Embrace the fun-filled adventures of winter as you embark on a journey filled with sunshine, sandy shores and a variety of family-friendly adventures on Hilton Head, America’s favorite island. Hilton Head Island is a destination where every stroll reveals the captivating charm of Lowcountry landscapes, nature tours unveil the island’s diverse wildlife, and an abundance of family-friendly attractions promise a boundless blast for every age group – from the tiniest tots to spirited teens.
Our kids winter guide to Hilton Head Island will help you create the ultimate winter vacation itinerary, unlocking a world of education, excitement, and exploration outside the classroom!
1. Build Sandcastles & Beachcomb
Escape the winter chill and dive into the warm sandy embrace of Hilton Head Island’s pristine public beaches. Hilton Head has 12 miles of free, public, pet-friendly beaches with oceanfront rentals just steps from the sand. Yes, your puppy may join you on your family vacation to Hilton Head! You may not be splashing in the ocean, but the warm winter weather is perfect for picnics, building sandcastles, dolphin watching, beachcombing for seashells and shark teeth, and witnessing the candy-colored glow of an island sunset before tucking into bed. Nothing beats a winter vacation on the beach! Here are 8 Easy Beach Access Spots on Hilton Head to get you started!
2. Set Sail Aboard The Adventure
Hilton Head Island boasts an array of recreational parks and community parks, but Lowcountry Celebration Park near Coligny Plaza emerges as an undisputed favorite for the kids. This dynamic destination playground features a 1,400 square-foot Adventure ship playground mimicking Captain William Hilton’s vessel, loaded with climbers, slides, tunnels, misting cannons, interactive activity panels, and more! Just a short stroll away, families can extend their adventure to the sun-kissed shores of Coligny Beach Park, as well as shops, restaurants, and family fun at Coligny Plaza.
Address: 94 Pope Ave, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 341-4600
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: FREE
3. Unlock Your Imagination at The Sandbox Children’s Museum
For curious minds and adventurous spirits, the Sandbox Children’s Museum is a treasure trove of interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and discovery for young minds. Located at Lowcountry Celebration Park, the museum is designed for ages 12 and under to ignite their imagination, play, and explore freely in a safe kid-friendly environment. The Sandbox Children’s Museum also hosts regular themed events including free family nights and holiday happenings.
Every Monday (Summer Only): Monday Funday
First Friday of Each Month: FREE Family Friday Nights
December 18, 2023: Sand, Surf, and Santa
December 22, 2023: Let’s Build Together with Lego
December 31, 2023: Noon Year’s Eve
Address: 80 Nassau Street, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 842-7645
Cost: $12 for 3-hour general admission
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
4. Paint Your Own Pottery
Get ready to unleash your inner artist at The Art Cafe, a vibrant paint your own pottery studio near Coligny Plaza. Choose from a variety of pottery pieces, whether it’s a mug, plate or quirky figurine, and let your imagination run wild with a palette of colorful paints. The Art Cafe provides all the tools and paints you need to bring your masterpiece to life, and with their expert touch, they’ll glaze, fire, and have your unique creation ready for collection in just 3 days.
Address: 5 Lagoon Rd, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 785-5525
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 AM to 7 PM
Saturday: 11 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 12 PM to 4 PM
5. Climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse
Embark on a family climb to the top of the iconic red and white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse in the Sea Pines resort area. As you climb the 114 steps, let the kids take the lead! It’s not just a lighthouse climb, it’s an educational journey through the rich history of Hilton Head Island to breathtaking panoramic views of Hilton Head’s coastal beauty.
Address: 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (866) 305-9814
Hours: Daily 10 AM to sundown
Cost: $6.25 per Adult / Kids 5 and under are FREE
6. Playtime Perfection! Gregg Russell Style.
Hilton Head’s famous local, Gregg Russell, knows how to make playtime extraordinary! Located just a short stroll from the Harbour Town Lighthouse, the nature-inspired Gregg Russell Playground embraces a giant live oak with a tree house, swings, slides, climbing bars, and picnic tables to take a break while the kids play. Spending the holidays in Hilton Head? Don’t miss the free Gregg Russell Christmas Concert with a special visit from Santa Claus on December 23 at 7:30 PM
Address: 140 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 785-3333
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: FREE
7. Play Pirate For A Day
Ahoy, matey! Join a swashbuckling adventure cruise aboard the Black Dagger with the Pirates of Hilton Head, the #1 rated attraction on Hilton Head Island. While cruising the calm waters of Calibogue Sound, your young buccaneers (ages 2 to 10) will enjoy non-stop action with a full pirate makeover, lessons in pirate lingo, and a battle against the infamous Stinky Pete for pirate treasure. Join the crew, and rest assured – your young buccaneers always emerge victorious!,
Address: 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 363-7000
Cost: $39 per person
8. Get On The Water
Not all water activities stop for the winter on Hilton Head Island! Bundle up and get out on the water with Outside Hilton Head, where expert tour guides ensure every family adventure is nothing short of extraordinary. Dive into the thrill of a family fishing charter, explore the island’s waterways with kayak tours, join playful dolphins on a sunset cruise, or set sail to Daufuskie Island for an unforgettable Lowcountry day trip. What a wonderful experience gift for the kids this holiday season!
Address: 1 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 686-6996
9. Ride a Shetland Pony in Sea Pines
Step into a magical world at Lawton Stables. Nestled in the heart of Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Lawton Stables is a haven for animal lovers. Book a family carriage ride through the forest preserve, or let the big kids explore on a guided trail ride, while the little ones (ages 7 and under) enjoy whimsical Shetland Pony rides around the farm. The free petting zoo is always a hit! Buy a bag of food for 50 cents and mingle with goats, pot-bellied pigs, miniature donkeys, miniature cows, alpacas, ponies, chickens, and more!
Address: 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 671-2586
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 8 AM to 5 PM
Cost:
Pony Rides: $15 per person
Trail & Carriage Rides: $80 per person
10. Explore The Coastal Discovery Museum
At the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, every step is a journey of discovery and every moment is a chance to learn and have fun! This free museum offers an interactive indoor Kids Zone and 68 acres of historic landscapes with magnificent live oaks, ancient cedars, and Lowcountry wildlife, including endangered Marsh Tacky horses. Pick up a map at the Discovery House to explore the Honey Horn grounds and gardens at your leisure, or book a guided tour to discover, explore, and learn the history and heritage of Hilton Head Island. Their winter program schedule is packed full of unique experiences!
Address: 70 Honey Horn Dr, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 689-6767
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 3 PM
Cost: FREE entry & Click HERE for tour prices
11. Aerial Adventures on Hilton Head
Take your family fun to the skies with Adventure Hilton Head, Hilton Head’s top adventure destination! Embark on an aerial adventure swinging and climbing through the treetops, soar through the sky on a zipline canopy tour (ages 10 and up) with a swinging sky bridge, aerial spiral staircase, and seven ziplines boasting the highest view on the island! If you prefer keeping the excitement closer to the ground, Adventure Hilton Head’s new go-kart track is the ultimate destination for fast-paced, family fun.
Address: 33 Broad Creek Marina Way, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 682-6000
Cost:
Aerial Adventure (5+ years): $59 per person
Zipline Canopy Tour (10+ years): $99 per person
GoKart Track (3+ years): $15 single cart. $20 double kart.
12. Test Your Putting Skills
Winter afternoons are made for family-friendly mini-golf showdowns! Test your putting skills as you navigate the whimsically landscaped mini-golf courses on Hilton Head Island. Adventure Cove near Folly Field Beach features two Caribbean inspired 18-hole courses with caverns, fountains, and lush lagoons, or keep up the pirate theme practicing your putting skills at Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf in Shelter Cove.
Address: 18 Folly Field Rd, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 842-9990
Cost: Starting from $11
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 12 PM to 9 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 10 AM to 9 PM
Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf
Address: 8 Marina Side Dr, Hilton Head Island
Phone: (843) 686-4001
Cost:
Starting from $11.50.
Little Pirates 3 and under play FREE
Hours: Daily 9 AM to 10 PM
13. Go Wildlife Watching
Grab your binoculars and embark on a self-guided wildlife safari of Hilton Head. The best way to view wildlife is to bike the trails, kayak the waterways, and adventure out to Hilton Head Island’s nature preserves, wildlife refuges, and pristine beaches. Your self-guided wildlife safari will uncover beautiful birdlife, majestic marine mammals, gators, deers, bobcats, wild boars, and more! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Newhall Preserve, Sea Pines Forest Preserve, and the Coastal Discovery Museum are top spots for wildlife watching in Hilton Head! To witness sea turtle season on Hilton Head, plan your family vacation between May and October.
14. PLay Some Pickleball
Pickleball is the ultimate family vacation activity! It’s easy to learn, affordable (or free!), and bridges the generational gap like no other sport! Hilton Head Island takes the pickleball craze up a notch with world-class racquet clubs offering pickleball programs and a choice of free pickleball courts in community and recreational parks across the island. Start your planning with our guide on “Where to Play Pickleball on Hilton Head Island”.
15. Learn to Love Seafood!
Winter on Hilton Head means indulging in the freshest seafood delights! Treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure and let the kids discover the joys of shrimp, crab, southern-style Lowcountry seafood – or frying up their freshly caught fish! Our favorite kid-friendly seafood restaurants on Hilton Head Island include Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside connected by a kids playground, Fish Camp on Broad Creek with family-friendly games, The Crazy Crab in the heart of Harbour Town, and the Salty Dog Cafe in Sea Pines South Beach.
16. Design Your Dream Family Vacation
Your family’s dream vacation is just a Sunset Rentals reservation away! With a stunning selection of 245 vacation rentals situated on Hilton Head Island’s picturesque golf courses, sandy beaches, and tranquil lagoons, you get to handpick the view and the amenities that suit your family’s desires! Opt for private heated pools to make winter a splash, spacious bunk rooms to delight the kids, and pet-friendly options for Fido to join in the family fun. Plus, with participating Sunset Rentals, guests enjoy FREE bike & bear gear including kayak rentals, chairs and umbrellas for your beach days, and bikes for the whole family delivered directly to your Hilton Head Island home! Design your dream family vacation with Sunset Rentals, locally serving Hilton Head since 1993!
HEAD HOME TO A SUNSET RENTAL
Our on-island team has been welcoming families to celebrate the holidays in our luxury homes on Hilton Head Island for more than 25 years. The holiday season kick-off festivals have begun and no matter how you like to celebrate the holidays, there are fun festivities for the whole family on Hilton Head Island.
The most important factor in planning events for your Hilton Head vacation is finding a home away from home, hosted by a local team that cares! Sunset Rentals has been proudly serving guests on the island for more than 25 years – come and experience the Sunset Advantage on Hilton Head!
