Some families are cut out for visiting art museums as part of their DIY summer camp at home- but ours, unfortunately, is just not. I spend most of the time with my heart in my throat- chasing them around, begging them to “shush”, and to not touch anything. So when I learned that there are fantastic outdoor sculpture gardens that I can visit with my kids where they don't have to whisper and where I don't need to worry that someone is going to put fingerprints on a priceless piece of artwork (for goodness sake- the sculptures are outside in the elements!)- I was sold! Here's why you should visit an outdoor sculpture garden with your kids this summer!
Where to Find an Outdoor Sculpture Garden
What's amazing is that these parks and gardens are everywhere- you just may never have heard of them!
The International Directory of Sculpture Parks and Gardens provides a listing by state along with links to each attraction. Some outdoor sculpture gardens are free to visit and may be housed on a corporate or a college campus, while others may charge for admission.
Aside from taking tons of pictures, it can be fun to pack along some small sketch pads and pencils for the kids to draw what they are seeing, and if you can take along some modeling clay so the kids can make models of the sculptures.
Below I feature two outdoor sculpture gardens that are located within a 2-hour drive of New York City!
The Donald M. Kendall Pepsi Sculpture Garden
Located at the corporate headquarters of PepsiCo in Purchase, NY, this fantastic collection of artwork and beautiful gardens is free to the public.
Created by Donald M. Kendall the former chief executive of the company in the 1970's, it features 45 sculptures by some of the best-known artists of the 20th century and is housed on 168 acres of gorgeous green lawns, ponds, trees, and gardens.
Storm King Art Center
Widely considered to be one of the world's leading sculpture parks, Storm King Art Center is located in New Windsor, NY on 500 acres of beautifully landscaped fields, hills, and woodlands.
What is most notable about the artwork on display here- is the gargantuan size of the sculptures.
It totally captivates the kids and revs up their own imagination of what is possible.
Here are some more great summer ideas for you:
- Free Family Summer Bucket List Printable
- Free Printable Summer Schedule
- 50 Fun Summer Activities, Crafts, and Field Trips (From Pre-K to Teens!)
- DIY Roller Coaster Ride
- Teach Your Kids How to Play Crazy 8's!
Do you think you'll visit an outdoor sculpture garden with your kids this summer?
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