The 16 BEST Activities To Do in Maui with Kids

Maui is more than just a dreamy honeymoon destination. It’s also one of the BEST PLACES in the world to travel with kids. With its warm beaches, natural beauty, and abundance of family-friendly adventures, it’s the perfect place to create lifelong memories with your children. Whether you’re planning your first trip to Maui or returning for another round of paradise, our guide will help you discover the best things to do in Maui with kids and how to make the most of your family vacation.

Why Choose Maui for a Family Vacation?

Maui is truly a family-friendly paradise. I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up with an ocean view each morning?!? With gorgeous beaches, under the sea wildlife, tropical landscapes, and plenty of fun-filled activities for  families, it’s easy to see families keep coming back to Maui for more. Plus, the Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit is so welcoming. We loved being out in the beautiful Hawaiian nature, learning more about the culture and of course – all the FUN activities! 

Best Time to Visit Maui with Kids

The best time to visit Maui with kids is either during Spring (April-May) or Fall (September-October). The weather is fantastic, less crowds, and lower accommodation prices. But, if you’re like us, and can only travel during school breaks, winter and summer are still excellent times for family travel—just make sure to book early. Or do what we do and travel for FREE using our credit card points. 

Where to Stay on Maui with Kids

Waking up to gorgeous views from the top floor of hotels is great, but when you’re traveling with kids, convenience and comfort are key. We stayed at two different resorts during our stay in Maui, and while both were fantastic, one was a lot more kid-friendly than the other. 

1. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa: Located right on Lahaina’s famous Ka’anapali Beach, the Hyatt Regency Maui is one of the best kid-family resorts we’ve ever stayed at. From their incredible pools – including one just for the kiddos – to daily activities and amazing restaurants, it’s a resort paradise. They also have one of the top luaus on the island right at the hotel. We stayed 5 days/4 nights at the resort and never once did our daughter say she was bored. In fact, there just wasn’t enough time to do all the daily activities she wanted to do. Highly recommended! 
2. Hyatt Hana-Maui: If you’re heading to Hana during your family vacation in Maui, check out the Hana-Maui resort. It’s not as kid-friendly as the Hyatt Regency, but it is the definition of relaxation and beauty. As far as kids activities, there is an infinity pool and lawn games, and the resort is made up of casitas instead of rooms – perfect for larger families. You are also close to Haleakala National Park for a day of exploring. And don’t forget to get your Jr. Ranger’s badge during your time in the park.

Best Activities in Maui with Kids

There are so many incredible kid-family activities in Maui, but we’ve narrowed it down to our absolute favorites. So here are our favorite 16 activities in Maui with kids:

Snorkeling at Black Rock Beach

Black Rock Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Maui to snorkel. There is a huge coral reef where colorful fish and sea turtles love to hang out. You are pretty much guaranteed to see sea turtles there – we must have seen more than 30 while we were there. The beach does get super crowded though, and there’s no shade, so make sure you’re prepared. 

SNORKELING TIP: Bring snorkels and swimming goggles with you. The resorts charge a crazy amount to rent them, and it’s much easier to buy them and bring them with you.

BEACH TIP: If you’re staying at one of the resorts, you can check out beach chairs for the day. This was a game-changer for us. And you can even carry them on your back like backpacks. 

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Go Whale Watching (December to April)

There’s only one reason why we chose to take our Maui family vacation in March instead of October, and that was to go whale watching. This has been on my bucket list for ages, and it was an experience we’ll NEVER FORGET! So if you want to go to Maui during whale season, make sure you go from December through April (at the latest. February is peak season, when you’ll have the chance to see the most humpback whales. 

We went with PacWhale Eco Tours, and I’m so glad we did. They guarantee whale sightings on their tours or you can book another tour for FREE. Which is the main reason why we chose them. They are also an eco-friendly tour company – another important reason. We actually got to see multiple whales during our tour, including a mom and her baby together. 

GET 10% OFF using this this code: MauiMap10

Their tours depart from Maalaea Harbor, where the Maui Ocean Center is also located. 

Learn How to Hula

Hula is an important part of the Hawaiin culture, and there’s so much more to it than you would imagine. We took a hula class at our resort (one of the free activities offered there), and learned so much. The instructor explained the history, the music and the story behind hula. And then we got to learn a simple hula dance. So much fun! 

Fun Beach Day in Maui with Kids

A beach day is a non-negotiable for a trip to Maui with kids. It’s pretty much the reason that most people come to Maui. The great thing about Maui beaches is that the water is quite calm, and the beaches are spacious – the perfect recipe for a beach day with kids. Our favorite beaches in Maui are Wahikuli Beach, Ka’anapali Beach, and Black Rock Beach. Ho’okipa Beach is also nice, but it’s more for older kids and surfing with the bigger waves. 

Don’t Forget about a Fun Pool Day in Maui with Kids

If you’re staying at a resort like Hyatt Regency Maui, you HAVE to spend some time in the pools. The kids pools are INCREDIBLE, and if your children are like my daughter, spending time at the pool is a MUST. Waterslides, fun animal creatures to play on, pirate ships, bridges and tunnels to swim under – what’s not to love! 

Drive the Road to Hana (with fun stops along the way)

Should you drive the Road to Hana with kids? Absolutely! It was one of our favorite road trips, EVER! From fun stops along the way to gorgeous tropical vibes and waterfalls all along the way, it’s an epic adventure. I highly recommend you don’t skip this on your trip to Maui. Oh, and if you rent a car, rent a Jeep! It’s the BEST way to drive the Road to Hana. 

Day Trip TIP: If you’re only doing a day road trip on the Road to Hana, leave early, bring snacks, and plan your stops before you go. 

Stay in Hana TIP: Staying the night in Hana alleviates the stress of having to get it all in during just a day. We stayed in Hana for a night at the Hyatt Hana-Maui Resort, and it was the best decision? 

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Visit the Maui Ocean Center

Located in the Ma‘alaea harbor (next to many of the whale watching tours), the Maui Ocean Center is one of the best aquariums in the U.S. It has Hawaiian marine life,  interactive exhibits, and the walk-through tunnel is always a favorite for everyone. 

Tip: You can buy tickets online to get early access and skip the line as it can get pretty busy. 

See the Sunbathing Turtles at Ho-okipa Beach Park Lookout

 One of our favorite places to see turtles was at Ho-okipa Beach Park Lookout. The turtles come to shore to sunbathe by the dozens, and it’s so fun to see them lounging in all their glory. It’s quite a popular place since you’re pretty much guaranteed to see turtles, so be prepared for crowds. There is free parking, but again, depending on the time of day you go, it can be pretty busy. 

TIP: It’s also a popular place to surf, so if you have surfers in the family, you might want to bring your surfboards with you. 

Hiking in Haleakalā National Park 

Exploring Haleakalā National Park is another MUST during your time in Maui. There are great trails, including the Pīpīwai Trail to see the bamboo forest and another incredible waterfall. And don’t forget to grab your Jr. Ranger packets to get your Jr. Ranger badges while you’re there. 

TIP: Make sure you layer! It can be chilly, rainy, humid, and hot in a matter of one hour, so layering is the way to go. 

And if you’re up for a sunrise or sunset trip to the very top of Haleakalā, the views are absolutely stunning! You’ll actually be above the clouds. 

TIP: Again, wear warm layers – it gets super chilly up on the top of the mountain!

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Waterfall Hikes

There are so many waterfalls to choose from in Maui, so you have many to choose from. We saw the best ones on the Road to Hana and inside Haleakalā National Park. And if you have younger kids, there are waterfalls that don’t even require a hike. Just pull off to the side of the road. But you don’t want to miss those amazing waterfalls.

Explore the Kapalua Tidepools 

One of the coolest things we saw on one of our hikes were the Kapalua tidepools. It was SUPER WINDY when we went, so we didn’t walk too far down. You really have to be careful with kids, but the views were awesome, and we even got splashed on from the huge waves. And if you’re lucky, turtles and fish do make their way into the pools. 

Nakalele Blowhole

There she blows! One of the regrets that I had on our Maui trip was not seeing the Nakalele Blowhole. We were on our way when we realized that there’s a slight hike down to the blowhole, and we didn’t have the proper shoes. But if you want to add this to your Maui trip, make sure you’re prepared with proper shoes and attire. Next time for us!

Whalers Village

Whalers Village is such a cool place to hang out for shopping, eating, and drinking. There are great shopping options, including local tourist shops for souvenirs. There are also fantastic restaurants – we ate at two restaurants right on Kaanapali Beach – as well as ice cream and desserts. It’s located right near all the Lahaina resorts, including where we stayed, the Hyatt Regency Maui. And the walk along the beach is gorgeous! 

Attend a Hawaiian Luau

Experiencing a luau is a fun way for the whole family to enjoy Hawaiian food, music, and dance. Try the Old Lāhainā Luau or Feast at Lele for family-friendly options.

Tip: Book your luau early—they sell out fast, especially during peak seasons.

Eat Hula Pie

If you go to Maui and don’t eat the hula pie, did you even go to Maui?!? We loved it so much, we got it again a second time. It’s just THAT good! 

Where to Eat with Kids on Maui

Maui offers plenty of casual dining options that are perfect for families. Everything is a bit more expensive than on the mainland, so be prepared. 

• Hula Grill: Fun vibes on the beach with delicious food. Don’t forget the Hula Pie! Located at Whalers Village
• Leilani’s on the Beach: Another fun restaurant at Whalers Village with music and beach vibes. 
• Coconut’s Glens: Famous coconut ice cream and fish tacos located on the Road to Hana 
• Monkeypod Kitchen: One of the most popular restaurants at Whalers Village, especially for their pizza. Make reservations because it gets super busy!
• Ululani’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice: A MUST treat while in Maui – your kids will love it! 
• Food trucks: There are tons of food trucks to try – we ate at a Mexican one with delicious fish tacos and chips with guacamole. 
• China Bowl Asian Cuisine: if you’re looking for some non-Hawaiian food, we ate at China Bowl, and it was so good! Just a quick 3 minutes from the Hyatt Regency Maui.

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Did you even drive the Road to Hana if you didn’t stop at Coconut Glens? The coconut ice cream is seriously magic! 🥥🍨 #roadtohana #hana #maui #mauihawaii #coconutglens #coconuticecream

♬ Do You Believe in Magic? – The Lovin’ Spoonful

Tips for Traveling Maui with Kids

• Rent a Car: If you plan on exploring all over the island, renting a car is the best way to go. And here’s our favorite tip: UPGRADE to a Jeep. It’s seriously the way to go! 
• Pack Water Shoes, Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Snorkel Gear: You can rent or buy all of these on the island, but it will save you so much money to just bring it along with you. 
• Bring Reusable Water Bottles: Staying hydrated in the tropical sun is so important, and you’ll need tons of water during your trip. 
• Respect Local Culture: One important thing to keep in mind during your trip to Maui is the importance of Hawaiian customs, wildlife, and environmental respect to the locals. Teach your children to respect the local customs and culture.

Is Maui with Kids Worth It? 

Maui is truly a dream destination for families! As a family, we had been dreaming of a trip to Maui for years, and it finally happened. And now that we’ve been, we can’t wait to go back again and explore more of Hawaii. 

And yes, Maui can be expensive, but learning how to leverage credit card points was the best thing I ever did. We were able to stay at 5-star resorts for FREE during our entire trip to Maui. Plus, free airline tickets too. 

TIP: If you want to learn more about how to travel for free using credit card points, here’s our guide on what cards we used and how we transferred them: FREE TRAVEL 

So, YES, it’s COMPLETELY WORTH IT!