Let’s be honest: planning a beach trip with kids is its own kind of vacation prep. You need to know which beaches work for all ages, where to plan ice cream breaks, and the best way to fit in all the family-friendly attractions and activities.
Myrtle Beach earns its reputation as a family destination for good reason. The coastlines have wide, soft, sandy shores, and beyond the beach, there’s enough variety to fill a week without repeating any activity! From mini golf and boardwalk arcades to water parks and nature preserves, all are within a short drive of each other.
We know you’re busy managing the family schedule, so book your oceanfront vacation stay, and here’s what you need to know about where to go and what to do with the kids in Myrtle Beach!
Why Myrtle Beach Is One of the Best Family Vacation Destinations
Myrtle Beach earns its top spot on the family vacation shortlist by covering all the bases and then some! The coastal setting does a lot of the heavy lifting with a 60-mile stretch of sand along the Grand Strand, but beyond that, entertainment options like the Boardwalk arcades, mini golf courses, water parks, and live shows are relatively close together and give any family plenty to work with in creating a daily itinerary.
Anyone traveling with family knows that making mealtime decisions can be exhausting, and Myrtle Beach is here to help! You’ll find plenty of kid friendly restaurants, from casual seafood shacks to themed dinners out.
Where to Stay With Kids in Myrtle Beach
Next to meals and entertainment, sleeping arrangements and kid-friendly accommodations can be a deal breaker when booking a family vacation. Everyone needs a down day, and thankfully Myrtle Beach delivers in fun-forward resort options like Captain’s Quarters.
The resort is set up to keep kids entertained without ever leaving the property. Shipwreck Lagoon Kids’ Waterpark has a pirate ship with water cannons next to an oceanfront pool. You'll also have access to the lazy river and tons of water features throughout. The District area on the property adds an arcade, duckpin bowling, and kid friendly dining options.
Suites here sleep anywhere from four to eight people, giving families room to spread out, and kitchenettes and full refrigerators also make it easy to keep snacks on hand and skip a restaurant run for breakfast.
Best Activities for Families in Myrtle Beach
From boardwalk rides to dolphin cruises and quiet nature trails, there’s plenty of ground to cover in Myrtle Beach with kids!
Hang Out At Pavilion Park at Broadway at the Beach
You’ll find Pavilion Park sits inside Broadway at the Beach with the bonus of some classic rides at the Fun Park. There is also the 360 Observation Wheel here, which is perfect for catching sweeping views of the Grand Strand, especially striking after dark when its light show kicks in.
This is a great budget option too! Admission to the park grounds is free, so families only pay for the rides or wristbands they want.
Go On a Dolphin Cruise
Check off this favorite bucket list opportunity to see dolphins on a family friendly cruise! Dolphin cruises run out of several marinas along the Grand Strand, most lasting between 90 minutes and two hours out on the Intracoastal Waterway or Atlantic.
You can even squeeze in some education on this one! Crews are great at narrating the trip, pointing out dolphins, and talking about marine life and coastal scenery. Booking a day or two ahead is worth it, since the more popular departure times fill up fast in season.
Take a Swing at Dinosaur Themed Mini Golf Course
Jurassic Golf gives families two 18-hole courses, Ice Age and Predator, to choose from. These fun courses feature life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, waterfalls, and streams.
The Ice Age course is stroller accessible, making it the easier pick for families with younger kids or a stroller in tow. Predator adds a more challenging, adventurous layout for older kids looking for something trickier. You’ll find shaded paths throughout the course to keep everyone comfortable.
Go on a Myrtle Beach Shark Tooth Adventure
Is there nothing more exciting than a treasure hunt? Shark teeth wash up regularly along the central stretch of Myrtle Beach, and the best luck tends to come near piers like Cherry Grove and shell beds.
What makes these special? Over time, the teeth fossilize with a black, shiny finish. Bring a pair of water shoes and a little net to make the hunt easier!
Get Out in Nature
You’ll find South Carolina’s oldest state park at the south end of town. Myrtle Beach State Park covers over 300 acres of maritime forest, walking trails, and a mellow stretch of sandy shore that’s great for beachcombing.
The Sculptured Oak and Yaupon trails are easy, family-friendly walks that lead to the shoreline, and an on-site nature center features live animals and hands-on exhibits for kids.
If you’d like to venture out a little further, you’ll find Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet. This gem pairs a sprawling sculpture garden with the Lowcountry Zoo, making it an easy full-day trip worth the short drive. Kids can explore a storybook-themed area with a pirate ship and fairy-tale cottages, visit rescued native wildlife like alligators and river otters, and wander trails shaded by live oaks.
Best Kid Friendly Attractions
These Myrtle Beach staples give families plenty of options to get the wiggles out from toddlers to teens!
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Family Kingdom is Myrtle Beach’s only oceanfront amusement park, with more than 35 rides including thrillers and gentler options for younger kids. The Swamp Fox, a refurbished wooden coaster dating back to 1966, is the park’s longstanding signature ride, alongside newer additions like the Slingshot Drop Zone and Log Flume.
The best part? Park admission is free, so families pay only for the rides they want to enjoy!
WonderWorks
Built to look like an upside-down building at Broadway at the Beach, WonderWorks packs in more than 100 hands-on exhibits into six themed zones! These cover science, space, and even natural disasters.
Younger kids will love the Imagination and Bubble Labs, while older kids will be happy to find laser tag, an indoor ropes course, and the 6D motion theater. It’s entirely indoors, so it’s also a great opportunity to take a break from the sun.
Hollywood Wax Museum
Located along the Boardwalk, Hollywood Wax Museum is the spot to pose next to lifelike wax figures of well-known celebrities and explore a fun mirror maze. It’s a short, sweet stop compared to the area’s bigger attractions, making it easy to fit into a boardwalk afternoon without eating up the whole day.
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel on the Boardwalk
The SkyWheel rises 187 feet above the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, making it one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the country! It’s also a great photo stop for families. You’ll get a clear view of the coastline from the gondolas, and at night, the wheel lights up for an extra bonus.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Ripley’s Aquarium is home to 10,000 sea creatures across exhibits that range from a shark filled tunnel to a hands-on stingray touch pool. The Dangerous Reef is a highlight with a long moving pathway through a tunnel that runs beneath a massive tank where sharks and sea turtles swim overhead.
Interactive stops give younger children a chance to get hands-on! Save two to three hours to get through and then explore Broadway at the Beach after!
Where to Eat With Kids in Myrtle Beach
You’ll have plenty of places to choose from for a meal in Myrtle Beach that make the whole family happy, but these are a slam dunk for families!
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Medieval Times sets dinner inside an 11th-century-style castle, with a live jousting tournament and horseback stunts happening right in front of the table while the meal is served. Guests eat the four-course feast by hand, with no utensils, and talk about taking a dish-free vacation to the next level!
Take note: reserved seating means it’s worth booking ahead, especially during peak season.
Sweet Molly’s Creamery
Sweet Molly’s Creamery has been scooping up homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet along the Grand Strand since 2004, with locations at both Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. It’s known for creative small-batch flavors, making it an easy stop to fold into a walk through either shopping district.
Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet
A buffet is a great strategy when no one can agree on dinner! Captain Benjamin’s has served Calabash-style seafood (lightly breaded and fried) since the early 1980s. The buffet features over 200 items, from Alaskan snow crab legs and shrimp scampi to non-seafood options like rib-eye steak and teriyaki chicken, so picky eaters and seafood lovers can both fill a plate without much negotiating.
Tips For Visiting Myrtle Beach With Kids
Plan ahead, and it will make all the difference! Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking the family to Myrtle Beach.
- Book major attractions and dinner shows like Medieval Times a few days ahead, especially in peak summer season.
- Pack water shoes for shark tooth and seashell hunting.
- Plan outdoor activities for morning or late afternoon in the summer to avoid the heat!
- Build in at least one low-key day with no big attractions to take a break.
- Choose a resort with on-site pools or water features for easy downtime between outings.
Book Your Family Friendly Stay in Myrtle Beach
Between beaches and boardwalk rides, Myrtle Beach makes it easy to plan a trip that suits all ages and travel speeds. Toddlers and teenagers (and even adults!) can all get what they want with the right planning.
The right home base makes the whole trip easier! Book a stay at Captain’s Quarters Resort and start planning the trip today!