Warhol: Paintings for Children is eye-catching if modest. First shown in 1983, the exhibit features 90 or so small canvases silkscreened with pictures of old-school toys like a panda drumming, a robot and a police car, plus animals, fruit and other objects that evoke the pleasures of childhood. Each image appears multiple times in various color schemes, and the paintings are grouped together in different formations against fish wallpaper. It's a trippy effect that gives you a feeling of déjà vu. My daughter loved pointing out how often different images repeated. She also loved trying to copy Warhol's style—she killed a few markers in the process.

In the back, there's a case set against bright yellow and pink cow wallpaper. Inside are the objects most associated with Warhol: A vintage Campbell's soup can, a glass Coca-Cola bottle and a fancy shoe, plus a hand-illustrated book about food. (Too bad visitors can't leaf through it.) There are also two panels of text, one for adults, the other for kids, that put Warhol and his work in context.

Contained in one room, the exhibit only takes 15 or so minutes to go through. The main attraction for families is the series of free art workshops for kids inspired by Warhol's work, which kick off this weekend. Although all of the sessions are free, registration is required for most offerings. Act fast: Apparently this Sunday's ceramics workshop is already sold out! To register, call 212-415-5562.

Pop-in Silkscreen Studio
Saturdays and Sundays through September 25 noon-4pm
Kids can learn how Warhol made his iconic works, including the pieces on display in this exhibit. All participants get a chance to try the process and take a print home. No registration required. All ages.

Transformation Workshop
Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 25 noon-1:30pm for children ages 7-11; 2-4pm for children ages 12-16
Just as Warhol took everyday items and gave them new meaning, kids will transform found objects into art.

Rubber Stamp Workshop
Sunday, September 18 noon-4pm
Warhol began working with rubber stamps while employed as a commercial artist. Kids will be able to create their own repeating patterns using these tools. Ages 5-8.
 
Go Fish!
Sunday, September 18 noon-4pm
I so wish my daughter were old enough to do this one! Kids will get to work in the 92Y’s Jewelry and Metalwork Studio to design, cut and decorate a metal bookmark, based on Warhol’s art. Ages 9-12.
 
Other Events

On Sunday, September 18, the 92Y School of the Arts is holding its open house, so it's a great time for families to see what kind of classes are available.

On Sunday, September 25 from 11am-5pm, the 92nd Street Y throws its annual street festival from 80th to 92nd Street on Lexington Avenue. My daughter and I went last year and spent way too much money. There are a lot of vendors! In addition, there is a games area, performances for children, gymnastics demos and other activities.

92Y School of the Arts Children's Warhol Festival includes free weekend art workshops for kids through Sunday, September 25 in conjunction with the exhibit Warhol: Paintings for Children, which is on view through Tuesday, October 4. Advance registration is required for workshops. Call 212-415-5562.

All images courtesy of the Mugrabi Collection / © 2011 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York