Myrtle Beach (A.K.A the hub of the Grand Strand) is a coastal city in South Carolina. It sits on 60 miles of sandy beaches and is home to many popular attractions and activities. In this post, I’ll look at some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC with toddlers and younger kids!
Key Takeaway: Myrtle Beach is home to all sorts of activities to make for a fun family vacation. The best things to do with toddlers include:
- Soak up the sun and good times at one of the beautiful beaches
- Marvel at marine life and have fun with interactive exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium
- Camp out at a beachside State Park
- Spend a day at Family Kingdom Amusement Park
- Check out some of the most popular Myrtle Beach attractions at the Myrtle Beach boardwalk
- Enjoy a day at the Lowcountry Zoo
For more fun attractions in Myrtle Beach, check out this list!
6 Things to do with Toddlers in Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach is well known as one of SC’s top family-friendly beach vacation spots. There are plenty of fun activities here for the whole family, from younger children to the big kids!
1. Spend a Day at the Beach
Of course, you can’t beat a family day at the beach. And, Myrtle Beach has some of the most family-friendly beaches on the east coast!
There are three main beaches to choose from. They are:
- Myrtle Beach
- North Myrtle Beach
- Surfside Beach
At every beach, you’ll find warm waters and soft sands. And of course, plenty of top-notch hotels and resorts to choose from. In fact, it’s a great spot for you and your kids to look for shark’s teeth!
The main difference between the beaches is the surrounding community and the types of entertainment you’ll find at each one.
Here’s a little more about each beach:
- Myrtle Beach is at the center of it all. This is where you’ll find many resorts, tourist attractions, and family-friendly entertainment.
- North Myrtle Beach is quieter and has more of a small coastal town feel. You’ll still find some great entertainment options, like the Barefoot Landing complex with various shops, restaurants, and attractions.
- Surfside Beach is a charming beach town just south of Myrtle Beach. It is the most laid-back of the three beaches, and perfect for a quiet and relaxing family vacation. In addition to the beautiful public beach area, it is known for its public parks and play areas.
Pro tip: bring a comfortable folding beach chair like this one and a wind resistant-beach umbrella).
2. Ripley’s Aquarium
This aquarium at Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach is the perfect way to entertain and educate the kids. They offer experiences that go above and beyond your typical aquarium visit!
Of course, you’ll find all kinds of typical marine life at the aquarium, like giant sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles, and more.
At Ripley’s Aquarium, you can also enjoy interactive exhibits like…
- Penguin encounters (pet a penguin!)
- A hands-on string ray experience
- A glass bottom boat adventure to see sharks up close
- Breakfast with a mermaid
Pro tip: If mom and dad want a date night in Myrtle Beach, they even do sleepover parties among the marine life for kids!
Location: 1110 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Rainy Day? Visit the Aquarium!
Summary
This was the second time my husband and I visited the aquarium. My favorite part is the shark tunnel with the moving walkway. It is simply amazing! You have beautiful fish all around you. You can see a number of large sharks without fear. The penguin exhibit is also great. I recommend you go at feeding time (earlier, many penguins were sleeping.) I liked the fact that there are a number of places to sit down. This place is a wonderful learning experience for children of all ages.
3. Visit a State Park
A state park is a nice option for families who want to be close to all that Myrtle Beach has to offer, but with more quiet and solitude.
One of the best state parks in the area is Myrtle Beach State Park. This park sits on the Grand Strand coastline and offers a nice escape from the busy downtown scene.
At Myrtle Beach State Park, you’ll find:
- Nature trails and beach access
- Surf fishing and beautiful ocean views at the Myrtle Beach pier
- 278 tent and RV campsites
- A gift shop, picnic shelters, and more!
And as you pack up for that road trip, things like building in pit stops and bringing snacks help a lot when traveling with young kids (more tips can be found here).
And if you love camping on the beach, check out this guide to RV camping in Hilton Head, SC!
Myrtle Beach State Park Website
Location: 4401 South Kings HWY, Myrtle Beach, SC
4. Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Family Kingdom is a seaside amusement park in Myrtle Beach.
For older kids, Family Kingdom has more than 35 thrilling rides! But, there is something here for kids of all ages.
Here are some fun things at Family Kingdom that make this the perfect place for the little ones:
- Kiddie rides like the swings, carousel, and tilt-a-whirl
- Bumper cars and go-kart tracks
- Carnival food, from chicken tenders and fries to ice cream, and more!
If you plan on coming here, grab the all-day wristband for full access to the park and unlimited rides!
And for other fun amusement parks nearby in Atlanta GA, check out this list.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park website
Location: 300 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
5. Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a classic attraction located in the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach. It runs 1.2 miles along the oceanfront, and has all sorts of entertainment!
There’s something for the entire family at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk:
- Arcade games at the Family Fun Plaza
- Oceanfront dining and bars
- Year-round festivals and special events featuring live music
- The Myrtle Beach Skywheel is an observation wheel that sits 200 feet above the city. It’s the perfect way to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean!
Best of all, the boardwalk is only a short distance from many Myrtle Beach resorts. That means your family can stay somewhere with amazing oceanfront views and be close to the top entertainment complex in the city!
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk website
Location: Anywhere along 14th Ave N to 2nd Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
6. Lowcountry Zoo
When the weather is nice and you need to entertain the kids, you can’t beat a day at the zoo. And in Myrtle Beach, The Lowcountry Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens is the place to go!
The Lowcountry Zoo is special because all of the animals here are native to the area and were either bred or raised in captivity here.
You’ll find all kinds of native species, from alligators to foxes, river otters, and more!
The Lowcountry Zoo is also home to a seasonal butterfly garden. This is a lush garden filled with tropical plants and wild butterflies that fly around the exhibit and even perch on your shoulder.
The zoo is open daily, and tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Plus, children 3 and under are free!
Location: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC
Just amazing
Other Fun Activities for Families in Myrtle Beach, SC
As you can see, there are many fun activities for families with toddlers in Myrtle Beach, SC! And, there’s no shortage of fun for older kids and adults.
The video below shows off a few of the top attractions at Myrtle Beach and highlights some of the attractions we featured above!
Other fun activities for families in Myrtle Beach include:
- Myrtle Waves Water Park, SC’s largest water park with over 30 water slides and other fun attractions and play areas
- The Broadway Grand Prix recreation center has everything from arcade games to go-kart racing tracks
- Medieval Times 11th-century themed dinner show
- Indoor water parks
And for mom and dad, don’t leave Myrtle Beach without treating yourselves to a relaxing spa treatment at these resorts.
Conclusion: Things to Do with Toddles in Myrtle Beach
Whether you want to visit beautiful beaches, go to an amusement park, or enjoy interactive exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium, there are lots of things to do with your kids in Myrtle Beach. Happy travels!
More SC and GA Beach Guides
For more SC and GA beach guides, check out the blog posts below:
Top 7 Beaches Near Mt. Pleasant, SC
Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in GA
