Keeping families happy on vacation can be a handful! Not so on Maui, where the beaches themselves should be enough to ensure plenty of happy faces.
But there’s more than just the beach to Maui! Check out this guide to discover the best things to do on Maui for families.
Best Family Activities On Maui
Table of Contents
Enjoy A Luau
A luau offers families a chance to immerse themselves in the history of Maui, learn about the fascinating culture of Polynesia, and enjoy a delicious meal with an excellent show! This is a unique cultural experience, and family members of all ages will treasure those memories.
Maui offers plenty of great luaus for families.
For an authentic luau, we highly recommend Old Lahaina Luau. For a fire dancing thrill, check out Drums of the Pacific. Don’t know which toi pick? Then check out our post comparing Old Lahaina Luau and Drums of Pacific.
Maui Ocean Center
Discover what lies beneath the waves of Maui at the Maui Ocean Center, a state-of-the-art aquarium dedicated to educating visitors about the delicate Hawaiian underwater ecosystem.
The multisensory aquarium explores both the vibrant marine life and the link between native Hawaiians and the ocean. For a real thrill, make sure to book the shark dive!
Surfing Goat Dairy
A visit to Surfing Goat Dairy is possibly the cutest thing you can do on Maui (and one of the best things to do if you find yourself in Upcountry Maui).
Surfing Goat Dairy is a working dairy farm on the slopes of Haleakala, offering tours to visitors who want to learn about farming, and pet some adorable goats.
Kids will find the process educational and incredibly cute, and you can buy chocolate truffles and cheese at the end of your tour!
Tuck Into A Shave Ice
Shave ice is the best dessert for refreshing on a hot day. A block of ice is shaved into thin flakes, which are then patted together to form an icy ball. Kihei has great shave ice, and so too does Lahaina.
Topped with fruit syrup, shave ice is surprisingly creamy, and totally delicious. We recommend Ululuani’s, but keep an eye out for food trucks near your favorite beaches.
Hawaii Mermaid Adventures
Who doesn’t want a chance to be a mermaid for a day? With Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, you can don a tail, and explore the sea!
Certified mermaid lifeguards ensure you swim safely, and help you capture the best photos to prove to friends back home that you really did become a Maui mermaid.
Atlantis Submarine Maui
Dive up to 100 feet beneath the waves of Maui and discover underwater attractions from the safety of the Atlantis Adventures Submarine Maui.
The comfortable, air-conditioned submarine introduces you to corals and fish as you slide through the waters of Lahaina!
Make A Lei
A lei is a traditional Hawaiian garland, often made with flowers, shells, or nuts, and draped around the neck as a symbol of aloha. (Unfortunately, you don’t get a lei when you land in Maui anymore.)
Many hotels and resorts offer lei making classes to guests. Or check out the events schedule at The Shops At Wailea—they often run lei making classes that are open to the public!
Boogie Board In Wailea
Boogie boarding is an excellent family activity for children who want to bounce around on the waves, but aren’t quite ready for surfing! There are many great beaches for boogie boarding.
Some of the best boogie boarding beaches are in Wailea, where the waves are consistent, but don’t get too big. Try renting a boogie board from your hotel, or pick up a boogie board at Costco.
Iao Valley State Monument
There are many hiking trails and walking paths on Maui, but one of the best options for families is a trip to Iao Valley State Monument.
There’s only a short and easy walk to the viewing point, and from here you get exceptional views of the West Maui Mountain, and the iconic Iao Needle.
Maui Tropical Plantation Express Tour
Tour the lush valleys and farmland of Maui with the Tropical Express Tour! The 40-minute tour travels the plantation, passing through groves of fruits, plants, and produce, immersing you in a landscape of tropical scents and sights.
Kids will particularly enjoy the coconut husking demonstration, and the entire tour is tailored for shorter attention spans!
Maui Zipline
One for the thrill seekers, a zipline tour provides you with a bird’s eye view of the Maui landscape, combined with a heart pumping rush of adrenaline.
Maui Zipline operates tours for kids as young as 5 years old, and the Skyline Hawaii Haleakala tour is an excellent choice for older kids.
Snorkel At Molokini
Even beginners can enjoy a snorkel tour at Molokini, an isolated islet off the coast of South Maui. The crystal clear waters of Molokini offer exceptional visibility, and a glimpse into a teeming underwater world.
And thanks to the protective shape of Molokini, the waters are incredibly calm. Book a tour that stops at Turtle Town, for a chance to see the Hawaiian honu!
Learn To Hula
Take your kids to a luau, and they’re sure to be hula-ing for the rest of the vacation! This traditional Hawaiian dance is enchanting, and the basics are fun and easy to learn.
Book a private lesson to really master the movements, or join a free class at the Shops at Wailea. Many hotels and resorts also offer a chance to learn to hula!
Maui Waveriders
Surfing has roots deep in Maui history, so this isn’t just a fun activity, it’s a cultural one! There are many surf schools operating on Maui, and if the waves are good, you’re likely to see surfers at the beaches across the north coast.
We like Maui Waveriders for personalized lessons ideal for family groups!
Visit The Beach
Obviously, no family trip to Maui is complete without multiple trips to the beach! Ka’anapali Beach is a fabulous family-friendly beach, complete with chances to snorkel, swim, boogie board, and even cliff dive!
Head to Kam III for a big park and bodyboarding waves, or Kapalua Bay for calm snorkeling. For very little kids, Baby Beach in Paia is a must!
Final Thoughts
If you’re able to convince the kids to leave the beach (or the pool!) then there’s plenty to delight families on Maui!
We hope this guide will help you plan a fun-filled vacation on Maui—and don’t forget a few days enjoying the hotel pool.
