Hey, Christian parents in the DC metro area! Looking for a way to spark wonder in your kids while pointing them to the beauty of God’s creation?
“Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World” at the National Gallery of Art should be your next family outing.
This isn’t just an art exhibit—it’s a unique blend of creativity and nature that’ll inspire your kids to see the world through the eyes of faith, art, and curiosity.
Art Meets Nature in a Divine Dance
“Little Beasts” is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. It pairs nearly 75 paintings, prints, and drawings from the 16th and 17th centuries with 60 real-life specimens, including elephant beetles, seashells, and taxidermy.
Artists like Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel, Dutch masters of their time, captured God’s “little beasts” with jaw-dropping precision, turning insects and animals into works of worship on canvas and parchment.
Imagine standing with your kids, marveling at a 1653 oil painting of insects by Jan van Kessel, then looking right next to it at the actual bugs he depicted, loaned from the Smithsonian. It’s a powerful reminder of Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This exhibit doesn’t just show art; it invites you to trace the Creator’s fingerprints in every wing, shell, and feather.
Hands-On Wonder for Your Kids
What makes “Little Beasts” a treasure for your family? The free Little Beasts Nature Journal and NGA pencil handed out at the exhibit.
Your kids can channel their inner artist, sketching creatures and plants just like Hoefnagel did centuries ago. The journal encourages them to slow down, observe, and draw the world around them, whether it’s a dragonfly in the exhibit or a leaf in your backyard. It’s a chance to mimic the greats while cultivating a heart of gratitude for God’s creation.
Magnifying glasses are also available, letting your kids zoom in on the intricate details of art and specimens. It’s a tactile, engaging way to teach them to “consider the lilies” (Matthew 6:28) and notice the small, miraculous details of the world God made.
Why You Should Go
This exhibit isn’t just educational—it’s a chance to disciple your kids in wonder. The interplay of art and nature shows how human creativity, inspired by God’s handiwork, can deepen our awe for Him. Plus, admission is free, and the National Gallery is right on the National Mall (6th St. & Constitution Ave. NW), making it an easy addition to a DC day trip.
Take your family to “Little Beasts” and watch your kids’ eyes light up as they connect art, nature, and faith. Grab those journals, sketch like the Dutch masters, and let the Creator’s beauty spark conversations with Him. See you at the gallery.
“Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World” is open May 18–November 2, 2025, on the first floor of the National Gallery of Art West building. For more information on hours and visiting, check their website.
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