We offer accessible, fun, and inspiring activities for the whole family to enjoy throughout MK Gallery, from workshops, cinema screenings, and self-led activities to accompany your visit to our exhibitions.
Families
Art Club (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2)
Creative weekly after-school workshops with MK Gallery’s Associate Artists exploring different art forms and media with an opportunity to complete the Explore or Discover Arts Award if attending six sessions or more.
Learn more
Start The Art
Start the Art explores art in all its forms, offering fun, sensory, and playful artist-led activity designed to inspire curiosity.
For parents and carers with children under 5.
There are three 45 minutes sessions.
Learn more
Art and Us
MK Gallery’s inclusive practice in the arts programme, Art and Us, is designed with and for children aged 5+ with complex support needs and their families.
These weekly one and a half hour sessions enable families to work directly with an artist to explore their creative interests through a wide range of stimulating and playful activities. Family members can enjoy spending time together in an environment which is creative, accessible, fun and understanding of everyone’s needs.
You can find out more about signing up to Art and Us sessions by contacting Sophie Bennett via email or on 01908 558 319. Sophie will also be able to answer any questions that you may have about access requirements.
Sessions take place on Sundays at 11am–12.30pm and 2-3.30pm and cost £5 per family.
Email for more information
Visiting Exhibitions
MK Gallery welcomes families to visit all of our exhibitions, but we know that visiting an art gallery can sometimes feel overwhelming for parents with children.
Our team has put together exhibition-specific activities for you to do together. Pick up an activity sheet or family guide from our front desk when you arrive to accompany your visit or to take with you to continue the fun at home.
Exhibitions
Family Friendly Café
Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am, our Café is family-friendly and a great place to take a break when visiting our exhibition, have lunch following a film in our Sky Room Cinema, or just pop in for a babyccino and a slice of cake.
Eat & Drink
Playscape - free children's play area
The Playscape is MK Gallery’s free outdoor play area, open every day of the year, making it a perfect place to burn off some steam whether you’re visiting an exhibition or just passing by.
The Playscape is designed by artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman, and our bespoke play equipment takes inspiration from infrastructural elements of early Milton Keynes design. Try leapfrogging over the yellow bollards; can you climb to the top of the street lamp?
Explore MK Gallery - Family Guide
Our child-friendly Family Guide can be used to help families explore MK Gallery and its premises, with fun activities for children to enjoy. Available to pick up for free from the Gallery.
