Hawaii is a destination my munchkins always look forward to. It is the perfect place for families to relax, bond and play together. We have visited Maui, Oahu, and Kona many times but this will be our first visit to the island of Kauai. I thought I would share some of the top things to do in Kauai with Kids!
Top 10 Amazingly Fun Things to do in Kauai with Kids!
Koloa Zipline – Our favorite Kauai with Kids Activity
One of our favorite things to do in Kauai with kids is zipline. I am not typically the adrenaline junkie type and I totally freaked out the first time I saw my kids not only strapped on a zip line but doing it upside down. However, I too have grown to love the amazing feeling of soaring above some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Kauai may very well be the most beautiful place on Earth so this one is at the tip-top of our list. Koloa Zipline is by far the best zip line we have ever done!
Before we booked I have heard wonderful things about Koloa Zipline from personal friends. Judging by their 5 star Tripadvisor Rating I’m guessing we are in for a real treat! They offer snacks and juice after the 4th line, that the guides are hilarious and that you see some amazing scenery where both Jurassic Park and Jurassic World were filmed. My kids got a kick out of that!! They also have the island’s longest zip line (1/2 a mile long)!!
To book a tour and get the best prices I recommend Tripadvisor’s website
Aulii Luau
I love a good luau and I am seriously considering checking this one out as I hear they are the only ocean front luau in Kauai. Their website description sounds enchanting-
“Experience new and tempting tastes of Polynesia while you behold the hula dancers of award-winning Urahutia as they bring to life the storied past of old Hawaii. Thrill as the pahu drums throb to the pulse of the surf only yards away as the Aulii’s Fire-Knife Dancers take the stage and electrify the night with their whirling torches, as you sip a delicious cocktail and savor the finale and say to yourself, “This is why I came to the Islands.”
Check out more info here
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Kauai Tubing
Another adventure we loved is the Kauai Backcountry Adventure Tubing Tour. This looks absolutely amazing and is available for children 5+. The tour starts in a 4wd vehicle that takes you to the launch site. There you grab a tube and a headlamp and hop in the gently flowing waters. You will witness Kauai’s spectacular, historical engineering feats as you float down the open canals, through several amazing tunnels and flumes engineered and hand dug circa 1870. Pretty awesome right?
Book a tour here
Waimea Canyon
Mark Twain called this canyon “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and although he never visited Hawaii many would agree with his statement. The canyon is the largest in the Pacific, at over 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and 3500ft deep. I have read that it is relatively easy to get to by car. There are various trails from novice to experienced hikes. The pictures all look absolutely stunning. I am thinking of packing a picnic lunch and trying out one of the more mellow hikes with the kids.
You can find more info here
[bctt tweet=”Top 10 Things to do in Kauai with kids to have the best vacation ever!!!”]
Hang Out at Poipu Beach Park
We stayed at the Villas at Poipu Kai so we definitely hit up this amazing beach during our stay. The water was beautiful and warm. The beach can get quite busy as well. Monk seals can be seen here and the snorkeling is great as well. This beach is great for kids as there are clean bathrooms which is always fantastic news. The views are absolutely breathtaking
More info here
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Visit Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
I love educating our kids while we are traveling to different destinations. Learning becomes so much more concrete when it is experienced versus read about in a book.
This refuge is said to be home to some endangered bird species and for the $5 admission fee it definitely is worth a visit. Besides the endangered bird species, you might also catch glimpses of sea lions, spinner dolphins and sea turtles too. They have tours hourly and offer free binoculars to use which is one less thing for me to pack 😉 It is located on the north shore and you can also tour the lighthouse while you are there.
Get more info here
Visit the Spouting Horn
One of our kids surprisingly favorite thing to do in Kauai is the spouting horn. The spouting horn is a natural blowhole located on the south side of the island. The Poipu surf funnels into a natural lava tube here and releases a huge spout of water during large swells. The hissing noise that occurs has been said to be the Kaikapu lizard who guards the coastline (according to ancient Hawaiian legend).
Visit Secret Beach
What is it about the word “Secret”? It immediately makes this beach irresistible to me. The Hawaiian’s call this beach- Kauapea and it is supposed to be less crowded (I assume do to the fact you have to hike down to the beach) and the views are supposed to be splendid. I hear there are some lava pools which would make for another great teaching moment.
Learn more about the “Secret Beach” here
Makauwahi Cave Reserve
Did you know they have caves on Kauai? I didn’t but it sounds super interesting. The cave is located near Poipu and is about a 1/2 mile hike. There are tours on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm for free. Although, I believe if you tip it goes towards their conservation efforts.
If you want to enter the cave you have to crawl through a small opening but that it is worth the hassle. I know the kids would feel like they did something really cool if we have the chance to visit this site. Although, I’m not loving the fact that it is home to blind cave wolf spiders– that sounds a little freaky to me.
Learn more here
Na Pali Coast State Park
Voted #1 of 51 things to do in Kapaa caught my radar. You can experience all that Na Pali has to offer by helicopter tour, hiking (although it isn’t the easiest of trails) or hopping on a boat tour. I am leaning towards the later. Boating is always fun with kids. They are entertained, there is plenty to see and most of the time you get the chance to jump in and swim too!
Check out some tour options here
Don’t forget to pin for later-
Have you visited Kauai?
If so, comment with any additional recommendations. I would love to hear ’em!
What are your favorite things to do in Kauai with Kids?
You may also like these great posts about Kauai-
Be careful at secret beach, it’s not a good/safe swimming spot, especially during winter months. Think Zuma (safety wise) without the lifeguards and rescue resources.
Good to know… thank you for the tip! I will have to check out Zuma 🙂
I’ve always wanted to travel to Hawaii and these activities are making me wanna go even more!
Amanda | thedeerandthewolf.com
Hawaii really does have SO much to offer!!
Oh man, these activities/places look amazing. Even though Maui is the more popular island to visit, Kauai has always been on my bucket list. And after this post even more so! I am definitely pinning this for future reference.
Awesome- thanks for pinning. It’s our first trip to Kauai and I am excited. You’ll have to stay tuned to see how we think it compares to Maui and Oahu 🙂
How fun! I’ve not been daring enough to travel with my little guy yet, but this definitely has my gears turning.
If you start ’em when they are young they become wonderful little travelers 😉
Lovely spot – we missed secret beach tho – kicking myself – that looks divine!
It’s so hard to hit every spot… more reasons to return I always say 😉
Yup. Now I want to leave for Hawaii tomorrow. You guys will have soon much fun! And one day I’ll make it there too haha! 🙂
I wish I could pack you in my suitcase. I know you’ll get there soon though.
Yes… Hawaii is perfect for kids. I actually prefer it over Disney. The kids are entertained still and no lines. Plus, you can’t beat the gorgeous views. Sometimes we come home from Disney and I feel like I need a vacation from that vacation. Hawaii I come back all chill 😉
my girls would love the tubing and the beaches. Will have to add to m y ever expanding bucket list
cheers
mark
It never seems to end right? The more we travel- the bigger the world gets it seems like 😉
I’ve heard so many great things about Hawaii and now this just adds to the list! That zipline especially looks amazing!
We really love Hawaii… it will be our first time trying out the zipline. I will review it and hopefully get some great pics and video. You’ll have to come back and check it out 😉
We’ve been to the other Hawaiian islands but never Kauai and I’ve been wanting to visit. The tubing looks like something my guys would love to do!
That’s us too… it will be our first time in Kauai. I thought the tubing looked pretty amazing. I was worried there wouldn’t be much to do. But, after looking into it I wish we were staying longer 😉
WOW! I mean, you had me at zip lines and Jurassic Park! But I see a lot of other fun activities on this list, with OR without kids! The state park and the cave are calling to me. Hope you have a great trip!
I guess that’s true. This list isn’t exclusive to families. Although, if I traveled without the kids I would definitely try out some of the more challenging trails 😉
I would love love love to bring my kids to Hawaii! It’s so far from us I don’t think we’ll be able to go soon, but looking at your photos there is no doubt we should put it higher on our list!!
We are pretty lucky I suppose to be so close… but I bet you have some awesome locations that are further from us that you know about. Its always interesting to know where others travel to and what we take for-granted 😉
I would love to go to Ireland… I will have to check out your site. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to travel to
I love Kauai too! We spent a week there last August as part of our island hopping around Hawaii. It’s definitely a special place!
I have to say that all these sound so tempting! I love the idea of the secret beach and Waimea Canyon in particular, but I know my kids would go for your number one, the ziplining!
I agree… my kids are stoked about ziplining but, I am most excited about Waimea Canyon. Sounds like similar minds run in our households.
I definitely recommend the tubing and Secret Beach. Also consider the beach at the far end of Hanalei where the Na Pali Coast begins. There is great snorkeling there, but you must be careful of tides.
Fantastic- thanks for the tips!!
I just got back from Kauai with my sister in law and will need to head back with the kids for some of the really fun things. The tubing is probably the thing I was most bummed we didn’t do. That looks amazing!
A trip to Kauai sans kids would be great as well. It is such a beautiful island. I’m really hoping we make it to the tubing… otherwise we’ll have to come back real soon 😉
Hawaii is great for families, thanks for the tips!
I think I do not qualify to be considered a kid but want to do all of this. The island is gorgeous!
Kauai is on our list of towns to visit once we finally make it to Hawaii. We’d love to visit. How could you not? Ziplining, beautiful beaches, luau, so much nature; you just can’t go wrong. Husband, daughter and I would be very happy!
I am sure you would all LOVE it!!!
Check out the red sanded and black sanded beaches. They are amazing and one is private but people go over the barbwired fence ☺️
Oh, my barbed wire that is pretty serious. But, also sounds amazing!!
You are going to have the BEST time. Kauai is the most wonderful Hawaiian Island. 🙂 Aloha!
I would surely enjoy here. The place is amazing and those activities are really fun!
This all looks like A LOT of fun. I’ve still not made it to Hawaii but I really want to go – can’t wait to reading all about your trip when you get back. Have fun!!