A Maui vacation can provide a wonderful bonding experience for your family as you play and learn together in a tropical paradise. Since Maui is relatively small, day trips are possible even with very young children in tow. Micro climates on Maui range from rain forest to desert so learning about different ecosystems is easy. In one day it is possible to visit the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Haleakala and then descend to swim with colorful creatures while snorkeling off one of Maui's beaches.
Learn Together
Maalaea, in the south end of the central valley of Maui, is home to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium. The facility takes about two hours to tour and features live fish, sharks, turtles, rays and other exhibits that showcase Maui's abundant sea life. The Hawaiian Nature Center on the road to Iao Needle from Wailuku is a modern interactive museum that teaches visitors about Hawaiian flora and fauna.
Get Active
You can hike in the park in Iao Valley. A road leads to the area from downtown Wailuku in the center of west Maui, 22 miles from Kaanapali Beach. A path leading from a parking lot takes you past a stream at the bottom of the walkway to an area with great views at the top. Here you'll see the Iao Needle--a 2,250-foot tall rock formation surrounded by mountains covered in greenery. An umbrella and bug repellent are recommended for the steady drizzle and the bugs hovering near the stream.
Visit the Beaches
All beaches on Maui are public and easily accessible. On the Lahaina side, which is in west Maui, you can visit Kaanapali, Kapalua and Olowalu, while the Kihei-Wailea south side offers Kamaole III, Keawakapu and Big Beach. For the very young, Baby Beach in northern Lahaina features calmer waters due to the placement of large breakwater blocks offshore that prevent many of the big waves from reaching the shore. Building a sand castle at each beach you visit could be a wonderful family enterprise.
Be Entertained
At Lahaina Cannery Mall you can take in a free hula show. On weekends, the adult hula dancers make way for keiki hula shows where the dancers are "keiki" or "children." Older children may enjoy the Ulalena show at the Maui Theater in Lahaina. The history of Hawaii is portrayed here through dance and old Hawaiian music. Hot Island Glass at 3620 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao demonstrates the art of glass blowing for spectators of all ages.
Learn a New Skill
Maui is a wonderful place to watch big wave, tow-in and wind surfers and to learn the sports yourself with one- to two-hour lessons offered by experienced surfers in gentler waters. Snorkeling off Maui's beaches will expose you to a colorful variety of saltwater fish or help you to search for shells. Scuba lessons for teens are available off the coast of Molokini, a world-class spot for diving.
Explore Resort Activities
Most resorts offer children's programs through which young people can learn to make a lei or dance the hula. Resort recreation staff are a great source of information regarding other family activities on Maui which will keep the entire family engaged and happy.
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