Activities kids will enjoy In Kona, Big Island

Best playground for kids of all ages-Kamakana Playground

This is a giant playground in the Kona area. There is a fenced structured area for little ones. The large wooden castle with slides is many kids' favorites. There are many types of equipment for kids to play and even has a built-in chessboard. The park also has tennis courts, a basketball, and baseball field, large field to play sports.

This is the coolest playground on the island and not only do kids love it, but it's also a relaxing place for adults as well. The park has an amazing ocean view with several picnic/bbq areas and lots of shades. Nice place to watch the sunset.

Good hands-on experience with Seahorse-Ocean Rider Seahorse farm

Personally, I think it's a bit pricy for the little tour( $63 for kids and $73 for adults) but I think this is definitely a good cause to give your money to. You can book your tickets on their website: Ocean Rider

The tour is about 1.5-2 hours long. The tour is very informative and a great learning experience. You get to put your hands in the water and let a seahorse curl around your finger. For kids, it's a great opportunity to learn a little about marine biology and conservation.

Good hands-on experience with Octopus-Kanaloa Octopus Farm

A bit cheaper ( $40 for children and $50 for adults), you get to play with Octopus at the octopus farm. You learn about the Octopus' behavior and life cycle. There are more opportunities on this tour to play with Octopus than on the Seashore tour and less talking by the guide.

Beaches for kids or less confident swimmers

There are several beaches that are particularly suitable for children or less confident swimmers like me. Check out my previous article Top 4 kids-friendly beach in Kona

TOP 4 KID-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN KONA, BIG ISLAND

Keiki Beach Queen’s Bath:

There are quite a few so-called “Queen’s Bath” on Big Island. It is basically tide pools surrounded by rocks. The original “Queen’s bath” was in Kalapna and was used as a royal bathing spot. This one is actually a secluded beach with shallow and warm water. It is perfect for small kids since there are no waves. That’s why it is called Keiki beach( children’s beach). Plenty of beautiful fish to see, sand to play for them.

It is a little hard to find. Follow Google Maps, park behind the Kona Community Aquatic Center and walk through the soccer field. You’ll see a sign that leads you to the narrow public access. You will pass some giant homes and see the beach behind them. You should bring your umbrellas, there are no shades there. No bathroom either.

Kamakahonu Beach:

The little sandy beach is in downtown Kona close to the hotels and restaurants. The water is calm and safe for little kids. Great for beginners to learn snorkeling. Tons of fish and sea life to see. Best for taking a quick tip between activities. it can get a bit crowded and parking can be tricky. There are no shades there so bring your umbrella or rent one right there.

Kona Dog Beach:

This is not a touristy spot and is the only beach on the island that allows dogs unleashed. It is an unassuming little secluded beach with a shallow bay. This is one of my family’s go-to spots. Most of the time we encounter several locals with their dogs hanging out. The water is calm(stay close to the shore) and good snorkeling for kids and beginners. Tons of yellow tangs and some golden cloud fish. Dogs come to us sometimes for a little affection, which makes the place more fun.

You drive on Queen Ka’ahmanu hway towards the airport, turn left on Kealakehe Pkwy towards the harbor. All the way to the end and park. You have to walk across a short lava-rock trail that’s well-marked. Be careful if you wear a flip flop. Again, water shoes are recommended.

Alula beach:

This is one of the best beaches in Kona to see turtles. This is not a white-sand beach. It’s a small beach with rocks and corals and tons of turtles. The cove is protected from waves. Water is calm and perfect for young kids. Try to come at low tide and wear water shoes. The best place to park is at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Exit off of Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy (Route 19) onto Kealakehe Parkway that leads into the harbor. Park on the north side of the harbor, you will see a sign for Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. There is a pathway to walk from the parking lot(about 5-10 minutes walk). It is also a popular snorkeling spot. Sunset is breathtaking too.

Big Island Vacation Preparation Tips

Things you should have-

• Suncream, Suncream, Suncream.

• A hat and sunglasses are very useful items.

• Water, water, water: Big refillable water bottles. (FYI: Tab water is safe to drink) Or get a case of bottled water and put some in the freezer. Take them to wherever you go. Save you the headache from dehydration later.- Get a bag of ice at the banyan mart next door.

• Water shoes: MUST MUST get. The Big Island is different than other islands. So many Rocks on the beach, under the water. Great to see fish. Not too good to walk on. Easy to slip and easy to step on a sea urchin

• Bug repellents: If you are going hiking, especially the North or Hilo side, you will regret it if you don’t have it. Normally I am all for those organic/non-chemical alternatives. I tried the Anti-bug Repellent Bracelet, organic spray.. Unfortunately, come to bugs, only the repellent with DEET in their ingredient does the tricks.

The first stop after check-in at the condo for us usually is Walmart. Walmart is about 3-4 miles away from our condo. (Address: 75-1015 Henry St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740) We usually load up the essentials including the must-have items above. For bottled waters, I found it’s cheaper to get the Hawaii Mountain Freshwater or other local brands. Plus, why buy water shipped all the way from the mainland when you can get locally bottled water.

Things you should not do on the island-

• Don’t turn your back to the ocean

• Don’t take lava rocks-It’s Illegal (and bad luck according to legend)

• Do not leave any valuables inside your car, even in the trunk. The island is peaceful and has a low crime rate. The only thing I heard people ever complained about is the items left in the car got stolen.

• Do not swim alone when there is no lifeguard.