Your Weekend: The Best Family Events—July 9, 2020

Feed monarch butterflies, bump around in a bubble and play a new stomp game.

July 9, 2020

Laura Dornbush,

We Tried It: 2018 Butterfly Conservatory at Pearlridge Center

Photo: Lavonne Leong

Play at Pearlridge

Whether you have a bouncing baby, pint-sized princess or rowdy pre-teen there are several activities for them at Pearlridge Center. Feed and snap selfies with live monarch butterflies at the Sharing the Butterfly Experience in Mauka Center Court (which has been extended past its original closing date). You’ll also learn about the life cycle of these beauties from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. To burn some energy, head over to Wai Makai for a Bump Zone by Knockerball Hawai‘i. For $7 you can don a bubble and roll, flip and bump to your heart’s content for 5 minutes. And to entertain your tiniest tykes, Gymboree Play & Music starts-up playtime classes again on July 13. Call (808) 486-7529 to sign-up.

Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea
Center Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activity dates and hours vary.
(808) 488-0981
pearlridgeonline.com

Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center Reopening

We are jumping for joy that this beloved keiki destination is welcoming families once again with a phased reopening. Make your own melody in the new music room featuring a giant xylophone and race your friends on the new light-up stomp game. You will need to reserve a 2-hour time slot online in advance. Watch this video so you know what to expect during your visit including thermal screening, mask requirements and café changes.

All ages
Free for members; $10 kama‘āina admission; free for infants under 1
July 11-12 for members only; opening to the public July 15
Reserve your time slot here
111 ‘Ohe St.
(808) 524-5437
discoverycenterhawaii.org

Cool-Off at the Kroc Center Hawai‘i

The fabulously-fun adventure cove, lazy river and leisure pool at this ‘Ewa Beach complex are now open to members by reservation. Splash in the interactive water play area, float around the river and then get a bite to eat at the Kroc Café. Heads-up that the water slides, diving board and rock wall are currently closed. Come dressed in your swimsuits because the family locker rooms and showers are still off-limits.

All ages
Members only. Guest and day passes are not yet available.
Reserve your 90-minute time slot here.
91-3257 Kualaka‘i Parkway, ‘Ewa Beach
(808) 682-5505
kroccenterhawaii.org

Ice Cream Eating Contest and Dive’n’Movie

Wet’n’Wild serves up two more ways to beat the heat this weekend. Keiki can cheer on mom or dad in the 2^nd Annual Ice Cream Eating Contest (18 years and older) where contestants will down as much vanilla ice cream as possible within 7 minutes for the ultimate brain freeze and a chance to win one of three prize packages. Then take family movie night outside to float in the wave pool or lounge on the lawn and watch Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4 (PG) on the big screen. Read the Safe Splash Guide for the park’s new rules for social distancing and safety.

All ages
Contest entry and movie are free with paid admission. $14.99 for a one-day adult or junior admission ticket after 3:00 p.m. with coupon.
Saturday, July 11. Ice Cream Eating Contest starts at 5:30 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Park hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wet’n’Wild. 400 Farrington Highway., Kapolei
(808) 674-9283
wetnwildhawaii.com

Christmas in July

As if 2020 isn’t crazy enough already, find some cheer this weekend by recreating the most wonderful time of the year. Pull out your Christmas lights and decorations to deck the halls, cook favorite family recipes and get cozy on the couch. On Friday, Hallmark Channel kicks-off its 17-day “Christmas in July” film marathon of fan-favorite, heart-warming flicks. For festive movie snacks, get your kids in the kitchen to bake iconic holiday cookies. Tip: the Cornflake Christmas Wreaths recipe is an easy no-bake recipe for the youngest chefs, and you won’t even have to turn on the oven. But if you are itching to get out of the house, Kualoa Ranch is gifting kama‘āina 35% off all tours through July 31 with promo code “HOHOHO” during its Christmas in July sale.

Find more fun keiki-friendly recipes and crafts in our Holiday Corner.