Join us as we travel Around the World with Disney Movies! Explore Polynesian culture & cuisine through Lilo & Stitch and Moana. We will explore the culture, food, music, and traditions of Polynesia with crafts and activities. View our companion Lilo & Stitch Luau and Moana posts here.
Explore Hawaii
1. Learn More about Hawaii
Get to know Hawaii through books, videos, and other multi-media resources. Below are some resources our family recommends. Click on the photo or video to view.
Hawaii is made up of 8 main islands, all of which were formed from massive volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Learn about the history and formation of Hawaii with this video from Bedtime History.
National Geographic Kids has an interesting slideshow of facts about Hawaii.
The islands of Hawaii are amazingly beautiful, each one in its own way. Watch this 4K video footage of Kauai where Lilo & Stitch is set.
he islands of Hawaii formed from volcanoes and today Hawaii has 5 active volcanoes. The lava from the most recent volcanoes have left beaches with black sand along the coast. Watch this video from Smithsonian about the volcanoes of Hawaii.
1. Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis
2. A is for Aloha by Stephanie Feeney
3. A Kid’s Guide to Hawaii by Jack L. Roberts
4. The Magic Tree House High Tide in Hawaii by Mary Pope Osborn
5. A True Book: Hawaiian Volcanoes by Karina Hamalainen
6. Maia Hooks the Islands by Gabrielle Ahulii
7. Pig Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawaii by Gerald McDermott
8. Prints in the Sand: My Journey with Nanea by Erin Fallagant
2. Learn about Luaus
Learn hula basics with iHula Hawaii. You can dance along with Lynn to “He Mele No Lilo” from the movie Lilo and Stitch.
Fire Dancing is often performed at traditional Hawaiian luaus. Learn about the history of fire dancing and watch a fire dancing performance from a Lilo & Stitch themed luau.
The lei is usually given to someone who is arriving or leaving as a symbol of love or friendship. Learn about the history of leis with this video from Great Big Story. Then make your own haku lei flower crown from real flowers with this tutorial from Postcards from Hawaii.
Play some fun luau games. Get ideas for 10 fun kid friendly luau games from The Spruce
3. Cook some Polynesian Food
Try some traditional Polynesian recipes:
- Pupu Platter from Martha Stewart (featured on our Lilo & Stitch dinner)
- Slow Cooker Kalua Pork from Dinner then Dessert
- Sweet Hawaiian Slow Cooker Chicken from Key Ingredient (featured on our Lilo & Stitch dinner)
- Loco Moco from Mission Food
- Authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad from Fav Family Recipes
- Tropical Fruit Salad (featured on our Lilo & Stitch dinner)
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls from African Bites
- Chocolate Haupia Pie from Fav Family Recipes
- Hawaiian Butter Mochi from The Kitchn
Hawaiian - Layered Berry Smoothie from The First Year Blog (featured on our Lilo & Stitch dinner)
4. Make a Polynesian Inspired Art Project
Polynesia is home to many beautiful flowers, but the Yellow Hibiscus is the Hawaiian state flower. Learn to draw a hibiscus with this video tutorial from Art Hub for Kids.
Green Sea Turtles are an endangered species that live along Hawaii’s shores. They can live up to 80 years in the wild! Create a sea turtle foil collage with this tutorial from Deep Space Sparkle.
Stitch is such a fun character! Just for fun, try drawing Stitch with this video tutorial from Disney Parks.
Learn to draw Moana with artist Grace Lee on this episode of Disney Quick Draw.
Pineapples are grown on large farms in Polynesia and are called “halakahiki” which means “foreign fruit.” Try making a handprint Pineapple Canvas with this tutorial from Glued to My Crafts Blog.
5. Experience Polynesia Music
Enjoy this playlist of Hawaiian luau music from Celebration Sounds.
Learn about traditional Hawaiian instruments with this video from Kaleokani.
Most people know that Hawaii is famous for hula. Watch this short documentary about hula dancing from Ben Shapiro.
6. Learn about Hawaiian Culture
There are several official languages in Hawaii- English, ‘Olelo Hawaiian, and Pidgin. Learn some basic Hawaiian Words and Phrases with Moana’s Auli’i Cravalho.
Learn about Polynesian Culture with this video from the Polynesian Cultural Center.
7. Watch Movies set in Polynesia
Celebrate all you’ve learned by watching a Disney movie set in Hawaii. Some of our favorites are Moana, Lilo & Stitch, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch, Stitch! the Movie, and Leroy & Stitch.
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