Family Friendly Charleston and Fun Things to Do with Kids
Charleston, South Carolina, is a charming coastal city filled with history, natural beauty, and countless family-friendly activities. Whether exploring cobblestone streets, relaxing on pristine beaches, or enjoying interactive museums, families will find plenty to do in this welcoming destination. Parents and children can step back in time with a carriage ride through the historic district, visit the South Carolina Aquarium to see sea turtles and stingrays up close, or spend a fun-filled day at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. Outdoor lovers can enjoy parks, boat tours, and dolphin-watching excursions, while adventure-seekers can tackle ropes courses or visit nature preserves. This list of activities, voted on by parents and families, highlights the best experiences Charleston has to offer for kids of all ages.
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Ghost and Pirate Tours for Kids
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While Charleston has many ghost tours, some are specifically designed for families. These milder versions of traditional ghost walks include costumed storytellers sharing fun pirate legends, Revolutionary War tales, and folklore in a way that’s engaging for kids without being too scary. Walking through cobblestone streets and historic graveyards at dusk adds to the adventure.
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South Carolina Aquarium
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Overlooking the Charleston Harbor, this popular attraction features a massive two-story Great Ocean Tank filled with sharks, sea turtles, and colorful fish. Kids can interact with sea creatures at the Touch Tank, where they can feel stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and sea stars. The Sea Turtle Care Center is a highlight, offering a chance to learn about rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles. The aquarium also has a 4D theater with educational nature films.
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Charleston Farmer’s Market in Marion Square
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Held on weekends, this vibrant market is a great place for families to explore. Kids enjoy live music, balloon artists, and face painting while parents browse local produce, crafts, and delicious treats like homemade lemonade and kettle corn. There’s also a dedicated kids’ activity area featuring storytelling and art projects.
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Charleston Waterfront Trolley Tour
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A guided trolley tour offering a relaxed way to explore Charleston’s historic districts. Families can hop on and off at key attractions, including Rainbow Row, The Battery, and the Charleston Market. Kids love the open-air trolley experience, while parents appreciate the entertaining and informative narration about the city’s history and landmarks.
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Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
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A hands-on museum designed for younger kids with engaging, interactive exhibits. Children can dress up as knights and princesses in the medieval castle, pretend to shop and work at a kid-sized grocery store, and explore a water play area with fun, splashy experiments. There’s also a dedicated art room where kids can paint, draw, and create crafts. The museum encourages imaginative play while incorporating elements of Charleston’s history and culture.
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Fort Sumter National Monument
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This historic site, accessible by boat from Charleston, marks the location where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Kids can explore the well-preserved fort ruins, climb on cannons, and learn about the history of the war through engaging ranger-led programs. The ferry ride to the fort is a fun adventure in itself, offering stunning views of Charleston’s skyline and passing dolphins in the water.
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The Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Game
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Catch a minor league baseball game at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, home of the Charleston RiverDogs. This affordable and family-friendly experience offers exciting game nights with themed promotions, fireworks displays, and fun activities for kids like running the bases after the game. Concession stands offer classic ballpark snacks, and the lively atmosphere keeps children engaged throughout.
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Splash Island Waterpark
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Located in Mount Pleasant, this family-friendly water park features shallow pools, twisting water slides, a lazy river, and interactive play areas perfect for kids. There are plenty of shaded seating areas and picnic spots for parents to relax while children splash and play. Lifeguards are on duty, making it a safe and fun environment for all ages.
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Edisto Island Serpentarium
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A short drive from Charleston, this reptile-focused attraction allows families to get up close with snakes, alligators, turtles, and other reptiles native to the Lowcountry. Live feeding demonstrations and interactive exhibits make it an exciting and educational experience for kids who love wildlife. The outdoor alligator lagoon is a highlight, featuring dozens of alligators lounging and swimming.
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Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park
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A thrilling outdoor ropes course that offers a safe yet exciting challenge for kids and adults. Featuring different difficulty levels, children can navigate obstacles, climb rope bridges, and zip line through the course. It’s a fantastic activity for active families looking for a fun, high-energy adventure.
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Gibbes Museum of Art – Family Days
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This historic art museum hosts special family-friendly days with interactive exhibits, hands-on crafts, and kid-friendly tours. Families can explore beautiful artwork, create their own masterpieces in art stations, and enjoy storytelling sessions that bring paintings to life. The museum’s garden area is also a quiet retreat for kids to play and relax.
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Waterfront Park
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One of Charleston’s most picturesque spots, this park offers scenic views of the harbor, tree-lined walking paths, and iconic fountains. The Pineapple Fountain is a favorite for families, as children can wade and splash in its cool waters. Parents can relax on shaded benches while watching sailboats glide by. The park is perfect for a leisurely stroll, picnic, or simply enjoying the coastal breeze.
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Charleston Tea Garden
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The only tea plantation in North America, offering a fun and educational experience for families. Kids can take a trolley tour through lush tea fields, see how tea leaves are harvested and processed, and sample fresh-brewed sweet tea. The garden is surrounded by scenic Lowcountry landscapes, making it a relaxing outdoor excursion.
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Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
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One of the oldest working plantations in America, Boone Hall is famous for its stunning Avenue of Oaks—centuries-old trees lining the entrance. Families can explore beautifully preserved gardens, visit the Gullah Theater for live storytelling about African American heritage, and learn about Lowcountry farming. Seasonal events like U-Pick strawberries and a fall pumpkin patch make it a favorite spot for kids.
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Dolphin Eco Tour on Kiawah Island
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A guided boat tour that takes families through Charleston’s tidal creeks and marshes, offering the chance to see wild dolphins up close. Kids love spotting dolphins swimming alongside the boat, while guides provide educational insights about local marine life, bird species, and the coastal ecosystem. The tours are usually small and personalized, making it an intimate and exciting wildlife experience.
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Shem Creek Park
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A scenic boardwalk and nature area where families can walk along the water, watch shrimp boats come in, and even spot dolphins swimming in the creek. The boardwalk offers stunning views of the marshlands and is perfect for strollers and young children. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available for those looking for a more adventurous outing.
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The Fire Museum at North Charleston
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A fascinating and interactive museum showcasing historic fire engines, firefighter uniforms, and hands-on exhibits. Kids can sit inside a real fire truck, try on firefighter gear, and learn fire safety through engaging displays. The museum provides an educational yet fun way to appreciate the history of firefighting in Charleston.
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The Alley Charleston
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A retro bowling alley with an energetic vibe, perfect for a family outing. In addition to bowling, The Alley features arcade games, classic pinball machines, and a full menu with kid-friendly options. The laid-back atmosphere makes it a great spot for parents to relax while kids enjoy the games and activities.
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The Charleston Museum
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One of the oldest museums in the U.S., featuring exhibits on Charleston’s history, colonial artifacts, and even an interactive children’s area. Kids can see dinosaur fossils, touch real artifacts, and learn about pirates, Native American cultures, and the Revolutionary War. The museum also has a Kidstory exhibit with hands-on learning stations and dress-up opportunities.
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Folly Beach
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A family-friendly beach destination just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. Kids can splash in the gentle waves, build sandcastles, or look for seashells along the shore. The Folly Beach Pier is great for fishing or spotting dolphins. Surf schools and rental shops offer lessons for kids who want to try surfing or paddleboarding. Nearby cafes serve fresh seafood and ice cream, making it a perfect beach day getaway.
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Charleston Fun Park
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A family entertainment center featuring mini-golf, go-karts, an arcade, and a climbing wall. It’s a great place for active kids to burn off energy while parents can enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled evening. The mini-golf course is themed, making it enjoyable for children of all ages.
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Angel Oak Tree
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A must-see natural wonder, the Angel Oak Tree is over 400 years old and has sprawling branches that stretch nearly 200 feet. Located in Angel Oak Park, this enormous live oak is a great spot for families to take photos, have a picnic, and let kids marvel at its sheer size. Nearby, there’s a small gift shop with books and crafts related to the tree’s history.
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Charleston City Market
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A historic market dating back to the 1800s, featuring local vendors selling handmade crafts, artwork, and delicious Southern treats. Kids enjoy watching artisans weave intricate sweetgrass baskets, a traditional Gullah craft. The market has a lively atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to sample pralines, browse unique souvenirs, and take in the sights and sounds of Charleston’s culture.
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Charleston Pirate Tours
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Led by guides dressed as real pirates, this family-friendly walking tour takes kids through Charleston’s historic sites while sharing stories of real-life pirates who once roamed the city. Kids can dress up in pirate gear, participate in scavenger hunts, and learn about Blackbeard’s connection to Charleston. The interactive format keeps children engaged and entertained.
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Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
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A fascinating historic site where families can step inside one of Charleston’s most famous colonial-era buildings. Kids will enjoy the costumed guides and spooky underground dungeon, which once held pirates and Revolutionary War prisoners. The exhibits highlight Charleston’s colonial past in an engaging and family-friendly way.
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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
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A beautiful and historic plantation featuring lush gardens, a petting zoo, and nature trails. Kids will love the small zoo, which has peacocks, deer, and goats they can feed. The guided boat tour through the swamps offers a chance to spot alligators, turtles, and wading birds. The plantation’s interactive exhibits teach children about life in the 19th century, making it an educational and scenic trip.
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Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
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An interactive military museum where families can explore the massive USS Yorktown, a retired aircraft carrier. Kids can step inside the pilot’s cockpit of historic aircraft, tour a real submarine, and learn about naval history through hands-on exhibits. The museum also features a flight simulator, giving kids a taste of what it’s like to fly a fighter jet. The views of Charleston Harbor from the deck of the aircraft carrier are breathtaking.
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James Island County Park
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A massive outdoor park with walking trails, a splash zone water park, and large playgrounds. Families can rent bikes, paddleboats, and kayaks to explore the scenic park. During the holiday season, the park hosts the Holiday Festival of Lights, a spectacular drive-through light display with interactive exhibits and festive attractions for kids.