Ask your kids what interests them, whether Greek heroes, brothers and sisters, historic figures or artists they may have learned about. The computer will pull up tiny images of the works. You can print out a map of the location of the paintings or sculptures and then head off on an art hunt. When you're done in the West Building, go to the bottom floor and take the underground walkway to the East Building. I.M. Pei's angular, airy East Building should appeal to youngsters.
Art can be funny, they seem to say.
Art can be beautiful, scary, thoughtful, provocative. Kind of like daughters and sons. The West Building's Garden Cafe and the East Building's Terrace Cafe aren't as good choices for the family as the Cascade Cafe between the two buildings. It has a well-stocked buffet, with items ranging from hamburgers to barbecued chicken. Cheap it's not, but there's something for everyone.