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Why Families Love Sarasota Art Museum

If you haven’t visited Sarasota Art Museum with your family yet, you’ve been missing out.

February 19, 2025

Let’s face it, art is not only fun for kids—it plays an important role in their development. From fine motor skills to creative problem-solving to emotional development, the benefits of early artistic exploration go far beyond the delightful creations hanging on the family fridge.

The educators at Sarasota Art Museum know the benefits of creative learning first-hand.

Here are our top reasons for why families and kids of all ages love Sarasota Art Museum.

Students enjoying Summer Camp gallery tour. Photo by Daniel Perales.


Stellar Summer Camp

Summer Camp at SAM (ages 7-13) is “a dynamic laboratory for creative expression and discovery.” Each day, campers get to create art in all three professional art studios on-site at the Museum: Ceramics, Multimedia, and Drawing and Painting—so the days never get boring. Plus, each week has a fun, new theme, so your child can see and make art with SAM all summer long. The best part? Camps culminate with the opportunity for participants to install their very own art show! Learn More.

Your Wednesday Playdate at Sarasota Art Museum. Photo by Daniel Perales.

Weekly Drop-Ins

Looking for a fun and fresh activity to get you and your little ones out of the house? Make art and memories together at Your Wednesday Playdate (ages 1-5), held every Wednesday from 10 am–12 pm. On the weekend, roll up your sleeves for Saturday Family ArtLab (all ages), every Saturday from 1-3 pm. Each week’s project is inspired by the artwork on display in the Museum’s galleries. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class. Photo by Barbara Banks

Year-Round Classes

Does your budding artist love to doodle, paint, draw, build, and create? Encourage their creativity by enrolling your child in classes with The Studios at SAM. From pottery, drawing, and painting to digital art and beatboxing, The Studios at SAM offer a wide range of creative opportunities for young artists ages 7 and up, all year round. Learn More.

Family enjoying an outing at SAM. Photo by Daniel Perales.

Free Second Sundays

Did you know? Every Second Sunday of the month, Sarasota Art Museum opens its doors for a FREE day of art and family fun. Tour the Museum’s galleries, be inspired by the art on view, and then make your own creations with art-making activities in The Studios at SAM. The day’s festivities also include live music and theater activities. Enjoy lunch right on campus with a healthy and delicious menu from SAM’s on-site Bistro. (Your kiddos are going to love the fresh-baked cookies!) 

Support for Free Second Sundays at SAM is provided by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College is located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. Learn more at SarasotaArtMuseum.org or by calling 941-309-4300.