Looking for creative ways to entertain the kids in Budapest this summer? The Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria) has you covered with a packed lineup of playful guided tours and hands-on museum workshops that turn art appreciation into a true adventure. Throughout July, both lower and upper elementary school children can discover everything from fairy tales to drama, animation to nature—all designed to be interactive and exciting. Museum educators go beyond simply sharing facts, focusing on making each experience memorable and fun. For those who want even more, you can add workshops that let the kids create with their hands and see topics from a whole new angle.
The Family Adventure: Chasing Tulips and Ivy
Ready for an art-inspired quest? On July 18 and 21, from 11:00 to 11:45, families with 6–9-year-olds can join a guided tour through the “Art of Life” poster exhibition. You’ll track down tulips, roses, and winding green vines, solve creative challenges, and uncover the secrets of Art Nouveau (Szecesszió) masterpieces. Why are the letters on the posters so curly? Whose stories are hidden behind the flowers? You’ll even get to smell the blossoms!
To ensure all kids have fun, tickets are only sold for those aged 6–9, and every child needs to be accompanied by an adult guardian (one adult per child, or for two or more children, up to two adults can join). Tickets for this adventure are $2.70 per child, while adult companions receive a special exhibition ticket for $8.60. Book online or on-site—but act fast, as only 15 kids can join per session!
Toddlers Take the Throne: Triangle Princess & Circle King
On July 22 from 16:00 to 17:00, the youngest visitors (ages 2–4) are invited on a journey into an imaginary kingdom where shapes come alive. In the court of the Circle King, everything is round; in the Triangle Princess’s realm, it’s all sharp angles and points. Together, you’ll discover how these forms appear in art, and even create your own masterpieces.
This hour-long session subtly teaches lessons about geometry, primary colors, abstraction, and boosts children’s observation, language, rhythm, fine motor, and social skills. Up to 20 toddlers can participate, and parents are welcome to join the creative fun!
Castle Chronicles: Legendary Tales Come Alive
Castles aren’t just for fairy tales. On July 23 from 11:00 to 11:45, 6–9-year-olds can step back in time to Hungary’s legendary strongholds, like Vajdahunyad (Vajdahunyad vára), Eger (Egri vár), and Visegrád (Visegrádi vár). What was it like to be King Matthias (Mátyás király)? Did women really defend Eger Castle? Through thrilling stories of heroes, kings, sieges, and mysterious legends, kids will discover what castle life was really like, from weapons and clothes to feasts in grand halls.
This session also requires an adult companion for each child or for two children, with entry at $2.70 per child and $7.30 per adult.
Back to Nature: Art-Inspired Environmental Detectives
What happens when people take too much from nature, or try to make peace with it again? On July 24 from 11:00 to 11:45, 10–13-year-olds can explore how artists view nature through paintings and sculpture. Is nature a friend, a home, a lost paradise? Expect group brainstorming about how we can all do a better job caring for our environment. Like the other events, each child (ticket $2.70) must be accompanied by an adult (ticket $7.30).
Whether you have a budding artist, a history buff, or just a child who loves to explore, these museum programs throughout July are sure to be the highlight of their summer!
