I find that staying home makes me a more stressed parent. I am more inclined to be on my phone, the house gets messy, and I start to feel stir crazy. If I don’t leave the house at least once a day (preferably more), I really start to lose my marbles. What’s weird though, is that even though I know this about myself, sometimes I don’t want to do anything. Here are a few places that I use to tempt myself out of the house, to make every day a good day.
TRAILS
Judd Trail + Ginger Pond
I love this trail because it is relatively easy, and it is something my dog can do. I don’t have to carry my daughter because it’s not steep or strenuous at all so that makes it five stars in my book. This is the trail my family has done the most since moving to Oahu. Prepare to get muddy.
Moanalua Valley Trail
This trail has a park right at the entrance which is so nice for kiddoes to burn a little energy before getting in the carrier or getting to spend some time there after the hike and just watching your toddler run around while you finally sit down is so nice. This hike leads into another more strenuous one but since it’s an out and back, you don’t have to take that turn. Up until that point it’s a very manageable trail. It can get muddy though.
Hanauma Bay Trail
We went up this trail at sunrise. It was so beautiful watching the color of the sky change over the bay. This one is a bit steep in some parts, but it is paved so a stroller is a good idea.
Marsh Trail
Also stroller friendly, this is a paved, flat, out and back over in Kailua. It is very beautiful, very casual, and it made me feel like I was somewhere other than Hawaii.
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
This is an honorable mention because everyone that visits us wants to do this trail and I know it is so popular and loved. I personally only like the tide pools you can climb to, but I haven’t and won’t do that with my toddler. This path is paved, steep, unshaded. Similar to Hanauma bay, I suppose. I will say, hiking this on the first sunrise of the year is an absolutely incredible experience with all the other people walking with you, waiting for the sun to come up. It was really moving just to experience the first sunrise of the year with all these people that had the same idea.
Kapiolani Park
I have walked this path so so many times by now and the view still does not get old. The park has beautiful banyan trees and rainbow shower trees, and it is right across the street from the ocean so after you take a lap, go ahead and walk on over to the ocean and take a dip. The field is well maintained for kiddos to run around and kick a ball around or play. This has become one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon.
BEACHES
Tracks Beach
This is my forever favorite beach. I love the snorkeling, I love how hot the sun is on this side of the island, I love the shells I find here, I just love it. Check the surf report before coming here if you are planning to swim because the water can get very rough.
Alan Davis Beach
This is a beach right near the light house trail and it is absolutely perfect for toddlers. The waves are miniscule, there are tide pools, and if you are feeling brave there is a rock people jump off of.
Magic Island Beach park
Can’t not mention this beach. There is a nice path here for walking as well and the water has a retainer wall, so the waves don’t get big here either.
Kuliouou Beach park
The water here is so shallow for so long, this park is perfect for dogs and toddlers alike. Just be prepared to see off-leash dogs here.
ESTABLISHMENTS
Zoo
I think I like the Honolulu Zoo more than my toddler does but it’s a perfect place to get some steps in, has some cool play-grounds, a petting zoo, and a nice gift shop. There’s also a military discount and year-long membership options. I am a big fan.
Children’s Discovery Center
My daughter loved this place! It has a couple sections just for toddlers and crawlers. The whole place is very cool and it was fun for me too as the adult.
Sweet Land Farm
Free goat farm, you just pay to buy feed if you want to feed them. This is a bit of a drive for us, but we did love it and I want to go back. It was such a special day hanging with the goats and eating goatmilk ice cream that I highly recommend it! And there’s a gift shop, which is often my favorite part.
Humane Society
I’m not sure if this is a weird recommendation and it does make me a little sad when I go but we love to see the animals and give them pets. Every time we leave, I want to leave with one of the animals in there but I am staying strong with one dog and one cat (for now)(because my husband says so).
Hawaii Cat Café
Even though we have pets sometimes it’s fun to pay to see other animals. I don’t know. But I enjoy it. I love when there are kittens, and the drinks are good! I haven’t been to MOFF yet, but I want to go there too (just a different cat café). I’m raising a little Disney Princess so we do have a lot of animal exposure:)!
That is all I can think of right now, but I will update this periodically, and I am sure I will refer to this on days where I don’t know what to do. Thanks for reading along!
