Favorite Things To Do in Maui with Kids

Kristy Pepping said:  Maui is a great place for some fresh pineapple and enjoying this tour is one of the best things to do in Maui with kids! It is our goal when we go on vacation to explore what each destination we visit is known for. So I highly recommend Maui Pineapple Tours at the Maui Gold Pineapple Fields when you are on the island. You will get to see how pineapples are grown in the fields, processed in the factory and of course sample this flavorful fruit! The tours last around 90 minutes and you get a free pineapple as a souvenir. Add on a special lunch or distillery tour, too.

Kristy Pepping said:  Whalers Village is an outdoor shopping center that includes several quick-service and sit-down restaurants, and shopping. We came to this mall because it was raining one day and even though it is outdoors, there are plenty of nice shops and a fun climbing structure for kids, and special events.

Kristy Pepping said:  Maui Chocolate Tour is sure to be a hit for all the chocolate loving family members. Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that can grow the Cacao beans necessary to create chocolate. To see how chocolate is created, head to Kupa's Farm for a tour or a chocolate tasting. Plus, you'll see coffee beans and vegetables growing on this farm that are used at island restaurants. This 2-hour tour teaches you how Cacao is grown and harvested.

Kristy Pepping said:  I wish I had known about this place when we were visiting Maui with kids! If we go again, this will be on our agenda for sure because my three girls love mermaids! When you are on Maui, check out Hawaii Mermaid Adventures. Your child can choose a mermaid tale and learn to swim like a mermaid in their pool or in the ocean. Plus, they get a photo shoot to commemorate the moment! There is also an option for non-swimmers to sit on the sand and meet a mermaid, too.

Kristy Pepping said:  Whale Watching is a must if you are coming during the whale migration season. After doing some research online, we chose this company. Although they cannot guarantee you see whales, we saw a ton and the kids loved it! The boat was a large catamaran with bathrooms. They served buffet lunch with plenty of drinks for kids and adults. Before we boarded, they loaned out binoculars for a small fee. We opted out of these, but still saw plenty of whales up close!

Seasonal (typically Dec- April)

Kristy Pepping said:  This amazing submarine experience goes down 100 feet and can carry close to 50 passengers. It is one of the most unique things to things to do in Maui with kids! There are several packages to choose from including combo packages with snorkeling or a luau. A typical tour lasts an hour and a half.

If your kids are afraid of small spaces or have a hard time sitting still, this may not be the best tour for them (see site for photos of the enclosed submarine seating area). However, for older kids, strong swimmers, or yet-be-snorkelers, this is a great way to see life under the sea!

Kristy Pepping said:  Have an animal lover in the family? Then they will love Leilani Farm Sanctuary. All the animals located here were rescued! Take a tour of the farm and learn about the various animals; you can even snuggle with some! Some of the residents include goats, chickens, donkeys, and rabbits. Tours last about an hour and reservations are required.

Kristy Pepping said:  We went to Maui for spring break, so we knew we needed a hotel that was kid-friendly. This Hyatt fit that perfectly! There are a couple of pools and one is zero-depth for non-swimmers. They also have a fun waterslide for older kids. It is right on the beach, has stargazing on the roof, a nightly luau on the grounds, shaved ice stand and my daughter's favorite...penguins in the lobby! Oh and the hotel offers free sitting fees for family photos on the grounds. There are also several family-friendly restaurants onsite that are great for both adults and kids.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you are visiting Maui and your kids have never tried surfing, it's a fun activity to do! I will add I highly recommend going early morning as the waves are much smaller and easier to paddle out for kids. This surf place comes highly recommended and is great whether a true beginner or a more advanced surfer. Maui Surf Clinics has special soft boards ideal for children, as well as 1:1 kid-friendly instruction. Classes last between 1 to two hours.

Kristy Pepping said:  When we arrived in Maui, it was raining. We asked the activity desk what there was to do on Maui when it rained and the answer was the Maui Ocean Center! This place is Maui's indoor aquarium and it is a great place to visit with kids. You will find a large collection of living coral, Pacific Ocean marine life within some amazing exhibits. And if you have a scuba certified 12-year-old or older child, they can even dive in the shark tank with the instructors!

Kristy Pepping said:  Lahaina Banyan Court Park is a "no playground equipment" park, however, kids will be fascinated by the largest Banyan tree on Maui that is over 150 years old! The tree literally takes up the entire park. It offers plenty of places for great photo opps as well as fun tree climbing. The park is in a great location...right downtown Lahaina. So if some of your crew is hitting the shops, the rest of the family (or just mom or dad) can hang out in this park. There are plenty of benches, bathrooms, and water fountains to break, as well!

Kristy Pepping said:  With an all-ages rooftop astronomy program and showings nightly, the Hyatt Hotel in Maui is a great spot to view the stars and sky. They have two large telescopes where the facilitator zooms in on various star formations and planets. We all learned more about space and had a chance to view some amazing nighttime creations! I will add you need to climb a small flight of stairs and go across a walkway so this may not be the best for stroller-bound kids. Reservations required.

Kristy Pepping said:  The town of Lahaina sits on the ocean's edge on the west side of the island. Several charter boats and other ocean excursions leave from the harbor. In the town area, there are several parking lots so you can get out and stretch your legs. You'll find many restaurants, shops and places clustered around Front Street including many family friendly ones. It's also a great place to get some souvenirs!

Kristy Pepping said:  Another "must do" on Maui is seeing a luscious waterfall! There are several waterfalls on the road to Hana some hidden and some right off the road. If you have little kids or family who gets car sick, you may not want to go too far to Hana. So one of the first waterfalls that is easily accessible by the highway is Twin Falls. There is a fairly large parking lot and large walkways down to the falls. Plus at the front of the property is a large farm stand (Wailele Farm) with some tasty treats! And for an added bonus, go swimming in the falls! It is very cold, but also shallow enough to just dip your toes in if you want.

Kristy Pepping said:  Surfing Goat Dairy produces award-winning goat cheese for a living, but they also offer fun activities for kids including playful meet-and-greets and interactive farm chores. They offer several tour options with activities like feeding goats, sampling cheese, and even milking the goats. Reservations are strongly encouraged for this family-friendly experience on the island!