In 2011, I was a brand new mom with a 5-month-old, desperate to get out of the house. I remember hearing about a family-friendly event happening in the Arts District and wanted to feel that sense of normalcy so bad. So my husband and I packed up the stroller, an enormous diaper bag full of snacks, sippy cups, and baby toys, and headed downtown.
I’ll never forget that morning we spent at the Nasher Sculpture Center for First Saturdays over 10 years ago. It was one of our first real outings as a family and sparked a sense of adventure that continues to this day.
I’m thrilled to say… Free First Saturdays at the Nasher are back in person this fall! Families can get outdoors (safely), enjoy the arts, and experience a one-of-a-kind sculpture collection through the eyes of a child. And they’ve expanded the fun ONLINE, so we can all access their incredible, family-friendly curated content.
Visit the Nasher {In Person}
Free First Saturdays at the Nasher invites families to come and experience the museum for FREE on the first Saturday of each month with the help of a Family Guide or Family Gallery Kit available at the front desk.
Monthly Family Guides were created by the Nasher’s Curator of Education in partnership with local and national artists to provide engaging, educational activities that can be completed as children explore the museum.
- Family Guides will vary each month with a different theme.
- These guides are designed for elementary students and families with younger children.
Family Gallery Kits are also available at the Nasher’s front desk and include activities such as: learning games, art materials, and creative prompts!
- Family Gallery Kits also change up each month.
- These kits are designed for children ages 3-8.
It’s been a few years since I’ve had the opportunity to explore the Nasher with my family. I was thrilled to see that, in addition to Free First Saturdays, they’ve grown their family-friendly amenities since the last time I’d visited.
For moms who are nursing with young children or families with kids on the autism spectrum who need a calming space, the Nasher offers a “Quiet Room” (located on the lower level). This is a space to rest and re-center. There are several comfortable chairs and a Sensory Cart with magnetic tiles, wooden blocks, sensory books, and coloring pens and paper.
Since the Nasher Scuplture Center is a certified Sensory Inclusive™ location in conjunction with KultureCity, they offer sensory kits that include earplugs, binoculars, and a copy of Success Story: A Visit to the Nasher Scuplture Center; a children’s story that can help set up museum expectations for young visitors.
The entire museum is also wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The museum entrance is curbless, with elevators to help access the different floors and ramps on both sides of the sculpture garden to allow all guests easy access to the entire museum.
Moms, here’s a few more family-friendly tips that will help make your morning a success!
- FIRST SATURDAYS: Admission is free every first Saturday of the month from 11 AM – 5 PM.
- NORMAL HOURS/ADMISSION: If you visit on a typical Wednesday-Sunday, Adults admission is $10 and children under 12 are always free! 11 AM – 5 PM. The museum is closed Mondays & Tuesdays.
- SAFETY: As of September 2021, face masks for all guests ages 2 and older are required while inside the museum. You can view their full safety and cleaning guidelines here.
- PARKING: The closest parking garage is underneath the Dallas Museum of Art. All Day Parking is $15. Metered street parking is also available all around the museum if you can arrive early (or get lucky)!
Explore the Nasher {At Home}
In a normal year, getting out and exploring all that our Dallas museums have to offer can be hard for families. Combine that with the strange world we live in now, and it only makes sense that the Nasher has added such an extensive collection of family-friendly, digital activities and lessons to their site.
Make sure you Download the Nasher App Here!
Every month, the Nasher offers a digital version of Free First Saturdays via their website. You can “choose your own adventure” by taking a virtual quest through the Nasher Collection. Families can also work on artist-designed crafts and projects with the help of downloadable instructions (in both English & Spanish). Craft projects might include pressing flowers, drawing, coloring, or even manipulating food ingredients. There’s something on their website or app for everyone!
Moms, there’s even an Adult Coloring Page just for you!
Go ahead and put October 2, November 6, and December 4 on your calendar because no matter how you plan to visit the Nasher in 2021, you should find a way to take advantage of all that First Saturdays at the Nasher has to offer!
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