ResortQuest Hawaii sites offer fun activities for kids
ResortQuest Hawaii, formerly Aston Hotels & Resorts, has launched its "KeikiQuest Kids Club" summer children's program at the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset.
The club was created primarily for families with young children during Oahu's busy summer family travel period, allowing parents to enjoy "grown-up" activities during the day while kids have fun with their peers.
The annual program will continue through Sept. 4, offering fun daytime activities for children, including outdoor recreation and discovery, while educating youngsters about Hawaii's culture and marine and land environments.
The KeikiQuest Kids Club room, on the pool deck level of the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset, is open to children ages 5 through 12 staying at any of ResortQuest Hawaii's 11 Oahu resorts in Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Daily programs run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include lunch and a snack as part of the daily $45 (plus tax) fee per child.
Just about everything from lei making, hula, song and ukulele lessons to cultural hikes, surfing, reef discovery walks and catamaran rides is included in the week-long lineup. Some activities even take participants to top island attractions, such as Bishop Museum and its new Science Adventure Center, Waikiki Aquarium, Waikiki LuCoral Museum, Sea Life Park and Honolulu Zoo.
Call 800-321-2558 or ResortQuest Hawaii's TTY number, 800-441-2344, or visit www.ResortQuest.com.
KeikiQuest's Weekly schedule
A schedule of daily activities:
MONDAY
Morning: Bishop Museum. Visit the newly built Science Adventure Center with more than 16,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. Children learn about volcanoes, oceans, the Hawaiian Islands and more
Afternoon: Petroglyphs and volcanoes. Children design and make their own Hawaiian petroglyph to take home and share their stories of Hawaii, then build a volcano complete with gushing red lava.
TUESDAY
Morning: Waikiki Aquarium. View hundreds of tropical fish and coral, visit the touch tank, catch a glimpse of endangered Hawaiian monk seals and see sharks and sea dragons up close.
Afternoon: Ocean crafts. Children paint and print a Hawaiian reef fish, design a card using native limu (seaweed) and enjoy the afternoon in the waters off Waikiki Beach.
WEDNESDAY
Morning: Hanai Bear Activity, shave ice and beach fun. Make your own cuddly Hawaiian friend to care for and take home. Choose from a huggable Hawaiian shark, dolphin or teddy bear. Later, children make and enjoy a cooling shave-ice treat after a swim at Waikiki Beach. (Note: An additional $12 fee per child will be assessed for the Hanai Bear.)
Afternoon: LuCoral Museum and snorkel activity. Children touch, see and smell various gemstones and corals on display at this museum, then make a gemstone bracelet to take home. Later, they can see live coral while snorkeling at Waikiki Beach.
THURSDAY
Morning and afternoon: Sea Life Park picnic lunch and beach activity. An opportunity to feed turtles and see dolphins dance awaits after a trip to East Oahu, where keiki will enjoy a picnic lunch at Makapuu Beach.
FRIDAY
Morning: Makapuu Point Hike. A spectacular view of the lighthouse, Rabbit Island and Waimanalo Beach are the rewards of this hike. Children learn about the area and its local Hawaiian legends. It presents a great photo opportunity for kids.
Afternoon: An hour-long catamaran sail aboard the Manu Kai Catamaran will take children from Waikiki just past Diamond Head. Sea turtles or spinner dolphins might be spotted on the way.
SATURDAY
Morning: It's Hawaiian immersion with lei making, hula and ukulele lessons.
Afternoon: Surf's up! After a quick lesson on land, children grab a board, and instructors teach the kids how to catch a wave in the waters off Waikiki Beach.
SUNDAY
Morning: Honolulu Zoo picnic lunch and ulu maika game. Walk through the zoo's African savannah and come face to face with animals usually seen only in National Geographic. This is followed by a picnic in the park and playing an ancient Hawaiian game of skill.
Afternoon: Hawaiian crafts and beach fun. Craft session reflecting Hawaiian culture includes take-home lau hala bracelets and Hawaiian tattoos. Afterward, the group walks to Waikiki Beach for an afternoon in the sun.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as July 12, 13 and 26 and Aug. 10, are designated as special "Ocean Reef Walk" days during morning sessions. Children will explore a tide pool and count how many different creatures live in this unique marine zone.
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