Hawaii offers a host of child-friendly attractions providing fun and educational experiences for children. Many of Hawaii's museums offer hands-on activities to engage children, while zoological parks and aquariums provide structured excursions to introduce families to the attraction's exotic wildlife. When you're ready to take a break from the beach, you'll find no shortage of entertainment for yourself and your children no matter which island you're visiting.
Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum hosts exhibits for children such as its giant volcano replica, which erupts every 15 minutes. Children can walk through the volcano and set the volcano's geothermal forces into motion with the exhibit's interactive consoles, venting volcanic gasses and churning magma with the press of a button. Children can view planetarium shows, which as of January 2011 included Tropical Skies, displaying astronomical features only visible from Hawaii. The Bishop Museum also hosts daily hula performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits designed for children ages 2 through 13 that teach children about science and history through play. Children can participate in varied activities, such as learning about marine life while dressed as an octopus, and experience adult life by stepping into roles such as a firefighter or an actor. The center also presents exhibits depicting Hawaii's history, from its colonial days to the present, and all exhibits are designed to allow parents to participate in the center's activities alongside their children.
Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo offers 43 acres of exhibits with the 10-acre African savannah as its centerpiece, allowing children to experience the great cats and other African wildlife in natural surroundings. The zoo strives to provide spacious, healthy environments for its animals that encourage them to behave as they would in their natural habitats. The zoo offers family activities such as the Dinner Safari, which provides a meal followed by guided exploration of the zoo at night. The guides equip children and parents with red filtered flashlights, allowing visitors to view the nocturnal animals' evening routines while preserving their night vision.
Sea Life Park Hawaii
Oahu's Sea Life Park features zoological exhibits and marine mammal performances. Its 300,000-gallon aquarium is home to sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, rays and a plethora of tropical fish, and the park also hosts a penguin habitat where park trainers explain penguin biology and behavior with children. Sea Life Park offers family activities such as its Dolphin Encounter, where children as young as 2 can play with the park's dolphins while standing in shallow water, and the Sea Lion Swim, which allows families to frolic and pet these marine mammals.
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