Rain in Honolulu is mostly fast and mostly in the mountains — but when it hits the beach side, your outdoor plans fall apart. Good news: Oahu has a solid lineup of indoor options that go well beyond "let's go to the mall." Here's what actually works.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
Children's Discovery Center
Honolulu's hands-on children's museum with interactive exhibits on science, culture, and Hawaii's natural world. Kids 2–10 love the role-play stations, building areas, and Hawaii-specific content. Budget $45–65 for a family of 4 (~$12–16 per person). Two things to know: it's closed Mondays, and it closes at 1pm on weekdays. Don't get caught by the hours. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours.
Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center
Volcano simulations, tsunami exhibits, NASA Space Science, Hawaiian geology — all indoors. Budget $60–90 for a family of 4 (adults ~$20, children ~$12–15). Buy the Bishop Museum combo ticket for better value. This is the best option for kids who are genuinely curious about earth science or space. Plan 1.5–3 hours.
Entertainment Venues
Great Big Game Show Honolulu
A 5.0 from nearly 2,000 reviews. Families compete in live game-show challenges together at Ala Moana Center. Budget $80–140. Book in advance at greatbiggameshow.com — sessions are time-slotted. Open until nearly midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which makes it a legitimate evening option when outdoor plans get rained out. Plan 1–2 hours.
The Escape Game Honolulu
Also a 5.0, also at Ala Moana. Kids race against the clock in themed immersive rooms. Budget $120–160 for a family of 4 ($28–40 per person). Book online in advance — rainy days create last-minute rushes for this kind of venue. Plan 1–1.5 hours.
Break'N Anger
A supervised rage room in Kaka'ako — 4.9 from 565 reviews. Older kids, tweens, and teens put on protective gear and smash things in a controlled environment. Budget $100–160 per family session. Check breaknanger.com for minimum age and weight requirements. Saturday afternoons have the most available slots. Plan 1–1.5 hours.
KIDS CITY ADVENTURE
Ala Moana's flagship indoor playground. A 4.7 from 453 reviews — the benchmark for Oahu indoor play. Budget $50–80. Stroller-friendly, nursing facilities available. When the beach isn't happening, this is where Oahu families go. Plan 1.5–2.5 hours.
KIDS CITY KAPOLEI
The west side option. Kids build their own mini city — doctor, firefighter, chef, pilot. Budget $50–70 (children ~$15–18, adults often free or discounted). Bring a packed lunch to skip the café. Plan 2–3 hours.
Hi Keiki indoor playground
Kailua's locally-owned indoor playground for crawlers through 5-year-olds. Budget $20–30 entry. Quiet and intimate compared to chain options — better for younger toddlers who get overwhelmed by large play facilities. Plan 1.5–2 hours.
iTrampoline Hawaii
Oahu's trampoline park in Waipahu. Budget $60–100 for a family of 4 (~$15–25 per person per session). Important: weekday daytime hours are very limited (10:30am–2pm). Book online to secure your session. Plan 1.5–2 hours.
Keiki Kingdom
Locally-owned indoor playground. "Keiki" means child in Hawaiian, and this place earns a 4.3-star following from Oahu families. Budget $45–70. Weekday mornings are the best time to visit. Plan 1.5–2 hours.
Fun Factory Arcades
Four Oahu locations — Kamehameha Shopping Center, Town Center of Mililani, Windward Mall, and Kahala Mall. Set a per-child credit budget before you walk in. Fun Cards carry balances across all locations. Budget $40–70 per visit. Plan 1–2 hours.
Jungle Fun Island
Jungle-themed indoor play structure inside Ala Moana Center. Budget $50–75. Air-conditioned, which matters on humid Honolulu days. Good for younger kids. Plan 1.5–2 hours.
Restaurants Worth Lingering At
Chuck E. Cheese
Pizza plus games plus the ticket-to-prize loop. Budget $60–90 total ($30–40 pizza + $30–50 game tokens for 2 kids). Check chuckecheese.com for coupons before you go — they frequently run kids-eat-free deals. Avoid weekend evenings. Weekday lunch combos are the best value. Plan 2–3 hours.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (0–4): - Hi Keiki indoor playground — $20–30, age-appropriate soft equipment - KIDS CITY ADVENTURE — $50–80, stroller-friendly, nursing rooms - KIDS CITY KAPOLEI — $50–70, role-play city format works well for 3–4 year olds - Chuck E. Cheese — $60–90, pizza and rides for the youngest kids
Big Kids (5–12): - Great Big Game Show Honolulu — $80–140, game-show challenges - The Escape Game Honolulu — $120–160, puzzle-solving, ages 8+ - Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center — $60–90, hands-on science - Children's Discovery Center — $45–65, ages 2–10 - Fun Factory arcades — $40–70 in credits
Teens: - Break'N Anger — $100–160, rage room, age requirements apply - The Escape Game Honolulu — $120–160, genuinely challenging rooms - iTrampoline Hawaii — $60–100, full-facility jump park
Bottom Line
Ala Moana Center is your rainy-day headquarters. Great Big Game Show, The Escape Game, Kids City Adventure, and Jungle Fun Island are all in the same building — you can chain them without moving the car. If you have tweens who need something with more edge, add Break'N Anger in Kaka'ako. That's a full day covered regardless of what the sky is doing.