Visiting Hawaii With Kids: Where to Stay and What to Do

 

Hawaii has long been the destination of choice for honeymooners, surfers, and lovers of abundant sunshine. However, it can also be a great vacation destination for families with kids.

Hawaiians celebrate the importance of Ohana afterall and if we learned anything from Lilo and Stitch it is that “Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind” So bring the kids to Hawaii. 

Islands each have a different feel. I recommend Oahu or Maui with kids. For more information on each location check out my blog post Choosing a Hawaiian island

WHERE TO STAY:

Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa:

Aulani is on top of Hawaii Tourism’s Kids Club Guide. This resort is a tropical paradise with pure Disney magic. When you book your stay at Aulani Hawaii Resort you are guaranteed world-class hospitality, amazing service and an enchanting experience you will never forget. The Aulani Resort celebrates the hawaiian culture, and is a place the locals enjoy visiting. 

Some of the amazing amenities you will find at this resort is:

• Family Villas

• A chance to meet Disney Characters

• Ko Olina Lagoon 

  • Swim, Splash and Play

  • Also a great place to relax and unwind

• Aunty’s Beach House (ages 3-12)

  • Crafts

  • Video games

  • Watch Disney Movies 

  • Fully Supervised

• Golf

• Live Entertainment

• Interactive Tour Guides 

  • Catamaran

  • Horseback

  • On Foot 

• Ka Maka Grotto

• Keiki Cove Splash Zone

Please visit https://www.disneyaulani.com/ for more information on all of the wonderful amenities this resort has to offer. 

Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club 

Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club is only half an hour from the excitement of Honolulu. This resort has some of the most beautiful Villas that are perfect for families. As a guest of this beautiful beach club, you will have access to a clear blue lagoon and are steps away from the ocean on the island of Oahu. 

The Spa by the Sea offers amazing services and treatments to help you relax and enjoy your dream vacation. You can have your massage, body wrap or facial in an open-air cabana or in your own private room. Treat yourself and book your spa experience while the kids are in the club!

Visit the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club Website to check out all of the amenities. 

Turtle Bay Resort:

Located on the most northern tip of Oahu’s North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort offers everything a Hawaiian vacation should be. Its name comes from the leatherback turtles that come ashore on this beach. This resort is a rare gem and an iconic hawaiian landmark. It has supreme natural beauty. Even while you are practicing social distance you can escape to the North Shore with a virtual tour of the 5 mile coastline. 

But you actual have to take the plane ride to enjoy the many activities at the Turtle Bay Resort, like:

• Go horseback riding 

• Take surfing lessons

• Paddle an outrigger canoe 

• Go off-roading on a Segway

• Surf with Dogs

• Snorkel with Sea Turtles

Check out the Turtle Bay Resort website for a full list of activities.

Grand Wailea 

If you decide that Maui is a better fit for your family then my top choice for places to stay is  Grand Wailea Resort. It may be the most kid-friendly resort on Maui with a one-of-a-kind pool complex with unique features like:

• a lazy-river pool

• four waterslides

• a rope swing 

• water elevator at the center of a faux volcano

• large rooms with many connecting options

You kids (and teenagers) will love the Kid and Teen Club available at the resort. They will be able to meet new friends, while you relax by the pool. 

Clubs offered by the Grand Wailea:

• The Rock : a fun mini resort for kids of all ages

  • Hula Lessons

  • Video Games

  • Lego Wall

• The Spot : Teen Lounge (17 and younger)

  • Snack Bar

  • Video Game Room

  • Pool Table

  • Ping Pong

  • Air Hockey

• Camp Adventures

  • Ages 5-12

You and your family will not forget the experiences you have on this family vacation. Check out the Grand Wailea Website for more information. 

Hyatt Regency 

Guests never run out of things to do at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Make sure to keep an eye out for the flamingos, cranes, parrots, and penguins that live at the resort.

You will find great beach activities like 

• Kayaking

• Snorkeling 

• Windsurfing lessons

There are various Hawaiian-themed kids activities where your children will never be bored.

• A pool

• Children’s area

• Rope bridge

• 150-foot water slide

Most of the hotel’s restaurants offer kid-friendly options and rollaway beds can be provided in the large Standard Rooms.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/hawaii/hyatt-regency-maui-resort-and-spa/oggrm

The Four Seasons Resort in Maui at Wailea

The Four Seasons brand is always one of my top choices for family travel. They have incredible activities for kids while allowing parents to enjoy their vacation.  Far from your typically crowded, noisy and bustling kid-friendly hotel it offers a relaxing escape that encourages family bonding. Parents can indulge in the great adult amenities the hotel offers, while their kids are well taken care of at the Kids Clubs. 

Amenities: 

• 3 Salt Water Pools

• Complimentary Cabanas 

• Two Tennis Courts

• Game Room

Kids Club Activities: 

• Kids for all Seasons

  • Age specific itineraries that are customer created by the Concierge 

  • Picnics set up all around the island 

  • Private dinners where you can see the beautiful ocean

A children’s welcome program includes:

• Free cribs

• High chairs

• Toiletries 

• Bathrobes

• The room can be child-proofed in advance upon request

As like most Four Seasons Kids under five eat free at two of the Four Seasons’ restaurants, and all restaurants — plus room service — provide kids’ menus. 

With all the options this resort offers for children the Four Seasons Maui At Wailea is the perfect place to visit and enjoy your family vacation.

Montage Kapalua Bay 

The rooms at the Montage Kapalua Bay alone make it one of the best Hawaii family hotels. The generous size rooms gives adults and kids plenty of space to spread out and unwind. 

Each room comes with its own:

• Kitchen 

• Dishwasher

• Laundry Facilities

• Hardwood Flooring 

• High Ceilings

• Separate Dining and Living Room

The pool is a highlight for guests of all ages:

• Multiple levels connected by cascading waterfalls

• Cabinas

• A shallow kids’ pool 

You can also find a lovely stretch of sand just below the resort with calm waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. 

There are plenty of fun activities for the kids to do daily.  Your kids will enjoy making new friends, learning about history and culture of the Island, earning prizes and making art work.

The Montage Merit:

The concierge facilitates a merit badge earning program. With 12 activities you can complete to earn a badge. You can even get a prize for completing them all.

Paintbox:

Daily planned out activities for children (ages 5-12) to enjoy and learn more about the Island

• Arts and Crafts 

• Games

• Creative activities indoors or outdoor by the pool

Take time for yourself and enjoy the on-site Spa while your kids are learning and having fun. If I was booking a trip to the Montage Hotel, I would have to make sure I book the Island Body Bliss massage. 

Spa Montage Kapalua Bay

• Wellness Journey

• Body Therapies

• Facial Therapies

• Massage Therapies

• Salon 

• Fitness Program

If you are looking for a hotel with a beautiful room with your own kitchen, amazing views, lots of space, great activities for the whole family, book your vacation home away from home with Montage Hotel at Kapalua Bay.

Attractions:

There is so much more to discover when visiting Hawaii beyond the beautiful resorts. I have listed a few of my favorite must-see attractions to visit with your whole family.  

Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu) 

It is a must visit for any first time visit to Hawaii. Their nightly luau was voted best on the island. Built to look like a traditional grass hut village, the Polynesian Cultural Center takes you on a figurative journey through the South Pacific where you will learn about the history, culture, mythology, food and handicrafts of this vibrant region. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center features 7 villages, including the Pacific regions of Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Marquesas, Tonga, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Tahiti. Each center features shows, activities, and demonstrations highlighting the differences and celebrating these unique South Pacific cultures. 

Piiholo Ranch (Maui) 

The “upcountry” town of Makawao brings a bit of the Old West to Maui. The area has a long history of ranching, and the town still hosts a rodeo every July. It’s also a great spot for horseback riding; Piiholo Ranch offers a number of different trail rides and a zipline course for families who need more of an adrenaline rush.

Honolulu Zoo (Honolulu, Oahu)

The Honolulu Zoo has so much to do for the whole family. Zoo Camp Programs will show your child some of the most unique animals in the world. They will learn about the environments and how each animal survives with hand-on teaching. Do your kids like to go camping? Check out the Snooze at the Zoo programs where they will camp out under the stars and tour the Africian Savanna. 

Royal Hawaiian Center (Honolulu, Oahu)

Care to learn hula or ukulele? Weave a traditional floral lei or learn Hawaiian quilting? The Royal Hawaiian Center offers free lessons throughout the week, and also has free live entertainment and hula shows most evenings.

Kahuku (North Shore, Oahu)

Why take a Kahuku Farm tour before you enjoy lunch in the on-site cafe? This is a true farm-to-fork experience where you can enjoy produce that has been picked that very morning.

The Bishop Museum (Honolulu, Oahu)

The Bishop Museum is a treasure trove of significant South Pacific artifacts. Kids will love the planetarium where you can learn about star navigation, a special skill of the ancient Hawaiians, and there are highlight exhibitions throughout the year that focus on science and nature

Sea Life Park (Oahu)

The Sea Life Park is the #1 marine life and wild animal park in Hawaii. Your family will have the most amazing time while learning and watching these beautiful marine animals. With Sea Life Park’s interactive programs you will be able to swim with a shark, play with a dolphin and meet a sea lion.   

Dole Plantation (Oahu)

Hawaii’s premier pineapple experience. Take a 20 minute train tour on the Pineapple Express. For two miles you will hear all about the history of the Dole Plantation. Take a walk through the Pineapple Gardens and see some of the Island’s other beautiful horticulture. If you enjoy mazes you need to try the world’s largest maze. This  maze stretches over 3 acres and you will search for the 8 secret stations that will lead you closer to the heart of this maze. While there make sure you try the fresh pineapple.

Kualoa Ranch (Oahu)

Have you seen the movie Jurassic Park? The Kualoa Ranch is where it was filmed. There are a lot of activities to experience at this beautiful ranch. Give the Jungle Jeep Expedition a try. On this 90 minute ride into the jungle you will visit a lot of the areas where Jurassic Park and Jumanji scenes were filmed. Take an ATV out for an adventure of a lifetime through the Jurassic Valley. If you would rather be in the ocean try the Ocean Voyage Adventure or the Kayak Adventure tour. No matter what you choose you will not be disappointed in this family adventure.

Maui Ocean Center (Maui)

Snorkeling is a great way for older kids to get up close and personal with tropical fish. For younger kiddos, the Maui Ocean Center is a fantastic alternative. This aquarium spotlights marine flora and fauna unique to the South Pacific, teaching families about some of the very same creatures they’d see in the sea.

Sail an Outrigger Canoe 

Family holidays are all about bonding and learning to sail is a true team effort. Paddle across the waves of Waikiki Beach, pick up some sailing tips and hear all about how the ancient Hawaiians navigated the South Pacific with nothing but the stars to guide them. 

National and State Parks

Hawaii has some of the most beautiful national and state parks in the country. Visiting these state parks will give the kids a chance to burn off some energy, learn about natural sciences and enjoy the view.

These are some of my favorite parks for families:

• Lapakahi State Historical Park

  • Whale Watching

• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

  • Hiking

• Haleakala National Park

  • Sunrise tours

• Tantalus Lookout- Puu Ualakaa State Park

  • Scenic lookout for beautiful views

Need a vacation but the idea of planning-it-all is overwhelming?

If you are ready to have the family vacation you’ve been dreaming of, without spending time researching, planning and making it happen, schedule a call today. I’m here to help busy working Moms plan, organize and book the perfect family vacation. With me, all you have to worry about is enjoying your well-earned time away with your family. If you are ready to stop trying to do everything on your own and see how I can help you schedule a complimentary trip planning session now.

  

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