The Ringling Reveals Summer Fun at the Museum

Whether you are a parent who stresses over keeping your children busy all summer or a child care provider searching for new, creative ideas to spur a child’s mental development, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has some fabulous summer activities planned.

Angelica Bradley, The Ringling’s Youth and Families program manager says “summer is a great time to take part in our fun educational programming at The Ringling. Our goal is to be accessible to as many families as possible and to achieve that we offer free programs, with some on weekends.”
    Summer offerings, which begin the week of June 3, 2019, include Museum of Art Mondays, meeting from 10 a.m.- 1p.m. Families are invited to join The Ringling in the Education Building for a weekly art-making program tied to artwork you can find in the museum’s galleries. Afterward, visit the museum to find each day’s featured artwork and learn more about it from one of The Ringling’s docents!

If weekends are a better fit, bring the children to Family Saturdays, also from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Families will undertake a creative project with a different theme each week including the Circus, Ca d’Zan, Museum of Art, and Grounds and Gardens!

Toddlers and preschoolers will love ROAR!  The Ringling’s family story time is designed to engage children in activities that connect art and early literacy. Each session includes a story and accompanying art activity, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on both Thursdays and Fridays.

Stroller Tours allow parents of infants to join a Museum educator for a one-hour tour designed specifically for parents or caregivers. This tour allows for adult discussion within a group that does not mind if a chatty or crying baby joins the conversation.

All of the above programs are free for children and their adults. Tickets are required and can be obtained at www.theringling.org. Tickets are available 30 days before each program. Each ticket includes museum admission for the remainder of the day. Please check the museum’s website for days and times of programs.

Family Programs are made possible in part by the generous support of the Koski Family Foundation, The Frances Bourne Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Marvin and Betty Danto Endowment for The Ringling Museum Children’s Programs, and The General Education Endowment for Children and Families.