Honolulu Zoo Playground

The Honolulu Zoo Playground sits at the gateway to Kapiolani Regional Park — one of Honolulu's best free outdoor spaces — right next to the zoo entrance on Kapahulu Avenue. It's the kind of neighborhood playground that locals use constantly and visitors often walk past without realizing it's there.

The playground equipment serves the standard mix of ages: toddler-appropriate lower structures, slides that give bigger kids enough challenge to stay interested, and enough open space around it for kids who need to run. Being adjacent to the zoo adds a layer of excitement — kids can see and hear the zoo animals from the playground, which makes even a free play session feel like part of a bigger adventure.

Kapiolani Park surrounds the playground on all sides, which means families can easily extend a playground visit into a full morning: spread out a picnic blanket, fly a kite (the park is famous for kite flying), watch the weekend runners and cyclists, or walk toward the Waikiki Shell and Diamond Head in the distance.

For families staying in Waikiki, this playground is within easy walking or biking distance. Bike rentals are available throughout Waikiki and Kapiolani Park has designated bike paths. Kapahulu Avenue, just steps from the playground, is one of Honolulu's best streets for local food — Leonard's Bakery malasadas are essential, and Rainbow Drive-In serves the best value plate lunches in the area.