14 Things To Do In Honolulu With Kids

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Located on the island of Oahu, Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii.

Though not the largest of the chain of volcanic islands, Oahu is the busiest thanks to Honolulu.

With a population of almost 351,000, Honolulu sits on the southern shore of the island.

It’s also the center for business, finance, culture, and the military for the state.

The city is a fascinating mix of modern and ancient architecture, along with beaches and even rainforests.

Honolulu means “sheltered harbor”.

Sadly, it lives in infamy as the first place the United States was attacked by a foreign country.

On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base.

This tragic event took 2,403 American lives and led to the United States’ involvement in WW II.

With over 2.7 million visitors a year, Honolulu is the 7th most visited city in the country.

It’s home to the only royal palace in the United States.

Famous folks hailing from Honolulu include Bruno Mars, Bette Midler, Nicole Kidman, and President Barack Obama.

Interestingly, Honolulu is the only city in Hawaii.

All other areas are considered towns and villages.

Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu and is the area where most resorts are located.

Don’t let the fact that this piece of paradise is a huge honeymoon destination fool you into thinking it’s not family-friendly.

There’s a slew of fun stuff to do with the children.

Read on for things to do with kids in Honolulu.

14 Things To Do In Honolulu With Kids

1. USS Arizona Memorial – Honolulu, Hawaii

Part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the USS Arizona was a battleship docked in the harbor on that fateful day in 1941.

Sadly, it sank with over 900 soldiers trapped inside.

Though the visit is a somber one, it’s extremely educational and interesting to see this ship just below the surface.

The educational memorial was built above the ship in 1962.

Guided tours are given throughout the day.

Visitors can get to the memorial via a U.S. Navy boat.

Admission is free, but reservations must be made 2 months in advance.

2. Bishop Museum – Honolulu, Hawaii

Open daily from 9 to 5, the museum opened in 1889 and has over 25 million historical, natural, and cultural artifacts from all of the Hawaiian islands.

Visitors can stroll about independently or join a guided tour.

The exhibits of particular interest to children are the Backyard Adventures, where you take a walk through a digital garden, from the perspective of a bee, and the planetarium.

There is a cafe and souvenir shop on site as well.

3. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum – Honolulu, Hawaii

Everyone will enjoy this trip back in time.

Climb up the 168 feet high watchtower and look down onto the only WWII battlefield in the United States.

Visit the 2 historic air hangars from which fighter planes were deployed on that historic day.

The hangars are filled with various aircraft, from bombers to transport planes.

There are many artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the men and women of our military.

Have some fun at the end and take a ride on the Fighter Ace, a 360-degree flight simulator.

4. Honolulu Zoo – Honolulu, Hawaii

Set on 42 acres, surrounded by stunning tropical fauna, the entire family is sure to love the Honolulu Zoo.

It’s just steps away from the beach, so you can stop by for a dip afterward.

Opened in 1947, the zoo houses over 900 animals, including Komodo dragons, orangutans, giraffes, and elephants.

Visitors can also enjoy several species of primates, birds, and reptiles.

The zoo is open daily from 10 AM until 4 PM.

5. Royal Crown Of Oahu Helicopter Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii

If adventure is your thing, this once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour needs to be on your list.

See all of Hawaii (including Diamond Head’s volcano crater) from staggering heights.

Get up close, send personnel with waterfalls, catch some amazing rainbows over the rainforest, and take a slow pass over the USS Arizona.

Tours last about 60 minutes and guests can choose to have the helicopter doors on or off.

6. Dolphins And You – Honolulu, Hawaii

A trip to Honolulu would not be complete without hanging with some dolphins.

Hop on this luxury charter boat to watch these magnificent creatures in action.

The trip also includes snorkeling, kayaking, a 20-foot water slide, Hula dancing, and a delicious lunch, along with a commemorative photo of your trip.

Transportation to and from your hotel is also included.

7. Fort De Russy Beach Park – Honolulu, Hawaii

Obviously, all the beaches in Hawaii are great, but Fort De Russy is especially nice for kids.

The 71-acre beachfront park is the largest beach in Honolulu.

The gentle, warm waves are terrific for kids to wade in and play.

The amenities include a playground, volleyball courts, pickleball, racquetball, grills, and tables.

There are also restrooms and showers. The U.S. Army Museum is also on-site.

8. Magic Island – Honolulu, Hawaii

This artificial island was originally meant to be the site of a resort hotel.

When funding fell through, it was developed into a recreation area.

It’s a favorite among locals to picnic, play Frisbee, take a dip, and surf in the ocean.

The man-made lagoon is a great spot for kids to swim and play in the water.

The soft white sand is a great place to watch the stunning sunset and weekly fireworks.

9. Kualoa Ranch – Honolulu, Hawaii

This nature preserve has been on the historical registry since the 1970s but was established in 1850.

With over 4000 acres of natural beauty, visitors can choose from guided UTV, horseback, or E-bike tours.

If your kids love getting muddy, the UTV tour is perfect.

Visit spots where over 200 movies have been filmed, birdwatch, kayak, zip line, or chill on the untouched beach.

Dining and souvenir shops are available.

10. Ka Moana Luau – Honolulu, Hawaii

You simply cannot go to Hawaii and not attend a Luau.

Ka Moana is perfect for families.

Kids will be mesmerized by this unique dinner show.

From the Hula dancing to fire and knife tricks, there’s non-stop excitement.

There are also interactive activities like hula lessons and lei and headband making before dinner.

Speaking of dinner, the veritable feast is all farm to table and full of everything from poke’ and roasted pig to fresh fruit and vegetables.

11. Sea Life Park – Honolulu, Hawaii

Sea Life Park allows visitors to have up-close and personal encounters with dolphins and sea lions.

Professional trainers will be at your side as you feed them, swim with them, and pet them.

Then go on to visit the exhibits, which include reef sharks, sea turtles, and seals.

Learn all about the animals and the efforts to conserve them from knowledgeable guides.

Stop by the aviary to feed the birds and take in the beauty of the tropical flora.

Kids will love the Adventure Zone play park that’s on-site so they can burn off some excess energy.

12. 5-In-1 Deluxe Turtle And Snorkeling Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii

A ton of fun in the sun awaits the whole family on this 3.5-hour catamaran cruise.

Not only can you snorkel the reef to your heart’s content, but there is paddle boarding and kayaking as well.

Passengers can also frolic on a giant water trampoline, go down the huge water slide, dive off the second-story platform, or just float around the warm ocean waves.

It’s your own personal water park.

Water, juice, and snacks are included.

You are welcome to bring other food and beverages.

13. Dole Pineapple Plantation – Honolulu, Hawaii

This historic plantation is home to the Dole Pineapple dynasty.

Take the Pineapple Express train and learn all about how James Dole turned a simple roadside stand into one of the largest fruit plantations in the world.

Stroll through the gardens that include tropical plants like coffee and cacao.

The fragrance alone is worth the trip. Kids will have a ball going through the pineapple maze (one of the largest on the planet).

Stop at the Plantation Grille for some unique offerings, and a fresh dollop of pineapple soft serve.

Don’t forget to take home a freshly picked pineapple.

14. Hawaii Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii

Hop aboard the Haleiwa Queen, the 50-foot glass-bottom catamaran, for a day of extraordinary sights on the water.

You’ll cruise over live tropical reefs, past sea turtles, spot some dolphins at play, and, depending on the season, whales and sharks.

The views of Honolulu and Diamond Head are spectacular from the boat as well.

You may even get to see a historic shipwreck.

Honolulu Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Honolulu Safety Review

Safety Index:

65

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW