Top 8 Activities for Kids Near Kona, Hawai’i

The Big Island is a land of natural wonders, from lush tropical rainforests to gorgeous sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, to the ever-present domain of the active Kilauea volcano. There are a ton of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including snorkeling with marine life, relaxing on perfect beaches, attending a luau, or even ziplining in the rainforest! Check out the top 8 things to do with kids in Kona.

Best Kona Activities For Kids

When you think of Hawai’i, you’ll probably imagine white sand beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze. The Big Island’s unique beaches and so much more!

1. Splash at Kona’s Iconic Beaches

In the heart of Kailua-Kona is Kamakahonu Beach, known as “King Kam” by local residents, and is known for being calm and perfect for swimming! With Kailua Pier on your left, kids can enter the water on the right side of the beach where there will not be any boat traffic. There are lots of tropical fish, including tangs, and butterflyfish if you’d like to bring a snorkel! Lots of shops in the area along Ali’i Drive (the main street in Kona) offer snorkel gear rental, reef safe sunscreen and organized trips around Kona.

Another great beach for kids is Kahalu’u Beach Park with a lifeguard on duty and shallow, easily accessible waters. There are tons of fish to spot and tidepools to explore here. Kahalu’u Bay also features an educational program through ReefTeach for kids to learn about the diversity of fish and invertebrates living within the coral reef ecosystem, and how to be stewards for ocean conservation and reef safety. ReefTeach also gives handy tips for snorkeling!

Interesting fact

Kamakahonu translates to “the turtle eye” in Hawaiian!

Fun fact

Kahalu’u Beach Park is famed for the honu, or sea turtles, that are commonly found sunning themselves on the rocks!

2. Seek Out Marine Life

For kids that love the water, take them on a boat tour to Kealakekua Bay, a marine sanctuary that is known as Hawai’i’s best snorkeling spot! Climb aboard the Fair Wind II for stories of Hawaiian royalty as you travel from Keauhou Bay, the birthplace of King Kamehameha III. Snorkel in the pristine turquoise waters of Kealakekua Bay, over technicolor reefs, tropical fish, and all sorts of marine life to marvel at. There are also two waterslides and a high dive on the boat for even more fun! The morning snorkel cruise features a tropical breakfast and island-style BBQ lunch during this 4-½ hour adventure. Children of all ages are welcome.

Interesting fact

Kealakekua Bay is also home to the Captain Cook monument, where one of the world’s greatest explorers first landed (and perished) in the Hawaiian islands in 1779.

Fun fact

The water visibility in Kealakekua Bay sometimes reaches up to 100 feet, making it Hawai’i’s most pristine snorkeling spot!

See our favorite snorkeling spots on the Big Island with more adventures for the whole family!

3. Attend a Luau

A trip to Hawai’i with kids wouldn’t be complete without experiencing a luau. This is a great way to sample traditional Hawaiian foods, be dazzled by fire knife and hula dancers, and maybe even join in! The main dish at a luau was and continues to be Kalua pig, pork cooked in an imu, or “earth oven.” Another popular favorite is taro rolls, a root vegetable, that is a staple crop brought to the Hawaiian islands by Polynesian wayfarers. While the experience of a luau is aimed at visitor entertainment, it’s still a great way to introduce the stories of the Hawaiian culture in a way that will entertain the whole family. There are many great luaus located right in the heart of Kailua-Kona and on the way up to Kohala. Luaus are great for kids of any age!

Fun fact

The Mauna Kea Beach Resort Luau is the oldest on the island of Hawai’i and is one of the more stylish and intimate luaus on the island.

Interesting fact

Hula was banned for decades by the missionaries until it was revived by King David Kalakaua in 1875. His legacy is celebrated annually at the Merrie Monarch Festival, a multi-day hula competition which sees competitors from around the world travel to Hilo for this, the largest hula competition in the world!

4. Kayaking or Canoeing

There are many places to rent kayaks on the shore in Kona town, as well as along the coast as you make your way to the northern coast of Kohala. For a truly unique experience, take a kayak tour through the waterways in the mountains of the Kohala Ditch. This is a 110-year-old water system of hand-carved tunnels, elevated flumes, and channels that used to supply millions of gallons of water to the massive sugar cane plantations in the area. The kayak ride is a leisurely 3-mile long float, taking you through the forests, waterfalls, and streams of this remote part of the Big Island. This tour is appropriate for kids ages 5 and up.

Fun fact

There are many tour operators around Kona that can take you on a guided ocean tour to see some special sites!

Interesting fact

The Kohala coast houses some of Hawai’i’s most incredible white sand beaches, like Hapuna Beach!

5. Ziplining

Ziplining is another kid-friendly outdoor adventure activity offered in Kohala as well as on the east side of the island around Hilo. Ziplining involves strapping into a harness and soaring above the canopy on a line that will take you from one tree to the next. This can allow you to get a birds-eye view of incredible scenery you wouldn’t normally get to see on your own! For kids ages 8 and up.
To get to Kohala from Kona, it will take about an hour or so to drive up the coast to this beautiful section of the Big Island. Some tour operators can provide transportation from Kona, but you will need to make arrangements ahead of time.

Interesting fact

Kohala Zipline has exciting tours that include 9 zip lines, 5 sky bridges, a canopy tour, a rappel, and an add-on hike to some waterfalls!

6. Sample Shave Ice

This sweet treat will surely have kids in heaven! To make shave ice, as the name suggests, a block of ice is thinly shaved to create a very fine snow-like texture. Flavored syrups of all varieties are then added in all sorts of combinations, often made with fresh local ingredients! Some local favorites are guava, pineapple, passion fruit (lilikoi), coconut, lychee and mango including traditional American flavors too. Traditionally, Hawaiian shave ice is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or azuki bean paste at the bottom of the cup. Another favorite preparation is the “snow cap,” where sweetened condensed milk is drizzled on top!

Fun fact

On the Big Island, it is also referred to as “ice shave,” though both terms are used by residents.

Interesting fact

Shave ice is thought to have been introduced to Hawai’i by Japanese immigrants who came to work on the sugar plantations.

7. Go Hiking

Hawai’i truly has some of the best nature trails and hiking on the planet. There are many trails around Kona that are kid-friendly and a fun adventure for all ages! Take a trip to the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary to experience the wonders and see many endemic Hawaiian species that lie in this beautiful cloud forest. For a coastal hike, check out Pu’uhonua o Honaunau to walk along the shoreline on the volcanic rock to take in the ocean views and learn about the history of this unique place. Please malama ‘aina, or care for the land, and don’t leave any trash or remove any part of the natural environment for souvenirs.

Fun fact

The variety in elevation, terrain, and rainfall gives Hawai’i its incredible natural diversity, from the lush tropical rainforests to sunny volcanic beaches, to the snow-capped peak of Mauna Kea.

Interesting fact

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau translates to “a place to hike”. In old Hawai’i, lawbreakers would escape to this place that would protect them from the death penalty for their crimes.

8. Hawai’i Keiki Museum

The Hawai’i Keiki Museum is a paradise for kids and adults alike who are looking to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). This fun spot is the perfect place to discover, create, play, and learn about all that our islands have to offer. With over a dozen exciting hands-on exhibits for the whole family to enjoy; kids can engage in interactive activities that promote problem-solving as well as open-ended exploration. Make sure to carve out a good portion of your day to check out the Hawai’i Keiki Museum. If you are looking for a fun and educational environment for the whole family, even while you are on vacation, you can’t go wrong with this fantastic local museum in Kona.

Fun fact

The Hawai’i Keiki Museum is always celebrating cultural events like Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day in addition to honoring local artists, writers, and community leaders through various functions.

Interesting fact

The Hawai’i Keiki Museum is the only one of its kind in the Kona area. The museum was founded with the goal of creating a common space where adults and children alike can learn and grow in their understanding of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.