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11 of the Best Things to do in Hilton Head with Kids

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This is a guide for things to do in Hilton Head with kids.

Even though 2021 was a year like no other, we were determined to take our annual Spring Break Family trip. We took the opportunity to explore more domestic destinations.  And the result = amazing!

One of our stops was in Hilton Head, SC.  Located along the South Carolina shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean in a part of the state known as the Lowcountry, Hilton Head Island is a popular tourist destination with plenty of fun activities for parents and children. As a historic South Carolina resort city, your family will love swimming, exploring, shopping, sightseeing, and more.

Here are 11 fun things to do in Hilton Head with kids.

Things to do in Hilton Head with Kids

Table of Contents

Hilton Head for Kids: Explore the Island by Bike or Boat

Hilton Head may seem like a sprawling city but it is very bikeable.  One of the best ways to explore Hilton Head with kids is by bike. Rent a bike from your hotel or from a local vendor to see all the treasures of the city that you’d miss by car.

Exploring the city by boat is fun too! It is after all an island. Take a boat cruise around the island for a unique vantage point of the area that you can’t get anywhere else.

Hilton Head for Kids: Watch wildlife in their natural habitats at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,000-acre forest preserve that is home to several kinds of wildlife and natural habitats. There is marshland, gravel trails, small islands, and more. Kids will enjoy seeing a variety of birds, including ibis, woodpeckers, and cardinals. Because there isn’t a visitor center, you’ll want to make sure your children go to the bathroom before arriving and bring plenty of water for drinking. This is a great way to spend time with the family outdoors and see animals in their natural habitats.

Hilton Head for Kids: Have fun in the sky at Zipline & Aerial Adventures

These two attractions will have your family flying high among the trees of Hilton Head. With Adventure Hilton Head, you’ll race through the trees on 8 interconnected ziplines as high as 75 feet in the air from towers to tree platforms on a 2-hour adventure. Aerial Adventure is a playground in the sky adventure with 50 in-the-tree challenge activities on multiple courses. With courses designed for all ages and abilities, you and your family will not only have a great time but burn off some energy before a relaxing and restful evening back in the hotel.

Hilton Head for Kids: Enjoy a variety of entertainment options at the Station 300 Bowling Lanes

With 33,000-square-foot of family entertainment, Station 3000 is fully equipped with 24 bowling lanes, a variety of arcade games, and a sports bar. Enjoy a movie or watch a sports game while you await your turn during a round of bowling. The environment really comes alive with lights and strobes, and you can even get food service as you play. If your kids aren’t into bowling, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the arcade.

Hilton Head for Kids: Help your kids discover the world around them at The Sandbox Children’s Museum

If you’re looking for some fun activities designed especially for the kids, the Sandbox Children’s Museum features 11 hands-on interactive kid-friendly exhibits that will teach your children about the world around them. Some of the exhibits include Builders of Tomorrow, Grocery Corner, the Rhythm and Hues Room, and much more in 2500-square-feet of space. No matter your kids’ ages, they’ll have plenty of fun in the sandbox!

Hilton Head for Kids: Work up a sweat at Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center

With 21 clay tennis courts and 16 pickleball courts, including lighted courts for night play, you and your family will enjoy some friendly competition playing at one of “The 50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts” according to Tennis Magazine. Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center lets you burn off some energy with the kids on the court, and if you’ve never played pickleball, it’s a fun combination of badminton, ping pong, and tennis that has been becoming very popular recently.

Things to do in Hilton Head with Kids - Lighthouse

Hilton Head for Kids: Explore regional history at Coastal Discovery Museum

Kids of all ages will love learning about history, natural science, art, and culture through the variety of hands-on activities available at Coastal Discovery Museum. Some of the activities include scavenger hunts, costumes, puppet shows, and more. With ancient trees dating back to the 1500s and a Discovery House built in the year 1959 in addition to many other historical surprises, the experience kids have at this 60-acre museum will give them a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the history of the region.

Hilton Head for Kids: Enjoy mini-golf and arcade games at Adventure Cove

With two Caribbean-style courses, Paradise Falls and Lost Lagoon, you’ll be playing mini golf in a tropical paradise, complete with caverns and lush garden lagoons at Adventure Cove. Kids will love the variety of classic and modern video games inside the arcade, and they’ll especially enjoy earning tickets to redeem for prizes, such as an Xbox, Playstation, and much more.

Hilton Head for Kids: Take a horse ride and explore the scenery at Lawton Stables

In the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, saddling up a horse or pony at Lawton Stables will have you exploring 600 acres of Western-style Hilton Head scenery. Kids will not only love the horses; they’ll enjoy nature trails marked by wildlife, forests, swamps, and lakes, as well as an animal farm with goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys, and more. You’ll even have the opportunity to buy food to feed the animals.

Hilton Head for Kids: Take part in the shopping and entertainment options at Coligny Plaza

A Hilton Head staple since 1955, Coligny Plaza features over 60 stores to explore, including a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, and stores selling everything from jewelry to gifts to toys and more. In addition to a theater offering live local entertainment options for kids and adults Monday through Saturday, the plaza is also located just minutes from the beach. Enjoy a day of shopping and eating before heading to the beach for some much-needed fun in the sun.

Hilton Head for Kids: Get some exercise at Bristol Sports Arena

If you’re a family of sports enthusiasts, the Bristol Sports Arena is the perfect spot to exercise your athleticism. There’s a skate park for any skateboarders in your family, as well as a multipurpose rink for skating or playing roller hockey. The arena also features fields for playing basketball, baseball, and soccer. For the younger kids in your family, there’s also a fun playground. This is a great place to get some exercise during your vacation.

Things to do in Hilton Head with Kids - Lighthouse

Hilton Head for Kids: See the dolphins of Hilton Head with a Dolphin & Nature Tour

Your kids will be truly fascinated by seeing Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins up close in their natural habitat. With a cruise down stunning Broad Creek, you’ll see dolphins, pelicans, bald eagles, otters, and much more. Dolphin & Nature Tour even guarantees you’ll have a dolphin encounter on your trip or you’ll receive a free tour at a later date. Take a tour during the day, or enjoy the impressive view of a Hilton Head sunset with a Sunset Dolphin Cruise.

What are your favorite things to do with kids in Hilton Head?

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