20 Best Things to do in Oahu with Toddlers [2023]

If you are looking for things to do in Oahu with toddlers, preschoolers, and younger children, you are in the right place! Hawaii is one of my favorite places to vacation as a family with young children. While there are so many things to do in Oahu, this post focuses on the youngest visitors to Oahu to allow families to get the most out of their vacation!

Because Hawaii is so perfect for families with kids of all ages, I even have a post dedicated to Why you should visit Oahu on your next family vacation but this one dials in on Oahu with a 1 year old, 2 year old, 3 year old, 4 year old and 5, year old (I think you get the idea!) There are so many things that make a vacation to Oahu with toddlers the perfect place to relax and enjoy your time together.

Read on to see my 20 best things to do in Oahu with toddlers, babies, and children.

Where to Stay in Oahu with Toddlers

The first thing you are going to want to sort out, is where you want to stay. Waikiki beach has plenty of hotels and AirBNB’s. Most of the hotels are condo style. It is very popular there to get a one bedroom with a kitchen! These kinds of accommodations are ideal, making Oahu a perfect destination with Toddlers

I have been to Hawaii plenty of time with my kids, and there are so many to choose from. I personally like to stay on the “Zoo Side” of Waikiki beach near Kapiolani Park because the beaches are less busy. If you prefer to be closer to shopping and more restaurants, you are better off choosing a more central location.

LUXURY FAMILY RESORTS:

Hilton Hawaiian Village (Most accommodation is for 4 people but some suites offer rooms for 5)

Hyatt Regency Waikiki (Most rooms are for 4 people but some suites that sleep families of 6)

MIDRANGE

Waikiki Banyan (Condo style. Perfect for those who need room for five. Close to the Zoo)

White Sands (Sleeps up to 4 people. Motel Style with kitchenette. Ground floor units walk out to the pool which may or may not work for your family)

20 Best Things to do in Oahu with Toddlers for 2023

1. Things to do in Honolulu with Toddlers:  Honolulu Zoo

With its affordable entrance rates and stroller-friendly paths, the Honolulu Zoo is a great way to spend the day with your kids who might not yet be ready to surf the North Shore. It is one of my favorite toddler friendly activities in Hawaii. It is the perfect size to wander around for a few hours and you are able to see everything!

Large trees afford lots of shaded areas around a grassy area and a playground for your little ones to play and enjoy a picnic without the sun beating down on them.

And if your kids are like mine, they will be asking to go back the next morning and see the animals again! If you are a foodie, make sure you try the Kapahulu Burger while you are at the Zoo. It tastes amazing and I don’t think I have had anything quite like it!

Want an AirBNB close to the Zoo side of Waikiki Beach? Check out this one!

2. Honolulu for Toddlers: Waikiki Beach

Early mornings at Waikiki beach are one of our favorite times when you are visiting Oahu with a Toddler. They will likely be up early and you might as well make the most of it! One of the best things about Hawaii is that you can visit and enjoy Waikiki beach at any time of year. Read more about the best time to travel to Hawaii.

Build sandcastles as the sun comes up (make sure you grab a coffee for yourself!) and watch Waikiki come alive!

We always share our crackers with the birds in Kapiolani Park and let the kids run around on the sand. It is a great way to spend the morning or a whole day! Here are some things to pack for your day at the beach!

After you get your fill of photos, check out these handy Hawaii Instagram captions for your memories!

3. Things to do in Oahu with Toddlers: Waikiki Aquarium

The Waikiki Aquarium is an Aquarium rich in history, and small enough for your toddler to wander around without getting lost. That makes it another one of the popular toddler-friendly activities in Hawaii and a win for parents!

Our kids loved running from tank to tank to see what they could find and it is a great way to get out of the sun for a little while. It is stroller friendly but small enough for toddlers and preschoolers to run around without needing one. You can spend as little as an hour here and go at whatever pace your family is comfortable with.

4. Honolulu with Toddlers: Watch the Street Performers on Kalakawa Ave

After dinner, put the kids in the stroller and walk along Kalakawa Ave as the sidewalks come to life with street performers. I suggest the stroller because the streets can get packed in the evenings and it can get tough for little ones to navigate!

5. Watch a Parade

Waikiki has dozens of parades every year. Check online before you leave, or look for the no street parking signs. Those are usually a good indication of a parade date on Kalakaua! Stake out a spot early; bring a chair and a blanket!

6. Things to do on Oahu with Toddlers: Explore an Empty Beach

The beach is public property, however, you sometimes need to find a way to “access it.” Once you do, (via the many beachside parks around the island,) spend some time exploring the beautiful shores. This is probably one of the best Oahu toddler activities that you can do, even though I did not put it at the top od the list!

Oahu is a great vacation with kids because beauty is all over at any time of year.

They do not need to be in strollers while you explore historical sites, they can run around and explore as you wander the beach or enjoy some time in the sun! You will often find beaches with no one on them at all!

You will probably be told you need to see Hanauma Bay, but unless your little ones are super comfortable in the water snorkeling, it is something better left for older kids. You can see beautiful fish and turtles right off the shores of any beaches in Hawaii and your little ones can play on the shore. If you want to go to Hanauma Bay, you need to get an early start ( the parking lot opens at 6am), as the parking lot fill fast. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Ensure you have Reef Safe Sunscreen for your visit to Hawaii to protect the marine life (and your little one’s skin)

This is my absolute favorite thing about Hawaii. Beaches and beaches. Even if you choose another Island, such as Maui, there are so many ways to keep kids busy on beaches! Here are a few more things to do on Maui with Kids

7. Oahu for Kids: Attend a Luau or watch Polynesian Dance

It is possible to catch a free Hula performance while in Hawaii with your children. If you are at Ala Moana Centre, they have performances daily. I highly suggest checking out the Polynesian Cultural Centre for the full experience!

The Polynesian cultural center offers a 42-acre site that celebrates the Polynesian culture in Samoa, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and of course Hawaii! We recently went to Fiji aswell and have plenty of tips for Fiji with toddlers!

8. Things to do on Oahu with Toddlers: See the Fireworks

This one can be hit and miss depending on your own child. But if your child is a night owl and not afraid of loud noises, consider watching the Friday night fireworks around 8pm at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.

9. Grab some uniquely Hawaiian Food

Hawaiian cuisine is a fusion of Asian, North American, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian foods. Just go into any local grocery store and you will find many different foods. Grab some ready-made Poi (Taro) for the kids to try. Its taste is bland, consider adding milk and sugar, and serve it like oatmeal. Click here for some Hawaiian Foods we think you should try!

10. Things to do in Oahu with Kids: Visit Dole Plantation

Easily accessible by car or by taking TheBus (and we all know that kids love a bus ride! BONUS that kids ride free and Adults are only $2.50) spend a few hours at the Dole Plantation. Take the 20 minute train ride and learn about the pineapple industry in Hawaii and take your children for a run in the “World’s Largest” Maze (stroller friendly for off-road type strollers like the BOB)

Don’t leave before you grab a DoleWhip ice cream! When you share it on Instagram, I have the perfect ice cream captions for your dole whip photos!

They also have great food if you go for lunch; we enjoyed the Kalua Pig Quesadillas and the kid’s chicken nuggets!

You can also use the Oahu Go Card for the Maze at the Dole Plantation!

Do not forget to pick up some of the best Hawaiian souvenirs in their gift shop! If you are looking for it, they probably have it at the Dole Plantation!

11. Take a Glass Bottom Boat Tour

If you are like me, it is not easy to keep kids still, but put them on a boat and they are lulled into a slumber. On this glass-bottom boat tour near Waikiki kids 2 and under are free, which is always a plus for families!

If adventure is what you seek, join this daily boat tour. Enjoy the beauty of Hawaii’s South Shore as you head out from the slip in the Kewalo Basin Harbor and head toward Diamond Head. Aboard the Haleiwa Queen, enjoy the clear view of the Pacific Ocean floor as you cruise over live tropical reefs and one of Hawaii’s shipwrecks. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, eels, reef sharks, dolphins, and schools of tropical fish, all from the deck of the vessel through the glass bottom boat view ports. Experience a unique perspective of Honolulu, above and below the surface.

This family-friendly activity is sure to be a blast and it is also budget-friendly! Click Here to check out a popular tour offered by Get Your Guide!

12. Book a Family Photoshoot

Too often Mom is the chronicler of family memories and, as a result, is missing from the photographs. With only 18 years total until our littles are all grown up, capturing those precious memories — with everyone in the frame — becomes increasingly important.

If you are like me and love sharing photo memories, when you visit Oahu with toddlers (or kids of any age for that matter) you should book a photo shoot with a professional photographer. I suggest you book it before you leave on your trip to help plan your trip around (or even try for a last-minute booking if you are already on the island!). I find the photographers vary in their availability and some book up far in advance. If you use the code LINDSAY you will get $25 off your booking as well! Click here to search and book a photo shoot in Hawaii!

13. Disney’s Aulani

This is arguably a vacation in itself but due to its popularity, I thought it should be included in the best things to do in Oahu with Toddlers. Disney knows how to do everything right and with the wealth of kid-friendly activities at Aulani from the water parks to the entertainment from “Auntie” and “Uncle,” there is tons to keep the littlest and the oldest members of the family busy!

14. Kualoa Ranch

While many of these are suited to older children, I wanted to add in Kualoa Ranch, as it is more than just horseback riding! You can check out their activities here and there might be something that works with you and your little ones!

15. Diamond Head for Older Children or Hiking Parents!

If you want amazing views of the Diamond Head crater and have kids that can hike uphill, consider a few hours to hike to the top of Diamond Head! It offers beautiful views of Waikiki Beach and the inside of the massive volcanic crater!

This also gets busy and has a lot of switchbacks, but I took my 7 and 5-year-old up it the last time we visited Hawaii and they have no problems getting to the top!

If you have an adventurous preschooler or a toddler who will still go in a hiking pack, this hike is totally doable!

16. Pearl Harbour

Most adults want to visit Pearl Harbour and it is worth a visit for sure! If you want more info about visiting Pearl Harbour, this post has a ton of info! If you want to book a tour, I highly suggest you check out this popular one!

17. Rent a Car and Travel around the Island (It is not as far as you may think)

When traveling with young kids, especially those in the car seat and nap age, I love renting a car to get around! We can time drives around nap time and it makes the day just a little more relaxing for everyone! If you want to know what I do every time I come to Hawaii with my kids, it is rent a car!

Whether you rent one for your whole family vacation or just for a day or two it is up to you. We have done it both ways! Make sure you check to see how much the parking costs at your accommodation! That can add up quickly. If you are staying on the Zoo side of Waikiki you can often find free overnight parking, but need to move your car in the morning or buy a parking ticket (or you will be ticketed!)

Always rent a car in advance in Hawaii. Especially now when rental cars are limited all over the world. Check rates with an aggregator like this one!

17. Bishop Museum

The Bishop Museum is the perfect kid-friendly activity in Oahu when it is raining or you are looking to get out of the sun! With 3,900 exhibits and artifacts, the Bishop Museum offers a unique look through the history of Hawaii and Polynesia as well as guided tours and a Planetarium.

Kids under three are free at the Bishop Museum.

18. Hike to a Waterfall

Hiking to a waterfall may not sound like your idea of fun in Oahu with toddlers, but give it a chance! Check out Manoa Falls if you are into outdoor hikes with kids! The trail to Manoa Falls will take you into the Oahu rainforest, giving you a completely different experience than the beaches all over the island. Waimea Falls is another one to check out for a unique thing to do in Hawaii with toddlers away from the beach!

19. Take a Submarine Tour

Because most young kids are not into snorkeling (just yet) why not take them underwater on a submarine tour! Being in a submarine and descending to 100 feet underwater is an adventure in itself. Also, get to see real marine life up close. The Atlantis Waikiki dive site is home to many Hawaiian fishes, coral, and turtles. Note that kids must be 36 inches to go on the tour!

20. Take a Morning Catamaran in Search of Dolphins

This tour has an early start. But with the time change, you will probably find yourself up before sunrise, at least for the first few days. Take advantage of the jetlag and book a family-friendly catamaran tour! It includes the option to snorkel as well! My favorite part is that kids 2 and under are free! You can read more about it here

Things to Pack for Honolulu with Toddlers

Here are our favorite essentials we packed when we traveled to Oahu with a Toddler and a Preschooler:

Outdoor Blanket – I love that this folds bigger than the beach mats and is comfortable! It is always in my beach bag! If you are bringing car seats and do not think you have room in your suitcase for this, you can always throw it into the car-seat bag!

Puddle Jumper Swim Vest – These are getting super popular and give moms and dads some peace of mind with those brave toddlers! While the waves are quite calm on the beach, for the most part, some of the waves that come in can knock little ones over! If you are packing a car seat, throw one of these in your car seat bag 

Stroller Fan – when little ones need to nap at the beach, I like to be able to cool them off with this fan.

If you want my full list check out these Beach Packing Essentials 

MORE INFORMATION ON OAHU WITH TODDLERS:

Rental Equipment on Oahu for Toddlers

If the thought of bringing a car seat and stroller and everything you need for a baby to your condo-style hotel sounds like a huge pain, do not worry, there are baby gear rental places that deliver right to your hotel or apartment.

Check out Paradise Baby 

If you are traveling with your car seat, check out our reviews on the best car seat travel bag here

Babysitting in Oahu with Toddlers.

While I have not used this service myself, Nannies Hawaii has great reviews if you would like to do some non-toddler-friendly things like hiking or snorkeling or would like to enjoy an evening without the kids!

This Diamond Head HIke looks like something I would check out if I had booked a babysitter!

How is that for things to do in Hawaii with toddlers? If you have more suggestions I would love to hear them!

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