Is the Big Island of Hawaii good for kids? Most travelers who are visiting Hawaii, especially first-timers, opt for vacations on O’ahu or Maui. However, there are plenty of Big Island Hawaii family activities and resorts. The Big Island also offers a less crowded island vacation experience that can serve up the perfect amount of rest and relaxation that many families so desperately need without making you feel like you are at a vacation factory.
Whether you are hoping to see as much of the island as you can or you are more focused on playing on a Kona beach, we have ideas to keep the whole family busy. Experiencing the Big Island of Hawaii with kids can be an absolute blast if you know the best family activities and things to see while you are visiting. Read on to find out our favorite family-friendly activities throughout the Big Island as a whole and specifically in our closest city, Kailua-Kona.
1. Akaka Falls
Why It’s Great for Families: An easy, paved loop trail leads to one of the Big Island’s most impressive waterfalls, making it accessible and rewarding for all ages.
Age Tips & What to Know: Best for toddlers through teens; bring a stroller-friendly carrier and expect a short walk rather than a long hike.
The Big Island has no shortage of breathtaking waterfalls, but most of them are on the remote north coast only really visible in a helicopter. Akaka Falls is one of the few that is easily accessible for hikers. Just 10 miles from Hilo, Akaka Falls State Park is home to two separate falls: 100-foot Kahuna Falls and 442-foot Akaka Falls. The hike is easy and paved, so it’s an excursion that works well for families of kids of every age.
2. Go Flumin’
Why It’s Great for Families: This unique float-through adventure combines history, nature, and light thrills in a way that keeps kids engaged without being overwhelming.
Age Tips & What to Know: Kids must be at least 5 years old, and families should be comfortable with dark tunnels and cool water temperatures.
We recently had some friends come visit and we decided to go check out Flumin’ Kohala. It was such a fun time! It is an eco-adventure company that has exclusive rights to access the Kohala Ditch, a 22-mile network of historic irrigation flumes and tunnels around the town of Hawi on the north of the island. You and your kids can book a tour with them to float through portions of this system on a kayak-style raft for a totally unique adventure. Kids as young as 5 can participate, and it’s even an activity that active grandparents could do too. Just be prepared for long and dark tunnels during some of the tour, which is not for the claustrophobic.
3. Snorkel with Manta Rays
Why It’s Great for Families: Swimming alongside giant manta rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that older kids will never forget.
Age Tips & What to Know: Best for confident swimmers and kids who are comfortable snorkeling at night; typically recommended for ages 7+.
There are a couple of coves near the village of Kailua-Kona that serve as feeding spots for giant manta rays at night. Families with kids old enough to be comfortable snorkeling in the ocean at night should book an excursion to swim with them. SCUBA divers dive to the bottom and shine lights up at the snorkelers to attract the plankton that mantas feed on. It’s truly one of the most memorable adventures the Big Island has to offer.
4. Snorkel at Kahalu’u Beach Park
Why It’s Great for Families: Calm, shallow waters and abundant marine life make this one of the easiest and most rewarding snorkeling spots for kids.
Age Tips & What to Know: Ideal for beginners and young snorkelers; reef shoes are recommended to protect feet from rocks and coral.
Want an easy spot for your kids to snorkel? Check out Kahalu’u beach park. Located right on Ali’i drive in Kona. Kahalu’u is a wide protected bay on the Kona coast just a few miles south of Kailua-Kona town center and offers some of the island’s best and easily accessible snorkeling. Beneath the surface of Kahalu’u Bay’s crystal clear, brilliant blue waters, you will come face to face with sea turtles, coral heads, and a variety of brightly colored tropical fish.
5. Visit the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Why It’s Great for Families: This educational tour offers hands-on learning and close-up animal encounters that spark curiosity in kids of all ages.
Age Tips & What to Know: Great for all ages, including younger children, with structured tours led by professional marine biologists.
While vacationing in Hawaii, why not take a moment to learn a little bit about the ocean environment you’re enjoying? Check out the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm just north of Kailua Kona. They organize tours of their seahorse farm that last an hour and include holding a seahorse. The tour takes between 1 and 1.5 hours and lets you see baby seahorses, pregnant males, and leafy and weedy sea dragons. They also have an aquarium where more than half the world’s 36 species of seahorses are on display, an interactive tide pool, and a fish feeding station for the children. All tours are led by a professional and certified Biologist that has been trained in public speaking.
6. Big Island ATV Tour at Aloha Adventure Farms
Why It’s Great for Families: This guided ATV and UTV adventure blends outdoor fun with Polynesian culture in a shaded jungle setting near Kona.
Age Tips & What to Know: Kids as young as 5 can ride, teens 16+ can drive their own ATV, and younger children can ride safely in a UTV.
Just 15 minutes outside of Kona nestled in the beautiful jungle of Holualoa you will find Aloha Adventure Farms. Just the property alone is breathtakingly gorgeous and gets you out of the hot blazing sun down by the ocean. Step inside the Soda shop and try a fun Polynesian twist on your favorite soda, lemonade, sparkling water, or a local favorite Orange Bang. They also serve up fresh baked sugar and chocolate chip cookies.
There are two tours here to choose from. The ATV / UTV tour is for anyone 5 years and up. This is one of the only places on the island where a 16 year old can ride their own ATV. Anyone under the age of 16 can ride in the UTV. Also, any guest who doesn’t feel up to maneuvering their own ATV can opt for the ride in the UTV.
Explore the rich heritage of Polynesia while driving your way through the Pacific Islands on your Hawaii ATV Tour. Travel through time as you experience thousands of years worth of culture in an untouched Hawaiian jungle where ancient Hawaiians once lived, worked, and played. On your adventure, you will drive through the villages of Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa where you will enjoy the adventure of traditional hands-on activities with your Polynesian guides. Come on a Big Island ATV Tour with us.
7. Polynesian Wood Carving Tour at Aloha Adventure Farms
Why It’s Great for Families: Families can slow down and connect through a hands-on cultural experience led by a master Polynesian wood carver.
Age Tips & What to Know: Best for school-aged kids and teens who can follow instructions and safely use carving tools with guidance.
Spend some time with a highly sought-after 4th-generation Master Carver direct from Tonga. Step back into time and experience the beauty and aloha of the islands by carving your own authentic wood carving in Hawaii. We use only top-quality wood grown locally on the Big Island. Take a piece of Hawaii with you as you carve your own tiki, taught by a master carver. This Polynesian cultural tour is a wonderful family memory! Leave the tour with a token of our Aloha that will live on for generations to come from our ‘ohana to yours.
8. Taste Hawaii’s Sweetest Flavors on an Exotic Fruit Tasting Tour
Why It’s Great for Families: This colorful, interactive tour introduces kids to new flavors while teaching them about tropical farming and Hawaiian agriculture.
Age Tips & What to Know: Perfect for all ages, especially picky eaters who enjoy sampling fresh fruit in a fun, low-pressure environment.
For a delicious and educational family-friendly experience, don’t miss the Exotic Fruit Tasting Tour at Aloha Adventure Farms! This interactive tour takes you through a lush tropical paradise where you and your kids can sample fresh, seasonal fruits like pineapple, dragon fruit, passion fruit, and lychee. Led by local guides, you’ll learn about Hawaii’s rich agricultural history and the unique flavors that thrive on the Big Island.
🌟 Perfect Add-On! Pair this experience with an Big Island ATV ride or a Polynesian Wood Carving Tour for a full day of adventure and culture.
Additional Tips for Visiting Hawaii’s Big Island with Kids
Here are a few final tips for a family-friendly Kona vacation!
Rent a car: While I have visited O’ahu without a car before, I really wouldn’t recommend it on the Big Island. The distances are too great and the other transportation options are too slim. Cars will give you the freedom to adjust your schedule on the fly and leave your resort for new activities, restaurants, and shopping.
Consider a condo or VRBO: Hotels don’t always work for family travelers, especially those with babies who need a separate place to sleep or those with teens who need their privacy. Just check the condo locations closely (many are not located within walking distance of the beach) and make sure you rent from a company that gives you full hotel privileges (some VRBO rentals, for example, can come with restricted access).
Hire a sitter: If you aren’t staying at a resort with a kids club, I highly recommend hiring a sitter so parents can get a night out. So many of the dining experiences on the Big Island are expensive, and adults can enjoy them and get more value without little ones.
Give yourself a week: So many families want to come to the state of Hawaii on a week’s vacation and island-hop to multiple places to see it all. You can’t. I’d recommend at least 4 days on just the Big Island to do it justice, but a full week is even more preferable.
Is the Big Island good for young kids?
Yes — the Big Island is a great destination for young kids thanks to its wide-open spaces, slower pace, and variety of outdoor and cultural activities that don’t require long lines or overstimulation. Families can mix easy beach days, short hikes, animal encounters, and hands-on farm and cultural experiences, making it ideal for toddlers through elementary-age children.
How many days do you need on the Big Island with kids?
For families traveling with kids, 5–7 days is the sweet spot to enjoy the Big Island without feeling rushed. This allows time to explore Kona beaches, enjoy one or two guided tours, see waterfalls or volcanic landscapes, and still leave room for rest days — which are key when traveling with children.
Is Kona or Hilo better with kids?
Kona is generally better for families with kids due to its sunnier weather, calm snorkeling beaches, and larger concentration of family-friendly tours and dining options. Hilo offers lush scenery and waterfalls, but its wetter climate and longer drive times make Kona a more convenient home base for most families visiting the Big Island with kids.
What are the best family tours on the Big Island?
The best family tours on the Big Island combine outdoor adventure with hands-on learning and cultural connection. Popular options include snorkeling in calm bays, visiting animal or farm experiences, and guided cultural tours like those offered at Aloha Adventure Farms, where families can enjoy ATV/UTV rides, Polynesian wood carving, and exotic fruit tastings designed to be engaging for both kids and adults.
Can kids do ATV tours on the Big Island?
Yes — some ATV tours on the Big Island are designed specifically with families in mind. At select locations, children as young as 5 years old can safely participate by riding in a guided UTV with an adult, while teens may be eligible to drive depending on age requirements, making it an exciting yet controlled adventure for families.
Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii with kids is the perfect destination for a family-friendly adventure, offering everything from thrilling Big Island ATV rides and hands-on Polynesian carving experiences to snorkeling with sea turtles and exploring volcanic landscapes. Whether your family loves outdoor exploration, cultural experiences, or simply soaking in the island’s natural beauty, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For an extra special experience, don’t forget to add on an Exotic Fruit Tasting Tour to savor the unique flavors of Hawaii!
No matter how you choose to explore, your Big Island vacation is sure to be filled with unforgettable moments, stunning scenery, and plenty of aloha spirit. Start planning today and get ready for the ultimate Hawaiian getaway with your family!
