Planning an itinerary before any trip is a quintessential task, but while it involves your kiddiewinks, it is highly recommended as knowing things before arriving at your desired destination. It will be time-saving for parents and enjoyable for their wee ones. If you are new to The State of Hawaii and your brain catechize to understand the difference between Oahu, Honolulu, and Waikiki. If yes, then take it like this- Waikiki is a district in Honolulu, a city on the island of Oahu. So, you can find both Waikiki and Honolulu on the island of Oahu.

With miles of beaches, dolphin encounters, museums, and zoos; the city of Honolulu is a tropical paradise throughout the year, an ideal destination for families, as there’s no shortage of fun things for children of all ages. This true oasis is a perfect destination for a family vacation; the naturally blessed land will allow you to reconnect with each other through and make memories to last a lifetime. It may seem like a more couple-friendly destination, but perfect for all kinds of vacations. It is a bit impossible to have just one trip to Oahu as the bond you create with the place on your first trip will bring you back. The island’s history, a surfeit of diverse activities available year-round for all age groups, and the seamless blend of beach life and city living. As this little paradise on earth provides many opportunities for families to rebound with each other, families keep coming back to the island and perhaps the reason behind the nickname of the Oahu “The Gathering Place.” Oahu is an incredible sightseeing paradise, full of magnificent lookout points, stunning white sand beaches, a colorful Polynesian Cultural Center that includes Luau, outstanding nautical funs & adventure, and unique wildlife.

We promise to get you covered with family vacation ideas in the isle, from low-key activities to thrilling adventures that will keep everyone happy throughout the spree.

Sea Life Park 

Get a chance to get up-close encounters with dolphins & your other favorite Sea creatures at Sea Life Park. Sea Life Park is Hawaii’s best wildlife marine park & aquarium on Oahu. Whether you want to swim with dolphins or pet sharks, there’s something fun for every family member. The Hawaiian Reef Aquarium is a 300,000 -gallon reef exhibit tank, that is home to more than 2000 reef animals, including sharks, vibrant tropic fish, anemones, stingrays, turtles, and various other reef flora and fauna. Sea Life Park is a treasure of fun activities, you need to visit and try your hands to believe the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Opt for any animal show, like swimming with the cute and friendly dolphins, getting pushed across the pool by the dolphin’s nose, and getting an affectionate dolphin kiss. The park offers so much to experience such as Hawaiian Ocean Theater, Penguin Habitat, Sea Turtle Feeding Pool, Sting Ray Lagoon, Swim with the Sea Lions Bird Sanctuary, and Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat. Choose any of the activities as per your kids’ interests.

Children’s Discovery Center

Designed specifically for all age groups kids, the Center offers plenty of hands-on fun even the toddler can enjoy and learn. The mission of the museum is to inspire children to dream big and to know that dreams can come true. Its six fixed exhibits provide an environment and surrounding that encourages children to use their senses to occur a better understanding of the world. 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum & National Memorial

A day at the Pearl Harbour attractions is a must when in Oahu. Aviation Memorial will provide your kids with a fun packed informative time. The museum is jam-packed with activities. The museum honors Pearl Harbor where kids will learn what lead the United States to enter and the played a significant role in World Word II. 

The Pacific Aviation Museum showcases a collection of aircraft from all across history. Along with history, there are plenty of interactive exhibits at each stop that will help the kids to discover more about the U.S. 

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre privately owned nature preserve. It is one of the famous destinations for families and all age groups children. The family-owned preserve offers enormous activity including fun, adventure, and thrilling action for everyone. Activities in Kualoa Ranch have a long list that includes Jurassic Valley Zipline, electric biking, Ocean Voyage to get close to aquatic life, visiting the secret island for some down-time to relax, horseback walking, Kualoa Regional Park, and taking a trolley or an ATV raptor tour.

Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a family-centered cultural tourist attraction and living museum located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu, featuring eight simulated tropical villages. This extensive cultural theme park, nested along the rural North Shore area of Oahu, is frequently ranked as one of the top attractions in Hawaii. Take a guided tour to discover the richness of Polynesian culture, witness live cultural presentations, sample local delicacies, and observe the legendary Haka, a Maori warrior dance, show at its onsite theater, visit several island villages where you explore rich history and culture of six different island nations. 

Attend a Hawaiian Luau

There’s nothing more quintessentially Hawaiian than a luau, family-friendly event. Learn about the vibrant Hawaiian culture while they experience traditional and extremely entertaining dances. Luaus are hosted at various locations on the island of Oahu. Choose carefully, and enjoy and participate in the lifetime event. You will eat like a royal and can be part of it.

Best Beaches for your Oahu vacation

Oahu offers some of the world’s most captivating beaches with diverse characters, you have choice to pick a few as per your desire and need of your tykes; choose among dramatically live or full of tranquility to reconnect to your inner self, crashing waves perfect for a thrilling adventure or calm waters to enjoy aquatic life. Oahu features around 20 developed beaches, winters decrease the number of available beaches for fun but some shine out with equally energetic vibes year-round. Our list of beaches will allow you to choose according to your demand and season. 

Lanikai Beach is been considered by many as one of the best in the world. Perfect for swimming or coming in the morning to view two offshore islands, known as “the Mokes.”

You can also choose the beach for sailing and windsurfing, good for snorkeling. 

Kailua Beach Park with gorgeous, white sand beach with calm waters that are perfect for strolling and general lounging, it boasts excellent swimming and kayaking opportunities. 

Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Hotels and tourist facilities on the front of two-mile stretch of the white sand coast. This gorgeous beach is one of the top family-friendly beaches on the isle. Designer fashion stores line Kalakaua Avenue and nearby streets, and the area buzzes after dark with waterside cocktail bars, fine dining, and Kuhio Beach hula shows. 

Waimanalo Beach is one of the most family-friendly beaches on Oahu. This stunning beach looks jaw-dropping dead gorgeous on a sunny day, with turquoise blue waters and miles of some of the softest white sand to walk. 

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. Formed within a volcanic cone, Hanauma Bay offers a pristine marine ecosystem, after the City and County of Honolulu laid out a plan in 1990 to restore the bay, after years of use from the millions of visitors who visit and love to snorkel Hanauma Bay. 

Sunset Beach with sprawling white sand and turquoise waters makes it a paradise of North Shore. It is considered good for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and of course just stunning sunset views.  

Waimea Bay Beach Park is one of the world’s most famous big-wave surf sites. In winter, the bay brings in waves top 40 feet in height. During the summer, you can have a peaceful and fun day of swimming. 

Kahana Bay Beach Park is an ideal spot to have a picnic day under tree shade, sunbathing, and relaxing to get some downtime. Tall cliffs and a large bay surround this beach. Not many visitors are coming to this beach though it offers plenty of trees for shade and picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch.

Malaekahana Beach is a gem of a beach for both locals and tourists. Beautifully tucked between the towns of La’ie and Kahuku, Malaekahana Beach Park is an ideal spot for camping and fishing and swimming. It also hosts plantation-style cabins. Enjoy a boat ride to Goat Island. 

Ala Moana Beach Park boasts crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, and picturesque settings, and is known lovingly as “the place to be.” The turquoise blue shallow water attracts locals and visitors equally to enjoy a wide range of activities from swimming to sunbathing to fishing. Other beach activities like Hawaiian paddling, yoga sessions, running, beach strolling, surfing, swimming, and playing volleyball are commonly enjoyed by visitors. Visitors can also pay a visit to Ala Wai Harbor or the Ala Moana Center, the largest shopping mall in Hawaii.

Makapu’u Beach Park

The Makapu’u Beach Park is a beautiful destination with Sheer black cliffs of the Koʻolau Volcano encircling the captivating Makapu’u Beach Park. The whole area surrounding Makapu’u Point is picturesque, and there is a lot to see in a small locality. Bodyboarders and surfers love this beach’s rip currents and decisive shore break. Trekking the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail, a relaxing, paved trail that delivers an incredible view down O‘ahu’s windward coast. The stunning and popular beach park provides picnic areas, BBQ grills, restrooms, and showers.

Honolulu Zoo

Situated in Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo boasts 42 acres of plants and animals that are native to Hawaii. The zoo features inhabitants of various species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles from Hawaii and other parts of the world. There are plenty of fun programs for kids, and fun activities like watching the giraffes being fed or elephants spraying plenty of water.

Waikiki Aquarium

Next to the zoo is kids’ all-time favorite the Waikiki Aquarium, it includes The Living Reef, South Pacific Marine Communities, Ocean Drifters, Hunters on the Reef, Zebra sharks, Bluefin trevally, green sea turtles, Hawaiian Monk seals, and much more fun and species are there to enthrall your kids. 

Hawaiian Railway Society Train Rides

It’s the only history railway on Oahu and the only railroad museum in operation in Hawaii. Get the opportunity to ride on a track that runs along stunning old Ewa, it is a must to do. Learn about the history of the railroad in Hawaii while enjoying the memorable train ride. There’s a toy train museum for the wee ones.

Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum offers a collection of exhibits and interactive displays to help learn about the vibrant heritage and culture of the people of Hawaii. The Bishop Museum is also home to the first planetarium in Polynesia and boasts one of the brightest displays of the night sky in the world. 

Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In Temple is located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, right at the foot of the Ko’alau Mountains. Provide a site to admire with various features, captivating traditional Japanese architecture, lush surroundings with waterfalls that are home to wild peacocks, and Japanese koi fish swimming in the temple’s reflecting pong. A serene destination for reconnecting to yourself and experiencing tranquility. Kids will love to frolic around. 

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is one of the most famous sites on the island of Oahu. You must plan a family hike to marvel at the breathtaking views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean from the top sits. Diamond Head State Monument comprises more than 475 acres, which includes the interior and exterior slopes of the crater. Plan your hike in the early morning hours to avoid the high heat of the day and carry plenty of liquid to stay hydrated, and snacks for little ones.

Shopping Areas in Oahu 

The Ala Moana Center is a colossal open-air shopping mall featuring eight anchor tenants, and over 350 shops, services, and restaurants.

International Market Place was opened in 1956, this top-notch shopping place offers brands like Foot Locker, Michael Kors, Balenciaga, Skechers, Pandora, Vans, Sunglass Hut, Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch, and more to explore, and many eateries serving almost every desired food from freshly baked goods to seafood to rice-based entrees or ice creams. If you are lucky, you may catch live performances, like concerts of Hawaiian bands, hula shows, and other live music.

Another option is just splendid, The Royal Hawaiian Center is an upmarket shopping mall featuring luxury brands like Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Tiffany & Co, Saint Laurent, and more on the same scale. Dine at eateries like the Cheesecake Factory, Honolulu Burger Co, Panda Express, Subway, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, and the Waikiki Food Hall. Catch entertaining events like live Hawaiian performances, ukulele lessons for your kids, fire knife dancers, and hula lessons.

Other Amazing attractions

If you have spared some energy from the beaches then enjoy a day at one of the parks, enjoy a lot of recreational options like Hike, bike riding, picnicking, or enjoy downtime while kids are running and playing around. Some of the interesting parks are Fort DeRussy Beach Park and Kapiolani Park. You can also visit North Shore Stables for horseback riding service.

It offers lessons for beginners of all ages, guided horseback riding tours through picturesque trails, and pony rides for your younger children. Visit Ko Olina Lagoons, the best lagoon is lagoon 4. And lagoon 3 is easily accessible from the parking lot, so you have two lagoon options within a very short distance. Visit Magic Island, a small man-made peninsula in Honolulu, Hawaii, adjacent to Ala Moana Beach. Waimea Valley is an ideal place to enjoy nature and has one of the best waterfalls in Oahu for families to safely swim near. Clearwater, tons of fish, and in most areas the lagoon is only neck deep, perfect for beginners snorkeling. The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout is one of the most stunning views of Oahu’s Ko’olau Mountain Range. Matsumoto Shave Ice, you can’t miss this place whether with or without kids, there is nothing more refreshing than flavorful shaved ice, and Matsumoto Shave Ice was founded in 1951. Plenty of options to choose your desired flavor-watermelon, vanilla, bubble gum, cotton candy, lychee, pineapple, and papaya are just some of the different options to choose from.