You’re doing it! You’re committing to the long flight to the islands, you’re ready to show your baby the world, and you’re excited to spend some time in paradise. But, what are you going to do with the baby, am I right? Here are the best things to do with a baby on O’ahu, Hawai’i!
Go to the Beach
And get all the iconic pictures! Waikiki is a very family-friendly beach, and that iconic Diamond Head peak is just begging to be in the background of your baby’s beach pics. Consider renting a an umbrella and set of chairs for a day so that you can relax and have a shaded place to base yourself while you’re out there. As for other beaches, you really can’t pick a bad one! Beaches that are notably good for babies are Lanikai Beach, Hanauma Bay, Waimanolo Bay Beach Park, and Kualoa Regional Park, all of which have less populated sections of beach and calmer waters for splashing around.
Read on: The Top 7 Reasons Single Parents Should Travel with Their Kids
Go to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
You’ll definitely recognize this place from Instagram. It’s not just picture perfect, it’s a peaceful, beautiful spot in the middle of Hawai’i’s busiest island. Bring a picnic and plan to spend a couple of hours here. If your baby likes the car seat, you can take an easy, slow drive through the beauty in the blessed air conditioning of your car. If your little one does not prefer the car seat (like my baby girl), it’s a perfect place to get out and walk around in the natural beauty with a baby on O’ahu.
More here: All about Hawai’i
Try New Foods
This is a fun one! My daughter loves fruit, so it was exciting to share so many new, exotic fruits with her at nearly every meal. She also discovered new veggies, seafoods, textures, and seasonings. Some things she liked, some things she didn’t like. I didn’t let her have any sweets or other added sugars (it was a challenge), but she got to try dozens of new flavors on our trip. Whether your baby is picky or adventurous, give some new foods a try while you’re there.
Also helpful: The Best Places to Eat in Waikiki
Tour Iolani Palace
I’d recommend this to anyone visiting O’ahu, at any age. Nowhere else in the United States can you visit a real royal palace! My daughter loves to be in the wearable carrier, so she was very happy to be along for the ride during this tour. We did have a diaper urgency (not emergency–no blowout), but the good thing is, there is a changing table in the museum bathroom downstairs. Hooray!
Convenient changing table aside, it’s also very beautiful, and there are lots of new and interesting things to see in the palace. My daughter enjoyed looking at everything, from the colorful carpets to the fascinating artifacts. It’s a fun thing to do on a rainy day, or if you just need a break from the sunshine one afternoon with a baby on O’ahu.
Read next: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit I’olani Palace
Take a Hike
When in Hawai’i, take a hike! Since you’ll probably be wearing your baby for this activity, go for the shorter hikes like Diamond Head or Manoa Falls, both of which have relatively gentle inclines and epic views at the end–Waikiki from the top of Diamond Head, and a lovely waterfall from Manoa Falls hike. Need something more like a walk on a paved path for your stroller with your baby on O’ahu? Head to Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail!
More here: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Hawai’i: O’ahu
Visit Pearl Harbor National Historic Site
History exposure is appropriate at any age! Your little one will likely love the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial site. There is so much to see both on the water and on land around the Visitor Center, including colors, textures, and sounds. I recommend visiting with your baby in a wearable carrier instead of a stroller, if possible. This is one of the most-visited sites in all of Hawai’i, so it can get crowded on the boat and at the USS Arizona Memorial site; sometimes it’s easier to navigate crowds without the bulkiness of a stroller.
Read on: Your Guide to Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Go to a Luau
This is a beautiful way to immerse your baby (and yourself!) into Hawai’ian culture. Babies and small children up to age three or four are generally free with a paying adult, so take advantage of that while you can. (Tickets to luaus are often quite pricey!) This is up to each luau’s terms and policies, however, so be sure to check before you buy your ticket(s). This is a great way to let your baby try new foods–hello, poi and haupia!–hear a different language, hear new music, see new sites, smell new scents, and so much more. My baby girl loves to dance, so the music is a highlight for her! Can’t make it to a luau? Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center instead!
Sneak peek: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Hawaiian Lu’au
Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium
These two sites are just down the street from each other in Waikiki, so visiting both is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon with your little one. At the Honolulu Zoo, children age two and under are free, and children age three to 12 are $13 (as of 2025); adults are $21. Animals include geckos, African penguins, Kona nightingale donkeys, Fiji iguanas, and more! The nearby Waikiki Aquarium will give your little one a peek under the sea. As of 2025, adult admission is $12, children four to 17 are $5, and babies through three years old are free. Sea life you’ll see here includes Hawai’ian monk seals, sea turtles, sea snakes (yikes!), all kinds of coral, and other sea creatures. Enjoy!
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Great tips!
Thank you!