Maui is by far one of my top recommendations for where to travel with kids! Between all the adventurous and relaxing Maui activities for families and the endless food trucks for chill meals with unruly little ones, Maui has a little bit of everything all in one place. Check out this guide for the best Maui activities for Families!
This post may contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our work!
Where to Stay in Maui with Kids
Maui is a very drivable island. From Lahaina on the west to Hana on the east is about 2.5-3 hours meaning you could chose to base yourself in one area and add a bit more driving to your trip days. Alternatively, you could choose 2 or 3 different locations during your stay so you are closer to certain activities at certain times.
We chose to experience all areas of the island and opted to stay in three different locations during our 9 days in Maui. If you have more than a week to spend in Maui, I’d highly recommend renting a car and moving around a bit. We loved getting a chance to see more of the island by not staying in one place.
These are our favorite areas to stay in Maui for families:
Northwest – Lahaina
- Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa* – Perfect location right on Kaanapali Beach
- Aston Kaanapali Shores
- Hilton Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Maui
South West – Kihei
- Kamole Sands Condo* – Close to all middle island activities
- Kamaole Beach Royale
- Beach Chic Condo with Huge Ocean Views
East – Hana
- Hyatt Hana Resort* – Ocean views from the infinity pool, walking distance from the food trucks and nearby Road to Hana stops
- Hana Kai Maui – Many units available for rental
- Hana Homestead – Sleeps 6, perfect for bigger families
*Properties where we stayed and would highly recommend
1. Venture Through Haleakala National Park – One of My Favorite Maui Activities for Families
Haleakala National Park is up there as one of my favorite Maui activities for families. It is such a fun experience with kids of all ages – let them run around and explore, find rocks, climb rocks, throw rocks…. all the rocks! If you have school age kids you can stop at the visitors center to pick up Junior Ranger activity books for the kids to complete while you’re at the park.
Most people will tell you to do this at sunrise or sunset but we chose not to attempt it with our three small kids and we’re glad we did. Our drive up and down the mountain was very leisurely with very little traffic and the top was not crowded at all while we were there. I’m sure the views are spectacular at sunrise and sunset, but mid-day was still an awesome experience and came with much smaller crowds.
If doing it on your own isn’t your thing, consider booking a sunrise tour or sunset tour and let someone else take on the navigation for you.
Tip: If you are planning to do the Road to Hana, be sure to save your entrance ticket to Haleakala National Park. You can use it for some of the stops in Hana on the other side of the mountain instead of having to purchase admission twice.
2. Travel the Road to Hana – One of my other Favorite Maui Activities for Families
The Road to Hana is an absolute must when visiting Maui and it is still an awesome time even with kids in tow! In my opinion, the key to doing the Road to Hana with kids (especially younger kids) is to stay a night or two in Hana. This way you can break up the drive and have more time to explore the stops in the Hana area in the morning with fewer crowds.
There is an amazing resort right in Hana that is the perfect stopping point; otherwise, you can find some great Hana vacation rentals if hotels aren’t your thing. Either way, you will not regret adding some extra time in Hana when doing the Road to Hana with kids.
3. Swim at Kepaniwai Park – Favorite off the beaten path stop with kids
On your way up to ‘Iao Valley State Monument, you’ll pass Kepaniwai Park on your left. This was recommended to us by a local and it ended up being one of our favorite activities with kids in Maui. Kepaniwai Park is a waterside park right on the river with themed gardens you can walk through.
The best part is you can easily climb down to the river where the kids can play in the water. The river has a lot of shallow areas with very slow moving water so it’s safe for even the little ones and is a really fun place for them to explore. We ended up spending hours here and would have spent longer if we could. You do not have to pay an entrance fee to enter Kepaniwai Park like you do at the top when visiting ‘Iao Valley State Monument.
Tip: Make sure you bring swim suits and towels for the kids because they are definitely getting wet!
4. Climb to the Top of ‘Iao Valley State Monument
‘Iao Valley State Monument area was beautiful and a really easy stop with kids. It was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be but it ended up being the perfect end-of-day stop after spending so much time at Kepaniwai Park (see above). Most of the main trail is paved and stroller friendly until you get to the steps at the end. If you have older kids you can also go down an unpaved trail to the river.
Reservations: ‘Iao Valley State Monument is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You have to have reservations to enter. If they are not booked they will allow you to buy tickets upon arrival (assuming they are not sold out) but there is no service at the entrance so you will have to drive back down the hill until you have enough service to purchase a ticket. Do yourself a favor and be sure to make a reservation before you drive up.
5. Chow Down at All the Food Trucks
Guys, I love me a food truck and Maui is literally a food truck HAVEN! Everywhere you go – FOOD TRUCKS – and I’m not talking a food truck here and there, I’m talking entire lots packed with food trucks. What is better when traveling with kids than a food truck alley where everyone can get whatever they want and you can get up and leave when one kid (or everyone) is having a meltdown. It’s amazing food mixed with super chill vibes – perfect for littles who cannot sit still.
Favorite Food Truck Parks and Stops:
Kihei – Food Oasis
- Bacon & Blossom – Amazing ingredients and even better service
- Kraken Coffee – Technically next door to the Food Oasis but worth the stop
- Sweet Hula – The best Acai bowls
- Thai Mee Up – Delicious Thai food
Lahaina – Honoapiilani Food Truck Park
- Kaya Sushi – Food truck sushi is still awesome
- Coconut/Fresh Fruit Hut – Right to the left when you walk in. Fresh fruit and coconut milk straight from the coconut.
- Thai Food by Suri – Top Thai food on the West side of Maui
Hana – Two Food Truck Parks
- Poke Bob’s – Kebobs and poke bowls
- Da Fish Shack – Can you have too much fish on an island?
- Da Mean Bean – All day coffee stop
Tip: While most food trucks will take credit card, be sure to always have cash for a few that will not accept card.
6. Marvel at a Luau Show
If you have older kids, be sure to book a luau for the true Hawaii experience. Enjoy dinner and a show while you learn about Polynesian ancestry and watch cultural performances. Luau shows are the quintessential Hawaiian experience and will be one you’ll never forget. There are many different Luau experiences to choose from but some are better than others so be sure to do your research and read reviews before booking. These are two of the top rated Luau’s in Maui:
7. Explore the Surfer Town of Paia
The quiet little surfer town of Paia is so quaint and gives off serious old school Hawaii vibes. The whole town only spans a few blocks but in that tiny area you’ll find countless boutiques, surf shops and delicious restaurants. We loved wandering the shops and taking in this adorable old town. While you’re here be sure to stop at Pāʻia Fish Market for some amazing local seafood.
If you can’t find street parking, there’s paid parking behind Paia Bay Coffee & Bar. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here depending on how long you want to shop.
Tip: Most people will stop at Paia Fish Market while they are there so the line is usually out the door – I mean it’s worth it. Instead of waiting in the line, explore the town and when you are ready to head out, call ahead and order your food for pickup. They will tell you what time to come pick it up and then you can walk to nearby Paia Bay or drive to Hoʻokipa Beach Park and enjoy your food there instead.
8. Enjoy Some Resort Time
When in paradise, be sure to build in some relaxation time to balance out all the adventure. I always like packing adventure into the beginning of our trip and ending with some pool and beach time when we are all exhausted.
There are countless family friendly resorts in Maui but we absolutely loved the Hyatt Regency Maui with kids. They have a kids pool complete with zero entry, pretend animals to ride on, a mid-pool sandbox and a small water slide for even the youngest of kids to enjoy. They also have resident animals at the resort (such as penguins and parrots) with daily timing for kids to interact with them. We really loved the Hyatt Regency Maui and would highly recommend it for anyone traveling as a family.
9. Check Out a Pineapple Farm
Go upcountry to experience a working pineapple farm in Haliimaile. Learn all about the special Maui Gold Pineapple while you get a full tour of the farm. Take home a free pineapple to enjoy on the island or bring back to the states with you.
10. Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is a great fill in activity for a rainy day. It was a really nice aquarium and the kids loved seeing the endless sea creatures. If you’re taking the red eye home from Maui, this is a great last day afternoon activity for the family.
Tip: Book tickets ahead of time and save $5 per ticket.
11. Have a Leisurely Morning in Kihei
If you’re staying in Kihei with little kids, be sure to spend a leisurely morning oceanside. Start by grabbing coffee at the Kraken Coffee Food Truck before walking across the street to the Kalama Playground by the ocean. Our kids had so much fun running around and building up a breakfast appetite while we sipped coffee. Take a family walk along the oceanside path (on the west side of Kalama Park) and let the kids rock scramble before heading to the Food Trucks of Kihei for breakfast – Bacon & Blossom and Sweet Hula were our favorites.
12. Explore Whaler’s Village
If you’re staying in Lahaina, take a venture through Whaler’s Village. Here you’ll find lots of top restaurants and fun shops. It’s a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner – we loved Island Vintage Coffee for breakfast. With kids in tow, you’ll find a fun climbing and splash pad area in the center that makes for a great beach break stop.
What to Read Next
- 7 Day Maui Itinerary With Kids: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Travel Guide
- Best Affordable Maui Tours for Families: 10 Adventures Under $100
- Road to Hana with Kids: Complete Family-Friendly Adventure Guide
- Packing for International Travel with Kids: Complete Packing Guide
Pin Now, Read Later
Leave a Reply