Your Weekend: The Best Family Events-January 10, 2018

Our picks for the weekendʻs best family events.

‘Ohana Festival

Bring sunscreen and water to celebrate the Year of the Dog a little early. The official Chinese New Year starts on Friday, Feb. 16, but the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i offers mostly free fun Sunday. Kids can watch martial arts and taiko demonstrations, try mochi after a mochi pounding, jump in a bouncer and play more than a dozen Japanese games for a prize. You will need to register by Friday if you want to dress your child in a kimono, it will cost $80 for a time slot. Food vendors will offer everything from okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake, and noodles to KC Waffle Dogs and shave ice. See our 10 tips for this year's festival here. 

  • All ages
  • Free admission. Some activities have fees ranging from $1 to $2 for a bouncer and $5 for 12 keiki games, to $80 for kimono dressing.
  • Sunday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2454 South Beretania St. and Mō‘ili‘ili Field (across the street from the center).
  • (808) 945-7633, jcch.com

Kroc Center Open House

Try exercise classes, swim classes and take a look at the Kroc Center for free this weekend. Families will take a tour of the facilities, which includes a game room, gym, theater, cafe, art classrooms, workout rooms and, of course, the aquatic center with slides, lazy river, kids play area and climbing wall. The center will offer archery, judo, keiki yoga and more throughout the day. Anyone who signs up for a new membership will also not have to pay the $99 registration fee. Click here to see the full schedule.

  • All ages
  • Free. Membership begins at $41 for youth, $104 per family per month.
  • Saturday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Kroc Center, 91-3257 Kuala‘i Parkway, ‘Ewa Beach
  • (808) 682-5505, kroccenterhawaii.org

Pounders’ Keiki Culinary Academy

Kids cook up dishes with the Pounders’ Restaurant’s executive chef, Felix Tai. This weekend, little chefs will learn how to cook up meatball marinara sub sandwiches. Keiki should wear non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes. Parents will pay at the door. 

  • 4 to 12 years
  • $22 per class. $15 per class for ‘Ohana Club members.
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, 9 to 10 a.m.
  • Pounders Restaurant, Hukilau Marketplace, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Lāi‘e
  • (808) 293-3142, hukilaumarketplace.com

The Red Balloon

It won an Academy Award in 1956, now the French classic film, The Red Balloon, becomes an enchanting new show by Honolulu Theatre for Youth. The play follows a young boy who discovers a special red balloon in Paris. It follows him to school, to church and even into an encounter with bullies and ends, with a magical ride. While you’re there, check out the newly cleaned seats, floors and repainted benches, all done by HONOLULU Family volunteers. See photos of our third annual community event here.

  • Recommended for kids 5 years and older.
  • $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for kids 3 to 18 years. Kids 2 years and younger are free when you ask for a toddler ticket.
  • Opens Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. Performances are also on Saturdays, starting Jan. 13, at 4:30 p.m. The ON STAGE workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Tenney Theatre, 229 Queen Emma Square
  • (808) 839-9885, htyweb.org

Second Saturday at HISAM

Are you a citizen of eARTh? The Hawai‘i State Art Museumʻs monthly family day will include an personalized ID station for keiki. Then, they can take a journey into art in the galleries where theyʻll find music, movement and storytelling. Make sure to stop by the "I Love Art" room in the Diamond Gallery to play with felt, build with magnetic tiles and PVC pipes and learn about colors, light and texture. 

  • All ages
  • Free
  • Saturday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St.
  • (808) 586-0308, sfca.hawaii.gov/hisam

Looking for more events for adults? Click here for HONOLULU Magazine's picks for the weekend.