Why the Getty Center is Great for Kids

This museum is spacious, giving kids room to move about without knocking into introspective adults. There is also a ton of variety, giving kids the opportunity to explore what connects with them. Keep reading for six solid reasons why the Getty Center is not just for grownups. 

While little ones may not appreciate the historical significance of, say, the museum's collection of medieval and early Renaissance manuscripts, you might be surprised to find that museums for "big people" have many characteristics that appeal to any age group—even kids whose knowledge of great art begins and ends with a pig recreating a Jackson Pollack with her paint set. Colorful artwork, pretty views, and gorgeous gardens appeal to everyone, don't they? 

1. The Tram Ride

From the moment you enter the Getty grounds, kids will be absolutely delighted. Especially when you tell them they are hopping on the tram that ascends the mountains to the Getty! My girls got the giggles as they watched the world slide by. It was like being at Disneyland! We could have ridden it up and down all day. Yes, they were that entertained. Strollers are welcome on the tram, and there is ample seating. 

2. Stunning Views 

The Getty Center is set on a hill overlooking the infamous 101 freeway. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean. The views of Los Angeles are absolutely stunning and worth a few photographs. My kids loved watching airplanes descend towards LAX and searching for the DTLA skyscrapers. 

3. Accessible Art 

The Getty holds a variety of art from oil paintings to sculptures, to pottery, to photography, and everything in between. Whether your kids are fascinated by larger-than-life statues or moved by portraits of their favorite animals, there is something for everyone.

Docents will kindly help you locate art that you are interested in. Make sure to utilize their expertise when exploring the galleries (there are a lot of them!). My kids are particularly drawn to one statue in the west pavilion of "The Vexed Man", and love to imitate him whenever they come across him on our visits. (See him for yourself- your kids will probably get a kick out of him, too!)

Get hands on in the family room. Photo courtesy of Getty Center

4. Interactive Exhibits

Because the Getty understands that little ones may need to scribble and play (and it's always better if they do these things at a distance from priceless artworks), the Family Room is a separate space that has 70 peepholes to allow preschoolers to explore fun details of the museum. There's a giant-sized illuminated manuscript, and kids can even nap on a sofa that looks like something out of an 18th-century French aristocrat's home. Hit the Family Room first to get kids interested in what they can see at the museum. 

A caveat: since Covid, the family center's hours have been few and far between (on our recent visit, it was not open to the public). 

Additionally, the Getty's tips for engaging kids web page is worth a few minutes of your time. The site suggests questions to ask kids about the artwork they see, and they might get your imagination fired up, too.

When you enter the Getty lobby, keep your eyes peeled for the Family Cart. There you'll find the Art Detective cards, which invite kids to solve a mystery while exploring the galleries, garden, and architecture of the museum. We picked up a few of these and used them to guide our museum tour. Even my four and two-year-olds loved the scavenger-hunt style challenge of looking for particular features on works of art. 

5. Stunning Gardens 

There are more than 500 varieties of plants in the Central Garden, as well as a 134,000 square-foot design full of gorgeous plants and a tree-lined (and shaded) walkway that runs along a stream and stone waterfall. It all leads to bouganvillea arbors and a pool that, while not for swimming, will fascinate little kids. Consider making a return trip, because the plants are changed out frequently, so the view is always new.

Kids will love exploring the Getty garden. Photo by Kylie Williams

My girls and I enjoyed the garden walk at least three times on our visit. The first time, we used ChatGPT to help us look up the names of stunning blooms in the garden. The second time, I let the girls take photos of the plants on my phone. The third time, we played a color game, identifying the different colors of all the flowers. To be honest, we could have done a fourth walk around. It was absolutely beautiful! We also picnicked under the bougeanvillia arbors, which was the perfect setting for a lovely lunch. 

6. It's Free! 

Yes, the Getty Center is totally free. Granted, if you park in the parking garage connected to the museum, the parking fee will set you back $25 most days ($15 after 3 and $10 after 6). The parking garage is also free on Saturdays after 6pm. But if you rideshare, you can visit the Getty for exactly $0. This means a Getty Visit is virtually risk-free. Not having a good time? No sweat! Just take the happy little tram ride back down to the parking garage and head home. No money lost in the process. 

Planning Your Visit to the Getty Center 

Getting There & Parking Tips 

The Getty is located right off the 405 freeway, and you'll see it even before you exit. There is a covered parking garage connected to the Getty Center, with another uncovered lot across the freeway for overflow parking. The parking garage costs $25 per car most of the time, though a $10 discount is applied after 3pm, and parking is only $10 after 6pm.

On Saturdays after 6pm, parking is completely free. Make sure to take your ticket along when you park, and to pay at the pay station before exiting the structure. The garage is connected to an elevator that takes guests right up to the tram platform. Before entering the tram, all visitors are subject to a security screening. Bags will be searched. 

Step aboard the tram. Photo by Kylie Williams

When we approached the first table at the tram platform, we were asked if we had reservations for our visit. While tickets are free, reservations are recommended and are prioritized on busy days. We did not have the foresight to go online and make one in advance.

My heart leapt in my throat for a moment. Did we come all the way to be told we couldn't enter? The kind staff told us we were welcome to visit without a reservation, but in the future, we should make one before arriving, just to be on the safe side. 

Strollers are welcome at The Getty, and the entire museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible. You don't even need to fold your stroller up when entering the tram. Just opt to sit in the front (and most spacious) car and roll the stroller right on. Little ones may be safer sitting on the tram ride, as the ascent and descent leave kids standing at an incline. 

Best Times to Visit with Kids 

The Getty is less crowded on weekdays. We visited on a Tuesday morning and arrived right when the museum opened at 10. We toured the galleries without pushing through crowds and felt like we had plenty of space to breathe. Much of the Getty is outside, so fair weather days are best for visiting. However, if you are more interested in wandering the galleries, the Getty could also be the perfect way to get out on a rainy day! 

What to Bring to The Getty Center with Kids 

We travel everywhere with a lunchbox full of snacks and water bottles. For this adventure, I threw a few sandwiches in for good measure. We had a lovely picnic in the gardens, and the kids never complained that they were "sooooo hungry." Eating and drinking is now allowed inside the galleries, and coolers larger than 11 x 17 x 8 inches must be stored at the coat and parcel check. Glass containers and metal cutlery are also prohibited. 

Baby bottles are allowed in the galleries, in case you want to feed a little one while taking in some art.  

If you plan to spend time outdoors, consider bringing some suncreen along. Some parents enjoy bringing along photos of their favorite art pieces and creating their own scavenger hunts for the kids. A baby carrier may be helpful if you are travelling with a little one and want to park the stroller and utilize the stairs in some areas of the museum.

The Getty requires that all baby carriers are "front-facing" (no backpack babies allowed!). This is because a baby perched on your back could easily reach out to grab a painting while mom or dad is unaware. 

More Overall Tips for a Fun Day 

If you are bringing little ones to the museum, make sure to vary your explorations. We spent about 20 minutes in a wing before going outside to get our wiggles out. Then, we entered another gallery, pointed out a few pieces of note, and hustled back outside. 

In my experience, the docents at The Getty are so kind and encourage young kids to explore and enjoy art. One of the women working there brought tears to my eyes when she encouraged me for exposing my little ones to art at a young age and told me, "You go, Mom! Keep doing this with them!" Staff are compelled to caution visitors who step into the "no touch zone" of the galleries (take note of where the pattern on the floor changes near the art... that's the boundary!). 

Use a free family guide (found online) to help guide your tour if you don't know where to start. You can also head to the front desk in the main lobby and ask the staff what to do with kids in your particular age bracket. They are eager to help you or get you started on one of the engaging Art Detective Scavenger Hunt quests.

Also, consider a Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunt Experience. There are Harry Potter Scavenger Hunts, who-dunnit scavenger hunts, and more throughout the museum, hosted by Watson Adventures on particular days. We regularly include these in our Mommy Poppins LA Calendar. 

Get interactive with Art Detective cards. Photo by Kylie Williams

One of my favorite mottos is "Keep it fun, until it isn't." If the Getty isn't working out for your family, don't put pressure on everyone to stay and turn the tide around. Sometimes it's best to leave and try again another time. And that's okay! Because the Getty offers free admission, you won't be losing out much by calling it quits early. The kids still have to get out of the house, and you still have to experience some culture (and avoid hearing K-pop Demon Hunters blaring from the TV for a change). 

If you're worried you'll end up spending $25 on parking only for your preschooler to demand a speedy exit, keep in mind that your parking fee will also cover the parking for a same-day visit to the Getty Villa, too, which has the benefit of beach breezes, Mediterranean-style outdoor gardens, and a Family Forum. 

Kid-Friendly Highlights Inside the Getty 

Visit the family center (if it's open) to engage with art on an elementary level. The art center is great for sparking curiosity and insight among kiddos, which they can then unleash as they wander through the museum. 

If the family center is closed (it was when we visited last), Art Detective cards are free, and they are the perfect way to engage little minds. Grab them from the various kiosks in the Getty, and solve the mysteries of several paintings (we completed two art detective challenges and had a blast doing so!). 

The Getty has recently developed an adorable podcast called Silly Stories from Inside the Museum. It creatively highlights different artifacts in the Getty and Getty Villa, and gives them backstories the kids will love. Listen to an episode on your drive over, then try to find the artifact that the episode was about during your visit! 

Make time to wander the outdoor sculpture garden, where kids can admire works of art al fresco. Then, set them free on the lawn to get all of their wiggles out. We also loved walking the path in the central garden to admire the flowers (and the butterflies!). 

Family-Friendly Programs and Annual Events at The Getty Museum 

The Getty is great any day of the week, but certain days up the ante with special, family-focused events. We do our best to always update the Mommy Poppins Los Angeles calendar with these events when they take place, so readers can always be in the loop.

Here are a few of our favorites to watch out for: 

Getty Garden Concerts for Kids 

Grammy-winners and kid favorites Dan Zanes and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo have put on concerts here! Every summer, the Getty lines up a slate of engaging, kid-focused artists to perform outside near the garden. Just remember that you can bring a picnic blanket to enjoy the show, but lawn chairs are not allowed. 

Artists-at-Work Drop-In Workshops

Watch incredible artists as they put their skills on display at these drop-in workshops in the Getty courtyard. Artists-at-Work workshops typically take place every other Sunday from 11am - 3pm. 

Saturdays Off the 405

Saturdays Off the 405 is a summer concert series featuring emerging local artists and DJs. There are typically 3-4 performances, taking place on the second Saturday of summer months. It is perfect for all ages. 

Getty Art & Science Festival

Once a year in the fall, the Getty celebrates how science and art collide at an interactive festival for all ages. From arts and crafts to bubble demonstrations by Bubblemania, this free festival will have your kids begging to enter the science fair at school next year. 

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day 

For four years running, the Getty has become LA's place to go to remember and reflect on Indigenous Peoples' Day. This epic event includes dance performances, storytimes, poetry, zine making, comedy, drumming, and more. 

Getty Drawing Days 

Do you like to draw? Try your hand at sketching a live, costumed model (or just scribbling on the page, depending on your age) at a Getty Drawing Day. This free program takes place on select Sundays throughout the year. 

Storytelling Sessions 

The Getty often hosts storytimes on the lawn, though dates are not necessarily predictable. Keep an eye on our Mommy Poppins LA calendar, or check the Getty Center calendar to catch wind of the next free storytime for kids. 

Getty Family Festival

The Getty historically has a family festival in the springtime with lots of free demonstrations, arts and crafts, and kid-centric activities. Keep an eye on our calendar. We'll make sure to highlight this "event of the year" when it gets closer! 

Family Festivals at the Getty are always a treat. Photo courtesy of Getty Center

Tips for Kids of Certain Ages 

Taking Toddlers & Babies to the Getty 

I did it. I took a toddler to the Getty. One of the best tips I can offer is having a "home base." We brought our stroller, and when wandering the galleries, my two-year-old was strapped in. That way, she was welcome to look but had no way to run and touch. The galleries are equipped with elevators, and it's easy to move strollers around the space.

Before entering the galleries, we had a quick chat about the volume of our voices and being respectful to others. I pointed out the docents and explained to my girls that the docents are there to protect the art and help maintain calm inside. The kiddos were warned that if they were too noisy or disruptive, we'd leave right away. I was so proud of them! When we explored outside, I let her roam free. 

One disclaimer for the littler set: some art may be disturbing for smaller kiddos. We walked by one particularly gruesome painting in the North Pavilion that made quite an impact on my four-year-old. It led to some great discussions about the emotions that art can bring out, but it did require quite a few tearful talks in the middle of the night. 

Taking Elementary Aged Kids to the Getty 

Encourage kiddos' curiosity and keep them engaged by bringing along Art Detective cards or art supplies. Pens and markers are not allowed in the galleries, but kids are welcome to bring their sketch books and pencils to try their hand at recreating priceless works of art. If you have time, introduce your kids to beloved paintings at the Getty beforehand, so they have something to look for when they visit.

Also, make sure to visit the photography galleries. For little kids who can't fathom a time before smartphones, black and white photos that aren't the result of a filter will come as a shock—as will real photos of people (and sometimes children) who lived 100 years ago or more. The center can inspire conversations about what it was like in the olden days (and for once, that doesn't have to mean when Mom was a kid).

Visiting the Getty with Teens & Tweens 

Taking older kids to the Getty is so fun- they have a different appreciation for the art than the younger set and often make observations that will amaze you. When you reach the Museum Entrance Hall, be sure to ask for a GettyGuide. This multimedia guide has stories, music, and sounds inspired by the museum's collection that are designed to engage teenagers in what they're seeing. Did we mention it's free?

Also, we all know teens love to snap a quick video for TikTok, so make sure to take advantage of the stunning garden, the sculptures, and of course, the unbeatable view of Los Angeles. The Getty steps also provide the perfect place for a profile-worthy photo. 

Dining at the Getty 

Hungry? Not a problem at all. The Getty has plenty of dining options on-site, whether you just need a little something or a full, gourmet meal. When we recently visited, we stopped by one of the coffee carts located on the plaza. I got an iced coffee, and the girls split a muffin. It was a win for everybody. The coffee carts also offer light lunch to-go options. 

Photo by Meghan Rose

The Restaurant at the Getty is likely too fancy (and expensive) for the younger set, but that doesn't mean there aren't good options for a quick snack or a leisurely lunch. In addition to coffee carts, it's possible to grab PB&J sandwiches, grilled cheese, and other kiddie eats at the Cafe. Want to DIY? You're allowed to picnic on the lawn adjacent to the Central Garden.

FAQs About Visiting the Getty Center with Kids 

Is the Getty Center free? 

Yes! The Getty Center is totally free. There is a charge for parking, so keep that in mind when planning your visit. Parking rates start at $25, but lessen as the day wanes. If you opt to take the bus or get dropped off at the entrance, the Getty can truly be completely free. Make sure to make a free reservation in advance to guarantee entry. 

Is the Getty stroller and wheelchair accessible?

The Getty is stroller and wheelchair accessible, equipped with elevators, ramps, and automatic doors. 

Can kids touch anything in the Getty Museum? 

Kids must keep their hands to themselves in the art galleries at the Getty, but are free to explore with their hands in the family center. 

Are there kid-friendly bathrooms at the Getty? 

The public bathrooms are great for all ages, and some areas have family restrooms for those who need a little extra privacy. 

How long should we plan to spend at The Getty? 

We wandered the Getty for 3 hours on our last visit- but we could have stayed much longer if we hadn't had to hustle back for school pick-up! I would budget anywhere from 3-5 hours at the Getty. You could also make a day of it and take advantage of the dual-parking benefit by hopping over to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades after your visit. Talk about an enriching and enjoyable day!