The Family Forum

Date: Daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Note: The Getty Villa is also open Wednesdays beginning October 14, 2009.)
Location: Getty Villa, Museum, Floor 1
Admission: Free with your advance, timed ticket to the Getty Villa. Each Villa ticket allows you to bring up to three children ages 15 and under with you in one car. Click the "Get Tickets" button below to book tickets online.



The Family Forum is a highlight of any family visit to the Getty Villa. This fun space is filled with hands-on activities designed to encourage children and families to explore, play, and learn together.

The focus is on the world of ancient Greek vases—how they were made, decorated, and used. There's lots to touch, learn, and enjoy:

• Step into a scene from an ancient vase in the shadow-pose area, where you can transform yourself into an athlete, musician, or even a monster and act out your own original stories.
• Explore vase-painting techniques used by ancient craftsmen in the vase-decorating area, where you can rub patterns off designs inspired by ancient examples or draw on life-sized replicas of ancient vases.
• Learn about vase shapes by experimenting with three-dimensional puzzles that allow you to construct different vase forms by piecing together building blocks.
• Experience the feel of potters' clay, see a diorama of vases being fired inside a kiln, and step into an oversized replica of a pithos (a large vase with relief decoration) that projects from the wall.

Continue your adventure in the galleries with free activity guides, available in both English and Spanish, that explore some of the many Greek vases in the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection.

The Family Forum was created with the generous support of the Villa Council.



More Family Fun
Family-friendly programs, including gallery activities, Family Festivals, storytelling, concerts, and more, are scheduled throughout the year at the Getty Villa. See all upcoming family activities on our event calendar.



How to Get Here
The Getty Villa is located at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. See Hours, Directions, Parking for directions and parking information.