With so many great activities on Hilton Head Island, you can have a stress-free family vacation with the kids. Keep reading on to discover some of our favorite things to do with kids on Hilton Head Island. We've compiled 18 of the best activities for the entire family to do while you're here!
Your Guide to the Best Things to do in Hilton Head with Kids
1. Enjoy Free Fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour
Join the biggest summer tradition in Hilton Head and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display! The fireworks at Shelter Cove take place each Tuesday evening at dusk from June through August. You can also look forward to great food, arts and crafts, and live entertainment.
2. Get Creative at the Sandbox Children's Museum
Make your way to the Sandbox Children's Museum for 11 hands-on, interactive displays the kids will love. These unique educational displays are perfect for children eight and younger.
3. Enjoy Some Family-Friendly Competition at Adventure Cove
Maybe you're hoping to keep high-energy kids entertained. Plan an action-packed day or night with miniature golf and arcade games at Adventure Cove! This family-friendly park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week.
4. Plan a Day Trip to the Coastal Discovery Museum
Embark on an adventure and teach the kids about the Lowcountry at the Coastal Discovery Museum! Take a stroll down one of the three marsh front boardwalks to do some wildlife viewing and read about the animals. Explore the island's vast ecosystems and wildlife, learn about the art of basket weaving, and wander several beautiful gardens. This fantastic museum also hosts the Hilton Head Farmers Market every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
5. See a Live Show at Coligny Plaza
Coligny Plaza is one of the best places to go for kids' entertainment. Children's entertainment takes center stage in the summer from June through August. Your family can look forward to magic acts, silly clowns, and family-friendly live music performances! There are also over 60 stores to browse, including restaurants, bars, toy stores, souvenir shops, and clothing stores.
6. Take a Horseback Riding Tour at Lawton Stables
No trip to Hilton Head Island is complete without visiting Lawton Stables. This beautiful farm and the equestrian center offer an animal petting zoo, pony rides, and Western-style trail rides on 605-acres of Sea Pines Forest Preserve. You can also enjoy lakes, forests, swamps, and butterfly gardens! If you've never been horseback riding, then no problem. Lawton Stables caters to every level of rider and has riding lessons.
7. Have A One-of-A-Kind ZipLine & Aerial Adventure
Zip Line & Aerial Adventures is one of the most unique ways to explore Hilton Head Island! Zip liners will soar through majestic live oaks, past miles of saltwater marshes, and over boats and beautiful waterways. The entire family will love this exciting and challenging adventure!
8. Rock on at a Family-Friendly Concert
The Gregg Russell Family Concerts are a true Hilton Head tradition. For over 24 years, families have enjoyed songs under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town. All ages are welcome, but the performers here especially gear their songs towards younger children. These concerts take place from Sunday through Friday. Everyone will be laughing and singing into the night under the old oak tree with games, songs, and crazy fun!
9. Get Competitive at Station 300 Bowling Lanes
Station 300 Bowling Lanes is the perfect place to go on a rainy day or if you've had a little too much time in the sun! This entertainment center is conveniently located in Bluffton with 33,000 square feet of high-tech family fun. Here, you'll find 24 bowling lanes, a laser maze, a variety of arcade games, and a full-service sports bar. If the kids work up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at the Station 300 Bowling Lanes restaurant, Zeppelin's Bar and Grill.
10. Take a Sailing Tour With Commander Zodiac Kids Camps
For a day of fun on the water, head to Commander Zodiac Kids Camp. Learn how to sail, or simply sit back and see how many dolphins you can spot! Other popular activities here include crabbing, water balloons, and scavenger hunts.
11. Create Your Own Souvenir at the Art Cafe
This year, bring home a souvenir that is uniquely yours. At The Art Cafe, kids and families can create and bring home their very own piece of pottery, the type of souvenir you'll want to hold onto for years to come!
12. Embark on a Pirate-Style Golfing Adventure
Put your putting skills to the test at Pirates Island Golf Adventure. This park is home to two beautifully landscaped golf courses. Kids will have a blast as they stroll across bridges, over streams, and past waterfalls to discover pirate treasures.
13. Sing and Dance With Shannon Tanner Family Concerts
Shannon Tanner Family Concerts has performed family shows for over 23 years in Shelter Cove Harbour. Concerts are Monday through Friday from April through August, with two shows per evening.
14. Explore Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Get outside and explore the 4,000 acres of Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge! Here you can embark on hiking, fishing, biking, birding, or hunting adventure. It's also a great spot to learn about the history of Hilton Head, with 115 prehistoric sites that date back to 8,000 BC.
15. Hunt Down Hidden Treasures on a Pirates of Hilton Head Boat Cruise
Set sail on the island's only custom pirate ship, The Black Dagger! At Pirates of Hilton Head Boat Cruise, you can look forward to treasure hunting, water cannons, and more! This cruise is ideal for children ages two through ten.
16. Meet the Dolphins of Hilton Head Island
Dolphin watching, fishing, and children's educational cruises are only the beginning of what Drifter Excursions offer! This fleet is located out of South Beach Marina in Sea Pines. Bring your camera and catch all the smiles on this memorable boat cruise!
17. Master an Ollie at Bristol Sports Arena
Incorporate some exercise into your vacation with a trip to Bristol Sports Arena. This expansive park is home to a public skatepark with skateboard ramps, a basketball court, and a roller hockey rink. For younger ones, a playground is also available.
18. Spend Quality Time in Your Beach Properties Vacation Rental
Sharing a meal in the kitchen, taking a dip in the pool, and spending quality time in your private vacation rental are also some of the best things to do with kids on Hilton Head. We offer a premier selection of homes and villas perfect for your getaway.
After a busy day on the beach and adventuring around the island, return to your home away from home and reflect on the memories you've made so far. Browse our selection of properties, check our availability, and book your stay today!