What to Pack for Hawaii with Kids
It is a laid-back place with a wide range of things to do. You won’t be shark diving with toddlers, but knowing what to pack for Hawaii with kids can be hard. What do you need to bring?
What to Pack for Hawaii with Kids
1. Documentation
2. Methods of Payment
3. Clothing
4. Accessories
5. Baby Items
6. Toiletries
7. Medications and First Aid
8. Miscellaneous Items
9. Beach Bag Necessities
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What to Pack for Hawaii with Kids
1. Documentation
What to Add to Your Hawaiian Vacation Packing Checklist (or Ensure You Can Access on Your Phone)
A. Identification for all adults
B. Health insurance card
C. Priority Pass card – If you have it, for airport lounge access.
D. Airline reservation confirmations and boarding passes
E. Hotel reservation confirmations
F. Dining reservation confirmations
G. Rental car and ground transportation reservation confirmations – Get a car. Really,
H. Proof of car insurance
I. Proof of travel insurance – If purchased.
What Not to Include on Your Hawaii Vacation Packing List
A. Any unnecessary or duplicate documentation with your personal information
2. Methods of Payment
What Do I Need to Travel with My Kids to Hawaii?
A. Credit cards
B. Cash – Some places only accept cash, but not many. Go easy here.
C. Debit card
D. Disney gift cards – Only if staying at Aulani on Oahu.
What Not to Include on Your Hawaii Trip Packing List
A. A lot of cash
3. What Kind of Clothes Should the Family Wear while in Hawaii?
Weather
The weather doesn’t change much throughout the year. It’s almost always nice. Check the weather before your trip for good measure. The averages are as follows:
Winter
Average high: Low 80s
Average low: High 60s
Spring
Average high: Low 80s
Average low: Low 70s
Summer
Average high: Mid-80s
Average low: Mid-70s
Fall
Average high: Mid-80s
Average low: Low 70s
What to Include in Your Hawaii Family Packing List
Pro tip: If you want to pack light (and you should), bring laundry pods and do laundry halfway through your trip. This cuts your luggage in half.
A. T-shirts – If you won’t do laundry, pack one or two more than the number of days of your trip.
B. Shorts – One pair more than the number of days of your trip is plenty.
C. Pants – One or two pairs.
D. Bras
E. Underwear
F. Pajamas
G. Socks – Bring one or two pairs above the number of days you are planning to wear real shoes.
H. Swimwear – Two per person. Hang wet suits in the bathroom and alternate.
I. Walking shoes
J. Sandals or flip-flops
K. Nice shirts – Only if you plan to visit nicer restaurants.
L. Nice shoes – Only if visiting somewhere that requires said shoes.
M. Workout gear – Only if you will actually use it.
N. Rain jacket – If needed.
O. Water shoes – Optional, but you might want them. The sand in Hawaii is hot like the sun.
What Not to Include in Your Packing List for Hawaii Vacations
A. A sewing kit
B. Wrinkle release spray– Steam from the shower has the same effect.
C. An iron
4. Accessories
What to Take to Hawaii
A. Hair ties
B. Goggles
C. Sunglasses – In addition to or instead of hats.
D. Hats – In addition to or instead of sunglasses.
E. Ponchos – If needed.
F. Jewelry – Think minimal and cheap.
G. Belt – If needed.
What Not to Include in Your Hawaii Packing Checklist
A. Umbrella – Ponchos are easier to manage.
B. A large selection of expensive jewelry
5. What to Pack for Hawaii with Babies
What to Pack
A. Stroller – Instead of a baby sling.
B. Formula and baby food
C. Baby sling – Instead of a stroller.
D. Bibs
E. Car seat – Unless you are renting one from a rental car company or ground transportation provider makes sense for you.
F. Sippy cups
G. Breast pump and accessories
H. Bottles
I. Diapers – Both regular and swim.
J. Wipes
K. Pacifiers
L. Bottle cleaner
M. Dish soap to wash bottles
What Not to Pack
A. Baby monitor – The rooms aren’t that big.
B. Pack and Play – Unless your hotel doesn’t provide one, which is unlikely.
C. High chair – This seems like a lot of work for not much payoff.
6. Toiletries
Pro tip: Purchase travel bottles to bring your favorite products in smaller quantities.
What to Bring to Hawaii
A. Contact solution and extra contacts
B. Glasses
C. Chapstick
D. Hand sanitizer
E. Toothpaste
F. Mouthwash
G. Floss
H. Toothbrush
I. Face wash
J. Deodorant
K. Tissue
L. Cotton swabs
M. Sunscreen – Be sure it’s reef safe.
N. Lotion – Only bring it if you need a special kind.
O. Shampoo – Only if you need a special kind, like tear-free.
P. Conditioner – Only if you want or need a specific kind.
Q. Body wash – Only if you need a specific kind.
R. Loofah
S. Razor
T. Feminine hygiene products
U. Makeup
V. Makeup remover
W. Hairbrush
X. Hair styling products
Y. Tweezers
Z. Bug spray
AA. Nail file
What Not to Add to Your Checklist
A. Hair dryer – Confirm that your hotel provides one.
B. Nail clippers – Clip your nails before you leave or use a file.
C. Nail polish – Paint from the comfort of your home.
7. Medications and First Aid
You need your medications, but you don’t need a three-month supply. Condense.
Things to Bring to Hawaii
A. Thermometer
B. Any necessary medical equipment
C. Medications
D. Vitamins
E. Pain relievers – For both children and adults.
F. BAND-AIDs
G. Antibacterial cream
H. Dramamine – If you plan to sail on a boat.
What to Omit From Your List
A. Full bottles of anything
8. Miscellaneous Things to Pack for a Trip to Hawaii
What to Add to Your Packing List
B. Hotel and airplane entertainment
C. Snacks – Only what you need for travel. Visit a local grocery store upon arrival.
D. Gum
E. Cell phones and chargers
F. Waterproof cell phone case – If you want to take pictures in the water.
G. Beach toys – Buying them at a local grocery store is also an option.
H. Autograph book – If you are staying at Aulani and your kid cares.
I. Cooling towels – Only if it will be really hot during your trip or you are planning some hiking trips.
J. Floaties or life jackets
K. Portable cell phone chargers
What Not to Add to Your Packing List
A. Shoe organizer – You shouldn’t have enough shoes to require organization.
B. Pool toys
C. Cameras – Phones have cameras now.
D. Night light – Leave the bathroom light on and the door cracked.
E. Hamper – An empty suitcase is a rolling laundry basket.
F. Cooler
G. Extra towels
H. Travel clothesline and clips – People bring these to hang their swimsuits. The shower curtain rod does the same job.
I. Expensive electronics
J. Selfie sticks and extension poles
9. Hawaii Beach Packing List
What to Add to Your Packing List
A. Identification for adults
B. Cell phone and portable cell phone charger
C. Methods of payment
D. Sunscreen – Be sure it is reef-safe.
E. Hats
F. Sunglasses
G. Hand Sanitizer
H. Feminine hygiene products
I. Tissue
J. Gum and snacks
K. Pain relievers
L. Ponchos or rain jackets
M. Chapstick
N. Refillable water bottle
O. BAND-AIDs
P. Beach toys
Q. Waterproof cell phone case
R. Baby stuff you need on a typical day
S. Change of clothes or swimsuits – If necessary depending upon what you are doing.
T. Water shoes – The sand in Hawaii is hot like whatever club Nelly was in when he wrote that song. Flip flops are an alternative, but be sure you have something.
U. Floaties or life jackets
Final Thoughts – What to Pack for Hawaii with Kids
Hawaii is amazing, but it is a haul for most families. Don’t add to your travel stress by overpacking. Know what to pack for Hawaii so you have what you need and not what you don’t.
Visit Hawaii with kids. You will not regret it.
