Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Bishop Museum with Kids

Are you looking for things to do on Oahu with kids? Keep scrolling for my top tips and tricks for Bishop Museum in Hawaii and why it’s one of the best things to do in Honolulu with kids, especially on a rainy day.

Guest post by local Oahu mom Kate Tekurio

Do you have kids and want to check out one of the best museums in Oahu? The Bishop Museum Hawaii is one of the best things to do in Oahu.

The Bishop Museum on Oahu is full of amazing Pacific Island cultures, along with fun interactive activities! It is a great place to learn much about Polynesian culture and explore new things.

Here is your guide to the Bishop Museum with kids so you can get the most out of your trip!

You will see some amazing, more than 100-year-old artifacts from Hawaii’s history and enjoy all kinds of hands-on activities for children.

There are also many different programs throughout the year that focus on specific topics such as astronomy or even Hawaiian legends. One such program includes featured exhibits events that showcase the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and the Pacific.

If you’re looking for an activity that both adults and children will enjoy, then this is it! Let’s go exploring now!

Scroll down to find out how to visit Bishop Museum on Oahu with kids.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Things to do in Honolulu with Kids FAQs

What is there for kids to do at night in Oahu?

One of our favorite nighttime activities for kids is experiencing an Oahu luau. Our top picks are Toa Luau and Experience Nutridge Luau. On Fridays, you can enjoy the free fireworks show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. And some of the museums in Oahu offer an after-dark experience.

What are the top things to do in Oahu with toddlers?

There are tons of things to do on Oahu with toddlers! A few of our favorites include riding the Waikiki Trolley, visiting Sea Life Park, exploring the Honolulu Zoo, playing at Secret Island, and checking out the Polynesian Cultural Center.

What can you do on a rainy day in Oahu?

One of the top things to do on Oahu in the rain is go shopping at Ala Moana Center, the largest outdoor shopping center in the world. It’s almost all undercover, and many shops and restaurants exist. You can also check out one of the Honolulu museums in Hawaii, like the Bishop Museum or the Honolulu Museum of Art.

What is the Bishop Museum in Honolulu?

The Bishop Museum, often referred to as the Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History, was founded in 1889 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s husband, Charles Reed Bishop, to honor his late wife.

Initially, it was a place for all the royal family heirlooms and ancient Hawaiian artifacts from the princess. Since then, it has expanded with many amazing historic pieces of all the Pacific Islands!

This museum holds so much natural and cultural history and is the largest museum on the island. It is also the biggest museum for Hawaiian and Pacific culture in the United States!

You can see the amazing history of some of the original buildings built by Charles Bishop. They are beautiful buildings with exquisite designs. Now, the museum is expanding and has created many more buildings with fun interactive pieces, too.

The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of artifacts and specimens, including the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural items. It is a premier natural and cultural history institution that offers public educational programs and consulting services.

This is one of the best museums in Honolulu, where you can learn about Hawaiian history and culture.

How Much Does it Cost to Get into the Bishop Museum?

The Bishop Museum has three types of tickets. For youth 4-17, it is $16.95. It costs $24.95 for adults and $21.95 for seniors. Babies and toddlers under three are free. There are also some extra costs, including their dinosaur exhibit and parking. You pay for those separately at the front desk. 

Visitors can also explore the Bishop Museum Press and Bishop Museum gift shop, which features books and unique cultural items. It is a great place to find educational materials and souvenirs.

This is also one of the best places to head to Oahu on a budget.

Where is the Bishop Museum in Hawaii?

The Bishop Museum, officially recognized as the Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History, is located at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96817, right off the H1 highway. It is very easy to get to and has plenty of parking! 

Does Bishop Museum have Parking?

Yes, the museum has parking, but you will have to pay for it. Bishop Museum parking costs $5.00 and gives you all-day access. You will pay at the kiosk in the front. 

When is the Best Time to Visit the Museum? 

The Hawai’i Bishop Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The best time to visit is early in the morning when there is no one. When we arrived at 9:30 a.m., only two other people were exploring the museum.

By the time we left at noon, the parking lot was full, and people were everywhere! Go to this Hawaii museum in the morning for fewer crowds and more time to go through the exhibits! 

Image of a girl standing in a volcano exhibit at Bishop Museum in Hawaii.
Photo credit: Kate Tekurio

How Long Does it Take to Go Through the Bishop Museum?

Because there are so many buildings and displays to visit and explore, it will probably take around 3 hours to enjoy fully. 

We stayed 2 ½ hours and did not see everything. If you have younger children, you can visit and have fun for two hours. If you love learning about history and Hawaiian culture, you could easily spend 4 to 5 hours seeing everything. 

The featured exhibits events and interactive displays in different sections ensure there’s always something engaging for every visitor.

Can You Bring Food to Bishop Museum?

Yes, you can bring your own food to the museum! However, you cannot eat in any of the exhibits. You can only eat outside in the pavilions and grass areas. 

There is also a cafe if you don’t want to bring your own food. The Cafe also offers picnic tables and mats if you prefer to eat out in sunny weather. You can enjoy many wonderful Hawaiian dishes like poke, Kalua pork, and plate lunches. 

For visitors who enjoy a blend of mele hula mea ʻai, the café provides a cultural culinary experience that adds to the overall visit.

Is it Worth it to Visit the Bishop Museum?

If you love exploring and learning about Hawaiian culture, you will love the Bishop Museum in Hawaii!  While young children may not enjoy everything the museum offers, many fun buildings are dedicated to exploring and having fun while learning. 

The Bishop Museum curator of Hawaiʻi and staff ensure that visitors, both local and from abroad, can appreciate the museum’s efforts to preserve Hawaiian and Pacific cultures. The celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa (Hawaiian Independence Day) is one of the museum’s annual highlights, offering unique educational programs and events.

Is the Bishop Museum Kid Friendly? 

Yes and no. Many buildings, including the Hawaiian and Pacific Hall, are not kid-friendly. While you can take your children inside those areas, you might have trouble keeping them entertained. Keeping them from touching the artifacts and displays will also be hard. 

But there are also many buildings made especially for kids. The Science Adventure Center and the Dinosaur Exhibit have interactive displays that your kids will love! We spent most of our time here, and the kids loved it! 

Bishop Museum reviews highlight its dedication to families, offering public transit access and enriching experiences. Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop envisioned this institution as a legacy for the royal Kamehameha family, making it a vital part of Hawaiian heritage.

Bishop Museum is one of the best things to do with older kids in Oahu who are interested in Hawaiian culture, geography, or science. It’s also one of the top museums in Hawaii for world schooling and homeschooling families.

Bishop Museum Exhibits 

Here are just some of the awesome exhibits at the Bishop Museum! Some teach Hawaiian history, and others are about having fun while learning. 

Hawaiian Hall

The Hawaiian Hall showcases significant cultural artifacts, such as Ka Ula Wena Oceanic designs, which represent traditional craftsmanship and the vibrant heritage of the Pacific Islands. It covers most of the main building and is filled with authentic Hawaiian antiques.

My favorite was the gorgeous display of several genuine  ‘Ahu ‘Ula, Hawaiian feather cloaks reserved for chiefs. These cloaks are intricately woven with extremely rare bird feathers. They are impressive, to say the least.  

Pacific Hall

The Pacific Hall also represents several other Pacific Islands and their histories. In the Pacific Hall, you can discover relics and stories from Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, and other regions, including influences from Ka Ula Wena Oceanic traditions that highlight the artistic connections across the Pacific.

It is fascinating to discover the similarities and differences between the islands of the South Pacific and the islands of Hawaii. 

These halls are truly a pleasure to explore, and you may want to split up and send the kids to the dinosaur exhibit while you roam around peacefully through this extensive display of Hawaiʻi and Pacific cultural heritage.

Bishop Museum Dinosaur Exhibit

This was one of our favorite places to visit! The dinosaur exhibit has about a dozen different dinosaurs on display. Each moves and has its own unique roar. You can walk through, take pictures, and learn about each dinosaur. 

Image of a girl smiling inside a dinosaur's mouth at a Bishop Museum exhibit in Hawaii.
Photo credit: Kate Tekurio

There are also many fun interactive places for younger kids to enjoy. There is a sandpit where children can have a sensory play that lights up with dinosaurs. Or they can dig around for dinosaur fossils at the digging station. 

This exhibit is extremely fun and worth the additional cost. However, it is also very loud and can be overwhelming for some children more sensitive to sound.

However, there is a spot at the front called the quiet section, where children and parents can enjoy a comfy couch to rest for a bit, and the kids can play some fun dinosaur puzzles away from the noise. 

The deck of a sailboat replica used in the dinosaur-themed area adds a fun, imaginative touch for children who love adventure!

Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center 

This was a huge surprise for us. You must not skip the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center. It is south of the main building and a little separated from the rest of the exhibits, but you have to see it.

The science center at Bishop Museum on Oahu is pretty cool! Image of a dad playing with the hand-cranked wind generator.
Photo credit: Kate Tekurio

This Science Center is a blast for adults and kids, with fun activities and interactive displays. You can learn how to make your own wind on their stunning wind wall. 

They also have an actual volcano inside the building and a tunnel leading to its center. The glow-in-the-dark tunnel represents the ocean, and children may be reluctant to go through it at first.

The volcano is interactive; you can control it with spurting gases and lava commands. Both the young and the old will totally enjoy this immersive experience. 

This center highlights Pacific cultural resources plus educational tools for learning about Hawaii’s diverse environment and geology.

J. Watumull Planetarium

The Planetarium is another fun exhibit that both adults and children will enjoy. Throughout the day, you will find many shows where some live and others are programs to see. You can learn all about the sky, planets, stars, and the earth too! This is a NASA exhibit that all ages will enjoy! 

Some of the shows include:

  • The Birth of Planet Earth 
  • Hidden Pacific 
  • Wayfinders
  • And more! 

Nā Ulu Kaiwi‘ula Native Hawaiian Garden

As you stroll through each of the buildings, stop at the beautiful Native Hawaiian Garden. The Nā Ulu Kaiwi‘ula Native Hawaiian Garden showcases many plants that are unique to Hawaii and cannot be found anywhere else in the world, along with other traditional Hawaiian plants.

This garden provides an opportunity to learn about traditional Hawaiian uses for native plants and their significance in Hawaiian culture. It’s not just educational but also a peaceful and picturesque place to relax and enjoy the fresh air.

This area also ties in well with mele hula mea ʻai, as traditional Hawaiian chants and dances often highlight the importance of native flora in their storytelling and practices.

It's helpful to bring a wagon when visiting Bishop Museum with kids. Image of a dad pulling a red wagon with two toddlers outside of Bishop Museum in Hawaii.
Photo credit: Kate Tekurio

Tips for Visiting the Museum

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your trip! 

  • If you are bringing smaller children, bring a wagon or stroller. There is enough room to move around and explore with them and help keep your little ones more contained when you need to! 
  • Bring your own water bottle. They do not have water fountains or bottled water; you must bring your own. There are many water stations where you can fill them up if you need to. 
  • Bring a camera! There are many fun photo spots throughout the museum. You will want to capture those fun memories, such as smiling inside of a dinosaur’s mouth or surfing on a board! 

Get Your Bishop Museum Tickets

If you want to visit this Oahu museum, you can get your tickets to Bishop Museum and the planetarium online HERE.

Bishop Museum in Hawaii Wrap-Up

The Bishop Museum in Honolulu has many amazing exhibits where you can learn about the beautiful Hawaiian culture and have fun while doing it!

From the celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa to the interactive displays in the Science Adventure Center, this museum is a treasure trove of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural heritage.

Whether you’re admiring historical artifacts curated by experts like Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio PhD and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio PhD, exploring the immersive exhibits, or enjoying the lush garden filled with native plants, the museum caters to all ages.

When you visit Hawaii, visit the Bishop Museum to learn about and respect the culture of this beautiful island.

The museum showcases an impressive array of natural history specimens and cultural collections, making it a premier destination for anyone interested in natural history and the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Additionally, the museum is actively involved in various research projects, further establishing its reputation as a leading museum in the state.

This institution, originally envisioned by wife Princess Bernice Pauahi, continues to honor her memory and contribute to preserving and understanding Hawaiian culture.

About Kate

Kate Tekurio lives on Oahu with her husband and toddler. They love exploring the island and sharing their best tips with other families traveling to Hawaii.

Looking for more things to do on Oahu with kids? Check out my guides for the Honolulu Zoo, Dole Plantation, Sea Life Park, Pearl Harbor, and the Waikiki Atlantis Submarine.

P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!