Kids & Families on the Big Island

Kids & Families on the Big Island

With dozens of adventures, discoveries, and fun-filled beach days, Hawaii is a blast with keiki (kids). The entire family (parents included) will enjoy surf lessons, discovering a waterfall in the rain forest, and snorkeling with sea turtles. And there are plenty of organized activities for kids that will free parents' time for a few romantic beach strolls.

Choosing a Place to Stay

Resorts: All of the big resorts make kids' programs a priority, and it shows. A handful go above and beyond kid friendly, with exotic animals, monorails, and the sort of pool slides that make kids squeal with delight. When you are booking your room, ask about "kids eat free" deals and the number of kids' pools. Also, check out the size of the groups in the children's programs and find out whether the cost of the programs includes lunch, equipment, or other activities.

The Hilton is every kid's fantasy vacation come true, with dozens of pool slides, one lagoon for snorkeling and one filled with dolphins, and even a choice between riding a monorail or taking a boat to your room. Not to be outdone, the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort has a fantastic program that will keep your little ones happy and occupied all day, as does the Kona Village Resort, which also offers a kids' dinner and a teens' dinner seating to give parents the option of a solo date night.

Condos: Condos and vacation rentals are a fantastic value for families. You can cook your own food, which is cheaper than eating out and sometimes easier (especially if you have a finicky eater in your group), and you'll get twice the space of a hotel room for about a quarter of the price. If you decide to go the condo route, be sure to ask about the size of the complex's pool (some try to pawn a tiny soaking tub off as a pool) and whether barbecues are available.

Condos in Kailua-Kona (on or near Alii Drive) are the best value on the Big Island. We like Kona Pacific for its pool, barbecues, size of the units, and proximity to town; Casa de Emdeko for its ocean-front pool and on-site convenience store; and Hale Puhako for its tiny private beach. Affordable food is available at restaurants in Kona, if you are looking for a family night out or, even better, for date night.

Ocean Activities

On the Beach: Most people like being in the water, but toddlers and school-age kids tend to be especially enamored of it. The swimming pool at your condo or hotel is always an option, but don't be afraid to hit the beach with a little one in tow. There are several beaches that are nearly as safe as a pool -- completely protected bays with pleasant white sand beaches. As always, use your good judgment and heed all posted signs and lifeguard warnings.

Calm beaches to try include Kamakahonu Beach and Kahaluu in Kailua-Kona; Spencer Beach Park, Kaunaoa (aka Mauna Kea Beach), and Hapuna Beach in Kohala; and Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo.

On the Waves: Surf lessons are a great idea for the older kids. Beginner lessons are always on safe and easy waves and tend to last anywhere from two to four hours.

For school-age and older kids, book a four-hour surfing lesson with Ocean Eco Tours and either join them out on the break or say aloha to a little parents-only time.

The Underwater World: If your kids are ready to try snorkeling, Hawaii is a great place to introduce them to the underwater world. Even without the mask and snorkel, they'll be able to see colorful fish darting this way and that, and they may also spot turtles and dolphins at many of the island beaches.

Kahaluu Beach in Kailua-Kona is a great introductory snorkel spot. You can see fish darting just below the surface even before you get into the water, and Hawaiian sea turtles often waddle up on to the rocks or swim around close to the shore.

On the southern tip of the island, Punaluu provides opportunities to see the sea turtles up close -- though the water can be rough, the sea turtles nest here and there are nearly always one or two napping on the black sand beach. At nighttime, head to the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, the Sheraton Keauhou, or Huggo's on the Rocks in Kailua-Kona to view manta rays; each spot shines a bright spotlight on the water to attract the rays. Anyone, but especially kids, could sit and watch them fly through the ocean in graceful circles for hours. No snorkel required!

Another great option is to book a snorkel cruise or opt to stay dry inside the Atlantis Submarine. Kids love crawling down into a real-life submarine and viewing the ocean world through its little portholes.

Land Activities

In addition to beach experiences, Hawaii has rain forests, botanical gardens, numerous aquariums, and even petting zoos and hands-on kids' museums that will keep your kids entertained and out of the sun for a day.

On the Big Island, Volcanoes National Park is a must on a family vacation. Even grumpy teenagers will acknowledge the coolness of lava tubes, steaming earth, and a fiery nighttime lava show.

On the Hilo side, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is small, but free, and lots of fun for the little ones, with a small petting zoo. Just a few miles north, on the Hamakua Coast, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is beautiful and fun to meander through, checking out huge lily pads and the noisy local frogs.

School-age and older kids will get a kick out of the ATV tours at Kahua Ranch or the Parker Ranch in Waimea, and horseback rides through Waipio Valley with Naalapa Stables.

After Dark

At nighttime, younger kids get a kick out of luaus, and many of the shows incorporate young audience members, adding to the fun. The older kids might find it all a bit lame, but there are a handful of new shows in the islands that are more modern, incorporating acrobatics, lively music, and fire dancers. On the Big Island, teens and adults alike are sure to enjoy the music, lighting, acrobatics, fire eating, and overall theatrical quality of "Kamahao -- The Wondrous Myths of Hawaii" at the Sheraton Keauhou.

Stargazing from Mauna Kea is another treat. The visitor center has telescopes set up for all visitors to use. If you'd rather leave the planning to someone else, book a tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail. Their guides are also unbelievably knowledgeable and great at sharing that knowledge in a narrative form that kids -- and adults for that matter -- enjoy.