Aloha everyone! Are you looking for a little break and to enjoy a tropical vacation? Being stuck at home is certainly no fun, especially in the summer when the weather is perfect for a trip to the beach by yourself, with your friends, or with the family. Fortunately, you can enjoy your time at home with a ‘staycation’ – a home vacation that your family will absolutely love! It is as simple as putting together some cool decorations, playing fun tropical music, trying out a new cuisine, and gathering as a family to just enjoy! Here are 5 ways you can have a Hawaiian vacation at home with your family.

1. Get Decorations. To create the feel of a real Hawaiian vacation, fun decorations are a must! Oriental Trading is an awesome website that has a ton of tropical and luau themed décor. Some essential decorations you will need are leis and hula skirts, themed paper dinnerware, a DIY photo booth with Hawaiian props, and fun wall decorations. Adding a few simple decorations around your living room will create a colorful tropical environment, and the family will welcome a stay-at-home vacation!

Photo Credit: https://frogprincepaperie.com/easy-luau-party-ideas-for-tiki-bars/

2. Make Festive Drinks. For your Hawaiian party to be even more festive and fun, tropical drinks are a must. These drinks can be made for the adults and can be altered for the kids too. The popular Hawaiian drink to try is the Mai Tai, which was brought to Hawaii by a California gentleman in 1953. The second must have drink for the family is a homemade Hawaiian Punch recipe. Hawaiian punch is a crowd pleaser and is a delicious drink for both adults and kids.  Lastly, we recommend the Lava Flow which is a tasty drink that can be made alcoholic or non-alcoholic; it will leave your taste buds smiling!

3. Play Fun Games. For any party to be a hit, you need to have games and activities to keep it exciting! A classic Hawaiian game to start with is the limbo. All you need to do is to purchase a bamboo stick from your local craft or home-improvement store. Another fun game you and the family will enjoy is a hula hoop contest. Get some hula hoops from any local convenience store and have a contest of who can hula hoop the longest. Third, we recommend the ‘Ulu Maika, which is a traditional Hawaiian game that is played by trying to roll a disc between a goal, resembling today’s bowling. This is a fun family game as well an authentic Hawaiian activity!

Photo Credit: https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/limbo/news-story/dd464cdb6f3f4e41f8e335b52d3d4e39

4. Put on some Hawaiian Music. Every party needs a great playlist! Playing some tropical and Hawaiian music will complete the ambiance of your stay-at-home vacation. A few classic songs to play are Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo and Stitch, and Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley. Music apps also offer a great variety of pre-made playlists perfect for any occasion. Spotify’s The Hawaiian Party playlist is perfect for you Hawaiian vacation.

Photo Credit: https://alternative-hawaii.com/music/index.html

5. Eat Some Hawaiian Cuisine. To complete your Hawaiian vacation at home, you need to eat according to the theme. There are many well-known Hawaiian recipes that you must try. Poke is a classic meal that Hawaiians enjoy regularly. Poke is mix between a salad and sushi and can be personalized to your liking. Another must try dish is Manapua. This is an extremely popular dish that consists of a bun with pork inside. Add a sweet treat to the cuisine with Shaved Ice – it is a favorite desert in Hawaii. Do try out these meals and you will feel like you are enjoying a fancy dinner in Hawaii.

Trying out traditional Hawaiian recipes, drinks, and games is a great way to learn about the Hawaiian culture when you are not able to visit it first hand. These 5 ideas are sure to help you create an a fun Hawaiian vacation at home, where your family will have a blast and make memories that will last forever. Remember, it is not about where you are, but about who you are with, so take a family trip to your new Hawaiian themed living room for a memorable at home vacation! Create your Hawaiian at-home vacation and share your pictures with us on social media!