Traveling to Hawaii with kids? Oahu has plenty of family-friendly activities to offer parents with children of all ages! Of course, there is a plethora of gorgeous shorelines for you and your family to enjoy. However, if you want to take a break from the swimming and sand-castle building, you can also check out one of these great venues. These spots give your kids a chance to learn something about Hawaii’s history, industry or ecology – and, of course, have loads of fun at the same time:
1. Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center
Need some downtime outside of your Oahu vacation home? All of the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center’s exhibits are centered around helping children understand themselves and the world through play. Many interactive museums are a kids-only affair. At the Discovery Center, however, parents are encouraged to dive right in alongside their little ones! You can join your children as they learn about everything from the ecology of rainforests to what it’s like to be a mechanic. Though most of the exhibits are focused on children five and older, there are a few areas for toddlers as well.
2. Dole Plantation and Pineapple Garden Maze
If you love pineapple, be sure to visit the Dole Plantation. Here you can hop on a train and take a 20-minute tour of the area. On it, you’ll get to hear about the history of the pineapple in Hawaii and of the Dole Plantation itself.
Once you’re done, you can go to the Pineapple Garden Maze, which is the largest maze in the world. You and your children can wind through the walkways and find the clues that lead to the center. It takes most people about 40 minutes to complete the whole thing. See how quickly your family can solve the puzzle!
3. Pearl Harbor
At Pearl Harbor, you can tour the USS Arizona and learn more about the historic and devastating World War II attack. Though this tour might be a little heavy for young children, it’s the perfect opportunity for older kids and teens to dive into the country’s past. In addition, you can check out the nearby Pacific Aviation Museum. With over two military hangar’s worth of aircrafts and exhibits, this museum could easily hold your attention for hours. You and your family can even hop into the cockpit and try your hand at the museum’s interactive flight simulator!
4. Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is the only zoo in Hawaii, and as a result, it’s also the only one within a 2,392-mile radius. The zoo started off in the late 19th century as a way to show off the King’s private bird collection. Over the years it has expanded, and today it’s home to all manner of birds, mammals and reptiles. When you visit, you’ll get the chance to see animals amid the Oahu’s natural beauty. Moreover, the zoo is the site of conservation and animal welfare research, so you’ll get to support animals all over the world as well.