12 Epic Things to Do in Kona with Kids
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When you’re heading to the Big Island with kids, there’s a lot on your to-do list: hit the beach, enjoy the pool, and have a great, memorable family vacation. But once you start getting into the details of planning, it can be hard to figure out exactly what your kids would enjoy doing, aside from the basics. And while there is so much to do and explore in Kona, not all of it is kid-friendly.
We’ve rounded up our favorite kid-friendly activities — most of which have passed the test with our preschooler.
Planning a trip to the Big Island? Take a look at our essential planning resources:
Check out our Big Island Travel Guide for everything you need to know about the island. Then head over to our Activities and Where to Stay databases to narrow down your search and only book the best. Round out your planning and make sure you don’t miss a beat with these 15 Essential Planning Details.
Where is Kona?
Kona is a district on the Big Island of Hawai’i that stretches from Anaehoomalu Bay in Waikoloa to Manuka Park in the south. That is an incredibly large area that covers two-thirds of the west coast of the island.
The hub of the Kona district is the town of Kailua-Kona, a historic town that is home to many shops, restaurants, and historic sights. But once you leave the town, there is even more to discover in the greater Kona district. Enjoy coffee farms, excellent snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and more.
If you’re heading to the Big Island, you need to read our ultimate Big Island travel guide. It tells you everything you need to know (and more) for a perfect vacation. Bookmark it for future reference…trust us.
Is the Big Island family-friendly?
The Big Island is absolutely family-friendly. There are plenty of family-friendly resorts and the vibe is considerably more laid back than what you’ll find on Maui or Oahu. Plus, there are plenty of activities to keep even the littlest traveler entertained. But before you pack up the family, there are two things to know: there are fewer kid-friendly beaches compared to other islands and many tour operators require kids to be 5 and older to go on a tour.
If you’re also planning on visiting Maui, see our 68 things to do on Maui with kids for ideas!
12 Things to do in Kona with Kids
These are the things that will absolutely wow your kids, so pick a few and make sure you fit them into your vacation days. If you’re looking for even more to do on the Big Island, check out five can’t miss Big Island experiences and our list of 21 things to do all around the Big Island.
1. Enjoy Ululani’s Shave Ice
Our kids try to see how many times we can take them to shave ice during a trip and on those very hot afternoons, we happily join them for this sweet break.
And while there are tons shave ice shacks on the island, none of them can compete with Ululani’s.
The flavors of the syrups are so unique (pickled mango, wedding cake, tamarind, green tea), but they also have all the traditional fruit flavors you know and love. Best of all, most of them are made using premium puree and fruit juices. You can really taste the difference compared to other shave ice stands, which use more artificial ingredients.
2. Head to a Kid-Friendly Beach
For an easy and relaxing day with the kids, head to one of the island’s best family-friendly beaches. We love Kikaua Point Park, a small, man-made lagoon that is protected from ocean waves (though keep an eye on the kids because even in a man-made lagoon, the ocean can be unpredictable). The beach has a decent amount of shade, bathrooms, showers, and an easy walking path from the parking lot. But parking here is limited so be sure to arrive early and get a parking pass from the security guards.
Kikaua Point Park made our top 5 beginner snorkeling spots on the Big Island list. See the list for good places to teach the kids how to snorkel.
Right in Kona, you can check out Kamakahonu Beach, right in front of the Marriott hotel. It’s a protected little beach and your kids can play in the shallow water, the sand, and watch the outrigger canoe’s go out.
Another family-friendly beach, Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay), is located a little further north in Waikoloa. The water here is usually calm, it has great amenities, a larger parking lot, and is near the Lava Lava restaurant, so you can take a break in your beach day for food.
Be sure to check out our favorite beaches in Kona.
Did you know that we have a done-for-you itinerary that will take you to the best beaches, sights, and restaurants on the island? All on a pre-planned route so you don’t have to do any backtracking (with kids who will always ask “how much longer?”).
We just came back from Maui! Got your itinerary for Maui and the Big Island and we fell in love! Thank you for all of the tips!
Katherine J.
Grab our itinerary and make your trip planning that much easier.
3. Explore Underwater on a Submarine Adventure
If you (or your little ones) have ever wanted to go in a real-life submarine, this is your chance! Head out on a submarine!
The submarine will actually taxi just above the ocean floor, and this is your chance to see tons of marine life. You’ll explore areas of the Kona Coast you can’t see any other way.This 1.5-hour tour starts at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Beach Hotel 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. You can choose if you’d like narration, which can be downloaded before heading out.
Check out the complete list of our favorite tours and activities on the Big Island.
4. Enjoy a Coffee Farm Tour
Your kids are probably not drinking coffee, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a coffee farm tour experience. During a coffee farm tour, you usually have the opportunity to walk the farm grounds, learn about the coffee plant, the roasting process, and then finally settle down with some delicious samples.
Different farms have extra offerings kids might enjoy. Mountain Thunder Coffee, for example, offers 4×4 plantation tours and lava tube walks. The Kona Living History Farm offers costumed demonstrations.
We took our son with us to the Hala Tree Coffee Farm and we all enjoyed a short tour and very scenic coffee tasting.
5. Learn about Manta Rays
One thing that kids of all ages will love to learn about is the Big Island’s Manta Ray population. These gentle giants are the largest rays in the world and there are three viewing areas for Manta Rays on the west side of the Big Island.
If you’re traveling with young kids, you can learn about Manta Rays and see them at night on a Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour. At dusk, the Manta Rays feed right in front of the resort. Daily talks and viewings are held at the resort’s Manta Center (you do not need to be a guest to attend).
If you’re traveling with older kids (12 and up) a night swim with Manta Rays should be high on your list. It’s an experience they will tell their friends about for years to come (and you probably will as well).
During this night swim you head into the water and hold onto a board with a light on it. The light attracts the plankton, which attracts the Manta Rays. These gentle giants swim inches from your face doing barrel rolls and eating the plankton. It is a truly thrilling experience.
One of our favorite recommendations is to head out with Sea Paradise, who are conveniently located in Kailua-Kona.
Make sure to learn even more about Manta Ray experiences on the Big Island with our full guide.
6. Enjoy an Outrigger Canoe Ride
Outrigger canoes have been used in Hawaii since 200 AD as a safer way to travel by boat for fishermen and explorers. They were later used in sports, as outrigger canoe races became popularized in 1875.
When you visit Hawaii, you and your family can enjoy an outrigger canoe ride and see the island from the water, as well as learn more about Hawaii’s voyaging past. This is both a cultural experience and a fun activity for kids (and adults).
We took our three-year-old son on a canoe ride, which left directly from Kailua-Kona. While he didn’t paddle, he enjoyed being out on the water and learning a bit more about ancient Hawaiian culture.
7. Visit an Exotic Animal Sanctuary
Kids six and older will love a visit to Three Ring Ranch, an exotic animal sanctuary. The ranch is a USDA-licensed non-profit dedicated to helping these exotic animals live out their natural life. They offer two-hour tours which must be booked in advance. They are home to zebras, bison, nene, hawks, monkeys, owls, flamingos and reptiles, as well as many other rare, endangered and exotic animals.
Children 5 and up might also like a visit to the parrot sanctuary, Parrots in Paradise. Take a guided walk around the sanctuary and get to know the different parrot species. Tours can be booked through Airbnb Experiences.
8. Hold a Seahorse
There’s a bit of a theme going on with this list: kids learning about and interacting with amazing animals. And that’s exactly what your kids will do at Ocean Rider, a Kona Seahorse Farm. This farm raises seahorses for commercial aquariums and to protect the species in the wild.
During the 90 minute tour, participants will learn about seahorses, their environment, and their breeding. At the end of the tour, you’ll be given the opportunity to hold a seahorse and watch as it wraps around your finger. Even an over-tired, grumpy kid will be pretty amazed by these little sea creatures.
9. Attend a Luau
While we don’t always recommend attending a luau, but when you’re traveling with kids it can be a wonderful experience. Not only do kids usually love the performance, they come away with some great facts and a better understanding of Hawaiian history and culture. Plus, parents get a pretty fun night out. It’s a win-win all around.
Check out the 6 Best Big Island Luaus (our honest reviews) to find the right one near you and for your group!
10. Hike a Volcano
While Volcanoes National Park is a must-see on your visit to the Big Island, a drive to the other side of the island isn’t always possible with kids (we get it, truly). But if you still want to experience a volcano, enjoy some really amazing scenery, and learn more than you thought there was to know, there’s another option: a private guided tour.
If your kids are 6 or older and a private tour isn’t your style, check out this volcano tour with a chocolate tasting and waterfall stop.
11. Learn to Scuba Dive
If you have a child (10 and up) who is really interested in the ocean, a scuba diving lesson might be the perfect experience for them. Jack’s Diving Locker offers three different experiences for first-timers: pool dives, shore dives, and boat dives. No experience is necessary and the instructors at Jack’s Diving Locker are friendly and patient. It’s a very family-friendly operation!
12. Find the Queen Bee at Big Island Bees
If your kids love honey and bees, make a stop at Big Island Bees for a tour. During the tour you’ll get to watch a beekeeper explain the honey-making process and open the hives. We had a great time trying to spot the queen bee while learning all about bees and honey. And after the tour, we were able to sample some of the honey, which was a huge hit with our son and his grandparents. Who doesn’t love a honey tasting?
Bonus: Find the Secret Banana Bread Stand
There is one last thing that is a short activity, but so fun. If you’re driving in South Kona (near Big Island Bees), make a stop at the Banana Bread Stop. It’s not really secret, but it feels that way. As you’re driving along the road, you’ll find a sign advertising banana bread. Pull over and there’s a cooler full of fresh-baked bread being sold on the honor system for an incredibly reasonable price. Our son was so excited, I think we purchased four small loaves of bread.
It’s one of those small things that makes a day just extra special.
Get directions to the Banana Bread Spot.
Enjoy the Family Vacation You’re Dreaming of
We know what it’s like to travel with kids, and how badly you just want to get these big trips right. Well put down that pen, stop taking notes, and stop spending your nights googling and scrolling trying to plan your trip. Take the advice from Gilda:
“I only came across your website and itineraries for each island about two weeks ago. I bought your itineraries about a week ago. Honestly, I wish I had found you long ago. Also, I wish that it was more clear on your website how incredibly helpful it is to have you do all the research! Your research and itineraries are priceless and a bargain at your price point. I don’t know why I hesitated to buy them.”
Gilda
Whether you’re looking for the best restaurants, beaches, or want to head out on a big excursion day to see a new to you area on the island, our itineraries have you covered. Learn more about them, grab a copy for yourself, and make your planning easy like Gilda did.
