For Families

If you have enough trouble getting your kids out of the house in the morning, dragging them thousands of miles away may seem like an insurmountable challenge. But family travel can be immensely rewarding, giving you new ways of seeing the world through smaller pairs of eyes. The following itinerary gives you the nuts and bolts you need to plan an affordable, safe, and fun family vacation.

Day 1: Arrive in Hawaii & Head for Waikiki Beach

Lather everybody up in sunscreen, take sunglasses and a hat, and plop down on a beach the kids will love -- Waikiki. If they get tired of playing in the surf, you might consider a catamaran ride or an outrigger canoe ride. After an hour or so on the beach, take the kids to see the marine critters at the Waikiki Aquarium or stop by the Honolulu Zoo. They'll drop off to sleep early.

Day 2: Drive Around the Island

Most likely, you'll still be on mainland time today -- take advantage of it and get up early. Head out for Sea Life Park, which opens at 9:30am, and spend a couple of hours on the shows, exhibits, and interactive activities. Grab lunch in Kailua at Zippy's and head up the coast to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. Plan at least 2 to 3 hours (or as long as the kids will last) here. On the way home, stop at one of the shrimp trucks in Haleiwa and have a picnic dinner.

Day 3: A Sunken Boat, a Submarine & a Volcano

Don't miss the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Arrive before the 7:30am opening, or lines will be lengthy. After a few hours here, head next door to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, one of just 15 World War II submarines still in existence. If energy levels hold out, hit the USS Missouri Memorial, where the Japanese signed the surrender agreement on September 2, 1945, that ended World War II. Finish Pearl Harbor by seeing the Pacific Aviation Museum, where the kids can sit behind the controls of a simulated plane that flew in World War II. Depending on how tired the kids are at this point, you can head to the beach or hike up to the top of Diamond Head to see the sunset view.

Day 4: Snorkeling, Sharkskin Drumming & Surf Movies Too

If it's not Tuesday (when the park is closed for maintenance), head out for Hanauma Bay to snorkel in the clear, warm water. After lunch take the kids to the Bishop Museum, where they can explore the interior of a volcano and climb to the top to get a bird's-eye view of an erupting caldera, watch a hula, see the skeleton of a whale, and check out war weapons the Hawaiians used.

Day 5: From the Sea to China

The kids won't want to leave the Hawaii Maritime Museum, where they can follow the ancient journey of Polynesian voyagers all the way to the nostalgic days of the Lurline, which once brought tourists from San Francisco. After a few hours, wander over to Chinatown for lunch; the kids will be enthralled with the exotic foodstuffs at the outdoor markets.

Day 6: A Day at a Water Theme Park

Take the kids to Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. They'll love this 29-acre water park; in fact, plan to spend the entire day here. Highlights include a football field-sized wave pool, a 65-foot-high free-fall slide, a water-toboggan bullet slide, inner-tube slides, a body-flume slide, rivers, and a zillion other things that will entertain them for hours. You'll also find restaurants here, along with a few food carts, shops, and Hawaiian performances. Bring plenty of sunscreen.

Day 7: Final Day or What to do on a Rainy Day

Take the kids to Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, perfect for ages 2 to 13. This 37,000-square-foot place of color, motion, and activities will entertain them for hours with hands-on exhibits and interactive stations. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad can get some rest.