Things to do on The Big Island with a toddler
Out of all the Hawaiian islands, Oahu has always been labeled as the most populated and family friendly, whereas the Big Island is typically deemed the less touristy, often cheaper, and least kid friendly. Where some may find this true, I personally have found the Big Island to be a great choice for toddler activities! After spending an entire month on the Big Island of Hawaii, I have compiled a comprehensive guide to all things family friendly on the Big Island. 
Parks + Play:
There are indeed parks, albeit not many, but there are some great ones on the west side of the island! 30 miles north of Kona in Waimea is a favorite area of ours and on Saturdays the farmers market is bustling right next to Waimea Park, one of the coolest parks we’ve ever been to. Connor loved this spot and so did we. Waimea itself is a perfect day trip and we highly recommend coming on a Saturday morning to play and eat at the same time.
While there, check out Waimea Park
Harold Higashihara Park is south of Kona, slightly hard to find, but worth it for an active 2-3yr old. They have a giant whale you can climb on, multiple maze-like tree house structures, and of course, the view isn’t bad at all.
In Kona itself, just south a bit from the main drag is an indoor play gym called Moonshot and it’s perfect for infants + toddlers who want to explore inside with AC. Connor and I enjoyed coming to a few classes and some open play sessions to switch it up since we were here for a month, and it gave us a great option for when it was simply too hot.
Also in Kona, the Keiki Children’s Museum is SUCH a perfect destination for toddlers who want to get messy and explore. It’s a small space, but fun so much for kids. My one complaint is that they don’t have AC, so if you do go I suggest going in the morning right when they open.
Toddler friendly Beaches:
Not all beaches are kid friendly. Big Island is known for their lava rocks being pretty rough so here is my list of kid friendly beaches that are safe, calm, and soft on the feet.
Kamakahonu Beach, located on the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha property, it’s actually become our favorite for many reasons: free parking lot across the street, next to 2 ABC stores, super clean, and very small so you have a line of sight at all times, I also love that the kids can snorkel safely.
Keiki Beach (also known as Queen’s Bath) is actually hidden behind private housing, but it is indeed open to the public and it’s a beautiful + safe spot for little ones. So glad someone gave me directions because it’s hard to find. Here’s how to get there: You’ll want to park at the Kekuaokalani gymnasium next to the baseball fields and then walk across til you see two large trees and pedestrian gates with signs and a crosswalk for public beach access
Address: 75-5530 Kuakini Hwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Alula Beach, which lies inside the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is so incredibly special. Entry is free, you’ll park in the lot, and once you walk down the paved path, you’ll immediately see a heiau (an ancient Hawaiian temple.) What’s more, is that you’ll be able to see wild sea turtles everywhere, specifically from the hours of 11am-3pm typically. Connor really loved watching them, as did we. Remember though, do not touch any wildlife, it is indeed illegal. Core memories were made for sure. This beach is a must for families of all ages.
Waikoloa Beach, which is part of the Marriott property 30 minutes north of Kona, is a wonderful beach to see green sea turtles. They’re gorgeous and huge, I’ve never seen so many riding the waves. Connor was amazed, and so was I. This beach is easily accessible with clean bathrooms, and just a skip hop to outdoor shopping and food options which is perfect to time that toddler nap just right. *The lava rocks are a bit slippery and rough so do bring water shoes to this beach specifically
Hikes + Waterfalls:
The Hilo side of the island aka the wet side of the island is where you’ll find amazing waterfalls. Akaka Falls is about 10 miles from Hilo itself and that hike is family and toddler friendly with it all being paved and about half a mile long. There you’ll see 2 different waterfalls and it’s absolutely a must-do activity when you're visiting.
This hike specifically wasn’t toddler friendly, but I have to put it in our guide because it was such a memorable experience. The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is meant for much older kids, adults, and seniors as the walking tour is heavy on verbal information, preservation, and quiet observing of nature and species. However, that being said….Connor did amazing. He hiked 2 miles, was obsessed with his bamboo walking stick, and the seniors in our group were so friendly and helpful guiding him through the “dinosaur forest.” He literally hugged a rainbow tree and was convinced velociraptors would pop out any minute. Highly recommend this experience!
Family Friendly Eats + Treats:
What’s most family friendly yet authentic in Hawaii? Shave Ice, of course. Connor had never had Shave Ice before, not a real one at least. Here are our favorites:
Scandi’s Shave Ice: Our order: Lemon Lime shave, Melona, and Lychee over a Dole Whip Center was near perfect.
Gecko Girlz: Their texture. Something about their shave ice was executed perfectly. Super soft and velvety as it should be. Highly recommend ordering the Cherry Blossom and/or Lava Flow. Their Kona Mud Pie ice cream was also a top highlight.
Basik Acai: Fantastic little spot for acai bowls. The ocean view from the top of the “tree house” is wonderful to perch in while eating one of their fun tropical concoctions.
Island Lava Java: Right in Kona, this is a great spot for breakfast. It has a gorgeous ocean view and nice service. Order the Island Eggs Benny, Pancakes with Macadamia Nuts, or Big Kahuna Fish Breakfast.
Kai Eats + Drinks: Eating dinner here on the water was fun because the view is unmatched. We’ve caught a few gorgeous sunsets over our one month stay while noshing on their yummy pizzas, fish tacos, and affordable happy hour menu *their lemon fries are so good! Connor highly recommends the wood fired chicken bbq ;)
Waimea Farmers Market: North East of Kona, if you’re looking for a day trip, head to Waimea. This part of the island is inland and has such a great farmers market held at The Parker Ranch which is next to a wonderful toddler park. Lots of food options and super family friendly of course. Open every Saturday 7am-1pm.
Outdoor Malls: Connor is so active, so we decided to visit the only mall on the Big Island which turned out to be such an unexpected surprise. The Queen’s Marketplace inside the Waikoloa Beach Resort is about 17 miles from the Kona airport and it’s incredibly family friendly, filled with outdoor shops, eateries, and our favorite…one massive ABC store where you can get just about anything. From sushi to toiletries and then some. They also have a sprawling green where kids can run and play, a large koi pond full of beautiful fish, and one of the cutest toy stores I’ve been to recently called SoHa Keiki.
There is so much to do and eat on the Big Island with a toddler, You’ll have plenty of options, from tons of outdoor activities, luaus, kids museums, parks, hikes, and marine life I genuinely believe you won’t ever get bored exploring this gorgeous island.