Hawaii - a tropical paradise that begs you to relax the second you step off the plane and are handed a fragrant lei at the oceanfront airport. Is there anything better to relieve the anxiety of the daily work grind than to take a week off to bask in the sunshine at the beach, sip on a few mai tais, and enjoy some fresh seafood? What is more wonderful than the sound of....toddlers screeching?!
Yes I am one of those crazy parents that decided Hawaii with kids would be fun. And you know what? It was! Was it hectic and at times stressful? Absolutely. Was it worth it to see their faces when they dipped their toes into the warm gentle waves for first time? Worth every insane moment.
One of the best decisions you can make when bringing kids with you to Hawaii is foregoing the hotels and choosing a private home or condo instead. Options are aplenty, and we picked a great spot that was a ten minute walk to the beach, next to a grocery store, and came with a community pool, a great outdoor grill area, and enough space for all to enjoy. I personally think going to the pool while you are in Hawaii is odd, however with kids it is a must.
Pick a spot that has beach access to water that is kid friendly. While bigger kids may enjoy playing in waves and trying their hand at boogie boarding and surfing, toddlers need calmer waters. Mauna Kea on the Big Island has a fantastic little toddler beach that is available for use to the surrounding communities and renters. The beach access comes with cabanas which are perfect for the midday naps and spreading out all the snacks you will inevitably bring with you. It also has a great little restaurant with beautiful views and delicious food and drinks. It also has a rental stand for things like kayaks and stand up paddle boards.
Pack your clothes and swimsuits but don't worry too much about anything else. Sand buckets and floaties are in every store, and many rentals come with these items left over form the previous renters. We usually pick up some buckets and shovels and sunscreen, along with a cheap pack and play at the nearby target, throw in the last minute "Hawaii" hat into the cart and call it a day.
One of my favorite things to do with the kiddos in Hawaii is try foods that are new to them. Somehow my fish hating children scarf up all kinds of seafood after a long day at the beach. We also love to go to the local market and pick out unique fruit for them to try. They get excited about the weirdly colored fruit, and I get excited about the healthy snack options.
So if you are on the fence about packing up and heading to an oceanfront destination with your children in tow, I say do it! It certainly won't be relaxing as that kid free honeymoon, but the memories will be unforgettable.