A Monthly Play (and Learning) Date at the Museum

4-72-FamilyFunDay_HidePaintingDebuting this January, our education team’s free Families Make History workshops have taken over the museum the third Sunday of each month. Featuring drop-in, hands-on activities—like hide painting, colcha embroidery, traditional indigenous seed balls, calligraphy, kite-making and more—the 1:30–3:30 pm events are open to all ages. (Children must be accompanied by an adult, and adults would do well to bring their inner-child.)

“The family programs we’ve done on First Friday Evenings and in conjunction with our changing exhibits have been very successful,” said Education Programs Manager René Harris. “People of all ages enjoy getting their hands—and clothes—dirty as they learn new skills and build a new appreciation for traditional pastimes, arts and activities.”

Best of all, the activities don’t require a steep time commitment, and you can test out a skill before investing in your own crafts materials.

Each event is free with admission. Sundays are free to New Mexico residents; children 16 and under are free every day. Families Make History days join a robust set of educational programs geared toward youths that include Hands on History, Head Start classes, and classroom curricula guides.

“We hope to bring more families into the museum,” Harris said. Most activities will be appropriate for children five or six years old and up. Of course, adults can always bring their inner child.”