belvedere Castle and the Conservatory Garden
Neue Galerie: A museum dedicated to early twentieth-century German and Austrian art and design, featuring Gustav Klimt’s famous “Woman in Gold”
The Guggenheim Museum: Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece housing an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Making the Mummies Dance by Thomas Hoving (former Met director’s memoir)
- How to Read a Painting by Patrick De Rynck
- The Met’s YouTube channel features excellent behind-the-scenes videos
- Download the Met’s free app for interactive maps and audio guides
- Review The Met’s timeline of art history on their website for historical context
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a magical palace where every room tells a different story from around the world! The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t just any museum – it’s like walking through a time machine where knights’ armor stands guard, Egyptian temples whisper ancient secrets, and paintings come alive with stories waiting to be discovered. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to explore a place where you can travel from ancient Egypt to medieval Europe just by walking through a doorway?
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