Kauai is the perfect getaway for kids and parents, too! Hawaii never disappoints and the island of Kauai is one to remember! The smallest of the main islands, Kauai feels more remote and rugged than the other islands. You’ll find Kauai is full of various gorgeous landscapes and vegetation and not full of people.
Kauai is nicknamed the ‘adventure island’. Often it is visited by those who don’t have kids with them so they can experience hikes, kayaks, and extreme sports. But despite this stereotype, there are plenty of things to do with kids in Kauai. Even the youngest of our group, a mere baby loved being in Kauai.
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When is the Best Time to visit Kauai?
Anytime in Hawaii is a great time. the weather is very consistent. Always beach weather. It never gets above 90 degrees and stays in the 70s overnight. Nearly everyday rain will be in the forecast, but don’t be dismayed, it usually only lasts a few hours at most and the sun will be out shining again soon.
While the wether in Hawaii is great year round, you should be aware that the waves are always bigger and more intense in the winter. With Kauai being the smallest and have rugged coastline, its more difficult to find a calm and clear beach for the kids to play in during the winter (November-March). In the Summer Months (May-Sept) the waves will be smaller and surf will be more manageable for kids.
Best things to do on Kauai with Kids
Short answer: See all of the island of Kauai!
Kauai a small island, so you can explore most of it in just a few days without too much driving time. Don’t get stuck in your resort or on one area of the island and miss out on the unique and interesting things to see all around the island! to get out and explore along the way.
You can’t drive all the way around Kauai, like you can on Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island. Most of the island is uninhabitable due to the rugged nature of the mountains and cliffs. But you should definitely drive as far north as you can – to the Napali Coast. And also drive as far South East as you can you can – to Waimea Canyon.
Hike on the Napali Coast
From Ka’paa it is an hour drive up to the end of the road at the Napali coast. At the end of the road, you will find Ke’e Beach to the right and the trailhead to the Napali Coast to the left. Ke’e beach is also called Ha’ena State Parks and its a favorite for swimming and snorkeling. If you are lucky in the summer the sand fills the lagoon creating knee-deep sand swimming pools. This is perfect for the kids.
At the Napali Coast Trailhead (Kalalau Trail), you’ll find a lighthouse and a hike along the coast. The full hike along the Napali Coast is an 11 mile (2-day) hike. You must have a pass from the government to hike it.
However, you are able to hike the first portion of it on your own. When it is wet, it can be slippery, with big boulders and a steep climb. My 9 and 6-year old did great hiking it, but my sleeping baby and 4-year-old stayed in the car with dad. It would’ve been difficult for them.
Only half-mile up the trail, you’ll be treated to an amazing viewpoint of the beach and the coast. I recommend going at least this far.
If you can go further hike out about two miles. You’ll find Hanakapi’ai Beach and waterfall, the first of 11 waterfalls along the trail. It takes 3-4 hours to do the 4 miles round trip to the beach and first waterfall.
There are other ways to get great views of the Napali coast. you can book a kayaking tour. Be sure to build up your strength for this adventure. Seeing the Coast by Helicopter is incredible. Kauai has so much that you are unable to see by car or by foot, so having the view from the air is very unique!
Play and Swim at Lydgate Beach Park
The beaches on the north shore have huge waves and breaks. While it was fun to watch the surfers catch a ride, it wasn’t the place for playing in the ocean with kids. The riptides and currents are strong, especially in the winter.
For a family-friendly beach, try Lydgate beach park. I especially love that this beach has a shady playground just inland of the beach. You’ll also love the bathrooms and showers available.
Bring a picnic lunch so you can stay all day. The beach has a section of it completely rocked off so there is no wave or current. It is perfect for the little ones. As if this isn’t safe enough, inside of this walled-off area there is another smaller area made just for babies and toddlers! This is the perfect place to relax and let the kids dig, swim and splash to their heart’s content.
Don’t forget the sunscreen.
| Spray on for Ease | Face Stick | Best Face Protection |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
| Buy Sunscreen | Buy Sunscreen Stick | Buy Elta MD SkincareMD Skincare |
Drive up Waimea Canyon
If you are up early because you are still on mainland time, plan to head up Waimea Canyon.
The sights and colors of this beautiful drive are not to be missed. The canyon is a 1-hour drive from the city of Waimea. The drive starts with a view of the coast and beach. But as you drive inland, you see red rocks, lush green vegetation and interesting formations. Stop whenever you see something of interest to explore. Mainly, red rocks, waterfalls and the wettest spot on earth. At the end of the road, hike along a trail for as long as you’d like.
When we were there, the trail was wet and muddy. Several people advised us that the trail was narrow and slick, so we turned around before we got to the dangerous part. If you have the right gear and motivated kids, you can follow this trail for two miles to a Vista.
Still, I think we had some fantastic views just in the first 1/2 mile. We will have to return to get the full effect.
The Pu’u o Kila Lookout shows you everything from waterfalls, rugged cliffs and the ocean shore. there are multiple trails and scenic lookouts in Waimea Canyon State Park, so don’t miss this one!
Hiking with kids, be prepared with the right gear.
| Hiking Pants/shorts | Hiking Pants/Shorts | Hiking Shoes | Water Backpack |
|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   |
| Buy Boys Hiking Pants | Buy Girls Hiking Pants | Buy Hiking Shoes | Buy Water Backpack |
Eat at Jo Shave-Ice Shack
Shave ice in Hawaii is very different than snow cones in America. It is finely cut ice with almost a fluffy texture with amazing flavor on top of ice cream. It is very sugary! Jo’s is named at the tastiest place in Kauai. It is expensive for a treat at $8-10 for the family size. We shared a couple among six of us and it was more than enough. Coming out of a long hike in Waimea Canyon, this is a great sugar-high-treat.
See Spouting Horn and Shop for Souvenirs
Stop at Spouting Horn for a natural wonder your kids will delight in. The water spouting into the air can be seen on the way up to Waimea canyon!
At Spouting Horn crashing waves have cut into the rocky shoreline and formed an underwater cavity. Some of the waves come spouting out of a hole in the top of the rock. You will hear groans and water crashing. Hearing my baby laugh at the tumultuous water and waves is one of my favorite memories of our trip!
Spouting horn offers free parking, bathrooms, and is fenced off for safety.
Buy souvenirs here! The kids absolutely loved the souvenir tables lining the pathway. They were very affordable for us too! Spouting horn is a great place for the kids to find a puka necklace, hibiscus hair clip, or a ukelele to take home with you. Just looking around at all the new and different items that are offered in our local stores was one of my kid’s favorite activities in Kauai. Although we don’t typically love shopping, a little bit of souvenir shopping speaks to most kids hearts.
Beaches on Kauai
Be aware that Kauai is the oldest of the islands and thus the waves and surf is a bit rougher than other islands. Especially in the winter, the waves are high and swimming can be dangerous and unadvised on many beaches for kids and parents alike. That said, you can still find amazing beaches to enjoy around the island.
Explore Shipwreck Beach
In reading our travel book on Kauai, Shipwreck beach wasn’t really recommended for kids. Also called Keoniloa beach, the waves here are high and it is popular for surfers. But since it is the beach next to the Grand Hyatt (read more below) we wanted to stay on sight so we decided to spend the day there anyway. It was fantastic!
If you don’t stay at the Grand Hyatt, you can park just to the east of the hotel and enter the beach from the east side. You can also access the Maha’ulepu Heritage trail that follows the coast from this parking lot.
Shipwreck beach is best known for great surfing waves. Your kids will love watching the locals catch a wave.
The great thing about Shipwreck beach in Keoniloa Bay is that we pretty much had the beach to ourselves with just a few other families. On the east side of the beach is a large rock the brave jump off of into the ocean. But if you set up on west side of the beach, you’ll find a rocky ledge absorbs the waves and creates a perfect play area for kids.
The waves would hit on the outside of this rock and just create small pools of water that were replenished when larger waves glided in from the side. This made the perfect little tide pools for my one-year-old to explore completely safely. My nine-year-old found sea slugs, urchins, starfish, and other barnacles and creatures throughout the tide pool area and created a little aquarium of his treasures. I have never explored Hawaiian sea life, so this was eye-opening and we were a bit nervous, but we learned a lot!
Shipwreck beach is the perfect location to skim board since there was a nice large flat area as the waves came in and glided back. Build epic sandcastles and play in the water.
For a change of pace, walk along the Maha’ulepu Heritage trail along the coast to the beach lookout. Head all the way to the east to hike above the Makawehi Bluff.
We spent eight glorious hours on this beach and the kids didn’t want to head back to our hotel room to get food. Just goes to show that you don’t have to have the perfect beach to have an amazing time in Hawaii.
Coconut Beach
Located only 10 mins from the airport, this stretch of sand has mutliple resorts and hotels. While the swimming isn’t great on coconut beach, also called Waipouli Beach, the sunrises are incredible. this is a great spot to enjoy early mornings if you are still adjusting to Hawaii time zones.
Tunnels Beach
This spot is perfect for snorkling. Located on the North Shore, there isnt much parking for cars, so you’ll find the beach not too crowded.
Pali Ke Kua (Hideaways beach)
Located on the North shore, Hideaways beach is the stuff Hawaiian dreams are made of. Parking is limited and you do have to walk 5-10 mins to get to the beach. You can snorkel and the crowds are limited. This trail can be tricky for kids, especially if it has rained and the path is wet.
Anini Beach Park
If you are looking for a very safe swimming spot, this is your beach! The snorkleing can be good if the water visibility cooperates.
Po-ipu Beach Park
Here you will find safe swimming and even lifeguards on duty to keep everyone safe. This is semi protected by breakwater so its a nice place for kids.
Where to Stay in Kauai
There are many hotels, resorts, VRBOs and Airbnb’s on Kauai. Check out a few options here to find your perfect fit.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
Normally, we are budget travelers through and through. but using our credit card points, we are able to splurge and treat our family to incredible resort stays for free. Its simple to join the World of Hyatt Loyalty programs and earn bonus points after signing up for a World of Hyatt Credit card.
this resort offers everything a relaxing Hawaiian vacation should have! With multiple pools, slides, beaches and amenities, your family will have a great time at this resort!
Book the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort today
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Ka’paa is a short 10-minute drive from the airport. After your long flight, it is nice to get to your hotel quickly. Coconut beach is long and has many resorts and hotels, at an affordable rate.
Coconut Beach is a great place only minutes from the Kauai Airport. You can stay at the Courtyard Marriot here for free with credit card points. Right now you can get the Marriot Bonvoy Boundless credit cards and earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in 3 months.
The sunrise on Coconut beach is beautiful. There are driftwood areas, along with tropical shrubbery and trees to enjoy exploring in the early morning hours.
If you are coming from the mainland with kids, you will most likely be up really early due to jet lag and time zone differences so you’ll have plenty of time to catch the sunrise. Walking along the beach, dipping your toes in the warm water and plush sand is a great way to start your Hawaiian Adventure.
You can book the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach here.
The Perfect Kauai Plan
Kauai One-Day itinerary
Yes, we do go to Hawaii for only one day. Here are all the reasons we love going to Hawaii for one day.
If you only have one day to see Kauai, I highly recommend a helicopter tour. This way you can see all the incredible coastlines, beaches, wettest place on earth and more. Take some motion sickness pills, even if you think you won’t have an issue!
Snorkle at Tunnels beach. Hike Sleeping Giant.
Two Days in Kauai Itinerary
If you have two days on Kauai, spend one on the North Shore exploring the Napali Coast, Princeville and Tunnels beach.
On day 2, explore Waimea Canyon and the beaches on the South Side, Shipwreck beach or Kiahuna Beach (Sheraton Beach)
Three days in Kauai Itinerary
Spend one day in the South, East and North exploring the beaches and hiking in the area.
1: North Shore, Napali coast, Ke’e Beach, Queens bath (in the summer), Snorkling at Tunnels, Swimming at Anini Beach park
2: East Kauai: Sunrise on Conconut Beach, Hike the Sleeping Giant, Lydgate Beach Park, ‘Opaeka’aFalls Lookout, Wailua Falls near Li’hue, Wailua River Kayak
3: South and West Shore: Waimea Canyon, Spouting Horn beach Park Maha’ulepu lithified sand dunes, shipwreck beach,
A Week in Kauai
If you have a week in Kauai, I would suggest 2 nights on the North shore, 3 nights on the East, and 2 nights at the Grand Hyatt (or on the South Shore). This way you are close to different beaches, hikes and sights to see. Plan to spend time on a different beach every day. Mix up long days relaxing in the sun with days of hiking or other adventures.
If you have adventurous kids, book an excursion Ziplining, kayaking or an ATV waterfall tour. You will love attending a Luau and the kids will enjoy the dancing and food. since seeing the Napali coast is impossible except by boat or air, take a sunset cruise to see the Napali Coast
The Best Things to do in Kauai with Kids are Free!
You don’t have to spend any money to have a great time in Hawaii! Beaches, Hikes, and waterfalls are all free to see. Spending time relaxing and connecting with yuor family is exactly why you came to Hawaii in the first place. No matter how you spend your time on Kauai, you will leave with beautiful memories of togetherness in paradise.
Map of things to do in Kauai with Kids
What is your favorite thing do in Kauai with kids?
- Wondering which island has the best beaches? Read Hawaii’s best beaches
- Find the best sights on each of the Hawaiian Islands
- All around the Big Island with Kids
- You’ll appreciate your trip to Hawaii when you hear about our 24 hour adventure to getting home from Hawaii
- Traveling to Hawaii during covid has its challenges! Be prepared!
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10 Comments
I have been there and this island is amazing! I love the hikes and beaches. The Waimea Canyon is a great view! I loved the hiking over there. I have the same picture of the view back down the big hill that you have.
Anything else you would add to the list of things to do?
Would love to do this with my kids someday. I visited Oahu in my single days and loved it! Thanks for the information.
Hawaii is amazing for all ages! I hope you get to do this someday!
It’s a dream of ours to take our kids to Hawaii, we both have been but not with the kiddos. Love hearing all of the ideas of things to do with them on the island.
Our kids LOVE Hawaii! I hope you get to experience it with your kids!
I loved all of your pictures, but especially enjoyed your recommendations! I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve been wanting to go to Hawaii and have been looking around for the best things to do there. Some of these will definitely be added to my list!
Hawaii is a must visit! With or without kids you’ll love it!
These are great tips. We took our toddler to Maui last year because we were worried there wouldn’t be enough kid-friendly activities in Kauai. Looks like next time we will have to try to stay on Kauai!
I’ll agree with you that Maui has MORE to do than Kauai, and there are more beaches on Maui that are kid-friendly. Still we had plenty to see and do in Kauai and got to experience a new island