Best Family Activities: Hawaiʻi Island

I often take my two kids, one in elementary school and one a teenager, all over Hawaiʻi Island, where we live, to explore the things that make this such an incredible place to visit. It gives me the opportunity to help my kids appreciate their home while also helping visitors and their families appreciate it as well. This list includes some of our favorite activities, blending Hawaiian culture, the unique features of Hawaiʻi Island and adventure.

The Umauma Experience

For adventurous families, Umauma Falls offers something for everyone, including zip-lining, waterfall swimming, ATV riding, cultural tours, kayaking, horseback riding, garden tours and more. It is an ideal destination for multigenerational travelers, with opportunities to split into smaller groups and explore individual interests.

While it can be tricky to predict, the best time to visit Umauma is after rainfall, as long as conditions are not too extreme. Light to moderate rain ensures the waterfalls are flowing beautifully, while heavy rain can be dangerous and may limit activities.

Nearly all activities have specific restrictions. People with neck or back issues and pregnant women are not permitted to participate in most adventure activities but can enjoy the gardens and grounds. Age requirements, adult accompaniment and weight restrictions vary by activity. Check the “Policies” section on each activity page for detailed requirements.

Fee: Tours range from $10 per person for the self-guided garden tour to $399 per person for the waterfall rappel and river tour.
Parking: Ample parking is available at the visitor center, where guests check in for tours. Visitors staying at resorts on the Kohala Coast can add transportation to the 9-Line Zipline Tour.
Tours: Book Umauma adventures using the links below. Tours run on weekdays, though not every tour is offered daily.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Last entry is 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.
What to wear and bring: All necessary equipment is provided for each activity, except personal items such as swimsuits, towels and sunscreen. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for most adventure activities. Lunch is included on some tours, and the visitor center sells drinks, snacks and coffee.

Step back in time to learn about King Kamehameha I through this massive, well-preserved Hawaiian temple.

Arrive early, as dry and sunny Kohala heats up quickly and there is no shade around the heiau, or temple. Begin your visit at the visitor center, where you will watch a short video explaining the history of the structure and offering insight into events during Kamehameha’s reign. Afterward, head up the hill to explore the heiau and surrounding historic sites. Once finished, return to the visitor center to browse the displays, some of which are interactive, and stop by the gift shop.

After learning more about Hawaiian history and culture, head to nearby Spencer Beach Park, just a short walk away. Here, you can swim, enjoy a picnic lunch or make the quick drive to Kawaihae for takeout options such as burgers and tacos, then relax by the shore.

Fee: Neither site requires advance reservations, and both are free, making this an excellent activity pairing for budget-conscious travelers.
Parking: Both locations offer ample free parking, though the beach can be busy on weekends.
Tours: This area is not a major hub for guided tours, so plan to visit on your own.
Hours: Spencer Beach Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The parking lot closes at 4 p.m. Hours may vary slightly by season.
What to wear and bring: For visiting the heiau, wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a secure hat, as winds can be strong, along with reef-safe sunscreen. For the beach, pack standard beach essentials. Restrooms include large changing areas for convenience.

For a relaxing morning or afternoon of exploration, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus is a great place for the whole family to learn about astronomy, Hawaiian culture and traditional voyaging practices. These topics are shared through immersive exhibits, a planetarium and a native garden.

The museum is enjoyable at any time, but visiting around lunchtime allows you to add Lehua Restaurant, an eatery rooted in Hawaiian cuisine located in the same building, to your itinerary. It is also a solid option on a rainy or especially hot day. The museum is typically quiet on weekdays, making it a good choice for children who may prefer a calmer environment that is not overwhelming.

Fee: Admission ranges from $12 to $19, with free entry for children 4 and younger. Advance reservations are not required, but special events often sell out and should be booked early, as the museum is popular with both locals and visitors.
Parking: Free and plentiful.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional evening hours for special programming.

One of the coolest things about Hawaiʻi Island is the wide range of plants and foods that can be grown across its many microclimates. O.K. Farms sits on a sprawling 1,000-acre estate along the Wailuku River. The tour highlights a diverse selection of tropical fruits, spices and coffee, along with cacao trees, complete with chocolate samples. Guests ride in a van between stops for much of the tour. As an added bonus, participants also get a view of Rainbow Falls from the top, a vantage point not accessible to most visitors.

The 90-minute tour begins at the visitor center, where guests can shop afterward. The schedule can be somewhat sporadic since this is a working farm, but there are typically enough tour options to accommodate most travelers. Each tour requires a minimum of seven participants. If the minimum is not met, guests who have booked will be refunded or rescheduled.

Fee: Admission is $55 for children 12 and younger and $65 for adults.
Parking: Free and plentiful.
Tours: Small and large private group tours are also available and can be booked through the O.K. Farms website.
Hours: Tours are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Earlier tours are ideal, as Hilo can become hot and humid. Winter months offer some relief, making late morning a reasonable option as well.
What to wear and bring: Comfortable walking shoes, wide-brimmed hats and sun-protective clothing are recommended.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is one of Hawaiʻi Island’s top natural attractions and a great option for families who enjoy the outdoors. While driving and hiking through the park, visitors can see steam vents, lava tubes and incredible views of a constantly changing landscape.

The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. However, some areas may close due to volcanic activity. Eruption episodes are especially popular times to visit, but they also bring heavy crowds, making entry, parking and securing good viewpoints more competitive. While advance reservations are not required, passes can be purchased online and downloaded to your phone for convenience.

Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days.
Parking: Parking is available at all major sites, but popular stops such as Nāhuku, also known as Thurston Lava Tube, can fill up quickly.
Tours: Booking a guided tour can be a good option, particularly to avoid the hassle of finding parking at multiple sites.
What to wear and bring: Wear comfortable shoes and bring ample sun protection and plenty of water, as refill stations are limited. If you plan to stay several hours, pack snacks or lunch, as food options within the park are limited. Those planning to hike should bring appropriate gear, including hiking poles for more difficult trails. If you forget essentials or want souvenirs, the park shop is well stocked.
Safety precautions: Visiting one of the world’s most active volcanoes requires extra caution. Review the park’s website before your visit for current conditions and safety updates. Help protect native wildlife, including endangered nēnē geese, by driving slowly and remaining alert throughout the park.

For a low-key afternoon, take a stroll around the only zoo in the U.S. located inside a rainforest. It is a great way to see some of Hawaiʻi’s most endangered birds, including the ʻalalā — the Hawaiian crow that is currently extinct in the wild. Other notable residents include Tzatziki the white Bengal tiger, two-toed sloths and a giant anteater.

Mornings are an ideal time to visit before temperatures rise for both visitors and animals.

Fee: Children ages 2 and younger are admitted free. Admission is $5 for minors ages 3 to 17 and $13 for adults, with discounts available for residents. Advance reservations are not required. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival.
Parking: Parking is plentiful, though weekends and special events, including Saturdays when the petting zoo is open, can be busy.
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and the first Thursday of each month. The petting zoo is open Saturdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
What to wear and bring: While the zoo is relatively small, there is still a fair amount of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and sun protection and consider bringing water.