Family-Friendly Fun: Adventures and Activities for Locals with Kids in Hawaii

Ohana is an enormously important part of the culture in Hawai’i. From building sandcastles on sun-drenched beaches and snorkeling to exploring sacred cultural sites and volcanoes, almost everything there is to do on the islands is family-oriented. There are endless sources of fun and entertainment for the young and the old alike, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to build familial bonds.

To start, Hawaiʻi has many water-themed adventures. Families can have a sea lion encounter at Sea Life Park, take surfing lessons from a pro surfer on Waikīkī Beach, and see enormous humpback whales on a whale-watching tour on Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi or Maui. Snorkeling is a year-round kid-friendly activity; popular snorkeling areas include the protected, shallow tide pools of Kauaʻi’s Poʻipū Beach and the Kona coast on the island of Hawaiʻi, where you can also swim alongside manta rays and dolphins.

Not limited to just the beach, Hawai’i also boasts numerous natural attractions and excellent museums that will bring you and your family closer to the island’s captivating culture as well as each other. You can learn to hula at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Smith Family Garden Lūʻau, and other authentic lūʻau across the islands. Keiki (children) can participate in lava demonstrations and watch shows at the planetarium at the Bishop Museum, or learn how early explorers navigated to Hawaiʻi’s shores using only the stars at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center.

If your little ones need to burn some energy, our state and national parks are the perfect place to do so. You can also explore wide green spaces and abundant gardens, experience a zipline adventure at Kualoa Ranch, where Jurassic Park was filmed, and enjoy a panoramic mountaintop view at ʻĪao Valley State Park.

If you are staying at a resort or hotel, you can take advantage of special programs designed for children, such as scuba diving lessons and lei-making. Disney magic can be found on the island of O’ahu’s Aulani Resort, with daily pool parties, activities, and special appearances by Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. Hilton Waikoloa Village, on the Island of Hawaiʻi, has an expansive saltwater lagoon along with a lazy river that is home to some dolphins; children can even tail a dolphin trainer for a day! Other family-friendly hotels include Hilton Garden Inn Kauaʻi, Turtle Bay on Oʻahu, and Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel and Grand Wailea on Maui. Most island resorts have day camps for children that allow parents to enjoy some time to themselves.

No matter what time of year you and your family visit, there are sure to be many fun festivals and events taking place during your vacation. Your whole family can enjoy the Big Island Chocolate Festival. Farmers’ markets across the archipelago are bursting at the seams with exotic fruits and other treats. Enjoy some island music during the ‘Ukulele Festival Hawaiʻi or Slack Key Guitar Festival. If you decide to visit during the holidays, colorful boat parades, Santa Claus in canoes, and lighting festivals are just some of the celebrations you can enjoy.

Family Adventures By Island

Kaua’i

Kauaʻi’s immaculate beaches and dense landscapes are a sight to behold. Families can find tons of things to do, whether it’s enjoying a kayaking trip on one of Kauaʻi’s rivers, a relaxing day at the beach, or a thrilling zipline ride through the jungle. For those seeking thrills and adventures, Kaua’i is a can’t-miss destination. If you are in search of a calmer, quieter visit, there are plenty of opportunities to investigate the Garden Isle’s history, local culture, and more, such as farmers’ markets, historic landmarks, and museums. Visitors can also tour the filming locations of over 60 TV shows and movies.

Explore some of the state’s most astonishing natural wonders, like the Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and the Nāpali Coast. Check out small towns such as Kōloa, Hanapēpē, Hanalei, Kapaʻa, and Waimea while discovering pristine, exquisite beaches and playing in tide pools like the ones at Poʻipū Beach Park.

You can visit Waimea Canyon to explore natural wonders, learn to do the hula at a traditional lūʻau, and visit Kilohana Estate to take a ride on the Kaua’i Plantation Railway.

Island of Hawai’i

The Big Island has a multitude of places to visit, including many historic and natural sites. Here, you can whale watch, ride horses, and swim with manta rays on the very same day. The Big Island is the only one where you can see a black-sand beach, a 420-foot waterfall, a fiery volcano, and multiple cultural gems in a wide variety of environments. With so much to see and do, it won’t take you long to understand why The Big Island is known as The Island of Adventure.

From deep space to underwater, Hawai’i is a popular destination for families. You can spend your days at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park watching bubbling lava, at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center watching the night sky, and snorkeling along the Kona Coast. Don’t forget to stop by Lili’uokalani Gardens for a scenic family picture!

O’ahu

Known as the Heart of Hawaiʻi, the island of O’ahu is home to the state’s widest variety of notable sights and popular activities. Parents and kids will find an attraction and activity to suit every interest, from the Makapuʻu Lighthouse on the southeast part of the island to the big waves and surf shops of the North Shore.

Family-friendly adventures on O’ahu include finding your way through an enormous garden maze at the Dole Plantation, exploring a submarine at Pearl Harbor, playing authentic island games at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and having encounters with native wildlife at Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Aquarium, and Sea Life Park.

Maui

For families looking to fill their vacation schedules with a range of entertaining and unique attractions, Maui is highly recommended. Whether you fill your holiday with unusual adventures or living history, Maui will not disappoint.

Your kids can enjoy a hands-on experience in Wailuku at the Hawai’i Nature Center, spend a day at the Haleakalā Visitor Center becoming a Junior Ranger, or take a stroll through a tunnel encapsulated by a 750,000-gallon water tank, watching as sharks and manta rays swim past at the Maui Ocean Center.

Lānaʻi

This island, which features a mere 30 miles of paved roadways, is characterized by 400 miles of trails designed for 4-wheelers, over 89,000 acres of countryside, and absolutely no traffic lights, making the island of Lānaʻi the ideal place for those looking to go off-grid. The Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center offers a cell phone app with a wealth of information regarding hiking trails, self-guided driving tours, and the history and culture of Lānaʻi. During your stay, discover Keahiakawelo’s unearthly landscape, and enjoy the views from 18 miles of remote beaches. For those interested in professional guided tours, there are several companies on the island.

On the outskirts of Lānaʻi City, families can be seen enjoying the climbing courses, aerial ropes, e-bikes, and ziplines of Lānaʻi Adventure Park. Animal lovers can lose an entire day at the Lānaʻi Cat Sanctuary, a local nonprofit organization that is committed to protecting native endangered birds and rescuing cats.

If you happen to be a guest at the Four Seasons, you can enjoy stunning views as you play a round at the Mānele Golf Course or go horseback riding. Finish off the day by visiting the prehistoric ruins at Kaunolū Fishing Village or birdwatch on the breathtaking islet of Puʻupehe.

With its bucolic back roads and pristine beaches, both ideal for exploring, Lānaʻi is a perfect vacation for all types of families. Enjoy the pools at one of the many upscale resorts, go horseback riding, have a picnic at Dole Park, and explore the famous Hulopo’e Bay tidepools.

Moloka’i

Also known as The Friendly Isle, Molokaʻi is happy to oblige visitors who are seeking the road less traveled. Visiting Molokaʻi takes you back to a simpler, slower-paced Hawaiʻi. In fact, one of the island’s main attractions is its complete lack of commercial attractions. What the island lacks in the area of modern growth and development, it more than makes up for in boundless, unblemished wilderness. With only a handful of tour operators and souvenir shops and not a shopping mall in sight, natural beauty is the primary attraction on Molokaʻi.

From one of the state’s biggest beaches in Pāpōhaku Beach Park to the consecrated Hālawa Valley, your time on Molokaʻi will be unforgettable. Your family can enjoy snorkeling in the longest continuous reef in the state, visiting the extraordinary Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove, or taking a hike or a ride on a mule to the secluded Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

Families with very young children can while away a morning at Big Wind Kite Factory in Maunaloa, where the kids are their own captains. Enjoy some fun in the sun on one of Hawai’i’s biggest white-sand beaches, Pāpōhaku Beach, send a coconut to a relative from the Ho’olehua Post Office or take a tour of a macadamia nut farm.

If you or a family member sustained a serious injury while vacationing in Hawaii, you need to speak with a reputable Hawaii personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call the Honolulu personal injury law firm of Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner at (808) 537-2525 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.