The big island, Hawaii
 

Help!! Traveling to the big Island with family including two children 7 and 9. Any suggestions for must do activities and kid friendly restaurants!! Leaving 7/30 for one week!!Thanks

The list I made up on this thread is mostly for Oahu. But there are about 10 good sites that are for all islands:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

Also:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/

http://www.konacoffeefest.com/drivingtour/map.html

If you are going to be on Hilo side, go to Akaka Falls State Park. Do the short loop trail that includes Kahuna Falls.

Suggestions-- a wagon ride through Waipio Valley http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com/ or a tour of the facility where seahorses are raised-http://www.seahorse.com/ or a horsebac ride at the Parker Ranch http://www.parkerranch.com/ or snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach south of Kailua Kona (other great beaches--Hapuna and A-Bay along the Kohala coast) or visiting Place of Refuge in South Kona http://www.nps.gov/puho/or visit Volcano National Park.

Our favorite things on the BI were Akaka Falls (over 400 feet tall!) and going to Volcanoes National Park. We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince - gorgeous beach there. You will love the Big Island - have fun!

Two places to eat in Kona town. Killer Tacos, great mexican takeout and Kona Brewing Co. Gourmet pizza and beer, sit outside on the patio. I've heard Bubba Gumps is kid friendly too, we'll try it when we go on Christmas Break. Volcano was okay, long drive to get there and back in one day. Nice free zoo in Hilo that our kids liked. Beach time, did a luau, but not so great for our 3 year old, Hawi and Polulu lookout drive. We're planning to do Waipio Valley Wagon tour in December. Our older girl loved snorkeling at the turtle beach.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't think 7 days will be enough time to do everything we want !!! Do any of you recommend a good helicopter or snorkel tour?

We did the Kealakekua Bay snorkel trip with Fair Wind. It's a pretty area, and you can see the Captain Cook monument while you're there.

We did our helicopter tour on Kauai, so can't help you there, but I would recommend wearing dark clothes if you plan on taking pictures to avoid catching your own reflection in the glass and also if you're at all prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine before you go. Have fun - we loved our helicopter tour!

I'll second the recommendation for the Fair Wind snorkel trip. It was one of the highlights of our vacation. Our children were 10 and 7 at the time and had a blast.

Definitely the Fairwinds morning snorkel cruise, our kids still talk about it! Also bodysurfing at Hapuna Beach. And Volcanoes National Park, there's a lot more to it than looking for lava :)

Check with VNP office as for what is open to the public there have been some posts about closures again. The new lava flow is supposed to be in an area closed to the public.

Thanks to everyone for their help!!
We got back from the big island and had a fantastic time!! The lava is indeed flowing and only visible by helicopter at this time. Definately the highlight of the trip. (did blue hawaiian - excellent by the way)

Stayed at fairmont orchid- unbelievable service and great kid amenities- especially recommend the sun pass for kayak, surf board and boogie rental for the week along with great free hikes, tide pool education and beginning snorkeling and surf lesson all included.

So-so recommendation on the sea horse farm. Definately overpriced for the quick tour but can you put a price on actually holding a seahorse in your hand? Rec only if kids insist.

Dhana ranch tour for horseback riding - kids enjoyed but spent more time handling horse then watching scenery.

VNP great walking tour. no lava seen.
Also saw thurston lava tube, kona coffee comp, rainbow falls and black sand beach....all worth the drive.

dinner mainly at hotel - browns, norios. very good. Enjoyed merrimans as well. No kids menu. Dara's Thai restaurant convenient and good too.

Didn't do snorkel tour but maybe next time.....Thanks to everyone for their input.