Island Adventures: Best Things to Do with Kids on Kauai - The Family Voyage (2024)

As I sat down to write about the best things to do on Kauai with kids after our recent trip, two thoughts kept crossing my mind. First, we were incredibly busy. And second, dang that trip was a lot of fun!

Kauai is the last of the four main islands of Hawaii our family has visited and it has a lot to offer those who prefer a less developed island. I promise you won’t be bored on Kauai even though it has a reputation for being quiet! As long as you aren’t looking for night life away from resorts, you’ll love it.

After reading this article you’ll have all the information you need to plan an epic Kauai family vacation. From where to stay to what to do to the best food, you’ll find it all here!

Where to stay on Kauai with kids

Kauai is the wettest of Hawaii’s islands and it also has the most seasonal variability in its tourist areas. Its microclimates are driven by the presence of Mount Waialeale in the center of the island and the persistent northeasterly trade winds. Take note!

Grand Hyatt Kauai

We stayed at the stunningly beautifulGrand Hyatt Kauai​. It’s in Poipu, on the island’s sunny south shore. That part of the island is a safer bet in terms of both weather and safe swimming conditions at this time of year.

The lush grounds and expansive and the multi-level poolscape really make you feel like you’re in paradise! If you’re looking to spend time on-site, there’s a water slide, several hot tubs and a saltwater lagoon. There’s also a small beach at the resort, Shipwreck, which is great for playing in the sand but too rough for kids to swim in. It’s about a 20 minute walk from Grand Hyatt Kauai to Poipu Beach (more on that later).

There are plenty of other great things to do at Grand Hyatt Kauai. We enjoyed taking a ukulele lesson as a family one morning, and on other days they have lei making and hula classes. Ronnie and I indulged in a wonderful massage one morning, and the spa facilities are absolutely gorgeous! Watch for a full review of the Grand Hyatt Kauai coming up.

Even better, we stayed here completely free for five nights by transferring points fromthis credit card– not even an annoying resort fee. We had access to the Grand Club thank to my World of Hyatt Globalist status but you can also book Club Access rooms by spending a few thousand more points per night or booking a Club Access room with cash. The Club provides breakfast in the morning, snacks in the afternoon and heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts in the evening. It can be a really money saver if you’re visiting with kids and plan to spend a lot of time at the resort!

Kaha Lani Resort

Moving counterclockwise around the island, the Kaha Lani Resort is a great option on the east coast of Kauai. The location in Kapa’a is extremely convenient – it’s close to the airport, many popular activities (some of them listed below) and it’s on one of the most family-friendly beaches on Kauai. You’re also centrally located to make a game-time decision on whether to head to the north shore or south shore depending on the localized weather forecasts.

While the condos at Kaha Lani aren’t particularly fancy, they offer families an opportunity to spread out in your choice of a 1- or 2-bedroom unit. You’ll also have a full kitchen for preparing picnic lunches and a lanai where you can sit out and eat a budget-friendly breakfast from the grocery store.

But where this property really shines is that it’s physically located within Lydgate Park. The park offers the best playground on Kauai, pools for swimming in the ocean that are protected from waves by lava rock walls and plenty of green space. Kapa’a town itself offers plenty of adorable coffee shops, boutiques and murals to check out and is just a 10 minute drive north.

If the location sounds good but you’d prefer a budget-friendly Kauai hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn is directly in front of the Lydgate pools! For families they offer either a free-standing cottage with a king bed in one room and a pull-out in the other or a stanard hotel room with two queen beds. This isn’t your typical mainland Hilton Garden Inn: it offers a few on-site restaurants and even a luau. There’s also a pool, gym and more.

Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas

If you’re excited to check out the north shore of Kauai but don’t have a huge budget, consider booking Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas. We met a family on the island that was staying there and absolutely loved their experience.

For a budget-friendly option, you can book this using points transferred from a Capital One Venture X card. Between the welcome bonus and earning 2 points per dollar spent, you can quickly rack up enough points for a great trip! You can snag a one bedroom (with sleep sofa in the living room for the kids) for just 15,000 points – that’s a major bargain. You can book your Kauai rental car through the Capital One travel portal to take advantage of the $300 credit that comes with the card, knocking out two of the major expenses of a family trip to Kauai!

The property also has a beautiful pool area, fitness center, tennis courts and more. Like most hotels on the north shore of Kauai, you’ll have to drive to the beach. But you’re just a 15 minute drive from top Kauai beaches at Hanalei Bay and Anini. Keep in mind that Hanalei Bay has huge winter swells, so it’s better to visit Kauai in summer if you want to stay in the area.

Similarly, the Makai Club in Princeville offers good value for family-friendly vacation rentals on the north shore of Kauai.

Best things to do with kids in Kauai

Kauai family photo session

There’s no better way to remember your epic family trip to Kauai than with professional photos! Even better, it’s the perfect way to ensure that everyone (even Mom) gets in the picture. We did photos in Hanalei Bey, which offers beautiful, dramatic scenery though the weather can be iffy in the winter. You’re more likely to find sun in Poipu on the south shore in the winter (and spring, apparently, since it rained right when we were about to begin).

We’ve had a great experience using Flytographer all over the world. The service makes it incredibly easy to connect with a great local photographer, and in Hawaii it will generally cost you less than using the photographer recommended by a hotel. As of this writing there are 4 different photographers available through Flytographer on Kauai so it’s easy to find someone who matches your style. Since all beaches in Hawaii are public and must have public access, there’s no worry about needing photo permits to shoot in an amazing spot.

Book your session early to make sure you get your top pick of photographers. The availability calendar is right on the site! For a typical family photo session we usually book a 60 minute slot. Save $25 on your first shoot!

Beach time

There are some great family-friendly beaches on Kauai, but not every beach makes the cut so you’ll need to be particular about where and when you go. Thankfully there are a few that are always solid bets.

Poipu Beach is probably the most popular beach on Kauai for families. It’s usually sunny there even if the north and east shores have rain, and there are plenty of areas that are shallow with a sandy bottom. It’s also a pretty good spot for beginning snorkelers but definitely wear water shoes to enter! To access the snorkeling areas you either need to walk on rocks or swim over shallow, sharp coral… neither one ideal if you’re ill-equipped. This is also the perfect spot to watch the sunset!

The best Kauai beach for families on the east shore is Lydgate, which has everything you’d want for a full day out. There are pools surrounded by rock walls that keep the waves out but many fish in – bring your snorkel gear for the kids! Lydgate also has Kauai’s largest playground, disc golf, an insta-worthy swing that looks out to the ocean and more. There’s ample parking, just set your GPS app for “Lydgate Park pools” to get to the right spot. Since it’s on the east shore, Lydgate is a great choice for sunrise if the time change has you waking up really early – just swing through Kapa’a first for a coffee from Imua Coffee Roasters or Positive Coffee.

I can’t wait to hit Anini Beach on the North Shore next time we visit Kauai as a family. The water is protected by the extremely long surrounding reef, making water calm near the shore and offering great snorkeling. There’s no lifeguard here, so keep that in mind if you bring little kids.

Turtle watching on Poipu Beach

One of the most memorable experiences on Kauai for families is watching the green sea turtles come ashore on Poipu Beach every evening. As the water cools, they seek the warmth of the golden sand an an opportunity to rest.

It’s truly a remarkable site, and as the sun sets you’ll see dozens of turtles lining the beach. You’ll also (naturally) see hundreds of spectators watching. Just be sure to keep a respectful distance per state law and heed and instructions you receive from volunteers who are there to keep the turtles safe. For good photos, bring a long zoom lens with you.

Lots of families opt to grab dinner across the street at Puka Dog and then walk to Poipu Beach to watch the sunset and see turtles. Unfortunately Puka Dog often runs out of hot dogs and the line can be long. If this is your plan (and it’s a good one) I suggest arriving about an hour before sunset to get in line so that you can ensure you get a dog and lower your stress level. Bring a travel towel to sit out and enjoy your picnic dinner while you watch the magic of Hawaii’s turtles!

​Tubing through a sugar cane plantation

Want to add a dose of adventure to your Kauai family trip? Try a float down the waterways of a historic sugar cane plantation with Kauai Mountain Adventures!

This tour is so fun and unique, with just the right dash of thrill! We learned about the history of the sugar cane industry on Kauai and were regaled with the perfect amount of Hawaiian humor. It was so much fun that our son asked if we could sign up to go again.

Every visitor gets their own rafting-quality inner tube, gloves and a helmet with headlamp – our daughter is only 49″ but they had gear and a tube to fit her. You’ll go through open channels as well as enclosed tunnels as you turn, bump and splash with the other participants and our kids – who are hesitant enough to refuse activities like ziplining – loved every minute.

The minimum age is 5 years old but kids have to be able to handle dark, enclosed spaces and being separated from their parents. Once you’re on the water, it’s basically impossible to stay together the entire time. But we found a great sense of camaraderie among participants on our tour and plenty of people laughing and grinning with our tiny 9 year old when she was in a different area of the clump of tubes.

This activity is extremely popular, so if you have a specific time in mind I recommend booking at least 6 weeks in advance. “Lunch” is served toward the end of every tour no matter what time it is, so a start time around 10:20 or 10:40 is ideal for most families (though it wasn’t an option when we booked a month ahead).

Visit Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, and personally I think it’s more beautiful thanks to its abundant greenery and waterfalls. Spend the day exploring Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks (pay for admission upon arrival, one ticket for both parks) to enjoy its natural beauty. You can have a great time here whether you opt to hike or just stop at the overlooks for amazing views. It’s the perfect break from the beach!

Continuing along the road will take you to the beginning of the Na Pali coast. To say the scenery is gorgeous really doesn’t do it justice! It’s absolutely worth the trip. From the time we turned on to Waimea Canyon Drive (HI-550) to the Kalalau Lookout where the accessible road ended it took us about two hours, allowing for plenty of stops as suggesting in the Guide Along app we used. One of my favorites was the other-worldly red dirt waterfall on the left side near mile marker 23 – don’t miss it. Our drive down was much faster (only about 40 minutes) since we didn’t stop.

Be sure to bring lots of extra water, sunscreen and throw some sneakers or boots in the trunk in case you opt to do one of the short trails – or in case the last mile of the road to the Pu’u O Kila lookout is closed as it was when we visited. For the more intrepid (and prepared) you can continue hiking along the ridge past Pu’u O Kila for even better views. Realistically I don’t think it’s necessary to go to Pu’u O Kila if you aren’t going to hike the ridge – in looking back at my photos, the difference in the view versus Kalalau is pretty subtle. Be very careful if you’re exploring the ridge with young children, as there are no guardrails along the ridge and the drop is basically a sheer cliff (though the path is plenty wide for mindful young hikers; it’s the runners and boundary testers you need to be careful with).

Full disclosure: the views of the Na Pali coast are almost never as clear as the day we went. We got really lucky! The cliffs won’t be in full sun until around 8am and on many days clouds start to roll in by late morning. But we were there in the early afternoon, so you never know what you’re going to get.

Stroll through Hanapepe

Before heading up into Waimea Canyon, we spent a leisurely morning enjoy the town of Hanapepe. It’s one of the most authentic towns remaining on Kauai and has thus served as the backdrop for numerous movies and was even the model for “Lilo and Stitch”. Many of the century-old buildings have been converted to boutiques, eateries and art galleries. The town is so vibrant that people come from all over the island for its “art night” every Friday 5-9pm!

Begin your visit at Midnight Bear Breads, an awesome tiny bakery that has earned a fantastic reputation and sells out before closing nearly every day. It’s an ideal place for brunch before hitting Waimea Canyon as you can fill up on a delicious tartine, panini or sandwich while you’re there and then bring some indulgent pastries along for the ride. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday.

While you’re in Hanapepe, walk across its famous swinging bridge. I admit that this was less impressive than I anticipated, but it’s still a fun stop especially with kids who need to get their wiggles out.

Hanapepe is one of the best places to shop for souvenirs on Kauai since there are so many wonderful boutiques and galleries to browse. We especially enjoyed Aloha Spice Company (which has more than spices) and Banana Patch Studio, where you can watch artists painting Kauai-themed pottery by hand.

One thing we missed (sadly!) is the super cute “Lilo and Stitch” mural in town. It’s on the front of the Aloha Theater Inn, which you’ll see a few buildings past the church on Hanapepe Road. You can also pop into Talk Story Bookstore for books records and small souvenirs.

Na Pali coast boat tour + snorkeling

At the last minute we decided to take a morning boat tour along the Na Pali coast on our last day on Kauai. All I can say isdo it!

Over and over our daughter declared it the best day of her life as we drifted past breaching whales, playful dolphins, bobbing turtles, circling manta rays and of course the stunning scenery. The topography is even more fascinating than pictures can show.

We went with Blue Dolphin and they were top-notch, with a comfortable boat and great crew.Captain Evan did a great job, kept us entertained with awesome music and even let our son take the wheel. His helpers on board constantly checked on us to make sure we had everything we needed. I really appreciate that Blue Dolphin ran the boat despite being at half capacity – we loved being able to spread out and it was one of the best Hawaii boat tours we’ve been on.

However, if you are prone to serious sea sickness this is not the experience for you. We were all completely fine but we got lucky with calm water along the Na Pali coast – the crew was surprised by the good condition. But on the way back we had intense waves for the last 45 minutes, which is typical for boats coming into Port Allen. We sat on the upper deck and I was absolutely drenched from head to toe by the time we got back, but we all had an indescribably great time. Just be sure to leave your dry clothes and towels below deck and stay in your swim suit the whole time!

If you don’t want to swim, you could also opt for a sunset dinner cruise. You’ll get to enjoy seeing the Na Pali coast bathed in golden light.

One thing I wish I’d known before our trip was that we could save big money on our boat tour with the Shaka Gold Card. For just a $30 membership, you gain access to meaningful discounts on some top activities. I learned about it directly from the company we sailed with on Kauai so it’s absolutely a legitimate way to get discounts.

We decided that Blue Dolphin was the right choice for our trip over a few other Kauai boat tour companies for a few reasons. First, know that all of the tour companies out of Port Allen (in the south west part of the island) have great reviews. We liked the larger boat and additional upper seating area of Blue Dolphin since there’s more opportunity to be out in the fresh air while comfortably seated facing forward.

We also liked the price tag – even without the Shaka Gold discount it was a lot less expensive, but with the discount the price is basically unbeatable. Kids 2-12 are eligible for the child price while teens are eligible for the youth price. Note that you will only see the “member price” once you purchase a Shaka Gold card and sign in.

Kauai helicopter tour

We are not a thrill-seeking family, so we skipped the Na Pali Coast helicopter tour this time around. But my friend Lana visited a few weeks after us with her boys and they had an amazing experience! She shared that it was fascinating and absolutely breathtaking.

You’ll depart from the airport and spend an hour flying all over the island, including Mount Waialeale, Alakai swamp, Waimea Canyon and more. This company is one of the most reputable on the island and gets rave reviews.

Go to a luau

Confession: I didn’t love the luau we attended and neither did my kids, but it still might be a great choice for you.

We opted to check out Smith’s Family Garden Luau on this trip. It’s fairly typical for a non-hotel luau but takes place on beautiful grounds near the Wailua River. The entire operation is family-run and everyone is extremely friendly.

Overall the food was pretty good and we appreciated the thorough labeling on the buffet for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. There were plenty of choices for those of us who don’t eat pork as well. During dinner there were pretty typical ukulele and hula performances, including some audience participation.

The show after dinner wasn’t as enjoyable for us as others we’ve attended. It highlights Hawaiian history through the dances of various groups that have come to the islands, including from Japan and the Philippines. The amphitheater’s configuration also made it feel like we were really far from the performers, as you can see above (and we were not all the way in the back). I’m sorry to say it because the staff clearly works hard but the show could use some freshening up – when talking with a fellow Hawaii lover who attended in the 1980s, it sounds like the show hasn’t really changed in all that time. For some people that’s a positive as it definitely harks back to the beginnings of mainland tourism to Hawaii.

But it isn’t all negative! If you’re visiting Hawaii on a budget and have never seen a full Hawaiian or Polynesian dance show then Smith’s is a good option to consider. Why? Right there on the booking page you can select “Show Only Package”. The price really can’t be beat – just $25 for adults and $12.50 for kids 3-12 years old. Even if you choose to attend the full luau with dinner, the child and youth prices are about $100 less than you’ll pay at hotel luaus.

Two other Kauai luaus that are on my radar for subsequent trips are Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation and Ali’i Luau at Sheraton Kauai. Luau Kalamaku is a great option for families with younger kids as it includes a train ride around a historic sugar cane plantation – a great way for everyone to learn more about the island’s history. The storytelling during the post-dinner show is focused on the seafaring Polynesians’ journey to Hawaii, which my kids love hearing about. You can upgrade to the Gold package for premium seating.

The Ali’i Luau at Poipu Beach has a great oceanfront location – the only one on Kauai. I’ve heard great feedback about the food, the performances and the family-oriented cultural activities as well. We’ll visit this one next time we’re on Kauai!

Want more things to do on Kauai with kids?

If this list didn’t give you enough ideas, check out this awesome guide to visiting Kauai with kids! It’s written by my friend Marcie who has visited Kauai with her own kids dozens of times over the years. It’s loaded with insider tips, maps and itinerary suggetions.

Family-friendly Kauai restaurants

Kauai is full of so many small mom-and-pop eateries that you’ll never run out of new options to try. Here are a few faves:

• Kukui’ula Local Market– In addition to selling grocery provisions, there’s a row of local food vendors there daily. Go in the morning or early afternoon for an acai bowl or a poke bowl (preferably both). You can thank me later.
• Koloa Fish Market– Another great poke stop on the south shore, though with limited hours so check before you go.
• Da Crack Mexican Grinds– Great fish tacos, but if you’re going around dinner time be sure to order online and pick up as the wait can be long.

• Puka Dog– Yes, these famous hot dogs are very good. Choose Polish or vegetarian, but prepare yourself for a long line. They sometimes run out before closing, so you might want to arrive an hour before sunset to get in line and then take your dog across the street to Poipu Beach to watch the turtles (don’t do it in the opposite order).
• Midnight Bear Bakery– Faaaantastic bakery in Hanapepe, but try to get there on the early side as they sell out basically every day.

• Postcards Restaurant– If you’re up near Hanalei for dinner, make an outdoor reservation for Postcards. My ceviche and the kids’ wagyu beef were both excellent, and that cake was amazing.

• Merriman’s– For a fancy dinner on our last night, it was hard to top Merriman’s – sister restaurant of Monkeypod on Maui. Great co*cktails, fish and steak.

• Waikomo shave ice– This easy-to-miss shave ice truck is near Hanapepe and Port Allen and shares the site with a collection of other cool food trucks and boutique shops.
• Wishing Well shave ice – This is Marcie’s pick for the best shave ice on Kauai, but their limited hours stymied our plans to visit.

• Pineapple In Paradise -This Dole Whip van drives around the island and always offers pineapple and another flavor. Be sure to track them down!

Because we stayed on the south shore (where many families choose to visit from fall through spring) our food recommendations are biased in that direction. But if you’re staying on the north or east shore there are lots of great options for you too! Be sure to explore the towns of Kapa’a and Hanalei for many more local spots.

Kauai travel tips for families

Now that I’ve shared the best family activities in Kauai, Hawaii I want to add a few tips I’ve learned that will help you have an amazing trip.

Rental car

Yes, you will definitely need a rental car on Kauai unless you plan to park yourself at a hotel the whole time and use their shuttle to expand your radius by a mile or two. Read up on renting a car in Hawaii to make sure you do it as economically as possible and choose the right car.

Be sure to bring the right car seat for your child. Hawaii’s updated car seat law requires rear facing until at least 2 years old, some sort of harnessed car seat until at least 4 years old and a booster seat until at least 10 years old or 4’9″ (average for an 11 year old). I’m a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and I’ve written up my suggestions for the best travel car seat by age.

Speaking of driving, I highly recommend that you download the GuideAlong app! We purchased the Hawaii bundle that covers all of the islands and used it extensively while driving on both Maui and Kauai. It added so much context to our experience and helped us understand even more of the local history and culture. It was so enjoyable that our kids would ask us to turn it on when we got in the car.

Luau

If you haven’t been to Hawaii before (or it’s been a long time) you’ll almost certainly want to attend a luau. They’re fun for the whole family, and each one is a little different. But they all have one thing in common: they run late.

If you have young kids who go to bed early or you’re coming from the Eastern time zone, be sure to schedule the luau for the end of your trip so everyone will be better adjusted to the Hawaii time zone. My favorite timing is the next-to-last night of a trip to Hawaii – everyone’s bodies have acclimated but the festivities don’t get in the way of packing up.

Sun protection

I can’t stress enough how important sun protection is in Hawaii. Even the smallest misstep could lead to a painful, damaging disaster. I strongly recommend long-sleeve rash guards for the entire family and frequent sunscreen reapplication for faces and hands (my husband learned that one the hard way).

Having spent a lot of time in Hawaii with kids, I feel like it’s virtually impossible to reapply sunscreen on a water-loving kid’s torso as often as you truly need to. Besides, more rash guard = more time playing and less time on sunscreen! My daughter absolutely loves these suits and my son lived in this rash guard, which matches everything else well enough. My husband wore this one every single day (especially for head coverage while snorkeling) and it was a real help.

In terms of sunscreen, it’s critical that you use reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii. It’s the law! We’ve had good experiences with Thinkbaby sunscreen along with All Good sport sunscreen. Be sure to grab 3oz sizes if you’re flying carry-on, and you can stash a tube in each person’s backpack. It may seem “extra” but I also like to throw in a reef-safe sunscreen stick; my kids prefer it to creams and it doesn’t count toward my liquid allowance. We tend to use that more as backup and for reapplication rather than our main sunscreen of the day.

If you’re visiting Hawaii with a baby, you’ll need some non-sunscreen options in your toolkit. Check out my Hawaii packing list for kids for lots of ideas!

Souvenirs

Thankfully for our family Hawaii rarely generates as many souvenir requests as other trips! We’ve had success placing item limits rather than dollar limits, though every family does it differently. Unless there’s something truly unique that comes along, it’s helpful to specify one t-shirt, one stuffed animal and one food item (for example).

For more meaningful souvenir shopping, be sure to spend check out the galleries in Hanapepe. You’ll find beautiful hand-crafted items and can even see some of them in process! We also loved browsing in Warehouse 3540 on the south shore in Lawai; it’s an old pineapple canning plant that has been given new life as a marketplace for small vendors and food stands. It’s a great stop on your way back from the harbor in Port Allen. You’ll also find plenty of cute shops in Kapa’a.

There’s also one free souvenir your family shouldn’t miss out on: a Hawaii mug from the ABC stores. No, it’s not the most authentic souvenir to buy in Hawaii but it might become one of your family’s most frequently used items! You can get one for every $100 worth of receipts you present from ABC stores (and their affiliates) without spending an extra dime.

Kauai airport

Kauai has just one airport, on the east side of the island in Lihue. While the airport isn’t huge, you may encounter lengthy security lines when you’re departing if it’s a popular time of day like early morning or evening – especially over school breaks. It’s very helpful to have TSA PreCheck, which will help you avoid much of the wait. The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has tons of great features, including a credit that covers the entire PreCheck fee! Each adult in your party needs to have PreCheck but kids can go through with their parents.

As with all airports in Hawaii, you’ll have to scan your luggage at an agricultural inspection station when departing. If you are checking luggage, the scan takes place before you hand in your luggage so be sure to allow extra time. All carry-on bags are inspected after the TSA check but before you enter the gate area.

Planning your family trip to Kauai

As you plan your Kauai family vacation, be sure to check out these helpful articles:

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