This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
Free Kids Event in Thousand Oaks (Fun Activities, Crafts + Giveaways!)
Looking for free things to do with kids in Thousand Oaks? This family-friendly event at Conejo Creek North Park includes crafts, activities, and giveaways—perfect for toddlers and young kids. If you live in the Los Angeles area or in Ventura County come on by!
Looking for a fun (and FREE!) thing to do with your kids in Thousand Oaks? 🎉
We’re so excited to be part of a FREE family-friendly kids event hosted by Childhood Matters called the Zones of Wellness: Mental Health Awarness Community Playdate at Conejo Creek North Park—and you’re invited!
Whether you have toddlers, preschoolers, or early elementary kids, this is the perfect way to get outside, enjoy the park, and let your little ones play, create, and explore.
📍 Event Details
Event: ZOW Mental Health Awareness Playdate
Location: Conejo Creek North Park, Thousand Oaks (behind the Library) 1379 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
ZOW Event Schedule - don’t miss this event in the Conejo Valley!
🎨 What to Expect
This event is packed with fun for kids of all ages:
Hands-on crafts
Fun kids activities
Face Paint
Magic Show
Silent Auction
Outdoor playtime in a beautiful park setting
It’s the kind of easy, no-pressure outing parents love—and kids get SO excited about 💛
🚧 Come Visit Us!
We’ll be there with The Trucks That Saved series, and we would LOVE to meet you in person!
Stop by our booth for:
Truck-themed fun
Coloring pages for kids
A chance to see our books up close
👉 If your kids love trucks, construction vehicles, or anything with wheels—they’re going to LOVE this.
🧃 Make It a Full Family Day
Conejo Creek North Park is such a great spot to spend the day. You can:
Pack a picnic (we like to sit at the picnic tables to watch the ducks and turtles by the water!)
Let the kids run around the playgrounds (there are two!)
Enjoy some fresh air and sunshine ☀️
Go to the library (it’s our favorite!), grab a new book, and say hi to the fish!
It’s the perfect way to turn a simple event into a full family outing.
🖍️ Free Truck Coloring Pages (Grab Yours!)
Before you go, don’t forget to download your FREE truck coloring pages—perfect for keeping kids entertained at home or on the go.
👉 Download your free printables here
💛 Why We Love Events Like This
As a mom, I’m always looking for:
Screen-free activities
Easy weekend plans
Things that don’t cost a fortune
This event checks all the boxes—and we’re so honored to be part of it.
📌 Save This for Later
Planning your weekend?
Be sure to save this post to Pinterest so you don’t forget!
✨ Final Tip
If you’re local to Thousand Oaks, definitely add this to your weekend plans—it’s one of those easy YES activities that kids remember.
And if you come… come say hi! 👋
We’d love to meet you 💛
More Family Fun Posts:
🌎 Earth Day with Kids: Simple, Sweet & (Mostly) Mess-Free Ideas
Looking for simple Earth Day ideas for kids? These fun, screen-free activities are perfect for toddlers and young children—easy, meaningful, and mom-approved.
Earth Day is coming up (April 22nd), and if you’re anything like me… you love the idea of doing something meaningful and engaging with your kids—but it also needs to be simple, doable, and not turn your house into a full construction zone! 😅
The good news? Celebrating Earth Day with little ones doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small activities can go a long way—and honestly, kids think it’s all pretty tree-mendous 🌳 (I had to, haha)
GRAB OUR FREE DOWNLOAD: Free Earth Day Activity Pack for Kids 🌿
Here are a few of our favorite easy ways to celebrate Earth Day with kids!
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd and is all about taking care of our planet. It’s a day to slow down, get outside, and teach kids simple ways to help—like picking up trash, planting something new, or just appreciating nature. Even the smallest actions can make a big difference!
Saving the yard one load at a time 🌱🚧 our tiny clean-up crew reporting for duty
🌱 1. Backyard “Clean-Up Crew” Mission
Turn your kids into an official clean-up crew for the day (bonus points if you bring out toy trucks 👷♂️).
Grab:
A small bucket or bag
Gloves (or just brave little hands)
A “mission” mindset
Let them collect sticks, leaves, or any little bits around the yard or park.
👉 You can even say:
“Today we’re helping save the park!”
Suddenly it’s not cleaning… it’s a full-blown adventure. I need to apply this method inside too.
🌼 2. Plant Something (Anything Counts!)
No garden? No problem.
Plant flowers in a pot
Start herbs on a windowsill
Even tossing seeds in dirt = success
Let your kids water it and check on it each day. It’s a tiny reminder that big things grow from small beginnings 🌿
(Also a great lesson in patience… for all of us 😅)
A little Earth Day quiet time 🌎🎨 (screen-free and yes… trucks are involved, obviously 🚧💛)
🎨 3. Earth Day Coloring + Activity Time
This is my go-to when I want something calm, screen-free, and actually engaging.
Think:
Mazes
Simple “look & find” activities
It’s the perfect mix of fun + learning—and a great reset moment in the day.
👉 If your kids love trucks, you already know how this goes…
suddenly the dump truck is helping clean the park and the ice cream truck shows up at the end 🍦 (as it should)
🌿 Free Earth Day Activity Pack for Kids
If you’re looking for a simple way to celebrate Earth Day with your kids (without overcomplicating it 🙃), I put together a free printable Earth Day activity pack that makes it easy and fun.
It includes a mix of screen-free activities that little kids actually enjoy:
A cute Earth Day coloring page with our favorite truck friends
A nature scavenger hunt you can take outside
Easy Earth Day ideas you can do together
These are the kinds of activities we do with our boys — simple, hands-on, and just enough structure to keep them engaged without feeling like “work.”
👉 Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early learners
💛 Why we love this
Earth Day doesn’t have to be a big production to be meaningful.
Even small things — like going on a nature walk, planting something tiny, or picking up a few pieces of trash — help kids start to understand how to care for the world around them.
And honestly… adding a fun printable just makes it feel a little more special ✨
📥 Download your free pack
👉 Grab your free Earth Day Activity Pack here
(Print it at home, bring it outside, or save it for a rainy day — it’s one of those easy wins you’ll come back to every year.)
🌼 Pro tip
If you want to stretch this into a full afternoon activity:
Do the scavenger hunt first
Come back and color
Read The Trucks That Saved the Park together
Then talk about one small way your family can help the Earth
Simple, meaningful, and zero stress 🤍
The tiniest Earth Day discovery 🐞🌿 (and suddenly the walk became very important)
🚶♀️ 4. Take a “Nature Walk”… But Make It Fun
Instead of just walking, turn it into a game:
Can you find:
Something green 🌿
A flower 🌼
A rock 🪨
A bug 🐞
Little scavenger hunts = instant engagement.
And if snacks are involved? Even better.
♻️ 5. Talk About “Helping the Earth” (Kid Version)
My kids love to help and always ask if we can recycle anything we throw away. For our talk, we kept it super simple:
Throw trash away
Reuse what you can
Take care of nature
No big lectures needed—just small, everyday habits. The kids took it to heart, the hardest thing for us now is that our bath tub is full of reusable containers!
We love reading The Trucks That Saved the Park—
it follows Dump Truck, Crane Truck, Excavator, Cement Truck, and their hardworking friends as they come together to rebuild a park for everyone to enjoy.
From clearing debris and planting trees to building safe paths and playground spaces, the trucks show that even the biggest changes start with small acts of helping.
And along the way, they learn something really important— that caring for a community isn’t just about building… it’s about listening, helping, and making space for everyone!
💛 The Sweetest Part
At the end of the day, Earth Day doesn’t have to be perfect.
If your kids:
picked up a few sticks
colored a page (maybe from our Earth Day Activity Pack)
planted one tiny seed
…you’re doing it right!!
Because raising kind, curious little humans who care about the world around them?
That’s what really matters 🌎
✨ And if you’re looking for an easy, screen-free activity to add to your day, you can find our printable truck activity pack —perfect for quiet time, travel, or just a little break in between adventures.
Pin this for later 📌 so you have a few easy Earth Day ideas ready to go!
Earth Day Activities Kids Love - Easy and low prep
More fun family posts!
Maui With Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide 2026
Maui is one of the easiest and most rewarding Hawaiian islands to visit with kids. From calm, swimmable beaches and walkable resort areas to family-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities, this guide shares everything you need to know to plan a smooth, memorable Maui vacation with toddlers and young kids—based on real family experience.
This is what "Blue Health" looks like! There is a scientific reason why our kids are so much happier by the ocean—the coastal air and water actually boost creativity and calm. We chose Honua Kai for its perfect balance of shared family space and easy beach access, making it the ideal home base for our latest world-schooling adventure.
Is Maui Worth It With Kids? A Real Family-Friendly Travel Guide
Yes — Maui is absolutely worth visiting with kids. From calm beaches and stroller-friendly resort areas to kid-loving restaurants and flexible activities, Maui is one of the easiest Hawaiian islands to enjoy as a family — even with toddlers.
Our kids don’t understand how lucky they are for the amount of times they have gone to Hawaii! Maui is our favorite destination for traveling as a family. There is so much to do and the island has so much to offer for everyone. We have made some sweet memories together from having an infant to toddler and kid years.
We have learned to have a successful trip you need the balance of snacks, naps, and fun! therefore, we have recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do to entertain (and hopefully tire out) your tot!
Related Post: Don’t miss our ULTIMATE MAUI GUIDE
Honokōwai Beach Park with a playground in Maui
🌴 Is Maui Safe to Visit Right Now? (Updated March 25, 2026)
If you’re planning a Maui trip with kids and wondering about recent weather updates, I completely understand — it’s something I would be thinking about too! 🤍 See our weather post on Instagram!
We were actually in Hawaii during the recent Kona Low storm, and it was a little scary at times (especially when even locals were saying they hadn’t seen weather like that before). That said, situations like this are temporary, and Maui continues to be a beautiful and welcoming place to visit.
Most family-friendly areas like Wailea and Kaanapali are open and operating as usual. Weather can always impact plans a little, so having a flexible itinerary (especially with kids!) can make everything feel much smoother.
When we travel with our boys, I always like to have a few backup options — whether that’s a relaxed beach day, a pool afternoon, or an easy activity nearby. We hung out in the pool and at the beach a lot because they were near the hotel and we were wet from the rain anyway. Please use caution and check reports, the ocean might not be safe to swim in due to run-offs or strong currents.
I also had books and coloring books for the room, stock up on our favorite: The Trucks that Saved Series for rainy days with kids!
As always, it’s a good idea to check current conditions during your stay and use caution, especially with ocean conditions, which can change quickly.
Maui is such a special place for families, and this guide is here to help you plan a trip that feels fun, easy, and low-stress no matter what!
Honua Kai is a great place to stay with kids - multiple room option configurations, water slides, and a full kitchen, what else do you need?!
Best Places to Stay in Maui for Families
After many hotel and condo stays around Maui, let’s break up the island to compare which areas are best for your family!
🏝️ Best Areas to Stay in Maui With Kids
| Area | Best For | Walkability | Beach Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kā‘anapali | First-timers, toddlers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Sandy, swimmable |
| Wailea | Luxury, older kids | ⭐⭐ | Resort beaches |
| Napili / Kapalua | Quiet stays, babies | ⭐ | Calm coves |
These are the best areas to stay in Maui with kids based on walkability, beach conditions, and family-friendly amenities.
Kaanapali vs Wailea vs Kapalua with Kids
Kaanapali is much more kid friendly, as well as budget friendly, than Wailea. Both areas of the island have family friendly hotels but Kaanapali has a long stretch of them! There is a great beach and tons of hotels and shopping along Kaanapali with a long walk way to connect everything together.
Wailea has more high end hotels that are more geared towards adults, such as the Four Seasons or the Andaz. The Grand Wailea has an awesome pool with lots of water slides but you can also get similar pools in Kaanapali.
Napili and Kapalua are further North and rockier than the previous areas discussed. It’s not as walkable as the hotel resorts are more spread out, which makes it less crowded and quieter. Kapalua bay has a great beach that doesn’t have big waves but also has a coral reef that is great for snorkeling! The Kapalua coastal trail is great for strollers or walking with a carrier.
🏨 Condo Resorts vs Hotels
Depending on your length of stay, if it’s more than 5 days, you might be more comfortable trying a condo like Outrigger’s Honua Kai! You can pick your room layout (Studio, One Bedroom, Two Bedroom or Three Bedrooms) so that you have plenty of space especially when babies or toddlers are napping and you need another room to hang out in!
Condo Rental Wins:
Pools are like resort pools! Honua Kai has one of our favorite pools complete with water slides, splash pad, and kiddie pool! You can even get food and drink poolside service from Duke’s restaurant!
My favorite feature is having a full kitchen with the little ones so you can make pancakes or have fresh fruit and milk available in a full sized refrigerator as opposed to a mini fridge.
We book through Maui Resort Rentals and they have cribs/pack n plays so you don’t have to bring a bed!
The Trucks that Saved the Park story book and coloring book are NOW available!
🧳 Planning a Hawaii trip with kids?
I made a free family packing list with carry-on essentials, beach must-haves, snacks, sleep items, and toddler travel favorites.
Taking first steps on a Little Beach bridges in front of Honua Kai
Best Resorts for families
Don’t get me wrong, the resort hotels are wonderful too! If you have kids that are 4+, traveling is a bit easier since you don’t have to bring diapers, strollers, pack n play, etc!
Kaanapali has a few great hotel resorts:
Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas
The Westin in Kaanapali has an amazing pool area with slides, fountains, and one especially parent-friendly feature: our 3-year-old could climb up to the slide on their own and land in a shallow pool (about 1.5 feet deep). This setup was a huge win for us—it gave our toddler independence while giving us a much-needed break from constant stair climbing.
The Westin also has great restaurants, a Starbucks, and an ARCADE!
Other activities include feeding the flamingos and birds in the morning. Ask the front desk about the times for daily feedings. We were even able to hold the birds too!
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
The pool at the Hyatt Regency Maui is a kid’s tropical playground that feels more like a mini-waterpark than a hotel pool. Between the sandy lagoons, waterslides, swinging rope bridge, hidden grottos tucked behind rushing waterfalls, and the legendary Ululani’s Shave Ice located right on the pool deck, it provides enough adventure to keep children entertained from sunrise to sunset.
The Hyatt Regency Maui resort has a resident colony of African Black-Footed Penguins. Located right in the atrium lobby, these charismatic birds are a must-see, especially during the daily 9:30 AM feedings where children can watch them waddle, swim, and dive for their breakfast while learning about conservation from the wildlife team. It’s essentially a mini-zoo experience without leaving the hotel, featuring not just the penguins but also flamingos, swans, and talking parrots scattered throughout the lush grounds.
Has a game room/arcade area geared toward kids and teens.
African Black-Footed Penguins at the Hyatt Regency Maui
Wailea also has a family friendly hotel:
Grand Wailea
Though there isn’t an arcade, the Grand Wailea offers a kids club and teen lounge including video games and indoor activities— which is more structured and supervised than the Hyatt or Westin Arcades.
The Grand Wailea pool is widely considered the heavyweight champion for kids on Maui. The massive Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is a sprawling 25,700-square-foot playground that is actually nine individual pools connected by a network of lazy rivers and whitewater rapids.
Children can choose from five different waterslides, including the three-story Lava Tube for the brave and gentler interconnected slides for the younger ones. Between the Tarzan rope swing, the hidden caves behind waterfalls, and a dedicated Baby Beach with a sandy bottom and zero-entry slope, it essentially functions as a private, world-class waterpark that keeps kids engaged for days on end.
See our full review of The Grand Wailea.
Multi-Gen Logistics: Finding the "Middle Ground"
What are the best multi-generational resorts in Maui for kids and seniors?
The Sheraton Maui Resort in Kaanapali is ideal for families because it offers multiple room types and towers, making it easy to request adjoining rooms or stay close together.
Accessibility with Dignity: Multiple elevators and card-access doors make the property easy to navigate for those with strollers or limited mobility.
The Shared Experience: Kaanapali Beach is a great stretch for walking, and the resort's location near Black Rock provides world-class snorkeling that every generation can enjoy together.
A "Helper" Moment: As the kids watch the tour boats and beach equipment being moved, it's a perfect time to talk about how different "helper machines" make vacation fun—just like in The Trucks That Saved. My littles are excellent at pointing out all trucks, even in Maui!
The Grand Wailea is another top pick, featuring a massive pool area that functions like a water park for the kids, while grandparents can enjoy the Wailea Beach Path. This 1.5-mile concrete paved trail is perfect for a morning stroll with a stroller and a grandparent who prefers level ground (or walking a sleeping baby in a stroller! 😉).
Maui 2-Bedroom Condos for Families: The "Shared Space" Strategy
For families looking for communal living with private retreats, Honua Kai is unbeatable.
The Condo Advantage: These 2- and 3-bedroom units include full kitchens for slow breakfasts together, but offer enough separate bedrooms for a "quiet escape" when the kids have their high-energy "bursts of excitement" or early bedtimes.
Skip-Gen Potential: Booking through Maui Resort Rentals often includes beach gear like coolers and chairs. Help set up a base camp for the grandparents and kids on the beach while you and your husband enjoy a solo lunch nearby (Duke’s Beach-house) —a classic "skip-gen" bonding moment.
Literary Travel Tip: Pack your favorite book from the series to read by the pool; the "helper" themes of cooperation are great for teaching kids how to be good travelers alongside their extended family.
Honokōwai Beach Park
🏝️ Best Beaches in Maui for Kids
The key to the best kid friendly beaches in Maui:
Calm water
Shallow entry
Easy parking
Nearby bathrooms
Here’s what we recommend:
Kaanapali Beach is great for kids who are strong swimmers or like to boogie board. There are a few free lots to park in but they fill up quickly. Otherwise it’s best to park at a resort or the Whalers Village Shopping parking lot. See more but
Airplane Beach just north of Kaanapali has a more shallow entry and calmer waves than Kaanapali. Our toddlers loved running up to the waves crashing on the shower then running from the water before it could catch them. Parking is harder to find or the free lot near the Sheraton is quite a distance and fills up quickly.
Kapalua Bay is also a great play for littles that want to play in the ocean that is more Shallow with softer waves. If you peak on the other side of the bay off the grassy knoll, you’ll find turtles sleeping. There’s a parking lot (fills up quick, get there early) with public bathrooms nearby too.
Honokōwai Beach Park has a playground AND a great beach that is protected by a rock reef so it’s more like a pool that even infants can sit and play in! There’s also a public bathroom and parking lot too!
Look Closely for the Sleeping Green Hawaiian Sea Turtles in Kapalua Bay
Best Things to Do in Maui With Kids
Some of the best things to do in Maui with kids include beach days in Wailea, snorkeling in calm coves, easy Road to Hana stops, shave ice tastings, scenic hikes, and sunset walks along the coast. Maui makes it easy to mix adventure with relaxation for the whole family.
🌊 Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the best family-friendly activities in Maui. Head to calm beaches like Kapalua Bay, Black Rock, or Ulua Beach in Wailea where the water is typically gentle and clear. Kids love spotting colorful fish right off the shore, and many beaches have lifeguards and easy entry points.
Pro tip: Go early in the morning for the calmest water conditions.
🍧 Shave Ice Tasting
You can’t visit Maui with kids and skip shave ice. It’s practically a family tradition. Try tasting your way through different spots across the island — from classic rainbow flavors to fresh fruit syrups with ice cream at the bottom. It’s the perfect cool-down treat after beach time or a hike.
(We have a full list of our favorite shave ice spots in Maui here!)
🥾 Easy Hikes
ʻIao Valley is great to wander around and has different hiking levels for all ages. There’s also a stream to swim in, which makes it extra fun for kids.
Kapalua’s Coastal Trail is even stroller-friendly with stunning beach views and plenty of spots to stop and explore.
See our full breakdown in our Maui Hiking Trails Post!
🚜 Farm Visits
Kula Ranch is a great place to visit — especially in October! They have a full pumpkin patch as well as animals to look at and pet. Kula is above Wailea, but you’ll need to drive around the island to reach it.
And don’t leave without grabbing pumpkin bread from the little roadside stand!
🚗 The Road to Hana for All Ages: A Slow-Burn Itinerary
The Road to Hana is one of the best ways to experience how gorgeous Maui truly is—filled with waterfalls, black sand beaches, and famous banana bread stops. To make this an "ALL-day" success for three generations, prioritize a strategy that balances quality over quantity.
The ultimate "helper truck!" Stopping at Coconut Glen’s for their famous vegan ice cream is a Road to Hana tradition. Our kids loved seeing this real-life version of the hard-working vehicles in our book series, The Trucks That Saved.
A Sweet "Helper" Stop: Coconut Glen’s Ice Cream Truck
Don't forget to look for the whimsical, colorful ice cream truck at Mile Marker 27.5. While the famous gong may be gone, the magic is now served straight from a real-life "helper vehicle!"
The Experience: This is the perfect "Middle Ground" stop to stretch your legs in a Woodstock-like jungle setting.The kids will be mesmerized by the vibrant truck, and even the grandparents will be shocked by how creamy the organic, vegan coconut milk ice cream is.
Literary Travel Tie-In: As your kids watch the ice cream truck "help" hungry travelers, it’s the ultimate real-world connection to the characters in The Trucks That Saved.
Book Sales Bridge: "If your kids love seeing 'helper trucks' like this in the wild, they’ll recognize the same spirit of teamwork in our book, The Trucks That Saved the Park. It’s a great story to read aloud during your next beach picnic!"
What are the best low-impact stops for seniors and kids?
Waiʻānapanapa Black Sand Beach: This iconic stop offers a high-visual impact for everyone.
Multi-Gen Pro-Tip: The overlook provides a stunning view for grandparents who prefer to avoid the steep stairs, while the kids can enjoy a "burst of excitement" exploring the black sand below. Note: Reservations are now required for out-of-state visitors!
Wailua Falls (Mile Marker 45): One of Maui's most photographed waterfalls, visible right from the parking area with zero hiking required.
The Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) is a masterpiece of natural engineering. While the pools are often closed for swimming due to safety, the paved Kuloa Point Trail offers an easy, half-mile loop that is perfect for strollers and grandparents to see the waterfalls meeting the ocean. We loved watching the Park Rangers—the ultimate 'helpers'—working to keep this beautiful, sacred area safe for families to enjoy.
Road to Hana Educational Adventure: Hiking and "Helper" Machines
Driving to the Kipahulu District of Haleakalā National Park is the ultimate reward at the end of the road. Here is how to handle the two very different experiences found here:
Haleakalā National Park (Pipiwai Trail + Bamboo Forest): This 4-mile round-trip hike is a world-schooling highlight featuring a massive banyan tree and a "Zen-like" bamboo forest.
The Skip-Gen Strategy: This is a perfect "Skip-Generation" opportunity. The trail can be muddy and steep, so let the grandparents enjoy a slow lunch at a nearby lookout or the visitor center while the parents take the kids on the hike.
Ohe’o Gulch (The Seven Sacred Pools): If you are looking for high-visual impact with low effort, this is your stop (pictured above).
Accessibility with Dignity: Unlike the Pipiwai Trail, the Kuloa Point Trail is a short, 0.5-mile loop that is much flatter and manageable for strollers or grandparents. It leads you right to the edge of the ocean to see the dramatic tiered pools.
The "Helper" Connection: While you explore, keep an eye out for the Park Rangers. Just like the team in our book series, The Trucks That Saved, these real-life helpers work around the clock—monitoring water levels and maintaining the trails—to keep the land and the families visiting it safe.
Ke’anae Arboretum (Mile Marker 16): A must-visit for a short, flat walk to see the famous Rainbow Eucalyptus trees.
See our full list of Road to Hana Stops for more!
Planning to visit other islands? Check out our Multi-Gen Guide to Oahu to see more real-life helper trucks at Pearl Harbor!
📸 Professional Maui Family Photos
Maui provides the perfect backdrop for family photos — think Christmas card “Mele Kalikimaka” vibes.
Our favorite local photographer, Tracy Leboe at Baby Hawaii Photography, is incredibly talented. She captures gorgeous maternity and family sessions. Be sure to book ahead of time — sessions fill quickly!
Maui Family Portraits taken by Baby Hawaii Photography
Don’t forget to print our favorite Coloring Pages to take on the plane!
🍽️ Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Maui
Monkeypod is a very toddler friendly restaurant with crayons and free butter noodles for kids 3 and under. It also has great happy hour and my favorite Mai Tai! There are two locations on Maui - Kaaanapali and Wailea!
Barefoot Bar is a fun restaurant where you can eat with your toes in the sand! It is part of Hula Grill but has a separate entrance on the South side of the restaurant. They also have crayons and some good kid food options. Our kid claimed, “it was the best restaurant ever!”
The Ritz’s Burger Shack is a toddler approved restaurant located outside with a big grassy area for kids to run around. It’s also parent approved if you want to hang out and have a boozy milkshake or just watch the waves crash on the shore for a few minutes!
🧃 Easy Snacks for Kids in Maui (That Don’t Melt)
When you’re exploring Maui with kids, having the right snacks on hand can make all the difference. Between beach days, car rides, and long sightseeing stops, you’ll want options that hold up in warm weather and are easy for kids to eat on the go.
These parent-approved snacks travel well around the island and won’t melt or turn messy in your bag:
Gummies
Gummies are lightweight, easy to portion, and a favorite with kids of all ages. They’re ideal for beach bags, stroller pockets, and plane rides since they don’t melt like chocolate snacks.Fruit Snacks
Fruit snacks are great for quick snack breaks while sightseeing or driving around the island. Look for resealable packaging so you can spread snacks out throughout the day without waste.Pouches
Fruit and veggie pouches are especially helpful in Maui’s heat. They’re refreshing, mess-free, and easy for kids to eat while walking or riding in the car. Many are shelf-stable, so refrigeration isn’t an issue until they’re opened.
Love this idea but don’t want to pack all of this? I don’t blame you! Good news is that you can get these as soon as you land at the Target or Costco by the Maui OGG Airport!
💡 Parent Tip: Pack snacks in a small insulated pouch or shaded backpack pocket to keep them out of direct sun, especially during beach days or long drives.
We bring our Wagon instea of a Stroller
Traveling to Maui With Toddlers
Nap-friendly days
With toddlers down to one nap, we would try and get out early, because they were up early anyway, and make it back before naptime or time it where we would be in the car so they could nap. See our packing checklist for our sleep setup!
Stroller walks
There were a lot of stroller walks up and down Kaanapali beach when we had infants and toddlers! We would bring our beach wagon and put both toddlers in for a walk!
Pool days vs adventure days
We would typically alternate pool days and adventure days but most days involved a splash in the pool regardless.
We would even use a night swim as an incentive to eat their dinner.
What to skip with toddlers
The Road to Hana is great but is a longggg day for little ones. It’s essentially a 5 hour (or more) drive so you must plan accordingly to be on the road ALL day. You can break it up with stops but getting to the furthest point is a three hour drive straight there. Even the first stop from Kaanapali or Wailea is about a two hour drive. If you’re only in Maui for a few days this might be a good one to skip unless your kids are a bit older. If you’re pregnant and have nausea, don’t attempt it. I speak from experience.
Haleakala sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, but don’t go with toddlers or younger.
Sunset cruises are fun but stressful with younger kids that like to run around.
Walking along the kid and stroller friendly Kapalua Coastal Walk in Maui
5-Day Maui Itinerary with Kids
Day 1 Arrival
12p Arrival into OGG, pick up rental car
1p stop at Target, Costco, then pick up Tin Roof
3p Check into Honua Kai Condo
4p 🛍️ Head to Whalers Village for shopping and dinner at Monkeypod (get extra food for fridge). Must order: Chicken Wings, Kalua Pork Pizza, Free Butter Noodles for kids, pie slices to go to eat in room after kids go to bed. Don’t forget to order the best Mai Tai on the island! All of this is on the Happy Hour menu!
6p Back to hotel for bedtime - Read The Trucks that Saved the Park for a sweet bedtime story
Day 2 Pool-time and Burgers
5a Kids wake up, make pancakes (and coffee) in room
7a Adult Breakfast pickup (or dine in) at Duke’s
8a Pool opens!
11a Back to room for lunch
12p Naptime
2:30p Drive to Ritz in Kapalua and have Linner at Burger Shack (it’s a big meal to fill up on). Must order: burger and milkshake
4p Explore Ritz and Kapalua or go to DT Fleming beach
6p Back to Hotel for Bedtime
Pipiwai Trail With Baby in Carrier
Day 3 Road to Hana Adventure
5:30a Kids wake up - make more pancakes for everyone (and another pot of coffee)
6:30a Drive the Road to Hana
8a Stretch legs at Banana Bread Stop
9a Arrive at Kīpahulu Visitor Center which is part of Haleakala National Park where you can explore the Oheo Gulch Pools, Pipiwai Trail (Bamboo Forest), and Waimoku Falls
11a Eat a packed lunch or drive to the Food Trucks in Hana
1p Stop at Wainapanapa Beach (Black Sand Beach) - make a reservation ahead of time.
3p Drive back to hotel
5p Dinner at hotel or pick up something on the way back
6p Bedtime
Day 4 - Pool and Luau
6a Kids wake up
7a Breakfast at Slappy Cakes or The Gazebo
8a Kapalua Bay for beach time, maybe try the coastal walk
11a Back to room for lunch
12p Naptime
2:30p Quick Pool Play
7p Bedtime
Day 5 - Last Swim and Depart
6:30a Kids Wake Up
7:30a Breakfast at Duke’s
8:30a Take turns with your partner packing
10:30a Drive to Airport (and cry the whole way)
Sticker Tape Road and Travel Magnatiles keep them entertained in the hotel room
What to Pack for Maui With Kids
I think giving a list of what not to pack is a shorter list because we bring almost everything! One thing I will advise is there is a Costco and a Target by the airport so make your Target order for pickup before your flight takes off so it’s ready for you when you land. You can always Instacart Costco or just head in for free snacks.
🏖️ Download our FREE Packing Checklist and below is a copy paste of what I packed for my 2 and 4-year-old on our last trip.
➡️ Shop our Toddler Packing Amazon list.
✈️ Carry-on List for the Plane
Personal Carry-on:
Toys & some books 📚
iPad
Headphones 🎧
Waterbottles
Wagon - We bring a wagon instead of a stroller these days now that the kids are older. Though we loved our travel stroller for when we had babies!
Snack Bag - Dedicated light weight backpack that folds up into a pouch
Pouches
That’s it bars
Pirate booty
Cereal Bars from Trader Joes
Bear Fruit Snacks
Gummies
Teddy Grahams
Here is the full list of everything else that scatters into checked bags:
Sleep
Inflatable beds
Sheets x 2
Blanket x 2
Small Toddler pillow
PJs
White noise / Hatch
Food Things
Food bag
Bowls 🥣
Baby Spoons 🥄
Bibs
Water cup/bottle
Milk cup
Sippy cup
Safe dish soap 🧼
Sandwich bags
Snack bowl
Travel and Misc
Car seat x 2
Car seat bags x 2
Swaddle
Clothes pins
Outlet covers
Beach bag
Beach blanket mat
Toiletries for Kids
Baby shampoo
Baby body wash
Soft Wash Cloths
Nail clippers
Brush
Kids Tylenol
Kids Sunscreen
Diaper rash cream
Baby Aquaphor/neosporin
Ear drops
Clothes and diapers
Sweatshirt for plane & Mainland airport travel
Socks
Shorts
Shirts
Swimwear
Swim diapers
Size 4 diapers
Pull ups
Overnight Diapers
Wipes
Hat
Multipurpose Sanitation wipes in ziplock bag
Toys and Entertainment - Shop our Toddler Packing Amazon list
Bath Toys - Cars 🚗
Books 📚 - Especially The Trucks that Saved the Park book 😘
Sand toys 🏖️
Football 🏈 - Water safe recommended for the pool!
Frisbee
Trucks 🛻
Cars 🚙
Sticker Road Tape
Plane toys - coloring book, sticker book
Cards 🃏
Travel Magnatiles
🛏️ Toddler Travel Sleep Hack (Game-Changer for Maui Trips!)
If you’re traveling to Maui with a toddler, let’s talk about sleep… because it can make or break your trip 😅
One of our absolute must-haves now is a toddler travel bed for hotel rooms, and I can’t recommend this enough.
Instead of trying to figure out where your toddler will sleep (or dealing with rolling out of a big hotel bed 🙃), this creates a cozy, familiar space just for them—no matter where you’re staying.
We’ve used this on our trips, and it makes bedtime SO much easier, especially after long beach days.
This toddler travel bed makes hotel sleep so much easier when traveling with kids.
How to Set Up a Toddler Travel Bed in a Hotel Room
Setting up a toddler travel bed in your hotel room is quick and easy—and makes bedtime so much smoother when traveling with kids.
Here’s how we do it:
• Inflate the toddler travel bed using the included pump (it takes less than a minute!)
• Add a twin bed sheet over the top to make it feel soft and familiar
• Layer with a blanket + their favorite stuffy for comfort
• Pack a toddler pillow — standard hotel pillows are usually too big and can be uncomfortable for little necks
This simple setup helps create a cozy, familiar sleep space—so your toddler can settle in easier, even in a brand new place
👉 You can see the exact one we use here: https://amzn.to/4bHtOv3
Why we love it:
• Perfect size for hotel rooms and condos
• Helps toddlers feel comfortable in a new space
• Easy to set up and pack
• Makes travel routines feel more like home
It’s one of those things you don’t think you need… until you use it once and never travel without it again!
Is Maui Worth It With Kids?
Yes—Maui is absolutely worth it with kids, especially for families traveling with toddlers and young children. The island offers calm, swimmable beaches, family-friendly resorts, walkable areas like Kā‘anapali, and activities that don’t require long drives or packed schedules. With the right balance of pool days, beach time, and nap-friendly outings, Maui is one of the easiest Hawaii islands to enjoy as a family. If you plan intentionally—choosing the right area to stay and skipping overly long excursions—Maui can be both relaxing and unforgettable with kids.
More Maui Posts:
Ideas for Winter Family Travel 2022
Looking for a change of scenery, or want to get away from the cold winter weather? Why not book a family holiday this winter. There are many great places to choose between – from sunny escapes to snowy mountain towns. We’ve put together a list of things to do and places to go that families will love, so pack your bags and get ready for some fun.
Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway
Family holiday inspiration for winter
Check out this amazing guest post written by Mike Sheer!
Looking for a change of scenery, or want to get away from the cold winter weather? Why not book a family holiday this winter. There are many great places to choose between – from sunny escapes to snowy mountain towns. We’ve put together a list of things to do and places to go that families will love, so pack your bags and get ready for some fun.
Hobbiton in Auckland, New Zealand
1. New Zealand
27% of parents say travel helps their children to be more brave and adventurous. And where better to be adventurous than in New Zealand? The country is renowned for its natural beauty. Families can explore stunning landscapes, from towering mountains to verdant rainforests, and encounter unique wildlife, such as kiwis and tuataras.
It’s also home to a vibrant culture, with a rich Maori heritage and a growing food scene. Families can learn about the country's history and customs while enjoying delicious local produce. And with plenty of activities on offer, from hiking and biking to kayaking and surfing, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
New Zealand has four seasons per year but because it’s located in the southern hemisphere, these come at different times, with their summer falling at the same time as the northern hemisphere’s winter. So it’s a great opportunity to escape the cold too!
Side note: Josh and I went here on our honeymoon and went to visit Hobbiton! Anyone watching the new Lord of the Rings series?!
Visiting Reindeer in Tromso, Norway
2. Lapland
Lapland is a truly magical place, and there is no better time to visit than during the winter months. Families can enjoy all the festive activities that the region has to offer, from meeting Santa Claus and his reindeer to going on a sleigh ride through the snow-covered forests, and curling up in front of the fire with a delicious hot cocoa.
In addition, Lapland is home to some of the best ski resorts in Europe, making it the perfect destination for a winter sports holiday if you’re looking for something more active.
With so much to see and do, it's no wonder that families flock to Lapland every year. So if you're looking for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience, be sure to add Lapland to your list of must-visit destinations.
Check out how we found the Northern Lights in Norway!
Disneyland Paris
3. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is the perfect destination for families who are looking for an unforgettable vacation. The park offers a wide range of activities that will appeal to people of all ages, from thrilling rides to enchanting shows, and extra festive events throughout the winter season to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
There is also a variety of dining options available, so everyone can find something to their taste. Best of all, Disneyland Paris is home to some of the most iconic characters in the world, making it the perfect place to create lifelong memories. So why not take the whole family on a magical journey to Disneyland Paris?
Winter is a great time to take a family vacation. We’ve shared some of our favourite winter destinations, but we want to hear from you. Where do you like to go on winter vacations? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family.
Wanna read s’more? Did someone say s’mores?
Looking for free things to do with kids in Thousand Oaks? This family-friendly event at Conejo Creek North Park includes crafts, activities, and giveaways—perfect for toddlers and young kids. If you live in the Los Angeles area or in Ventura County come on by!