The first time my husband and I visited Hawaii together, we quickly understood why so many people choose it for a romantic getaway. The stunning scenery, the beautiful beaches, and the Aloha spirit made it the perfect place to unwind and connect as a couple.
A few years later, we returned for our honeymoon, spending two weeks exploring Kauai and Maui, and we continued to fall in love with these islands.
Fast forward eight years, and our lives have changed. We now have a very busy, active one-year-old daughter. When my family first suggested a Hawaiian vacation this year, the thought of traveling so far, adjusting to the time difference, and managing a toddler on a long flight seemed daunting.
However, we both craved the calming, joyful feeling we experienced on our previous trips and decided to go ahead with a Hawaiian vacation — this time with our little one.
We had to manage our expectations. This wouldn’t be the romantic vacation we had in the past. It would be drastically different, with much less relaxation, but we were excited to make it work.
Where We Stayed: Poipu on Kauai’s South Side
We chose to stay in Poipu on the sunny south side of Kauai. Given we were traveling in February (the rainy season), this area offered the lowest risk of rain, and the weather did not disappoint!
Instead of a swanky resort, we opted for a vacation rental that we shared with the rest of my family. We booked through Savvy, a vacation rental platform that allows travelers to book professionally hosted properties directly, without service fees.
This saved us $800 compared to booking through Airbnb or VRBO, which was a huge bonus!
Our condo was at Pili Mai, just a 5-minute drive from Poipu Beach and right next to Poipu Shopping Village, where we found several great restaurants. The condo had three bedrooms, making it the perfect fit for our family, with plenty of space for our daughter to run around.
She loved going out onto the patio every morning to look for wild chickens and birds. Pili Mai also had a pool, which we took advantage of, especially on warmer days.
The condo came equipped with a pack-and-play and highchair, which was a lifesaver since we didn’t have to bring extra luggage. Less luggage is always a win when traveling with a toddler!
We also rented beach toys and a set of books and toys for the condo through BabyQuip, which kept our daughter entertained when we weren’t out exploring.
Beach Time: Poipu Beach and Beyond
When we got to Poipu Beach, our daughter was in heaven. The beach is perfect for little ones because the water is calm and the sand is soft. She spent hours playing in the sand and watching the big turtles that came ashore each afternoon to sunbathe.
Even now that we’re home, she’s still constantly talking about the turtles, and her favorite stuffed animal is the turtle we bought her while we were there.
We ventured beyond Poipu and discovered more toddler-friendly beaches and activities. Anini Beach was another favorite, with shallow, flat water that was perfect for our toddler to splash around in. Lydgate Beach Park was another hit, especially because of the Kamalani Playground located just across the street.
The playground had activities for kids of all ages, and our daughter couldn’t get enough of it.
Exploring Kauai: Scenic Hikes and Adventures
Beyond the beach, we also drove up to Waimea Canyon for a day of hiking. It’s best to go early when it’s cooler, as this area of the island can get quite hot. The canyon is breathtaking, with scenic drives, lookouts, and short hikes to enjoy.
Another highlight was the Kauai Plantation Railway at Kilohana. Our daughter loved the train ride, which was the perfect duration for a toddler. The ride took us through groves of mango, banana, papaya, and pineapple, and there was a stop where everyone could get off to feed goats, pigs, and cows.
Kauai Dining with a Toddler
Dining with a toddler isn’t always the easiest, but we had several meals on the island that were worth going out for. At Poipu Shopping Village, we enjoyed Keoki’s Paradise, where we indulged in the famous Hawaiian Hula Pie.
We also loved the food trucks in nearby Old Koloa Town, which provided a perfect opportunity for our daughter to run around while we waited for our food.
Thanks to the grandparents, my husband and I also enjoyed a date night at Japanese Grandma’s Café in Hanapepe. This quaint little town had a bustling market the night we were there, and the charming patio of the restaurant was the perfect setting for delicious sushi.
While our daughter didn’t join us for this meal, she would have been more than welcome, as many families were dining there too.
One activity I wasn’t sure about with a toddler was attending the Luau Ka Hikina at the Sheraton Kauai Beach Resort in Kapa’a. I’m so glad I was wrong! This turned out to be one of my daughter’s favorite experiences of the trip.
The location was beautiful, and she was able to run around on the lawn before the event started. Once the performance began, she was entranced, and she thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food; we all did! If you have a toddler, you know how picky they can be with food. The luau was a highlight for our entire family.
Tips for Traveling with a Toddler
Traveling on an 8-hour flight and managing the time change with a toddler is no easy feat, but it’s doable. Even though our daughter wasn’t quite two yet, we decided to buy her a seat. This gave us an entire row to ourselves, which made things much easier.
We also brought an FAA-approved car seat for the plane, which allowed her to nap, enjoy some screen time, play with stickers, and snack to stay occupied.
She adjusted to the time change much quicker than we expected, which was a pleasant surprise. The key here was to go with the flow and try our best to quickly get her on the current time zone. If she woke up early, we made it work and enjoyed the sunrise.
Were there challenging moments? Of course — that’s just traveling with children. But despite the occasional hurdles, we will forever cherish the memories we made.
Kauai’s relaxed atmosphere was perfect for a family trip, and while it wasn’t the romantic getaway we had pre-kids, we still felt that joyful Hawaiian spirit as a family of three.
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Author Bio: Kirstin is a Denver-based writer who has traveled internationally since childhood. She looks forward to sharing the world with her daughter and inspiring families to venture out on trips of their own through her writing.
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