Decide on the travel dates. Plan around school vacation times. Reserving a hotel in advance can lead to large savings. Hawaii can be a very expensive destination, so be sure to check around for a good deal. There really isn't an off season, but traveling between mid January to April and after Labor Day though the mid-part of December is more cost-effective.
Choose which island in Hawaii the family would like to stay on. Each island offers something different. The island of Oahu has the world-famous Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor. Maui boasts the world class Maui Ocean Center marine park and the Big Island is home to the world's most active and largest volcano complete with a national park.
Check online for special deals. You can find special packages and more tips on planning a Hawaiian vacation for your family.
Select a hotel that offers family activities. Some hotels offer packages designed just for families, like free meals with a paying adult, kid-friendly pools and fun learning programs for kids. Starwood Hawaii has hotels on four islands and even offers a dolphin encounter at their Waikiki site, while the Kona Village Resort has individual huts for a more rustic trip but is all inclusive with meals, kayaking, catch and release fishing, snorkeling and sailing.
Plan activities for everyone to enjoy. Take a trip down to the beach to collect seashells and build sandcastles. Schedule a trip on a glass bottomed boat or even a helicopter ride to see the sights. There are also many museums and aquariums for fun and learning.
Pack accordingly. Everyone knows to bring swimsuits and shorts, but Hawaii has many climactic zones and some mountaintops have snow. It's always a good idea to pack a jacket, a long pair of pants and a nice outfit for dinner out. Don't forget comfortable shoes for each family member.
