Hawaii

Kauai Top 10 with Kids

Ten places on Kauai that kids will love, from red dirt streams to shave ice and surf lessons.

All Hawaii guides
Highlights
By Riddhi
  • kids
  • elders
  • roadtrip

Kauai in summer

Duration
9 days
Season
Summer
Shape
Kauai
Who travelled
2 adultsChildGrandparents

1. Red dirt waterfall area in Waimea Canyon State Park

This is a great opportunity for kids to get out of the car, jump across the stream, and climb up and down the small hills. The contrast of the red dirt against the blue sky and the clear stream was incredible.

Man and boy walking down red dirt slopes beside a small clear stream

Red dirt and a clear stream to hop across.

2. Poipu Beach

This beach is perfect for kids on a clear, calm day. There are plenty of shallow areas with gentle waves. There is a small island where monk seals sometimes rest. You can walk to it at low tide, but not when a seal is there. We did not experience the best of Poipu Beach, as the weather was windy, cloudy and teasing rain.

Boy playing in the splashing waves at Poipu Beach

Playing in the waves at Poipu, even on a cloudy day.

3. Keʻe Beach

This beach is calm, with beautiful snorkeling. The sand is soft, with some rocks.

Woman hugging a boy on the sand at Keʻe Beach, with dark rocks and clear turquoise water behind them

Calm, clear water at Keʻe Beach.

4. Lappert’s ice cream and JoJo’s Shave Ice

Try Lappert’s ice cream and JoJo’s Shave Ice, or every shave ice place you pass. There are several locations of each, so you may be able to have them more than once and try out several flavors.

Boy holding a cup of rainbow shave ice by the roadside

Shave ice, one of many.

5. Wailua Falls and ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

These waterfalls are easy to reach from the parking lot, with very little walking. The areas around the falls are picturesque as well. We found some locals selling snacks at Wailua Falls.

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls in a green, jungle-covered valley

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, a short walk from the car.

6. Napali Coast boat tour

There are many options, including sunset, snorkeling, lunch and dinner tours. If your kids like bigger boats or catamarans, those leave from the south side of the island. Tours from the north side use smaller, fast boats.

Man and boy at the boat railing beside the dark cliffs of the Napali Coast

Up close to the Napali cliffs.

7. Kauai Plantation Railway

A great tour of a beautiful plantation, with all kinds of farm animals. You can feed the animals on the trail tour. We got to try some star fruit right off the trees as well.

Boy smiling from the open wooden carriage of the Kauai Plantation Railway

All aboard the plantation train.

8. Hanalei Bay beach

In the summer, this beach is calm, with a wide sandy area and water that stays shallow a long way out. The water was warm and clear.

Calm water in Hanalei Bay with the pier and green mountains behind

Hanalei Bay and its pier in the summer.

9. Learn to surf

You can surf from Poipu Beach in the south, Hanalei Bay in the north, and several other spots around the island. We chose a surf school in Hanalei Bay. The water there was perfect for beginners, especially children, as the waves were small and calm.

A surf lesson in the calm water of Hanalei Bay, below green mountains

A surf lesson in Hanalei Bay.

10. Kīlauea Lighthouse

We were unable to explore this one, as it was closed. Check the opening hours before adding it to your itinerary. Several species of birds live around the lighthouse, so it could be an interesting visit for kids.

Golden sand beach with a rocky headland, and the Kīlauea Lighthouse far out on the point

The Kīlauea Lighthouse, out on the point.