Hauling beach chairs, snacks, and restless kids across a blazing hot parking lot is a rite of passage for parents, but a family trip doesn't have to feel like a grueling endurance test. The Golden Isles are uniquely suited for families because everything is accessible, deeply scenic, and refreshingly laid-back. I've spent years exploring these islands with families of all sizes, and I've found that pairing the right pacing with the right activities makes all the difference.
Here are my top ten favorite things to do with kids across Saint Simons, Jekyll, and Sea Island, guaranteed to keep everyone entertained and relatively sand-free by dinner.
1. Spot Wildlife on a Jekyll Island Dolphin Tour
The shallow tidal creeks around Jekyll Island are perfect for spotting bottlenose dolphins up close.
One of the most thrilling ways to kick off a family weekend is the Jekyll Island dolphin cruise. The boat ride takes you through the beautiful marshways where you're practically guaranteed to spot dolphins playing in the wake. The coastal waters of Georgia host one of the largest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins on the Eastern seaboard. Because they feed in the shallow tidal creeks, you see them much closer than you would on an open-ocean tour. It's a genuine adventure, but with a clear beginning and end that keeps younger kids from getting overtired.
2. Earn a Badge at Fort Frederica National Monument
The tabby ruins of Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island.
If your kids have any interest in history—or just running around wide-open green spaces—Fort Frederica is a must-stop. Built by James Oglethorpe in 1736 to protect the British colony from Spanish raids, the fort is now a stunning National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Kids love the Junior Ranger program here. They can pick up a booklet, explore the tabby ruins (a unique coastal building material made of oyster shells), and earn a badge by the end of the visit. It's heavily shaded by massive oak trees, making it a great mid-morning activity.
3. Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island rehabilitates injured sea turtles.
Located in the historic district of Jekyll Island, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a working hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. It's an incredible educational experience for kids. You can walk through the interactive exhibits to learn about marine conservation, and then head back to the rehabilitation pavilion to see the actual turtle patients recovering in their tanks. It's a humbling and inspiring stop that usually becomes the highlight of the trip.
4. Climb the St. Simons Lighthouse
The St. Simons Lighthouse is a working beacon with an incredible view.
Burn off some excess energy by climbing the 129 cast-iron steps to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse. It's one of only five surviving lighthouses in Georgia, and the view from the top—stretching out over the St. Simons Sound and Jekyll Island—is spectacular. The museum at the base is housed in the historic keeper's dwelling, offering a neat glimpse into what life was like for the lighthouse keepers in the 1800s.
5. Play in the Sand at East Beach
The expansive views around East Beach offer plenty of room to play.
When it comes to beach time, proximity is the golden rule. East Beach on Saint Simons is a massive local favorite because of its wide, hard-packed sand, which is perfect for riding bikes at low tide or setting up a family game of bocce ball. The continental shelf drops off very gradually along the Georgia coast, meaning the waves here are typically gentle. We usually hit the sand right after breakfast, play until the sun gets too intense, and then retreat to the hotel pool.
6. Explore the Otherworldly Driftwood Beach
Driftwood Beach is a surreal landscape that kids love exploring.
Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island is arguably the most photographed spot in Georgia. The massive, weathered trees resting in the sand look otherworldly. It's an incredible place for kids to climb, explore the root systems, and hunt for tide pool creatures. However, I always advise treating it as a stunning scenic stop—go for sunrise or late afternoon, but don't plan to pitch your beach tent here all day, as the water access can be tricky at high tide.
7. Hunt for Tree Spirits
Hidden faces are carved into the ancient oak trees across St. Simons Island.
St. Simons has a delightful secret hidden in plain sight: the Tree Spirits. Local artists have carved intricately detailed faces into the trunks of several massive live oak trees across the island. The faces are said to represent the sailors lost at sea aboard ships made from St. Simons oak. Turning the search for these carvings into a scavenger hunt is a completely free, highly engaging way to keep kids occupied while driving or biking around the island.
8. Splash Around at Neptune Park Fun Zone
The Neptune Park Fun Zone offers a much-needed break from the sand.
Located right next to the St. Simons Pier, Neptune Park is an absolute lifesaver when the kids are tired of the beach but still want to swim. The Fun Zone features a massive zero-entry public pool, a children's water play area, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. You can spend an entire afternoon here, then simply walk over to the village for dinner and ice cream.
9. Go on a Beach Treasure Hunt
The barrier islands are rich with sea glass and shells.
Eventually, everyone hits a wall with open-ended beach time. That's when I introduce something focused, like a beach treasure hunt and jewelry workshop. You can join an instructor to hunt for shark teeth and sea glass, both of which are surprisingly abundant on these barrier islands due to the natural dredging of the shipping channels. Walking away with a handmade wire-wrapped souvenir makes the memory stick long after you've shaken the sand out of your shoes.
10. Ride Bikes on Jekyll's Paved Trails
Jekyll Island features over 20 miles of flat, paved bike paths.
Jekyll Island features over 20 miles of flat, paved bike paths that wind through ancient maritime forests, past historic ruins, and alongside the beach. Renting bikes (and a trailer for the littles) is the absolute best way to see the island. It's entirely safe from major car traffic, allowing kids to ride somewhat independently. Pack a picnic lunch in your basket and pull off wherever the view looks best.
