🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in Charleston, SC

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Charleston — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🎡

South Carolina Aquarium

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Fully stroller accessible throughout. Arrive early to avoid crowds at the touch tank. The Great Ocean Tank is a highligh...

🏛️

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Half DayAges 312+

Some areas of the aircraft carrier have steep stairs and narrow passageways not suitable for strollers — use the baby ca...

📌

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Wide paved paths are stroller friendly throughout most of the park. The animal forest area with native wildlife is a big...

🌳

Hampton Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free neighborhood park with open green spaces ideal for toddlers to run. Flat paved paths are excellent for strollers. D...

🌳

Waterfront Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

The pineapple fountain splash pad area is beloved by toddlers in warm months — bring a change of clothes. Flat paved pat...

📌

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat garden paths accommodate strollers well. The petting zoo and nature train are huge hits with young children. Arrive...

📌

Middleton Place

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Terraced gardens have some uneven terrain — rugged strollers or baby carriers recommended. The stableyards with live far...

🏛️

Children's Museum of the Lowcountry

2–4 hoursAges 010+Stroller OK

Purpose-built for children ages 0-10 with interactive exhibits including a pirate ship, medieval castle, and water play ...

📌

Isle of Palms County Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Family-friendly beach with lifeguards on duty in summer. Boardwalk from parking to beach is stroller accessible. Beach w...

📌

Folly Beach County Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Lifeguarded beach with a wide sandy shoreline perfect for kids. Boardwalk is stroller accessible. Rental chairs, umbrell...

📌

Sullivan's Island Beach

Half DayAges 012+

Free public beach with a relaxed, uncrowded feel. Street parking is free and usually available. Less commercial than Fol...

📌

Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

The iconic Avenue of Oaks is a must-see and is stroller accessible. Strawberry and vegetable picking in season is a fun ...

🏛️

The Charleston Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

America's oldest museum has engaging natural history exhibits kids love. Stroller accessible on main floor. The mummifie...

📌

Cypress Gardens

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat boat rides through cypress swamp are magical and safe for all ages — life jackets provided. Bring insect repellent ...

🌳

Colonial Lake Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautifully renovated park with a tidal lake and paved walking path perfect for strollers. Kids love watching ducks and ...

🌳

The Battery & White Point Garden

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free historic park at the tip of the Charleston peninsula with cannon displays kids love to climb on. Flat paved promena...

📌

West Ashley Greenway

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Flat 8-mile paved trail perfect for stroller walks and bike rides. Start at Paul Gelegotis baseball complex for easy par...

📌

Fort Sumter National Monument

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Ferry ride to the fort is a fun boat trip kids enjoy. Tour of the fort itself is flat and walkable with strollers. Book ...

🌳

Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Gorgeous free waterfront park with a long pier, playground, and splash pad. The splash pad is free and beloved by toddle...

🌳

Hazel Parker Playground

1–2 hoursAges 210+Stroller OK

Waterfront playground along the Cooper River with great views. Equipment suits ages 2-10. Benches for parents nearby. Ad...

📌

McLeod Plantation Historic Site

1–2 hoursAges 612+Stroller OK

Charleston County park focused on the Gullah-Geechee story — educational for older kids. Grounds are flat and stroller a...

🌳

James Island County Park

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Large county park with a climbing rock wall, spray ground, rentable bikes, and a dog park. The seasonal water park area ...

📌

Angel Oak Tree

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Free visit to a 500-year-old oak tree with sprawling limbs kids love to duck under and explore. Flat grassy area is stro...

🍕

Charleston City Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Historic market with local crafts, sweetgrass baskets, and food vendors. Wide flat aisles are stroller accessible. Kids ...

🍕

Husk Restaurant

1–2 hoursAges 412+

Upscale Southern cuisine but welcoming to families at lunch. Kids menu available. Historic home setting with beautiful o...

🍕

Hall's Chophouse

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Family-friendly steakhouse known for Sunday gospel brunch which kids absolutely love. Request a booth for more privacy. ...

🍕

Jestine & Company

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Beloved Southern comfort food spot perfect for families — mac and cheese, fried chicken, and collard greens. Kid-friendl...

🍕

Charleston Farmers Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Wonderful Saturday market in Marion Square with local produce, food trucks, and live music. Very stroller friendly with ...

🌳

Shem Creek Park & Boardwalk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free waterfront boardwalk in Mount Pleasant where kids can watch shrimp boats and pelicans. Stroller accessible on the b...

📌

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge Walk

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free 2.5-mile pedestrian and bike path across the iconic cable-stayed bridge with stunning harbor views. Wide dedicated ...

📌

Rainbow Row

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Iconic row of colorful historic homes along East Bay Street — great for photos. Free to view from the sidewalk. Flat sid...

📌

Blackbeard's Tours Charleston Pirate Tour

1–2 hoursAges 412+

Interactive walking pirate tour that kids absolutely love with stories, pirate facts, and treasure hunts. Best for ages ...

📌

Aqua Safari Dolphin Cruise

1–2 hoursAges 012+

Dolphin sighting boat tours from Shem Creek are thrilling for young children. Life jackets provided and required for you...

📌

Drayton Hall

2–4 hoursAges 612+Stroller OK

Oldest preserved plantation house in America with fascinating guided tours. Best for children 7 and older who can engage...

📌

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Wildlife refuge with flat walking trails ideal for spotting alligators, birds, and deer. Bring binoculars and a nature c...

🍕

Charleston Culinary Tours

2–4 hoursAges 612+

Family-friendly food tours through Charleston's historic neighborhoods sampling local cuisine. Best for children ages 6 ...

📌

Edisto Beach State Park

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Beautiful uncrowded state park beach great for fossil hunting — shark teeth and shells found frequently which thrills ki...

📌

Charleston Tea Garden

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

America's only large-scale working tea garden with free trolley tours of the fields that kids find fascinating. Flat acc...

📌

Legare Farms Pumpkin Patch & U-Pick

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Wonderful seasonal fall family activity with pumpkin picking, corn maze, and farm animals. Flat farm terrain accessible ...

📌

Mount Pleasant Towne Centre

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Open-air shopping center with kid-friendly chain restaurants and a pleasant outdoor area. Good rainy-day backup for a fe...

This Week's Weather
Loading forecast...
Packing Tips for Charleston
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
🌳
Hampton Park
1–2 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🎡
South Carolina Aquarium
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
📌
Edisto Beach State Park
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Charleston?

Top family activities include South Carolina Aquarium, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Hampton Park, Waterfront Park. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Charleston good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Charleston are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Charleston?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

Explore More Destinations

AnchorageParisMinneapolisBerlinCopenhagenPragueHawaii VolcanoesYellowstoneBrooklynAthensChristchurchAix-en-Provence