New Family Lounge at the Spalding House

March 28, 2013

Ashley de Coligny,

Editor’s Note: In 2019, Spalding House was closed to the public and the historic building went on the market.

If you are interested in visiting other museums, read Our Guides to Family Sunday at the Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum and ‘Iolani Palace.

I’m kind of a geek when it comes to places becoming more family-friendly. I get really excited (maybe too excited) when I notice a restaurant, shop, or any kind of venue actually acknowledges parents’ needs, and makes our lives just a tad bit easier when we’re out and about with the kids. That’s why I’m psyched about this: The Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House (which we already love for hosting Family Yoga every month) has added a new Family Lounge, a place for little ones to play and parents to chill while you’re all cruising the museum.

It feels like a room that children would design for themselves – a colorful space filled with games, toys and puzzles – but with a cool, artsy twist. When I took my kids, Ella and Charlie, they both made a beeline for the oversized Mod Pod beanbags, which turned out to be foamy and comfy (I couldn’t resist taking one for a test sit, too). They also loved drawing on the large dry-erase boards and exploring “The Creation Station,” where DIY art projects will change monthly. This month you can choose from making fortune cookie magnets or paper kites. My kids opted for the latter and had a blast flying them around on the huge grassy lawn outside, while I admired the sculpture garden and the amazing view of Diamond Head.

The Family Lounge is open during museum hours, and will also show rotating family-friendly films.

So go ahead, make a day of it at the museum. With six galleries of art, the great lawn and sculpture garden, the Spalding House Café and this cool new Family Room, there’s plenty to explore.

Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive, 237-5230, honolulumuseum.org. Family Room open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sundays noon to 3:30 p.m. Museum admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 17, and free for children 3 and under. On the first Wednesday of every month, admission is free.