The Big Island of Hawaii is a
wonderful place for vacationing families. There are a wide variety
of activities and attractions for the whole family and many are
unforgettable for children.
Young Children
The
Hilton Waikoloa Village offers the most extensive children's
activity program. The program is for 5-12 year olds and is called
Camp Menehune. There are several great playgrounds on the Big
Island. Harold H Higashihara Park (see
map) is located just south of Kona, past the 115 mile marker.
Another nice playground is located at the corner of Kuakini Hwy and
Makala Blvd. Lastly, there is the Waimea Park, located at the
corner of Hwy19 and Lindsey Road in Waimea Town (see
map).
Beaches
Everyone loves the beach! The great thing about the Big Island is
that there are literally dozens of great beaches. Kids tend to get
bored easily - and the best thing can be to go to a different beach each
day. Parts of the Big Island coast are rugged and may have rough
waters. The beaches we mention here are protected coves with easy
beach entry to the ocean. Some of the best beaches with calm
waters for toddlers and small children near Kona are:
Spencer Beach,
Kikaua Point Beach,
Anaehoomalu Beach,
Kamakahonu Beach,
Kahaluu Beach, and
Mauna Kea Beach. Near Hilo,
check out Onekahakaha Beach
and Richardson Beach.
For older kids and those looking for waves to ride, check out
Hapuna Beach,
Magic Sands Beach, and
Kua Bay. Check out our
Big Island Beach Guide for comprehensive
reviews and photos of every beach on the Big Island - we indicate which
beaches have bathroom facilities and which are baby stroller accessible.
Ocean Activities
If your kids can swim and know how to snorkel, the Big Island has some
fascinating underwater life. Some of our favorite family-friendly,
calm waters to snorkel are at:
Spencer Beach and Kahaluu Beach.
Kayaking is popular in the Big Island
and can easily be done with kids. Your kids should be at least old
enough to wear a life jacket and sit on the kayak with you. Even
if they are not strong enough to paddle themselves, you can rent a
tandem kayak (seating one adult + one child or two adults + 1 child) and
take your youngster for a ride while you paddle. Teenagers will
enjoy a kayak trip to Kealakekua Bay or the
Sea Caves. If you are
interested in guided snorkeling or kayak tours, check out the
snorkel tours and
kayak tours offered by our partner.
Hiking
For pre-teen and teenage kids, any adventurous activity is sure to
please. There are many Hawaii hiking trails
leading to waterfalls and remote valleys. You can hike the
impressive Volcanoes National Park and even
hike to see the active lava flow
as molten lava enters the ocean. Many hikes are merely short, easy
walks - appropriate for youngsters. Some of the easiest scenic
hikes include Akaka Falls,
Rainbow Falls, and
Pololu Valley. When hiking with your kids, point out the
wildlife, and have them find special plants or trees so they learn more
about the natural world around them. Be sensitive to children's energy
levels and need for frequent breaks.
Before you arrive on the Big
Island, have a good idea how long or how far your kids can hike.
You can take them on "practice" hikes or walks back home before you
depart to gauge their endurance and their appetite for hiking.
For instance, many 3-4 year olds can only hike for about 1/2 a mile
before needing a big break - or stopping altogether. Having
information such as this will really help you when you are considering
which trails on the Volcano to tackle!
Hawaiian History & Culture
Have your kids learn about Hawaiian History while on an adventure.
Take a tour of a preserved ancient Hawaiian village at
Place of Refuge, Honaunau. There are
several other preserved Hawaiian ruins and
artifacts at State and National Parks on the Big Island. There are
also some great opportunities to come face-to-face with real
Polynesian culture including ukulele music,
hula dancing and luaus.
Shopping isn't exactly a cultural
experience; but with a lot of local handicrafts, and hawaiian-made goods
for sale, we wanted to mention our
Hawaii Souvenirs section
and our Big Island Shopping Guide.
Shopping Hawaiian-style is an activity the whole family will enjoy!
Traveling with young kids?
Check out our article: Tips for Traveling
with Kids that covers packing and the long flight to Hawaii.
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