Maui Travel with Toddlers: Practical Activities for Young Families

Maui travel with toddlers offers a unique opportunity for family bonding, island exploration, and creating memories that’ll last a lifetime. Lets be honest, though: if you’re a family young young children, extensive hikes, long lunches, snorkel tours and a trip to Hana might not be the most practical. And that’s ok – don’t stress! Remember, we’re here to provide an easy, enjoyable list of suggestions to keep everyone sane and still take in the wonders that Maui offers. We’re talking easy access to snacks, cruisy walks, bathrooms at the ready and plenty to see and do (if you want to).

We’ve had the experience of having both of our kids on Maui and, for the most part, our “adventure” routines consist largely of easy-to-navigate activities that are practical, low-key and enjoyable. For families with young children, Maui provides plenty of low-impact activities and family-friendly restaurants that cater to little ones in need of rest, relaxation, and some modest adventure. Sometimes just a trip to a delicious shave ice location can lay foundations for some epic core memories. Whether you’re staying in Wailea or West Maui, here’s a list of family-friendly must-dos for a fun, easy-going trip.

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1. Discover the sea without getting salty at the Maui Ocean Center

Located at Ma’ālaea Harbor, the Maui Ocean Center provides an immersive and educational experience perfect for families. This world-renowned aquarium showcases the incredible marine life that thrives in Hawaii’s waters. The centerpiece is a 750,000-gallon open-ocean tank with a walk-through tunnel where kids can feel as if they’re diving under the sea alongside sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish species. It’s super fun and enjoyable, even for adults! Check the schedule for live presentations and feeding times, which children love!

Tips:

• Pay for parking before going inside! There is plenty of available parking at the Maui Ocean Center. Park close to a Parklinq kiosk and scan the QR code to register your license plate and pay a small fee. Parking fees contribute to the conservation initiatives of Ma’ālaea.

• Ma’ālaea is the second windiest harbor in the world! Keep this in mind when opening and closing car doors. Hold on to your hats, trash, or anything that may take flight when you enter and exit your car.

2. Relax and Explore at the Maui Tropical Plantation

I could write a full blog post simply about the joys of the Maui Tropicl Plantation. I spent many slow mornings with our kids here when they were newborns and toddlers. At the time I’m writing this they are 8 and 6, but we still love a nice stroll here on the way to town for errands.

Entry is free, offering lush foliage and scenic views of the West Maui Mountains. The Maui Tropical Plantation is a wonderful spot to spend a morning or afternoon, although we recommend going early. Kids will love feeding the ducks at the pond (feed is available for purchase for a couple bucks. Those ducks get hungry and will swarm – you’ve been warned, lol.) There is also a train tour that is exciting and educational, offering a gentle ride around the property. The speaker can get loud, bring headphones if anyone if your group has this sensory consideration.

Tips

• The Country Market is full of local treasures, produce from Kumu Farms and yummy Maui ‘Oma Coffee, making it a great stop for souvenirs and everything in between. If you’re considering Maui travel with toddlers, snacks are essential. You’ll find it all here!

3. Get Creative at Slappy Cakes

If breakfast is a favorite family meal, Slappy Cakes in West Maui is a can’t-miss stop. Known for its fun, interactive dining experience, Slappy Cakes lets families create their own pancakes right at the table using custom griddles. Kids can choose from various batter flavors and toppings, making it as entertaining as it is delicious. It’s a unique way to enjoy a morning meal with a side of creativity!

Tips:

• Slappy Cakes opens at 7am and closes at noon, so the window is small. We like to go later in the morning around 11am to avoid the rush.

4. Join a Family-Friendly Whale Watching Tour with Pacific Whale Foundation

Maui travel with toddlers during whale season (December through April) is a treat, as humpback whales migrate to Hawaii waters to breed. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers kid-friendly tours that are fun an accessible. The tours are typically a couple of hours, with ample seating. Watching whales breach and play is an unforgettable experience.

Tips:

• Maui travel with toddlers is made easier with anti-nausea tablets such as Dramamine. Some preventative measures can go a long way in the enjoyment factor.
  
• In the cooler months, we recommend a light sweater or hoodie. It will get windy on the open ocean. Also, a hair tie proves useful if you plan on being in the outdoor area!
  
• If you’re not ready to call it quits after a tour, stop in at the Maui Ocean Center to learn about the creatures you just witnessed!

5. Enjoy Family-Friendly Pizza at Flatbread Pizza in Paia

I tried the road to Hana when our son was young, I was pregnant and yeah… no.

A trip to Paia’s Flatbread Pizza is a family favorite, and visiting the north shore of Maui is just enough of. a drive to feel like an adventure! Their wood-fired pizzas are made with locally sourced ingredients, and there are plenty of kid-friendly menu options. Adults should not pass up the Mopsy – thank us later! Parking in Paia can be tricky, so plan accordingly and be prepared to be a few laps, but the delicious, relaxed atmosphere at Flatbread makes it worth it.

Tip:

• Ask for a booth or table away from the pizza oven – it can get hot in that spot, especially in the warmer months.

6. Visit Furry Friends at the Lahaina Animal Farm for Maui Travel with Toddlers

Lahaina Animal Farm is a delightful spot in West Maui, offering young children an interactive experience with goats, chickens, horses, peacocks and more. Families can take a gentle tour of the farm, where knowledgeable guides teach kids about animal care and conservation. The animals are friendly and accustomed to young visitors, making it an enjoyable, hands-on outing that’s both fun and educational.

Tip:

• Make a group reservation if you’re traveling with a lot of family members.
  
• Pack a cooler or snacks to enjoy after the tour, it gets hot and you don’t want any hangry kiddos (or grownups).
  
• Use plenty of sun protection as it gets hot.

7. Get Hands-On at the Maui Butterfly Farm when you travel to Maui with kids

For a unique and educational experience, head to the Maui Butterfly Farm, where kids can get up close with various butterfly species and learn all about their life cycles. The tour is highly interactive and perfect for curious young minds.

Tip:

• Just next door, Leoda’s offers delicious, family-friendly meals. Known for their pies Leoda’s is the perfect spot for a pre-or-post-tour treat or sit-down lunch.

8. Iao Valley followed by shave ice at Ululani’s

Iao Valley is a remarkable location rich in culture and natural beauty. The best part is, this learning and visual expereince is made easy with a paved walk (approx 0.6 miles) that provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku, the ʻIao Needle.

We always like to make a stop in at Ululani’s in Maui Lani after a morning at Iao Valley. This location is just ten minutes from Iao, and you can make a stop off at Safeway afterward for any essentials before heading back.

Tips:

• Iao Valley requires advance registration for out-of-state visitors, which can be easily done online.
  
• Walk only on marked trails and do not stray from them.
  
• Sturdy footwear is recommended.
  
• If it is raining or cloudy over the mountains, do not enter streams or bodies of water. Flash flooding is a very real and common occurence on Maui.

Simple extras to further streamline your Maui travel with toddlers

I’m not big in to “things”. Honestly, you can do a lot with the bare minimum traveling with toddlers. The items below are mere suggestions, but ones that kept our family equipped when in the trenches of the baby and toddler years. Hopefully you find them useful, too!

• If your baby is anything like our own, they love a carrier nap. This baby carrier is and was my favorite with babies and toddlers. It’s airy, ergonomic and durable, perfect for on-the-go jetlag naps. Now, if only they made them for adults…
  
• Aren’t bathroom breaks with toddlers fun? Just a quick quote of something no one said, ever. This foldable, foldable potty seat is great for public restooms and makes the seat more comfortable for smaller bums. We also kept one of these portable potties stashed in our trunk for the “need-to-go-but-where-the-$%*(-do-we-stop moments. Now that we’re keep in to potty time, these disposable liners also saved my sanity when we were between planes.
  
• Changing your baby or even having a clean space for them to sit can prove challenging. While this travel chaging station and bassinet isn’t the exact model we had with our kids, it serves the same purpose. It’s like… a diaper bag, but it’s also a bassinet and changing area. It was a lifesaver flying to Australia with our toddler and 6-month-old, and hopefully will prove useful for you, too!
  

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After enjoying a day full of low-stress activities on Maui with your family, the natural next step is a sunset photoshoot, right?! We’re easy going, patient and ready to take on what you may think is the most terrible for two’s but will indeed not phase us a bit. Join us at the beach in Wailea or West Maui for a family photoshoot, we’re ready to make your stay even more effortlessly fun!