Things to Do in Kona with Kids - Family Fun Guide | OUTRIGGER

Kona transforms family vacations into adventures that kids talk about for years. This sun-drenched stretch of Hawaii Island's western coast offers more than rugged lava rock coastlines and postcard beaches – it's where children swim alongside tropical fish in protected bays, watch dolphins leap from tour boats and learn ancient Hawaiian crafts from cultural practitioners. From the historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona) to the resort areas of Keauhou, families discover a perfect blend of natural wonders, cultural experiences and kid-friendly activities that work for toddlers through teenagers.

Planning things to do in Kona with kids requires knowing which activities match your family's ages and interests. The area's compact geography means most attractions sit within a 30-minute drive, making it easy to pack multiple experiences into each day without exhausting young travelers. Whether your crew prefers splashing in tide pools, exploring coffee farms or watching manta rays glide through illuminated waters, Kona delivers experiences that create lasting family bonds.

Beach Adventures Perfect for Young Swimmers

Kona's coastline offers several beaches where families can enjoy safe swimming conditions and fascinating marine life. Laaloa Beach Park (Magic Sands Beach) lives up to its name with sand that literally disappears during high surf, revealing a rocky shore perfect for tide pooling. During calm summer months, the beach returns with gentle waves ideal for beginning boogie boarders. Lifeguards patrol daily, restrooms and showers sit steps from the sand, and the small parking lot fills by 10am on weekends.

Kahaluu Beach Park ranks as Kona's premier family snorkeling spot. The protected bay stays shallow enough for kids to stand while watching sea turtles graze on algae just feet away. Rental shops across the street offer kid-sized masks and fins for $15-20 per day. The beach provides picnic tables, BBQ grills and a covered pavilion perfect for lunch breaks. Arrive before 9am to secure parking and calmer water conditions.

For toddlers and non-swimmers, Kamakahonu Beach at the King Kamehameha Hotel offers the calmest waters in Kona. This small, protected cove features sand bottom depths of 2-4 feet, making it perfect for splashing and sand castle building. While technically hotel property, the beach remains open to the public with no parking fees. The adjacent lawn area provides shade for afternoon naps.

Cultural Experiences That Bring History to Life

Hawaiian culture comes alive through hands-on experiences that engage young minds while creating meaningful vacation memories. At Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge), families walk through a restored Hawaiian village complete with thatched houses, ancient fishponds and carved wooden images. Rangers offer free cultural demonstrations including traditional games, coconut husking and ti leaf weaving. The $20 per vehicle entrance fee covers seven days, and the self-guided tour takes 1-2 hours.

For a more immersive cultural experience, families staying at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa can participate in complimentary daily activities. Lei making sessions teach proper technique while kids create wearable art from fragrant plumeria and colorful orchids. Beginners' ukulele classes at 3pm help families master simple chords, while hula lessons reveal how dance serves as storytelling in Hawaiian culture. The resort's Kaukulaelae walking tour transforms the grounds into an outdoor classroom, sharing stories about the area's rich heritage.

The Kona Coffee Living History Farm offers a different cultural perspective, showing how immigrant families lived and worked on coffee farms in the 1920s. Costumed interpreters demonstrate everything from cooking on wood stoves to processing coffee beans by hand. Kids especially enjoy meeting the farm animals and picking their own coffee cherries during harvest season (September-January). Admission runs $20 adults, $5 kids 5-12.

Wildlife Encounters Beyond the Beach

Kona's wildlife experiences extend far beyond tropical fish, offering families unique encounters with creatures both native and exotic. The nightly manta ray snorkel ranks as the area's most unforgettable wildlife experience. These gentle giants with wingspans reaching 16 feet come to feed on plankton in Keauhou Bay after dark. Tour operators provide all equipment including wetsuits and flotation devices. Most tours depart from Keauhou Harbor and last 90 minutes total, with 30-45 minutes in the water. Ages 7+ typically handle the experience well, though some operators accept younger children. Prices range from $89-129 per person.

During winter months (December-April), humpback whales migrate through Kona waters, and whale watching tours offer close encounters with these magnificent mammals. Captain Dan McSweeney's tours specialize in year-round whale watching, often finding pilot whales, beaked whales and dolphins when humpbacks aren't present. Their smaller boats mean more intimate experiences but require ages 7+ due to ocean conditions. Tours run $120 adults, $110 children.

For guaranteed animal encounters in calmer settings, Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary provides guided tours of their rescue facility. Home to everything from zebras to parrots, the sanctuary offers educational tours by appointment only. The $75 per person fee (ages 8+ only) supports their animal care programs. Tours last 2 hours and include opportunities to feed some residents.

Land Adventures for Active Families

When kids need a break from salt water, Kona's land-based adventures offer plenty of excitement. Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary provides a completely different ecosystem just 20 minutes upslope from the coast. The 45-minute guided walks through this private preserve reveal native plants, colorful birds and often cool mist – a refreshing change from beach heat. Tours cost $25 adults, $10 kids 6-17, and sturdy shoes are essential on the sometimes muddy trails.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park makes an ambitious but rewarding day trip from Kona. The 2.5-hour drive each way means early starts, but seeing active volcanism captivates children like nothing else. The Kilauea Visitor Center offers junior ranger programs, and the Thurston Lava Tube provides an easy 0.4-mile walk through a massive cave formed by flowing lava. Park entrance costs $30 per vehicle for seven days. Pack jackets – the 4,000-foot elevation means temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the coast.

For high-energy kids, Kona's zipline courses deliver thrills with ocean views. Kohala Zipline's course features nine lines ranging from 100 to 2,400 feet long, soaring over tropical forests and waterfalls. Their minimum age of 8 and weight requirements (70-270 pounds) limit participation, but the 3-hour experience includes snacks and stunning North Kohala scenery. Prices run $189-229 per person depending on season.

Easy Cultural Stops in Kailua-Kona

Historic Kailua Village offers several quick cultural stops perfect for filling an hour between beach sessions or during the heat of midday. Hulihee Palace, former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, showcases beautiful koa wood furniture and artifacts from the monarchy period. The 30-minute guided tours cost $10 adults, $1 kids 5-17, and guides share stories that bring Hawaiian history to life for young visitors. The palace gift shop sells quality Hawaiian-made souvenirs supporting the preservation efforts.

Across the street, Mokuaikaua Church stands as Hawaii's oldest Christian church, built in 1837 using lava rock and coral mortar. Free to enter, the church museum displays a scale model of the missionary ship Thaddeus and exhibits about early Western contact. Kids find the 112-foot steeple impressive, and the cool interior provides welcome relief on hot days.

For hands-on learning, Kona's farmers market (Wednesday-Sunday, 7am-4pm) lets families sample tropical fruits many kids have never tried. Vendors offer tastes of rambutan, dragon fruit, star fruit and Hawaiian favorites like lilikoi (passion fruit). The covered market also features local crafts, fresh flowers and prepared foods perfect for picnic supplies. Parking in the adjacent lot costs $5, but the cultural immersion and fruit education prove invaluable.

Kona's Family Beaches Compared

Foodie Adventures Kids Actually Enjoy

Kona's food scene extends beyond restaurants to interactive experiences that engage young palates. Mountain Thunder Coffee plantation tours show the complete journey from tree to cup, with free samples that often convert kids into coffee fans (or at least coffee ice cream enthusiasts). The free tours run multiple times daily and include a short van ride through the working farm. The gift shop's chocolate-covered coffee beans make perfect souvenirs.

For a sweeter adventure, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory offers farm tours showcasing the only Hawaiian-grown chocolate from tree to bar. The $20 adults, $10 kids (6+) tours include generous tastings that thrill chocolate lovers. Tours run Wednesday and Friday at 9am by reservation only, lasting about 90 minutes. The small group sizes mean personal attention and plenty of questions answered.

Tuesday evenings at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa bring food truck gatherings that solve the eternal vacation question: where to eat with picky eaters? Rotating trucks offer everything from garlic shrimp plates to sliders to mochi donuts, with most entrees priced $12-18. Families spread out on the lawn, kids can move around freely, and everyone finds something they enjoy without the formality of restaurant dining.

Planning Your Kona Family Adventure

Success with things to do in Kona with kids comes down to balancing adventure with downtime. The area's wealth of family-friendly activities means you could fill weeks without repetition, but young travelers often enjoy revisiting favorite beaches as much as checking off new attractions. Build flexibility into your itinerary, allowing for afternoon naps, unexpected wildlife sightings or simply another hour building sandcastles.

Kona's magic lies not just in its activities but in how those experiences bring families together. Whether you're floating above manta rays, learning to weave ti leaves or simply sharing shave ice while watching surfers, these moments create the stories your family will tell for years to come. The island's warm aloha spirit welcomes families at every turn, making even simple activities feel special when shared in this remarkable setting.