Free Things to Do with Kids in Hawaii

Hilo, HI

Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

World-class stargazing at 9,200 feet with free evening telescope programs. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Nature
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Kailua, HI

Kailua Beach Park

Award-winning white sand beach with turquoise water and gentle waves. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Free

Kapaa, HI

Lydgate Beach Park

Protected rock pools for safe snorkeling and a massive playground on Kauai east side. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Free

Koloa, HI

Poipu Beach Park

America's Best Beach with a protected keiki pool, monk seals, and sunny south shore weather. Free. Works from toddler age.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Free

Aiea, HI

Aiea Loop Trail

Shaded forest loop with Pearl Harbor views and WWII airplane wreckage. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Captain Cook, HI

Captain Cook Monument Snorkel Trail

Steep hike down to world-class snorkeling in a marine sanctuary with dolphins. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

Snorkeling
Ages 8+
~5h
Free

Haiku, HI

Twin Falls Maui

Easy waterfall hike with swimming at the first stop on the Road to Hana. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Easy going.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Haleiwa, HI

Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)

Reliable spot to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on a North Shore beach. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 1+
~1h
Free

Haleiwa, HI

North Shore Shark Cove

Excellent tide pools and snorkeling in a rocky cove on the North Shore. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Easy going.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Hanalei, HI

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Premier snorkeling through reef tunnels with Bali Hai mountain backdrop. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Easy going.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Hawi, HI

Pololu Valley Trail

Steep trail to a remote black sand beach in a dramatic cliff-lined valley. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~2h
Free

Hilo, HI

Hilo Farmers Market

Hawaii's biggest farmers market with 200+ vendors, exotic fruits, and tropical flowers. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 1+
~1h
Free

Hilo, HI

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory

Free factory tour with macadamia nut samples, orchards, and nature trail. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Hilo, HI

Mokupapapa Discovery Center

Free NOAA visitor center on Hilo Bay with a 2,500-gallon reef tank and life-size monk seal and albatross models hanging overhead.

Museum
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Hilo, HI

Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)

Easy drive-up 80-foot waterfall with morning rainbows in the mist. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Nature
Ages 1+
~0.5h
Free

Hilo, HI

Richardson Ocean Park

Protected tide pools and black sand beach where sea turtles feed in calm water. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Free

Honokaa, HI

Waipi'o Valley Lookout

Dramatic 1,000-foot cliff lookout over the sacred Valley of the Kings. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour. Stroller-friendly.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Honolulu, HI

Hawaii State Art Museum

Free downtown Honolulu museum of contemporary Hawaii art with a hands-on family gallery, activity kits and a sculpture garden outside.

Museum
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Honolulu, HI

Koko Crater Railway Trail

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

Hiking
Ages 8+
~2h
Free

Honolulu, HI

Waikiki Beach

Iconic Hawaiian beach with calm water, surf lessons, and endless activities. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~4h
Free

Kailua, HI

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Short steep hike to WWII bunkers with stunning views over Lanikai Beach. Free. Best from about age 5. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~1h
Free

Kailua, HI

Maunawili Falls Trail

Jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall pool through lush windward forest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~3h
Free

Kailua-Kona, HI

Kahalu'u Beach Park

Best beginner snorkeling on the Kona Coast with shallow reef and sea turtles. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 3+
~3h
Free

Kaneohe, HI

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

Free 400-acre botanical garden with dramatic mountain backdrop and camping. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours.

Nature
Ages 1+
~2h
Free

Kapaa, HI

Ke Ala Hele Makalae (Kauai Coastal Path)

Scenic oceanfront bike path along Kauai east coast with beach stops and whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

Biking
Ages 3+
~2h
Free

Kapalua, HI

Dragon's Teeth (Makaluapuna Point)

Jagged lava formations shaped like dragon teeth on a windswept coastal point. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour.

Hiking
Ages 4+
~1h
Free

Kapalua, HI

Kapalua Coastal Trail

Scenic coastal boardwalk connecting beautiful bays with turtle and whale spotting. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Free

Kapolei, HI

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Unique snorkeling with dolphins, turtles, and rays in warm power plant outflow. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. About two hours.

Swimming
Ages 7+
~2h
Free

Kapolei, HI

Ko Olina Lagoons

Calm man-made lagoons with protected swimming perfect for young children. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~3h
Free

Kilauea, HI

Anini Beach Park

Calm protected lagoon beach with the longest reef on Kauai, perfect for young kids. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~3h
Free

Kilauea, HI

Secret Beach (Kauapea)

Stunning hidden beach accessed by a jungle trail on Kauai north shore. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

Nature
Ages 6+
~2h
Free

Koloa, HI

Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail

Coastal trail along lithified dunes, sea cliffs, and ancient petroglyph caves. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Koloa, HI

Spouting Horn

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water through a lava tube with an eerie moan. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~0.5h
Free

Kualapuu, HI

Kalaupapa Lookout

View from the world's highest sea cliffs down to the historic Kalaupapa Peninsula. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Kula, HI

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Cool mountain forest of redwoods and pines on Haleakala that feels like the Pacific Northwest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~3h
Free

Lahaina, HI

Baby Beach Lahaina

Ultra-shallow protected beach perfect for toddlers and babies. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

Swimming
Ages 1+
~2h
Free

Lahaina, HI

Ka'anapali Beach

World-class 3-mile beach with snorkeling at Black Rock and nightly cliff diving. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Free

Lahaina, HI

Olowalu Reef Snorkeling (Mile Marker 14)

Excellent shore snorkeling with guaranteed sea turtles over a massive shallow reef. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

Snorkeling
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Lanai City, HI

Garden of the Gods (Keahiakawelo)

Otherworldly red rock formations on Lanai's back roads (Keahiakawelo) - free to visit, but a 4WD vehicle is required to reach the site

Nature
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Lanai City, HI

Hulopo'e Beach Park

Pristine marine preserve beach with dolphins, snorkeling, and amazing tide pools. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~4h
Free

Lihue, HI

Wailua Falls

Drive-up 173-foot double waterfall famous from Fantasy Island opening credits. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 1+
~0.5h
Free

Maunaloa, HI

Papohaku Beach

Nearly 3-mile-long white sand beach that you will likely have all to yourself. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Naalehu, HI

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Volcanic black sand beach famous for Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~1h
Free

Naalehu, HI

South Point Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Hike to one of only four green sand beaches in the world at the US southernmost point. Free. Better for ages 8 and up. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 8+
~4h
Free

Pahoa, HI

Lava Tree State Monument

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

Hiking
Ages 3+
~1h
Free

Pepeekeo, HI

Pepe ekeo Point Lookout

Scenic drive through a tropical corridor with one-lane bridges and ocean views. Free. Works from toddler age. About an hour.

Nature
Ages 2+
~0.5h
Free

Princeville, HI

Queen's Bath

Dramatic ocean-filled lava pool for experienced families in calm conditions only. Free. Better for ages 10 and up. About two hours.

Hiking
Ages 10+
~2h
Free

Waianae, HI

Keawa'ula (Yokohama Bay)

Remote end-of-the-road beach with mountain backdrop and access to Ka ena Point trail. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Wailea, HI

Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve

Snorkel over lava reef in a protected marine reserve with abundant sea life. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About two hours.

Swimming
Ages 6+
~2h
Free

Wailea, HI

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Massive golden sand beach with turquoise water and dramatic cinder cone backdrop. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Wailea, HI

La Perouse Bay

Coastal hike across Maui last lava flow with dolphins, petroglyphs, and tide pools. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

Hiking
Ages 5+
~3h
Free

Wailea, HI

Ulua Beach

Sheltered beach with excellent easy snorkeling and frequent sea turtle sightings. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

Swimming
Ages 4+
~2h
Free

Wailea, HI

Wailea Beach Path

Free, stroller-friendly paved beach walk in Wailea, Maui connecting five beaches - whale watching in winter and sea turtle spotting year-round

Hiking
Ages 1+
~2h
Free

Wailuku, HI

Nakalele Blowhole

Natural ocean blowhole shooting water 100 feet high on a dramatic lava coast. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. About an hour.

Hiking
Ages 6+
~1h
Free

Waimanalo, HI

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail

Paved coastal cliff trail to a lighthouse with winter whale watching. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.

Hiking
Ages 3+
~2h
Free

Waimanalo, HI

Tide Pools at Makapu'u

Natural lava rock tide pools and swimming holes on the coast near the lighthouse. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

Nature
Ages 5+
~2h
Free

Waimanalo, HI

Waimanalo Beach

Long uncrowded stretch of soft white sand with turquoise water and mountain views. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

Swimming
Ages 2+
~3h
Free