Fun With A Toddler In Maui
Let’s be honest, while we all look forward to a tropical vacation, navigating it with young children in tow can be daunting. Spontaneously lounging by the pool with a tropical drink, followed by a leisurely midday nap, is often (for the most part) out of the question. Maui offers an array of activities, such as ziplines, snorkeling, and water slides at the hotel pool. However, entertaining toddlers in Maui requires a bit more creativity. As a mother of a toddler living on this beautiful island, I continually find myself seeking ways to keep those bundles of energy occupied. The constant need to get out and entertain, plan for the next snack stop, and choose restaurants that relatively meltdown-resistant is a daily reality. Below, I’ve put together a list of 10 activities that both you and your toddler will enjoy in Maui:
Maui Tropical Plantation offers a delightful experience for little ones, especially at the captivating duck pond. Duck food is available for purchase at the gift shop, allowing you to toss it into the pond and watch the turtles and fish bubble to the surface, guaranteed to get a squeal out of any toddler in Maui. The property is adorned with tropical fruit and botanicals, cultivating local ingredients to serve at the onsite restaurant with stunning views of the lush valleys. For an added adventure, hop on board the Tropical Express train for a tour of the grounds, and kids under 3 ride free!
In recent years, online casinos have become increasingly popular, and many parents who enjoy gaming online also relish combining it with family vacations at casino resorts. While this may seem counterintuitive to some, for many families, combining the thrill of gambling with a family getaway is a cherished tradition. Parents who like gambling often travel to resorts with their children to share their gaming passion in a responsible and controlled setting. TerraCasino experts can assist you in choosing the best site with fast payouts. Many casino resorts often offer a variety of amenities and activities that cater to families, including swimming pools, water parks, playgrounds, arcades, and even supervised childcare services. This way, parents can enjoy the gaming tables while their kids are entertained and supervised.
Fish Pond Beach, or Ko`ie`ie, is situated on the north end of Kihei, and stands as one of the most accessible and approachable fishponds in Hawaii. Ample parking is available near the grass park leading to this sheltered beach with shallow, calm waters. Turtles can be found basking along the outer rim of the pond, and crabs scuttle along the shoreline rocks. To fully appreciate the cultural significance of this site, be sure to read the interpretive signage or visit the website for additional insights.
North Shore beaches of Maui, where the shoreline reef systems generate calm sheltered beach lagoons ideal for a toddler to enjoy. However, early morning is still the best time to visit as trade winds tend to pick up by around 10am. Before heading to the appropriately named ‘Baby Beach’ in Spreckelsville, stop by any Boss Frog’s location to pick up your beach gear rentals.
Maui Ocean Center is the perfect way to introduce your toddler to the captivating underwater world of Hawaii while staying on land (and in air conditioning). One of the most child-friendly activities on the island, toddlers are allowed to run free and excite at the various exhibits including a shark tunnel, outdoor play area, and touch tank.
Whalers Village, an open-air shopping and dining complex, can be found in the visitor hub of Ka’anapali on the West side of the island. The newly renovated courtyard boasts a play area with climbing structures and a splash pad, providing an ideal spot for a midday cool down. Additionally, you can enjoy live music, hula lessons and outdoor family movie nights.
Kula Country Farms provides some of the best photo opportunities on Maui, so bring your camera! Whether you catch their pumpkin patch in the fall or strawberry picking in the spring, this location has an epic bicoastal view, cooler temperatures, and delightful gardens for toddlers in Maui to discover. Take time to visit the mini horses and grab a local snack in the market store.
Surfing Goat Dairy- , where the farm’s location alone justifies the journey, rewards you for making the trip up the cool slopes of Haleakala. Visit the goats on a guided farm tour or explore on your own. Toddlers find joy watching the animals, and the farm offers a small play area along with a comfortable space for lunch.
Happy Trails, a family owned and operated farm, is nestled in Haiku along the road to Hana serving as a good stop on an East Maui day trip. Friday mornings feature “Mommy and Me,” a $5 drop-in session allowing toddlers to feed and pet farm animals including ducks, horses, bunnies and most recently, an orphaned baby deer named Bamboo. For a reasonable rate, private visits can be arranged, including a trail ride through the picturesque ranch property.
Maui Humane Society-, centrally located and free to walk through, is a haven for little animal lovers who can delight in visiting the shelter dogs, cats, bunnies and Freddie, the famous tortoise who hosts a birthday party each April!
Snorkel Cruise– offers a unique ocean adventure suitable even for the youngest enthusiasts in Maui. While not every boat is recommended for toddlers, the Calypso trip is appropriate for even the littlest of ocean adventurers. The three-story vessel is designed for a very smooth ride, offering ample shaded seating and glass-bottom panels to view reef fish without getting wet. Opt for the early morning departure to ensure you’ll be back to the hotel in time for that precious nap!
