Hawaii For Toddlers

Little girl enjoying the Hawaiian sun drinking a coconut. // © 2011 Natalia Kirichenko

Look up the definition of toddler and you might see phrases like "short attention span," "free and spontaneous" and "enjoys throwing objects." Since a predictable routine works best for controlling these unpredictable young'uns, travel to Hawaii is out of the question until they turn five, right?

Wrong, according to travel specialists. Vacationing in Hawaii with children from ages 2 to 4 years old may not be as carefree as a mom-and-dad getaway, but it comes with rewards that far outweigh the challenges. Parents who do their homework ahead of time can create a Hawaii excursion that's enriching for everyone.

In fact, a trip with toddlers can end up being more relaxing than an adults-only adventure because the grown-ups are forced to slow down, smell the plumeria and take time out during daily naps. And since Hawaii's people are highly family-oriented, children are made to feel welcome wherever they go.

Keeping It Simple
Hollis Davis, a travel agent with Julie's Travel Desk in Lake Oswego, Ore., advises families with toddlers to limit their itinerary to one Hawaiian island, especially if they have just one week for the trip.

"The more islands you visit, the more time you spend navigating airports, renting cars and checking in and out of hotels, which just adds stress for everyone," said Davis. "Also, don't travel during peak season if possible. Off-peak travel is less crowded and often less expensive. Hotels and condominiums run promotions during that time, allowing families to stretch their vacation dollars."

Selecting the right accommodation is key to any successful vacation and, for parents with toddlers, agents unanimously recommend booking a condominium. With a kitchen at their disposal, mom and dad can make sure that essentials -- such as fruit, cereal, milk, pasta and peanut butter -- are always at the ready.

"Since it's part of the U.S., Hawaii sells familiar brands at the grocery store, which is a huge benefit when traveling with children," Davis said. "Virtually any food you have at home you can get in Hawaii. This is especially nice when traveling with toddlers with picky eating habits."

A condo with separate bedrooms is additionally appealing when the little ones are in bed and the adults want to share some quiet time together.

When selecting their Hawaii home-away-from-home, parents should treat themselves to a view, Davis added.

"They'll be spending more time in their room than if they were traveling solo, so while the children are napping inside, the parents might as well enjoy a view of  tropical gardens or the ocean from their lanai," she said.

Rent More, Carry Less
Now that most airlines charge fees for checked baggage, savvy parents are renting toddler equipment rather than toting it from home. Ready to assist is Paradise Baby Company, an Oahu-based enterprise run by Cara Ballard.

"Our top priority is making traveling with kids easy," said Ballard, whose staff delivers and picks up all items island-wide at no extra charge.

The company will even take care of assembling rented cribs, and they feature a variety of beach necessities.

"Most people don't want to waste suitcase space bringing beach towels, and they don't want to pay extra to bring a boogie board on an airline," said Ballard. "Typically they end up dropping $100 on beach gear, all of which they leave at the hotel after departure."

Instead, Paradise Baby Company offers a package with two big towels, an umbrella, two folding chairs and a bucket of beach toys for $35 per week. It also has a variety of beach tents including kid-size pop-ups with SPF 50 for added sun protection.

Other handy items that families can rent from Paradise Baby Company include bikes with child carriers, kid's bikes, baby joggers, strollers, car seats and hiking backpacks.

Following the Toddler's Lead
Like eager little sponges, Hawaii's youngest guests spontaneously soak up whatever is put in front of them, which can lead to unexpected delights for everyone, said Theresa Tortorello, president of Destination Vacation, Inc., in Elmhurst, Ill.

"Toddlers can learn how to hula and strum a ukulele, experience a luau, enjoy the tropical fruits of the islands, taste their first shave ice, visit a volcano, learn to snorkel and play with mom and dad in shallow waters," Tortorello said.

Every clan returns with unique stories to tell, she added.

"One family who traveled to Oahu said the children wanted to stop at every beach to look for sea turtles," Tortorello said. "Another family found Kaanapali, Maui, to be thoroughly enjoyable because they could stroll along the long white-sand beach, frolic in its gentle ocean, watch the sunset and enjoy the free Whalers Village hula show, all close to their resort."

While a toddler's age does prohibit certain activities, with a little common sense, adults and tots can find plenty of fun for everyone in Hawaii, said Tortorello. For instance, families should probably avoid the long drive to the summit of Haleakala for sunrise and the winding road to Hana, instead focusing on shorter, less strenuous pastimes.

Island-by-Island Highlights
On Oahu, Waikiki makes a great headquarters for parents with toddlers. A short stroll leads to the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, perfect for visits of any length depending on the toddler's energy level. On the way to the North Shore, families can visit Dole Plantation, where they can enjoy a refreshing Dole Whip and navigate their way through a pineapple maze. In Laie, the Polynesian Cultural Center engages the generations with its recreated South Pacific villages, hands-on activities, evening luau and live musical show. On Maui, all ages enjoy the Maui Ocean Center, whose touch pool is particularly appealing to tiny fingers. The Sugar Cane Train in Kaanapali keeps kids happy as it meanders through cane fields and over an elevated trestle. The Upcountry Surfing Goat Dairy gives little ones a chance to come face-to-face with friendly four-legged creatures.

Among Kauai's many opportunities for tykes and their parents is Kamalani Playground, with its creative array of climbing structures, swinging bridges and slides. Spouting Horn captivates kids as water shoots 50 feet up through a hole in a lava rock, while free hula shows at Coconut Marketplace provide a colorful diversion.

Families on Hawaii's Big Island are mesmerized by the steam vents and lava caves of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hilo's 12-acre Panaewa Rainforest Zoo scores a hit with its weekly petting zoo and daily feeding of Namaste, a white Bengal tiger. At the Hilton Waikoloa Village lagoon, families can watch marine mammal specialists work with resident dolphins.

The key to traveling with toddlers, said Tortorello, is to remember that those little legs run out of steam easily.

"Don't push them too hard, because everyone will be miserable," she said. "In order to create wonderful vacation memories in Hawaii, do things at a toddler's pace."

Expert Tips

Try to book nonstop flights when going to Hawaii with toddlers. Travel is stressful enough as it is, and direct flights are far easier with little ones.
- Hollis Davis, Julie's Travel Desk, Lake Oswego, Ore.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is always a hit with little kids. Remember to bring the stroller, since toddlers can get tired walking around all the villages.
- Cara Ballard, Paradise Baby Company, Oahu

Plan outdoor activities for the mornings, when it's cooler outside. Then, during the heat of the day, nap or relax for awhile inside or have a picnic in the shade of a palm tree.
-Theresa Tortorello, Destination Vacation, Inc., Elmhurst, Ill.