How to involve children in art at home

Tips for creating a family-friendly home with contemporary art: from play corner to art wall.

Art and children are a surprisingly good match.

At Root Gallery, we often hear the same question from young families: “Isn’t it risky to have art in the house with kids around?” Our answer: not if you live with it, rather than tiptoe around it.

Contemporary art can enrich family life in ways you might not expect. It can spark conversation, offer a moment of calm, or simply become part of your children’s visual memory: something they’ll carry with them long after they’ve grown up.

Here’s how to make art part of everyday family life.

Let art live where life happens

The best way to introduce children to art is to make it visible and accessible. Not locked behind glass or reserved for special occasions, but part of the everyday. Hang a painting near the dining table. Place a sculpture on a shelf where it catches the light. Let art live near where life happens. Yes, even in the hallway or next to the play corner.

Children don’t need long explanations. They need space to look, wonder, laugh. A bold painting or a work made of unusual materials will often catch their attention more than you’d expect, and that first reaction is already a form of connection.

Artworks in the booth at Art The Hague 2024 — Photography by Jacqueline Fuijkschot

Ask questions, and let them ask back

You don’t need to be an art expert to talk about art with your children. In fact, it’s often better if you aren’t. Try asking:

What do you think this is?
How do you think it was made?
Would you like to make something like this?

These kinds of questions open up a conversation, one without right or wrong answers. And just like that, a work of art becomes something shared.

Let them help choose

Children love being involved, and art is no exception. Invite them to help choose a new work for the house, or ask which pieces they noticed most during a visit. Some families we know even let each child ‘curate’ a small corner of their room with one special piece. Something that stays for a while and becomes part of their space.

It’s a gentle way to introduce the idea that art doesn’t have to change constantly. When something stays in view - day after day - it becomes familiar, even comforting. Children learn that a work can grow on you, reveal new details over time, or simply be part of your world without needing to perform.

You can also encourage them to draw or paint their own version of a work they liked, not as homework, but as a way to connect creatively. Many kids love this kind of ‘afterplay’ once they’re home again.

And don’t forget the rhythm of the day. If you’re visiting a gallery or fair with children, consider combining it with a stop at a nearby playground, the forest, or open green space. After all that careful looking and “not touching”, a little climbing, running, or simply being outside helps release energy and keeps the experience enjoyable for everyone.

In the end, it’s about more than exposure. It’s about creating small rituals around art. And showing that it belongs in real life, not just in museums.

Practical tips: art and children, safely together

Living with children doesn't mean you have to avoid art — it just means being smart about how and where you display it. These tips will help you enjoy contemporary art at home without constant worry:

Hang works a little higher: in play areas, still at adult eye level, but out of the way of toys and sticky fingers.
Use museum-quality framing: if the work includes glass, or avoid glass altogether in high-traffic zones.
Consider sculptures with a stable base: place them slightly out of reach (on shelves or plinths), or secure them with museum wax to keep them in place.
Talk about touching: even young children can understand that some things are for eyes only. A short, friendly conversation goes a long way.
Choose the right piece for the right place: colourful, textured, or bold works are perfect for kids’ rooms, especially if they’re made from sturdy materials.
Start small: some collectors begin their child’s art collection early, selecting one small work each year, or for a special occasion. It’s a beautiful tradition to build on together.
Accidents happen: and you're not alone. If a work ever gets damaged, don’t panic. Many artists can restore their work or offer a solution. And yes, we’ve had those calls before, it happens more often than you’d think.

You don’t need a minimalist, museum-like home to live with art. A warm, lively family home is often where contemporary art feels most alive.

Art grows with your family

The artworks your children grow up with become part of their story. They’ll remember that painting by the stairs, or the sculpture by the window. Over time, they’ll ask about it. Maybe even see new things in it. And just like that, art becomes more than decoration, it becomes part of the family.

Curious to start your own collection?

We’re happy to welcome visitors of all ages at Root Gallery. Whether you’re just exploring or already collecting, we’ll help you find works that not only fit your space, but grow with you.

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