Welcome to my Freebie Friday series! I am so excited that the Getty Villa in California is opening its doors again on Friday, June 27. That made it the perfect pick for my second Freebie Friday feature.
If you can’t already tell by my blog’s name, I’m absolutely fascinated by all things ancient Roman and classical antiquity. The Getty Villa holds a special place in our family’s heart, and I’m thrilled to share our favorite kid-friendly exhibits and tips with you.
Located in Pacific Palisades, the Getty Villa is modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a Roman country house that was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The museum focuses on Greek and Roman antiquities and features rotating exhibitions of ancient artifacts from around the world.
It’s a wonderful museum for families and homeschoolers because it brings the classical world of Greece and Rome to life in an incredibly immersive way. From the walk up from the parking structure to the terrace overlooking the sea, to the descent into the museum entrance, it truly feels like stepping back in time.
Five Family-Friendly Exhibits at the Getty Villa
1. The Children’s Room (Family Forum)
The Family Forum is the most kid-friendly space in the museum. The entire room centers around the theme of pottery, which makes sense considering how much we’ve learned about ancient daily life through Greek ceramics.
Kids can reenact scenes from famous pottery or decorate their own model pot. It’s a hands-on, engaging space and a great place for energetic little ones to take a break while still learning something meaningful.
2. The Edible Garden
Take a sensory walk through an ancient Roman herb garden. Most Roman homes would have included an herb garden for both cooking and medicinal use, and this recreated garden connects beautifully to food history.
Kids can touch and smell the plants, compare them to what you may have in your own kitchen, and imagine what life might have been like for Roman families tending the same herbs.
3. The Outer Peristyle Garden
The Outer Peristyle is one of the most iconic and photogenic parts of the Getty Villa. It’s a full-scale replica of the original garden excavated at the Villa dei Papiri, and walking through it feels like entering a Roman estate.
It’s also a great place to observe how symmetry, water features, and sculpture were used in classical design. You’ll likely recognize it from books or photos, and kids love seeing how grand outdoor spaces were designed in ancient times.
4. Roman Sculptures on the Second Floor
For kids interested in mythology or Roman history, the second floor is filled with striking marble sculptures of emperors, gods, and heroes. You can put faces to famous names like Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus, and admire representations of gods like Zeus and Athena.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to show kids how Romans saw themselves and their mythology—through art that still inspires awe today.
5. The Temple of Heracles
Located near the Inner Peristyle, this area features one of J. Paul Getty’s most prized pieces: a massive marble statue of Herakles, better known as Hercules. The intricately patterned marble floor is a faithful replica of one from the Villa dei Papiri.
Kids love the heroic imagery of Hercules, and this spot is a great place for budding art lovers to appreciate scale, expression, and strength captured in marble.
Don’t Miss: Free Guided Tours and Family Events
Guided Tours
The Getty Villa offers daily architecture, garden, and gallery tours led by enthusiastic docents. These are best suited for children ages 7 and up, but I’ve tagged along with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers and simply exited the tour early when my little ones were done.
The docents bring the artwork and architecture to life through stories and insights, helping kids (and grown-ups) appreciate details they might otherwise miss.
Family Workshops
On select Saturdays and Sundays, the Getty Villa hosts hands-on family art workshops. These are run by Getty educators and tie directly into art on display.
Last summer, my kids had a blast decorating Gorgon and Minotaur masks and then exploring the exhibits with their creations. We also tried to attend the French perfume-making workshop at the Getty Center, but it had gone viral on TikTok, and the line was two hours long. Lesson learned: get there early!
Tips for a Smooth and Memorable Visit
Make a Reservation and Download Before You Go
Admission is free, but you must reserve a timed-entry ticket online. I usually book about a week in advance, though I’ve also managed to snag last-minute spots the day before.
Carpool if You Can
While admission is free, parking is not. As of last summer, parking was $30 for the day. The good news is that your parking pass is valid at the Getty Center the same day.
Bring Your Own Lunch
Food options at the Getty Villa are limited and expensive, so we usually bring our own lunch. There are picnic tables near the café elevator that are perfect for a relaxed midday break.
Know the Gallery Restrictions
Backpacks and back child carriers are not allowed inside the galleries. Strollers and front-facing carriers are fine. Also, pens, markers, and scissors are prohibited, and we’ve even had to check our crayons before.
Food and drinks (even water) are not allowed in the galleries, but there are plenty of outdoor areas where snacks and hydration are welcome.
Read Before You Go
A visit to the Getty Villa is even more magical when your kids have some background in Roman and Greek history or mythology. Here are a few of our favorite read-aloud and independent reads that have helped build that foundation:
- Pompeii… Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt Davis
- D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingrid D’Aulaires’
- The Iliad retold by Nick McCarty (note: this version is adapted for young readers but still includes depictions of battle)
- The Odyssey retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
- Roman Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean
Although most of these are intended for grades 3–6, even our preschoolers enjoy listening to them at bedtime alongside our middle schooler.
This post contains affiliate links, these are items I have enjoyed myself or would purchase for this event. If you make a purchase I might receive a small commission
Listen on the Way
Turn the car ride into part of the adventure by listening to The History of Rome podcast by Mike Duncan. It’s engaging, well-paced, and informative, perfect for middle schoolers and up. I recommend previewing episodes to find ones that are family-friendly, but many are appropriate and help paint a bigger picture before you arrive at the museum.
Visit the Gift Shop Last
The Getty Villa’s gift shop has one of the best selections of classical-themed gifts for kids. You’ll find mythology books, coloring and activity kits, toy replicas, and educational souvenirs that are fun and enriching.
It’s a great way to let your kids choose something special to remember the visit and extend the learning at home.
Educational Tie-Ins for Homeschoolers and Curious Kids
Whether you’re using a classical curriculum or just have a curious learner at home, the Getty Villa provides plenty of opportunities for cross-curricular enrichment:
- Art: Sketch a statue or design your own Greek vase
- Writing: Create a myth-inspired story based on one of the statues or gods you saw
- Science: Explore ancient engineering or experiment with natural dyes and mosaics
- History: Make a timeline of Greek and Roman periods
- Cooking: Recreate Roman dishes using herbs you saw in the Edible Garden
These projects keep the experience alive and help kids apply what they learned in meaningful ways.
Looking Ahead – Freebie Friday Field Guide The Legion of Honor – San Francisco
If you love planning educational outings for your kids, stay tuned for next week’s blog post where I’ll be sharing how our family visits the Legion of Honor in San Francisco for free. We turned it into a full field trip centered around Claude Monet and the Impressionist movement. I’ll include tips for making the most of your visit, how to tie it into art and history lessons, and a few fun hands-on activities to do at home afterward.
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