If you missed the post on our first trip to Maui last year - check that out first. This is a great follow up with even more ideas of what to do with the kids.
For this trip, Lucille and Gus were 3 1/2 and 2 years old. Still pretty little. We aren't spending our time snorkeling, or on a boat, or at surfing lessons, or shopping. These are the ideas on how we kept our kiddos entertained this time - what worked and what didn't.
Non-beach trips
Road to Hana: Since we didn't have a great driving experience to Haleakala - we were really hesitant on doing any of the Road to Hana. In fact, I pretty much told Jonny, if we just make it to mile marker 2 and get to see one waterfall - I'll be so happy.
Well, the kids did great - and we made it to the Maui Garden of Eden, an amazing botanical garden at mile marker 10.5. The kids LOVED exploring the paths and different types of plants.
We didn't push our luck and just turned back at that point and stopped at Twin Falls at mile marker 2 and walked to the waterfall and drank out of a coconut. So while it wasn't the whole road to Hana - it worked well for us.
Surfing Goat Dairy: This is a total hidden gem. Delicious cheese a fun little sandpit play area for the kids and a tour that includes feeding baby goats and a tasting. The kids loved it! They played with other kids in the play area - and really loved feeding the goats. If you've got kids who love farm animals plan this into your trip.
Makawao: We made two stops in Makawao before heading to the Surfing Goat Dairy - T. Komoda Store & Bakery and Sip Me Coffee. The baked goods at T. Komoda were amazing. The malasadas and donuts on a stick were perfect. When we went to Sip Me - we were pleasantly surprised at their gluten-free selection for Gus! Perfect, since the rest of us were eating things he shouldn't have.
Kalama Park: This park has a great play structure, beautiful views of the sunset (see the top photo), a skate park, great climbing trees and is across the street from the Paia Fish Market in Kihei. We went a handful of times when we were trying to tire the kids out before dinner.
Restaurants
Flatbread Company: I picked this restaurant in Paia to stop at after our Hana drive. They had a gluten-free crust option for the pizza and I had heard it was kid-friendly. We all loved it.
The pizza was great (even the GF stuff) and they gave the kids plain paper and crayons and then put Lucille's masterpiece on display in a menu (see above)! Which they will do for any kid who asks. Such a fun place.
Monkeypod Kitchen: While I had read this place was kid-friendly - we had to make a reservation to avoid an hour plus wait - and the kid's menu was very small. Not much kid-friendly about it except there were a lot of kids there. The food was amazing, though. And it was the best Mai Tai I had the whole trip.
Eskimo Candy: I had heard great things about the tacos at Eskimo Candy - and they were really fresh and delicious. We ordered to go and brought them back to our condo. I wish I had ordered the Poke - it looked amazing.
Kimo's Maui: We stopped in for lunch and the food was great. It is always nice to sit someplace where the kids can watch the ocean and see a crab or two.
Things we repeated this year from last year included:
Baby Beach. There is no water calmer. We tried other beaches - most were just too rough for toddlers. The beach at the Fairmont Kea Lani was a pretty close second. But Baby Beach will always be our favorite. We even got to see a Monk Seal on the beach one day.
Hula Grill. It's always fun to eat with your toes in the sand and live music.
Maui Ocean Center. The kids loved it and probably got even more out of it this year. I think until the kids are old enough for a boat tour to go see whales and dolphins - this is how they get their marine life fix.
Paia Fish Market. Still amazing. We ate at the one in Kihei this time.
Ok, so that's the trip! We had so much fun. Can't wait to go back next year or maybe explore some place new...
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