Things to do in Oahu With Kids
From relaxing on stunning beaches, to history, hiking, shopping, waterfalls, and cultural activities. There are plenty of things to do in Oahu with kids!
The Go Oahu Card – Multi Attraction Pass is great value for money if you plan to be hitting up a lot of Oahu’s popular attractions. Choose from 1 – 7 day cards and visit as many of the 34 available attractions and scenic spots as you want.
Beaches (One of my Favourite Things to do in Oahu With Kids)
One of the wonderful things about Hawaii, is the diversity of swimming spots to choose from. Finding new swimming spots was one of my favourite things to do in Oahu with kids.
If you have younger kids, there are plenty of calm water options. If your kids are older, they can get a bit more adventurous with learning to surf!
Check out my blog posts on the best swimming spots in Oahu with kids.
Hanauma Bay
The iconic Hanauma Bay has calm water and is suitable for swimming of all ages. Out of the many things to do in Oahu with kids, this a must do!
Younger kids can splash in the shallow waters, and older kids will enjoy snorkelling among colourful fish. Hanauma Bay is incredibly popular, so it’s best to get in early or book a shuttle bus or tour to ensure entry.
Hiking and Walking
There are lots of hiking and walking activities in Oahu. I particularly enjoyed Waimea Falls and Diamond Head trail.
Waimea Falls is located in the lovely Waimea Valley. The surrounds are beautiful with a snack shop, picnic tables, and facilities. It’s a nice easy walk to the falls, but if you aren’t feeling up to it, there is a shuttle bus.
Make sure to bring your bathers so you can cool off at the falls when you arrive.
There are fantastic views from the top of the Diamond Head Trail but if the kids are young, you will definitely need a baby carrier of some sort.
Check out my blog posts on Diamond Head Trail With Kids for more information and what to expect.
We used the Ergo Baby Carrier for this hike. However, these days we also use a Piggy Back Carrier or the Kathmandu Hiking Carrier.
Walking around the beaches, harbour, and city is fantastic here . The footpaths are suitable for strollers, and whilst the city is busy, I wouldn’t really consider it chaotic.
Shopping
Young kids may enjoy the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Market Place. It’s an outdoor market with plenty of novelty items on offer.
Older kids might like the opportunity to get surf brand clothes at bargain prices at the factory outlet stores. Clothing stores vary from low-end prices to high-end brand names.
Botanical Gardens
The Foster Botanical Gardens are quite lovely if you have a spare morning. However, you do have to pay a small entry fee.
There is heaps of free space for kids to run around, and plenty of shade from the trees.
Self Driving Tour
Exploring the island in a hire car is fantastic when travelling with kids in Oahu. Oahu has a lot to offer outside of Waikiki. Both the coastal roads and the mountain roads that run through the middle have beautiful scenery.
This was one of my favourite things to do in Oahu with kids because its just so easy! Especially if you don’t have a schedule and can pull over whenever you want to explore a new beach!
Fireworks
The Hilton puts on a Fireworks Show every Friday night and its actually a whole lot of great family fun. Take a picnic rug and set yourself up on the sand surrounding the Hilton Lagoon for prime viewing.
If you’re looking for free or cheap things to do in Oahu with kids, the Hilton Fireworks should be top of your list!
History and Culture
Some of the major attractions include the Pacific Aviation Museum, the Polynesian Cultural Centre, Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbour, and USS Arizona Memorial.
It will just depend on the ages and interest of your children as to which places you visit.
Looking for More Awesome Family Holiday Destinations?
For more information on visiting Hawaii with kids, head on over to our Hawaii page. Head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide.
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Booking Your Holiday to Hawaii With Kids
Attractions
The Go Oahu Card – Multi Attraction Pass is great value for money if you plan to be hitting up a lot of Oahu’s popular attractions. Choose from 1 – 7 day cards and visit as many of the 34 available attractions and scenic spots as you want. It’s so much easier to do things at your own pace when travelling with kids!
Flights
Find a great flight deal using I Want That Flight. Hint – travelling outside of school holiday and in off-peak times will nearly halve the cost.
Accommodation
We stayed in a private rental in Waikiki which we booked direct with the owners via email. If you need something bigger or in a different location, find a great deal using bookings.com .
Car Rental
Get a great deal on car rental by comparing across rental agencies on the DiscoverCars website.
