Free Things to Do with Kids in Hawaii

We pulled these 57 free adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Hawaii. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.

57 adventures found

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea, HI

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

Shaded forest loop with Pearl Harbor views and WWII airplane wreckage. Free. Best from about age 5. …

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Captain Cook, HI

Snorkeling
Ages 8–18+ Free

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages …

Twin Falls Maui

Haiku, HI

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Free

Easy waterfall hike with swimming at the first stop on the Road to Hana. Free. Best from about age …

Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

Haleiwa, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Reliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from …

North Shore Shark Cove

Haleiwa, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Excellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. …

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Hanalei, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Premier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age …

Pololu Valley Trail

Hawi, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Steep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 …

Hilo Farmers Market

Hilo, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Hawaii's biggest farmers market with 200+ vendors, exotic fruits, and tropical flowers. Free. Works …

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory

Hilo, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Free factory tour with macadamia nut samples, orchards, and nature trail. Free. Works from toddler …

Mokupapapa Discovery Center

Hilo, HI

Museum
Ages 2–14+ Free

Free NOAA visitor center on Hilo Bay with a 2,500-gallon reef tank and life-size monk seal and …

Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)

Hilo, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Easy drive-up 80-foot waterfall with morning rainbows in the mist. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Richardson Ocean Park

Hilo, HI

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Protected tide pools and black sand beach where sea turtles feed in calm water. Free. Best from …

Waipi'o Valley Lookout

Honokaa, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Dramatic 1,000-foot cliff lookout over the sacred Valley of the Kings. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Hawaii State Art Museum

Honolulu, HI

Museum
Ages 3–18+ Free

Free downtown Honolulu museum of contemporary Hawaii art with a hands-on family gallery, activity …

Koko Crater Railway Trail

Honolulu, HI

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

1,048-step staircase up a volcanic crater with panoramic coastal views. Free. Better for ages 8 and …

Waikiki Beach

Honolulu, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Iconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from …

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Kailua, HI

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

Short steep hike to WWII bunkers with stunning views over Lanikai Beach. Free. Best from about age …

Maunawili Falls Trail

Kailua, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Kahalu'u Beach Park

Kailua-Kona, HI

Swimming
Ages 3–18+ Free

Best beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about …

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

Kaneohe, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Free 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler …

Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Coastal Path)

Kapaa, HI

Biking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Scenic oceanfront bike path along Kauai east coast with beach stops and whale watching. Free. Best …

Dragon's Teeth (Makaluapuna Point)

Kapalua, HI

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Free

Jagged lava formations shaped like dragon teeth on a windswept coastal point. Free. Best from about …

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Kapalua, HI

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Scenic coastal boardwalk connecting beautiful bays with turtle and whale spotting. Free. Best from …

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Kapolei, HI

Swimming
Ages 7–18+ Free

Unique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for …

Ko Olina Lagoons

Kapolei, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Calm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler …

Anini Beach Park

Kilauea, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Calm protected lagoon beach with the longest reef on Kauai, perfect for young kids. Free. Works from …

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

Kilauea, HI

Nature
Ages 6–18+ Free

Stunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and …

Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail

Koloa, HI

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

Coastal trail along lithified dunes, sea cliffs, and ancient petroglyph caves. Free. Best from about …

Spouting Horn

Koloa, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from …

Kalaupapa Lookout

Kualapuu, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

View from the world's highest sea cliffs down to the historic Kalaupapa Peninsula. Free. Works from …

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Kula, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Cool mountain forest of redwoods and pines on Haleakala that feels like the Pacific Northwest. Free. …

Baby Beach Lahaina

Lahaina, HI

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Ultra-shallow protected beach perfect for toddlers and babies. Free. Works from toddler age. About …

Ka'anapali Beach

Lahaina, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

World-class 3-mile beach with snorkeling at Black Rock and nightly cliff diving. Free. Works from …

Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)

Lahaina, HI

Snorkeling
Ages 5–18+ Free

Excellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from …

Garden of the Gods (Keahiakawelo)

Lanai City, HI

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Free

Otherworldly red rock formations on Lanai's back roads (Keahiakawelo) - free to visit, but a 4WD …

Hulopo'e Beach Park

Lanai City, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Pristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from …

Wailua Falls

Lihue, HI

Nature
Ages 1–18+ Free

Drive-up 173-foot double waterfall famous from Fantasy Island opening credits. Free. Works from …

Papohaku Beach

Maunaloa, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Nearly 3-mile-long white sand beach that you will likely have all to yourself. Free. Best from about …

South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Naalehu, HI

Hiking
Ages 8–18+ Free

Hike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better …

Lava Tree State Monument

Pahoa, HI

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Eerie forest of lava-molded tree columns from a 1790 eruption. Free. Best from about age 3. About an …

Pepe ekeo Point Lookout

Pepeekeo, HI

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Scenic drive through a tropical corridor with one-lane bridges and ocean views. Free. Works from …

Queen's Bath

Princeville, HI

Hiking
Ages 10–18+ Free

Dramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for …

Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)

Waianae, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Remote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best …

Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 6–18+ Free

Snorkel over lava reef in a protected marine reserve with abundant sea life. Free. Better for ages 6 …

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 5–18+ Free

Massive golden sand beach with turquoise water and dramatic cinder cone backdrop. Free. Best from …

La Perouse Bay

Wailea, HI

Hiking
Ages 5–18+ Free

Coastal hike across Maui last lava flow with dolphins, petroglyphs, and tide pools. Free. Best from …

Ulua Beach

Wailea, HI

Swimming
Ages 4–18+ Free

Sheltered beach with excellent easy snorkeling and frequent sea turtle sightings. Free. Best from …

Wailea Beach Path

Wailea, HI

Hiking
Ages 1–18+ Free

Free, stroller-friendly paved beach walk in Wailea, Maui connecting five beaches - whale watching in …

Nakalele Blowhole

Wailuku, HI

Hiking
Ages 6–18+ Free

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages …

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail

Waimanalo, HI

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Paved coastal cliff trail to a lighthouse with winter whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. …

Tide Pools at Makapu'u

Waimanalo, HI

Nature
Ages 5–18+ Free

Natural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from …

Waimanalo Beach

Waimanalo, HI

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Long uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from …