A Kid-friendly Travel Guide to Oahu, Hawaii

5 March 2025

After so many visits, Oahu, Hawaii, has become a place that feels like home. With its year-round perfect weather and breathtaking beauty, we’ve enjoyed every moment here—first as a couple and now with our son. And maybe that’s why I keep dreaming about moving here someday!

Why Oahu is Perfect for Families

Oahu is one of the most kid-friendly islands in Hawaii and arguably in the Southern Pacific! (along with the Fiji Islands—I will cover them soon in a separate guide!) Its stunning beaches, fun attractions, and convenient amenities make it ideal for families with kids of all ages. Whether you’re staying in bustling Waikiki or exploring the laid-back North Shore, there’s always something exciting to do. Some of these activities are located in Waikiki, while others are scattered all over the island, so you will need a rental car, too.

If you’re planning a family vacation to Oahu and looking for the best kid-friendly activities, you’re in the right place. Here are 15 fun things to do in Oahu with kids – perfect for toddlers, young children, and even parents looking to relax and enjoy!

1. Spend a Day at the Beach – Best Kid-Friendly Beaches in Oahu

Actually, not only a day! You are on an island with one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so make the most of it! No matter the season, Hawaii has beach-perfect weather, so you don’t have to worry about this. However, keep in mind that during the summer, there are stronger currents and waves on the southern part of the island, and during the winter, there are bigger waves on the northern shore. Also, watch out for the Portuguese jellyfish! These tiny creatures can really sting, and you can find them on the beaches near the water. Portuguese jellyfish season occurs 9-12 days after a full moon, mainly on the west side beaches, and warnings are usually posted.

Top Kid-Friendly Beaches in Oahu:

Kuhio Beach in Waikiki – Shallow lagoon with almost no waves and warm water, perfect for toddlers.
Kailua Beach – Local favorite on the west side, slightly windy in the afternoons.
Ko’Olina Lagoon – Man-made shallow lagoon ideal for small children.

2. Visit the Honolulu Zoo – bonus: it has a big playground!

Going to the Zoo is always a fun activity for kids! Located in Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo is a fun place to spend a couple of hours or even half a day. They also have a big playground, perfect for children to burn off that energy! For lunch break, you can find food & beverage stalls.

Extra Tips:

In summer, it can get crowded, so book tickets in advance.
Bring a sunhat and sunscreen, as some areas have limited shade, and it can get very hot, especially mid-day.

3. Explore the Waikiki Aquarium – A World of Tropical Fish

Overlooking a living coral reef, the Waikiki Aquarium is just a short walk from the Zoo. It’s the perfect place for your little one to be immersed in a colorful world of tropical fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating marine creatures. The exhibits are inside and outside; you can easily spend 2 hours or more here. You can combine it with visiting the Zoo or as a morning activity on a rainy day.

4. Visit Dole Plantation and take the Pineapple Express Train

This is such a cute activity for small kids! (I also enjoyed it as an adult when I first visited Hawaii before having kids). It’s touristy, but if you visit Oahu for the first time, it’s such an interesting place to learn more about the pineapple history here in Hawaii. You can easily spend half a day here because there are so many things to do: take the Pineapple Express Train (it takes about 20 minutes, and you will go through pineapple, coffee, and other tropical fruit fields), discover the Pineapple Garden Maze and walk through the Plantation Garden. You can also have lunch here (followed by pineapple ice cream, of course), and you can buy nice pineapple-themed souvenirs for your friends back home.

Extra Tip:

Arrive early in summer to avoid long queues (especially on the Pineapple Express Train) and bring sun protection as many areas are unshaded.

5. Discover Waimea Valley & Waterfall and spot a native Hawaiian bird

Take a scenic and easy hike through the lush Waimea Valley, home to over 5,000 tropical plants and local wildlife. The trail is easy and short – no more than 30 minutes (also stroller-friendly). Kids can watch one of the local Hawaiian birds – Alea’ula. There are also cultural & craft activities, and along the way to the waterfall, you and your little one can admire reconstructed Hawaiian houses. Plan to spend 1 – 3 hours here.

Combine with: A visit to North Shore beaches and lunch at one of the local food trucks.

6. Visit Kualoa Ranch – Adventure in Jurassic Park Land

For dinosaur fans, Kualoa Ranch is the perfect destination. It is a vast nature reserve on the western part of the island, famous for its movie filming locations, including Jurassic Park and Jumanji.

Best Tours for Families:

Jungle Expedition Tour (Ages 3+) – a 90-minute 4WD tour with scenic stops and jungle views; also includes Jurassic Park filming locations & dinosaurs.
Hollywood Movie Sites Tour (All ages) – bus tour; Visit famous filming locations.
Ocean Voyage Adventure (All ages) – a gentle catamaran boat ride to Secret Island Beach
Kualoa Grown Tour (all ages) – a farm tour where kids can meet and pet farm animals.

Plan to Spend: Half a day to a full day exploring.

7. Ring the Bonsho Bell at Byodo-In Temple – A Peaceful Family Experience

Also located on Oahu’s western side, the Byodo-In Temple is a peaceful Buddhist temple that can be a very calming experience for small kids. The temple is a replica of the Japanese Byodo-In Temple and is surrounded by beautiful nature, where your little one can walk and discover ponds with koi fish, peacocks, ducks, and black swans. For $2, you can get them from the gift shop food to feed the Koi fish – this will keep them busy for some time! There’s also the Bonsho Bell – kids love ringing this bell before entering the temple.

Plan to spend: 1 – 2 hours.
Combine with: visiting Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden or one of the eastern coast beaches: Kailua, Lanikai, or Waimanalo.

8. Explore the Bishop Museum and Learn About Polynesian Culture

What a great museum is Bishop Museum! It has an extensive array of displays without being too much. Come here with your kids (they will love the ancient canoes, the Planetarium, and the outdoor dinosaur exhibit!) or by yourself (if you are passionate about Polynesian history and evolution). If you are using a stroller, bring it with you; the museum is big but also stroller-friendly.

Plan to Spend: 2-3 hours, ideal for rainy or extra hot days.
Combine with: any other Waikiki activity.

9. Go to the Children’s Discovery Center – Interactive Fun for Young Kids

The Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Waikiki is an indoor interactive museum that’s perfect for toddlers and young kids (under 10 years old). It features a miniature town with kid-sized police and firefighter stations, a post office for role-playing, and hands-on exhibits where kids can learn about Hawaiian culture and global traditions.

Plan to spend: 2 – 3 hours.
Perfect for: Rainy days or extra-hot afternoons. Combine it with a walk through Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air shopping center.

10. Explore Sea Life Park and meet Dolphins, Sea Lions and Turtles

Sea Life Park Hawaii is a marine park and aquarium on Hawaii’s eastern side. Children can see dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, penguins, and Hawaiian sea turtles up close or participate in interactive experiences like dolphin shows and sea lion and turtle feedings; they can touch small fish, sea stars, and sea urchins. The entrance fee is a bit pricey ($50 for adults and $35 for children), but it’s a good way to spend a couple of hours and let kids enjoy and discover the marine life.

Plan to spend: 2 – 3 hours.
Combine with: Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail or a relaxing beach day at Makapu’u Beach Park.

11. Makapu’u Lighthouse: a stroller-friendly trail to a historic lighthouse

Makapu’u Trail Lighthouse is a family-friendly trail on the island’s eastern side, heading to Makapu’u Lighthouse, a beautiful historic lighthouse. The trail is paved and stroller friendly, and the hike won’t take more than 45 minutes – 1 hour (1 mile up and 1 mile down). Along the way, you can spot humpback whales (December – May during migration season) and admire the beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs and beaches. The downside is that there’s no shade, so it’s better to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, especially on a very hot day.

Plan to spend around 2 hours here.
You can combine this activity with a visit to Sea Life Park or any nearby beach.

12. Go to Hanauma Bay and admire the colorful fish

Hanauma Bay is a protected nature preserve with shallow, clear waters and great snorkeling spots. However, being a natural reservation, visitor access is regulated to protect the environment, so you must make an online reservation in advance. The beach is open between 6:45 AM and 4 PM, but if you want to avoid crowds, come early in the morning. Hanauma Bay is an excellent spot for little kids to enjoy the water and watch colorful fish. Here are a few things to remember: from the entrance, there’s a steep walk down to the beach, so pack lightly because you will have to carry down and back everything with you. Bring a reef-friendly sunscreen (the regular sunscreen is banned here).

Perfect For: A full day of snorkeling and beach fun.

13. Discover the giant Banyan Tree at the International Market Place

International Market Place is a family-friendly shopping and dining destination in the heart of Waikiki. I loved going there with my son whenever we needed a break from the beach or just to move around and get a snack. On the first level, there’s a giant Banyan Tree – kids love to look at the big roots and climb around the tree base! On the third floor, we went to Liliha Bakery and tasted some of their famous pastries: malasadas, Coco Puffs, and chantilly cakes. The Market Place is stroller-friendly, with elevators on every floor.

Plan to spend around one hour here and combine it with any other activity in Waikiki.

14. Explore Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden – a lush garden with amazing views

This place is stroller-friendly and comes with fantastic mountain views. Imagine a lush tropical garden surrounded by green mountains, and you will have Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. Kids can run along the garden paths (or you can use the stroller mostly everywhere), they can feed the fish, and you can take beautiful family pictures with this gorgeous backdrop. Ho’omaluhia Garden was one of my favorite places in Oahu for taking photos!

Plan to spend 2-3 hours here. You can combine this activity with a visit to Byodo-In Temple or Kualoa Ranch or a relaxing beach day at Kailua, Lanikai, or Waimanalo.

15. Discover Kid-Friendly Food in Oahu – Tasty Treats for Little Ones

Oahu has a great mix of kid-friendly foods that are delicious and easy to try for your little ones. These are just some of them (which both my son and I liked):

Macadamia Nut / Coconut Pancakes: Hawaiian-style pancakes topped with Macadamia Nut or Coconut sauce (or both!!)

Dole Whip: a dairy-free pineapple soft-serve perfect for kids

Shave Ice: a snow cone with tropical syrups. We tried it once, and it was fun, but not necessarily our style in the end

Fresh fruits: pineapple, mango, coconut, apple bananas.

Oahu is not just a paradise tropical destination but also a kid-friendly one. There are family-friendly things to do and attractions to see every day, and you can’t get bored. Plan at least one week to discover everything, but 10 days is the perfect time to explore everything.

Which activity are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!

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