The Met 81st Street Studio

The Met 81st Street Studio is a hands-on art-making space tucked inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side. Designed with families in mind, it gives kids a chance to move beyond looking at art and actually create it — a welcome change of pace in one of the world's great museums.

The studio typically offers drop-in art activities tied to the Met's permanent collection and special exhibitions, making each visit a little different depending on what's on view. It's a great option for kids who need a creative outlet in the middle of a long museum day, or for families who want to make the museum feel more interactive and less overwhelming.

As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, children under 12 are always admitted free. The Met's suggested admission for adults applies, but NYC residents and students can pay what they wish. The museum is a short walk from the 4/5/6 train at 86th Street or the 4/5/6 at 77th Street.

The Met is a large, stroller-friendly building with bathrooms, nursing rooms, coat check, and food options on-site — making it one of the more logistically easy museum visits you can do with young kids in the city.