Maui Kids & Family Fun:
Activities, Beaches, Shows, Nature, Restaurants, Shopping, And Lots More Recommendations From Maui Jon
You brought your children along to Maui. Now, what are you going to do to keep them happy and entertained?
Maui Ocean Center (aquarium) in Maalaea (south end of the central valley of Maui) 808-270-7000
Excellent aquarium takes about two hours to tour. Includes exhibits about Maui’s sea life, including live fish, sharks, turtles, rays, and others. This is one of the best things to do in Maui with kids, but it is more expensive than most of the other things described on this page.
Maui Aquarium
Hike in the park in Iao Valley
The Iao Needle is a 2,250-foot tall rock formation surrounded by lush green mountains, in the center of the west half of Maui, 22 miles from Kaanapali Beach. Small admission charge per car. The road into the Iao Valley begins in the center of downtown Wailuku. Take an umbrella, since there is often a light steady drizzle there. Walk along the path from the parking lot. There are great views from the top of the walkway, and a lovely stream to stroll by at the bottom of the walkway. Wear bug repellant for the walk by the stream.
Iao Valley
Baby Beach in Lahaina (if they are too young for the waves at other beaches)
Baby Beach has much calmer waters than most other beaches because an offshore breakwater blocks many of the big waves from reaching the shore. This makes it a good place for children to go in the ocean, though even here they of course need adult supervision. Baby Beach is in the north part of Lahaina. See how to find it at this link:
Baby Beach
See a different beach every day
All beaches in Hawaii are public. Try out several beaches while you are on Maui. Each beach is different and each beach is beautiful. On West Maui (Lahaina side) I suggest Kaanapali, Kapalua, Olowalu (Mile Marker 14). On the south side (Kihei-Wailea) I suggest Kamaole III, Keawakapu, Big Beach. Going to the beach is the most popular of the free things to do in Maui with kids.
Snorkel (if they are old enough and well-supervised)
Rent your snorkel gear at The Snorkel Store or Maui Dive Shop or Snorkel Bob’s for about half the price they charge at the big hotels. A good place to take children for their first snorkel is Baby Beach, in Lahaina, because the water is usually calm at that beach (see link above). More snorkel information on the following page:
Snorkel Maui
Bumper boats, miniature golf, rock wall climbing, and trampoline
These four activities are all at the Maui Golf & Sports Park, open every day in Maui’s central valley near the aquarium.
Hula show free at Lahaina Cannery Mall 808-661-5304
Weekdays have adult hula dancers, but young kids often enjoy weekends when the hula dancers are children. “Keiki” is Hawaiian for “children” so check for keiki hula shows.
The schedule is at www.lahainacannerymall.com
Luau at the Hyatt 661-1234 or Royal Lahaina 808-661-3611
These two luaus are more showy, so more entertaining for kids, (and less expensive for families) than the more authentic Hawaiian luau at Old Lahaina Luau 667-1998. You can usually get discounts on those hotel luaus with links on my Maui Luau reviews.
Dan’s Greenhouse 808-661-8412
At 626 Front Street, upstairs, in Lahaina. Live birds and other animals and plants to see or buy.
Dan’s Greenhouse
Maui Treasure Hunt Hiking Tour 808-661-8284
For kids 5 and over, or for the whole family, Segway Maui offers a Maui Treasure Hunt Hiking Tour. This 3-hour tour covers two miles with light hiking, swimming in a lagoon, and a map with treasure hunting for the kids to find prizes.
Under the Banyan Tree in Lahaina
Younger kids just like running around here. Older kids like seeing the people as well as the giant tree.
Banyan Tree
Surfing Goat Dairy in Upcountry 808-878-2870
See the goats and take the tour to learn about their care, feeding, milking, and cheese production. This place is probably the most unique of all the things to do in Maui with kids.
Surfing Goat Dairy
Hyatt Regency Hotel on Kaanapali Beach 808-661-1234
See the penguins, flamingos, swans, and crowned African cranes. No charge as you walk around in the hotel lobbies and grounds.
Hyatt Maui
Watch glass blowing in Makawao 808-572-4527
Hot Island Glass at 3620 Baldwin Avenue (call to confirm times)
Hot Island Glass
Swap Meet 808-877-3100
Great bargains and lots of choices of fun stuff to buy at this large flea market in Kahului on Saturday mornings. Good prices on T-shirts, jewelry, hand-painted shirts and dresses, flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and much more. Shopping here can be one of the best things to do in Maui with kids, because of the great variety of stuff available.
Maui Swap Meet
Hilo Hattie store Lahaina 808-667-7911
Some of the best deals on kid’s clothes and souvenirs.
Hilo Hattie
Lahaina Animal Farm in Launiopoko 808-280-2597
Private tours of the petting zoo and farm activities for family groups.
Lahaina Animal Farm and Petting Zoo
Zipline
Most ziplines don’t allow young children, but there is one zip line company on Maui that takes kids as young as 5. Ziplines can be dangerous, so investigate before you go. More info is at the following link:
Ziplines on Maui
Subscribe to the free monthly email Maui Newsletter.
See the Maui Events Calendar for any special events that are happening during the time you will be on Maui.
Dining ideas with the kids (or see lots more restaurant info in the Maui Restaurants section of this website):
Carryout from Honokowai Okazuya 808-665-0512 or Eskimo Candy 808-891-8898
Great family breakfast, lunch, or dinner at CJ’s Deli & Diner 808-667-0968
Maui’s best Shave Ice at Ululani’s is one of the things to do in Maui with kids that makes a great photo 808-609-5678
Pizza restaurants all over Maui listed at pizza Maui
Create your own sundaes at Yogurtland 808-661-9834
Maui Tacos (fast food) Napili 808-665-0222 or Kihei 808-879-5005
Cheeseburger In Paradise Lahaina 808-661-0830 or Wailea 808-874-8990
Good pizza, pasta, and fun Pizookie N Cream dessert at Lahaina Pizza Company 808-661-0700
Many of the restaurants listed on our Maui Restaurants pages have children’s menus, so be sure to ask
Photos and video of things to do in Maui with kids
Should we add to the20 things to do in Maui with kids?
Let us know in the comments below!
