There is nothing like being a kid and finding a new playground to explore. Do you remember discovering a new fort or a new maze for the first time? While Hawaii has so many amazing experiences for kids and families alike, there are some fun playgrounds to enjoy and maybe make some new Hawaiian friends.
One of our favorite playgrounds is the Anuenue Playground located in Waimea. If you find yourself on a drive to Waimea, take a few minutes to let your little Keiki (kids) explore and enjoy this wonderful fort. Waimea can get brief bouts of rain, so the morning is often best.
This large playground, with its colorful fun zones, offers hours of fun and activity for kids of all ages. And, if you feel like planing your day at the park, there is a great picnic area with picnic tables and large benches. Don’t forget to also check out the softball field! For directions to Waimea Park, click here.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! If you are in Kailua-Kona and on your way to Captain Cook or Two-Step beach, your kids would enjoy a visit to the Kamakana Playground located in Harold H. Higashihara Park. With a multi-story castle theme, this playground is perfect for your little knights to climb, explore and run around. This playground was ranked as number 11 of the top 50 playgrounds in the United States!
Open from 7:00am to 8:00pm, this playground not only offers a variety of adventures for the kids, but also a day of fun for the adults. Along with the picnic tables, benches and water fountains, the property also has tennis courts, a baseball field, horseshoes and basketball hoops for you to enjoy! For directions, click here.
A unique spot for your little Keiki (5-12 years old) to burn some energy prior to visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is the Mauna Kea Recreation Area. With a 3,700-square- foot playground, innovative and safe structures (including ropes, rails and ladders) – this one of a kind recreation area is only a few minutes away from the Mauna Kea Telescopes.
It is also a great spot for the family to stretch their legs after a long road trip across the Big Island and admire the majestic surroundings of the Mauna Kea. For directions, click here.
For more information on activities in the Big Island, check out our activities page!
Coffee lovers visiting the Big Island in November should definitely check out the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival!
Starting November 4th, you will be able to experience and celebrate this year’s coffee harvest as farmers and artisans come together at this award-winning coffee festival famous worldwide. With 40 events across 10 days, you will be able to find a variety of activities for the entire family: from art exhibits and quilt shows to coffee tastings and workshops.
Known across the world as one the best gourmet coffees, the Kona Coffee bean “cherry” is cultivated on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai. There are over 500 farms located in the Kona Coffee Belt, where the ideal climate zone found at elevations from 800 to 2,500 feet produce the highest quality coffee beans.
For more than 200 years, five generations of farmers have carefully cultivated, harvested and hand-picked the Kona cherry to produce the most exquisite coffee. With a combination of a strong and delightfully mellow, balanced flavor, it’s a cup of coffee you don’t want to miss!
Species of coffee arabica, 100% Kona Coffee.
Experience first-hand and learn how Kona coffee is grown and processed. During the week of November 7th, there are two Coffee Farms and Mill Tours from 9:00am-2:00pm, scheduled for Tuesday November 8th and Friday November 11th. For more details click here.
On November 11th, make sure to witness one of the most magical moments of the festival. Starting at 6:00pm, hundreds of people walk together through the Historic Kailua Village for the Lantern Parade – a parade full of beautiful lights, vibrant colors and island rhythms. Followed by a night of dance and music at Hale Halawai.
For information on this and other events happening on the Big Island this month, check out our list of annual festivals and events