What to Do on O’ahu When It Rains
Rain Happens. Most of the time, it’s a quick shower and then you can go about your day – especially in Ko Olina, which is on the drier side of the island. Or, sometimes you can just look at the map and head to a different part of the island because it’s often rainy in one spot and dry on the other side of the mountain. Occasionally, however, the whole island will have full-on rainy DAYS. And when you've got kids who have been cooped up in a hotel room all morning, you need a plan. Here are some of our go-to spots for rainy days on Oahu.
Kid City (Kapolei and other locations)
This one is great if you've got younger kids. It's an indoor play space with climbing structures and pretend play setups, basically built for little legs that need to move. My kids could spend hours in there without me having to referee much. It's air conditioned and clean, and honestly on a rainy day it's a lifesaver when you just need somewhere for them to burn energy that isn't your hotel room.
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
This one's in Honolulu, and it's a hands-on museum that's perfect for younger kids too. There's a mix of exhibits on science, culture, and just general exploring, and my kids loved it when they were young. It’s small but the perfect size for littles to spend a few hours.
Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum has a really impressive collection of Hawaiian history and artifacts, plus a smaller area just for kids. I'd recommend checking their rotating exhibit ahead of time to see if it's something your family would enjoy, since honestly it's hit or miss. Sometimes it's incredible, sometimes it's a little boring for the kids. The planetarium is a fun add-on, though. Just a heads up, you do have to walk outside between buildings, so bring an umbrella.
My Slime at Ka Makana Ali'i Mall
If your kids are into crafts and don't mind getting a little messy (in a good way), this place is a lot of fun. It's a DIY slime-making studio at Ka Makana Ali'i mall, and kids get to mix up their own colorful, stretchy slime with all sorts of add-ins. Mine loved picking out the glitter and beads. The mall is open-air though, so you'll want an umbrella just to get from the car to the shop.
Bowling
Bowling is a classic for a reason, and Oahu has a few good options. Aiea Bowl is a local favorite with a retro feel and food that's actually good, not just bowling-alley food. Barbers Point is close to Ko Olina and is more old school: no frills, kinda old, and just straightforward bowling (though my kids still have fun). Lucky Strike, over in Ala Moana Center, has a more upscale vibe and works well for kids five and up. One thing worth mentioning, call ahead to make sure the lanes themselves are actually open, since sometimes they only have the arcade side running.
Pups of War (Pearl Ridge Center)
I'd steer clear of doing this one on weekends unless your kids are older and love a little chaos, because it gets pretty intense. Some adults even get in on the action and can be a little bloodthirsty 🫣😅. But on a weekday, especially when the local kids are in school, it's a lot calmer and works fine for younger ones, too.
Keiki Kingdom
This is similar to Kid City, just a bit bigger and a bit louder, and probably better suited for kids who are a little older than the toddler crowd.
Go Karts at 'Ohana DriftLab
According to their website, kids as young as three can drive the keiki carts, so this is a fun one even for your littler ones who don’t want to just watch.
Ice Palace
Going ice skating in Hawaii still feels a little funny to me, but that's exactly what makes it fun for kids and teens who want to do something totally different from the usual beach day. They've got rental skates and it's pretty family friendly overall, so it's an easy one to throw into the rotation when the weather isn't cooperating.
The Escape Game (or other escape rooms)
If you've got older kids or teens, an escape room is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon together. It gets everyone working as a team, and there's something satisfying about the whole family high fiving when you actually solve the clues (or laughing about how badly you failed). The Escape Game in Ala Moana is impressively decorated and immersive.
Great Big Game Show
This is such a fun one if your family is even a little bit competitive. It's basically a giant interactive game show experience where you're up against other teams answering trivia and playing rounds together. We did this with my daughter and her friends for her birthday and it was a huge hit. If you have a smaller group but don’t want to share the room with strangers, look into their options for buying out the rest of the spaces for less than the cost of full tickets.
This one's a nice option if you've got older kids, or if you just want a slower, quieter morning after a few too many action packed days. The museum itself is beautiful, and they actually do a good job with family friendly programming, so it's worth checking their calendar before you go in case there's a hands on activity happening that day. Even without that, it's a peaceful place to wander around for an hour, and there's a cafe on site if you need a coffee break.
Glow Golf Hawaii (Indoor Mini Golf)
Glow Golf has a few locations around the island, and it's exactly what it sounds like, mini golf but indoors and glow in the dark. My kids think it's the coolest thing ever, and it's a fun one for basically any age. It's a good pick when you need something a little more active than a museum but still fully indoors.
Planning an Oahu Family Photo Session?
Rainy weather doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying O’ahu or taking family photos. If you’re planning a trip and want relaxed, natural photos of your time together, I’d love to help you choose the right location and plan around the island’s changing weather. Get in touch to book your session with an Oahu family photographer.