Summer is the perfect time for our keiki to relax and have fun, but it can also be a great opportunity for them to learn something new! From exploring the outdoors to experiencing activities with new friends, there are lots of ways to make learning fun and engaging for your keiki this summer. Here are five ideas to make the most out of summer break in Hawai‘i.
See a Concert With Family
No matter what genre of music you enjoy, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra has a concert your whole family will enjoy in its summer 2023 Starlight Festival. Located at the Waikiki Shell, this outdoor concert series will serenade you at sunset, providing a fun, educational experience for keiki and families. This summer, the Starlight Festival offers themes including Women Rock, Symphonic Dances, the Ultimate Season Mix-Tape, and Opera. Why not attend them all?
Visit a Museum
Hands-on learning is always fun, and summer offers lots of time to explore some of Hawai‘i’s keiki-friendly museums.
Check out Bishop Museum’s Backyard Adventure exhibit through August 20, 2023, where keiki and families can explore the world from the perspective of a bee! This interactive science exhibit offers activities like a giant skipping rope and backyard-themed mini golf.
For the entire ‘ohana, check out Bishop Museum After Hours, where you can appreciate Hawai‘i’s unique cultural and natural history while enjoying food and drink from local vendors. On the second Friday of each month from 5:30pm – 9:30pm, try keiki activities from crafts to games and see a planetarium show to learn about stars, constellations, planets, and what can be seen from Hawai‘i’s night skies. Tip: save $5 and skip the line by pre-purchasing your ticket!
The Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center offers tons of Hawai‘i-themed activities and events for keiki. From Rainforest adventures, learning to be a firefighter, banker, or mechanic, exploring the human body, or playing in an interactive Hawai‘i town-themed exhibit, keiki will learn so much at this fun destination.
Make New Friends
Summer is a great time to meet new people and make new friends! One place to do that? Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii. This nonprofit aims to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. During the school year, they provide a safe place full of hope and opportunity during after-school hours for youth with caring adult mentors and enriching programs. The fun doesn’t stop over the summer! Find a club near you to see available summer programming.
Enjoy Nature
It wouldn’t be summer in Hawai‘i without spending time in nature. Make learning fun outdoors at the Hawai‘i Nature Center, with locations on O‘ahu and Maui! This organization’s focus is fostering awareness, appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Hawai‘i’s environment by educating children with an interactive and immersive approach. Check out one of their Nature Camps, held throughout the summer, for five full days of outdoor learning and adventure!
Another outdoor learning experience we love is Keiki and Plow. This family run, organic farm in East O‘ahu offers a hands-on farm experience for keiki and ‘ohana to learn about and reconnect with our ‘āina. They offer both private playgroups and open farm days!
Pacific Music Institute 2023
We can’t talk about fun summer learning without mentioning our own summer music intensive! Concert and performance opportunities? Check! Making new friends? Check! Enjoying everything Hawai‘i has to offer? Check!
Our students love that they can meet other fellow musicians whom they would otherwise not have met. They are able to participate in performance opportunities at the end of our program, as well as attend our Faculty Concert to watch world-renowned musicians perform. Plus, students are able to participate in outdoor activities, like hiking with the faculty!
Whether you’re looking to further your instrumental abilities in our Jazz Intensive, Strings Program, or Wind Ensemble, or even learn a new instrument in our ‘Ukulele Workshop, Pacific Music Institute is the perfect way to make your summer learning FUN!
