READY. SET. GO: Keiki travel kits that inspire journeys

Danielle Via’s story is one of light, resilience, and a spark of inspiration that illuminates every corner of her business journey. As the owner of Let’s Go Kiddo!, an eco-friendly brand crafting travel kits to entertain and educate kids, Danielle's mission is quite simple: to make traveling with children more meaningful, enriching, and fun.

The idea for Let’s Go Kiddo! was born in 2019 when Danielle’s husband casually suggested she share her homemade travel kits with the world. At the time, she had been crafting personalized kits for her own two boys during family trips—complete with coloring pages, puzzles, and journals tailored to their destination. These kits weren’t just about keeping kids busy; they introduced little ones to the culture of their destinations, helping them see the world through a creative lens.

In March 2020, just as Danielle launched her business, the pandemic grounded travel worldwide. Imagine starting a business rooted in travel, but no one was packing any bags - we all hardly left our homes. But instead of letting the moment dim her vision, she pivoted.

Danielle began designing flashcard sets that offered positive reminders and resilience themes to children stuck at home. Drawing on her years of experience as an educator—she ran a home-based preschool in Kihei, Maui, since 2014—Danielle understood how to create products that nurtured young minds and spirits. Her flashcards, soon followed by holiday-themed kits for Halloween and Christmas, became a hit with parents desperate for engaging, educational tools.

“Moms would tell me, ‘We love this set—what’s next?’” Danielle recalls. Listening to her customers became the spark that drove her product development.

Today, Let’s Go Kiddo! offers an array of innovative products such as activity kits with eco-friendly flashcards for memory, writing, and counting, educational board games, coloring sets, journals and even seeds for planting, encouraging a love for nature.

Every product reflects Danielle’s commitment to sustainability. She uses 100 percent recycled cardstock, eco-friendly ink, and works with carbon-neutral companies. Plastics are notably absent, ensuring her creations respect the planet her children will inherit.

Danielle’s passion is powered by her family. Her two boys actively contribute to Let’s Go Kiddo!—her eldest even joins her at conventions and markets. “They say I light up when I talk about my business,” she shares. That light shines through her creative process, her customer interactions, and her dedication to making every detail meaningful.

“This job lights me up,” Danielle says. She claims that even when life’s realities and challenges felt heavy, this work felt light for her —both in weight and brilliance. “It was my spark.”

For Danielle, the path forward is about following that spark and sharing it with others. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Find something close to your heart that makes someone else’s life better. Just try. If you have the spark, go for it. And find your people—other small business owners. It’s amazing how many are willing to help.”

Danielle Via isn’t just building a business; she’s crafting moments of joy, curiosity, and light for families everywhere. With every kit she creates, she brightens the journeys of little travelers and the lives of those who guide them.

So pack your bags! Let’s go, indeed.

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