Three days in Maui is enough to get a real sense of what makes this island different — and to do one or two experiences your kids will still be talking about in a decade. Maui is not small. Driving from Kihei to Haiku takes 40 minutes on a good day. Build your days by area, not by ambition.
The best time to visit with kids: April through June (before summer crowds) or September through November (after Labor Day). December through April is whale season — worth planning around.
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Day 1 — South Maui: Kihei and Wailea
This is the arrival-friendly day. No aggressive early mornings, no long drives, just getting oriented in South Maui with some genuine highlights.
Morning: Kalama Park (9am–12pm) — Free
Start at Kalama Park in Kihei. Ocean swimming, playground, beach volleyball, and wide lawn — South Maui's best all-purpose free family park. The water is calm and clear. Bring snorkeling gear if you have it. Budget 2–4 hours.
Pack a full picnic — the nearby lunch options are tourist-priced. Snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, sand toys, and a beach umbrella for shade are the essentials.
Midday: Kalama Playground + South Maui Park Playground (Free)
Both are inside or adjacent to Kalama Park. Kids can bounce between the playground and the water without loading back into the car. Kalama Playground and South Maui Park Playground give you flexibility around nap schedules.
Afternoon: Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Free)
Drive 10 minutes to the Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex near Kihei. The boardwalk over the refuge pond puts kids eye-level with endangered Hawaiian birds — including the nene (Hawaii's state bird) — without any zoo fencing. Bring binoculars. 45–90 minutes.
Evening
Kihei has affordable restaurants concentrated on South Kihei Road. DaKitchen, Eskimo Candy, and Kihei Caffe are local favorites without resort pricing. Budget $40–$60 for dinner.
Day 1 Cost Estimate: $0–$5 for activities (pack picnic). Add dinner.
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Day 2 — Central Maui and Upcountry
The island's interior is where the character lives. Cooler temperatures, local communities, and experiences you don't find at the beach.
Morning: Maui Alpaca in Haiku (9–11am) — $100–$160
Drive 35 minutes north to Maui Alpaca in Haiku. Kids hand-feed alpacas, feel their fleece, and walk alongside them through a lush North Shore farm. One to two hours. Book online in advance — walk-ins may not be accommodated.
If you have animal-obsessed younger kids (under 7), add Leilani Farm Sanctuary directly after — it's free, also in Haiku, and open weekends only from 10am–12pm. Don't show up on a weekday. Bring a donation.
Midday: Kalākupua Playground + Picnic (Free)
Kalākupua Playground in Haiku is shaded and cooler than the coast — a good energy reset after the morning activity. Pack a picnic; Haiku has limited food options. Bring insect repellent.
Afternoon: Kepaniwai Park + Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (Free)
Drive 25 minutes to Wailuku for Kepaniwai Park — a heritage garden along the Iao Stream with cultural pavilions representing the different groups that shaped Hawaii. Free, photogenic, and educational without being preachy. One to two hours.
Then drive 10 minutes to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului — a free native plant garden with winding paths that kids treat like an explorer's map. 1–1.5 hours.
Optional Stop: Maui Mall Village
Maui Mall Village in Kahului has a Whole Foods and Times Supermarket. Stock up on groceries for the next two days here — buying food at resort convenience stores adds up fast.
Day 2 Cost Estimate: $100–$160 (Maui Alpaca) plus optional Leilani Sanctuary donation. Pack picnic.
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Day 3 — North Shore and Big Adventures
This is the day for the experience that defines the trip.
Early Morning: Twin Falls Hike (7–10am) — $0–$5
Twin Falls Maui starts near Mile Marker 2 on the Hana Highway. A short trail through jungle and bamboo ends at two swimming waterfalls with pools where kids wade and splash. Free. Arrive before 8:30am for parking — it fills fast.
Bring water, snacks, and clothes for getting wet. 1.5–3 hours depending on how long kids want to stay at the falls.
Midday: Zipline (10am–2pm) — $300–$600
This is the decision point. Two strong options based on your budget and the age of your kids.
Higher budget, dramatic views: Skyline Hawaii - Kaanapali Maui Zipline in Ka'anapali runs 8 lines over West Maui ridgelines with ocean views below. $500–$700 for four (~$125–$175/person). Three to four hours. Book the eco-tour package.
Comparable thrills, lower cost: NorthShore Zipline - Maui in Haiku flies above pineapple fields and jungle canopy. $400–$600 for four (~$100–$150/person). Two to three hours. Haiku is already nearby from the morning hike. Weight minimum typically 70 lbs — check before booking.
Paradise Eco Adventures in Lahaina is the most affordable zipline option at ~$300–$400 for four (~$75–$100/person). West Maui jungle with coastal views.
Afternoon: Honokōwai Beach Park (Free)
After the zipline, wind down at Honokōwai Beach Park between Ka'anapali and Kapalua. Reef-protected, calm, excellent tidal pools for curious kids. Snorkeling is good here. Free. Pack a full picnic — no vendors.
Day 3 Cost Estimate: $300–$700 for the zipline experience. All other activities free.
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What This Trip Will Cost
| Day | Key Activities | Estimated Cost (Family of 4) | |-----|---------------|-------------------------------| | Day 1 | Kalama Park, Wildlife Refuge, dinner | $0–$5 activities + $40–$60 dinner | | Day 2 | Maui Alpaca, free parks and gardens | $100–$160 | | Day 3 | Twin Falls, Zipline, Honokōwai Beach | $300–$700 (zipline varies) | | Total Activities | | $400–$865 |
Add groceries ($40–$60/day if you're cooking) or restaurant budget ($60–$100/day eating out). A realistic 3-day total with food and activities is $600–$1,100 for a family of four — expensive by most standards but manageable with free days and grocery shopping.
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Practical Tips for Your Maui Family Trip
- Book ziplining and tours early. The best time slots at popular operators sell out weeks in advance. Sunrise Haleakalā reservations require months of lead time at recreation.gov.
- Bring your own snorkel gear if possible. Rental fees add up, and Maui has dozens of excellent snorkeling spots accessible from free beach parks.
- Grocery shop at Maui Mall Village. Whole Foods and Times Supermarket are there. Buying $20 in groceries beats $60 in tourist-area restaurant meals for lunch.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen only. Hawaii law prohibits sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Bring it from home — island prices for reef-safe sunscreen are steep.
- Haiku is worth the drive. It's 40 minutes from Kihei and 25 minutes from Kahului, but the North Shore setting is genuinely different — lush, cool, and far less touristy.
- Wind direction matters. Kihei (South Maui) is typically sunny and dry. North Shore and Hana get more rain and cloud. Plan outdoor activities in the leeward areas if the forecast is uncertain.
- Humpback whales are December–April. If you're visiting in this window, even Pāpalaua Wayside Park along the Pali highway gives you free shore-based whale watching. Bring binoculars.