Best Place In Hawaii For Family Vacation - Are you starting to plan your trip to Hawaii in 2023 and don't know where to start? Discover the best islands in Hawaii for kids in an overview of Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii! This article on the best islands in Hawaii for kids may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions remain mine.
Are you planning a family trip to Hawaii? If you're having a hard time deciding which islands are best in Hawaii for kids, I've got you covered.
Best Place In Hawaii For Family Vacation
I have visited Hawaii over 35 times and regularly visit each of the main islands. This is one of our family's favorite vacation spots!
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Below is an easy-to-read guide to help you choose between these four fantastic islands.
In it, I break down Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island so you can decide which Hawaiian island is best for your Hawaii trip.
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Expensive Family Vacation To Oahu, Hawaii, With Kids Is Worth The Cost
There are plenty of mud-friendly Hawaiian activities for kids of all ages. Some of the most popular activities include a submarine ride, swimming with dolphins and learning how to surf. Then there are the classics, such as snorkeling, hiking and just relaxing by the pool or on the resort beach.
Absolute! I recommend not planning too much and leaving the room for a nap and "down time" to avoid meltdowns. There are many fun things to do in Hawaii with kids, such as playing on the beach and visiting the zoo. When my kids were little, we loved to ride the train and visit farmers' markets. Plus, you probably want to spend time playing in your resort pool.
Each island has some great kid-friendly resorts. If I had to choose just one, it would be the Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu. They have a great pool and you can even snorkel with tropical fish! They have extensive children's programs, a free kids' club, beach access and their own luau.
Before I break down the different islands, let me get this out of the way: ALL major Hawaiian islands have kid-friendly beaches.
Choosing The Best Hawaii Island For Families
It could have hiking trails or a nearby resort with a nice pool to cool off in! And on this beach, you can explore farmers' markets, go to luaus, and take some great photos.
Now, besides the beaches, there are plenty of things to do on Hawaii's four main islands. But each has its own unique personality that makes Hawaii Iceland the best for kids.
Oahu's most famous tourist attraction is Pearl Harbor, where the Japanese anchored the United States during World War II. The USS Arizona Memorial is the most popular place to visit, but there's also the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (it's awesome), the USS Battleship Missouri, and the USS Bowfin Submarine.
Another Oahu must-do for families is a visit to Dole Plantation, which is technically a free attraction. You'll probably want to pay to ride a cute little train, run through the pineapple maze, and enjoy a delicious Dole Whip.
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And you'll definitely want to stop by the North Shore Polynesian Cultural Center. They have a Polynesian village where visitors can watch presentations and participate in hands-on activities. You will learn about the culture of the main island of Polynesia through interesting things like trying food samples.
One of the most popular things to do on Oahu with kids is swimming with dolphins. You can do this through Dolphin Quest at Kahala Resort & Hotel near Honolulu or at Sea Life Park (best for toddlers and preschoolers).
Adventurous families should visit Kualoa Ranch. It is a popular TV/movie movie site. I highly recommend the ATV tour. You will visit the Jurassic Park movie site and enjoy the most beautiful views of Oahu. At the ranch there is also horseback riding, ziplining, movie tours and even a secret island!
If you're going to do a luau in Hawaii, I think Oahu is the place to do it. The most authentic luaus on Oahu are the Toa Luau on the North Shore and the Nutridge Luau Experience in Honolulu. Both are small, intimate events that you can't find anywhere else in Hawaii.
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Our absolute favorite place to stay on Oahu with kids is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. This is the only place in Hawaii where you can meet Disney characters dressed in their Aloha shirts and dresses. It's nice to spend even just 2-3 nights here. Read our full review HERE.
Our best place to stay in Waikiki for families is the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. They have great pools with slides and salt water lagoons where you can rent water trikes. There is also a full service shopping center and restaurant in the house. This is one of the best hotels in Hawaii for kids. Read our full review HERE.
If you don't like the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, head to Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's north shore. It was renovated in 2021 and they have many children's programs and areas to relax. It was also where they filmed
Maui Ocean Center is one of Maui's best attractions for toddlers and preschoolers. This Maui aquarium has a touch tank, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and an immersive tunnel where tropical fish swim around you. In addition, they offer great cultural programs throughout the day.
Best Island In Hawaii For Families
When it comes to national parks in Hawaii, Haleakala National Park is one of the most unusual. It is best known for its epic sunrises, but there are some great hiking trails and a nice visitor center. But most of all, kids want to pretend they're on Mars when they walk.
One of Maui's most unique places for families is the Surfing Goat Dairy. This is a small farm in Upcountry Maui where you can play with the goats or sign up for a tour to help them. They also have a goat cheese tasting and they even sell goat cheese truffles!
One of the top things to do in Maui is to drive the road to Hana. This windy road is all about cold stops along the way. The best spots for families include hiking to Twin Falls, exploring the Garden of Eden, and stopping for banana bread. You can also see the black sand beach.
There are also easy trails in I'ao Valley State Park in Maui that are perfect for families. It is 0.7 miles long and the road is paved with several steps. My son can ride it alone as a toddler. It has a beautiful view and is super close to the airport.
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A popular Maui activity with kids is snorkeling at Molokini Crater. You have to take a snorkel boat trip to get here, but it's totally worth it. You have a good chance of seeing Hawaiian green sea turtles and some boats even have water slides on board!
While Maui is home to plenty of family-friendly resorts, I'll focus on just 3 that come to mind. We always love staying at Honua Kai Resort. They have both apartments and hotel rooms and a great swimming pool with slides and beach huts. And you can eat at Duke's Maui, located on the property.
The Hyatt Regency Maui is a great choice for families. It definitely has Maui's best pool for kids (including a children's playground). There are wonderful restaurants on site, and even Ululani's Shave Ice (best shave ice on Maui).
Finally, one of the best Maui resorts for kids is the Grand Wailea Resort. It has a great pool with 4 slides, a lazy river and white water rapids. There is even a children's pool with an artificial volcano and a water lift. In addition, they have many children's programs.
Best Hawaiian Island To Visit
Kauai's most famous natural attraction is Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Here you will find great photo spots, scenic views and walks for all abilities. I also recommend going to Kokee State Park just up the road for a completely different experience.
In Kilauea there is the Anaina Hou Community Park with a great playground and miniature golf. There is also a skateboard park and kid-friendly Kauai hiking trails. It's a great stopover on your drive to the North Shore.
). My kids love running across the Hanapepe Swing Bridge. The whole town is easy to walk and they have nice shops and restaurants. It's a great place to stop after viewing Waimea Canyon.
If you're looking for a kid-friendly adventure on Kauai, be sure to check out mountain tubing down the reed channel at Mt. Waialeale. It's like floating on a lazy river, but you'll be wearing headlights and going through old irrigation ditches.
Best Family Resorts In Hawaii For Kids
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