Gallery Etiquette for Kids
A Guide for Explaining Rules
At BNG, we are committed to providing world-class art experiences for every member of your family—including the youngest ones. To help children engage with art in a meaningful way, we create free Activity Books for every exhibition, filled with interactive activities that can be completed both in the Gallery and at home.
Many parents have reached out with concerns about how to ensure their children follow proper Gallery etiquette. After years of leading free school and camp tours, we have developed strategies to help children understand and respect the rules—without taking away from their enjoyment. Here are our top five tips:
1. Know the Rules Yourself
Before explaining the rules to children, it’s helpful to be familiar with them. At BNG, our key rules are:
- No running
- No shouting
- No food or drinks
- No flash photography
- No touching the artwork (unless specifically indicated)
2. Explain the “Why”
Rules are easier to follow when children understand the reasons behind them. For example:
- No shouting: It disrupts others trying to enjoy the art in a peaceful environment
- No running: Movement can shake delicate artworks and cause damage
- No touching: Oils and dirt from our hands can harm the artwork
3. Make it Personal
Young children may not understand the financial value of fine art, but they can relate to the effort that goes into creating something. Instead of saying, “We don’t touch because it’s expensive,” try:
- “Someone worked really hard on this artwork—how would you want people to treat something you worked really hard on?”
- “Imagine if your favourite drawing got smudged or torn. We take care of artwork so that it lasts a long time.”
4. Turn it Into a Game
In most areas of the gallery, grey carpet surrounds beige carpet—turn it into “lava”! Challenge your child to keep their hands, heads, and feet off the grey carpet while moving through the space.
5. Unlimited Reminders
We don’t expect kids to remember everything right away! We encourage children to be curious and engaged, and a little enthusiasm is always welcome! If they get excited and forget, a simple, calm reminder is all it takes.
We don’t expect children to behave like adults in the Gallery—we want them to have fun while learning about art. With these simple strategies, we can create an environment where children feel welcome and engaged, and still be respectful of the artworks on display.
Planning a visit? Don’t forget to pick up one of our Activity Books available for free in the Gallery!