Obama made the unannounced 40-minute visit while on his 11-day family vacation to Kailua Bay, Hawaii, his home state, according to Reuters.
The first family and hundreds of Marines and their families were enjoying Christmas dinner in the hall, decked with Christmas decorations.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. President!" one boy said to Obama, who was with Michelle Obama.
"No, she's Mrs. President," Obama said to the children, according to CNN.
Children were excited to tell Obama what they got for Christmas.
After a little boy eagerly told Obama that he got a punching bag, Obama held up his palms to let the boy take a whack at them.
"Did you get everything you wanted?" Obama asked a young girl, who showed him her new bracelet. Obama said that Michelle Obama was also wearing one. The first lady and the little girl then compared bracelets.
The base menu included prime rib, turkey, vegetables, potatoes, and pie.
Obama is expected to head back to the White House on Jan. 2, according to CNN.
Obama also stopped by the base during his Christmas vacations in 2008 and 2009.
The president and the first lady also made remarks at the White House, wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone across the country, particularly the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.
"America’s brave servicemen and women represent a small fraction of our population," said Obama. "But they and the families who await their safe return carry far more than their fair share of the burden."
