The Best Island Activities for Kids at Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island is a historic South Carolina tourist town with miles of picturesque shoreline from the Atlantic Ocean. Hilton Head offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including swimming, boating, hiking, shopping, watching dolphins, birding, and observing wildlife while still maintaining its island feel.
The following list of family-friendly activities in Hilton Head is for your reference.
Best Things To Do With Kids on Hilton Head
Coligny Beach Park
The most crowded beach on Hilton Head Island is just next to the magnificent Coligny Beach Park.
From Coligny Beach Park and the parking lots of Coligny Circle, one of the prettiest walks leads to Coligny Plaza’s stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. The museum, which has been open since 2005 and is conveniently next to Coligny Beach Park, offers many entertaining, hands-on activities that inspire kids to explore and learn about their surroundings. In addition, Coligny Beach Park is only a short distance from the Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island, which offers a pleasant, green setting. The Best Western Ocean Breeze Inn is well-known for its tidy, comfortable accommodations, complimentary breakfast, and proximity to Coligny Park Plaza.
Harbour Town
Discover the history and culture of Hilton Head by exploring the Harbour Town Lighthouse and ascending more than 100 steps to enjoy the view. Then, play at the Gregg Russell Playground, modeled after nature and has a sizable tree house built around a natural oak. Before settling in for an outdoor concert beneath the famous Liberty Oak, stroll the shops and get a snack at The Quarterdeck. Since more than 40 years ago, Gregg Russell has hosted family-friendly music concerts that are equal parts singalong and reunion.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum is recognizable with its white and red stripes. In addition to being a museum with a rich history, it serves as a crucial navigational aid for yachts and other vessels crossing the Intracoastal Waterway and the Harbour Town Marina. The 90-foot-tall Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum, constructed and completed in 1970, is home to several entertaining displays that may be seen while ascending its many stairs.
Adventure Cove
Do you prefer mini golf or a fun arcade? You might do both incredibly entertaining activities on your next family outing at Adventure Cove Family Fun Center. You may put your skills to the test in a variety of ways at Hilton Head’s Adventure Cove Family Fun Center! Let’s start with a round of mini golf! There are TWO mini golf courses nearby: Paradise Falls and Lost Lagoon. Better try both to see which one you like! It’s a good time for people of all ages because the courses are enjoyable for kids while yet being hard for adults. Remember to try for that hole-in-one as well! In their arcade, stocked with a selection of games ranging from the most traditional to the most interactive available, you can test your abilities after scoring a hole-in-one to celebrate. The entire family can enjoy something here! You can also take home some fun prizes, such as electronics or soft cuddly toys if you collect tickets and redeem them. Adventure Cove is ready and waiting to start making those family memories, putting the FUN in the family fun center!
Lawton Stables
Lawton Stables provides horseback riding and other activities in the center of the stunning resort island of Hilton Head, South Carolina. You can ride through trails, forests, and lakes on over 600 lush acres of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. This is the ultimate way to truly see the Lowcountry in its natural setting. Our horses are well-loved and proudly cared for, and they’ll be your dependable travel partner. Children aged seven and younger can ride ponies, and everyone is welcome to visit our animal farm, which has a fantastic assortment of little animals for feeding and enjoying. In addition, a gift shop has an enormous variety of items relating to horses.
Folly Field Beach Park
During a visit to Hilton Head, plenty of local activities, shopping, restaurants, and sights keep everyone occupied. However, many tourists prioritize spending time at its beautiful beaches and being outdoors. At Folly Field Beach Park, spend time outdoors and on the beach. Have fun in Hilton Head and unwind while exploring and experiencing a new location. For a small family or romantic break that includes time at Folly Field Beach Park, there are units as little as one bedroom and as large as seven bedrooms for a big family or group reunion! Access to private outside areas like a terrace, balcony, or pool will be available to you. Best of all, 24-hour beach access is yours! Inside, unwind in chic bedrooms. Spread out in the open living space after preparing a meal in the fully furnished kitchen.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is a whole adventure island on its own. The family can enjoy spectacular beaches, amusement parks with exhilarating rides, hundreds of attractions, and yearly festivals. Myrtle Beach truly is a child’s paradise. The city’s beaches, which are well-known for their sand and calm ocean waves, are home to many family-friendly activities. Additionally, it has a ton of indoor playgrounds and kid-friendly activities that will amuse adults.
Here are some of our top suggestions for fun things to do with kids in Myrtle Beach:
1. Aloha Watersports
Aloha Watersports offers a range of cutting-edge bicycles and watersports equipment for rent. Some thrilling activities include surfing, parasailing, jet-ski, pontoon, stand-up paddleboard, and riding banana boats. It has professionals ready to enlighten new members of your family. The on-site surf shop sells souvenirs like t-shirts and tote bags to help you remember you are a wonderful experience. With kids six and older, it’s the perfect activity.
2. Ripley’s Aquarium
Thousands of vibrant aquatic species are on display at Ripley’s Aquarium, making it the perfect place to take a break on any rainy day in the city. First, look at the fantastic moving walkway, a popular tourist attraction that moves through a glass tunnel inside the enormous shark tank. Next, pet the cuddly stingrays and delicious horseshoe crabs. Two aquarium exhibits that you must see are Rainbow Rock and the Sea-For-Yourself Discovery Center. One of the best family activities in Myrtle Beach is going to the aquarium, particularly because it is great for kids of all ages.
3. Family Kingdom
The Family Kingdom is a family-friendly water and entertainment park with a seaside motif. First, ride the family-friendly roller coasters at Family Kingdom, including the classic wooden Swamp Fox. Afterward, head to Splashes Water Park to ride the water slides, coasters, and flumes. Family Kingdom is suitable for kids aged six and up.
4. Myrtle Waves
Myrtle Waves, the largest water park in the area, contains more than a million water gallons on its sizable acreage. During the summer, youngsters will love the thrilling family-friendly attractions at this water park, which is well-known to them. You and your children will enjoy participating in its exciting family-friendly activities, such as its raft rides. In addition, the park offers turbo twisters and other giant slides for the more courageous. Myrtle Waves, however, is only accessible during the summer. Therefore, the rides and activities at Myrtle Waves are suitable for kids older than six.
5. Dolphin Cruise and Dolphin Tours
On one of the nearby dolphin cruises, you have a great chance of seeing a dolphin while you’re on vacation in Hilton Head! After all, the Travel Channel named Hilton Head one of the top 10 places to see dolphins in North America! Although most groups migrate according to the seasons, Lowcountry dolphins stay in Hilton Head all year round since they like the mild weather; thus, any time is perfect to go dolphin spotting! In addition, you can take advantage of complimentary activities like dolphin cruises when you make a reservation with Hilton Head Properties. Here are the top 3 dolphin cruises in Hilton Head that your family will enjoy:
- Island Skiff Tours for Adventure
Dolphin-watching boat tours are available through Island Skiff Adventure Tours. You will travel 25 to 30 miles on your tour through salt marshes and nearby rivers. There will also be other stops where you can see dolphins and take pictures! Your tour guide will address things you didn’t know about Hilton Head, show some hidden jewels, and explain local history. You will enjoy driving your 2-person catamaran while the guide will lead the route in a different but identical boat. With the help of the outboard motors of these CraigCat catamaran boats, you can travel at 30 mph! In addition, the Bimini tops on each catamaran provide shade for passengers who desire it while out on the adventure.
- Dolphin Tours on Hilton Head Island with One HHI
The Hilton Head Island Dolphin Tours run by One HHI are yet another of the best dolphin tours in Hilton Head that your family will adore! This expert tour operator provides several 1.5 to 2-hour dolphin experiences. Dolphin Tours Hilton Head offers sightseeing tours that are entirely narrated. In addition, you will see beautiful scenery, the adored Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and historic sites! While hunting for dolphins and other marine creatures, the Disappearing Island Dolphin Tour provides an opportunity to learn about the local ecosystem. The Pirate Ship Dolphin Cruise will appeal to children in your family. They can also look for lost riches, paint their faces, and shoot water cannons!
- Dolphin Cruises Vagabond Cruise
While on vacation, Vagabond Cruise provides a few enticing choices to see dolphins, including their well-known Ocean Dolphin Cruise. There is only one ocean cruise on Hilton Head Island, a 90-minute narrated excursion. It flows south through Calibogue Sound to the Atlantic Ocean’s source. Watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins along the way as they frolic, swim, and feed in the tide! There are many options to see the attractions as well. You can catch glimpses of Harbour Town, South Beach, and the Tybee Lighthouse, among many other views! The fantastic Sunset Dolphin Cruise offered by Vagabond Cruise is the ideal way to round off a fun-filled day in Hilton Head!
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
A 4,000-acre forest preserve known as Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to several species of wildlife and natural environments. There are marshes, gravel roads, tiny islands, and other things. The variety of birds, such as ibis, woodpeckers, and cardinals, will be attractive to children. Make sure your kids use the restroom before traveling, and bring lots of water because there isn’t a visitor center. This is a beautiful way to spend time outside with the family and observe animals in their natural settings.
Butterfly Habitat
Hilton Head Island’s Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Enclosure at the Coastal Discovery Museum has become a tourist destination. The 1,200-square-foot screened shelter has large enough pilings to hold it through a hurricane and is surrounded by a profusion of plants. In addition, there are several host plants within and outside the enclosure to provide food for the butterfly larvae and a variety of nectar plants to feed the adult butterflies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Hilton Head a Family Beach?
Hilton Head is a family beach. There are many additional activities for kids to enjoy when visiting Hilton Head, and the sandy beaches will keep them occupied.
Which Part of Hilton Head Beach is the Best?
Coligny is by far the most popular beach on Hilton Head. You will see a fantastic splash fountain for youngsters en route to the beach.
Does Hilton Head Have a Boardwalk?
The numerous bike lanes and boardwalks for pedestrians in Hilton Head are notable features. From Coligny Beach Park and the parking lots of Coligny Circle, one of the prettiest walks leads to Coligny Plaza’s stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.
The Best Website for Publications on Hilton Head Island
You can plan your upcoming trip to Hilton Head using the insider knowledge from 101 Things To Do. We provide more than just options for your forthcoming staycation; we also offer trip reviews and itinerary advice for the Hilton Head region. This publication is for you if you seek in-depth testimonies from the everyday person or family.