Seattle Art Museum050

When we arrived at the museum, the kids in the party ran for the giant Ming Dynasty camels, expecting them to be climbable like the replicas at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. These are the real thing, though, and irresistible-looking but off limits to little hands. Before visiting here, it's a good idea to go over museum etiquette with kids, because many works are within reach and security watches carefully to make sure that eager and excitable children don't touch.

The museum's recent expansion brings its size to 188,000 square feet on four floors. Its collections are wide-ranging, with emphasis on Asian, African, Northwest Coast Native American, modern, and European art.

If you visit with children, we recommend starting on the third floor, which houses the collection of Northwest Native American art, traditional art of Mexico, and African art. All three collections feature bold, interesting masks, textiles, and ceremonial objects as interpreted by different cultures, and all are accessible and interesting to kids.

The new Free Public Space offers a lively colorful place that encourages exploration of the museum's collection and strives to deepen the museum experience. The space offers drop-in family art activities, hip-hop and spoken word workshops and performances, multimedia workshops, and other events.

The museum has a full calendar of events, from lectures, music programs, and films for adults to art workshops, classes, and programs for kids and their parents. Check the museum's Web site for class information, and call ahead - preregistration is required for most classes.

Public tours are conducted on the free first Thursday of the month, at 11am, 12n, 1pm, and 2pm.

Summer Camps: SAM Camps are for kids in grades one through five and focus on a different theme each week and include visits to the Seattle Asian Art Museum or Olympic Sculpture Park. Camps use art projects, dress-up, music workshops, and other activities to teach kids art techniques, art history, conservationism, and more.