How to Visit Pearl Harbor with Kids (Video & Photos)

Pearl Harbor, a site of immense historical significance in Hawaii, offers an enriching experience for families. When planning a trip to Pearl Harbor with kids, it’s essential to approach it with sensitivity and preparation to ensure it’s both educational and engaging for kids. I have both younger children and teenagers, so I wanted to ensure all of them learned what they needed while they were there. In this post, I will explain how to visit Pear Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial with kids.

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Significance of Pearl Harbor with Kids

Before diving into the logistics of your visit, it’s crucial to help kids understand the importance of Pearl Harbor in U.S. and World History. This site is not just a tourist attraction but a memorial to the events of December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S. Naval Base, leading to the United States’ entry into World War II.

Discussing the historical context at an age-appropriate level helps children appreciate the gravity of the site. As a family, we discussed the significance of Pearl Harbor before, during, and after our visit.

How to Plan Your Visit to Pearl Harbor

Timing Your Visit: Pearl Harbor is a popular destination, so plan to arrive early. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center opens at 7 am. Arriving early helps avoid the crowds and gives your family more time to explore. If you are driving from outside Honolulu during your visit, I highly recommend booking your tour on the weekend. We drove to Pearl Harbor on a Sunday and loved not being stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Booking Tours in Advance: Some attractions, like the USS Arizona Memorial, require tickets. It’s advisable to book these in advance, especially when visiting Pearl Harbor with kids, to ensure a spot on the tour. If your child is a 4th grader, take advantage of the National Park Services (NPS) “Every Kid in a Park” program for free admission.
Selecting Age-Appropriate Activities: Pearl Harbor offers various experiences, from museum exhibits to USS Memorial boat tours. Choose activities that match your children’s interests and attention spans. The USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, and the Pacific Aviation Museum are great starts.

How to Engage Kids While Visting Pearl Harbor

Interactive Learning: Engage your kids with interactive exhibits. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the museums offer hands-on activities, perfect for keeping kids interested.
Junior Ranger Program: Enroll your kids in the Junior Ranger Program. This educational program, designed for children aged 3-14, provides a booklet with a scavenger hunt and other activities that make learning about Pearl Harbor fun and engaging while visiting.
Storytelling: Share stories of the events and people of Pearl Harbor. We chatted with park rangers while there, and many of them have amazing and personal family stories to share. We told our kids about their great-grandparents who also fought during WWII. Personal stories of bravery and sacrifice make the history more relatable to kids.

What to Expect at the USS Arizona Memorial

The 45-minute USS Arizona Memorial program begins at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater. You will line up approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Then, you will enter the theater, which includes a brief introduction before you embark on a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. It only takes about 5 minutes to ferry over.

Once you arrive at the USS Arizona Memorial, you will have 15 minutes to look around and observe the surroundings. One of the park rangers will hand out flower petals that you can drop over the ship lying just below the water’s surface to honor the men and women who died there. It is a special and solemn experience.

Accesibility & Services

Restrooms: There are plenty at the museum, but make sure you go before boarding the boat out to the memorial; there are no bathrooms on the USS Arizona Memorial itself.
Food: Only clear fluids are allowed in the theater or on the USS Arizona Memorial.
Parking: $7/day if you are parking at the visitor center.
Bags: Clear bags are allowed or bags containing medical devices.
Accessibility: The restrooms, theater, exhibit galleries, bookstore, information desks, drinking fountains, Navy shuttle boats, and USS Arizona Memorial are all fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

What to Bring to Pearl Harbor with Kids

When visiting Pearl Harbor with kids, pack these essentials:

Water (you can only bring clear liquids out onto the USS Arizona Memorial)
Snacks
Sunscreen
Hats
Strollers (allowed)
Comfortable shoes (there’s a lot of walking involved).

*Note: Security at Pearl Harbor is tight, and only clear bags are allowed. You will need to use their lockers or leave them in your vehicle.

Pearl Harbor Gift & Book Shop

The Pearl Harbor Gift and Book shop has a variety of items for everyone to enjoy. From Junior Ranger Badges to model airplanes and exclusive U.S. flags, your kids and teens will love spending time in the gift shop.

Respecting the Site

It’s important to remind kids that Pearl Harbor is a memorial site. Teaching them to respect their surroundings and the significance of the place is a valuable part of the visit. We had the kids use their “quiet voices” to be reverent and considerate of others while on the premises.

Beyond Pearl Harbor

Extend the educational experience beyond the memorial. Visiting other historical sites in Oahu or participating in cultural activities can provide a more comprehensive understanding of Hawaii’s history and its role in World War II.

Benefits of Visiting Pearl Harbor with Kids

Educational Value: It’s a live history lesson. Kids learn about WWII, its impacts, and the importance of peace and diplomacy.
Family Bonding: Exploring such a significant site together can strengthen family bonds.
Perspective Building: It offers kids a broader perspective of world history and the sacrifices made during the war.

Conclusion

Visiting Pearl Harbor with kids can be a profound experience. It’s not only an opportunity to explore a pivotal moment in history but also a chance to impart lessons about peace, bravery, and the complexities of world events. With the right preparation and approach, a trip to Pearl Harbor can be an unforgettable educational journey for the entire family.

Remember, the key to a successful visit to Pearl Harbor with kids is making the experience as interactive and engaging as possible while ensuring it’s age-appropriate and respectful. By doing so, you can create a meaningful and memorable experience for your children that will enrich their understanding of history and its lasting impact.

Be sure to check out all the other things to do as a family on Oahu:

How to Visit Pearl Harbor with Kids (Video & Photos)