12 Things To Do In Kauai With Kids

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Kauai is nicknamed the “Garden Island”, because of its exceptional lush greenery and abundance of exotic plants and flowers.

This beauty is made possible by the over 450 inches of rain that fall each year in the island’s mountains.

In fact, Kauai means “rainy place”, and it is the wettest place on earth.

That doesn’t mean that Kauai isn’t a great place to visit, the rain that does make it to the lower elevations happens only in the early morning or late at night.

The rest of the days are filled with sunshine and temp between 75–85 degrees.

Kauai is the oldest island in Hawaii, being formed from volcanic eruptions between 3-5 million years ago.

The island has over 111 miles of beach and about 90% of its land is used for agriculture.

Products like coffee, taro, sugar cane, coconuts, and pineapple are huge resources in Kauai.

The largest coffee plantation (Kauai Coffee), is located on the island.

They grow, harvest, roast, and package all of their coffee right on the property.

There’s a law on the garden island that Mr prevents the construction of any building taller than a palm tree.

If you’re a fan of movies and television, chances are you’ve watched some that were filmed on the island.

Movies like King Kong, Jurassic Park, Avatar, and The Fast and the Furious we’re all fumed on Kauai, as we’re shows like Baywatch and Gilligan’s Island.

For the foodies, Kauai will not disappoint either, they are famous for food like poke, loco moco, and Kalua pig.

Due to the rainfall, Kauai is full of beautiful waterfalls and the only river in Hawaii that can be navigated. Loaded with culture and history, Kauai is also loaded with great family activities.

Read on for things to do in Kauai with kids.

Things To Do In Kauai With Kids

1. Visit Some Kid Friendly Beaches – Kauai, Hawaii

Going to the beach in Kauai is obviously a must-do activity.

Although you won’t find a bad beach on the island, there are some that stand out as better for kids.

One of them is Poipu Beach.

It has lifeguards on duty, calm waters for swimming and playing in the surf, and a playground.

Then, there’s Hanalei Bay where kids can boogie board or take a surfing class.

There are also beautiful tide pools where kids can explore the marine life.

You might also want to try Lydgate Beach which has lifeguards, 2 man-made protected pools that are safe for kids, and an amazing play area.

2. Captain Andy’s Boat Tour – Kauai, Hawaii

Captain Andy has been safely taking visitors around the Na Pali coast since 1980.

The entire family will love this 5-hour boat outing on a pontoon yacht.

Learn the history of the area, whale watch, then dock at a cove for some once-in-a-lifetime coral reef snorkeling.

See marine life up close and personal.

Restrooms and showers are available.

Sit on the covered deck and enjoy the delicious BBQ lunch that’s included with your trip.

3. Horseback Riding (Silver Falls Ranch) – Kauai, Hawaii

Located on the North Shore, Silver Falls offers families a leisurely 2-hour horseback experience.

Gently ride through trails that will bring you to waterfalls, streams, and lush nature.

A picnic lunch at Silver Falls is included.

Take a dip in the falls while you’re there.

4. Smith Family Garden Luau And Grotto – Kauai, Hawaii

The highlight of any Hawaiian trip is a good luau, and with over 50 years of experience, the Smith family knows how to do it right.

Named the best luau on the island, the entire family will enjoy this half-day-long feast.

Starting with a stroll through the grotto and beautiful gardens, guests will end up in the luau area.

Witness the unearthing of the roasted pig, like the stem to traditional music, take part in Hula dancing, and watch exciting demonstrations like flame-throwing and coconut husking, all while dining on a plethora of traditional food.

5. Lydgate Farms Chocolate Island And Fruit Tour – Kauai, Hawaii

No kid will turn away a trip to a chocolate farm.

It’s like Willie Wonka in nature.

It’s educational and tasty too.

Tour the botanical gardens and sample the award-winning honey blossoms and vanilla beans.

Guests will also do some exotic fruit tasting while they learn about the process of turning cacao into delicious chocolate.

At the end of the tour, guests can see demonstrations of how the plants are processed.

Last but not least, you can visit the chocolate shop filled with freshly made treats.

6. Kilauea Lighthouse And Wildlife Refuge – Kauai, Hawaii

Located at the wildlife refuge, this 52-foot tall structure sits on a rocky peninsula 180 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

Originally opened in 1913, the lighthouse has been totally renovated and welcomes visitors from Wednesdays through Saturdays.

There is a visitors center and gift shop as well.

7. Mountain Tubing Kauai Backcountry – Kauai, Hawaii

This 3-hour tubing tour begins with a fun 4-wheel vehicle ride through the former Lihue plantation.

Enjoy views of the mountains and waterfalls until you reach the river.

Then grab a tube and headlamp and jump into the gentle waters.

Float down the river through canals and tunnels enjoying the warm water and scenery.

End the tour at the picnic site where you’ll enjoy a full-course lunch and a dip in the river and falls.

8. Eat From The Food Trucks – Kauai, Hawaii

You will not find the average food trucks on Kauai. Due to the lack of brick-and-mortar space on the island, many top-tier chefs have opted for food trucks to sell their gourmet meals.

They are everywhere on the island and visitors can enjoy a variety of local and traditional cuisine including sushi, grilled fish, tacos, shaved ice, custom donuts, BBQ, and much more.

The kids will love getting food from a colorfully decorated truck.

9. Kayaking (Hidden Valley Falls) – Kauai, Hawaii

Kayaking at Hidden Valley Falls is a great activity for all ages and abilities.

This half-day adventure will take you down the river through the wildlife refuge and past beautiful waterfalls.

The kayaks are comfortable and have high backrests.

If you like, you can also add in a zip line adventure for the second half of the day.

10. The Spouting Horn – Kauai, Hawaii

A local legend and natural wonder, The Spouting Horn is a fun stop while visiting the southern coast of Kauai.

The blowhole sounds like a horn as it spouts water high into the air from below the rocky surface.

The area is known for its crashing waves and a lovely beach.

A picnic area and restrooms are available.

11. Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm – Kauai, Hawaii

Family fun awaits at this historic pineapple farm.

The 2-hour guided tour will allow visitors to walk through the fields, see various stages of pineapples being grown.

The expert guide will also educate you on the history of pineapples in Hawaii.

Guests will be allowed to harvest their own fruit to take home and take part in a field tasting.

At the end of the tour, everyone receives a free frozen pineapple treat made with fresh Sugarloaf pineapples.

12. Koloa Ziplines – Kauai, Hawaii

If you’ve got adventure-seeking pre-teens, this 4-hour zip-line excursion is sure to satisfy them.

It’s the longest course on the island.

Not only is it fun, but educational too.

See the beauty of the island from the treetops, and learn about the history of Kauai along the way.

No experience is needed, as the day begins with all the instruction you’ll need to have a great and safe day.

Hawaii Safety Overview

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Safety Index:

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• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
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• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM