Guide to Visiting Maui with Toddlers in 2025
A trip to Hawaii usually involves a lot of planning. For most of us, getting to Hawaii is quite a jaunt and there’s a lot to do there. The excitement of all of the activities mixed with a full-day’s worth of travel results in us wanting to get the absolute most out of our vacation.
I put a lot of work into planning our trip to Maui and I created a Maui itinerary for you so that your planning will be easy.
But one of the things I found in all my research is that there wasn’t a lot of information on what to do with little kids in Maui.
There were a lot of articles on what to do with kids but I found over and over again that these were mostly directed towards kids who were old enough to be on a boat, swim, snorkel, etc.
In fact, I was given advice to just skip Hawaii with our kids. I let this advice get to my head so much that even though we are a travel family, I almost took their advice. I am so glad I didn’t.
If you’re visiting Hawaii with young kids, I hope this makes you feel more confident that you’ll have plenty to do with them. You don’t have to spend your entire Hawaii vacation sitting at the resort, although that is perfectly fine, too!
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Is Maui Worth it with a Toddler?
I want to say YES, GO TO HAWAII WITH A TODDLER! But the truth is that it is going to depend on your situation. For us, going to a Hawaii with a baby was totally worth it. It truly was an enjoyable experience I’d make the same choice again a hundred times.
We love travel (obviously, since we run this travel blog and a travel YouTube channel) so the challenges to us were completely worth it. But if you’re at a stage in parenthood/life where you know you really don’t want to go and you’re trying to talk yourself into it, it’s also ok to pause the trip and do it when you are ready.
There are a lot of people online who will tell you not to travel with young kids., but just because they wouldn’t doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. But – unpopular opinion as a travel blogger mom – it’s also ok if you’re not feeling up for it!
Tips for Taking a Toddler to Maui
First, have realistic expectations and stay flexible.
For example, flying with a toddler might not go smoothly no matter how perfectly you pack and plan (alternatively, it could also go much better than planned!) BUT we do want to be as prepared as possible. I have plenty of guides on great travel toys for babies to help you make your travels as smooth as possible. You don’t need a lot, just a few new things from my list (or your own) that they haven’t seen before.
The first time we visited Maui with kids, our kids were around 7 months and 18 months old so we had a baby and our toddler was a younger toddler. In my opinion, this made them easier to travel with since they still loved the stroller (side note: definitely invest in a good travel stroller if you can!)
They also both like their car seat, so we were easily able to do car naps. I share that to highlight how different an experience can be. For us, it was just luck that our kids are content in their car seat – I know this is not always the case.
You might want to only plan one outing per day but you know you and your toddler best. There is so much to do and see in Maui that even if you were busy every second of your trip, there would always be more to do, so if you need to slow it down, don’t feel bad about that.
We tried not to stress over jet lag. The first morning, our kids were awake in the early morning hours (literally around 4:30 am) despite doing all of the jet lag tips I swear by. Instead of trying to force something that was out of our control, we were just the first ones in line for coffee and we got to enjoy a quiet morning while the island woke up.
Things to do With Toddlers in Maui
If you decide that visiting Maui with your toddler is worth it, you will have plenty to do! Maui is a great destination for families, including families with young children. Getting there is a bit of work since it’s located so far from the mainland, but once you’re there it’s a great place for toddlers.
Here are some of the best Maui activities with toddlers:
Wailea Beach Path
Wailea Beach Path is a fantastic activity for families with a baby or toddler. The path is paved and has scenic views along Maui’s gorgeous southwestern coastline.
It’s 3.2 miles round trip and stroller friendly. Parents can enjoy the views while the little ones relax or nap in the stroller. They can even get out and walk some of it easily.
Go to a Luau
The Old Lahaina Luau has the reputation as the best luau in Maui for families. This luau also has a reputation for its authenticity. It offers a traditional Hawaiian experience and it’s a great way to learn more about Hawaiian culture.
The storytelling and hula performances are entertaining for kids of all ages, even the youngest of kids. There is a wide variety of food on the buffet.
Visit Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium)
The Maui Ocean Center is one of the best activities for kids in Hawaii. It’s an aquarium with indoor and outdoor areas, interactive exhibits, plenty of marine life, tidepools, and more. The facility is 3 acres and is the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. They also have an exhibit on Hawaiian history.
Your babies and toddlers will love seeing all of the sealife!
Whaler’s Village
Whaler’s Village is an open-air shopping area. They have some great restaurants, including some of the best places to eat in Maui like Monkeypod (known for mai tais) and Leilani’s on the Beach. There is also an outdoor playground in the middle of it all (this playground is more geared towards older children, in my opinion though).
Whaler’s Village is also home to the Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center. Babies and toddlers will enjoy the immersive experience and if you have older kids, too, they can learn more about the ocean and sustainability.
The Shops at Wailea
The Shops at Wailea are very similar to Whaler’s Village in that it is an open air shopping area. We did walk around both on our trip, but unless you’re a big shopper you probably wouldn’t need to see both.
I recommend visiting which ever one is closest to your accommodations but if you’re trying to choose, the Shops at Wailea are more upscale.
See the Penguins at the Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency is located near a lot of other resorts in the Ka’anapali area. They have some penguins that you can visit! They typically come out for breakfast around 9:30 am. but you can visit them pretty much anytime. You probably wouldn’t want to go out of your way for this activity, but if you’re in the area, you could combine it with a nice walk. The kids usually love visiting the penguins.
Maui Animal Farm
The Maui Animal Farm is a great activity if your toddler likes animals! You get a hands-on experience with a variety of animals such as rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks, turtles, turkeys, goats, mini horses, pigs, and donkeys.
It is an educational and interactive experience where you can learn about the animals. The animals are very loved and cared for, it’s very clean, and also has amazing views!
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
The Ali’i’ Kula Lavender farm is on 13.5 acres and at a 4,000 foot elevation. It’s located on the slopes of Haleakalā in Kula, Maui.
The farm has around 55,000 lavender plants and 45 different varieties. They also have olive trees, hydrangeas, succulents, and more.
When you visit, you can explore the gardens on the land. There is also a guided walking tour where you can learn about the property’s history and lavender cultivation.
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for lavender-infused products!
Maui Pineapple Tour
Pineapple farming has been a part of Maui’s history for a long time. You can learn more about it on the Maui Pineapple Tour. It is an immersive experience and you can explore a working pineapple plantation.
The best part is that you can also taste the pineapples at different stages of ripeness. And they are fresh, directly from the field! At the end of your visit, you’ll get a pineapple to take home with you.
Maui Alpaca Farm
The Maui Alpaca Farm is on 8 acres in Haleakalā National park. The alpacas here are very well taken care of. It’s magical to be surrounded by the nature and breathtaking views while meeting these magical creatures.
Surfing Goat Dairy
Like the Ali’i’ Kula Lavender Farm, Surfing Goat Dairy is also on the slopes of Haleakalā in Kula, Maui, making it easy to visit both in the same day.
Surfing Goat Dairy is known for their goat cheeses and truffles. They have over 120 milking goats and have sustainable farming practices.
You can feed and milk the goats, learn about how cheese is made, and sample fresh cheese and truffles (the best part!) There is a daily walking tour. You can also opt for an evening chore and milking tour, where you help with the evening chores!
Farmers Markets
There are quite a few farmers markets in Maui and they are very family friendly. Bring your stroller or let your toddler walk around while you support locally owned businesses and shop local.
Maui Tropical Plantation
The Maui Tropical Plantation is a working farm where you can learn how various tropical crops (such pineapple and sugarcane) grow on the tram ride tour. The tram ride is approximately 40 minutes long.
While you’re there, you can also enjoy farm-to-table food at Café O’Lei at the Plantation. Your meal comes with some really amazing views of Waikapū Valley. The Country Market on site also serves fresh produce and local specialties.
There is also an area on site with several different local shops. You can buy handmade products and other souvenirs.
If you happen to also have older kids with you (or adventuresome adults), you can check out one of their zip lines as well.
Entrance is free but certain activities such as the tour and zip line do require tickets.
Get Shaved Ice
If you’ve never had shave ice, you are in for a treat! It’s not the same as a snow cone, the ice is fluffier and so delicious. You must try it at least once in Maui! I suggest trying it towards the beginning of your trip because I can pretty much guarantee you’ll want it more than once!
Maui Butterfly Farm
The Maui Butterfly Farm is the oldest butterfly farm in Hawaii and also the only one in the state that has butterfly tours, which is 45 minutes long.
The tour might be a little long depending on how old your toddler is (a 3 year old will probably do better than a 1 year old, for example), but it is hands-on and engaging. They give you the opportunity to hold caterpillars and butterflies plus learn about the life cycle of a butterfly.
At the end of the tour, visitors get flower seeds that are butterfly friendly to plant at home.
Go to the Beach
Of course, visiting the beach is a great toddler activity and one of the best things to do in Maui.
Check out my tips on bringing a baby to the beach if this is your first trip to the beach with your toddler, but here are some of the best beaches:
- Kapalua Bay
- Napili Bay
- Baby Beach Currently closed due to the fires
- Kamaole Beach Parks
- Ulua Beach
- Wailea Beach
- Honokowai Beach Park
Kula Botanical Garden
The Kula Botanical Garden is a small garden with panoramic ocean views. In other words, the views are incredible. The garden itself has a large collection of flora, including native and non-native Hawaiian plants. They are all marked well so you know what you’re looking at.
It’s a good walk for younger kids and a nice, leisurely stroll for adults and older kids.
As I mentioned, it’s a smaller garden so you probably won’t stay much more than an hour.
Road to Hana
Now this one might be a little controversial.
The Road to Hana is one of Maui’s most famous scenic drives and one of the most popular things to do in Maui. It’s a 64-mile route from Kahului to the small town of Hana.
The drive has more than 600 curves (some are hairpin curves) with several bridges, many of them being one lane. But along the way, you’ll find unreal beauty – waterfalls, black sand beaches, bamboo forests, roadside stands, and hiking trails. Some of these stops are more toddler-friendly than others.
The drive itself is truly the main attraction.
When I was planning our trip to Maui, once I got past all the people telling me not to go at all, I would read a lot especially about specifically not doing the Road to Hana.
It’s not kid friendly.
They’ll get sick.
The road is dangerous.
These can be valid concerns so it’s really up to you and your comfort level. If you are nervous about it, save it for another trip. After all, there is so much to do in Maui that you can’t do it all in one trip anyways.
Our kids don’t mind riding in the car, so we went for it but I absolutely suggest getting a hotel at the Hana-Maui resort if you plan on doing it. It’s a long drive and by taking two days to do it, it’s much more enjoyable (and this is true whether you are traveling with kids or not).
Iao Valley
Iao Valley is one of my favorite things we did in Maui – the natural beauty here is unreal. It is most known for the iconic ʻĪao Needle, a towering green peak that rises 1,200 feet from the valley floor. The whole area is surrounded by lush greenery and some short, easy paths (perfect for toddlers).
You need reservations to visit, but we had no problem getting them on the same day as our visit.
Eat at the Food Truck Parks
When we are traveling with our kids, we often prefer to get takeout. Sometimes this can make it difficult to try new/local food but food trucks are the best of both worlds.
They give you an option to not only try new/local places but because there are multiple options, the whole family will find something they like. It’s easy to take to go but we also ate there a few times – it’s so laid back that it was easy with kids!
Where to Stay
I have an entire post on where to stay in Maui with kids.
When traveling with little kids, I personally find vacation rentals to be convenient because they come with more comforts of home like full kitchens and more privacy.
But on the other hand, we love the amenities of a hotel! My #1 choice of a hotel would be the Hyatt Vacation Club at Ka’Anapali Beach. It’s with Hyatt so you can use points to book it but since it’s a vacation club, there are 1, 2, and 3 bedroom options (and full kitchens!) It’s a great option for a mix between a vacation rental and hotel.
Packing for a Toddler or Baby in Maui
Check out my post on packing for Hawaii with a baby or toddler.
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to this beautiful island takes a bit more time and effort with little kids. But we have found it to be so, so worth it.
It takes a bit of work to get to the Hawaiian islands, but once you get there, it’s a perfect place for a vacation with little kids because there are so many family-friendly activities. And they are genuinely things that the entire family will enjoy doing together.
A trip to Maui is a great experience and personally, we think family vacations with little kids makes it even better!
