With its stunning beaches, endless outdoor activities, and secluded coves, Hawaii is in many ways a perfect destination for families. That said, if you’re looking to take the kids on an island escape, it’s important to pick the right resort. Some may offer more convenient access to beaches suitable for very young children, for example, while others may provide more on-site activities for tweens and teens. Larger families and multigenerational travelers may appreciate roomier lodgings or the convenience of an in-room kitchen or lots of dining options.
For parents trying to decide on the best way for their family to experience Hawaii, this guide gives an overview of each island’s attractions and the highlights for different age groups at specific resorts. Making the right choice means parents can skip the stress of wondering what the kids will do each day and instead join them in actually relaxing on their Hawaii escape.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip. And remember: When in Hawaii, travel pono.
Oahu: Family Resorts Close to Beaches, Culture, and Activities
Nicknamed “The Gathering Place,” Hawaii’s most developed island certainly makes it easy for travelers of all ages to come together for a family vacation. Along with an alluring array of child-friendly beaches, including the world-renowned Waikiki, Oahu boasts a wealth of shopping, cultural entertainment, parks, and nature preserves with accessible trails. There are also restaurants for every palate, not to mention important historical sites such as Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace.
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
Best for: babies, toddlers, kids, teens, multigenerational
Situated in the heart of Waikiki Beach, Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort provides a convenient hub of activities for children and teens who like to stay busy, and there are dozens of shops and restaurants within a short walk. The resort’s beachfront Helumoa Playground features two freshwater pools, waterfalls, waterslides, hot tubs, and cabanas. Kids can have fun while learning about the local culture in lei-making and hula lessons. Besides playing in Waikiki Beach’s reliably gentle waters, kids ages five and up can join adults in sampling Hawaii’s state sports — outrigger canoeing and surfing — guided by experts. Inside the hotel, kids can enjoy the daily fish feeding at the koi pond or try their hand at the prize-dispensing games in the arcade. Parents, meanwhile, can find time to enjoy the adults-only Edge Infinity Pool by taking advantage of the Poppins Keiki Hawaii childcare program, which offers mornings at the pool and afternoons making island-themed crafts for kids ages 2.5 through 12, plus babysitting for infants 3 months and older and toddlers.
Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore
Best for: kids, teens, multigenerational
An hour drive north of the airport on the rural North Shore, this tranquil hotel provides the perfect springboard to the area’s famed surfing beaches. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of ecotourism adventures such as zip lining and horseback riding, as well as nature preserves like Waimea Valley and Kaena Point State Park. Just across the street lies the Polynesian Cultural Center, home to a family-friendly luau, a Broadway-style evening show, and multiple days’ worth of interactive, all-ages entertainment in the center’s six “villages” representing Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). Even picky eaters will find something they love at the center’s food truck court. Families who desire room to spread out can book a spacious suite with a full kitchen and separate living room with a sofa bed, or they can book a family room, which can accommodate up to six and comes with a king bed and twin bunk beds.
Maui: Family Resorts for Beaches, Pools, and Easy Island Exploring
Although miles of sandy beaches ring Maui, it’s nicknamed “the Valley Isle” in honor of the waterfall-laced green clefts of the West Maui Mountains. Families can take road trips to experience Maui’s many natural wonders or just soak in the views of neighboring Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe islands and fiery sunsets from a sprawling resort pool, steps from shopping, dining, and all kinds of ocean activities. In the winter, humpback whales spout and breach within view of the shore, while Hawaiian green sea turtles will swim near snorkelers and bask on the sand year-round.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali
Best for: toddlers, kids, teens
This Maui resort can keep water-loving kids and teens occupied for days, with a special perk for fans of the indoors, too. The six pools of the Kawaiola Aquatic Playground include an interactive splash zone and a 270-foot waterslide overlooking Kaanapali Beach — another ideal place to make a splash, whether paddling an outrigger canoe, snorkeling, swimming, or boarding a catamaran to watch for whales and dolphins. When it’s time to come in from the sun, the resort’s Valley Alley beckons with duckpin bowling, plus contemporary and nostalgic arcade games, golf simulators, and a pub-style restaurant with giant milkshakes. There are several family-friendly and poolside dining options, while the paved Ka’anapali Beach Boardwalk puts more casual restaurants and the food court of Whalers Village open-air shopping center in easy reach. The shopping center’s fascinating Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center showcases Maui’s marine life with dramatic video walls and interactive exhibits, making a handy virtual whale watching alternative for summer visitors.
Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea
Best for: babies, toddlers, kids, multigenerational
Parents who crave a bit of cocooning should know that every room at this Maui resort, from generous studios for up to five guests to two-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to seven, conveniently includes a large, well-stocked kitchen with free grocery delivery. There’s also a complimentary shuttle to the Shops at Wailea, which features island-themed boutiques and restaurants, and to Wailea Resort’s crescent-shaped beaches, just down the hill from the hotel. The higher elevation allows for breathtaking sunset views from the large pool and hot tub while still permitting easy access to rafting and sailing adventures, such as snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Children who may not be ocean-ready can immerse themselves in the world of whales and other creatures at nearby Maui Ocean Center, where a giant 3D Sphere also presents a weekly Hawaiian cultural show.
Hawaii Island: Family Resorts for Space, Nature, and Adventure
The Island of Hawaii, nicknamed “the Big Island,” is by far the largest in the archipelago. The sandy beaches of the dry west side include shallow coves and lifeguarded stretches where little ones can get their feet wet. Guided boats offer snorkeling trips to spots where kids can swim amid colorful reef fish by day and billowy, graceful manta rays by night. The island’s massive volcanoes have created opportunities for memorable stargazing, hiking on ancient lava, and the occasional live-eruption viewing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Hawaiian lore and modern science merge in awe-inspiring ways. And a road trip to the lush east side leads to dazzling waterfalls, farms with chocolate tastings, and zip-line adventures.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Best for: babies, toddlers, kids, teens
This resort works well both for those who’d like to stick to the basics of a Hawaii vacation — beach, pool, repeat — and those who want to venture further afield and deeper into Hawaiian culture. The sandy-bottomed kids pool and family waterslide pool, along with a relaxing infinity pool, are steps away from Anaehoomalu Bay, where catamarans and a glass-bottom boat cruise on snorkeling trips and beachgoers can rent kayaks, snorkeling gear, and stand-up paddleboards. Ancient fishponds, a historic lava trail, and petroglyphs lie just beyond the hotel, which also offers guided walks, ukulele classes, and one of the island’s best luaus. Independent teens can stroll over to modern attractions such as mini golf, a luxury cinema, and shops in two outdoor malls. The resort’s central location makes day trips manageable, while its complimentary laundry access can help reduce packing for young ones’ frequent clothing changes and outdoor excursions.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Best for: kids, teens
No car is needed to appreciate the historic sites, ocean recreation, and vibrant shopping and dining scene just outside the doors of this resort, where young children can play in the shallow protected waters of Kamakahonu Beach. Teens can amble to shops selling locally designed T-shirts and jewelry and sip Kona coffee at cafés on waterfront Alii Drive, or rent a kayak, outrigger canoe, or paddleboard for navigating Kailua Bay. The whole family can book snorkeling and sunset cruises from Kailua Pier that provide views from the ocean of Hulihee Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, and other landmarks. Back at the hotel, older kids and teens can play bocce ball, table tennis, foosball, and cornhole in the Alii Fun Zone, while cabanas on the beach and lawn near the sparkling pool offer alternative relaxation. The on-site Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, one of multiple family-friendly dining options, should satisfy any sweet tooth.
Kauai: Family Resorts for Laid-Back, Nature-Forward Stays
The smallest of Hawaii’s four major islands is also its most verdant, hence the nickname “the Garden Isle.” For families, the island’s compact size means every attraction, including numerous family-friendly beaches, lies within a reasonable striking distance, while its more rural, laid-back vibe inspires a similarly relaxing pace for visitors. Nature seems closer here, with easy car rides and short walks to view spectacular waterfalls and the richly hued walls of 14-mile-long Waimea Canyon. There are whale-watching cruises for all ages. Teens and parents will love the helicopter rides over the soaring cliffs of the pristine Napali Coast.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Best for: kids, teens
Centrally located in Kapaa, this beachfront resort holds special appeal to kids and teens open to outdoor adventures and cultural encounters. It’s a short drive to the twin Wailua Falls and the lacy Opaekaa Falls. Trailheads with longer hikes on green mountains with blue ocean vistas are within easy reach, as is the launch point for kayaking and boat trips on the scenic and wide Wailua River. Teens can also hop on complimentary beach cruisers to head to the nearby shops of Coconut Grove Marketplace on their own or follow coastal bike paths to more beaches. The on-site, ocean-view luau features some of the island’s most talented musicians and hula experts. The resort also offers daily hands-on classes in lei-making, hula, crafts, or ukulele. Although the beach here is better suited to playing in the sand than in the water, younger kids can enjoy splashing in the resort pool or the protected waters of Lydgate Beach, a short drive away, which has the bonus of a sprawling wooden play structure. At night, gather the whole family by the resort’s fire pits to make s’mores.
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection
Best for: babies, toddlers, kids, multigenerational
For multigenerational travelers and larger families planning longer stays on the Garden Isle, this resort on the sunny South Shore offers the extra space and amenities they need with residential-sized villas with full kitchens and in-room laundry. The multitiered ocean-view pool deck features waterfalls and shallow areas for kids and a separate, more serene pool for adults. Family-friendly Poipu Beach Park, known for its gentle swimming area for kids and an afternoon lineup of basking sea turtles, is a short drive away, as are the juice bars, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants of outdoor shopping centers in Poipu and quaint Old Koloa Town. Napali Coast excursions leave from Port Allen, about a 25-minute drive west of the hotel, but kids who like to stretch their legs will find room on the 25-acre resort grounds, which include a volleyball net, putting green area, and soccer field.
How to Choose the Right Hawaii Resort for Your Family
Think About the Age Group
Babies won’t mind if you never leave the resort, but teens might itch for some independent adventure. It’ll be easier for everyone if they have the option to venture out within easy walking distance of the resort. Maui and Oahu, particularly Kaanapali in Maui and Waikiki in Oahu, have the most options for teens to explore on their own or hang out with peers.
Consider Multigenerational Needs
Look for resorts that provide an adults-only or “quiet” pool and multiple dining options to ensure parents, grandparents, or other grownups on the trip can take a break from the hubbub of family fun. Lodgings with living areas or decks where everyone can gather promote togetherness. Booking accommodations with a kitchen can ease the burden of dining out en masse for every meal.
Don’t Forget Downtime
With so much to see in Hawaii, it’s easy to overdo it. Be mindful of spending too much time in the sun, especially if you have little ones in tow. Resorts with room for grassy lawns, shade-providing trees, and peaceful nooks can curb those temptations and encourage visitors to stop and smell the plumeria.
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