Family Fun
Scroll to Continue
Family Activities in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is literally swimming with water-based activities. Kids can pet a sea lion at Sea Life Park, learn to surf from a pro on Waikīkī Beach, and see massive humpback whales splashing around during a whale-watching tour on Maui, Molokaʻi or Lānaʻi. Snorkeling is a kid-approved activity all year long; popular spots include the shallow, protected tide pools of Poʻipū Beach on Kauaʻi and the island of Hawaiʻi’s Kona coast, where you can even swim with dolphins and manta rays.
Beyond the beach, our amazing museums and natural attractions will bring you closer to Hawaiʻi’s fascinating culture – and each other. Learn to dance the hula at the Smith Family Garden Lūʻau, Polynesian Cultural Center and many other authentic lūʻau on every island. Kids can watch planetarium shows and participate in lava demonstrations at the Bishop Museum, or learn how Hawaiʻi’s early explorers navigated to our shores by the stars at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center. Or, let the little ones burn off some energy at our national and state parks, lush gardens and green spaces – from hikes through the clouds at ʻĪao Valley State Park to zipline adventures at Kualoa Ranch, a filming location of Jurassic Park.
If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, take advantage of keiki (children's) programs that range from lei-making to scuba lessons. Aulani Resort brings Disney magic to Oʻahu, with daily activities and pool parties with appearances by Mickey and his friends. On the island of Hawaiʻi, Hilton Waikoloa Village boasts a lazy river and sprawling saltwater lagoon that’s home to several dolphins; kids can even shadow a dolphin trainer during their stay! More great family-friendly Hawaiian hotels include Turtle Bay on Oʻahu, Grand Wailea and Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel on Maui and Hilton Garden Inn Kauaʻi. Best of all, many resorts offer day camps for kids that give parents some much-needed solo time.
Check our calendar to see what fun events and festivals are happening during your visit. You don’t have to be a kid to love the Big Island Chocolate Festival, and daily farmers markets throughout the islands offer more exotic fruits and sweet treats than a candy store. Bust a move to hula grooves during the Slack Key Guitar Festival or ‘Ukulele Festival Hawaiʻi. And if you’re visiting during the holidays, lighting festivals, canoeing santas and brightly colored boat parades are just a few of the ways we celebrate.
Family Fun by Island
Explore More
Classes & Lessons
With a range of fun and educational classes and lessons, your kids will bring home more than just a souvenir.
MoreFamily Fun in Hawaiʻi
Let the light from the flickering tiki torches and the warm tropical breeze set your o’hana spirit [...]
In 1998, Honolulu Cookie Company was established using a recipe for premium shortbread cookies baked [...]
Journey through the 2008 ?World?s Largest Maze,? as featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, [...]
Whether we are teaching a cooking class or preserving the seasons, our mission is to celebrate the [...]
For generations, families have made Mauna Kea Beach Hotel their home on Hawaii's Big Island. Keiki [...]
Anelakai Adventures offers guided Hawaiian Double Hull Canoe, Night Manta Ray Double Hull Canoe, and [...]
We preserve the culture of the aloha shirt from this era by using the same methods and quality [...]
ABC Stores have been a familiar name in Hawaii, and part of a family-run retail business, since 1949. [...]
Waikiki Beach Services was established in 1955 and is the longest running surf school in Waikiki. Over [...]
Where WWII ended with the Surrender of the Japanese Forces. With over six decades of life at sea and [...]
Kona Joe Coffee, home of the World's First Trellised Coffee - coffee grown like wine grapes, offers the [...]
CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline Tour takes participants soaring over a working agricultural farm. The [...]