We are visiting the Big Island for the first time in March. Staying for 4 nights at the Hapuna Prince (for the beach) and 4 nights at the Sheraton Keauhou (for the pool). Wondering if it would be worth it to visit the volcanos with two kids ages 9 and 6. If so, what areas/hikes would be recommended? What time should we try to get there and how long should we stay? We are an active family, but we're not "avid hikers." Any suggestions as to how to make it enjoyable for the kids would be much appreciated.

Would you consider dropping one of your Sheraton nights and spending a night in Volcano Village or thereabouts - like Kilauea Lodge? There is a pretty easy hike to look at petroglyphs they would probably enjoy. Going into the Thurston lava tube with flashlights... Go into the Volcano House and look at their view of the cauldera. Even more to do if you want to head over Puna way and check out the thermal pools. Others here can give you more detail but I'll bet there is at least a day's worth of neat things the children would enjoy.

I'm going to do a similar trip with my family except we don't have as much time as you do. We're thinking 3 nights at Hapuna Prince or Mauna Kea then around to the Hilo side for two nights at a B&B (probably Forest House at My Island B&B) and then on around for one night at the Sheraton Keauhou.

I can tell by our names that we are kindred spirits...

Definitely recommend spending a night in the Volcano area. We took our 4 and 7 year old last year and they had a great time. As cray4Hawaii mentioned, the Thurston lava tube is a must see. We also "hiked" Devastation trail. It's really an easy one-mile walk that kids can do. Here's a link to more hiking info: http://www.hawaii.volcanoes.national-park.com/hike.htm.
The kids can walk on the lava that covers part of Chain of Craters Road.

The Volcano House is interesting to see but I don't recommend eating at the Volcano House Restaurant. The Lava Rock Cafe in Volcano is a local place with good breakfast.
Have fun!

I second all those who have suggested spending a night in Volcano National Park. And Thurston's Lava Tube is great. We were on the BI in December, and at that time the volcano flow was a 3 hour hike in and a 3 hour hike out. It changes frequently. We hiked to it two years ago and it was a short hike - about 1 mile each way. You can check on the website mentioned in the previous post to get an idea of where the flow is. Check when you get to the island- your hotel concierge should have a good idea of where the flow is. It really is incredible to see it, and I'm sure your kids wouldn't forget it. It's pretty awesome to stand on cooling molten lava and see it flow down the mountainside.
PS- my kids were 18 & 21 the first time we went to the BI. They still harrass me over making them hike to see the "boring petroglyphs".

Thanks for all who have taken the time to respond to my topic. We had thought about spending one or two nights near the Volcano--unfortunately, by the time we figured that out, it was too late. Seems rooms are hard to find and with the Merrie Monarch Festival happening in Hilo around that time, it seems even harder to find someplace to stay. Any other suggestions? Should we attempt to stay into the evening or would any walking/hiking in the near-dark be too much for the kids?

When we were there 2 1/2 years ago my brother and I wisely decided to only take the 9 1/2 year old, and let her 5 3/4 yr old sis stay in Kona with Grandma and Dad who just weren't into the LONG Volcano day. It would have been way too much for the younger one, at that time it was about an hour or more one way hike depending on where you parked. Plus the LONG long drive--that wasn't quite that bad early morn, stopped at the black sand beach and all that but Boy! were we beat when we got back in Kona around midnight(and this coming trip we'll have to make it back up to Waikoloa :0 ) The older daughter did appreciate the wonder of the volcano/lava. The ideal way IS to overnight at the Volcano but we are there during spring break/monarch time also, will just have to see what the lava is like then and how the girls are doing--the youngest is now over 8 yrs old so hoping it works out for both of them this time...we have other places we want to take them besides Hawaii so may not get back there soon!