Planning a trip to Hawaii and not sure which island is best for young kids so they don’t get bored? Oahu, Hawaii is a great place for a family vacation, if you know what to do with the kids. Before I visited Hawaii, I had no idea what to expect and if there would be enough to keep young kids entertained. Are the restaurants kids friendly? What kind of activities can we do? I had all the questions…

Waikiki, Hawaii isn’t just a beach city – it’s a bustling, dynamic city that feels like NYC with a laid-back vibe. However, I don’t suggest just sticking around Waikiki exclusively, even though this is where our hotel was. There are plenty of things to do in Waikiki to keep you busy for several days, but it’s worth it to rent a car and explore the island. 

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WAIKIKI, HAWAII 

Waikiki is a neighborhood located in Honolulu- the capitol of Hawaii. Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu, known as the “Main Island.” Oahu is the most populated island and visited by many tourists year round. Waikiki is only 3.4 square miles making the area extremely walkable. However, some of the best things to do in Oahu will require a car rental. 

P.S. – If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, check out this detailed 7 Day Oahu Itinerary For Families packed with the best things to do, places to eat, and things to see! 

WHERE TO STAY IN WAIKIKI 

There are SO many amazing resorts, hotels and Airbnb options in Waikiki, it can be overwhelming. Depending on the type of accommodations you’re looking for, here are some of the best places to stay that give you close access to explore all the best things to do in Waikiki.

• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
• The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
• The Royal Hawaiian
• The Sheraton 
• The Surfjack Hotel 
• Waikiki Banyan (Airbnb) 
• Ilikai (Airbnb) 

You can also check out my post about The 7 Best Family Hotels in Oahu, for a more in-depth look at the resorts in Oahu. 

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN OAHU WITH KIDS 

1. KID-FRIENDLY WAIKIKI BEACHES 

If you are visiting Oahu, then a trip to the famous Waikiki Beach is a must! There are tons of activities to enjoy on Waikiki Beach -from surfing, going on a sunset cruise, boogie boarding or simply lounging on the beach, you will never get bored. 

Waikiki Beach is 2-miles long so they have divided it up into about eight beaches and they are not all created equally. Our two favorite beaches for kids are Kuhio Beach and Kahanamoku Beach.

Kuhio Beach is located on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki (southeast side).  The beach is divided by two concrete walls that stretch 40 yards into the ocean and a break wall to block the surf. The wall keeps the surf out creating a shallow, calm pool for the kids to play in with a lifeguard tower overlooking the beach.

If you have teenagers in the family, they can surf directly in front of Kuhio Beach at Queen’s Break. Or, bodyboard along The Wall on the Diamond Head side of Kuhio Beach.

My second favorite beach for kids is Kahanamoku Beach located in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort. There is a large beach with mostly calm waters for the kids. There is no break wall on this side. Kahanamoku Beach is less crowded than Kuhio Beach as it is located at the far end of Waikiki. 

2. HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE LAGOON FOR WATER TOYS

This artificial salt-water lagoon is a great place to bring babies, toddlers, and young children to play without having to worry about ocean conditions and crowds. 

You don’t have to stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort to play at the lagoon. My toddler loved this Lagoon and my 6-month-old loved sitting in the water and splashing around with me. There is a kiosk near the resort, you can rent standup paddle boards, pedal boats, kayaks, and aqua cycles. They also offer mermaid sessions and SUP yoga. The lagoon only goes 8 to 10 feet deep. 

3. BEST FAMILY POOLS IN WAIKIKI 

if you need a break from the ocean, snorkeling or activities, there is nothing more fun than a resort pool -especially if it has a pool bar for the parents.  

The best family pools located in Waikiki are the following: 

• Hilton Hawaiian Village (you do not have to be a guest here to use the pools) 
• Sheraton Waikiki
• The Royal Hawaiian 
• The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach 

Explore our blog post The 7 Best Family Hotels in Oahu for a deeper dive into the amenities and why we love them. 

If you are looking for a family-friendly resort outside of Waikiki with great pools, I suggest the following: 

• Disney Aulani Resort in Ko Olina
• Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore 
• Four Seasons on the North Shore 

4. WAIKIKI SURF LESSONS 

Surfing in Waikiki is not just for adults, kids can join in on the fun too! Waikiki is the perfect location to learn how to surf as the waves are pretty low year round. Check out Ohana Surf Project in Waikiki. They offer group, private and semi-private lessons for beginner to advanced surfers. Lessons are completely customizable to your skill level and the experienced and friendly coaches will make sure you’re safe and having a great time. You can also head down by the Duke statue and rent boards there on your own. 

5. HONOLULU ZOO

If your kids love going to the zoo, then take a stroll through the Honolulu zoo one morning. If you are staying on the Diamond Head side of the beach, you can walk there. It’s open daily from 10am to 3pm. Want to give your spouse a few hours to be alone, take the kids here! 

6. KID-FRIENDLY LUNCH IN WAIKIKI 

If your hanging at the beach, there are some great spots to stop for lunch with the kids. There are many options around Waikiki Beach, but these are just some suggestions. 

• Barefoot Beach Cafe –  cute ocean-side shack with Hawaiian plate lunches, pineapple smoothies, and standard American fare. Sit outside with a great view of the ocean. 
• Munch Wagon – located across from Honolulu Zoo, this food truck offers vegetarian, vegan, and tater tot munchies for the kids. They have a kids menu. 
• Rainbow Drive-in – a 12-minute walk from the Honolulu Zoo is a famous Hawaiian plate-lunch counter restaurant. Order burgers, fish sandwiches, or loco moco for an authentic Hawaii experience.
• Duke’s – Go for lunch to this classic spot and order from their amazing menu. They have indoor or outdoor seating and live music and great drinks! Their kids menu is great too! 
• Tropics Bar and Grill – If you are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, stop in here for lunch. It’s a bit pricey though, but their food is good and its right on the beach! 

7. FREE HULA SHOWS 

If you can’t make a Luau, these free shows are a great alternative. Check out the Royal Hawaiian Center. They have nightly free shows. Their stage is right off the main avenue. See their events calendar for free lei making workshops and hula lessons. 

8. DIAMOND HEAD HIKE 

Where else can you hike in a volcano? This is one of the kid-friendly hikes on Oahu that is great for the whole Family. Our 3.5 year old did amazing on this hike and we took our 6-month-old in a baby carrier. The hike is 0.8 miles up ramps, steps, and through a tunnel. You will find a pre-WWII bunker in the mountain that you can go into. The views from the top are amazing. 

Reservations are required to hike Diamond Head. There is also a parking and entrance fee, but its pretty inexpensive. I suggest going EARLY. We like to go at 8am to beat the heat and crowds, but I would not go past 9am. It gets hot and crowded which is not fun on this hike. Wear gym shoes, sunscreen, a hat and bring lots of water. 

9. HANAUMA BAY – SNORKELING AND SWIMMING 

This is a great beach spot for families and the snorkeling here is some of the best in Oahu. There is a lifeguard on duty and a large reef to protect the kids from the waves, you can play all day here. Reservations are required. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, with entry allowed from 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  All HBAY visitors must leave the nature preserve by 4 p.m., with the beach being cleared at 3:30 p.m.

You can only make reservations 48 hours in advance starting at 7am so you may have to go online early to reserve tickets. They do sell out quickly. 

10. BISHOP MUSEUM

There are many museums to explore in Honolulu with the fam. The best one for all ages is the Bishop Museum. The museum showcases Hawaiian and Polynesian natural history plus they have a science center, lawn games, and an observatory with astronomy shows. They have a cafe on the property too. 

11. PEARL HARBOR 

Pearl Harbor National Memorial is one of the most popular sites to visit in Hawaii. You can do half days tours from Waikiki, full day tour or purchase tickets online and go with the fam at your own pace. If you do, take the free shuttle over to the Aviation Museum. They showcase planes that were a part of the battle. 

12. WAIMEA VALLEY WATERFALL HIKE & TOA LUAU 

If you want to swim in a waterfall in Oahu, this is the place to go. Waimea Valley is a botanical garden. You can easily spend half a day here at the arts and crafts booths, walking the valley’s gardens, exploring the Hawaiian villages, and swimming in the waterfall. This is a perfect spot for strollers and kids. This is also the spot for one of the BEST Luau’s on Oahu, the Toa Luau. 

Make reservations online for your full day of fun here.

Make a day of it and book the Toa Luau (in advance before you travel to Hawaii). You can experience fun Hawaiian activities like games and coconut husking and then sit back for the excellent show and good food. This luau is good for families as they have a 1:00 PM show so you can get back to Waikiki before bedtime.

Choose from three luau packages and show times (1 PM and 5 PM). Tickets include drink tickets and then a cash bar.

Highlights include:

• Cultural activities
• Entrance to Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and waterfall swim included
• Kava ceremony (traditional Polynesian drink)

If you’re planning an Oahu vacation and searching for things to do and finding yourself getting overwhelmed, let me help you plan it! That’s what I’m good at! You can schedule a free consultation call here.

13. POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER 

This is a MUST on your Oahu itinerary if you have kids. It’s about an hour drive from Waikiki so leave early!

We booked our tickets online several weeks prior to our trip. This was our most expensive tour we purchased, but it was worth it. Children under 4 are free, except for food kiosks and Gateway Buffet dining, they’re not going to cost you a penny. However, this does mean no seats are reserved for them, so they’ll have to sit in your lap for the show.

The PCC is full of cultural activities, immersive demonstrations and countless learning opportunities. With so many options it can feel overwhelming and it’s 70 minutes from most resort areas, so it will take up the day.

There is a lot to keep you and your family busy no matter which package you choose, and the immersive cultural experience is FUN! The center is open from 12:30pm to 9:30 pm and you will spend the full day there. Any ticket you purchase to the PCC gives you multiple days of re-entry.

We spent the day at the PCC with their Ali’I Luau Package. This package is the most popular choice and offers a group guided tour through the 6 island villages, Ali’I Luau Buffet & live entertainment, Gold level seating at Ha: Breth of Life Show. You can skip the ticketing line and head straight into the PCC. Once you enter you will get introduced to your tour guide. Most of the people that work at the PCC are from the college.

Touring the villages is from 12:30 to 4:30. We seen demonstrations like coconut husking, coconut tree climbing, we learned to weave, we took a boat ride through their lagoon and you will experience interactive presentations that gives you an idea of cultural dances and practices. Having a guide take us through each island made this part of the day feel so organized in what may have otherwise been overwhelming. Our timing was perfect island-to-island.

Ali’i Luau (5:00 pm – 6:30 pm)

The Ali’I Luau is a beautiful and very mellow dinner show. It starts off with pulling the pig out of the imu. The food is wonderful and accommodates a ton of dietary restrictions. Note: there are more options available at the Gateway Buffet. They do not serve alcohol at this Luau or show or on the premises.

HA: Breath of Life Show (7:30)

During this show, no phone use, photos or videos are permitted, but you can take pictures with the cast at the end. This is more than just a show, it’s a production! These are professional performers and the show was executed to perfection. Think immersive, theatrical and breathtaking. I was in awe watching the fire dancers- the level of talent was unreal. My toddler (3.5) loved the show and stayed up for the whole thing. I did have my 6 month old as well, who was completely passed out. No strollers are allowed so I did have to hold him. I would suggest bringing noise cancelling headphones with for babies-it does get super loud with the music and loud speakers. He slept through it just fine.

14. SNORKELING 

If you are looking for good snorkeling spots then head to Sharks Cove/Three Tables. From May to September, the waves settle down for some amazing snorkeling in the lava rock-protected lagoon. You can rent snorkels across the street and stop at the food trucks for some lunch.

Book a snorkeling and dolphin tour – Located at Waianae Small Boat Harbor. Book a snorkel tour and snorkel with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (honu), see spinner dolphins, and so much more marine life on the beautiful coral reefs along Oahu’s coast. Enjoy lunch, three complimentary alcoholic drinks, and transportation from Waikiki ( for an additional fee).

15. FAMILY FRIENDLY LAGOONS

Head to Ko Olina for more kid-friendly swimming! The Lagoons located by Disney Aulani are some of the best beaches. 

We love these lagoons for the calm waters, proximity to the resort restaurants for lunch and snacks, and the big, empty beaches. Even if you are not a guest at the resorts in Ko Olina, the beaches are public. Arrive before 9am for a free, public parking spot.

Thanks for checking out my blog about the best things to do in Oahu with kids. I love going to Oahu with the kids because there is so much for them to do and see. You can literally bring the kids along with you everywhere!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t have time to plan a trip to Oahu, let me build a custom itinerary for you! The itinerary is structured to grab and go on your mobile device whether you have service or not. You can customize this any way you’d like! This is what I am good at and I LOVE planning trips for families to Hawaii. Schedule a free consultation call to get started!

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