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Famous Waikiki Beach is a top tourist destination for beach lovers. It is easy to see why this is so with its white sandy beach and beautiful clear water right in the heart of Honolulu, Hawaii. This is a perfect setting for laying on the beach soaking up the sun, reading a good book, and people watching. But, what if you have kids in tow? Can Waikiki Beach be as appealing for families as it is for adults? Here are 5 fun things to do with kids at Waikiki Beach that will make them love it as much as you do!
#1: Play in the Sand
Regardless of age, it seems like kids love to play in the sand. From building sand castles with moats to burying each other, children can play for hours on the beach. To maximize your children’s fun, and give yourself some time to relax, pack some sand toys (or buy some once you arrive) so your kids can play in the sand. If you don’t want to mess with sand toys, grab a few disposable cups and some plastic silverware from your hotel to take to the beach so your kids can dig around for a while.
#2: Play in the Water
Once your family tires of the sand or gets too hot, head to the water for some more beach fun. Depending on the ages of your kids, there are endless things you can do in the water at Waikiki Beach. With little ones, you can splash around at the water’s edge or swim in the shallow parts. Older kids will enjoy snorkeling, taking surfing lessons, or trying stand up paddleboarding. For more adventurous kids, look into parasailing or diving.
#3: Play in the Park
After a few days at the beach, your kids will probably tire of the sand and water. When that happens, you will need some other things to do with kids at Waikiki Beach to keep them entertained. For a quick diversion, head to Kapi’olani Park, located next to and across the street from the beach. Here, your kids can run around, throw a ball, or do cartwheels to burn off some energy. There are plenty of shade trees to stay out of the sun. You will also find plenty of picnic tables to sit at or bring your beach blanket and pick a spot on the grass to watch them play.
#4: Explore the Zoo
For even more fun things to do with kids at Waikiki Beach, head across the street to the Honolulu Zoo. This zoo is small but laid out in such a way that your kids will have a blast exploring the pathways and searching for animals without having to fight the crowds. To fully experience the zoo, you will need 2-3 hours. There is a playground inside the zoo which your younger children will love playing on for a while. Read more about the Honolulu Zoo or visit the zoo’s website for details.
#5: Visit the Aquarium
To get your kids out of the sun for a while, head about a block down the street from the beach to the Waikiki Aquarium for more animal encounters. The aquarium has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Most of these feature some of the marine animals that call the waters around the Hawaiian islands home. Kids will love watching the playful Hawaiian monk seal. You can easily see everything in the aquarium in under two hours. So you can visit both the aquarium and the zoo in the same day and still have time for the beach. For more information on the aquarium, visit their website or see my post on it.
Conclusion
Traveling with kids is very different than adults-only travel. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the same great locations. Going to Waikiki Beach with your family can be fun, but it can’t be just lying on the beach. These five things to do with kids at Waikiki Beach will keep your family happy as clams the whole trip. For ideas on where to eat in Waikiki, check out the best breakfast I ever ate and the Maui Brewing Co. Happy travels!
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