Hawaii vacation for family is perfect because of its warm ocean water and fascinating Polynesian culture. There is something for everyone here aside from the pretty beaches.
If you are looking to familiarize children with a new culture and many different adventures, Hawaii is a great place. It is made up of eight islands and offers lots of culture, sandy beaches, breathtaking blue waters, and much more.
The Aloha State, also called The Islands of Aloha, is indeed a paradise. The islands offer things to do, from exploring volcanoes and cultural sites to enjoying water-based activities such as snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, and whale watching.
There are many family-friendly hotels in the state, including Hilton Waikoloa Village on Big Island, Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui, Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Park Shore Waikiki in Ohau, North Country Farms in Kauai, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to name a few.
Kids can learn surfing from professionals, watch planetarium shows, learn about Hawaii’s history and culture, hike around the national and state Parks, as well as zipline at Kualoa Ranch.
Here is a list of 8 such fun things to do in Hawaii on a family vacation.
8. Ho’okipa Beach Park – Maui
Ho’okipa Beach Park, located on the North Shore of Maui, is a popular destination for surfing and windsurfing. Windsurfing has been a popular sport here for almost a century.
This beautiful coastline is a sea turtle and surfers sanctuary. You could see as close to a hundred honus (Hawaiian green sea turtles) resting on the beach. The best time to see turtles is usually in the late afternoon.
There are a lot of activities to do here, including building sandcastles with your kids, picnicking, and watching experienced surfers perform stunts. This park is perfect for anyone wanting a beach trip to enjoy the sun and the sand.
There are no fees needed to enter Ho’okipa Beach Park or park there. There is ample parking space. The park offers several amenities, such as public bathrooms, showers, an observation deck, grills, pavilions, and picnic benches right at the location. Lifeguards are there from 8 am to 4:30 pm every day.
It is very easy to get to Ho’okipa Beach Park. While traveling east on the Hana Highway, you will see the sign for the park on the left. The nearest towns are Haiku and Paia. There are many restaurants in the area as well.
Swimming without a board here is not recommended because of a sharp lava rock shelf between the sand and the water. Because of the high numbers of surfers, lava rock, and delicate reefs, snorkeling is also not recommended.
Just a mile away lies Kaulaho Beach, where you could snorkel. You would definitely see some turtles there and the sunsets are not to be missed.
7. Polynesian Cultural Center – North Shore of Oahu
Polynesian Cultural Center is located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
The family-centered cultural tourist attraction has six island villages that represent the distinctive island culture of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. This living museum is going to give your family an extensive cognizance of the South Pacific’s indigenous cultures.
Attend the “Ha: Breath of Life,” a beautiful show featuring a traditional song and dance with dramatic effects, fire-filled performances, and the power of surround sound at the end of the day.
Here kids can learn lei making, hula, and Maori games. You could play traditional games, try local delicacies, and learn dance moves as well. It is an overall wonderful cultural experience for the entire family.
Hukilau Marketplace is a great spot to shop for Hawaiian and island-themed centered clothing, jewelry, handiworks, and treats.
It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM. It remains closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. At least two days are required to do everything in the villages, and different packages are also available.
It is approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes to get here from Waikīkī, and buses are also available. Turtle Bay Resort, Paradise Bay Resort Hawaii, Courtyard by Marriot Oahu North Shore, and Ke Iki Beach Bungalows are some of the best places to stay nearby the village.
The northern shore of Oahu is a much more relaxed place but still offers many things for the kids to do. Besides the cultural center, you could also visit Kualoa Ranch and Waimea Valley, which are close by.
6. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Hawai’i Island
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two active volcanoes, and it is a World Heritage-listed site.
You will get to experience mother nature while following hiking trails through the volcanic craters, lush rainforests, and scalded deserts. This activity is definitely for you if you are an outdoor adventure-loving family.
Besides the eruption viewing, one is going to be mesmerized by the natural light show there. It offers a fun yet educational experience for people with kids.
In order to know the park better, one can drop by the Kilauea Visitor Center. There are many short hikes for younger children, such as Ha’a Kulamanu and Devastation Trail.
The closest hotel to the national park includes Dolphin Bay, SCP Hilo Hotel, Volcano House, and Chalet Kilauea. Getting to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is about 2 hours of drive from Kailua-Kona and 2.5 to 3 hours from Waimea.
5. Atlantis Submarines Waikiki – Honolulu
Atlantis Submarines Waikiki lets you experience Waikiki’s marine mysteries. You will get to experience the unique oceanic adventure in one of the largest recreational submarines.
For families traveling to Waikiki, it is an amazing activity to enjoy with kids of all ages. It is thrilling as this experience takes you 100 feet below the water off the shores.
The dive site is within view of Leahi, and you can see green sea turtles, eels, sharks, and yellow tangs, along with many other underwater species.
You will get a chance to see remnants of hurricane-swept airlines, sunken ships, pyramid structures, and much more of the Atlantis reef. The tour will involve two boats, a shuttle boat, and a submarine. The total duration will be 1.5 hours, whereas the submarine portion will be 45-50 minutes long.
Some of the hotels nearby include The Equus, Prince Waikiki, and Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
4. Pearl Harbor Tours – Oahu
Pearl Harbor tours with family and kids can be fun and educational. It is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
It is the site of the catastrophic surprise attack by the Japanese military on December 7, 1941. Today, it is home to many memorials and museums commemorating the attack and paying tribute to the victims.
You could stand above the wreckage of the sunken ship USS Arizona when you visit Pearl Harbor. Some of the sites to visit here include USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and Pacific Aviation Museum.
Bowfin Submarine is a hit among kids as it provides a hands-on experience, and they find it immensely delightful among the sites. You might also get a chance to interact with the Pearl Harbor survivors.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is about a 45-minute drive from Waikiki. Some hotels nearby include Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra, OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger, Prince Waikiki, and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
3. KapohoKine Adventures – Big Island Hawaii
KapohoKine Adventures is one of the things to do with your family while visiting the Aloha state.
They offer different kinds of adventure tours, such as dense tropical rainforests, Kilauea Volcano, and waterfalls. The tours depart from Kona and Hilo.
Hilo tours include a trip to the only tropical rainforest zoo in the country, Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo, and beautiful waterfalls and beaches, among others.
Whereas Kona tour incles stargazing through a state-of-the-art telescope, discovering the area’s rich history, evening volcano exploring, hiking to Kilauea’s lava flow, and many more.
Some of the best hotels nearby KapohoKine Adventures include SCP Hilo Hotel, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, Dolphin Bay, and The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls.
2. Kauai Plantation Railway – Kauai
Kauai Plantation Railway takes you to the historic 105-acre Kilohana plantation. This 2.5-mile rail line passed through a variety of agriculture in Hawaii.
This conductor-narrated train tour is fun for all ages as you will get to learn about the history of the plantation and get to see the beautiful landscape. You will also spend some time feeding the pigs, sheep, and goats.
You will pass through island crops taro, sugarcane and fruits such as pineapple, mango, banana, and papaya. Visitors will see other experimental plantings, including cashew, noni, logan, atemoya, and hybrid mango.
The highlight of the tour includes a train ride, an international hardwood forest, a plantation and orchard walk, a banana patch, a native Hawaiian tree forest, lunch from The Plantation House, an alpaca encounter, and animal feeding.
Some of the hotels near the Kauai Plantation railway include Grant Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, The Kauai Inn, and Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu’u
1. Maui Ocean Center – Maui
Maui Ocean Center is the destination to learn about and encounter Hawaii’s marine life. It is home to one of the largest displays of live Pacific corals in the world.
You could see tropical fish, sea turtles, sharks, sea jellies, stingrays, octopuses, and many more marine animals.
Maui Ocean Center highlights the beautiful undersea world, and the aquarium’s mission is to foster understanding and respect for them. It was even named “Top 10 Aquariums in the World” by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.
Other activities include Aquari-Om Yoga Classes, Coral Spawning, Shark diving, Ocean Education Classroom, and Ocean Aloha. Interactive learning from the island-grown cultural practitioners is also quite popular here.
They also organize several conservation and community activities, including beach cleanups, and their signature annual event is MAUI 5k.
Maui Ocean Center is about 8 miles from the Kahului Airport; you can take a bus, taxi, or even your car to get there. Some of the best hotels nearby are Maui Coast Hotel, Mana Kai Maui, and The Hale Pau Hana.