A Morning at OCMA

After many unsuccessful attempts to get tickets for the Orange County Museum of Art’s art + play program, I was finally able to get tickets for my toddler and I!

If you don’t know, OCMA hosts a free art + play program in groups of ages 0-2 and ages 3-5. According to their website, this program is held the second Wednesday of every month. The sessions for the 0-2 age group sell out almost immediately (sometimes just after midnight!). The 3-5 age group does typically sell out, but not immediately. However, I highly recommend getting tickets very soon after they post the events on their calendar. You can find out when registration will be posted when you click on the event.

Both programs are from 10am-11:30am. We did leave early, so the class was flexible.

Each session has a theme based on a current exhibit in the museum. Ours was based on Jennifer Guidi’s And so it is. exhibit. Staff will give you a tour prior to the class so you can learn a bit more about the exhibit.

There were two stations: one with paper, ink pads and tools (sensory balls, rubber stamps) for the kids to create their own masterpiece and the other station had a canvas on the floor with outlines of snakes along with dot stickers and dot markers for the kids to use on the canvas. They had colorful jump ropes available as well.

The staff were amazing, offering hands-on assistance when the kids needed it, but also giving them space for creative freedom. They were all so encouraging and my toddler, who has a slow-to-warm temperament, enjoyed the class.

My toddler is not quite a docile, museum kid (hence one of my motivations for Little Explorers Club!) so we did end up leaving early, as she needed time to run freely and climb around. The staff had no issues with this, even cheered “El is adventuring!” and brought her art to me after she ran out the door.

My toddler had a snack at the tables just outside of the classroom, before we made our way outside to look at the colorful snake sculpture prior to leaving. There are bathrooms available as well.

We parked in the parking garage by Segerstrom and walked over. I didn’t bring my stroller, but there were some parents who brought theirs in if your toddler isn’t into walking a bit.

Parking was $7/hour, a little pricey but no biggie to me given that art + play is free. A few parents parked at South Coast Plaza and walked over, but OC Parent Guide shared that South Coast doesn’t want that. One mom shared that they park at the structure closest to Philz Coffee and grab a coffee at Philz on their way out for a parking validation (1.5-2 hours). You can find more parking information here.

A few suggestions to make a full morning out of this:

·       Visit Noguchi Gardens (5 minute walk from OCMA)

·       Ride the carousel and window shop at South Coast Plaza (.5 mile away, I would drive here to avoid additional parking garage fees)

·       Explore Bomo Koral Park (1 mile away, 4 minute drive from OCMA)

·       Wander around and grab lunch at IKEA (2.5 miles, 7 minute drive from OCMA)

I hope this is helpful and let me know if you visit OCMA’s art + play program!