Going to Big Island and Maui with 3 yr old and 2 yr old. Any ideas for fun things to do with kids in Hawaii? ?
leinadserrot asked:
My wife and I are taking our daughters to Hawaii for our first time. We are staying 6 nights on the Big Island and three nights in Maui. Any suggestions of things to do as a family with young children?
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My wife and I are taking our daughters to Hawaii for our first time. We are staying 6 nights on the Big Island and three nights in Maui. Any suggestions of things to do as a family with young children?
December 24th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
OMG OMG OMG! Sand castles are always fun. Make sure you bring a pail and shovels. Most areas around there should sell sand castle beach building kit thingies. If you don’t want to do that you can always fly a kite or go on the shore to see if you can collect shells.
December 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I took my three year old to Maui. We drove around the island and went on three long hikes, including Haleakala’s Sliding Sands Trail, Iao Valley overlook trail, and Waimuku Falls trail. So pretty much I carried him around on my back in the carrier the entire trip. He couldn’t swim except in the wading pool, we couldn’t snorkel together obviously, and other than that we ate and walked around Kaanapali beach area where we stayed. There is an aquarium but it seemed silly to me to visit an aquarium when you can just swim in the ocean and see sea turtles and lots of fish.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:02 am
nature, enjoy it, thats what hawaii is about, you should be glad to stay away from waikiki, a big fat tourist trap.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
On Maui you could take them to “Baby Beach” (in Lahaina oceanside of the Lahaina Cannery Mall….not be confused with Big and Little Beach in Kihei), which is great for toddlers. They are two short for the submarine (Atlantis), but there is an inexpensive boat called the “Reef Dancer”. It goes out of Lahiana Harbor a few times a day. It is a semi-submersible (a surface vessel with underwater viewing cabin…kinda like the old Disney ride, but the show is real). They go out for 60-90 minutes, the kids are free, it is between $30.00 to $40.00 for the adults, and you will see lots of fish and turtles.
The Maui Ocean Center is another great place to take the kids. They also have special events for kids. Here is their web site.
You could pack a picnic and go into Iao Valley, which is absolutely beautiful and not a far drive from anywhere.
If you near Whalers Village they have a regular schedule of lei making, hula classes, etc.
Aloha and enjoy your holiday on Maui.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:41 am
On the big island, go to Hilton Hawaiian village.
You can ride a monorail train (like Disneyland) and boats for free – it’s what they use to get people to/from the different hotel units.
You can see dolphins (and swim with them if you have tons of money)
They also have a lagoon for swimming – no worries about waves – but all the sea life. And of course pools.
The swimming you are supposed to be a register guest and get wrist bands, but …
Black sand beach on south east side of Big Island. Normally you can see the giant sea turtles sunning themselves. Of course – you cannot approach too close or touch.
Get a Hawaiian Ice snow cone – they are huge – one for you, one for your wife – share with the kids.
In Kona (Big Island) there is a candy factory store – kids of all ages love candy!
If you travel Saddle Road – near the Hilo side – there is Rainbow Falls and also a lava cave to see. Easy access.
I’m sure you will travel around the volcano. Do the Thurston Lava Tube – easy trip. Sign up for the park services free guided tour to walk and learn about the stuff there.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:10 am
Things to do with kids on Maui include Maui Ocean Center, hike in Iao Valley, Baby Beach, free Hula show at Lahaina Cannery Mall, Pineapple plantation tour, live animals to see at Dan’ Greenhouse in Lahaina, relax under the giant Banyan Tree, see flamingos and penguins at the Hyatt in Kaanapali (you don’t have to stay there, just visit free). Details of those and more kid activities on Maui are at