Tips for Traveling to Maui with Babies and Toddlers
Let’s be honest, a lot of people think of Maui purely as a honeymoon or babymoon destination, and while it is an amazing spot for those things, I want you to know that it’s also a wonderful place to travel with your family. If you have babies or toddlers in the fam, you might be surprised to know just how family-friendly Maui really is. Trust me, my family of five loves enjoying everything Maui has to offer.
As a mama of three and Maui resident, I want to share some of my best tips on traveling to Maui with babies or toddlers in tow.
1. STOCK UP ON SNACKS AND WATER
Okay, well, this may be a no-brainer, especially if you’re a mama. Always, always have snacks! This is especially important while traveling! I highly recommend stocking up on your kids’ favorite snacks when you arrive and fully stock your room, car, purse… everywhere! Your kids will be extra hungry while traveling and exploring a new place, so having a snack handy at all times will be very helpful. (Also… you will be hungry too! Get snacks for yourself, mama.)
2. PLAN AND ENJOY DOWNTIME
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make while traveling in Maui is to jam-pack their schedules. I always highly recommend planning for downtime throughout your visit! With littles, try to plan the big activity of the day around their naps as much as possible. During their naps, you could still do a car tour while they snooze in a car seat, OR you can take that time to relax in the room yourself. Just plan for and enjoy the downtime! You’ll all need it.
3. PRIORITIZE SUN PROTECTION
Don’t let a sunburn ruin your dream family vacation! Make sure you are diligent about using sun protection with your kiddos and your entire family. DO NOT forget about yourself! Bring ALL the cute baby sun gear, such as hats, long sleeves, and umbrellas.
4. EMBRACE THE TIME CHANGE
The truth is that your kiddos might struggle with the time change (or not, lucky you). In all likelihood, they’ll probably wake up much earlier than you’d like, BUT I would just lean into this! Try to plan your activity for early in the morning, enjoy a calm and quiet swim, or take your family vacation photos.
5. CHOOSE TODDLER-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
You might not be able to take your baby snorkeling. But there’s so much to do in Maui that you won’t even notice the things that you can’t do. Check out the list below to see some of my favorite toddler and baby-friendly activities in Maui.
Road to Hana — The PERFECT driving tour of Maui!!
Attend a Luau — Experience a traditional Luau with amazing food.
ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail — This paved trail is perfect for littles and brings you to the most beautiful view of the needle!
Maui Ocean Center — Your kids will LOVE this incredible aquarium.
Baby Beach — Check out the baby beach in Lahaina for calm waters and soft sand.
For more family-friendly ideas, check out this list of my 10 favorite things to do in Maui.
6. SWIM POOLSIDE OR BEACHSIDE
Hey, some kiddos don’t like the sand. You can still enjoy the ocean with them! Carry your baby into the ocean for a gentle swim. Or you can get a big towel or blanket to keep them off the sand. Choose to stay at a place that has a pool so your entire family can swim together and enjoy!
7. DOCUMENT YOUR MAUI VACATION WITH YOUR LITTLES
Okay, so you’re on a magical vacation with the people you love the most in the world!? This needs to be documented. Schedule Maui family photos on the beach with your beautiful babies. You’ll always have professional photos to look back on and smile.
MAUI FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
As a mom of three, I know what it’s like to travel with kiddos. It takes some extra planning and preparation, but it’s always SO WORTH IT!! I hope these tips help you plan your dream Maui vacation. If you’re interested in booking a session with me, please click here.
