16 Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Maui with Kids
Everyone from families to newlyweds to ocean enthusiasts to those looking to explore the island’s landmasses will find something to love on Maui.
Vacationers to Valley Island have their pick of numerous exciting activities, from scenic lavender farms to world-class surfing and snorkeling.
If you’re looking to give the kids an experience they won’t soon forget, here are some of the best family-friendly things to do on Maui.
- Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is undeniably one of the world’s most beautiful drives, with thrilling turns, one-lane bridges, lush scenery ranging from waterfalls and rainforests to lava tubes, and more.
It’s a long drive, especially if you stop (which you will!), and the little ones might get cranky if the weather turns bad.
This trail is ideal for families with older children who enjoy hiking and adventuring, as it features numerous interesting sights to see along the way (such as the Twin Falls, Hana Lava Tube, and Seven Sacred Pools).
- Maui Ocean Center
The next thing to do on Maui with kids is to take them to the Maui Ocean Center, an excellent place to learn about the island’s flora, fauna, and native cultures.
This aquarium, located on Ma’alea Bay, is a beautiful way to combine leisure and education.
The variety of incredible displays, from the Open Ocean to the underwater tunnel to the turtle lagoon to the living coral reef, may cause some visitors’ jaws to drop.
And there’s a lovely display that introduces guests to ancient Hawaiian rituals and ceremonies.
- Maui Waveriders
There is no shortage of surfing spots on Maui, especially in popular areas like Lahaina.
Maui Waveriders, on the other hand, is family-owned and operated and offers adorable, personalized surfing lessons for the whole family.
Lessons at this surfing school begin on the beach and progress into the water at each student’s pace.
Each student has the opportunity to ride a wave, and they receive constructive criticism from their teacher as they do so.
Friendly blacktip sharks and adorable sea turtles may join you for your surfing lesson.
- Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
Visit Maui’s Upcountry for a change of pace from the typical surf and sand; you’ll be forgiven if you temporarily forget that you’re not in the middle of a farm.
Located on the southwestern side of Mount Haleakala, you won’t find actual surfing goats, but you will find a beautiful working farm with various tours!
Kids of all ages will enjoy this tour because they will get to interact with and feed the goats and pet and play with the pigs, cats, and dogs who live on the farm.
- Skyline Eco-Adventures
Skyline Eco-Adventures is a fantastic place for thrill-seeking families to have fun and introduce their young children to the excitement of the outdoors.
Skyline has two thrilling zipline courses: one on the slopes of Mount Haleakala and another through the resorts of Kaanapali. You’ll have fantastic views of the Maui coastline, whichever route you choose.
You can choose the length of your zip-lining adventure to suit your needs, and reservations aren’t required (though children must be at least eight years old for the Haleakala course and 10 for the Kaanapali course).
- HST Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
HST has been around for quite some time, making it one of the longest-running centers on Maui for kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, which rank among the island’s best family activities.
Kitesurfing, windsurfing, traditional surfing, and stand-up paddling are all taught at HST, founded in 1985 by World Cup Pro Alan Cadiz.
If you’ve never been kitesurfing before, don’t worry; the helpful instructors will give you a complete lesson, beginning on the beach and continuing out in the water once you’ve mastered the basics of setting up, flying, and landing your kite while standing on your ten-foot paddleboard.
Surfing instructors are present to help novices, while more experienced surfers are free to go it alone.
- Kapalua Bay Beach
The People Kapalua Bay Beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and it’s a charming place to take kids.
Kapalua Bay Beach is a popular tourist destination because of its excellent snorkeling and its convenient location for renting paddleboards and snorkel equipment.
Great cliffs for cliff jumping can be found beyond the historically significant Cliff House (now a part of the Montage resort). There are handrails and ladders to help divers and jumpers get back to the surface as quickly and efficiently as possible.
- Hawaiian Paddle Sports
Hawaiian Paddle Sports provides private canoe tours (and lessons on how to launch and anchor canoes) through the beautiful reefs of Makena Bay, where you can see some of the world’s cutest sea turtles.
A certified marine naturalist will lead you to the best places to snorkel with turtles, explain the various species of fish you may see, and share stories about the island’s rich history and culture.
Reservations are required; however, if you cannot secure one, you can still enjoy the fantastic snorkeling and turtle sightings that make Turtle Town a tremendous destination, especially for families with young children.
- Makawao Forest Reserve
The Makawao Forest Reserve on Maui is a wonderful place to take the kids in the winter if you all enjoy spending time in nature.
Makawao Forest Reserve is a collection of seven trails in Upcountry Maui. The Kahakapao Recreation Area is a good starting point for the Kahakapao Loop Trail, a winding six miles of excellent walking.
Also frequenting Makawao are cyclists; if you’d like to rent a bike and hit the trails, you can do so at Kranky’s Cycles. Separate paths are reserved for mountain bikers and pedestrians.
- Tour of the Stars (Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa)
Every night at 8 o’clock, the Hyatt hosts the famous Tour of the Stars, an astronomy lesson attended by amateurs and professionals alike.
The Tour of Stars is one of the best activities for families on Maui, with breathtaking views of 80 of the 88 constellations visible from the island (including some that can’t be seen from the mainland).
Guests are given a guided tour of each session and shown how to operate the hotel’s two telescopes and the provided binoculars.
- Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
On 13.5 acres of land in the Upcountry, you’ll find Ali’i Kula, a working lavender farm with nearly 55,000 lavender plants of 45 different varieties. Succulents, olive trees, and hydrangeas add to the farm’s natural beauty.
Although lavender isn’t a native plant to Maui, it does very well on this farm. Visitors can get the lowdown on this lovely plant while enjoying the scenic countryside.
A friend gave Ali’ Chang, the farm’s founder, a lavender plant, and that plant eventually grew into the modern-day Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm on Maui.
- Sail Trilogy: Molokini
Sail Trilogy, established 45 years ago, is one of the island’s largest and oldest sailboat charter companies, and they offer six beautiful sailing tours.
The ‘Discover Molokini’ tour, the company’s most popular offering, can accommodate up to 40 passengers and provides an up-close and personal look at the island’s beautiful marine life, with clear views to a depth of 150 feet.
These sights make the tour one of the most popular in Maui, Hawaii, with children of all ages, including infants, so reserve your spot in advance, particularly in high season.
- Rappel Maui
Rappelling down waterfalls is one of the unique things you can do on a trip to Hawaii.
Rappel Maui is a great place to experience this thrilling activity for yourself, even though many people are afraid to try it. Those who have are always talking about how amazing it was.
When guests are ready, they can rappel down waterfalls into natural pools after receiving all the necessary gear and instructions.
Keep in mind that kids need to be at least ten years old and in good shape for this.
- Old Lahaina Luau
The Old Lahaina Luau is a fascinating look into Hawaii’s past, dating back to the arrival of the first Polynesians.
The Old Lahaina Luau goes above and beyond what most hotels do on luau nights by providing their guests with real tables and flowers (instead of the cheap plastic ones used by most venues) to sit at.
Because it is not affiliated with a hotel, Old Lahaina provides a unique alternative to the other luaus on the island.
The hula dancers and storytellers here perform against the backdrop of the setting Hawaiian sun on a permanent circular stage surrounded by lava rocks.
- Hawaii Mermaid Adventures
The mermaids, the mythology, and the wealth of exciting information on Hawaii’s flora and fauna at Hawaii Mermaid Adventures are unparalleled, making it a must-see attraction for families visiting Maui.
The mermaids will enchant children, and older children will appreciate the opportunity to swim in Hawaii’s beautiful waters and learn about the island’s native marine life during a two-hour lesson led by certified instructors who will ensure their safety.
Digital underwater photos taken during the lesson are yours to keep at no extra cost, allowing you to capture those priceless moments with your loved ones.
Among the best things to do on Maui with kids!
- Atlantis Submarine
The Atlantis Submarine, a one-of-a-kind underwater tour featured on National Geographic, is the final stop on this tour of the best Maui attractions for kids.
Off the coasts of West Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i in the Pacific Ocean, you can dive to depths of up to 100 feet.
Rare marine life, an artificial reef, and migrating humpback whales can all be found just off the coast of Maui. The submarine is air-conditioned and has enough room for 48 passengers.
