Your TL;DR Guide to Visiting O’ahu with Kids
TL;DR: There are so many family-friendly activities to enjoy on the Island of O’ahu. From the (free) Macademia Nut Outlet to the Honolulu Zoo or a local Luau, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
- The Sandbar ($$-$$$)
- Honolulu Zoo ($$)
- Kualoa Ranch ($$)
- Mac Nut Farm ($)
- Luau ($$-$$$)
- Explore More of O’ahu
O’ahu is a popular family destination – and for good reason. There is so much to do all across the Island. In fact, Hawai’i in general is great for families – the community is incredibly kind and supportive of little ones in my experience. And rich with culture and community, there are so many places for kids to learn and develop an appreciation for Hawai’i.
For the sake of today’s post I tried to categorize things according to the price for a family. Things that cost under $10 or are free for entry were give a single $.
Now, onto 5 kid-friendly things to do in O’ahu!
The Sandbar ($$-$$$)
At a Glance
Location: Kāneʻohe, O’ahu
Cost: $$-$$$ (depends on tour/transportation cost)
Ideal for: all ages
What Makes the Sandbar Worth it
The Kāneʻohe Sandbar is located about one mile off the coast of Kāneʻohe. During low-tide, the water is incredibly shallow, making it a great place for the whole family to enjoy the ocean. It’s also an ideal space to see some sea turtles.
Read more about visiting the Sandbar here.
Honolulu Zoo ($$)
At a Glance
Location: 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: 10AM-3PM (daily)
Cost: $$ (kids under 2 free, $13+ depending on age)
Ideal for: All ages
Parking: Private parking lot with cheaper rate (one of the cheapest in Waikiki)
What Makes the Zoo Worth it
Located in Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo is just across from the beach – an easy stop for most families visiting the area and looking for an alternative activity to enjoying the sand and sea.
The Honolulu Zoo focuses on educating the public on preservation efforts to protect both the local ecosystem and global wildlife. The zoo also has a great playground and Keiki Zoo section for the little ones.
Read my review of the Honolulu Zoo here!
Kualoa Ranch ($$)
At a Glance
Address: 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Hours: 7:30AM-6:00PM
Cost: $$
Ideal for: Kids 8 and older
What Makes Kualoa Ranch Worth It
Kualoa Ranch has been featured in so many films and TV series over the years. The various tours let you get up close and personal with Jurassic Valley and the different sets.
The serene landscape makes for the perfect backdrop – it truly is a stunning place. Guests can also learn about the local farming community, World War II history, and check out the film sets from some classic films.
Most of the tours are for ages 3 and up, but I would personally suggest waiting until kids are a little older before paying for a tour. You can also check out the horses and Kualoa Beach for free (for any younger kiddos that aren’t eligible to take the tour).
Mac Nut Farm ($)
At a Glance
Address: 49-227 Kamehameha Hwy #A, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Hours: 9AM-5:30PM Daily
Cost: $
Parking: Free private lot
Ideal for: All ages
What Makes the Mac Nut Farm Worth It
The Macadamia Nut Outlet at Tropical Farms is a free destination, perfect for road trips to the North Shore or Windward side of O’ahu.
Featuring various local products for sale, the farm’s greatest draw is its abundance of Macadamia Nuts. With macadamia nuts scattered around, guests can crack and eat as many macadamia nuts as their heart desires.
The products in the shop do run on the higher-price end, but you can’t beat the experience of cracking the macadamia nuts. And kids absolutely love the opportunity to do some hands-on learning for themselves.
Read more about Tropical Farms here.
Luau ($$-$$$)
What Makes a Luau Worth It
Luau’s are traditional Hawaiian parties that feature dancing, music, and a special dinner. They are probably one of the most common tourist activities in Hawai’i.
Listen, kids love luaus (in my experience). The dancing, music, and food are easy to enjoy. Some luaus are definitely more catered towards adults or an older crowd (I usually keep an eye out for luaus that offer unlimited drinks – which is usually a draw for an older audience).
But most luaus are incredibly family friendly. If you’re worried about taking a kiddo, just make sure to book a table or seat near the back so kids can get up and move around if needed. Although, again, the whole experience is pretty mesmerizing for all ages (toddlers included).
Many hotels offer their own luau, but folks usually recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center luau, which you can learn about here.
Military personnel and their families can also check out the Hale Koa Luau, which I wrote about earlier on the blog here.
Hawai’i is a beautiful place to explore. Whether it’s supporting a local business like Tropical Farms or Kualoa Ranch, learning about the ecosystem at the Honolulu Zoo or Kāneʻohe Sandbar, or enjoying a luau, there are so many opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation for O’ahu.
What other kid-friendly activities do you like to do in O’ahu? Let me know in the comment section!
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