When you’re making your list of “Things To Do with Visitors in Bahrain” and “Things To Do with Kids in Bahrain” sometimes there’s a touch of kismet and they overlap (depending greatly on your visitors and your kids, of course).

Bahrain’s National Museum is one of those kismets. (Click on the link to go to their site.)

They have permanent exhibits that cover Bahrain’s customs and traditions, traditional trades and crafts, Islam, royal cars, and Bahrain’s history, all the way back to the Dilmun era (4000 BC) including the famous Dilmun seals.

The museum also offers temporary exhibits from all over the world. Two years ago we saw a fascinating one on the aviation connections between Britain and Bahrain showcasing a Spitfire. Plus, they often feature local artists.

This week, we got to see the Jurassic Era exhibit - a bit hit for everyone.

I even made up a little scavenger hunt for the kids (with great help from a friend who did some reconnoissance). This helped keep the kids engaged and made them actually LOOK at things. It was a lot of fun. I mean, how often do you get to talk about fossilized poop?

Another big hit for everyone is always the aerial photo of Bahrain that’s on the ground floor - literally. Everyone loves picking out their house or their school or their favorite beach.

The museum grounds are also spacious and nicely landscaped with statue gardens and lots of areas for kids to run and burn off some of that enviable energy. 

Inside the museum is Darseen Cafe. It’s a lovely spot for a quiet moment, a moms-meet-up, or even lunch with the kids on the weekend.

Just behind Darseen, is a boat dock. For an added adventure, you can purchase separate tickets for a boat ride (life jackets are available) that will take you to Bu Maher to see the fort, and bring you back again. You need to purchase your tickets when enter the museum. Ask whether or not the boat is running, it’s not always offered.

Bottom line, the Bahrain National Museum has a little bit for everyone and is a great way to spend a few hours. Here are the important details: