The NGAkids Art Zone app contains eight interactive activities inspired by works in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, plus a sketchbook for freehand drawing and a personal exhibition space where users can save and display art created with the program. The child-friendly interface, easy-to-use tools, and the overarching emphasis on discovery, careful looking, and artistic self-expression make the NGAkids app educational and fun. Each activity offers various levels of complexity. The app is suitable for all age groups. It is optimized for ages nine through eleven, but younger children, as well as teens and adults, will find the program enjoyable and artistically motivating.
NGAkids activities are designed for children to use—unassisted—in a recreational, nonacademic context. The low-key activities preserve a sense of quiet exploration that encourages artistic expression and creativity. The fact that children are encouraged to figure out how things work and to mentor each other adds a unique dimension to the experience, one that sparks a personal connection to art that often lasts a lifetime.
If you don’t use an iPad, you can request the program files to download onto your computer (for either PC or Mac) by emailing classroom@nga.gov.
Visit nga.gov/education/kids.
