Your Weekend: The Best Family Fun in Hawai‘i for April 7–13, 2022

See a play about Japanese folk stories, take an art class, celebrate National Submarine Day aboard a real submarine and more.

April 7, 2022

Catherine Toth Fox,

See The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories

The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories returns to Tenney Theatre this weekend. Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Theatre for Youth

The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories returns to Tenney Theatre for four shows only in April. These re-tellings of traditional fables from Japan and Okinawa teach important lessons of persistence, respect and kindness. Japanese and Okinawan music, language and culture are the heart of this performance featuring clever animals and a whole lot of fun for our youngest audience members and their families.

Suggested for kids 3 years and older
$20 for adults, $15 for seniors and military, $10 for kids.
2 p.m. April 10, 11 a.m. April 16, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 23
Tenney Theatre, 229 Queen Emma Square, Downtown
(808) 839-9885
htyweb.org, @honolulutheatreforyouth

Celebrate National Submarine Day on an Actual Submarine

The USS Bowfin SS-287 at Pearl Harbor in Oahu. Photo: Getty Images

In celebration of National Submarine Day—yes, it’s a thing!—the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is hosting a free kamaʻāina Sunday on April 1o for Hawaiʻi residents and active military and veterans. There will be live entertainment, face painting, STEM demonstrations and access to the recently renovated submarine museum and the historic USS Bowfin submarine moored at Pearl Harbor. The 12,000-square-foot museum, which underwent a $20 million renovation in 2021, details the history of the U.S. Navy’s submarine force. It includes outdoor family-friendly exhibits, too. Entry is limited and pre-registration is required. All registered guests will get a voucher for a free hot dog!

All ages
Free for kama‘āina, military and veterans
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, 11 Arizona Memorial Dr., Honolulu
(808) 423-1341
bowfin.org

Register for Art Classes at the Downtown Art Center

Calling all creative young artists! The Downtown Art Center is offering art classes geared toward kids. The Saturday sessions—there are four—start on April 9 and run from 10 a.m to noon at its Downtown studio. There are two sessions—one for keiki in grades K to 2 and another for kids in grades 3 to 5. The younger kids will create 2D and 3D artworks and work in various media, including drawing, painting and printmaking. The older kids will focus on drawing and painting and learn about famous artists.

Grades K to 2 and 3 to 5
Cost is $130 and includes supplies
10 a.m. to noon April 9, 16, 23 and 30
Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., 2nd floor, Honolulu
(808) 773-7339
downtownarthi.org

Sign Up for ʻOhana Volunteer Days at Waimea Valley

Photo: Karen DB Photography

Kids 12 and older can do a variety of outdoor tasks—all conservation work to care for and protect the rare or endangered species of plants and animals in the valley. Expect the work to be hands-on and dirty—but all for a good cause.

Free
Ages 12 and older
RSVP now for the workday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 7 and Sunday, April 10
Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleʻiwa
Call (808) 638-5855 or email volunteers@waimeavalley.net
waimeavalley.net/volunteer

Build a Terrarium

Build your own live forest at this weekend workshop at Plantoem in Kaimukī. Photo: Courtesy of Plantoem

Build your own live forest at this workshop for elementary and middle school students in Kaimukī. Kids will spend about 90 minutes with an instructor to create their own scenes in glass jars using moss and mini plants. (If the event is sold out, register for next month’s one now.)

6 to 12 years old
$55
Sunday, April 10, then the second Sunday of every month, 1 p.m.
3457 Wai‘alae Ave., #203, Kaimukī
eventbrite.com, @plantoem

Make a Steampunk Robot Charm

The experts at HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts will teach your tween or teen how to make a cool steampunk robot charm using super UV resin. Your kit will include the molds, a container of watch gears, the findings and a 25-gram bottle of UV/LED resin. (For kids 8 and older, the craft store is offering a watercolor postcard class from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. Cost is $50. Register here.)

12 years old and older
$30
9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 10
HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts, 2810 Paʻa St., Māpunapuna
eventbrite.com

Order Special Easter Chocolates from Choco Leʻa

Choco Le‘a Easter Chocolates. Photo: Stacey Makiya

Now through Easter order Choco Leʻa’s fun seasonal goodies—marshmallow Peeps ($3.49 each) and Diamond Bakery animal crackers ($5.99 a bag) coated with the chocolatier’s decadent dark chocolate. Or get the peanut butter bunnies ($3.99 each)—even better than Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and way cuter. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday only. Order online and pick up at the store. 2909 Lowrey Ave., (808) 371-2234, chocolea.com, @chocoleahawaii

Start Your Easter Baking

Photo: Christine Labrador

Easter may be on April 17, but you might want to get a hop on your baking this weekend. We have a list of spring-y recipes—like these layered Rice Krispie treats—in our Easter Corner section of our website. Even if you don’t feel like baking this weekend, you might want to gather the ingredients before stores run out!

SEE ALSO: 🐣 2022 Family Easter Events in Hawaiˊi