Tips for Your Family's Visit

A family visit to the Zimmerli is a wonderful way to expand a child's world and engage their imagination. Below are some tips to help you have a great experience from start to finish. Have additional questions? Please reach out to education@zimmerli.rutgers.edu.

Gallery etiquette

• Remind your children not to touch the artwork. It might help them to know why we ask you not to touch: Even just after we've washed our hands, our skin still has oils on the surface that can damage the sensitive surfaces of the art. Many works are made of fragile materials as well. Together, we can keep the art looking just the way it does today for kids in the future!
• Please keep an arm's length away from all works.
• You are welcome to take photos, but please turn off your flash. Many works of art can be damaged by light over time. 
• Full visitor guidelines are available on our Visit page.

Looking at art together

• Follow your child's lead, and encourage them to look closer at works that they are drawn to. Ask questions like:
  • "What do you see?"
  • "What does it make you think of?" 
  • "How do you think this work was made?" 
  • The label accompanying the artwork might have some information about the artist or time period, but the stories and experiences you and your child bring to the work are valuable and important too.
• Did you know the Zimmerli has a gallery devoted to children's book illustrations? Children and their grown-ups will equally love the rotating exhibitions from this unique collection, which are always accompanied by activity sheets and picture books to enjoy together. This gallery also features bilingual labels in English and Spanish.
• Take in one exhibition or a few collection galleries at a time - the Zimmerli is free, so you can visit again and again.
• Ask for a scavenger hunt activity sheet at the front desk to help guide your visit (best for ages 6 and up).

Amenities

• Strollers are welcome in the galleries. All food and drink however must remain stowed away except in the museum lobby or cafe. 
• Changing tables are available in the lower level restrooms closest to the elevator.
• TJ's Café is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday, noon to 3:00 pm.
• The museum is one block away from The Yard @ College Avenue and other dining options.