10 Things to do in Kauai with Kids

If you are looking for a location to spend your family vacation in Hawaii, you might want to consider the island of Kauai. This place offers activities for all ages such as kayaking, beach days, and tours of local farms or plantations. You can also take advantage of artisanal chocolate tastings, as well as the warm experience of participating in the shelter dog hiking program.

A visit is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the best things to do in Kauai as a family. In general, I recommend renting a car for convenience, including downtime for the little ones and packing everything you need. On the island you will find child care services, but it is preferable to live all these experiences together.

During your vacation in Kauai I recommend you to sign up for a kayak tour, to enjoy the calm waters with the little ones. The most popular location is Fern Grotto Cave, a natural grotto where children can appreciate the lush hanging ferns and the best Luau shows. According to legend, centuries ago access to this exotic beauty was exclusive to ancient Hawaiian royalty.

The main advantage of visiting Kauai is that you can enjoy its amazing navigable rivers. The largest and most interesting is the Wailua River, which stands out for its winding paths surrounded by beautiful waterfalls and landscapes. From here you can reach the Secret Falls, a low intensity hiking trail, where you can camp or organize picnics. The little ones will surely be excited to discover the almost secret location, while following clues and challenges. If you plan to kayak with children, you should keep in mind:

• It is important that all participants know how to swim, plus it is recommended that children wear life jackets.
• Try to choose a kayak tour of easy difficulty, so that children can enjoy the experience.
• The age limit depends on the company you book the experience with, generally the minimum requirement is 5 years old.
• It is advisable to wear water shoes and hiking sandals, this way the whole family will be comfortable.

If you want to introduce the little ones to the history and culture of Hawaii, nothing better than exploring the Polynesian roots through the best Luau shows. It is a didactic, fun and educational activity, ideal to enjoy with children. It offers shows suitable for any age, as well as food feasts and music performances. The dances often catch curious minds, due to the characteristic graceful movements.

In fact, it is believed that the indigenous people connected with the gods, through hula dancing. These stories are something you can share with children to stimulate their creativity. There are different proposals to enjoy this Hawaiian performance, either in the sugar cane plantations, in front of the sea, on cruises on the Wailua River or in Polynesian villages.

In addition to the theatrical show, the little ones can learn the Lei greeting and appreciate a knife dance. Note that the cost starts at 152 euros, however some luau shows offer special discounts for children. Of course, it is important to check with the service operator beforehand. Discounts or free admission are sometimes offered for children under the age of five, although you may have to keep them on your lap.

Exploring Kauai movie locations with kids can be a fun and interactive activity, ideal for taking the little ones to see fictional worlds come to life. You can enjoy an open-air tour, as well as combine it with horseback riding, helicopter flights or bus rides. In fact, you can plan your itinerary to visit old film sets with free access, such as the Na Pali coast where Pirates of the Caribbean 4 was filmed.

However, if you go with children you can take advantage of the convenience offered by the best local tours and excursions, to visit the most iconic locations aboard a comfortable bus. They usually include the accompaniment of a local guide, who can provide relevant information to the little ones about the places where Jurassic Park, Blue Hawaii and Lilo and Stitch were filmed.

Kauai is a versatile island whose paradisiacal beaches, dreamlike landscapes and good weather conditions have stolen the limelight in Hollywood on more than one occasion. In fact, the first movie filmed among its waterfalls and cliffs was "The White Flower", a 1923 production. Thanks to its microclimates, chameleon-like locations, island hospitality, fascinating culture and excellent location, it has immortalized more than 70 film productions.

An ideal outdoor activity to enjoy with children is the fern grotto, which takes place in Wailua State Park. This is a famous cave where the little ones can enjoy the contrast of sounds, scenery and Hawaiian music. In fact, it is a very popular location for weddings, so the musicians of the area often sing the Hawaiian wedding song during the tour. It is recommended for families, since it is low intensity.

It can be done on your own without problems, just try to wear water shoes and be careful when walking on the trails. They are quite safe, but can become slippery when wet. The best time to take this hiking route is in autumn or spring, especially if you go with children. Also, the quickest way to access the grotto is via a Wailua River cruise.

Kids love a challenge, so they're likely to have a good time rafting or snorkeling in Kauai. These are different, yet physically demanding experiences. The most recommended area is the Napali Coast, which can be accessed by boat, plane or helicopter, so you'll have a double adventure. You will pass under amazing cliffs, plus you can explore its curious caves, marine species and slide down the mountains in tubing.

Tubing is a recreational activity that is done on tires or inflatable water, which is combined with whitewater rafting tours. Other places to safely shoot the adrenaline include some of the best local beaches, such as Ke'e Beach which has a popular reef lagoon for viewing fish and turtles.

There is nothing better than sharing an adrenaline-filled adventure with the kids, which is completely safe, as long as you take the necessary precautions and respect age limits. Keep in mind that this is an exclusive experience for children five years and older. In addition, it is advisable to look for locations for beginners, with smooth and crystalline waters.

A Hawaiian vacation is not complete without a day at the beach. The island is surrounded by cliffs, bays and amazing beaches. Of course, it is important to filter the options, to choose the most kid-friendly ones. In general, Poipu is the most popular to take the little ones, as it offers safe spaces with lifeguards and fairly gentle surf. It even has a playground and picnic area.

Not for nothing is it one of the best beaches on Kauai, as there are bike rental areas and you can occasionally enjoy some of the best Luau shows. You can also try surfing lessons, ideal for all ages. Note that every Wednesday the Kauai Culinary Market farmers market is set up and offers cooking demonstrations, live shows and different options for dining or souvenir shopping.

Other kid-friendly beaches

• Hanalei: is a quiet bay in the north of the island, where beautiful rainbows often appear. It is patrolled by lifeguards and you can take surfing lessons with children.
• Lydgate: families love this beach, as it has playgrounds and is safe for swimming with children.
• Tunnels: allows you to enjoy calm waters with little swell, where you will not have to feel anxious about the safety of children.

In general, the island offers family options and its best beaches are suitable for having a good time with children. However, it is advisable to avoid risky areas. For example, Hanakapiai Beach lacks reefs, which promotes current drag. The waves and winds at Kee and Lumahai Beaches are also not recommended for children. Additionally, Kauapea Beach or Secret Beach is not recommended for children, as it is an unofficial nudist beach.

Visiting the local farms with kids is one of the best things to do on Kauai. You will have the opportunity to learn about the harvesting and picking process of some of the most important products such as chocolate, tropical fruits and Hawaiian coffee. The locals are very friendly and hospitable, so every day they welcome tourists to the fields and plantations for an enthusiastic agritourism tour.

You can delight your stomach with tastings of artisan chocolate, and even get to know the factories where they are transformed into different products. If the kids get tired, the local guides often organize games for them and even set up tables for painting. Don't worry, you will never lose sight of them, as the children's activities are optional and they never stray far from the group. The most famous farms and factories are Lydgate Farms and Wild Kauai Chocolate.

Additionally, you can see how the beans are roasted and taste an authentic Hawaiian coffee, prepared with coconut milk. The coffee experience of Kauai and other nearby islands is characterized by its particular flavor and the location of the plantations on the volcanic slopes. The best local tours and excursions offer this type of activities for the whole family, at the end of the tour you can buy handmade products.

The Kilohana train is a fun activity that offers another perspective of Kauai, it is recommended to learn about the local history in a tour of approximately forty minutes. It takes place aboard a replica of the old trains of the nineteenth century, which moved between the sugar cane plantations. The price usually starts at 18 euros, and there are discounts for children up to twelve years old and children under three years old have free access.

You can enjoy a stop to feed animals, and while the children are having fun you can try mai tai, a traditional Hawaiian cocktail. Other activities you can enjoy with the little ones at Kilohana Plantation are:

• Visiting the plantations botanical garden, to explore more than 50 types of flower and fruit species.
• Enjoy the panoramic views of the Kilohana mansion, which was built in the Tudor style in 1935.
• Lunch at Gaylord's restaurant, with a comfortable atmosphere and live entertainment.
• Tour the rum distillery to sample local spirits.
• Have a good time at the souvenir store and art gallery.
• Enjoy one of the best Luau shows on the island, which takes place outdoors.

The Hanapepe swing bridge is an attraction with centuries of history, having been built in 1911. It is completely free and remains open 24 hours a day. However, for safety reasons it is preferable to visit it during the day, as it is not as well lit at night. Here you can appreciate Kauai's old connection to the sugar plantations, as well as enjoy the adventure of walking across the structure, which sways slightly.

It is not recommended to run or jump over the bridge, to avoid falling. After living this experience, you can tour Hanapepe, a district considered the art capital of Kauai. Here you will find many entertainment options, as well as gastronomic proposals for all palates. If you are looking for things to do on the island at night, you can sign up for Art Nights that can be shared with the family.

In Kauai they encourage animal care through different types of protection programs, as they are sacred species for the identity and spirituality of Hawaiians. For example, you can visit an animal shelter with the little ones, to participate in the shelter dog excursion program. It is an activity that will encourage good values, since you will be responsible for taking them to safe places for their species such as trails, beaches and parks.

You will be able to give them affection and stimulate the little ones to be responsible, empathetic and respectful. In general, to carry out the activity there must be a responsible adult, it is also important to sign a declaration of responsibility, comply with the agreed schedules and present your passport. Some of the places where you can book the experience in advance include:

• Kauai Humane Society: this is a local shelter that offers everything you need to take your dog on a safe excursion, in authorized locations. In case you get attached to the dog, they take care of all the adoption paperwork and migration process.
• Kauai Animal Welfare Society: allows you to enjoy the company of dogs and cats, while walking with the children around the island. In general, the activity is free but it is recommended to make a donation to the foundation.