Top 6 things to do in Oahu with kids

This was my third trip to oahu! It’s beautiful, breezy and dreamy as I remember it the first two times, but this time I was with my 5 and 10 year old! It’s wonderful to experience this place through their eyes. Here’s what we loved the most with recommendations for all the other great must-do things in Oahu too.

1. Dole Plantation

Pineapples everywhere, maze, train ride, and wonderful shop. Bring lots of money because everything costs here, but its still pretty great and a staple in Oahu.

Dole plantation in Oahu with kids

2. Makapu’u Tide pools and Hanauma Bay

My boys were in absolute heaven in both these places because they love searching for creatures in the Ocean. The scenes from both are breathtaking. Hanauma Bay is the most popular place for snorkeling so there will be people, but its such an amazingly beautiful spot its hard for me to resist it on every visit to Oahu!

Things to do in Oahu with kids

Hanauma Bay

3. Luau

This is a must to really capture the spirit of Aloaha in Oahu! The best part was the pre-show actively like lei-making, weaving palm leaves, and hawaiian tattoo stamping. We did our Luau at the Hale Koa hotel, if you are military this one is for you. They have a strong nod to the military during the show which made it extra special.

Making leis in Oahu with kids

Things to do in Oahu with kids

4. Kualoa Ranch

This the place where all the movies are filmed and you have to do a bus tour in order to get into the ranch, but its worth it. The views, stories and adventure on this tour where wonderfully worth every penny.

5. Tropical Farms

Macadamia and kona coffee farm. This place really knocked our socks off. My husband and I could actually peruse and sample all the nuts and coffee till our hearts were content while the kids were in heaven cracking macadamia nuts off the ground feeding the chickens for literally 45 minutes.

6. Byodo-In temple

This spot really really surprised me. Its so jaw-dropingly beautiful. The kids really enjoyed ringing the bell and feeding the koi fish here. One of the most picturesque spots in Oahu, in my opinion!

Extra Tips!

We stayed at the Hale Koa in Waikiki. While the hotel was very nice with pools and restaurants etc… the traffic and congestion in Honolulu was difficult to manage. I highly highly recommend staying at (if you are military) Kaneohe Bay cottages, Pearl Harbor Navy Lodge, or my dream spot-Bellows Air Force– Its not crowded, great location and you can be in a condo or cottage. We visited for a beach day at Bellows and fell in complete love plus had the beach to ourselves. Just breath-taking. If I did it again, I would stay here, book well well in advance.

This is the “fun island” we rented for a whopping $8 on waikiki beach in front of the hale Koa hotel and the kids were in absolute heaven. Best $8 bucks Ive ever spent.

The best shrimp truck, a must eat is the Giovanni’s Shrimp truck, I could’ve had this meal every day. Expect swarms of people, but its a cult classic. GO.