Education FAQ

MOHAI Education accepts reservation requests through our online reservation request form. For more information about our programs and to request a field trip, visit the MOHAI Education field trips page

For the 2025-26 school year, MOHAI offers field trips Monday – Friday.

For the 2026-27 school year, MOHAI will offer field trips on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Self-guided field trips are available between 9:45 am – 4:30 pm.

Guided field trips are available between 10 am – 2 pm.

Please refer to specific program pages for detailed information.

MOHAI requires that field trip reservation requests are submitted a minimum of three weeks prior to the requested field trip dates. However, dates for our popular guided field trips book up much earlier, typically by the early fall of any given school year. Self-guided field trips can also fill up, particularly in the spring and summer. Groups are encouraged to book field trips as far in advance as possible.

Field trip scheduling for the following school year opens on April 1 annually.

All cancellations made within 21 calendar days of the scheduled field trip will be charged the full field trip fee. Scholarship schools cancelling within 21 days will be charged an administrative fee of $50 for guided field trips or $25 for self-guided field trips.

Efforts will be made to reschedule your field trip, but rescheduling cannot be guaranteed. This policy also applies to no-shows. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Failure to pay cancellation fees will result in your school being unable to book future field trips.

No. Reservations are required for all youth and student groups coming to the museum (including school groups, youth groups, summer camp groups, home school co-op groups, or similar groups). This helps staff provide a positive museum experience for all groups and ensure the safety and security of the museum galleries.

MOHAI does offer staff-led field trips, although these are not traditional gallery tours. Each facilitated program is a one-hour, inquiry-based challenges using real artifacts, documents, and historic photos to explore various topics in Seattle and Puget Sound history. These programs also involve a high degree of chaperone involvement, and each chaperone leader helps guide students through the program.

A standard self-guided field trip lasts approximately two hours, although they can be tailored to a groups’ specific needs.

The total length of a guided field trip depends on how many classes are visiting. Guided field trips last a minimum of two hours and 15 minutes. Here are estimates for common field trip time blocks:

• One or two class guided program – 2 hours and 15 minutes
• One class or two class guided program with onsite lunch – 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Three class guided program – 3 hours and 15 minutes
  • All three class guided programs are scheduled to have lunch onsite

If you require a shorter visit, we recommend scheduling a self-guided field trip instead, bring fewer classes, or spread your classes out over a second field trip day. We are unable to shorten guided programs.

MOHAI offers a grade banded scavenger hunt in two formats: an electronic hunt on museum iPads (max of 5 iPads per class, 1 iPad per chaperone group), or a paper-based hunt (one copy for each student, clipboards and pencils provided). Scavenger hunts are available in English or a bilingual English/Spanish version for all grade bands.

iPad availability is limited and first come, first serve at the time of booking. Paper scavenger hunts are always available. You do not need to print them for your field trip. MOHAI Educators will have a set ready for your classes.

Explore Self-Guided Gallery Activities

MOHAI educators can only lead one class (maximum 30 students) at a time through a guided program, due to limits on the primary resources and program space. Classes cannot be combined, as programs are highly-facilitated and inquiry-based, and are designed for groups of 30 students or fewer.

MOHAI Education regularly sees homeschool groups, after school programs, small private schools, and other youth and student groups that have mixed grades or ages for field trips.

Our Hands on History guided field trip is specifically designed for mixed-age groups. We recommend this program for field trip groups visiting with students of varying ages who are looking for a guided or facilitated experience. Self-guided field trips are also a great option for mixed-age groups.

MOHAI requires a minimum of one adult teacher or chaperone per six students. Groups may bring additional chaperones up to a ratio of one adult per two students at no extra cost. Chaperones beyond a 1:2 ratio will be charged via invoice at regular admission rates. Additional chaperones are welcome for students with support needs.

Students must remain with chaperones at all times and vice versa. Chaperones should not bring additional children who are not part of the class and are asked to mute their cell phones in order to give their group their full attention and guidance.

There are several private and city-owned parking lots near MOHAI. The parking lot next to the museum is reserved for ADA-permitted vehicles.

Review MOHAI bus parking options

There are several bus loading areas available near the museum, as well as parking lots that may be used for temporary load and unload. Buses are not allowed down the driveway of the museum or to park in the North Lot.

Review MOHAI bus parking options

MOHAI will provide a storage area for coats and lunches. Please leave backpacks, valuables, and unnecessary belongings at school as we have limited storage space; MOHAI is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Students may not wear backpacks in the galleries.

MOHAI will provide either paper scavenger hunts, clipboards and pencils or iPads for scavenger hunts depending on your reservation. There is no need to print copies of the scavenger hunt at school.

MOHAI does not have an indoor lunch facility. Groups eating lunch at the museum should plan to eat in the surrounding Lake Union Park, which does not have covered seating. In the case of severe inclement weather, museum staff will do their best to accommodate an indoor lunch space, though cannot guarantee a space for your group. Eating lunch back at school is recommended in these instances.

A café is located on-site. Seating is for café patrons only; outside food and drink (including sack lunches) is not permitted in the café and seating is limited.

MOHAI is no longer requiring the use of masks in our facilities. However, masks are encouraged and welcome at any time.

MOHAI Education is committed to supporting students with support or access needs and will work with schools and youth groups to meet your group’s needs.

The reservation request form includes an open-ended question for requesters to share information about student support needs. If you would like to discuss specific accommodations or access needs, please contact us at education@mohai.org.

MOHAI education can offering the following language supports:

• English/Spanish bilingual scavenger hunts for all grade bands in paper and iPad formats
• Chaperone support documents in English and Spanish for all guided programs
• General museum map in Spanish

MOHAI offers free admission for youth 14 and under when accompanied by an adult for visitors purchasing standard admission tickets through the front desk. Visit our website for standard admission rates details (for visitors other than schools, youth, homeschool groups).

Field trips are considered a type of group visit and are subject to different pricing and admission requirements. MOHAI Education offers competitive rates for school or youth groups. Field trip prices are listed by on each specific field trip web page. Program cost covers program fees, and student and chaperone entrance up to 1 adult per 2 student ratio.

Reservations are required for all youth student groups (including school groups, youth groups, summer camp groups, home school co-op groups, or similar groups) coming to the museum.

MOHAI offers scholarships to schools and student groups for both field trips and the portable museum program. MOHAI also offers partial bus reimbursement for groups visiting with scholarship support. Learn more about MOHAI scholarship opportunities.

Credit card payments can be made by calling the general education extension at (206) 324-1124 x 106 Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Please do not leave your credit card information on our voicemail or send credit card information via email. At this time, we are not able to accept credit card payments online.

You may also pay for your field trip at the front desk at the time of your field trip or Portable Museum rental. The desk can accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Payments at the desk must be made in one transaction.

All payments are due on the date of your field trip or Portable Museum pick up.

Checks can be mailed to:

You may also pay for your field trip at the front desk at the time of your field trip or Portable Museum rental. The desk can accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Payments at the desk must be made in one transaction.

All payments are due on the date of your field trip or Portable Museum pick up.

Purchase orders can be mailed to the address above or emailed to education@mohai.org

You may also pay for your field trip at the front desk at the time of your field trip or Portable Museum rental. The desk can accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Payments at the desk must be made in one transaction.

All payments are due on the date of your field trip or Portable Museum pick up.