Combining the pristine beauty of paradise with lively, big-city vibes, Honolulu is one of the best destinations for families who are traveling to Hawaii. The most popular family activities in Honolulu center around history, education, adventure and fun, allowing you to select the activities and excursions that best suit your family's interests.
These are the best Honolulu things for kids to add to your itinerary:
1. Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818
- Free Admission
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is considered to be one of the most impactful things to do in Honolulu, because it gives them an opportunity to experience one of the most tragic and defining moments of American history for themselves. Operated by the U.S. National Park Service, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Museum and grounds are free to visit, and there are many experiences for visitors to consider.
One of the most moving and awe-inspiring experiences is the USS Arizona Memorial program, which takes visitors by boat to the watery grave of the USS Arizona. When they arrive at the memorial, families are able to pay their respects and enjoy quiet reflection before heading back to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
In addition, visitors can take time to embark on a Ford Island Bus Tour, which goes to the USS Oklahoma and Utah memorials. Considered to be some of the most fascinating sites within the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, these memorials are quieter and less crowded with tourists, which can make it an especially poignant experience.
2. Visit the Battleship Missouri Memorial
- 63 Cowpens St., Honolulu, HI 96818
- $34.99 per adult, $17.49 per child between the ages of 4-12
Resting in the waters of Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is an exciting historical attraction that kids of all ages will love. As the last United States battleship ever built, the USS Missouri is a historic artifact that offers insight into what life was like on board a military ship during the World War II era.
Guided tours of the ship are available each day, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a 35-minute experience that offers valuable insight into the inner workings of the ship and the lives of those who served aboard it. Guided tours of the Battleship Missouri Memorial include a ship to the Surrender Deck, which is the site where World War II officially ended.
3. Embark on a Sea Turtle Snorkeling Adventure
- Maunalua Bay or Haunauma Bay
- Prices vary based on tour, from $89 to $129 per person
The warm turquoise waters that surround the island of Oahu are home to some of the most majestic sea creatures in the world, including larger-than-life sea turtles. In both Maunalua Bay and Haunauma Bay, you can book a sea turtle snorkeling tour that allows you and your kids to make memories with these four-flippered creatures that will last a lifetime.
Snorkel with Turtles is one company that offers sea turtle snorkeling tours. These guided experiences last for about 2.5 hours, and they guarantee that you will see sea turtles along the way. Even if you have never been snorkeling before, you can move forward with confidence knowing that this is one of the best family activities in Honolulu. Expert snorkeling guides are in the water alongside you, providing you with instructions and information every step of the way.
4. Splash and Play at Waikiki Beach
- Kalakua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
- No cost for admission
As one of the most famous beaches in all of the world, Waikiki Beach is easily one of the best things to do with kids in Honolulu. In fact a single day on the shores of Waikiki Beach may not be enough — you may want to keep bringing your little ones here day after day to enjoy the impossibly white sand and refreshing waves that crash onto the shore.
These are some of the best things to do and enjoy when spending the day on Waikiki Beach:
- Take surfing lessons in order to enjoy this popular Hawaiian sport.
- Building sandcastles together on the shore.
- Dine at a Waikiki Beach restaurant.
- Go paddleboarding along the shoreline in order to soak up the Honolulu skyline.
5. Set Sail on a Whale Watching Tour
- Near Waikiki Beach
- Cost varies based on the tour
Humpback whales descend upon the shores of Oahu from the months of December through May, making whale-watching tours one of the most popular seasonal family activities in Honolulu. There are many different companies that offer whale-watching tour experiences, allowing you to choose a tour that suits your preferences and your budget.
Regardless of the whale-watching tour company that you choose for your excursion, you will find that these adventures allow you to enjoy a boat ride along the coast of Oahu as you search with your family for the majestic whales that may breach the surface. Humpback whales — known in Hawaii as kohola — are gentle giants with a playful demeanor, and depending on their mood, they may truly give you a show.
6. Spend a Day at the Bishop Museum
- 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817
- $33.95 per adult, $25.95 per child between the ages of 4-17
Hawaii is the definition of paradise, and while it may be easy to spend your day in the warm waters along the shore or exploring the trails that wind into the jungles of these islands, it's important that you also spend time introducing your family to the local culture and heritage of this region. The Bishop Museum is dedicated to the natural and cultural history of Hawaii, making it one of the best Honolulu things for kids of all ages.
Established more than 130 years ago, the Bishop Museum has long worked to showcase the authentic culture and traditions of Hawaii through engaging and interactive exhibits. In fact, the museum has curated a collection that now includes more than 25 million natural, cultural and historical treasures, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive museums of Hawaiian history.
7. Explore the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii
- 2131 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, HI 96815
- Free admission
Showcasing the strength and resilience of Hawaii's military history, the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is the perfect complement to any historical Honolulu itinerary. This museum boasts free admission and includes exhibits such as Hawaiian warfare, Battery Randolph and the Vietnam War, to name a few.
8. Visit the Honolulu Zoo
- 151 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
- $21 per adult, $13 per child between the ages of 3-12
Often recommended as one of the top family activities in Honolulu, the Honolulu Zoo provides visitors of all ages with an opportunity to learn more about Hawaii's indigenous species. Some of the animals that are cared for at the zoo include Kona Nightingale, Fennec Fox and Asian Elephants. In addition to visiting during the daytime to see the animals playing and enjoying enrichment, you can also opt to take a Twilight Tour at the zoo.
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