Endless Imagination: Get Creative in the Galleries

A father and daughter sketch in The Met's galleries. Photo by Filip Wolak

«With a few materials and some imagination, you can turn your next Met visit into an artistic adventure. Spark your creativity with these gallery-friendly activities!»

Pose Like a Sculpture

Olena, age 7, poses like some of the sculptures at The Met in #MetKids—Pose Like a Sculpture

At The Met, there are grimacing beasts, joyful nymphs, and heroic warriors everywhere you turn. Choose a sculpture from the galleries and move your body into the same pose (don't forget the facial expression!). Have a friend or family member take your picture to see how closely you resemble the work of art you chose. How does posing like an artwork make you feel? Take it a step further and act out what you think the sculpture would say or do if it came to life!

Write a Story about a Hippopotamus

Figure of a Hippopotamus. Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Senwosret I to Senwosret II (ca. 1961–1878 B.C.). From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Meir, Tomb of Senbi. Faience; L. 20 cm (7 7/8 in.); W. 7.5 cm (2 15/16 in.); H. 11.2 cm (4 7/16 in.). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1917 (17.9.1). Photograph by Anna-Marie Kellen

After you meet the unofficial mascot of The Met, William the Hippo, write an epic story about his ancient or modern-day adventures. Make sure to include where your story takes place, what other characters show up, and what William will see and do. Will he be kind and protective or fierce and threatening? Or maybe something else?

Make a Mixed-Up Beings Book

Learn how to create a mixed-up beings book in #MetKids—Make a Mixed-up Beings Book.

Create a souvenir from your trip to The Met with this art activity! Follow the instructions in #MetKids—Make a Mixed-up Beings Book to make a blank book ahead of time at home. When you get to the Museum, grab your pencil to draw the various heads, torsos, and bottoms of things you see in the galleries. The head of a sphinx with the body of a slit gong and ballerina legs? Only at The Met!

Draw Matching Armor for a Cuirass

Bronze cuirass (body armor), 4th century B.C. Greek, Apulian. Bronze; H. (front): 19 5/8 in. (49.8 cm) H. (back): 20 1/16 in. (51 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Estée Lauder Inc., 1992 (1992.180.3)

In addition to body armor like this bronze cuirass, a fourth-century B.C. Greek soldier would have worn matching shin guards (called greaves) and a helmet. Based on what this piece looks like, draw the matching helmet and greaves. What details can you include to make them look like part of a real body?

Fold an Origami Samurai Helmet

Watch #MetKids—Fold an Origami Samurai Helmet to find out how you can use paper to make a samurai helmet.

Get inspired by Japanese armor from the early 1300s and fold your own samurai helmet. Bring a large square piece of paper, such as a newspaper, to gallery 377, and carefully fold it according to the instructions in #MetKids—Fold an Origami Samurai Helmet. Then, try it on! Are you feeling like a warrior yet?

That rounds up a few our favorite activities to do at The Met. Share yours in the comments!