Children’s Culture Festival 2026 at the National Gallery of Iceland
The National Gallery of Iceland recently welcomed large crowds for its exhibitions and creative events held as part of the Children’s Culture Festival. The festival highlights the museum's ongoing commitment to engaging younger audiences, where children step into the role of experts by guiding their families through the galleries.
Youth Exhibitions and Creative Workshops in Reykjavik
A major highlight of the festival took place at Safnahúsið on Hverfisgata, featuring projects developed by local preschool children over the winter months. Participants from Miðborg, Furuskógi, Grænuborg, and Laufásborg preschools regularly visited the museum to take part in hands-on workshops connected to the exhibition Stand Still and Turn to Stone!.
Using visual literacy training methods known as Sjónarafl, the young participants explored traditional Icelandic folk tales and the museum's artworks. Their efforts culminated in the display I Stood Outside in the Moonlight, complemented by creative works produced back at their schools.
The festival also showcased the Nordic collaborative project SPIN (Language Friends in the Nordic Region – the Art of Understanding Each Other). Sixth-grade students from Melaskóli and Háteigsskóli contributed the exhibition Traces in the North – Children Mark the Steps, utilizing textile creations and shoe sculptures to express their visions for a better society. Additionally, students from Landakotsskóli hosted a community recycling workshop on the First Day of Summer, redesigning garments provided by the Sorpa recycling center.
To plan your next visit or explore more local highlights using Musemap (musemap.art), you can browse current exhibitions, view the interactive map, or search for museums across the city.
