Half-term: the best art galleries and exhibitions for children Young children have none of their parents" nervousness or inhibitions with great works. They don't need an evening class in 19th-century art appreciation or to worry about what a Turner Prize winner is trying to tell us. They just enjoy. The smaller the child, the bigger they seem to like their art to be. The big, bold (colour is also a crucial factor). And Matisse at Tate Modern is a favourite with toddlers. A child's enthusiasm for post-impressionism can be infectious. Go to a gallery with a 10 year-old, and you're freed from the need to stand back, cock the head to one side, and make a clever comment. Nor do you need to focus on the most highly regarded work. You can pick anything - in particular paintings with families and animals in them - and simply enjoy them, too. Although many families think museums with a row of Egyptian mummies and some Stegosaurus bones as the perfect place to take their children, they could have more fun in a gallery. It takes no more than a pack of pencils to make children demand a day out with Degas rather than the dinosaurs. 'Manet: Portraying Life' at the Royal Academy runs until 14 Apr 2013 Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool "Our youngest visitors love the Loophonium by Fritz Spiegl," says Lucy Cattell of National Museums Liverpool. It's a marriage of a euphonium and a lavatory. It was done for a concert of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on April Fools" Day 1960, at which the instrument was played. The man who made it was the orchestra's principal flautist Fritz Spiegl. Half-term activities Discover and Draw. Want to discover a new drawing technique or discover a hidden talent? Borrow a selection of artist quality materials and have a go at drawing around the gallery. Volunteers on hand to inspire and offer ideas. The Liverpool Look Workshops and stylish activities inspired by clothes from Mrs Tinne's wardrobe (Emily Tinne was a Liverpool doctor's wife, whose clothes were bought or made by local dressmakers in the Twenties and Thirties). Feb 19-21, 11am-4pm. Tate Britain, London The Cholmondeley Ladies is particularly popular. The children especially enjoy the story of the two sisters and their new babies," says Bethany Bull of Tate Britain. Half-term activity Big and Small Family Day. Artists welcome families and ask them to get involved in making giant sculptures, films and performances. Feb 22, 10am-3pm. Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall Our most popular work of art with kids is an automaton called A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Keith Newstead. They nearly jump out of their skins when the wolf snaps!" says Louise Connell, the gallery's director. Pirate Portraits Ahoy Mateys! Become a pirate for the afternoon and draw a portrait of one of your crew to hang in the Jolly Roger. Feb 16 Boat in a Box. Put a boat not in a bottle, but in a box, designing and making cardboard cut-out boxes. Feb 19 Popular: Keith Newstead's automaton 'A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' Manchester Art Gallery "Sir Edwin Landseer's The Desert featuring the lion that has become the emblem of Tate & Lyle golden syrup tins," says Ronan Brindley, head of learning. It's not just that kids love animals in art but they read and identify emotions in works like this. Landseer was very good at portraying feelings and I think children's emotive antennae are sharper than adults. The lion is strong and proud. The Blow-Up Lab. Tiny details become important as you use microscopes and scanners to make art and experiment in an oversized projection space. Feb 19-22, 1-3pm. National Museum Cardiff Kids are attracted to Surrealism works like René Magritte's The Empty Mask. It's like a puzzle to them. Cartoon Family Workshops. Have you ever wanted to be a cartoonist? It's your chance. Feb 10-12, 11am-4pm. Animated Family Fun Workshops. The whole family can explore the art, natural history and archaeology of the museum and bring them to life in an animated sequence. 10-12 Feb, 11am, 1pm & 3pm. National Portrait Gallery , London Children really love the brightly coloured contemporary works such as the portrait of Zaha Hadid. Half term activity Family Art Workshop. Explore portraits in the world-renowned collection, then draw your own. Feb 16, 11.30am, 2.30pm. The Telegraph's Family Friendly Museum Award aims to reward those museums that enthrall children of all ages. Nominate your favourite by emailing award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk or post an entry to Family Friendly Award, Kids in Museums, 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH. Closing date is: 10 May 2013. Read the terms and conditions here.