Family

Fun Things to Do in Oahu with Kids

Oahu is a giant playground. Kids of all ages can have a blast here. Morning, noon and night, indoors and out, there are places to go and things to do that become instant cherished memories. Let’s dive in!

At the top of our list is the beach, where safety comes first . Even if your child is a great swimmer, you should watch her at all times. You should always check with a lifeguard before going into the water. Non-swimmers and beginners should wear flotation devices. (We have a four-year-old and got our floaties at Target.) All kids should remain close to shore, where they can stand up. Even big kids should know what to do in a riptide. Use sunscreen. Boy, that sounds like a lot, but we pay attention to these things all the time.

Best beaches for kids: Waikiki, especially down past the Duke statue, where a sea wall offers protection from the surging surf. Kaimana, on Kalakaua Ave. beyond the zoo and aquarium. (Our favorite — you might see us there!) Baby Makapuu (not Makapuu), across Kalanianaole Highway from Sea Life Park. Kailua Beach and Lanikai. (No lifeguard or bathrooms at Lanikai, and the parking is a drag, but still great.) Waimea Bay, but only in the summer. The Ko Olina lagoons. Is that enough? We could spend an entire vacation at the beach, but that’s us.

What else can kids do in the water? That depends on how old they are. With instructions and close supervision, six-year-olds can snorkel. Head to Hanauma Bay. Kids of nearly any age can go on catamaran sails (Hawaii Nautical and Ko Olina Ocean Adventures recommended) and dinner sails (Atlantis Cruises). Surfing and stand-up paddling lessons (Han Hedemann) are appropriate for tweens and up. You’ll find a whole slew of water activities at H2O Sports in Hawaii Kai — parasailing, banana boats and more. Named Oahu’s best family attraction by Honolulu Magazine, Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii is a sprawling water park in the Ko Olina area where you’ll have tons of fun. Or head in the other direction to Sea Life Park, where kids can swim with dolphins. Staying dry at Sea Life Park is nearly as much fun. There are touch pools, a huge shark tank and great shows, too.

Further up the windward coast are two more great places: Kualoa and the Polynesian Cultural Center. We recommend the jungle tour at Kualoa, and the movie tour, too. For older kids, how about horseback riding and ATV rides? At the PCC (that’s what we call it), re-creations of Polynesian villages are authentic as it gets. The evening show is spectacular, and what you can learn about Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga and more is priceless.

Bigger kids love to learn Hawaiian history at Bishop Museum, our state museum. There’s a wonderful planetarium, and the rotating exhibits are typically very kid-friendly. Of course, American history is on full display at Pearl Harbor. Both Battleship Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum are especially fascinating for kids. Head there early in the morning — it gets hot.

Our four-year-old won’t let us forget three more options: Heading to or from the North Shore via H2, don’t forget to stop at Dole Plantation. The choo-choo train is great for young-uns, and the world’s largest maze is exactly that. In Kapolei, iTrampoline is a bouncy house on steroids. And in Kakaako, the Children’s Discovery Center is tons of fun.

Final note: You’re going to a luau, aren’t you? Definitely take the kids, and Germaine’s is your best bet. When they get a chance to dance on stage, go for it. You, too!