6 Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids
Hawaii isn’t just a grown-ups’ paradise.
Though photos of Hawaii often showcase newlyweds and young adventurers, the islands are also a great place for a family trip. Children of all ages—we’re talking about you too, Dad—have all sorts of hands-on activities to keep them busy aside from the usual hotel pool. Here are six unique things to do in Hawaii with kids that the whole family will talk about for years to come.
Sea Life Park
Nestled into the mountainside on Oʻahu‘s southeast shore is Sea Life Park, an exciting space to learn about marine life in the pacific with interactive animal encounters. Families can choose to meander from tank to tank and watch the shows on their own, or swim with dolphins, kiss a sea lion and get up-close with rays.
Tide pooling
Tide pools act as local children’s natural swimming pools and they love to spend the day exploring them. Hawaii’s plentiful turquoise-colored tide pools provide a shallow and safe area for kids to play, race hermit crabs, collect brittle stars, and meet new friends. A few great places are Baby Makapuʻu and Shark’s Cove on Oʻahu; Kapoho Tide Pools on the Big Island; and Napili Bay and Kuʻau Cove on Maui. Just make sure to check the water conditions before heading out.
Tubing
Older children and adults will enjoy floating down the old flumes and gulches that once fed Hawaii’s agricultural fields. Adventurers hop on an inner tube or kayak in the tropical rainforest and let it take them downhill through tunnels, over mini waterfalls, and bridges. This unforgettable family outing is available through different tour companies on Kaua’i and the Big Island.
Maui Ocean Center
This aquarium in Māʻalaea provides visitors with an up-close look at some of Hawaii’s unique sea life and marine ecosystems. The entire family can awe over the native Hawaiian green sea turtles in the Turtle Lagoon and the numerous sharks and stingrays at the Open Ocean Exhibit. Adults can attend hands-on Hawaiian culture demonstrations or talks by wildlife experts, while children have a personal experience with different animals at the shallow touch pool.
Atlantis Submarine
For a fully immersive undersea experience book a tour on the Atlantis Submarine on the Big Island, Maui, or Oʻahu. Hawaii’s young visitors head 100 feet below sea level and marvel at a shipwreck teeming with schools of colorful fish, coral reef, eels, sharks, and maybe even an eagle ray or two.
Outrigger canoe ride
Four to six riders hop aboard an outrigger canoe and surf down the famous breaks at Waikiki Beach. Expert captains will teach children about the area’s history in addition to how to paddle, steer, and catch a wave correctly. The Beach Boys also rent out boogie boards and surf boards if after the excursion your kids still haven’t gotten their fill of the waves.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.