With free admission for children under 12, a trip to the Lyman Allyn is a perfect family outing!
Discover the Museum with fun and educational activities designed for children ages 5 and up all year round.
Before You Visit
- Learn about the exhibitions on view during your visit that might interest you and your family
- Discuss with your children what they might expect to see in an art museum
- Talk about museum rules with your child
- Consider attending our Free First Saturday program
Tips for Your Visit
Strollers
Strollers are permitted in all Museum galleries. Optional stroller parking is available in the coat room on the first floor. Space is dependent on availability.
Changing Table
A changing table is located in the family restroom on the first floor. This restroom also has extra diapers (variety of sizes) and baby wipes.
Coat Check
Looking at Art as a Family
- FIND a work of art that interests your child. Ask questions such as: What do you see first? Was it an object or color that attracted your attention? Where did your eyes go next?
- LOOK carefully. Ask your child to list the colors they see, and the materials the artist used. Take a seat on the gallery benches and look at the artwork together.
- INSPIRE creativity! If this painting had a voice what sound would it make? What would it be like to be “inside” this painting? Can you tell me a story to go with this painting?
- READ the wall label. What title would you give this artwork? Why do you think the artist chose this subject?
Additional Ideas
- The Lyman Allyn is filled with beautiful architectural details! On the exterior of the building explore the columns and the three large medallions above the entrance. Once inside the Museum’s lobby ask your child what they see. How many archways can you count? Can you find the acorns at the tops of the columns? Did you know the acorn is a symbol of prosperity? What’s decorating the ceiling, do the squares around it remind you of anything? That design is called dentil crown molding because it looks like teeth!
- I Spy with my artistic eye! Upon your arrival, ask the Museum Attendant where you can locate I Spy materials.
Multilingual Family Guides
Multilingual family guides are available in the Museum’s lobby. Visitors can use these guides while touring the Museum, or take them when leaving to extend their Museum visit at home. These guides provide a great introduction to the Lyman Allyn while highlighting objects on view, and connecting visitors of all ages to our exhibitions.
Key: English/Spanish (E/S); English/French (E/F)
Sensory Backpacks
Sometimes a visit to a museum can be an overwhelming or stressful experience for individuals with sensory processing disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). To make the Lyman Allyn experience more accessible and enjoyable for these families, we now offer sensory bags.
These sensory kits contain industry-approved tools that will help families navigate the Museum. Each backpack includes noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, a pair of sunglasses, drawing materials, and a Social Story that uses photos and words to help families know what to expect throughout their visit.
Sensory backpacks are free resources available at the Front Desk. Guests who would like to check out a bag just need to leave their ID at the desk until they return the backpack.
Download a copy of the Social Story to preview before your visit here.
Sensory Bags are made possible by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.
Coloring Pages
Color your own version of objects from the Lyman Allyn’s collection with these coloring pages.
- Nahum Ball Onthank’s Portrait of Capt. Lyman Allyn
- Isaac Sheffield’s Portrait of James Francis Smith
- Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s façade
- Bathers and Crowd, Ocean Beach, New London postcard
- State and Main Streets, New London panoramic postcard
- Beatrice Cuming’s Saturday Night: New London
- John Ewen, Jr.’s View of the ship Alert of New London
Additional Ideas
Explore the Lyman Allyn with our digital/mobile guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.