Things to do on Oahu with kids?

[luv2sleep]

Aside from enjoying the resort amenities at Aulani, what are some fun, kid friendly things to do, places to visit on the island of Oahu?

I went for a day on a cruise stop last month. We go back for a week in August.

 

[Dean]

Aside from enjoying the resort amenities at Aulani, what are some fun, kid friendly things to do, places to visit on the island of Oahu?

I went for a day on a cruise stop last month. We go back for a week in August.

I don't know their ages so obviously there is some variation there. Here's a short list to get you started.

• Polynesian Cultural Center
• There are a number of museum's (flight museum Ford Island, Whaling museum, Bishop)
• North Shore/Pipeline/Sunset Beach
• Shrimp truck meal
• Pearl Harbour
• Dole Plantation
• Sea Life Park
• Beach
• Shave Ice
• National Cemetery of the Pacific.
• Luau
• Various Malls and other areas will have music & Hula demonstrations
• Hanauma Bay
• Diamond Head
• Valley of the Temples
• Waimea Falls
• Aquarium
• Zoo
• HI Children's Discovery Center
• Drive up Tantalas
• Blow hole
• The Missouri

 

[luv2sleep]

I don't know their ages so obviously there is some variation there. Here's a short list to get you started.


[*]Polynesian Cultural Center
[*]There are a number of museum's (flight museum Ford Island, Whaling museum, Bishop)
[*]North Shore/Pipeline/Sunset Beach
[*]Shrimp truck meal
[*]Pearl Harbour
[*]Dole Plantation
[*]Sea Life Park
[*]Beach
[*]Shave Ice
[*]National Cemetery of the Pacific.
[*]Luau
[*]Various Malls and other areas will have music & Hula demonstrations
[*]Hanauma Bay
[*]Diamond Head
[*]Valley of the Temples
[*]Waimea Falls
[*]Aquarium
[*]Zoo
[*]HI Children's Discovery Center
[*]Drive up Tantalas
[*]Blow hole
[*]The Missouri

He will be 6 when we go. This is a great list. Thanks!

 

[butsy113]

Love this list!

 

[Skatetigger]

We were just there a couple weeks ago, I would also add Kualoa Ranch to the list. It's over 4000 acres where they have done movie and tv filming. Hawaii 5-0 and Last Resort film there now. We rode horses and ATV's which was great.

They have other activities though too that are probably a bit more geered to kids but it's a fun day.

 

[Dean]

He will be 6 when we go. This is a great list. Thanks!

I'd look through a few tourbooks to get addition info. The best overall is the Wizard Pub one IMO. They just (within the last week), released their new app for oahu to go with the new tourbook back in the summer. There are lots of watersport options. China town is a great experience. I think Sea Life park has a dolphin swim. Here's a list from Frommer's

 

[dsneygirl]

He will be 6 when we go. This is a great list. Thanks!

My son was 2 weeks shy of 6 when we were there and I will be totally honest with you we left the resort 1 day out of 10. between Auntie's, the pool parties, the beach, waterslides, lazy river, the Menehune game he never wanted to leave.

We did a 1 day tour and the highlight was the turtles on the North shore. Beyond that we had no problem filling our days at the resort. It is so beautiful and just perfect for kids this age we had no desire to leave.

 

[luv2sleep]

My son was 2 weeks shy of 6 when we were there and I will be totally honest with you we left the resort 1 day out of 10. between Auntie's, the pool parties, the beach, waterslides, lazy river, the Menehune game he never wanted to leave.

We did a 1 day tour and the highlight was the turtles on the North shore. Beyond that we had no problem filling our days at the resort. It is so beautiful and just perfect for kids this age we had no desire to leave.

Good to know! We will go back several times so its good to know we won't get bored at all. I will play it by ear and maybe plan a trip to just the Polynesian Cultural Center because I've never been and go to see the turtles. Should be fun! Thanks!

 

[dsneygirl]

No problem. We just found it so much easier to stay at the hotel (we also had our baby with us) but my DS was never bored! he would go to auntie's for a couple hours every day and went back to make Space Goo 3x he loved it so much.

 

[luv2sleep]

No problem. We just found it so much easier to stay at the hotel (we also had our baby with us) but my DS was never bored! he would go to auntie's for a couple hours every day and went back to make Space Goo 3x he loved it so much.

Yes, looking forward to a couple of hours per day to relax while he's at the Beach House.

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

Take at least one day to do PCC. It has the best luau for everybody, no alcohol and they have a really good show afterwards. Though this will be a late night for you, getting from PCC back to A'ulani will take about an hour. I would also say plan to go hiking or up to north shore to see lava rocks and sea turtles(honu). Though biggest tip I can give is try to eat off property some, your wallet and child will thank you.

 

[luv2sleep]

Take at least one day to do PCC. It has the best luau for everybody, no alcohol and they have a really good show afterwards. Though this will be a late night for you, getting from PCC back to A'ulani will take about an hour. I would also say plan to go hiking or up to north shore to see lava rocks and sea turtles(honu). Though biggest tip I can give is try to eat off property some, your wallet and child will thank you.

Oh definitely going to eat off property a lot.
Hiking sounds fun. Thanks!

 

[surfer_ed]

Can anyone recommend a kid friendly Luau? My kids will be 6 and 8 when we go in Feb

 

[Dean]

Can anyone recommend a kid friendly Luau? My kids will be 6 and 8 when we go in Feb

I'm not a big fan of the Oahu Luau's, I much prefer Maui and Kauai. The PCC will be the best food and show. The show at the Marriott, if still going, is smaller with pretty good food. Paradise Cove and Germaine's are big. I doubt the kids will enjoy the show at the PCC as much due to the stadium seating, distance and need to sit still more. If I were going to another island, I'd do a Luau elsewhere, otherwise, I'd try to do the one at the Marriott and just do the PCC daytime only. The Entertainment book info has had a BOGO for regular admission and they do apply the amount to their packages. If I were going to do the PCC more than just admission, I'd do the Luau Package and try to get the best seats possible (lower bowl near the inside isle as close as possible).

 

[woodkins]

Heading to Aulani next week...can anyone give me either directions or a website with info on how to get to the North Shore area: where specifically to go. We would like to see the turtles, and hubby wants to see big waves LOL

Any info as to names of beaches etc would be great!

 

[Psychodisney]

Look for directions to Haleiwa(not sure if that's the right spelling). You'll pass the Dole Plantation on the way. Haleiwa is the town where Matsumoto Shave Ice is. You can find lots of beaches right up the road there.

 

[dsneygirl]

Heading to Aulani next week...can anyone give me either directions or a website with info on how to get to the North Shore area: where specifically to go. We would like to see the turtles, and hubby wants to see big waves LOL

Any info as to names of beaches etc would be great!

I highly recommend "Oahu Revealed" we used it as our guide around the island. It also has recommend places to park etc.

 

[Dean]

I highly recommend "Oahu Revealed" we used it as our guide around the island. It also has recommend places to park etc.

That's the wizard publications book I mentioned. New edition this past mid summer and brand new iphone app within the last week.

 

[StormalongKay]

I would recommend map questing directions from the resort to Waimea Bay. The North shore really is not hard to navigate - the road is two lanes and all the beach parks are clearly marked. Go a little further north to find the shrimp trucks.