Planning to visit Maui with kids? You can be assured that this jewel of the Aloha State offers plenty for the whole family. Kids want swimming, marine life, and adventure! Parents want to feel like they’re getting the best value in this place we call the Valley Isle.
Our list of things to do in Maui with kids covers all of the essentials to hit on your upcoming vacation to paradise!
A tour we think you'll love
1) Take A Private Maui Tour
It’s hard to enjoy bonding time on a family trip when you’re stuffed in a tour group with strangers. That’s why so many families book private tours when they visit Maui. Don’t sweat trying to find a fun, affordable Maui tour.
Maui’s Private Guide has been offering the best way to explore the island since 2010. Each curated all-ages tour can accommodate up to 11 people. Many of our tours are suitable for families with babies! Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with your family when you book:
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Road to Hana Tour – Explore tropical rainforest and bamboo forest, stroll black sand and red sand beaches, marvel at waterfalls, discover lava tube caves, and so much more! There’s no better way to explore the north shore of the Haleakala Volcano.
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Maui Island Tour – Enjoy an action-packed day learning about the culture, history, geology, and landmarks of Maui!
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Farm Tours – Come experience the fruits of Maui! Let us customize an interactive tour experience that can include stops at Ali’i Lavender Farm, the Kula Upcountry Farm, the Surfing Goat Dairy, the Maui Tropical Plantation, and the Maui Pineapple Plantation. Guests have opportunities to learn about local agriculture, sample goodies, and purchase treats to bring back home.
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Extreme Tours – These private and personalized tours are perfect for families with older kids and can include activities such as skydiving, paragliding, parasailing, zip-lining, and more at some of the most scenic spots around Maui!
Our tours last around five to nine hours each. Every tour includes transport in a luxury van with a scheduled pickup time at your hotel or rental house. Your itinerary will always be 100% customized to meet your preferences.
Ready to make some amazing memories? Book your private family tour of Maui with Maui’s Private Guide today, and let the adventure begin!
2) Put Your Toes In Warm Sand At Maui’s Best Beaches
Look no further for things to do with kids in Maui if you have some real water babies on your hands! Here’s a look at our family beach recommendations:
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Baldwin Beach Park – Considered one of the most stunning beaches in Maui, mile-long Baldwin Beach Park is a spot where families can spread out, run around, and make incredible memories. Perched on Maui’s famed North Shore, this beach attracts its fair share of surfers. Families looking for some gentle swimming will appreciate that this white sand beach has lifeguards on duty. There’s even a subsection of the park called Baby Beach that’s perched on a soothing lagoon with sand dunes.
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Wailea Beach – Located just steps from the Wailea Beach Resort in South Maui, this crescent-shaped beach is hugged by lava fields and swaying palms. Parents will love all of the amenities at this beach. If you’re looking for a slightly more remote beach in South Maui, the half-mile shoreline of Keawakapu Beach is ideal for finding solitude while sunbathing and swimming with your family.
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Hamoa Beach – This crescent-shaped beach with silken sand in East Maui is great if you’re looking for a spot for snorkeling, surfing, or boogie boarding with older kids. While catching big waves here can be thrilling, visitors with younger kids should be aware that the absence of a reef means that wave conditions can change rapidly from calm to dangerous. Hamoa Beach has public bathrooms and showers.
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Kanaha Beach Park – This beach in central Maui rests on a peaceful stretch of the coast with views of the West Maui Mountains. Guests can explore 40 acres of white sand while enjoying volleyball, swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and more!
Fun Fact: Did you know that Maui is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches? In fact, it has over 30 miles of stunning coastline, so there’s always a perfect spot to relax and soak up the sun!
3) See A Sunrise At Haleakala National Park
Known locally as House of the Sun, this national park in East Maui is famed for its legendary sunrises. Be sure to make a reservation on the park’s website ahead of time for this permit-only activity!
Haleakala has more than 30 miles of hiking trails that range from 10-minute journeys to overnight excursions. Along the way, visitors enjoy multiple ecosystems that include everything from native shrubland to aeolian cinder desert.
Pro Tip: Dress in layers! It can be chilly at the summit of Haleakala in the early morning, but as the sun rises, it warms up quickly. Bringing a light jacket or sweater will keep you comfortable while you enjoy the breathtaking views!
4) Spot Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles At Ho’okipa Beach Park
Of all the spots where you can see sea turtles in the Hawaiian Islands, Ho’okipa Beach Park is considered the most magical. This white-sand beach can welcome up to 100 giant turtles at a time! Generally, the best time to see sea turtles is just before sunset. This is when they come in to relax in the sand. However, many visitors report seeing them throughout the morning and afternoon. Observing the turtles is fine as long as you maintain a safe distance.
Ho’okipa Beach Park is also a top spot for spotting humpback whales during the winter months while they make their return journey to Alaska. While sightings are most common from December through April, they ramp up significantly during a small window during February and March. It’s common to see groups of people congregating in high lookout spots throughout the park trying to catch views of playful humpbacks breaching in the waves.
5) Explore Hawaiian Culture In Lahaina
This historic town in West Maui is full of life and culture! Spend a day enjoying local shops, galleries, and terrific restaurants. Lahaina also has great natural areas and overlooks. Here are some must-see Lahaina spots when doing Maui with kids:
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Whalers Village – Shop at Maui’s premier waterfront mall. In addition to being home to many high-end and popular retailers, this mall also offers opportunities to shop from local specialty retailers offering made-in-Hawaii goods.
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Lahaina Cannery – If you need a break from the sun, this fully enclosed, air-conditioned shopping center is the perfect place to relax. The mall boasts a mix of national stores and locally Hawaiian boutiques.
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Island Cream – Considered one of the best spots on the island for authentic shave ice, Island Cream is located directly across the Lahaina Cannery. Choose from 36 fresh shave ice flavors!
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Hula Grill Kaanapali – If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy an early dinner before heading back for the night, Hula Grill Kaanapali offers a kids menu with cheeseburgers, mac & cheese, and teriyaki chicken. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy filet mignon, grilled tuna steak, lobster tail, coconut seafood chowder, and a great selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.
Don’t forget to enjoy the scenery in Lahaina! Ideal for most ages, Lahaina’s Ohai Loop Trail and Overlook is a 1.2-mile loop with easy terrain. Enjoy warm ocean breezes and cliffside views with the potential to spot a whale during certain times of the year!
Start Planning Your Maui Vacation
There’s nothing like experiencing Maui with kids! As you start getting serious about planning this once-in-a-lifetime adventure in an island paradise, Maui’s Private Guide is here to help you make the most of every minute.
We want to show you the natural beauty of Maui without dealing with crowds. Each private guided tour we offer comes with a dedicated tour guide. We make it possible to explore Maui with a custom itinerary that’s designed around the things your family wants to see.
Ready to create unforgettable memories in Maui? Let’s make your dream vacation a reality! Contact Maui’s Private Guide today to start planning your personalized adventure, and get ready for an amazing experience that your family will cherish forever!
