Visit Hawaii - ages for children

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We are going to take our grandsons to Hawaii, and currently thinking of going in 2009 or 2010. The boys will 6 -7 and 8-9. Since they won't be going back for a few years, is that a good age or should we wait till they are older? If so, what is a good age?

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We started taking our dds when the oldest was 18 months old. But, we have a timeshare there and went every summer. When the girls were smaller they were just as happy playing in the swimming pool at the timeshare, but as they got older they enjoyed (and appreciated) the ocean, snorkeling, boogy-boarding, visiting the volcano.............on and on. I think your grandsons would enjoy the trip at just about any age.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

We have been taking our kids since birth...now 9 and 4. There are many things to do....it depends on what you want to do. We usually traveled with other people so we had trusted relatives to watch the kids why we went horseback riding, zip lining, snorkeling, etc. But we now go on our own and the kids participate when they can. They love the beach.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Eric,

It is a Loooong trip for them.

DS was the one who wanted to go to Hawaii the year we went and he was 8 then. I looked at him and said "You know how long that trip is to Papa's at the beach?" "Yes" he said <he had been making the NY to LA flight since before he could walk at least twice a year.> "Well" I said "It's TWO of those". His reply was "I can do that". and so we did.

I don't know how often your little guys fly but try to make them understand the timelines. Maybe "It will take TWO full schooldays to get there". Then pack everything you can think of, from Nintendo portables to DVD players.

We did the major sites on Oahu for 2 days and then a week on Kauai. DS snorkeled Kee beach with me for hours and we also took a snorkel trip by boat around the Napali coast.
He had seen seals in California but one came and swam with US in Poipu. There a lot of things for younger kids to do.



FWIW We had no regrets. DS traveled it well and we had a great time.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

We took our kids to Hawaii when they were 12 and 9. The 12 year old is 25 now and remembers the trip pretty well. The 9 year old is 22 now and she remembers very little, even when she looks at photos.

She does remember her brother trying to drown her in the pool, although my son has no recollection of that!

[LisaH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LisaH]

We first took our kids to Hawaii when they were 4 and 7. We have been going almost every year since. They both still remember the first trip and talk about learning how to snorkel in the swimming pool for the first time.

[swilshire Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close swilshire]

We were concerned about our 7yo making the long trip last year, but he tolerated it better than us older folks. In fact, coming back he fell asleep before we left the runway and slept all the way to Salt Lake City.

The thing he remembers most, I think, is the hula dancing with the activities director at the Kona Hawaiian Village. He springs into dance any time he hears that type of music.

Our older kids were 12, 18, and 20. All found things they enjoyed during the trip. I wouldn't worry too much about waiting until they are just the right age. If you want to go, go and enjoy.

They'll like the beaches, the turtles, the volcano and lots of other things. You'll do things that will bore them perhaps, but what else is new.

Sheila