June Events for Kids on O‘ahu

A side from our guide to the perfect weekend on O‘ahu, here’s the scoop on some upcoming noteworthy kid-friendly events and happenings this June on O‘ahu. Save the dates!

Kids Eat Free at Scratch Kitchen

Throughout June

Scratch Kitchen is celebrating the grand opening of its Hawai‘i Kai location on Friday, June 9 from 5 to 9 p.m., and to sweeten the deal, is extending its “Kids Eat Free” promotion throughout the entire month of June. Parents can bring the keiki and get a free meal from the restaurant’s new keiki menu with the purchase of any regular entree.

6650 Kalanianaole Hwy., scratch-hawaii.com, @scratchkitchenhi

World Ocean Day

Thursday, June 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Waikīkī Aquarium is offering entertainment throughout World Ocean Month. On Thursday, June 8, celebrate World Ocean Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with activities for the whole ‘ohana, like crafts, educational programs and watching staff feed sharks, reef fish and seahorses.

Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave., waikikiaquarium.org, @waikikiaquarium

Photo: Courtesy of Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i

Petting Zoo Day at Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawai‘i

Sunday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Head to the water park for slides, Lil Kahuna Beach, the wave pool and its first petting zoo day. Live farm animals will be on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get up close and take photos with alpacas, mini donkeys, mini horses, ducks, chickens, bunnies, tortoises, goats and sheep. Nalo Keiki Paniolo will also offer pony rides to guests for $10 per ride. Plus, you can enjoy a Dive‘n’Movie matinee of Sing 2 (PG) at the Hawaiian Waters wave pool at 12 p.m.

Free, 400 Farrington Highway, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii

SEE ALSO: 6 Places Where You Can Meet Baby Animals on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of The Friends of ‘Iolani Palace

Kama‘āina Sunday at ‘Iolani Palace

Sunday, June 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kama‘āina Sundays are back! Sponsored by American Savings Bank, this month, residents can attend free tours, live performances and presentations to learn more about the cultural, ecological and spiritual significance of the ocean surrounding the Islands. There will also be family-friendly activities, including a reading of Uncle’s Magic Thrownet, an exciting fish craft, a presentation by Surfrider Spirit Sessions and more. 

Free, ‘Iolani Palace, 364 South King St., iolanipalace.org, @iolanipalacehi

Celebrate Ocean Day With Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea 

Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spend the day on Waimea Valley’s Main Lawn, exploring and learning from educational booths, enjoying keiki activities, hālau hūla, and a keiki art contest.

Free, Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa, waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalleyoahu

Outrigger Hospitality Group

7th Annual Outrigger Zone Day

Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Families are encouraged to come and help break the record for most genki balls made (genki balls help to clean the Ala Wai Canal and connecting ocean)! While there, you can enjoy Hawaiian Music Live, free treats from the Kona Ice shave ice truck, while a collection of like-minded organizations share educational activities on the lawn to incite action to conserve Hawai‘i’s precious resources.

Free, Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave., waikikiaquarium.org, @waikikiaquarium

SEE ALSO: The Ala Wai Is Showing Signs of Life Thanks to Nonprofit Efforts

Photo: Laura Dornbush

Kamehameha Day at Waimea Valley

Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In celebration of Kamehameha Day, all kama‘āina will receive free admission to Waimea Valley with proof of residency. Explore the valley, interact with cultural artisans, enjoy refreshments and snacks by Ke Nui Kitchen and swim in the falls.

Free, Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., waimeavalley.net, @waimeavalleyoahu

Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center

Royal Hawaiian Center King Kamehameha Day Events

Monday, June 5 to Saturday, June 11, various times

Celebrate the Hawaiian holiday dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of the first monarch who established the unified Kingdom of Hawai‘i with a range of special complimentary events hosted all throughout the week. Think creating a 30-foot lei, keiki hula lessons, hula performances and more.

Free, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr

SEE ALSO: 5 Ways to Celebrate King Kamehameha Day This Year

Farmlovers Family Fun Fest

Friday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m.

Head to Fisherman’s Wharf at Hakuone for food trucks and stalls, as well as water balloon activities, jump rose, painting, hula hooping and more. Plus, the night ends with a firework display!

Free, 1099 Ala Moana Blvd., farmloversmarkets.com, @alohafarmlovers

Photo: Courtesy of Aloun Farms

‘Ewa Sweet Festival

Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shop local food and crafts, enjoy free hayrides, check out a petting zoo and ride a pony at the ‘Ewa Sweet Festival. New this year are the live cooking demonstrations with Fig & Ginger’s chef Yim Kwok and Waipahu High School culinary students. There will also be growing workshops at the keiki garden where families can receive seedlings of herbs, peppers and onions, plus free tips on how to care for them at home.

$5, Aloun Farms, 91-1440 Farrington Hwy., alounfarms.com, @alounfarmshawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Colleen Ricci

Honolulu Zoo Societyʻs Wildest Show Summer Concert Series

Most Wednesdays, beginning June 14 through July 26, 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Check out the Honolulu Zoo after-hours for a concert series featuring live local entertainment including award-winning artists and popular and up-and-coming Hawaiʻi performers. Guests can also enjoy fun pre-concert family activities such as conservation stations, animal-themed drawing contests for keiki, and animal trivia. Proceeds from this year’s concert series will support the refurbishment of the Zoo’s family playground.

$10 for Honolulu Zoo Society members, $15 for non-members, and $5 for children ages 3-12; keiki 2 and under are free, Honolulu Zoo, 151 Kapahulu Ave., honoluluzoo.org, @honoluluzoo

Photo: Courtesy of Wendy Awai-Dakroub

2nd Annual Children’s Business Fair

Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Keiki can learn everything they need to know about launching their own startup business at this specialty fair. Give your child a step up with financial literacy, marketing strategies and business plans, which they can practice by launching their first business.

Puaena Café and Rooftop, 938 Piikoi St.,, childrensbusinessfair.org, @childrensbusinessfairhawaii

Free Father’s Day Photos With Theo the Bus

Sunday, June 19, 1 to 7 p.m.

BYO camera or smart phone and snap a picture in front of Theo the Bus. The bus, a 1965 VW Split Window Bus is a rad backdrop for photos with dad. Adults, keiki and even pets are invited.

Free, 4450 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, kapoleicommons.com, @kapoleicommons

Mele on the Marina

Saturday, June 24, 3 to 7:30 p.m.

Catch a spectacular lineup of live entertainment at Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center’s annual event (the first in a series of musical concerts to be held at the center’s Marina Docks this summer). Kulāiwi—a 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner—will be the headliner. Guests will also enjoy ukulele prodigy and TikTok fan favorite Kapono Wong and hula performances and can also enter to spin the center’s prize wheel.

Free, Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center, hawaiikaitownecenter.com, @hawaiikaitownecenter

Photo: Courtesy of Aric Tanimoto

Bon Dance Across O‘ahu

Beginning June, various dates, times and locations

Whether you’re a regular, new to bon dancing or perhaps just going for the ‘ono food and people-watching, check out the lineup of bon dances and Obon festivals happening across O‘ahu this summer here: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2023.

SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Bon Dances for Beginners

Family Sunday at HoMA

Sunday, June 18, 2 p.m.

Enjoy a free screening of Pixar Animation Studios’ Soul during Honolulu Museum of Art’s Family Sunday presented by Bank of Hawai‘i Foundation.

Free, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 South Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

SEE ALSO: Explore These Free Museums on O‘ahu

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Open Farm at Keiki & Plow

Every Tuesday and Friday, June 20 through August 4, 9 to 11 a.m.

Enjoy open farm play on the farm that includes a digging pit, mud kitchen, giant slide, pirate ship and more. Families can visit with chickens, ducks, bunnies, goats, and sheep. Plus, there’s also optional U-Pick Baskets of organically grown produce for sale. You can walk around and harvest whatever looks yummy! Eggs are for sale based on availability.

Reservations are required. $12, free for keiki under two, 587 Pakala St., Honolulu, keiki-and-plow.square.site, @keikiandplow

SEE ALSO: Outdoorsy Birthday Party Venues

Photo: Courtesy of Three Little Ducks Hawai‘i

‘Ohana Yoga With Three Little Ducks Hawai‘i

Sunday, June 25, 10 to 11 a.m.

Keiki can move and groove and connect with their ‘ohana at this inclusive yoga class led by Dr. Suma Metla, a pediatric physical therapist, registered yoga teacher and the owner of Three Little Ducks Hawai‘i. This ‘Ohana Yoga class is a 45-minute physical yoga practice followed by a 5-minute meditation—open to kids ages 3 to 10. Don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat or towel. Space is limited.

Free, The Barn at Salt at Our Kaka‘ako, 691 Auahi St., saltatkakaako.com.com, @saltourkakaako

SEE ALSO: Awesome ‘Ohana and Keiki Yoga Classes on O‘ahu

Photo: Lavonne Leong

Keiki Sunday: Wonderful World of Reefs

Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Head to Sea Life Park for a day of education and family fun. Drawing inspiration from the park’s ongoing work to promote ocean conservation and World Reef Awareness Day kicking off the month of June, the event will feature informative booths, educational activities, and marine-themed displays, along with mermaid sightings, face painting, magic acts and local food vendors. Festivities run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., though the park is open until 4 p.m. 

Two keiki get in free with every paid adult admission, Sea Life Park Hawai‘i, 41-202 Kalanianaʻole Hwy., sealifeparkhawaii.com, @sealifepark

Photo: Getty Images

Youth Pride Fest

Friday, June 30, 5 to 8 p.m.

Get together to show your support for the LGBTQIA+ Youth community in Hawai‘i during Pride Month. In case you aren’t familiar, Spill The Tea Cafe’s mission is to change the narrative for young people, reduce suicide rates within the LGBTQIA+ population, and demonstrate that can thrive and lead successful lives. All donations allow at-risk youth in Hawai’i access high quality mental health services, regardless of their insurance type or ability to pay.

Free for youth under 18, $50 general admission, $100 VIP admission. Central Pacific Plaza, 220 S. King St., spilltheteacafe.org, @spill_theteacafe