Hawaii Children's Discovery Center facts for kids

The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center is a super fun museum just for kids! It's located near Honolulu, Hawaii's Kaka'ako Waterfront Park. This amazing place opened in 1989. Every year, over 200,000 kids and their families visit this 38,000 sq ft (3,500 m²) museum. It's a non-profit organization, which means it's run to help people, not to make money. It's also part of the Association of Children's Museums.

Discovering the Museum's History

The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center first opened in December 1989. Back then, it was called the Hawaii Children’s Museum of Art, Culture, Science and Technology. It started in a smaller 5,000 sq ft (460 m²) space. This first location was at the old Dole Food Company cannery in Honolulu.

The original museum welcomed about 250,000 visitors. However, it closed in 1994 after the cannery shut down.

A New Beginning for the Museum

In 1998, the museum found a new home and reopened as the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center. It moved into a much bigger and improved building. This new spot used to be an old incinerator. The Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) helped prepare the site. They made sure the building was safe and ready for visitors.

New construction added a lot more space. The museum grew from 17,000 sq ft (1,600 m²) to 37,000 sq ft (3,400 m²). This allowed for many more exciting exhibits and activities for children.

Exploring Amazing Exhibits and Programs

The museum's main goal is to help children "dream big dreams." It wants them to know that their dreams can really come true! The center has six main exhibits. These exhibits encourage kids to use their senses to learn about the world around them.

Fun and Engaging Exhibit Areas

• Tot Spot: This area is perfect for children aged 5 and younger. It's a stimulating and sensory-filled place for little ones to explore.
• Fantastic You: Here, kids learn all about the human body. They discover how different parts of their body work together.
• Your Town: This exhibit teaches children how a community works. Kids can role-play as a firefighter, a banker, a mechanic, or even an art performer.
• Hawaiian Rainbows: This section explains the history of Hawaii. It covers everything from the old plantation days to modern Hawaii.
• Your Rainbow World: Learn about different cultures and countries around the world. Children can experience how life is similar and different in other places.
• Rainforest Adventures: This is the newest exhibit gallery. It teaches children why rainforests are so important in Hawaii and globally.

Exciting Educational Programs

The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center also hosts many themed programs:

• Toddler Time: This program helps children aged 18-36 months. It helps them develop their language skills and sensory perception.
• Preschool Playtime: Designed for 3- and 4-year-olds, this is a drop-off program. It gives children their first taste of a preschool classroom experience.
• STEM-centered labs: These labs focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. They offer hands-on learning experiences.
• Scouting Programs: Several programs are made especially for US-based Scouting organizations.
• Discovery Camps: The museum offers these camps four times a year. They happen during school breaks, providing fun and learning.

Supporting the Museum's Mission

The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center gets its support from many places. Members contribute, and businesses offer sponsorships. The museum also receives money from foundations and federal grants. Many generous individuals also help support the center.

The museum has a full-time staff. However, it also relies a lot on volunteers. These volunteers help at every level of the organization. They are very important to the museum's success.