Things to Do With Kids on the Grand Strand
Plan a family day from Oak Island to Pawleys Island: what each town publishes about lifeguards, rainy-day museums with their prices, state park beaches, a splash pad and the Southport ferry. Prices, hours and seasons come from each official site.
On the Grand Strand, Horry County requires lifeguards along parts of its beaches from May 15 to Sept. 15, and North Myrtle Beach has about 100 lifeguards on 50 towers. On a rainy day, EdVenture in Myrtle Beach costs $12 a person (under 2 free) and the Horry County Museum in Conway is free. South Carolina state parks charge $8 for adults and $4 for ages 6 to 15; kids 5 and under get in free. The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is closed for renovation.
Where are you staying?
A family day in North Myrtle Beach & Little River
A family day in Myrtle Beach
- BeachLifeguards along the city beach. Holes deeper than two feet are not allowed. Details
- Rainy dayEdVenture: $12 a person, under 2 free. Or WonderWorks. Details
- Splash padFutrell Park, daily 10 to 7 from late May to Labor Day. Details
- State parkMyrtle Beach State Park: $8 adults, $4 ages 6 to 15, 5 and under free. Details
A family day in Surfside Beach & Garden City
A family day in Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island & Georgetown
A family day in Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle & Holden Beach, N.C.
A family day in Oak Island, Caswell Beach & Southport, N.C.
Beaches with lifeguards: what each town publishes
Swim near a lifeguard, read the flag before your kids go in, and fill your holes before you leave. Flag colors and town rules are in Beach safety below.
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Season dates not published
North Myrtle Beach
Season: Not published on the city's site. Hours: About 100 lifeguards cover 50 towers along 9 miles of beach; tower hours are not published.
No swimming beyond 50 yards or shoulder height. Tents and canopies are not allowed on the beach from May 15 to Labor Day.
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Season dates not published
Myrtle Beach
Season: Not published on the city's site. Hours: Lifeguards work for beach services under a franchise agreement with the city; the city does not publish stand hours.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, umbrellas must be round, up to 7.5 feet across, and set in line with or behind the lifeguards' umbrella line.
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Off season today
Horry County beaches (including Garden City)
Season: May 15 to Sept. 15. Hours: Hours are not published on the county's page.
No county lifeguard requirement outside May 15 to Sept. 15.
The county requires lifeguards along parts of three unincorporated stretches: south of North Myrtle Beach to the Dunes Club, south of Springmaid Pier to Surfside Beach, and south of Surfside Beach through Garden City Beach to the Georgetown County line.
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Season dates not published
Oak Island, N.C.
Season: The town's Ocean Rescue Unit season runs until Oct. 1. Hours: Patrols during high-traffic times; hours are not published.
The town's Ocean Rescue Unit patrols the beach and keeps the beach warning flag and surf conditions posted.
Summer beach safety for kids
What the beach flags mean
- GreenConditions are generally good.
- YellowMedium hazard.
- RedHazardous conditions, such as strong waves or currents.
- Double redWater closed to the public. No swimming.
- BlueDangerous marine life, such as a high number of jellyfish.
- Holes and the umbrella line in Myrtle Beach
Holes deeper than two feet are not allowed, and every hole must be filled before you leave. Breaking these beach rules can bring a fine of up to $500.
- How far out in North Myrtle Beach
No swimming beyond 50 yards or shoulder height, and fill any hole you dig before you leave.
- Swim near a lifeguard
Swim only at a beach with lifeguards and ask them about the water that day. Rip currents often form on calm, sunny days.
- Afternoon thunderstorms
Summer thunderstorms often build in the afternoon. When thunder roars, go indoors: out of the water and off the sand, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
- Sea turtle nights
From May through October, turn off outside lights that can be seen from the beach, from dusk to dawn, and fill in large holes at the end of the day so turtles and hatchlings don't get trapped.
- Life jackets on boats
South Carolina: children under 12 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on boats under 16 feet. North Carolina: children under 13 must wear one on any recreational boat that is underway.
Map: lifeguards, splash pads, attractions and state parks
Splash pads, playgrounds and pools
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Closed for the season Futrell Park splash pad
No fee listed. Late May to Labor Day (the city's last posted dates: May 25 to Labor Day). Daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Check the city's site for this year's opening date.
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Oak Island Splashpad
No fee listed. Warm months; the town does not post its dates. The town runs it on daily operating hours that it does not publish.
Big days out
- Southport–Fort Fisher ferry
The state ferry crosses the Cape Fear River from Southport. One way: $1 per walk-on passenger (under 5 free), $2 with a bike, $7 for a vehicle under 20 feet.
- Closed for renovationNorth Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Closed since May 26, 2026 for a renovation and expansion expected to take more than two years. Its satellite, Discovery Bay, is at Independence Mall in Wilmington.
- Atalaya at Huntington Beach State Park
The Huntingtons' Moorish-style winter home, a National Historic Landmark. It can close for large events, so call the park first: (843) 237-4440.
$2 per person age 6 and up, on top of park admission. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5 p.m. during daylight saving time).
- Fishing with kids
In South Carolina, anglers 16 and older need a saltwater license to fish from shore, but nobody needs one on a licensed public fishing pier.
Rainy day and attractions: official prices and hours
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Open Sundays Indoor
EdVenture Myrtle Beach
About $48 for a family of four
$12 for children and adults · $11 for first responders, military and seniors with ID · under 2 free.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
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Closed Sundays Indoor
Horry County Museum
Free for the whole family
Free admission.
Hours: Weekdays; the county lists Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the museum's own site lists Tuesday to Saturday. Call (843) 915-5320 before you go.
The L.W. Paul Living History Farm, run by the same museum, is free too.
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Open Sundays Outdoor
Brookgreen Gardens
About $78 for a family of four
Adults (13 to 64) $25 · seniors (65+) $23 · children (4 to 12) $14 · 3 and under free. Tickets are good for 7 days in a row.
Hours: Now: Monday and Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (daytime gates close at 4:30); Wednesday to Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. Hours change with the season.
Gardens and an animal collection, mostly outdoors. No pets; service animals are welcome.
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Open Sundays Indoor
WonderWorks Myrtle Beach
See prices on the official page
Ages 4 and under free. Child (5 to 12) and adult (13 and up) prices are on the official ticket page; tax extra.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last tickets one hour before closing.
The official page does not show prices as text, so we do not estimate a family total.
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Closed Sundays Indoor
Museum of Coastal Carolina
About $40 for a family of four
$12 adults (13 to 61) · $10 seniors (62+) · $8 children (3 to 12) · 2 and under free.
Hours: Thursday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 7; from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31, also Sunday noon to 4 p.m. From March 29, 2027: Monday to Saturday 10 to 4, Sunday noon to 4. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing. Combo tickets with the Ingram Planetarium are sold the same day.
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Closed Sundays Indoor
Ingram Planetarium
About $40 for a family of four
Per show: $12 adults (13 to 61) · $10 seniors (62+) · $8 children (3 to 12) · 2 and under free.
Hours: September to December: dome shows Thursday to Saturday at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; laser shows Friday and Saturday at 6 and 7 p.m. In summer 2026, dome shows ran Monday to Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Doors open 30 minutes before the first show.
Run a family attraction, play space or kids' class?
State parks: a calmer beach day
Admission is per person, and kids 5 and under get in free. The park pages do not say whether lifeguards are on duty, so plan as if there are none.
- Myrtle Beach State Park
$8 adults, $5 S.C. seniors (65+), $4 ages 6 to 15, 5 and under free
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. March to November; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. December to February
- Huntington Beach State Park
$8 adults, $5 S.C. seniors, $4 ages 6 to 15, 5 and under free
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (9 p.m. during daylight saving time)
Ideas by age
- Babies and toddlers
Little ones get in free at EdVenture (under 2), the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium (2 and under), Brookgreen Gardens (3 and under), WonderWorks (4 and under) and South Carolina state parks (5 and under).
- Ages 3 to 7
EdVenture, the Futrell Park splash pad in summer, an Ingram Planetarium dome show and a morning at a lifeguarded beach.
- Ages 8 to 12
WonderWorks, Brookgreen Gardens, the free Horry County Museum and the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry.
- Teens
Ingram Planetarium laser shows on Friday and Saturday nights, WonderWorks until 10 p.m. on weekends, and pier fishing (no license needed on a licensed public pier).
Kids and family events coming up
Kids' programs at the public library
- Horry County Memorial Library
Children's programs at 10 libraries around the county.
See this week's programs - Brunswick County Library
Barbee (Oak Island), Harper (Southport), Leland, Rourk (Shallotte) and Southwest Brunswick (Carolina Shores).
See this week's programs
More indoor museums, shows and attractions in our local guides
Went somewhere great with the kids?
Help other parents. We publish short reader reports after an editor reviews them, shown apart from official information and never with your address.
- Share a tip: how crowded it was, what ages liked it, a price change.
- Add a kids' event: storytimes, camps, classes and festivals. Free listing in our events calendar.
- Know a place we are missing? Tell us and we will check its prices and hours.
Questions about things to do with kids on the Grand Strand
What can kids do for free on a rainy day on the Grand Strand?
The Horry County Museum is free: Weekdays; the county lists Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the museum's own site lists Tuesday to Saturday. Call (843) 915-5320 before you go. Public library storytimes are free too.
How much does EdVenture Myrtle Beach cost?
$12 for children and adults · $11 for first responders, military and seniors with ID · under 2 free. A family of two adults and two children pays about $48. Source: EdVenture.
What are the hours of EdVenture Myrtle Beach?
Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
How much does the Horry County Museum cost?
Free admission. Source: Horry County.
What are the hours of the Horry County Museum?
Weekdays; the county lists Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the museum's own site lists Tuesday to Saturday. Call (843) 915-5320 before you go.
How much does Brookgreen Gardens cost?
Adults (13 to 64) $25 · seniors (65+) $23 · children (4 to 12) $14 · 3 and under free. Tickets are good for 7 days in a row. A family of two adults and two children pays about $78. Source: Brookgreen Gardens.
What are the hours of Brookgreen Gardens?
Now: Monday and Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (daytime gates close at 4:30); Wednesday to Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. Hours change with the season.
How much does WonderWorks Myrtle Beach cost?
Ages 4 and under free. Child (5 to 12) and adult (13 and up) prices are on the official ticket page; tax extra. Source: WonderWorks Myrtle Beach.
What are the hours of WonderWorks Myrtle Beach?
Sunday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last tickets one hour before closing.
How much does the Museum of Coastal Carolina cost?
$12 adults (13 to 61) · $10 seniors (62+) · $8 children (3 to 12) · 2 and under free. A family of two adults and two children pays about $40. Source: Museum of Coastal Carolina.
What are the hours of the Museum of Coastal Carolina?
Thursday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 7; from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31, also Sunday noon to 4 p.m. From March 29, 2027: Monday to Saturday 10 to 4, Sunday noon to 4. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
How much does the Ingram Planetarium cost?
Per show: $12 adults (13 to 61) · $10 seniors (62+) · $8 children (3 to 12) · 2 and under free. A family of two adults and two children pays about $40. Source: Ingram Planetarium.
What are the hours of the Ingram Planetarium?
September to December: dome shows Thursday to Saturday at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; laser shows Friday and Saturday at 6 and 7 p.m. In summer 2026, dome shows ran Monday to Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
When are lifeguards on duty at North Myrtle Beach?
Not published on the city's site. About 100 lifeguards cover 50 towers along 9 miles of beach; tower hours are not published. Source: North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue.
When are lifeguards on duty at Myrtle Beach?
Not published on the city's site. Lifeguards work for beach services under a franchise agreement with the city; the city does not publish stand hours. Source: City of Myrtle Beach.
When are lifeguards on duty at Horry County beaches (including Garden City)?
May 15 to Sept. 15. Hours are not published on the county's page. Off season: No county lifeguard requirement outside May 15 to Sept. 15. Source: Horry County.
When are lifeguards on duty at Oak Island, N.C.?
The town's Ocean Rescue Unit season runs until Oct. 1. Patrols during high-traffic times; hours are not published. Source: Town of Oak Island.
Are there free splash pads on the Grand Strand?
Futrell Park splash pad (1073 Futrell Dr, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577): Late May to Labor Day (the city's last posted dates: May 25 to Labor Day). Daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oak Island Splashpad (Middleton Park Complex, Oak Island): Warm months; the town does not post its dates. The town runs it on daily operating hours that it does not publish.
How much does a state park beach day cost?
Myrtle Beach State Park: $8 adults, $5 S.C. seniors (65+), $4 ages 6 to 15, 5 and under free. Huntington Beach State Park: $8 adults, $5 S.C. seniors, $4 ages 6 to 15, 5 and under free. The park pages do not say whether lifeguards are on duty.
What do the beach warning flags mean?
Green: Conditions are generally good. Yellow: Medium hazard. Red: Hazardous conditions, such as strong waves or currents. Double red: Water closed to the public. No swimming. Blue: Dangerous marine life, such as a high number of jellyfish.
How much is the Southport–Fort Fisher ferry?
The state ferry crosses the Cape Fear River from Southport. One way: $1 per walk-on passenger (under 5 free), $2 with a bike, $7 for a vehicle under 20 feet. Source: N.C. Department of Transportation.
Is the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher open?
Closed since May 26, 2026 for a renovation and expansion expected to take more than two years. Its satellite, Discovery Bay, is at Independence Mall in Wilmington. Source: North Carolina Aquariums; N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Can kids visit Atalaya at Huntington Beach State Park?
The Huntingtons' Moorish-style winter home, a National Historic Landmark. It can close for large events, so call the park first: (843) 237-4440. $2 per person age 6 and up, on top of park admission. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5 p.m. during daylight saving time). Source: South Carolina State Parks.
Do kids need a fishing license in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, anglers 16 and older need a saltwater license to fish from shore, but nobody needs one on a licensed public fishing pier. Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Are there library programs for kids on the Grand Strand?
Yes. The Horry County Memorial Library runs children's programs at its 10 libraries, and Brunswick County Library has five branches in North Carolina. Check each calendar for this week.