The Brightside: Leslie Carvitto on Travelling With Kids
My son Weston LOVES the airport. And “obsessed” isn’t an exaggeration. I’m not sure if it’s nature, nurture, or the thrill of watching aeroplanes take off, but it works in our favour. With two American expat parents who love adventure and have family spread across the globe, travel is practically a family requirement—both out of necessity and love.
Family and creating memorable experiences together are core values for us, so since Weston was born, we’ve prioritised tackling the long trip back to the U.S. to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our first attempt was, let’s say, “memorable.” Weston was six months old, and our 4pm flight was delayed, and delayed again, and delayed some more. By 10pm, I was still rocking him in the Ergo, desperately hoping for a miracle announcement, when the airline finally broke the news: our flight was cancelled.
With all the airport hotels booked and home hours away, we caught an Uber to a hotel in Melbourne and barely slept before the morning flight. Add a missed connection and weeks of back-and-forth with the airline, and we found ourselves asking: Can we do this whole travel-with-kids thing?
Thankfully, the rest of the trip was smooth sailing, and we’ve picked up a few tricks (and plenty of patience). While airline delays are still out of our control, we’ve learned a lot about making travel with a kid a bit smoother.
Most recently, we spent time in Hawaii soaking up the sunshine, splashing in gentle waves, and enjoying family-friendly adventures. Oahu is incredibly kid-friendly, making our trip a breeze! Read on for my favourite tips for travelling with kids and family-friendly highlights on the island of Oahu.
5 Tips For Travelling With Kids
1. Prioritise a Flexible Schedule
2. Plan Activities Everyone Will Love
3. Pack Smart Entertainment
4. Keep Essentials Easily Accessible
*Always double-check that you have your survival bag before leaving your accommodation. There’s nothing worse than being out and about for the day and realising you’ve left it behind.
5. Check in with Each Other Daily
Kid-Friendly Spots on Oahu
Take the train ride through the pineapple fields and explore the world’s largest maze!
The Zoo in Waikiki:
42-acre zoo in the heart of Waikiki.
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden:
Free to visit and has over 32 acres of hiking trails that wind through the gardens, forested areas, and a lake.
Keiki and Plow:
An organic farm in Honolulu has a mission to inspire health, empower kids, and grow the community through sustainable agriculture.
The best beaches
Sharks Cove on the North Shore:
Rocky tidal pools on the North Shore is great for snorkelling and young kids.
Oahu favourites:
Kailua, Lani Kai, Waimanalo, Kaimanas and Waimea Bay.
Diamond Head:
For kids that are up to a bit of a walk, the 2.5-kilometre round trip to the summit provides sweeping sea views.
The Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki:
Yes, it’s a huge shopping centre, but it’s also home to free cultural lessons and performances like hula, ukulele, and lei-making classes.
Shop holiday essentials for the whole family:
