Five Summer Art Adventures for Kids in New York City

New York City is full of art, sure, but taking kids to an art museum can either be totally cool or a total nightmare. I wanted to know what's going on this summer in the art scene that my kids will enjoy and not turn into a whine-fest. Who better to ask than Natasha Schlesinger. Natasha is the founder of ArtKids, classes that take children into NYC museums and galleries and makes looking at art fun, exciting and acccessible for kids ages 3 to 12.

Here are five recommendations for cool art outings in New York City this summer from the founder of ArtKids, Natasha Schlesinger.

With the weather finally behaving like it’s summer I would recommend to visit the roof of the Metropolitan Museum to view the installation by Roxy Paine called Maelstrom.  Roxy Paine’s silver trees have been spotted around the parks before.  This time around Roxy Paine has taken over the whole roof of the museum spreading out the silvered dandrite sculpture across the entire space.  Kids will be able to run through them and explore where the branches actually meet the museum walls, floor and even enter the pipes. Have the kids find three places where the sculpture actually “enters” the museum (hint, two will look like faucets).  On a sunny summer day, this is a fantastic place to combine art and the outdoors.  Until October 25th. www.metmuseum.org

Did you know that the treasures from the Titanic are here in New York City, to be rediscovered at our doorstep? You will find these artifacts at the new exhibit called "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the Discovery Times Square Exposition.  Kids will find it thrilling that they can walk through recreated rooms (such as the sweeping staircase or a first-class state room) and observe minute details like “uncorked Champagne bottles […] and personal effects such as straight razors and combs that humanize the experience,” according to the NY Post. They will see more than 40 objects and they will even experience being passengers on this ship as they walk through the exhibit carrying a ticket/boarding pass that belonged to a real passenger.  At the end of the journey they will find out whether they made it safely to the life-boat, or not!  For more information go to www.rmstitanic.net.

If you are venturing to Brooklyn, then an exhibit I would recommend is the Yinka Shonabare exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, through September 20th. The Nigerian-born and London-based Shonabare is known for his colorful, not easily missed fabrics that he incorporates into his installations and compositions.  You will find his works spread amongst several galleries at the museum.  Kids will find it amusing to go on a "scavanger hunt" of sorts to try and find Shonabare's pieces.  It’s amusing to view Shonabare’s headless figures walking exotic animals, gathering together or caught in a dream state but for older kids and adults the historical and art-historical references to Colonial England will be humorous as well as poignant. brooklynmuseum.org

Back in Manhattan, and if your kids love toy cars, don't miss a very small and short-lived exhibit at the Japan Society (333 East 47th Street).  This exhibit is called Buriki:  Japanese Tin Toys from the Golden Age of the American Automobile.  You will find this a charming journey to the past that both adults and kids will enjoy. The Yoku Tanaka Collection will be on view from July 9 – August 16. www.japansociety.org

Claes Oldenburg is one of the best known artists of the Pop generation. You might recognize his over-sized soft sculptures that always make one smile. These are on view in the exhibition called
Claes Oldenburg: Early Sculpture, Drawings, and Happenings, Films Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen: The Music Room at the Whitney Museum of American Art.  The exhibit is small but chuck full of his superb creations that  will surely amuse your kids from the quintessential BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich) (1963) to the Soft Toilet (1966). The show will also have drawings, films of the artist's Happenings and a whole room dedicated to his sculptures and drawings of musical instruments. This is a must see for kids as they will certainly appreciate the sense of the absurd and the humor Oldenburg imbued into his objects. Until September 6th.  www.whitney.org