My husband and I have always been passionate about traveling and experiencing the world, and as our family started growing, we were determined to continue exploring the world as a family. Our recent Hawaii family vacation took us to O'ahu, Hawaii, with our 15-month-old daughter, Aria, providing us with an unforgettable mix of fun, breathtaking views, and several valuable parenting lessons along the way.
Planning our trip
Traveling with young children can be both challenging and rewarding. When planning our Hawaii family vacation with our little explorer, I spent many nights researching family-friendly activities, essential packing items, and tips for surviving a 12-hour travel day. Check out my blog post on family-friendly activities in Hawaii on a budget.
Packing essentials
Packing smart is crucial when traveling with a toddler. While it's possible to purchase items at your destination, this can be pricey, especially in tourist-heavy areas of Hawaii. Besides, why would you want to spend your vacation at a convenience store instead of on the beach?
Fortunately, our hotel provided sunscreen for adults, so we only needed to pack baby-specific sunscreen for Aria, ensuring she had high quality SPF. Our hotel also provided beach toys, which saved us valuable luggage space. I recommend checking with your accommodations in advance to see what baby-friendly items they offer -- this can free up room in your suitcase.
One indispensable item we brought along was a portable inflatable baby bathtub. Not all hotels have the ideal bathroom setup for little ones and the hotels in Hawaii are quite outdated. Some hotels only offer showers instead of bathtubs, which can be a nightmare if you're trying to bathe a toddler. This compact, inflatable tub ensured Aria could bathe comfortably and safely, proving itself to be an invaluable addition to our travel gear.
Flying with a Toddler
Flying with a toddler can be challenging, but we discovered some helpful tips. Aria traveled on our laps, as she's under 2 years old. Luckily, the adjacent seat was unoccupied, providing us with extra space. If feasible, consider purchasing an extra seat and bringing a flight-safe car seat for more comfort during long flights (plus, having our own car seat was a game-changer for exploring Oahu's scenic coastline in a rental car). Otherwise, you can look into seats with extra leg room and bassinet options, which provide more space.
We took advantage of priority boarding, which allowed us ample time to settle in and unpack our essentials before the cabin filled up. Aria was kept happily occupied during the flight with toys that were easy to pack, like the busy board and spinners that attach to the plane's window. Aria's favorite in-flight toy involved simple pompoms and a water bottle—easy to pack and endlessly entertaining. Her job was to insert them and take them out of the bottle. We lost a few pompoms along the way, but she loved it and it kept her occupied for quite a while.
Navigating the Airport
Traveling light is key, but we never leave without our baby carrier. It made navigating the airport, boarding, and deplaning a breeze. While our stroller was handy and compact enough for the overhead bin, the carrier provided flexibility and ease, especially in busy airports.
Eating Well on the Go
Finding healthy meals while traveling, especially with a toddler transitioning to solids, was a challenge. Planning ahead with homemade snacks and opting for nutritious options like bananas and yogurt from local stores helped bridge the gap. While eating out was inevitable, we cherished a memorable picnic by the ocean on our way to the North Shore—proof that sometimes simple meals make the best memories.
The Joy of Family Adventures
Ultimately, the most important lesson we learned was to savor every moment. While Aria may not remember this trip, we certainly will. Seeing her pure joy in the sand, waves, and new experiences was priceless. Family adventures like these create lasting memories and strengthen our bond in ways that words can't fully capture. Whether it's exploring a new destination, overcoming challenges, or simply enjoying each other's company, these adventures shape our family story. You just need a little bit of preparation.. and good weather.
Happy travels!
Inbal Moore
Tiny Explorers