Exploring Maui with Kids: Tips, Adventures, and Our Favorite Spots
Hawaii has been on Fonzie and my bucket list for years! We always envisioned this epic, pre-kids adventure—chasing waterfalls, island hopping, and surfing every chance we got. But, you know… life happened! So our first time in Hawaii was with a 3-month-old and a 3-year-old in tow. And guess what? We still did all of that (minus the island hopping)!
Vacationing looks a little different for us these days, but if you know us, you know we try to keep up with our pre-kid lifestyle—with a few minor tweaks. For this trip, that meant snorkeling in shifts (one of us in the water, one on kid duty), Fonzie surfing solo, and tackling just one stop on the Road to Hana instead of the 10 we had planned. But let me tell you, it was the BEST one!
We still packed in plenty of adventure, and we’re excited to share our top 5 things to do in Maui with young kids. A solid kid carrier is a must for most of these! We used the Ergo Baby Omni 360 Carrier, Ergobaby Embrace, and the Trail Magik for Maya, our 3-year-old.
Note: We traveled just a few months after the tragic Maui fires and weren’t able to visit all the amazing places in Lahaina. Our hearts go out to the local community.
Tips for Traveling to Maui with Littles
Less is more: Maui has so much to offer, but we highly recommend taking it easy. We stayed for two weeks and planned an adventure every other day, balancing it with beach and pool days at our resort. It was the perfect mix for us.
Rent a car: If you want to explore, renting a car is a must. The rental system at the airport is super easy and 100% worth it. (Avoid ALL SAVE Maui—read about our experience here!)
Bring your own car seat: We flew Southwest, where car seats fly free, and checked ours curbside. Lugging a car seat through an airport? No thanks!
Ditch the stroller: We prefer baby-wearing, so we left the stroller at home. But do what works for you!
Pack light: It’s HOT. Skip the extra “just in case it gets cold” layers, but DO bring a raincoat for the kids.
Use reef-safe sunscreen: Protect the island and your kiddos’ skin with reef-safe sunscreen. Yes, it costs more, but it’s worth it.
Find a place with a kitchenette: There’s a Costco just minutes from the airport—stop there before heading to your hotel. We stayed at Sands of Kahana, which had a full kitchen. We ate in most nights and enjoyed poke bowls for lunch, saving money for adventures instead of dining out.
5 Things to Do in Maui with Young Kids
1. Eat a Shaved Ice (Ululani’s Shave Ice)
A MUST when visiting Hawaii! We’re a dessert-loving family, and Ululani’s did not disappoint. We stopped at their Kihei location three times—it was that good.
Our faves:
- Maya: Rainbow every time (because, three-year-old logic).
- Us: POG (Passion Orange Guava) and The Best. Pro tip—add ice cream at the bottom and toasted coconut on top!
2. Visit the Nakalele Blowhole
We stayed on the northwest side of the island, making this an easy stop. I expected it to be an overrated tourist trap, but it was actually super cool! You can view it from the top or hike down for a closer look.
Pro tip: It’s VERY windy and uneven. Wear good hiking sandals and use a carrier for little ones.
3. ‘Iao Valley State Monument
A super easy, family-friendly hike with stunning views and a great break from beach days. The .6-mile paved trail was perfect for Maya, and the river was a refreshing place to splash around.
IMPORTANT: Practice Leave No Trace and respect the land so future generations can enjoy it too. Also—bring bug spray!
4. Ho’okipa Lookout & Beach + Lunch in Paia
On our second-to-last day, we craved one more adventure, and this was the perfect pick. Ho’okipa Beach is packed with sea turtles, and while it’s not a great swimming spot, it’s amazing for seashell hunting and watching kite surfers.
Paia is the cutest little town, full of adorable shops and amazing food. We had lunch at Artisan Cafe (Indian/Mediterranean fusion)—highly recommend!
5. Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls
Our one and only Road to Hana stop (thanks to car issues—full story coming soon!), but it was absolutely worth the 3.5-hour drive.
The 3.6-mile trail is a bit of a trek with two kids, but we took our time and loved every second. The bamboo forest feels like a dream, and the grand finale—a 400-ft waterfall—is breathtaking.
Pro tip: A good carrier and adventure shoes (like Keens) are a must. The trail gets muddy and slippery!
Final Thoughts
We had a long list of Maui must-dos, but honestly, balancing adventure with downtime was key to actually enjoying our trip. We spent two weeks in paradise, alternating between exploring and relaxing, and it felt just right.
Have you been to Maui? Tried any of these spots? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your experiences and recommendations for our next trip!
Gear We used most
The Amaros
Hi! We are the Amaros! Making memories and havin' fun!
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