Skip to main content
Ka'anapali Beach on Maui with golden sand, palm trees, and families playing in calm turquoise water

United States

Maui, Hawaii

Decide in 30 seconds

TotScore78
Solid family pick

Best for: toddlers, naps, and slow mornings. Skip if your kid under 2 hasn't flown before.

Best season

April through June, September through November

Best ages

0-12

Hotel / night

$300-550/night

Kid rating

9/10

#1 thing to plan for

5-11 hour flight + jet lag

→ Inflatable airplane footrest (makes row-of-3 into a bed) + portable white noise machine

Works best for

Verified April 2026
Infants0-12m yrs
Toddlers1-3 yrs
School-age4-10 yrs
Tweens11-13 yrs
Teens14-17 yrs

Ready-to-Go Itineraries

Day-by-day plans tailored by age group — pick yours and go

Is Maui, Hawaii Good for Families?

Maui is excellent for families, especially those with toddlers. Baby Beach near Lahaina is a natural wading pool and one of the safest toddler beaches in the United States. The island offers world-class resort amenities, whale watching from December through April, and a relaxed pace that helps families truly unwind. The main drawback is cost — it is the priciest Hawaiian island.

Maui is widely considered the best Hawaiian island for families with young children, thanks to its abundance of calm, shallow beaches, excellent resort infrastructure, and diverse activities. The west side (Ka'anapali and Lahaina) offers the most family-friendly beach experience with resorts lining a walkable stretch of golden sand. Baby Beach near Lahaina is a natural wading pool that's one of the safest toddler beaches in the United States. From December through April, humpback whale watching from shore or boat is a magical experience that captivates kids of all ages. Beyond the beach, families can explore the Maui Ocean Center aquarium, take a lavender farm tour in upcountry Maui, or visit Iao Valley State Park for an easy nature walk. The island's food scene has evolved significantly, with farm-to-table restaurants and fresh poke available everywhere. While Maui is the priciest Hawaiian island for accommodations, the quality of the family experience justifies the investment. Vacation rentals and condos offer more affordable alternatives to the big resorts, many with full kitchens and washer/dryers.

Monthly Weather Guide

Click a month to see details and update your travel month

Jun Weather

High: 85°F · Low: 70°F· 2 rainy days · Humidity: low

Perfect — dry, sunny, trade winds keep it comfortable for babies and kids

Top Activities for Families

Baby Beach (Lahaina)

A naturally protected reef creates an ankle-to-knee-deep wading area perfect for toddlers. Calm, warm water with a sandy bottom and shade trees nearby. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Ages: All ages (perfect for 0-5)Free

Whale Watching (seasonal)

Humpback whales migrate to Maui's waters from December through April. Boat tours from Lahaina Harbor offer close encounters. Many whales are visible from shore at Ka'anapali Beach.

Ages: All ages (boats best for 3+)$50-80/adult, $30-50/child; free from shore

Maui Ocean Center

A world-class aquarium in Ma'alaea with a 750,000-gallon open ocean exhibit, turtle lagoon, and touch pools. The Sphere immersive experience is mesmerizing for all ages.

Ages: All ages$40 adult, $28 child (3-12)

Snorkeling at Molokini Crater

A partially submerged volcanic crater with crystal-clear water and abundant marine life. Boat tours depart from Ma'alaea Harbor. Best for kids comfortable in the water with snorkel gear.

Ages: 5+ (good swimmers)$80-150/adult, $60-100/child

Ka'anapali Beach Walk

A paved beachside walkway connecting resorts along Ka'anapali Beach. Perfect for morning stroller walks, with nightly cliff diving ceremonies at Black Rock that kids love watching.

Ages: All agesFree

What trips up parents in Maui, Hawaii

The specific friction points — and the one thing that fixes each.

Plan ahead

5-11 hour flight + jet lag

Kids arrive wired from screens and can't sleep the first 2 nights.

The fix

Inflatable airplane footrest (makes row-of-3 into a bed) + portable white noise machine

ProductRatingPriceBuy
Stokke JetKids BedBox Ride-On Suitcase (2-7 yrs)
flight
Amazon's Choice
4.1 · 147 reviews
$229Buy on Amazon
Hatch Go Portable Sound Machine
sleep
Amazon's Choice
4.3 · 5,061 reviews
$60Buy on Amazon
Buyer sentiment
Stokke JetKids BedBox Ride-On Suitcase (2-7 yrs)
Functionality Travel-Friendly Storage Capacity Ease Of Use
Durability Value for money Maneuverability

Buyers praise functionality, travel-friendly, storage capacity and ease of use. Mixed feedback on quality. Some flag durability and value for money.

Based on 76 user mentions

Hatch Go Portable Sound Machine
Sound Quality Portability Battery Life Sound Options
Reliability

Buyers praise sound quality, portability, battery life and sound options. Some flag reliability.

Based on 2,132 user mentions

Prices and ratings are approximate and may vary. Check the latest on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Tots & Trips earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Worth prepping

North Shore beaches have heavy surf

Parents routinely mis-pick the gorgeous-but-dangerous beaches.

The fix

Stick to Baby Beach (Paia) and Kapalua Bay; bring water shoes for reef

LeIsfIt Toddler Barefoot Quick-Dry Non-Slip Water Shoes

★ 4.5 · 2,641 reviews · ~$16

Buy on Amazon

Prices and ratings are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Tots & Trips earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Smart packing list for Maui, Hawaii

Built from the actual terrain, flight length, and climate. Pick your kid's age.

17 items
Sleep Kit
3

  • Hatch Go Portable Sound Machine

    Must-have

    Masks hotel-hallway noise + signals sleep in a new room.

    ★4.3·5,061 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$60Buy on Amazon

  • Toddler Travel Bed

    Must-have

    Most hotel-provided cribs are shabby and non-breathable — this is the one item that protects the trip.

    ★4.8·13,873 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$70Buy on Amazon

  • Tommee Tippee Sleeptime Portable Baby Blackout Blind (Gro Anywhere)

    Must-have

    Hotel curtains leak. Summer 5am light = a 5am wakeup.

    ★4.5·4,592 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$40Buy on Amazon
Mobility
2

  • Stroller with 8"+ rubber or air wheels

    Must-have

    Small plastic wheels vibrate kids awake on cobblestone.

    ★4.2·448 reviews
    ~$449Buy on Amazon

  • Ergonomic Soft Carrier

    Second mobility mode for stairs, transit, and when strollers fail.

    ★4.7·1,241 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$180Buy on Amazon
Flight Survival
5

  • 20,000mAh Power Bank (TSA-safe)

    Must-have

    Keeps a tablet alive for two flights and the layover.

    ★4.4·3,532 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$130Buy on Amazon

  • Inflatable Airplane Leg Rest

    Must-have

    Turns three economy seats into a toddler bed. The single biggest long-haul hack.

    ★4.4·3,400 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$30Buy on Amazon

  • Toddler Noise-Reducing Headphones

    Must-have

    Volume-limited; makes in-flight screens actually usable.

    ★4.5·514 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$100Buy on Amazon

  • Mess-Free Water Coloring Books

    No markers to drop. Refills with tap water.

    ★4.8·5,389 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$6Buy on Amazon

  • Suction-Cup Spinner Toy

    Sticks to the tray table. 15 minutes of silence.

    ★4.6·15,125 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$16Buy on Amazon
Water Safety
1

  • USCG Type III Toddler Swim Vest

    Must-have

    Floaties fail. Type III vests are the only Coast Guard-approved option.

    ★4.6·116 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$25Buy on Amazon
Health Kit
1

  • Family Travel First-Aid Kit

    Must-have

    Fever reducer, bandages, thermometer — pre-assembled.

    ★4.8·1,511 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$15Buy on Amazon
Beach Day
3

  • Pop-Up UV Beach Tent (SPF 50+)

    Must-have

    Most resort beaches have no natural shade. Toddlers burn in 15 minutes.

    ★4.5·2,552 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$45Buy on Amazon

  • Reef-Safe Pediatric Sunscreen

    Must-have

    Required at many Mexico / Hawaii / Caribbean beaches. Avoids oxybenzone.

    ★4.6·12,143 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$12Buy on Amazon

  • Collapsible Silicone Sand Toys

    Packs flat. Rinses in the hotel sink.

    ★4.7·1,415 reviews·Amazon's Choice
    ~$25Buy on Amazon
Weather
1

  • Clip-On Stroller Fan

    Must-have

    Heat melts kids faster than parents realize.

    ★4.5·56,018 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$25Buy on Amazon
Food & Feeding
1

  • Leak-Proof Snack Catcher

    Goldfish stay in the cup. Floor stays clean.

    ★4.8·72,317 reviews·Best Seller
    ~$8Buy on Amazon

Prices and ratings are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Tots & Trips earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Safety Information

🌊

Water Safety

Check local beach conditions and flags. Stay near lifeguarded beaches with young children.

☀️

Sun Protection

Apply reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours. Seek shade during 10am-2pm.

🏥

Medical

Locate the nearest pediatric facility before your trip. Bring a basic first-aid kit.

Where to Stay

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort

Ka'anapali Beach resort with a spectacular pool area including water slides, waterfalls, and a swim-through grotto. Camp Hyatt kids' program for ages 3-12. Penguin feedings delight toddlers.

$400-700/night

Check Availability (opens in new tab)

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Villa-style resort with full kitchens, washer/dryers, and separate bedrooms — perfect for families. Two pool areas with water slides and direct Ka'anapali North Beach access.

$350-600/night

Check Availability (opens in new tab)

Napili Kai Beach Resort

Intimate, low-rise resort on Napili Bay with calm swimming beach, kitchenettes, and a classic Hawaiian atmosphere. More affordable than Ka'anapali resorts with a loyal family following.

$250-450/night

Check Availability (opens in new tab)

How to Read This Guide

Scored for families

TotScore weights transit friction, weather, terrain, kid food, and editorial family fit.

Research-based

Guides use static research and planning data, not unverifiable personal testimonials.

Affiliate transparent

Booking and product links may earn a commission, but they do not affect rankings.

If you liked this

You might also love

Matched on terrain, transit style, and family-suitability.

Colorful colonial buildings on a cobblestone street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with a blue sky above8/10
United States (Territory)

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico delivers the full tropical experience — beaches, rainforest, culture, and history — without the passport hassle, making it one of the easiest family trips from the US mainland.

Turquoise Caribbean water and white sand beach along Cancun's Hotel Zone with resort buildings in the background9/10
Mexico

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun remains one of the most accessible and affordable tropical destinations for US families, offering all-inclusive convenience, stunning Caribbean beaches, and easy direct flights.

Aerial view of turquoise Caribbean water with a white sand beach and palm trees on a tropical island8/10
Multiple Countries

Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean offers dozens of island options for families, each with distinct character. This guide helps you find the right island match for your family's age group and travel style.

Related Comparisons

Maui vs Big Island with Kids: Which Hawaiian Island Is Right for Your Family?

Hawaii's two most popular outer islands offer vastly different family experiences. Maui is the beach paradise; the Big Island is the adventure playground. Here's how to choose.

Hawaii vs Caribbean with a Toddler: Where Should Your Family Go?

Two dream tropical destinations, both with stunning beaches and warm weather. But for families with toddlers, the details matter — from flight length to beach safety to highchair availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

69TotScore
Workable with prep

Our family-travel rating

Personalized for trips from New York.

Safety90

Crime, pediatric care, water quality

Kid Food80

Familiar staples, high-chairs, kid menus

Terrain85

Stroller-friendly, calm beaches, shade

Transit Ease0

Door-to-door friction from your origin

Kid Rating90

Editorial family-suitability rating

TotScore = Safety 25% · Terrain 25% · Transit 20% · Kid Food 15% · Kid Rating 15%. Research-based; not a substitute for your own judgment.

Quick Facts

Kid-Friendly Score9/10
Best Ages0-12
Best SeasonApril through June, September through November
Avg Hotel/Night$300-550/night for resort hotels; $200-350/night for vacation rentals

From New York

11h 00m · 1 stop

$550-850 round trip · est. 2025

Search flights from JFK

Selected Month Weather

Perfect — dry, sunny, trade winds keep it comfortable for babies and kids

Average Costs

🏨 Hotel / Night$300-550/night for resort hotels; $200-350/night for vacation rentals
🍽 Food / Day$50-100/day per family; groceries from $150-250/week at Costco
🎢 Activities / DayWhale watching $50-80/adult; snorkel tours $80-150/adult; most beaches free
✈️ Flights (RT)$300-600 round trip from West Coast; $500-900 from East Coast

Directional estimates · April 2026. Check live prices →

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, Tots and Trips may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and products we genuinely believe are great for families.