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The Perfect 3 Days in Maui Itinerary with Kids

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Is it worth going to Maui for just a few days? Absolutely! Find out the coolest 3 day Maui itinerary with kids, keep scrolling down for all the info!
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Guest post by Amanda Patsey

Visiting Hawaii has been on my personal bucket list since I was a kid so I was so excited to visit with the family for all of our first times in the state!

After some research and debating back and forth, we settled on spending our week-long vacation splitting our time between Maui and Kauai.

We received countless tips and advice from fellow travel friends, and everyone seemed to agree that Maui was a great island to visit for our family’s first trip to Hawaii.

Below I share with you the perfect 3-day itinerary in Maui with kids. It shows you how to visit Maui in 3 days and have a blast with your family!

Staying longer? Check out my 5 days in Maui itinerary!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Maui with kids.

Best Kid-Friendly Maui Tours/Activities

Best Kid-Friendly Maui Resorts

  • Hyatt Regency Maui (this has the BEST pool area and on-site shave ice stand)
  • Honua Kai Resort & Spa (this is one of our personal favorites because there are tons of pools and there are condo options)
  • Fairmont Kea Lani (this is a swanky resort with incredible kids’ programming and an awesome pool area)

Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Maui Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Get this ultimate Maui travel guide for families by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel with Kids!
3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Are you looking for the perfect 3 day Maui itinerary with kids? If you only have a short amount of time on Maui, you have to make the most of it! This 3 day Maui itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip to Maui for your next family vacation. #maui #hawaii

Where to Stay on Maui with Kids

Maui is full of gorgeous areas all around the island to stay in and I am positive you can absolutely not go wrong no matter where you choose to stay.

We, however, chose to stay in Kaanapali in West Maui for a few different reasons.

One of the reasons was that we wanted to stay in a Hyatt property and the Hyatt Regency in Maui is definitely known to be one of the best resorts in Maui.

It was located directly on the beach in Kaanapali and had some great features for the kids and us parents.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Staying on Maui with kids? The Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali is a great place to stay for families with kids
View from our Ocean View room at the Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

Not only is the hotel feet from the beach, but it also has a great pool right on the beach.

The Hyatt Regency in Maui also has a luau on-site, which is perfect for families with toddlers.

The town of Kaanapali is home to many other resorts and also has a great area with restaurants and shopping.

But I will have to say the highlight of Kaanapali is hands down the beach. This was the ultimate family-friendly beach in Maui, with gentle waves and warm water.

It was also not crowded in the least on this West Coast beach, which we always appreciate!

Renting a Car in Maui

Personally, we think it is 100% necessary for a family visiting Maui to rent a car unless, of course, you plan on never leaving the resort.

When the company Sixt is an option, we almost always choose them for our car rentals. Lucky for us, Maui has a Sixt rental car location right near the airport!

We arrived late at night but got a quick shuttle ride to Sixt where we were rented a VW Atlas for a great price for our short time on Maui.

We definitely wanted to have an SUV or van for this trip since we knew we were spending at least one full day in the car to drive the Road to Hana.

Kid-Friendly Maui 3 Day Itinerary

Many people will wonder, “Is 3 days in Maui enough?” For our family, it was on this Hawaiian island! Whether you plan to visit Maui with toddlers or older kids, 3 day Hawaii trips are great.

If you are wondering what to do in Maui for 3 days, this Maui itinerary 3 days is perfect for you!

Day 1

On our first morning in Maui, we woke up bright and early (thanks to that time zone change) and were ready to get out and explore.

We are big fans of saving some money when traveling, and almost never eat breakfast out when we are on a trip.

So in order to save a bit, we ventured out to find a grocery store to stock up on some breakfast foods, and some snacks for our 3 days in Maui.

Located less than 10 minutes south of our hotel was a Safeway, which was perfect for us to load up on snacks and drinks for the family.

We made it a plan to keep our first day relatively low-key, which is never exactly very easy for our family.

We decided after grabbing some breakfast that we wanted to get out and see the island in the daylight since we had arrived after dark the night before.

Nakalele Blowhole

Located about 30 minutes north of the Hyatt Regency in Maui is the Nakalele Blowhole.

We figured this was a great way to get out and explore but still kept us close to the hotel so we could continue with a chill day.

The road up to the blowhole was an adventure in itself as it was hugging the coastline the entire time.

We were so excited to see the amazing views from the road, and also once we arrived at the blowhole parking area.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: For a fun Maui attraction for kids, head to Nakalele Blowhole.
Nakalele Blowhole is a fun thing to do on Maui with kids. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

We really weren’t sure what to expect with this natural wonder in Maui so we simply put the location into Google Maps and drove there.

There is a small area for parking, and when we arrived at around 9 a.m., there were only 2 other cars.

While there wasn’t an official trail leading down to the blowhole, you can choose to see the blowhole from as close as you’d like.

There are, however, warning signs all over to not get too close to it as it can be dangerous if you aren’t careful.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Families will love Nakalele Blowhole, a popular Maui attraction
Here’s what Nakalele Blowhole looks like in action.

After spending some time climbing around the rocks at the Nakalele Blowhole and taking in the amazing views we decided to head back to Kaanapali.

Kaanapali Beach

We then spent a few hours at Kaanapali Beach. There are places you can rent gear for this Maui beach for kids, even things like snorkeling or SUP boards!

We mostly just brought towels and got right in that ocean! The beaches in Kaanapali are simply perfect and are perfect for a family visiting Maui with kids. It is one of the best Maui toddler activities and one of the most incredible beaches on Maui.

Kaanapali Beach is a kid-friendly beach on Maui
Kaanapali Beach is a kid-friendly beach on Maui. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

Eat at Leilani’s

Once we were beached out, or just really hungry, we walked to Whaler’s Village, which is only about a 15-minute beachside walk from the Hyatt Regency in Maui.

We chose to eat at Leilani’s because they offered outdoor seating with wonderful views.

The food was great, as well as the drinks and it was here that we had our first mai tais ever!

Leilani’s also offers a great children’s menu which is always key when traveling with picky eaters!

Hotel Pools

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the hotel pools at the Hyatt Regency.

I will be honest, we so rarely hang out at hotel pools, but this one could not be skipped.

So we were sure to spend an entire afternoon swimming and lounging poolside.

It was on this trip that I realized how important and valuable it is to work in some relaxing pool days, even if it is on the first day of your Maui vacation.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: The Hyatt Regency Maui is a kid-friendly Maui hotel with fun swimming pools
My kids loved this bridge over one of the pools at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

Eat at Merriman’s

For dinner on our first day in Maui with kids, we weren’t terribly hungry after having a late lunch, and we decided to eat at Merriman’s.

We chose this restaurant for its happy hour and amazing views since here you could also sit outside right on the water!

Remember how I told you at lunch I had my first Mai Tai ever, at Merriman’s I had my second and it was also the best Mai Tai I had our entire time in Hawaii.

This restaurant was a perfect one to visit with kids in Maui because it was casual when visiting for the happy hour and sitting outside, and it had some amazing food that was kid-friendly as well!

Click here for step-by-step Maui travel planning help

Day 2

On the second day in Maui, we felt rested and refreshed after our relaxing first day, and this was the plan since we had a big day ahead of us.

Again, up early due to that time change and a good night’s rest, but this time it was crucial to be up early because we were off on an epic road trip.

Remember those snacks we bought the first day? Well, we made sure they were easy things to eat in the car with minimal mess and fuss. Think bananas, yogurt tubes, cereal, and muffins!

There are also options to grab something at the Hyatt Regency if need be.

Road to Hana

This was it – the day we finally got to check off a massive bucket list item – we were driving the Road to Hana in East Maui!

This was one of the things I did extensive research on before going.

Like I mentioned earlier, we made sure to rent a nice comfortable SUV for our trip in order to make the drive to Hana as pleasant as possible.

Our VW Atlas car rental from Sixt was perfect for the drive and gave us all plenty of room to get comfy since we were planning to be in the car all day long.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: The Road to Hana with kids can be a lot of fun, especially with stops like Twin Falls.
Twin Falls on the Road to Hana, Maui. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

The Road to Hana is by far an all-day event, and you could possibly also extend it into a second day if you chose to stay in Hana and then drive back the following day.

We, however, chose to drive to Hana on the East Coast and back all in one day, and it was totally realistic and worth it for us.

If you don’t feel like driving it yourself there are some companies that will drive you in a tour group as well. This wasn’t exactly for us, and we wanted to do it on our own terms and have the flexibility.

In addition to researching my stops ahead of time, I also used an app called The Shaka Guide, which I highly recommend even if you know exactly where you plan to stop.

I will give you an overview of this amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience in Maui below, but for a more detailed itinerary check out my post: The Road to Hana with Kids.

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Black Sand Beach, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Maui is great stop on the Road to Hana on Maui with kids
You have to check out Black Sand Beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park on Maui. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

The Road to Hana starts in a town called Paia, which is about 45 minutes away from Kaanapali, Maui.

It is here where the Shaka Guide app will start its guidance, and where the mile markers for the Road to Hana begin.

The different sights to see are referenced based on what mile marker they are at.

For the majority of the highlights along this route, there are no signs, so you have to know where to stop in advance, and the Shaka Guide is perfect for helping with this.

We left Kaanapali at 7:00 AM and weren’t back for a good 12 hours.

It is important to get on the road early in order to maximize your time on the journey, and also so you aren’t too late and miss out on parking spots at some crucial stops!

If you are doing a family trip for 3 days in Maui, make sure to save 1 day for the Road to Hana. This day trip is so much fun for your Hawaii vacation!

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: This Road to Hana Waterfall is one of many you'll see on the Road to Hana with kids
This waterfall is one of many you’ll see on the stunning Road to Hana. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

Overall, we made 12 stops on the Road to Hana, and here are some of our favorites:

By 6 pm we were back in Paia, which has many different options for dinner. Paia Fish Market is an excellent choice for dinner before heading back to Kaanapali!

Day 3

For our last full day on Maui, we decided we wanted to do something totally new and out of our comfort zone.

After some research and suggestions from friends, we chose to book our very first snorkeling experience with a company in Maui called Four Winds II.

Snorkeling Tour

This boating company had incredible reviews for snorkeling at Molokini Crater, and they also were known to be family-friendly which was important to us.

We weren’t sure if we could take a 4 and 7-year-old snorkeling, but we sure were wrong, as Four Winds Maui was prepared for kids and beginner-level snorkelers, making it one of the top things to do with kids on Maui!

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: The Four Winds II Maui Snorkel Tour is a kid-friendly snorkel tour on Maui
We did a kid-friendly Four Winds II Maui Snorkel Tour. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

We had to be at the dock by 7:00 AM and the boat was scheduled to disembark at 7:30 AM.

From Kaanapali, it was only about a 30-minute drive to get there, and honestly, these early mornings weren’t that hard as we still were adjusting to the time zone change.

We still had plenty of breakfast snacks and brought those, but Four Winds Maui also offered a light breakfast on the boat.

Once the boat set off to Molokini Crater the crew came around handing out snorkeling gear and explaining the process of how to snorkel.

When I tell you Four Winds II is perfect for beginners, I mean it because we honestly had no idea what we were doing or what to expect.

But the crew made it all seem totally doable and once we were at the crater we were all excited to get in the water and explore!

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Want to snorkel Molokini with kids? The Four Winds II Maui has a kid-friendly snorkel tour for families
Our family loved snorkeling around Molokini Crater off the shore of Maui. Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

We spent the entire allowed time in the water snorkeling at Molokini Crater until they told us to come back to board the boat to head back to Maui.

We saw some incredible marine life and even some sea turtles!

Lunch was also served on Four Winds, and consisted of a few options that were all kid-friendly as well!

The ride to and from Molokini was just as exciting as snorkeling itself because we got to see tons of humpback whales, and the views were simply stunning! Whale watching is best during the winter months in Hawaii.

Following the snorkeling excursion, you can check out some more Maui beaches in the area which is perfect especially since you are already in bathing suits.

Enjoy the Best Beaches in Maui

South of where the Four Winds II docks are you can find a ton of awesome sandy beaches in Maui. You can go beach hopping or just stay at one to enjoy.

Some of the best beaches in Maui for families include:

  • Maalaea Beach
  • Mai Poina Beach Park
  • Kalepolepo Beach Park
  • Waipuilani Park
  • Kamaole Beach Park
  • Maluaka Beach
  • Wailea Beach
  • Kaihalulu Beach (a gorgeous red sand beach)

Many of these beach areas offer snorkeling gear that you can rent if you want to continue using your new snorkeling skills.

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

You will also find countless restaurants in the area, as well as the best place for shave ice in Maui: Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.

This specific shave ice place was our favorite in Maui, and they have multiple locations, including one at the Hyatt Regency! A Maui family itinerary is not complete with some shave ice!

3 Day Maui Itinerary with Kids featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Shave Ice at Ululani’s at the Hyatt Regency Maui
Ululani’s is the best shave ice on Maui and they have a location at the Hyatt Regency Maui! Photo credit: Amanda Patsey

We had spent the majority of the day in the water snorkeling and hanging at the beach so we eventually drove back to the hotel to shower and clean up for dinner.

Mama’s Fish House

If you are visiting Maui, there is one place you must make sure you visit for a meal. Mama’s Fish House is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to and was definitely my favorite for a memorable meal in Maui.

Whether you go for lunch or for dinner you will not be disappointed.

The location is not the most convenient when staying in Kaanapali because it is actually near the Kahului Airport in North Maui, but I am telling you it is worth the drive.

Other Maui Activities for Kids

Our family only had 3 full days in Maui, and I think we totally made the best of our short time there.

I will say that if you can stretch your time there even longer you will be able to do even more amazing things that the island offers.

Being that it was our first vacation on Maui with kids and we only had 3 days in Hawaii on the Maui island, we didn’t get to do all that this Hawaiian island has to offer.

But if you are fortunate enough to spend longer in Maui than just a 3 day Hawaii trip or want to see some other ways on how to spend 3 days in Maui, here are some ideas of other fun things to do on the island. I know we will be doing many of these Maui activities for families when we visit again.

Depending on what age your kids are, you might need a different itinerary. A Maui itinerary with toddler will look completely different than a travel itinerary for kids who are older.

Check out some of the best things to do in Maui with toddlers.

3 Days in Maui Itinerary for Kids FAQs

Is Maui good for families?

While Maui has long had the reputation as being a good honeymoon destination, it’s become increasingly kid-friendly over the years. There are plenty of things to do in Maui for kids!

What is there to do in Maui for families?

So many things! Some of the top kid-friendly Maui activities include zip lining, hiking, snorkeling, visiting the Maui Ocean Center, eating shave ice, exploring the Road to Hana, and learning how to surf.

What area of Maui is best for families?

There are lots of great areas on Maui for families. If you are planning on exploring Maui, staying in Kihei is an affordable option that’s centrally located. Wailea is another option if you’re able to spend a bit more.

Is it worth going to Maui for 3 days?

I think it is worth it to spend 3 days on Maui! Hawaii 3 day trips are very common and you are able to do all the fun things to do in Maui for families in just three days to make your trip incredibly worth it and super memorable!

3 Day Maui Itinerary Summary

Now you have more of an idea of what to see in Maui in 3 days.

First, you’ll want to take a day to rest and relax, either at the best beach in Maui for families or at the pools at the Maui hotels you decide to stay at.

For another day on your 3 days in Maui trips, you might enjoy driving the Hana Highway to see the stunning Road to Hana stops.

From the Seven Sacred Pools to Haleakala National Park, a bamboo forest with rainbow eucalyptus trees, tropical gardens, Waianapanapa State Park, and more you will love exploring the Hana Coast. It is one of the best Maui excursions for families.

On your three days in Maui, try to do one tour for an adventure. That could be a whale watching tour, snorkeling tour, or seeing the Haleakala National Park. Finish your trip with a luau to enjoy the Hawaiian culture.

Of course, if you plan to do Maui in 3 days, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch while on the Road to Hana as well as some nice restaurants in Maui too.

All in all, this is the Hawaii itinerary with kids we did and loved. We hope you love it too!

Looking for more Maui Travel Resources? Find out the best toddler activities in Mauibest kid-friendly Maui Resortstop things to do in Maui with kids, and best Maui luaus.

Bio:

Amanda Patsey is a family travel blogger who lives in the Northeast United States. Her blog is aimed to help other families get inspired and plan outdoor adventures with kids in tow.

You will often find her and her family hitting the road exploring within the United States. Amanda and her family mostly enjoy hiking, visiting National Parks, finding all the best restaurants and breweries, and also discovering all the fun things to do near their home.

Give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook to see what they are up to these days.

P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!

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