10 Tips for Planning a Trip to Hawaii with Kids
10 Tips for Planning a Trip to Hawaii with Kids
Aloha! Hawaii is a fantastic family vacation destination, but you definitely need a game plan if you are visiting as a family. Here are our top 10 tips for planning a trip to Hawaii with Kids!
I have been to Hawaii before, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not already planning our next trip! If you’re considering making a trip to Hawaii, you should know a few things before you go! Here are ten tips for planning a trip to Hawaii with kids.
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Make sure you book a family-friendly hotel
Hawaii is also a romantic destination, so many hotels are built around honeymooners and romance. Look for a hotel that is geared toward families! Many hotels on Oahu have resort activities geared towards kids, are on the beach, and have great pools too!
My favorite picks for family friendly hotels are Hilton Hawaiian Village and Moana Surfrider in the Waikiki Area. If you don’t mind staying outside of Waikiki, check at Aulani Resort (it’s a Disney resort!) or Ko Olina!
Pack some extra exciting toys and snacks for the plane
No matter where in the world you are traveling from, you will likely have to take a flight that is at a minimum of 4 hours, if not longer! If you are coming from the East Coast, you will be on even longer flights! Bringing some extra toys and snacks for the plane can be a lifesaver!
Bring both cool and warm outfits
While it is warm all year round in Hawaii, make sure you bring both cool and warm outfits. While it can be warm during the day, it can get chilly at night.
Don’t forget to book travel insurance
You might not usually book travel insurance, but in this case, I highly recommend it! Between all those long flights, missing a flight could mean missing out on an entire day of activities!
Adjust to the time difference
No matter where you are traveling from, you will experience some form of jet lag in Hawaii. Adjust to the time difference earlier and stay awake or sleep on the plane to help make your trip better!
Also, since you will likely be used to a continental U.S. time zone, you and your kids will most likely wake up super early the first day or two. Just roll with it and get out super early those days to beat the crowds at popular beaches or tourist locations.
Research your destination ahead of time
Doing some research ahead of time can help you better prepare for what to skip or visit while you’re there! You can also get a good feel for how far away things are so you don’t have to rush around to make your dinner reservation.
For instance, there are only a few main roads on Oahu. You don’t want to try to drive from Waikiki to the West side of the island at 4pm, because then you will sit in a parking lot for 3 hours while everyone from Honolulu returns home from work.
Experience the local culture
Plan some of your downtime to experience the local culture and cuisine in Hawaii! From luaus to side markets, there are so many opportunities to do this in Hawaii.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is definitely worth a day trip, with loads of kid friendly activities and a famous luau. There are other fantastic luaus around the island though.
Also, if you have rented a car, you can visit fun foodie places like the Macadamia Nut Farm or the Dole Pineapple Plantation (and get the real deal Dole Whip!).
Consider renting a beach house instead of a hotel
Hotels can be nice, but beach houses are usually pretty close in price! If you are traveling with a large family or cooking yourself, this is a great option!
Let your kids help make decisions
Get your kids involved in planning the vacation! Let them choose an activity or a meal while you are there to make the trip planning more exciting!
There are loads of kid friendly attractions on Oahu like the aquarium, zoo, sea life center, and more!
Steer clear of pre-planned vacation packages
Many pre-planned vacation packages sound like a dream until you eat at dining locations you can find anywhere! Most of them don’t include things like lunch or may end up packing your trip so full of activities that you don’t have much downtime.
If you plan a trip to Hawaii, make sure you keep these ten tips in mind when planning your vacation! These will save you from a lot of trouble and headaches during your trip!
