Want a quick, creative, and completely free outing with your kids? The Greenville County Museum of Art (GCMA) is a best-kept secret that offers a chance to teach kids about visual literacy and art right next to some of our favorite family spots in Heritage Green, downtown Greenville.
Why Visit GCMA With Kids?
Art appreciation doesn’t require an art degree. It just takes practice—and kids are natural at noticing details adults often miss. A visit to GCMA can turn into a playful scavenger hunt or a thoughtful discussion about what we see and feel. Best of all? Admission is always free.
Watch! What We Saw at GCMA
What to Look For: Art Exploration Ideas by Age
Whether you’re visiting with a toddler or a tween, there’s plenty to keep everyone engaged.
👶 Youngest Visitors
Turn your visit into an I-Spy game!
- Look for shapes, colors, and lines
- Spot overlapping or repeated shapes
- Ask: “What looks a little weird or silly in this painting?”
🧒 Elementary-Age Kids
Encourage observation and storytelling:
- Read the title and then look carefully—what do they notice?
- Ask: “What do you think is happening here?” or “What’s the artist trying to tell us?”
🧑🎓 Middle School and Up
Check out the “Up for Discussion” exhibit, which features mature themes ideal for thoughtful tweens and teens.
Featured Artists to Discover
🎨 Jasper Johns
Explore repeated symbols and shifting meanings. Ask: “What looks the same? What’s different?”
🪶 Grainger McKoy
Marvel at lifelike bird sculptures and guess what materials were used. Ask: “Do you think that bird could fly away?”
Sundays Offer Events & Activities at GCMA
GMAC offers tours at 2 pm on Sundays as well as rotating activities such as Music in the Galleries, Sketching in the Galleries, and Poetry in the Galleries. One of our favorites is the monthly Family Art Adventure. It’s free but you do need to sign up in advance.
Pro Tips for Visiting with Little Ones
🖼️ The artwork is right there—within arm’s reach.
- Remind your kids before entering that this is a museum where you can’t touch and that you need to stay 3 feet from the paintings.
- Keep little ones in strollers or hold hands to ease stress (both yours and the guards’).
🕒 Don’t overdo it!
For toddlers, 10–15 minutes is perfect. Pair your visit with a stop at the Children’s Museum or the library nearby.
🚗 Free parking at Heritage Green on Saturdays and Sundays makes this an easy add-on to your weekend routine.
Museum Highlights
- Largest collection of Andrew Wyeth watercolors in the world
- Renowned Southern Collection—from historic portraits to abstract art
- Fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums
Accessibility & Group Info
- Wheelchairs and walking canes available
- Groups of 10+ should give three weeks’ notice (even for informal visits), but they can request a free tour.
- Docent-led tours can be arranged on weekdays
- Visitors with visual impairments can request special tours
📧 Email: education@gcma.org
📞 Call: 864.271.7570 x1017
Museum Etiquette (Especially with Kids!)
✅ Keep bags small
✅ No touching art (stay 3 feet back!)
✅ No food or drinks
✅ Photography is allowed but no flash or selfie sticks
✅ Sketching is allowed (pencil only)
✅ Keep voices soft and enjoy the calm
Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, a stop at the Greenville County Museum of Art can be the perfect family outing. And since it’s free, you can come back again and again as your kids grow—each time, they’ll see something new.🖌️
Ready to explore? Add GCMA to your family’s local adventure list today!
Open:
Wednesday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 – 5 pm
Make your children’s worlds bigger at the Greenville County Museum of Art!
Don’t miss our list of Free Things to do in Greenville, SC!
