15 Things to Do in Honolulu
with Kids

What is it?
A state park and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hawaii.

Why should you go?
Located inside a volcanic cone, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a beautiful place for many family activities in Hawaii. Among the activities available here are sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, and observing marine life. The preserve also features a marine education center that lets you learn more about the diverse and beautiful sea creatures native to Hawaii. Visiting the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of the most fun things to do in Honolulu with kids, and we thoroughly recommend this visitor attraction to everyone.

What is it?
This visitor attraction is the largest pineapple plantation in Hawaii; it's also home to one of the largest mazes worldwide.

Why should you go?
Originally, Dole Plantation was a simple fruit stand; then, in 1989, it opened its doors to the members of the public as Hawaii's "Pineapple Experience." Nowadays, it's a massive complex with a working plantation, a pineapple-shaped maze, and plenty of exciting activities. You can ride aboard Pineapple Express for a quick tour through Hawaii's pineapple history, try getting out of one of the trickiest mazes worldwide, or enjoy a delicious Dole Soft Serve. Dole Plantation offers a fun and exciting experience for families, couples, and groups of friends alike.

What is it?
It's the second-oldest active aquarium in the United States that is home to more than 3500 marine organisms.

Why should you go?
Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is one of the most popular destinations in Honolulu. Here, you can learn everything you want about the incredible array of sea creatures calling Hawaii home. The Waikiki Aquarium has several permanent displays on different topics; these include Amazing Adaptations, Giant Clams, Ocean Drifters, a Coral Farm, a Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat, Ocean Aquaculture, the Edge of the Reef, and several others. The aquarium is home to many events throughout the year. Among these events are Seasons and the Sea, Diving Santa, Makahiki, Paint for Your Soul, and Hawaiian Plant Guided Tour.

What is it?
This kid-friendly museum offers plenty of fun things to do in Honolulu for kids; it has several exciting exhibitions for kids of all ages.

Why should you go?
The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center is one of the must-see destinations for kids of all ages. Its goal is to promote creativity in children and teach them that their dreams can come true with good effort. The museum features a selection of permanent exhibitions consisting of Rainforest Adventures, Your Town, Fantastic You, Hawaiian Rainbows, and Your Rainbow World. Additionally, Hawaii Children's Discovery Center regularly hosts various temporary events throughout the year.

What is it?
It's a beautiful place where you can learn about local history and admire the beauty of nature.

Why should you go?
Waimea Valley is a fixture in many lists of must-see attractions in Hawaii with a good reason. This valley is intrinsically linked to the history and culture of Hawaii; today, it is home to several important historical sites. The first of these sites is Hale o Lono (House of Lono), a place of worship for Lono, the god of peace, music, fertility, and agriculture. Other points of interest include the Ku'ula Shrine, Kauhale Kahiko, Hale Iwi, Waimea Botanical Gardens, and many waterfalls. Although it will take around two hours to travel from Honolulu to Waimea Valley, the trip is worth it.

What is it?
This beach is one of the most popular places in Hawaii; it's ideal for swimming, sightseeing, snorkeling, and surfing.

Why should you go?
Waikiki Beach is a beach in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu located on the southern shore of Oahu. If you want to spend a fun day outdoors, look no further than Waikiki Beach. Here, you can walk on soft white sand, gaze at turquoise-blue water, go for a swim, rent some snorkeling equipment, or test your surfing skills. This place is great for families with kids of all ages, and it's not far from the city center, so it's a good option if you don't want to leave the city.

What is it?
It's an attraction that lets you see different species of sharks up close and personal without risking your safety.

Why should you go?
When it comes to family activities, Honolulu has plenty to offer: beautiful sandy beaches, historic sites, notable landmarks, museums, and so forth. Shark diving doesn't immediately spring to mind as an activity for children. Nonetheless, it's a viable choice for visitors to Honolulu, including families with kids. Sharks are a prominent fixture in Hawaiian mythology and are still revered today as old ancestral gods by many native Hawaiians. With North Shore Shark Adventures, you can see the beauty and grace of different sharks without risking your health and safety.

What is it?
This small artificial peninsula is a popular spot for socializing, picnics, relaxation, and local events.

Why should you go?
Another great place for an exciting day outdoors, Magic Island is a great place to go for a swim with kids, thanks to the large seawalls and a shallow lagoon next to it. Here, you can enjoy the views of the sea and the city, try surfing, scuba diving, bodyboarding, or fishing, build sand castles on the beach, and have a fun picnic in the shade of trees. Magic Island also serves as a venue for many events and festivals throughout the year, including a fireworks display on the 4th of July.

What is it?
A park located on the territory of a US military reservation in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu.

Why should you go?
Our next entry on this list is another beach in the Waikiki district, but it has plenty of things to do outside of the beach as well. Fort DeRussy Beach Park takes its name from the nearby United States military reservation, Fort DeRussy. Today, much of this reservation's territory is open to the public, including the former Battery Randolph that hosts the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii. In the park, you can stroll on the beautiful sandy beach, work out using numerous workout stations scattered across the park, enjoy a picnic, play a game of pickleball, and visit the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii.

What is it?
This visitor attraction is a perfect place to visit if you want to learn more about the animals of Hawaii.

Why should you go?
Sea Life Park allows you to meet many beautiful and cute animals native to Hawaii. Highlights of this attraction include the Discovery Reef Touch Pool, Dolphin Lagoon on Oahu Island, Hale Manu Bird Aviary, Hawaiian Reef Lagoon, and Honu Green Sea Turtle Habitat. You can also participate in various animal encounters and get very close to such animals as dolphins and sea lions. There is also an Adventure Kids Play Zone where children of all ages can play. Sea Life Park also regularly hosts dolphin shows, talks, Lu'au, and other events.

What is it?
It's a short and easy hiking trail that leads to a lighthouse and astonishing views of the surrounding area.

Why should you go?
If you want to escape chaotic city life and enjoy some beautiful views of southeastern Oahu, this trail is perfect for you. The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is a short hiking trail alongside Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline; it is paved and is manageable for families with kids. Along the way, you'll see Koko Crater, Makapu'u Beach, and the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse. We recommend bringing a lot of water and a couple of binoculars to observe majestic whales during your hike.

What is it?
This indoor museum is the largest one in Hawaii; it is home to the largest collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian artifacts in the world.

Why should you go?
If you don't know what to do in Honolulu with kids, we recommend checking out the Bishop Museum. Built in honor of the last descendant of the Kamehameha royal family, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, this museum is dedicated to the culture and history of Hawaii and Polynesia. Here, you can see the night sky of Hawaii in the J. Watumull Planetarium, explore the history of the Hawaiian people and the people of the Pacific, and gain a better understanding of their culture. There are plenty of exciting exhibits for kids that will make a visit to the Bishop Museum worthwhile.

What is it?
A zoo you can find in Queen Kapi'olani Park in Honolulu.

Why should you go?
Honolulu Zoo is a must-visit destination for animal lovers and the only zoo in Hawaii. This zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, and many of them aren't native to Hawaii. Here, you can observe many different species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in carefully constructed habitats. Among the zoo's inhabitants are African penguins, ball pythons, fennec foxes, Asian brown tortoises, meerkats, cockatiels, and many others. This zoo offers several fun activities to its visitors, like Twilight Tours and Wildlife Learning.

What is it?
This museum is dedicated to aviation, with the majority of exhibits being from the WWII era.

Why should you go?
In terms of kids activities, Honolulu and its surrounding area have nearly everything you can think of: beaches, museums, landmarks, and parks. For example, if you have a kid who is a fan of aviation, you must visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Formerly known as the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, this museum lets you take a look at the history of aircraft, mainly from the WWII era, focusing on the attack on Pearl Harbor. Within the walls of this museum, you will find plenty of planes, helicopters, two flight simulators, and other aviation artifacts.

What is it?
A private nature reserve, a working ranch, and a popular visitor attraction 24 miles from Honolulu.

Why should you go?
Last but not least, we have Kualoa Ranch. Even though it's pretty far from Honolulu, we've decided to include it, and here's why. Famous for its astonishing views, Kualoa Ranch is a wonderful place for the whole family, with plenty of interesting and exciting activities for kids of all ages. There are several packages you can purchase at Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Adventure Tour, Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, Ocean Voyage Adventure, Best of Kualoa Package, and several other options. As you can see, this place has something for everyone.