Hilton Head, South Carolina is ranked every year as one of the top beach vacation destinations for families in the USA. It is brimming with activities for every age range. In this post, we’re sharing 6 fun things to do with kids in Hilton Head.
If you need help finding a place to stay for your family, jump to the end of this post to see our recommendations!
Want to eat delicious food during your trip? Check out our post on The Best Places to Eat in Hilton Head!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post about things to do with kids in Hilton Head are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission from your purchase which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits!
Pirate Cruise
Location: Harbour Town – Right beside lighthouse
We’re kicking off this list with our absolute favorite thing to do with kids in Hilton Head – a Pirate Cruise where kids get to shoot water cannons! This was a huge hit with Kayla’s daughter, especially since she is currently obsessed with pirates.
The tour meets in Harbour Town at a kiosk right next to the lighthouse. Kids are given name tags with special pirate names, pirate tattoos, and pirate themed face paint. They then learn some pirate lingo and hear the story of Stinky Pete – the mean (and very stinky!) pirate who has stolen treasure.
The little pirate crew then makes their way to the Black Dagger pirate ship where they head out on the ocean in search of Stinky Pete. Along the way, they’ll find clues in the water that lead them to Stinky Pete.
The highlight of the cruise is when the children get to blast Stinky Pete with water cannons and save the treasure! As a reward for defeating Stinky Pete, each child gets to leave with a handful of treasure from the treasure chest.
This tour is so incredibly well done. The guides are very interactive and stay in pirate character the whole time. They did a fantastic time patiently answering the kids’ questions and keeping everything orderly and safe on the boat.
Be on the lookout for dolphins while you’re on the cruise! Kayla’s family saw two during their adventure.
Things to Keep in Mind:
There is a $9 fee to enter the Harbour Town side of the island (cash only). We recommend arriving at least 1 hour before the tour, as parking is limited in Harbour Town. If you aren’t having any luck finding a spot, you can drive up to the Shops at Sea Pines and take the free trolley back toward Harbour Town.
Pirate attire isn’t required, but when else can you get away with wearing a pirate costume?! Kayla’s daughter wore this adorable Pirate dress costume that came with an eyepatch and sword. The same company makes a pirate costume with pants too. Foam swords are also available for purchase at the pirate kiosk.
Remember to take your sunscreen! The boat doesn’t have much shade. If you forget though, don’t worry – the pirate kiosk sometimes has some for sale, or you can take the short walk to the general store to buy some.
This tour sells out frequently, especially during peak months. So, book your tour in advance!
Adventure Ship Playground
Location: 90 Pope Avenue – Hilton Head, SC 29928
Keeping with the pirate theme, Hilton Head has a seriously cool pirate ship playground in Lowcountry Celebration Park. Your kids will LOVE playing on this double decker pirate ship that has climbing nets, cannons that shoot out mist, multiple slides, and a smaller boat that glides back and forth.
Parts of the lower half of the Adventure Ship Playground are accessible, with a ramp and wider path leading to the gliding boat. The gliding boat has enough room for a wheelchair to fit as well, making it a fun place for all to enjoy.
Outside the Adventure Ship Playground, there are more fun activities not to be missed! There is a smaller scale playground that is less stimulating than the pirate ship and an easier level of play for smaller children. There is also a large sandy area for kids to play in, swings, and a splash pad area that is made to look like a riverbed – so don’t forget your swimsuit!
Branching off from the playground area, there are boardwalks that go out over the water, allowing you to see birds, turtles, and sometimes alligators in their natural habitats. There is also a large field that is perfect for having a picnic or playing family lawn games.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum
Location: 80 Nassau Street – Hilton Head, SC 29928
The Sandbox Children’s Museum is located directly next to Adventure Ship Playground. If you park at one, you can easily walk over to the other in less than 5 minutes. This is one of the best things to do with kids in Hilton Head on a rainy day!
The museum has multiple interactive play areas for kids to enjoy. There’s a giant sand castle with a slide spiraling down from the second story. Kids can also play on a small shrimp boat or take to the skies in an airplane simulator. Other play areas include a grocery shopping area, a vet area, a campsite setup, a little race car track, a cafe, and so much more!
There is also a whole outdoor space with a jumbo sized playhouse, a sensory garden, a music wall, building blocks, and a creative space where kids can draw on a chalkboard or easels.
Don’t forget to stop in the craft room before you leave, where your kids can paint, draw, and make crafts. Even though the craft room is located toward the entrance, we recommend waiting until you’re ready to leave to swing by so you don’t have to carry your artwork around with you during play time.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum is open 7 days a week. Admission is generally $12 for kids and adults with discounts given to seniors, active military, and E.B.T. holders. We recommend reserving your spot online in advance to speed up the entry process and guarantee your children don’t miss out on play time.
If you’re traveling with kids to Hilton Head, check out our posts on Must Have Road Trip Items for Children and Beach Essentials for Babies and Toddlers!
Greg Russell Concert
Location: Under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town
Greg Russell is such an iconic figure in Hilton Head, Apple TV just recently made a documentary about him. For over 40 years, Russell has been serenading audiences with his original songs and comedic commentary underneath a 300 year old Oak Tree in Harbour Town.
The beloved tradition feels like you’ve stepped back in time. There are no bells or whistles, it’s just a man playing his guitar and making people laugh against a beautiful backdrop.
Children are all invited to sit on the stage with Russell as he performs, creating an intimate setting despite his performances typically drawing hundreds of people. There are benches surrounding the stage for the adults to sit, but you’ll want to get there early to snag a seat. Russell’s shows end up being standing room only once the performance starts.
The concert series typically runs on select nights in Spring and Summer with special performances for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check the concert schedule before your trip so you can plan accordingly.
Things to Keep in Mind:
There is a $9 fee to enter the Harbour Town side of the island (cash only). We recommend arriving at least 1.5 hours before the performance, as parking is limited in Harbour Town and seats fill up quickly for the concerts.
If you aren’t having any luck finding a spot, you can drive up to the Shops at Sea Pines and take the free trolley back toward Harbour Town. Be aware though if you do take the trolley, it stops running at 10pm and Russell’s shows end between 9-9:30pm.
Greg Russell Playground
Address: Harbour Town – Near parking lots
It’s only fitting that Greg Russell has a playground named after him given the impact he’s had performing in Harbour Town – and it’s really well done!
The playground is surrounded by trees covered in Spanish moss, and the playground itself has a nature theme. There’s a slide that looks like a giant log, forest animals peek out from nooks and crannies, and the stairs and other structural pieces of the playground look like tree trunks and branches.
Beside the main jungle gym, there is a viewing platform built around mossy oaks. Children and their parents will have fun climbing up to see the trees up close.
Coastal Discovery Museum
Address: 70 Honey Horn Dr. – Hilton Head, SC 29926
The Coastal Discovery Museum is a learning center teaching all about the history and environment of Hilton Head. There are exhibits for all ages to enjoy at this FREE museum!
Inside the Discovery House, kids can play at the seashell ID table to learn all about the different kinds of seashells and marine life that you can find on Hilton Head’s shore. At the museum, they can also put on their own puppet shows, dress up in colonial costumes, and say “Hi” to Myrtle the Turtle as she swims in her tank.
The property surrounding the museum is pretty massive and has fun offerings too. Be sure to pick up a map from the Discovery House!
You can walk out on the boardwalks to see the salt marshes and their wildlife up close or see the Marsh Tacky horses grazing in the pasture. Kayla and her family especially enjoyed learning about and seeing the butterflies in the butterfly house as well as perusing the carnivorous garden!
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Tuesday, the farmer’s market is held in the field in front of the museum. It’s a great place to shop for locally made souvenirs and buy local produce! An extra special treat is the sweetgrass basket weaving booth, where the owners are 7th generation basket sewers!
Best Place to Stay with Kids in Hilton Head
Our favorite place to stay in Hilton Head is Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort. The resort offers direct access to the beach, has the largest pool on the island, a large playground with multiple jungle gyms, plus basketball and tennis courts. The resort also has 3 restaurants and an ice cream hut for when you need a sweet treat.
The resort does a great job offering fun events throughout the year, but especially during peak season.
You can rent directly through the property website, but the units listed on VRBO or Airbnb typically have more reviews.
Below are some of the units we’ve personally stayed at and recommend:
- Villa C137 – Sleeps 4
- Villa C145 – Sleeps 6
- Villa C319 – Sleeps 6
- 3rd Floor Unit – Sleeps 4
Tell us your favorite things to do with kids in Hilton Head in the comments below!
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