How to Plan a Family Trip to Maui

The end of the year means schools around the United States are taking time off for Thanksgiving and winter break. For some families, November and December are full of trips to visit grandparents and celebrate the holidays. But why are so many families planning family trips to Maui for their winter break vacations?

Tropical destinations are some of the most popular getaways for the winter months. Travelers can escape the cold, enjoy time at the beach, and celebrate the holidays all in one trip. Hawaiʻi is one of the most iconic tropical destinations, especially during the winter. There's literally a Christmas song dedicated to spending the holiday in Hawaiʻi.

So, Hawaiʻi is a great holiday destination in winter, but what makes it a great choice for families?

Is Maui Good to Visit With Kids?

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In Hawaiʻi, Maui is probably the best island if you're planning to travel with children. It's the second-largest island and is known for its volcanic terrain, gorgeous beaches, and popularity with visitors. Because it's so popular, it has been well developed to accommodate many types of travelers, from children to grandparents. No matter who you're traveling with, there is something in Maui to make the journey unforgettable.

Maui is formed from two connected shield volcanoes, which are broad, gently sloping volcanoes that stretch out for miles from their summit (National Park Service). Haleakalā hasn't erupted in centuries, and Haleakalā National Park welcomes families with children, with hiking trails of varying difficulty to choose from. Children can also become a Junior Ranger at National Park Service sites across America, Haleakalā included. This can turn a trip into a learning experience that engages little ones and gets them excited about exploring the world.

Aside from the volcanoes, Maui is also renowned for its pristine beaches. Maui has over 30 miles of sandy beaches, with sand that the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority says is "perfect for building sandcastles." The beaches are great for adults too, and most are close to the resorts, restaurants, and amenities on the island. You can get the full tropical vacation experience at any one of these gorgeous beaches, but be sure to check the weather and rip current conditions before heading out.

It isn't a vacation if you're not enjoying amazing accommodations and great food! Fortunately, Maui has plenty of both for you and your family to enjoy. The coastal areas of Maui are very well developed for travelers, with numerous resorts that welcome families with children. There are also tons of family-friendly restaurants around Maui, and if you don't want to walk far to eat, many of the resorts have their own restaurants on property. Maui has plenty of great dessert stops as well. Mini pies, guri guri, malasadas, and shave ice are just a few of the treats for you all to try during your stay.

Sound like a solid destination so far? Now that I've shared some of what makes Maui such a great destination, I want to walk you through some of my favorite resorts on Maui. These are some of the most amazing luxury resorts with great accommodations for every age, making sure your vacation is a true getaway for every member of your family.

Best Kid-Friendly Resorts in Maui

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Picking the right resort truly plays a big role in your vacation experience. Making sure your accommodations have the right amount of space for your family, enough activities to enjoy on the property, and a balance of amenities for every age is essential to creating the perfect trip.

Wondering which part of Maui is best for families? West Maui's Kāʻanapali and South Maui's Wailea are the two areas I point families to first, with calm beaches, resort pools, and plenty of restaurants close by. All three of my picks below are in one of these two areas.

Westin Maui Resort

The Westin Maui Resort is the first on my list of recommendations for a family vacation to Maui. The hotel has a wide variety of rooms with multiple beds, many of them with ocean views. For the kids, the Splash Zone outdoor play area is a great way to enjoy the sun and sea, and it's near the pool area, where parents can find seating and sunbathing spots. For parents or grandparents looking to relax, there are yoga classes, massages, and spa treatments to enjoy solo or as a couple. Finally, the Westin Maui Resort has some great activities and excursions available to guests, like luau dinner shows, Lahaina whale watching, and Kahekili Beach snorkeling. There are so many ways for the whole family to have fun and learn more about the environment and culture of Maui.

Wailea Beach Resort

Next is the Wailea Beach Resort, which offers luxurious stays and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for families. Something that stood out to me was the Maui Luxe Picnics. For families looking for an "Instagram-worthy" dining experience, these picnics are the perfect setting. This private dining experience puts you and your family right at the ocean's edge for a sunset meal, creating an amazing atmosphere for celebrating any special occasion. Other experiences on the property include a water slide in the pool area for all to enjoy and Hawaiian cultural activities like hula, ukulele, and traditional games. Wailea Beach Resort offers an elevated family vacation experience, and if you are traveling for a special occasion, this may be the perfect place for a private celebration with your loved ones.

OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa

OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa is a great choice for families traveling with children who are looking for a good deal on their stay. Their Family Plan states that children 17 and under stay free when they share a room with their parents and use the existing beds. This is a great deal for smaller families with older children. If you're interested in booking with OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa, I highly suggest connecting with their guest services to make sure this deal applies to your accommodations, or letting me manage the booking on your behalf and saving you the stress. Aside from the great deals, OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa also has waterfalls and an aquatic playground for kids, as well as kid-friendly surfing lessons and excursions around the island.

There are plenty of great resorts to stay at during your trip to Maui. If one of these resorts caught your eye, or if you'd like to explore other options, I'd be happy to help. You can reach me through my Client Inquiry Form, and we can discuss the best resorts for your family and how I can take on the planning for your vacation.

Things to Do in Maui With Kids

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After choosing where you're going to stay in Maui, you can figure out what you want to do while you're there! Maui is full of nature, so there are plenty of activities for you and your family to enjoy while learning more about Hawaiʻi. There are also many food spots around the island that you can't miss. I've put together my top recommendations for activities, restaurants, and sweet treats for you and your loved ones to check out during your stay.

Maui Ocean Center

I highly recommend a visit to Maui Ocean Center, The Aquarium of Hawaiʻi. It's a great spot to learn what makes Hawaiʻi's environment so unique and why ongoing conservation efforts matter. There are tons of exhibits and insightful experiences for the whole family to learn more about the ocean. Maui Ocean Center also has plenty for children, with behind-the-scenes tours, a hands-on Sea Tots class for children ages 3 to 5, and Sea Talks for all ages.

Road to Hana

Touring the Road to Hana can be a culturally immersive experience for the whole family, depending on your tour guide's style. The road travels through Maui's rainforest and along the island's cliffside eastern coast, so having a tour guide to navigate and talk about the scenery makes the tour a relaxing and informative experience. Look for tours that make stops along the way, so you and your family can walk around, take photos, and soak in the beauty of the environment for yourselves. I've designed an itinerary for a family trip to Maui that includes a Road to Hana tour among many other activities, keeping your vacation full of exciting experiences that everyone can enjoy.

Food and Desserts

As a traveler myself, I know how important great food is on a trip. That's why I've looked into some of the most culturally significant meals in Maui and where to find them. For your main meal, I recommend kalua pork. It's rich, slow-cooked pork shoulder and can be served with cabbage, with macaroni salad, or on a bun, among other ways. A few restaurants around the island that serve it are Da Kitchen, Faithful Grinds, and Tin Roof Maui. These restaurants also have plenty of other iconic Hawaiian dishes, so you and your family can all experience the rich flavors of Maui's island food.

It's hard to pick just one dessert to try in Maui. Picking up some shave ice or ice cream at a spot like Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice can be the perfect refresher on a sunny day. Pastries and other small sweet treats are very popular in Maui as well. Mini pies are a favorite dessert on the island, and shops like Maui Pie and Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop have savory pies in addition to their delicious sweet flavors. No matter what you're craving, hot or cold, Maui has plenty of options for you to indulge your sweet tooth.

My Final Thoughts

Maui has so much to offer families looking to have an unforgettable travel experience together. From gorgeous natural landscapes to luxurious family-friendly resorts, Maui is the perfect destination for travelers looking to spend time together on a getaway that has something special for everyone. When everyone feels included in the trip, that's when the best memories are made.

Designing a good itinerary for your family this winter doesn't have to be difficult. There are so many amazing places to explore that are open to every generation of your family, and I want to help you and your loved ones have an unforgettable experience at any destination. I offer Group & Celebration planning for families and groups, creating personalized itineraries for families like yours. If you have upcoming travel plans and want someone to handle the research and booking for you, fill out my Client Inquiry Form and let's start planning your family's next adventure!

Thank you for reading.