A Maui vacation conjures up images of lots of time sitting on the beach, lounging by the pool, and with a cocktail drink in hand. But for those who are visiting Maui with kids, beach holidays are not as relaxing. You have to look for ways to keep the little ones active and engaged. Luckily, there are so many fun things to do in Maui with kids. The island offers a variety of child-friendly activities, from hiking to canoeing and watching luau shows.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or spending several days, there are many ways to discover this incredible island and spend some quality time with your kids. Here are some of the fun things to do in Maui with kids.
Hike the Haleakalā National Park
If your kids are old enough to go hiking, take them to Haleakalā National Park and witness the most beautiful sunrise. At 3,055 m tall, Haleakalā is the tallest point in Maui and where you can marvel at the most breathtaking views. If you are not comfortable hiking to the top, you can drive to the summit. There is a parking lot close to the Haleakala summit, and from here, you can go on a short walk towards the summit.
Hit the Beach and Do Some Watersports Activities
Maui’s coastlines offer several child-friendly beaches, so you and your little ones can spend some quality time at the beach, regardless of which area you are in. But if you want to have easy access to the best beaches in Maui, consider staying at a Maui oceanfront vacation rental. These properties are close to the best white sand beaches on the island with access to water sports activities, such as stand-up paddling, kayaking, snorkeling, and more!
Ride an Outrigger Canoe
For active families, booking a paddle tour is highly recommended. For this activity, you will be riding a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe as you explore Maui’s beautiful coast. These long and narrow vessels are traditional canoes used in Hawaii for several centuries. Nowadays, they are used for many things, from racing to whale watching. So, if your kids are interested in marine life, culture, and history, this is the perfect activity for the family.
Visit the Maui Ocean Center
Take your curious kids to explore the Maui Ocean Center, a state-of-the-art aquarium in Maui dedicated to showcasing and preserving Hawaiian marine life. The aquarium offers plenty of exploration opportunities for kids of all ages. Located in Maalaea, the Maui Ocean Center is easily accessible anywhere in Maui. If you want to be closer to the area, stay at one of the vacation condos in Maalaea Bay, as the aquarium is less than 10 min drive from here.
Watch a Luau Show
Attending a luau ceremony is a must-do on any Hawaii holiday, most especially for travelers with kids. Witnessing this ceremony is a great opportunity to immerse your little ones in the traditional Hawaiian culture while savoring delicious Hawaiian foods and indulging in some fun entertainment as well. Most of the luau performances in Maui are in the Ka’anapali and Lahaina area, hosted by some of the luxury resorts there. However, you will also find them in Kihei and Wailea, such as in the luxury oceanfront resort of Grand Wailea.
Play at the Whaler’s Village
The Whaler’s Village at Ka’anapali Beach is an open-air shopping mall with great restaurants and local stores. This place is worth checking out after a whole day spent at the beach. But the best part of visiting this mall is that it has a playground where your kids can have a fun time. After a whole day of shopping, hit the playground and let the kids play as long as they want while you sit down to relax.
Go Snorkeling
Snorkeling is probably one of the most incredible experiences that you and your kids can do in Maui. As mentioned, Maui has plenty of child-friendly beaches where your little ones can dive safely. In fact, even toddlers can participate in this activity as long as they have a boogie board and life jacket that can help them stay afloat. The Ka’anapali Beach offers some of the most excellent snorkeling opportunities for families with kids. If you want to have easy access to the beach where your kids can snorkel at any time of the day, stay at an oceanfront condo in Maui.
Learn Surfing
As one of the top surfing spots in the world, everyone knows that a Hawaii vacation is synonymous with surfing. So, if your kids have a fondness for watersports activities, especially surfing, enroll them at one of the top surfing schools in Maui. You will find plenty of surfing schools on the island that offers surfing lessons from beginners to advanced. The teachers are experts and professional surfers and will teach your kids the basics of the sport with safety as the top priority. Most surfing lessons happen in the morning or early afternoons, and you can book private lessons, small groups, or large groups. You can even join if you want!
Try Parasailing
If your kids are not scared of heights, then parasailing is one activity that you should not miss on your Hawaiian holiday. Your adventurous kids will surely enjoy soaring through the skies and witnessing a bird’s eye view of the island. There are plenty of tour operators in Hawaii that offer parasailing activities for kids. You can choose from various options, from a solo ride, tandem ride, or group rides. Parents can join in the fun or stay on the boat as they observe their little ones.
Explore the islands on a helicopter
Another exciting way to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Hawaiian islands is to go on a helicopter ride. Your helicopter tour will take you high up in the sky and pass over the jungle so you can enjoy the most spectacular views of the lush landscapes and magnificent waterfalls. This activity is popular in Maui, with most tours happening in the West Maui and Molokai areas. These helicopter tours will usually start at the Kahului Heliport. If you are staying at a vacation rental in South Maui, the heliport is less than 30 minutes drive away.
