Upcountry Maui with Kids
Closures, checked 23 Oct 2026: Makawao Forest Reserve (Kahakapao), Waihou Spring, Kula Forest Reserve and Polipoli are closed for storm repairs after Hurricane Nolo, no reopening date. Haleakalā and Thompson Road are open. Check the DLNR news page before you go.
The short version
- Five stops that work: Surfing Goat Dairy, Kula Country Farms, Kula Botanical Garden, the Saturday Upcountry Farmers Market, Haleakalā in daylight or at sunset.
- One animal stop, one meal, one place to move around. That’s a kids’ Upcountry day.
- Bring a fleece for Kula and real winter layers for the summit; feed them light on the winding road.
- Kids eat well at Marlow, Kula Bistro, the Kula Lodge Food Truck and the market.
At a Glance
Our pick: Maui Pineapple Farm Tour in Haliimaile
Best for families and curious visitors who want an easy Upcountry farm stop, not a long walk.
Our pick: Haleakala 6 Line Zipline Adventure
Best for first-timers and families who want a small-group Kula zipline near Haleakalā; max 12, with native-forest and bird ecology woven in.
The Five Best Stops
- Surfing Goat Dairy: ages 2–10. Kids feed, pet and interact with the animals; 30–90 minutes. Kids don’t need to understand agriculture to have fun here. Catch: reserve the specific interaction; not every activity is a drop-in. Tuesday–Saturday 9:30–5 (checked Oct 2026).
- Kula Country Farms: ages 2–10. Short, flexible and visual; 30–60 minutes; best in the October pumpkin patch. Catch: outside the special seasons it’s a farm-stand stop, not a children’s attraction.
- Kula Botanical Garden: ages 4+. Short paths, plants, birds and room to explore; 45–75 minutes. Catch: uneven garden paths, not a playground.
- Upcountry Farmers Market: all ages. Breakfast, fruit, baked goods and lots to see without committing to a tour; Saturday 7:00–11:00 a.m. (checked Oct 2026). Everyone picks something different and the rest of the day stays flexible: eat there, grab fruit for later, then head to one farm. Catch: arrive early; parking and crowds build.
- Haleakalā, daytime or sunset: ages 7+, or younger kids used to long drives. A landscape they’ll remember. Catch: cold, altitude, no food and a long drive home. If the kids don’t care about the summit, skip it; Upcountry still counts without Haleakalā. Haleakalā guide →
Sunrise over cloud from Haleakalā summit. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
By Age
- Toddlers: Surfing Goat, the market and a short Makawao walk.
- Ages 4–7: add Kula Country Farms and Kula Botanical Garden.
- Ages 8–12: the pineapple tour, Haleakalā and longer garden visits get easier. The Maui Pineapple Tour is about 1½ hours, minimum age 3, and everyone leaves with a pineapple packed for the flight. Maui Pineapple Farm Tour →
- Teens: Oʻo Farm, the non-alcoholic side of MauiWine, Haleakalā hiking, ziplining, Makawao shopping.
Makawao works with a family because it’s only a few blocks: parents shop, kids aren’t walking forever, lunch is never far. Around the Fourth of July the parade and Stampede are a fantastic family look at paniolo culture (expect crowds), and the Oskie Rice Event Center holds a paniolo rodeo every October: Makawao Rodeos at Oskie Rice Event Center.
Where Children Actually Eat Well
- Marlow (checked Oct 2026): pizza, bread and an approachable breakfast.
- Kula Bistro: a big menu and good family value.
- Hāliʻimaile General Store: a planned family meal with kids who sit well.
- ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store: burgers and an outdoor ranch setting.
- Kula Lodge Food Truck: flexible, quick and easy to leave.
- Upcountry Farmers Market: different appetites in one family.
Hours and what to order: Best Restaurants in Upcountry → The farms in depth: Best Farms and Agricultural Experiences → Kula’s half-day for families: Best Things to Do in Kula →
What We’d Skip With Kids
- The closed forest trails (Makawao, Waihou, Polipoli): not an option right now. Hosmer Grove is the forest walk instead, and Thompson Road is the no-destination stroll for little legs.
- Three farms in one day.
- Lavender as the main event: a garden with a view, not a playground.
- The summit after a full Kula day.
- Oʻo Farm with a toddler: a three-hour meal experience.
The Cold and the Car-Sickness Reality
The climbing, winding roads above Kula bother children who are already prone to motion sickness. Feed them lightly, keep screens away, seat them where they can see ahead, and never combine the summit road with six more stops.
Bring: a sweatshirt or fleece for Kula; winter layers for the summit; water; dry snacks; a spare shirt for young children; motion-sickness supplies the pediatrician has approved. A child who is cold stops caring about the view very quickly. Pack snacks even if lunch is planned, and use the Kula Lodge Marketplace or a town stop for bathrooms before the longer drives.
One Last Tip
Keep it gentle and end on a high note. Wrap up the day while they still like the goats; tomorrow is a beach day for a reason. Give them something memorable of their own, and the scenery takes care of the adults.
Check before you go: Haleakalā conditions (NPS) · Forest reserve closures (DLNR) · Weather warnings (NWS)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Upcountry Maui with kids?
Surfing Goat Dairy (Tue–Sat), Kula Country Farms (pumpkins in October), Kula Botanical Garden, the Saturday Upcountry Farmers Market, and Haleakalā in daylight or at sunset for kids seven and up. One animal stop, one meal and one place to run around makes the day.
Is Haleakalā good for kids?
Daytime or sunset for ages seven and up, or younger kids used to long drives. Sunrise means a 2:30–3:30 a.m. departure and standing in freezing wind; most families are happier at 9 or 10 in the morning. Bring winter layers; there’s no food in the park.
Where do kids eat in Upcountry Maui?
Marlow (pizza and bread), Kula Bistro (big menu, good value), the Kula Lodge Food Truck (quick, easy to leave), ʻUlupalakua Ranch Store (burgers outdoors) and the Saturday market for a family that wants different things.
