one week end of august with kids - help please

Question

I don't know why I am having such a hard time making an itinerary and I have read sooo much!. please help! are staying in kailua kona (Wyndham Kona resort) sun-sunday end of august and will have a car. (land at 2 PM and take off 930 PM following sunday). 2 adults and 3 children ages 5, 10 and 14. We do NOT need any food related activities (restaurants etc...-we bring our own). I will buy the guide along app which i heard is a great resource.

here are some of my possible ideas per day: (saturday will be our day at the pool/beach near/in hotel)

1- one day - full day for volcano national park/ thurston lava tube/... with a stop on the way at Punaluʻu black sand Beach. (will check the volcano website for the best day)

2- one day - Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park, 2nd stop?

3- one day - Pu'ukohola Heiau National and Lapakahi State Historical Park - do i need both? what else should i see (is this the day to do whale watching or snorkling???? either from a far or with a boat that will not make us throw up- my 5 y/o gets car sick) captain cook or glass boat?

4- one day- akaka and rainbow falls with kaumana caves and Imiloa Astronomy Center?

other possibility for one evening mauna kea for star gazing. (some people concerned me about the air quality for kids even at the visitor center level).

also, we dont want to spend a whole day at a beach - we more want to c the island.

thanks in advance everyone. hope i epxlained it well.

Answer

It sounds like you want to maximize your one-week visit to the Big Island with kids while minimizing long, exhausting days and avoiding activities that could trigger motion sickness for your 5-year-old. Since you have a car and are based in Kailua-Kona, I’ve put together a suggested itinerary that balances sightseeing, history, and unique natural attractions without overwhelming the family.

Saturday: Arrival and hotel/pool day

Check in at Wyndham Kona Resort and settle in.
Relax at the pool or nearby beach to recover from travel.
Evening stroll along Aliʻi Drive if energy allows.

Sunday: Volcano National Park day

Start early (around 8 AM) and drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Visit the Thurston Lava Tube, Kīlauea Iki overlook, and the steam vents.
Stop on the way at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach to see sea turtles and unique sand.
Optional: Walk a short portion of the Sulphur Banks trail (easy for kids).
Return in the late afternoon/early evening.

Monday: South Kona historical sites

Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park: kids can enjoy the open space and reconstructed village.
Hōnaunau Bay (Two Step) is right nearby – great for viewing fish from shore if snorkel-averse children want to try.
If time and interest: explore Captain Cook Monument area via a short, easy walk/viewpoint instead of the full boat hike (avoids motion sickness).

Tuesday: North / Kohala historical & cultural sites

Puʻukohola Heiau National Historic Site – interesting cultural history and easy walking paths.
Lapakahi State Historical Park – optional; small and similar type of experience. If pressed for time, you can skip it.
Optional: Glass-bottom boat near Kailua-Kona if kids want to see marine life without rough seas. Keep to short, calm trips to avoid nausea.

Wednesday: Hilo day – waterfalls and astronomy

Drive to Hilo early; visit Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park (short, easy walks for kids).
Optional: Kaumana Caves – easy exploration with headlamps; fun for kids.
Visit Imiloa Astronomy Center – interactive, great for learning about Hawaiian sky culture and science.
Drive back to Kona in the evening (can break the trip with stops if needed).

Thursday: Optional / flexible day

Relaxing morning or hotel beach/pool time.
Option for a short, controlled experience at Mauna Kea Visitor Center for stargazing (at the lower altitude, air quality usually fine for kids; avoid going to summit with children).
Alternative: easy hikes near Kona like Pololū Valley Lookout or Puʻukohola Heiau if not already visited.

Friday: West coast exploration

Visit local beaches briefly if kids want a swim, otherwise scenic drives along the Kohala Coast.
Optional: small coffee farm or cultural center visit.

Saturday: Free / packing / light exploration

Revisit favorite spots or take it easy at the resort.
Prepare for evening departure on Sunday.

Additional tips:

Driving distances on the Big Island are long; keep each day realistic to avoid car sickness. Bring snacks, water, and motion sickness remedies for your youngest.
Use the guidebook app to identify short hikes and kid-friendly viewpoints to maximize experience without exhausting the family.
Consider booking private guided tours for Volcano National Park or Mauna Kea if you prefer not to navigate long drives or manage timing with kids.
Limit full-day beach activities – focus more on sightseeing, as you planned.

This itinerary gives a mix of volcano exploration, cultural/historical sites, waterfalls, astronomy, and light marine experiences without overwhelming the children or relying heavily on full-day tours or rough boat rides.

one week end of august with kids - help please

More Island of Hawaii Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions