Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On InstagramVisit Us On LinkedinCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Youtube
  • Homeschool
    • Book Lists
    • How Do We Do That?
    • Notebooking
    • Subjects and Styles
    • Unit Studies
  • Travel
    • Europe
      • Benelux
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • London
      • Porto
      • Prague
    • USA
      • Chicago
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Ohio
      • Utah
      • Yellowstone and Teton
  • Family
    • Celebrations
    • Frugal
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • PCS
  • Health
    • Recipes
    • Essential Oils
    • Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Natural Living
    • Natural Beauty
  • Faith
  • About Me
    • Favorite Resources
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Policies
  • Reviews

© 2023Jennifer Lambert · Copyright · Disclosure · Privacy · Ad

Burr Oak Review

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

September 5, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 3 Comments

We have been wanting to get out and explore some natural wonders of Ohio and I’m so glad we chose Burr Oak!

We haven’t gone on a real trip in so long.

There have been significant obstacles to our traveling these last few years: various unexpected expenses, sprained ankles and a broken leg!, COVID restrictions, my husband’s retirement and new job, extracurricular classes, my son’s elite baseball schedule, and my teen’s part-time job.

While waiting for a time of calm, I realized I just had to jump at a weekend that looked somewhat open and have my people ask off work for a few days.

We rented a cabin at Burr Oak National Park.

My husband actually called them to book the reservation after I had trouble with their online site. They have lots of deals for veterans and teachers and we got a free night for staying three nights. There are fun packages too.

We drove through Hocking Hills and hit three major sites on the way to our cabin.

The cabins are newly remodeled and worked fine for us.

One bedroom with a queen bed and another bedroom with two bunk sets. The one bathroom was small but it worked out. We never have enough towels and there was nowhere to really hang them.

There’s a lovely screened in back porch with a little cast iron bistro table and two chairs and I ate my breakfast our there every morning.

We brought some basics to make meals just like we eat at home. I brought my rice cooker, water cooker and teapot for tea, and my favorite frying pan and knives. My husband brought his pour-over for his coffee. We brought olive oil, an onion, minced garlic, butter, and salt, pepper, and Italian spice grinders. I now know to bring lemon juice next time. We missed it.

I packed coolers with marinated meats for the grill and zucchini from our garden. We had burgers and dogs with chips, Asian steak and rice, and chicken breasts with boiled potatoes.

We brought room temp farm eggs from our egg lady, bacon and sausage, and pancake mix for breakfasts.

The kitchen was ok. I don’t mind hand washing dishes. The stove and oven worked great. There weren’t any spatulas and we don’t like plastic cups. There was no bakeware so I had to buy some aluminum pans.

We went to the little Kroger in the nearby town of Glouster and bought sponges and cups and spatulas. We got fixings for sandwiches and salad and donuts.

We rented a pontoon and kayaks. Neither my kids nor my husband had ever been boating and they all loved it! They are first come, first served, so it’s best to get to the rental dock early. We got the last pontoon and kayaks our second day – whew!

The lake is lovely and easy to navigate for beginners. The lodge had a beautiful view from the deck and from the water.

We saw so many herons – blue and green! We saw ducks and turtles. The American lilies were in bloom. We even saw an osprey dive down for a fish!

Tori and I kayaked all over the lake, and then we met up with my husband and other two kids in the pontoon for lunch.

We were so tickled by this picnic table right in the lake by a tiny little sandy beach. It was a perfect spot to rest for a bit.

Akantha and Alex wanted to try the kayaks and they realized very quickly how much work it is!

We were all so excited to see the American water lilies in bloom. They smell heavenly and are a lovely source of food for their lotus pods with seeds, and their roots.

The lily pads are HUGE. Like humongous, some almost a yard across. They float but are attached to their tuber root down in the mud.

The white lilies have long stalks above the water.

The pink lilies have shorter stalks and there is another much smaller lily in among the big ones that might be a different species.

Tori caught the only fish from the pontoon, when we anchored near the lilies. She was proud of this catfish and I taught them how to remove it without getting stung – by wrapping him in a towel. He was a feisty bugger.

I used to fish from boats and shore at Lake Allatoona every summer with my Aunt Betty and she taught me everything she knew.

Our last evening, we fished off the little dock by the lodge and Alex caught fish after fish – all little ones but he was so happy!

While we ate our dinners in our cabin, I took the kids to the lodge restaurant for cake after dinner and we got to enjoy the view and sunset. There’s a full bar and the bartender is just lovely. The wait staff gets a little overwhelmed. The menu has pizza and barbecue and apparently a lovely breakfast bar on weekends.

We enjoyed our short time at Burr Oak and it was a lovely respite after COVID restrictions and isolation and a last hurrah before the hustle and bustle of autumn.

Linking up: Eclectic Red Barn, OMHG, Slices of Life Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, LouLou Girls, Jenerally Informed, Shelbee on the Edge, God’s Growing Garden, Simply Coffee, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, CWJ, Being a Wordsmith, Modern Monticello Homestead, Fluster Buster, Ducks in a Row, Pinch of Joy, Create with Joy, Mostly Blogging, Suburbia, Silverado, Grammy’s Grid, Ridge Haven, Pieced Pastimes, Pam’s Party, Random Musings,

Share
Tweet
Pin6
Share
6 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Ohio, Travel, USA Tagged With: camping, familytravel, ohio, review, statepark, travel

Hocking Hills

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

September 5, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 3 Comments

I have wanted to see Hocking Hills since before we even moved to Ohio. So, about six or more years now.

It’s just far enough away that we didn’t think we could swing it in a day trip. Three hours there, hiking all day, then three hours home? Whew!

I have looked to no avail for a cabin to rent that didn’t break the bank and could house all of us. I prefer to have a kitchen and separate bedrooms instead of renting two hotel rooms and it’s usually cheaper. I’ve seen so many cabins for 4, but so few for 5 or more. And all the cabins book up really fast and I couldn’t figure out how to plan that far ahead with our busy schedules.

There have been significant obstacles to our traveling these last few years: various unexpected expenses, sprained ankles and a broken leg!, COVID restrictions, my husband’s retirement and new job, extracurricular classes, my son’s elite baseball schedule, and my teen’s part-time job.

I will say that traveling with teens and older kids is so much fun and I love that they’re independent and don’t need me as constantly as when they were younger.

Luckily, I found a cabin for a long weekend at Burr Oak, and we planned to drive out early and hit some major Hocking Hills sites before checking in.

I recommend downloading or screenshotting maps since cell service is spotty in the area.

We parked at three trail heads to easily access the sites.

Ash Cave

The parking lot was very tight and full of deep pot holes full of water.

There were only permanent portapotties.

There is a very nice pavilion with grills.

The path to the cave is paved and signs say one-way, but if you have a stroller or accessibility issues, you have to return this way.

It was really exciting when we caught our first view of the magnitude of this rocky cave from the path.

We climbed up the stairs and returned on the treacherous high path through the woods.

Cedar Falls

The paved parking lot is nice at Cedar Falls trailhead.

There are real bathrooms that seem pretty well-kept.

The wide walkway was really beautiful and full of ferns and mushrooms. There was one big muddy stretch and we had to climb up and over to the side by some rocks and tree roots or risk getting completely muddy and stuck.

The views were really beautiful and we took a long time here looking at all the plants and bugs.

Old Man’s Cave

This site is right off the huge paved parking area for the Hocking Hills visitor center.

The shop wasn’t great. There are fun activities inside for little kids. There are great bathrooms. There are park rangers with maps and info at a desk. It’s a pretty center.

The trailheads weren’t well-marked and we wanted the quickest option since we were tired and this was our last stop.

To be honest, this was disappointing after seeing Ash Cave and Cedar Falls.

We could almost view it from the parking lot. We walked the short way in to get some pictures and went right back to our car. I mean, it’s pretty, but we were glad it was our last stop and we loved the other sites so much more.

Hocking Hills is a beautiful region and I would love to see the leaves in autumn. We hope to return to see some other sites now that we are more familiar with the area.

We stayed at a Burr Oak cabin and that was cost effective and easy for us this time around.

Linking up: Eclectic Red Barn, God’s Growing Garden, Shelbee on the Edge, OMHG, LouLou Girls, Jenerally Informed, Pinch of Joy, Create with Joy, Mostly Blogging, Suburbia, Silverado, Grammy’s Grid, Ridge Haven, Simply Coffee, Pieced Pastimes, Pam’s Party, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, CWJ, Being a Wordsmith, Modern Monticello, Slices of Life Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Homestead, Fluster Buster, Ducks in a Row, Random Musings,

Share
Tweet
Pin7
Share
7 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Ohio, Travel, USA Tagged With: familytravel, hiking, ohio, travel

Easy Lunch Storage

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

January 18, 2022 By Jennifer Lambert 11 Comments

My husband recently retired from the Air Force after twenty years. He’s the lab manager at a local hospital now.

Suddenly, he wants to carry lunches to work and he needs all sorts of lunch containers.

My daughter also started a part time job and carries lunches to work.

It helps to have access to a break room with all the typical break room amenities.

Taking meals to work saves time and money while being healthier, since we know the ingredients rather than getting greasy fast food.

For lunch, we often have dinner leftovers or purchase organic healthy quick meals.

We like to use fun colorful containers to keep foods separate for field trips and road trips too.

I love containers with little compartments to keep everything fresh and separate. Bonus if they stack in our cooler or lunch bag to make it easy to carry.

Easy Lunch Storage

Bentgo® Glass Stackable Salad

These are great to keep salad items fresh! I love that it’s glass and doesn’t hold onto stains, scents, or flavors. It also comes in plastic if you prefer. Bentgo has lots of fun travel options for the whole family!

OXO Good Grips Lunch and Salad Set

Sistema To Go

My kids upgraded to these bento boxes last summer for art camp. They love the compartments for all their little snacks and different things to eat. There are lots of configurations.

Bentgo® Kids Children’s Lunch Box

Yumbox 

Super cute bento for younger kids.

Sandwich boxes

We like our sandwiches to stay fresh and fluffy instead of crushed in a baggie at the bottom of the lunch sack.

EasyLunchboxes®

We have used these for years and years – for co-op, picnics, field trips, day trips. They’re so easy and convenient and color coded! They’ve held up so well for us.

Thermos

Great for drinks or soups and stews.

Snapware

We use this for all our leftovers. I love how stackable they are in my fridge. We can take them from the refrigerator to the oven or microwave to the dishwasher. They’re portable and easy!

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Cute Ice Packs

ECOLunchboxes

See my review here.

Give green gifts with ECOlunchbox

Wildkin lunch boxes

Great insulated lunch bags with lots of room and fun prints for all ages.

MAZFORCE Original Lunch Box

Extra tough and modern lunch bag for all ages.

Bamboo Travel Utensils

Easy and safe eating utensils for all ages. Reusable!

Portable Flatware Set with Case

A great set with options for older kids and adults. I love the little case. Dishwasher safe!

What’s your favorite lunch to pack from home?

You might also like:

  • Tea Sandwiches
  • Creative Leftovers
  • Easy Quesadillas
  • Kitchen Tools for Kids
  • My Kitchen Essentials
  • What We Eat Every Week

Linking up: Eclectic Red Barn, Pinch of Joy, House on Silverado, Stroll Thru Life, OMHG, Jenerally Informed, Shelbee on the Edge, Grammy’s Grid, Across the Blvd, Random Musings, Anita Ojeda, April Harris, Penny’s Passion, Try it Like it, Artful Mom, Bijou Life, Slices of Life, Imparting Grace, Mostly Blogging, Create with Joy, LouLou Girls, Thistle Key Lane, Ridge Haven, Ducks in a Row, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap, Cottage Market, Simply Beautiful, Modern Monticello, Hubbard Home, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, CWJ, Being a Wordsmith, Suburbia,

Share
Tweet
Pin41
Share
41 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Frugal Tagged With: frugal, homemaking, travel

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

January 5, 2020 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

The Mission of SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is to protect, preserve and research the cultural remains of the SunWatch National Historic Landmark archaeological site and to serve as a visitor and educational center for archaeology, Native American culture, and heritage stewardship as they relate to the site.

Our Boonshoft membership is reciprocal with Sunwatch and Fort Ancient.

SunWatch has an historical video about how the site was found and the work they’re doing here.

There’s a nice little museum and shop, and then, of course, the recreated village.

Village model:

There are artifacts, bones, and reenacted displays:

The village is still an archaeological site:

Visit SunWatch:

Adults $7.00
Seniors (60+) $6.00
Students (6-17) $6.00

April–November
Tuesday-Saturday
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon-5:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays

December–March
Closed except for special events or by appointment. Call 937.268.8199 to book your group visit or field trip!

Closed: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Easter

Share
Tweet
Pin1
Share
1 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Ohio Tagged With: indigenous, nativeamerican, ohio, travel

Chicago with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

October 14, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 25 Comments

We spent a long weekend in Chicago last April.

The kids have never been to Chicago. Aaron grew up about an hour south of there and Liz and I have been twice with him.

We found an apartment (with a hot tub!) near Guaranteed Rate Field. We were close to the train station, just a few blocks of a walk. There was a huge Mariano’s store, a Kroger affiliate just down the street.

We ate breakfast, then set off to explore each day. We wound down in our hot tub each evening.

Day 1: Chinatown

We drove a couple train stations away to Chinatown and parked near the Nine Dragons Gate. We walked around and bought some tea and looked in windows.

We had the most amazing Mandarin Chinese food I’ve ever eaten at Potsticker House.

Day 2: Cubs Game

We took the train to Wrigley Field.

We got there early to get some cool Cubs gear.

The kids got certificates for their first Cubs game!

The kids watched the warm-up. It was nice in the sun.

It was free blanket day and I am sure glad because it was freezing!

CUBS WIN!

We ate local Chicago pizza for dinner near our apartment at Ricobene’s.

Day 3: Art Institute

We took the train downtown and viewed the street art down to the Art Institute.

I love, love, love the street art in Chicago.

This vermilion steel 50-ton, 53-feet tall flamingo by Alexander Calder:

The Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall is 70 feet long, 14 feet high, 10 feet wide.

The Picasso is 50 feet tall and weighs 162 short tons.

We Will by Richard Hunt is a welded stainless steel sculpture – 35’H x 8’W x 8’D

Bronze Cow Statue – 57 inches high, 92 inches long.

Depicted as reflections in the eyes of the cow are two famous Chicago landmarks, the “Chicago Picasso” sculpture and the Historic Water Tower.

The plaque reads ….
In 1999 a herd of fiberglass cows united citizens, visitors, artists and businesses through a unique community-based public art event. This bronze cow is a gift to all Chicagoans in gratitude for the support of the cows and other art in public places.
A gift to the city of Chicago from the Hanig family and anonymous donors.
November 2001.
Bronze Cow cast at Wagner Foundry, Inc., Chicago, IL. 

The Cloud Gate sculpture is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet and weighs 110 short tons.

At the Art Institute, the North Lion is “On the Prowl” by Edward Kemeys. The South Lion is “stands in an attitude of defiance.”

We ate a lovely lunch at Terzo Piano.

The Art Institute is open daily 10:30–5:00 and Thursdays until 8:00. Adults $25. Illinois residents on Thursdays, military members, Chicago children under 18, all children under 13 are FREE.

We saw so many favorites we have studied!

Lucent is a shining 13-foot sculpture created by English artist Wolfgang Buttress, with the help of astrophysicist, Dr. Daniel Bayliss, made of 3,115 lights, the number of visible stars in the Northern Hemisphere. It is amplified even more against a mirrored ceiling above and a reflecting pool below.  It hangs in the lobby of the John Hancock Building.  

We walked down to the American Girl store at Water Tower Place.

We had dinner at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch.

Day 4: Shedd Aquarium

We saw more lovely street art on the way to the Shedd Aquarium.

Reproduced from the original historic Metro entrances of Paris, designed by Hector Guimard:

Bird Boy Mural

Agora is designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, on the southwest side of Grant Park, and is made up of 106 9-foot headless and armless torsos fabricated from cast iron.

Shedd Aquarium was the first inland aquarium with permanent saltwater exhibits as well as freshwater habitats.  It opened on May 30, 1930.

Regular hours
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Extended summer hours (June 15-Aug. 18, 2019)
All days: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of July 27

General admission: Adult $39.95*, child (3-11) $29.95*
Chicago residents: Adult $19.95*, child (3-11) $14.95*

Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive FREE general admission with proper ID.

Blue Star Families Program
Memorial Day through Labor Day, active-duty U.S. military and up to five family members receive free general admission to Shedd. Proper ID is required.

We loved the Belugas, Aquatic Presentation, and all 8 around the world exhibits. We’re so pleased with how much conservation they support.

Shedd is a full day of fun!

We had dinner at Santorini.

We stopped by one last monument before heading home the next morning, the old stockyard gate:

There’s never enough time to see everything, but I think we used our time well and saw so much!

What’s your favorite thing in Chicago?

Share
Tweet
Pin27
Share
27 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: USA Tagged With: art, Chicago, travel

Day Trip to Cologne

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

February 11, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 1 Comment

We had long wanted to visit Köln or Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany.

We were counting down to our move back to the States and had to make it a day trip. We had to get a special emissions test and sticker to travel into the city.

Day Trip to Cologne

We parked and walked around the Cathedral.

Our first stop was Früh.

Even though 90% of the city was destroyed during WWII, the brewery was spared.

While we didn’t partake in traditional Halve Hahn, we did have a lovely meal of fish, cold beef, potatoes, veggies, and salad.

After lunch, we toured the Cathedral.

One of my favorite carols is I Saw Three Ships.

The lyrics mention the ships sailing into Bethlehem, but the nearest body of water is the Dead Sea about 20 miles (32 km) away. The reference to three ships is thought to originate in the three ships that bore the purported relics of the Biblical magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century. Another possible reference is to Wenceslaus II, King of Bohemia, who bore a coat of arms “Azure three galleys argent”. Another suggestion is that the ships are actually the camels used by the Magi, as camels are frequently referred to as “ships of the desert”.

St. Agilulfus altar and shrine:

The Shrine of the Three Kings is the largest reliquary in the world.

We watched a chalk artist and some musicians in the courtyard.

It was a very warm day and we dipped our toes in a fountain!

We had some lovely ice cream before heading home.

More Things to Do and See in Cologne:

  • Fragrance Museum
  • Chocolate Museum
  • Cologne Zoo
  • Boat Trip on the Rhine
  • Hänneschen Theatre
  • Köln Triangle Panorama
  • Olympic Museum
  • Kolner Seilbahn Cable Car
  • Groß St. Martin
  • St. Maria Im Kapitol
  • Ludwig Museum
  • Romano-Germanic Museum
  • Wallraf-Richartz Museum
  • Museum Für Angewandte Kunst Köln
  • Kolumba Museum
  • Schnütgen Museum
  • Belgian Quarter
  • Cologne’s Old Town
  • St Gereon’s Basilica
  • Botanical Garden
  • Hohenzollern Bridge with Love Locks
  • National Socialism Documentation Center
  • Rheinauhafen District
  • FC Köln
  • Gamescom 
  • Christmas Market Cologne

We had a great time in Cologne!

Share
Tweet
Pin16
Share
16 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Europe, Germany, Travel Tagged With: cathedral, Germany, travel

Give the Gift of Adventure with Uncommon Goods

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

October 19, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 2 Comments

I just love my fun travel cork globe from UncommonGoods!

Our new globe showcases our travels as a family.

The cork globe is lightweight and hollow. We were careful with the thumb tacks and pins. We don’t want to dent our globe!

I love the simple modern stainless steel stand.

It was super easy to assemble. Just fit the steel rod axis through the globe and screw on the top peg.

Our globe measures: 11.8″ height x 9.84″ diameter.

Latitudes, longitudes, the equator, and meridians are well-marked. Continents and countries are easy to view. There’s a neato compass in the Pacific Ocean. It rotates on its axis. It’s great as an educational tool!

It could be fun to tack small souvenirs to the globe too. I don’t feel comfortable removing or replacing the tacks and pins and leaving holes in the cork. There’s also a full-color globe available that is very pretty.

Our family loves this addition to our rather minimalist decor, tastefully exhibiting our travels.

Uncommon Goods is one-stop shopping for the whole family! I want pretty much everything they have.

The travel and book-themed items are some of my favorites.

Explore all the unique and top-rated items at Uncommon Goods and check out these amazing stocking stuffers! There’s something on these lists to buy for even your most difficult person who seems to have everything. I often send my parents clever gardening and home décor gifts.

I was so pleased by the very careful packaging of my cork globe! Shipping was super quick too.

Six red thumb tacks (included with the globe) mark the places we have lived as a military family.

We probably have a few more adventures to go!

White straight pins mark the fun places we have traveled as a family.

We hope to add many more in the future!

This fun cork travel globe was a great surprise family gift that we all enjoy.

There are so many fun items that I love from Uncommon Goods – I’m updating my wishlist!

Share1
Tweet
Pin2
Share
3 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: giftguide, review, travel

Oahu with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

August 14, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 4 Comments

We lived on O’ahu for three years. Living in Hawai’i isn’t the same as a vacation there. But every single day, there’s a rainbow!

My husband was stationed at Hickam AFB. We lived on base. It was mostly magical. The kids still call it home and we all long to go back.

The thing about living in paradise is that you’re living in paradise. It’s not a vacation every day. Dishes and laundry still have to get done. We homeschooled. Everything is expensive. Gas and food prices are high. Traffic is terrible. You have to watch out for centipedes.

But you can go to the beach whenever you want. There are lots of lovely parks and gardens and hiking opportunities. Those are FREE!

O’ahu is a great place for families!

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Attractions in Kaneohe

The Windward Coast is a tropical paradise.

  • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
  • Bellows Air Force Station
  • Sea Life Park
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Kualoa Ranch – Lots of movies and shows filmed there like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. There are ATV tours.
  • Kane’one Sandbar

North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puu O Mahaka State Monument
  • Waimea Beach and Falls
  • Turtle Beach
  • Sharks Cove

Honolulu Attractions

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Hawaii Coffee Company
Booking.com
Linking up:
Share6
Tweet
Pin23
Share
29 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Hawaii Tagged With: familytravel, Hawaii, Oahu, travel

Honolulu with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

August 9, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 32 Comments

Attractions in Honolulu, Hawai’i for families are plenty!

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

Honolulu Zoo

This is a nice zoo with mammal, birds, and reptiles. There are also lovely gardens to enjoy.

There’s a great children’s area with a petting zoo and playground.

We loved the exhibits you can climb inside for closer looks!

General Admission
$14.00 – Adult 13+
$6.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
$4.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 2 and under

Waikiki Aquarium

A lovely Hawaiian aquarium with coral life, monk seals, aquaculture, seahorses, and jellyfish.

We loved viewing the shallow aquariums and experiencing the touch pools.

General Admission
$12.00 – Adult 13+
$5.00 – Children 4-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 3 and under

Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center

A fun children’s museum featuring the temporary special exhibits and permanent exhibits like the human body, busy town, world cultures, farming, rainforest, and Hawaiian habitats.

General Admission
$12.00

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$10.00
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children under 1 

Friday Night Fireworks in Waikiki!

Every Friday night around 8 PM, Hawaiian Hilton Village sets off a fireworks show – and it’s FREE! It’s great to plan a picnic, watch the sunset, and then view the fireworks!

Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden

Portions of this garden were once the property and favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili`uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii.  She later donated her land to the City and County of Honolulu to be used for the public’s enjoyment.  This developing garden is devoted to native Hawaiian plants. It’s FREE!

Diamond Head

This is a great hike with gorgeous views!

$5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. CASH ONLY. NO PETS.

The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. It was hard for us with little ones!

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and Memorials

  • USS Arizona Memorial
  • Battleship Missouri Memorial
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Kids have to be over 8 years old to go on tours, but most of the smaller memorials are accessible to military ID holders.

We took my parents on the private tour of the USS Arizona for military members and it was something we’ll never forget!

Pacific Aviation Museum

Over 70 years of Pacific aviation history. Full access to 50+ aircraft and all exhibits, including WWII Hangars 37 & 79, MiG Alley, historical videos, the Museum Store, Laniakea Café and the award winning Pearl Harbor documentary East Wind, Rain.

General Admission
Adult: $25
Child (Ages 4-12): $12
Kama’aina & Military Admission
Adults:  $15
Child(Ages 4-12):  $10
FREE – Children under 4

My daughter is a history buff and went to a Tuskegee Airman presentation and book signing.

Bishop Museum

Hawaiian cultural heritage and natural history, a planetarium and science museum.

We also loved the Farm Festival in July.

General Admission
Adult: $22.95
Child, ages 4-12: $14.95

Kama’aina/Military Admission
Adult: $14.95
Child: $10.95
FREE – Children under 3

Ko’olina

Kapolei has great quite lagoons and kid-friendly beaches. It’s just a short drive from Honolulu.

Whale watching is another great activity in this area. We saw honu, dolphins, a few spouts, and some fins.

Ko’Olina is a romantic location for couples to stay or dine or visit. The marina offers lots of options for fishing, snorkeling, and whale watching. Ko’Olina also has the Aulani Disney Spa and Resort now.

The area around Honolulu offers so much for families!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Booking.com
Hawaii Coffee Company
Share
Tweet
Pin155
Share
155 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Hawaii Tagged With: familytravel, Hawaii, Oahu, travel

North Shore with Kids

This blog may contain affiliate links: disclosure. Please see my suggested resources.

August 2, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument

Be sure to check out:
Hawaii Activities
Non-profit Sustainable Tours
Reef Safe Advocacy

There are several pretty and safe beach spots for kids!

We loved visiting new beaches year-round.

  • Waimea Beach and Nature Park
  • Turtle Beach – great for honu viewing!
  • Sharks Cove – great for snorkeling!

Polynesian Cultural Center

It’s an absolute tourist trap, but a must-do! We all loved it.

Kids receive a “Passport to Polynesia” booklet which includes:

  • Spaces to collect stamps from each island village to show they completed the games or activities
  • A schedule of the day’s activities geared toward the family experience
  • Space to write down the greetings for each island
  • A fun illustration and the name of each island’s games or activities to help the keiki remember it when they return home.

We learned about all the Polynesian Islands. Each island exhibit showcases games, dances, costumes, art, and more about that island’s culture.

  • Aotearoa (New Zealand)
  • Fiji
  • Hawaii
  • Rapa Nui
  • Samoa
  • Tahiti
  • Tonga

General Admission
Adult: $59.95
Child: $47.96
Under 4 FREE

Ali’i Luau and General Admission Package
Adult: $114.95
Child: $91.96
Under 4 FREE

The canoe parade showcasing each island with its representatives dancing in traditional dress was stunning.

We had great seats for the show.

We gorged ourselves at the Ali’i Luau Buffet & Dinner Show.

Dole Plantation

Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989.

The Gardens are lovely. The Maze is fun. The Pineapple Express Train Tour is not to be missed!

Combo tickets for all three tours (best deal):
Adult 22.00
Child $18.00
Kama‘aina/Military $20.00

The North Shore of Oahu is a must-see!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Booking.com
Hawaii Coffee Company


Linking up:

Share1
Tweet
Pin9
Share
10 Shares
You might also like:

Filed Under: Hawaii Tagged With: familytravel, Hawaii, Oahu, travel

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • Next Page »
Suggested ResourcesGet Unlimited Teaching Resources | TeachSimple.com Booking.com

Archives

Popular Posts

10 DIY Gifts with Essential Oils10 DIY Gifts with Essential Oils
Natural Remedies for HeadacheNatural Remedies for Headache
10 Natural Remedies to Keep on Hand10 Natural Remedies to Keep on Hand
Homemade SunscreenHomemade Sunscreen
Henna Hands CraftHenna Hands Craft
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT