10 best things to do with kids in Myrtle Beach South Carolina

They call Myrtle Beach America’s beachiest beach and they are not wrong. But beaches are far from the only reason to make this South Carolina legend your next family adventure. Take a look.

Sunset over Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is simply known as The Beach in South Carolina. It really is that beachy, with no fewer than 60 miles of coastline, vast stretches of sand, unique coastal towns, boardwalks, boulevards and even a couple of beach-themed state parks.

In other good news for UK families, the winters here are short, so the summers are long. And since it starts to heat up round about March, it’s high-summer in every sense by July. Then you can expect long, sunny days; almost tropical evenings, and water temperatures round about 27°: a shade warmer than the Caribbean. Although come in autumn and you can look forward to plenty of good weather then too, with the added bonus of local ‘Fall’ festivals and traditions.

Huntington Beach State Park

But, apart from gorgeous sunshine and dazzling Atlantic beaches, what else brings families in their droves to Myrtle Beach. It took us a while to whittle down the astonishing number of things to see and do with kids here, but we did it, and came up with a top 10. Just remember, it’s only a hint of what’s really going on.

Wonderworks, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Wonderworks: an amusement park for the mind

Even if Wonderworks didn’t live up to the promise of an ‘amusement park for the mind’, the fact that it’s in an upside down building would be almost enough to make it the holiday standout for kids.

Good new is, not only does Wonderworks defy gravity from the get-go, it also delivers on as much mind-bending fun inside, as out. Six different zones let kids experience everything from hurricane force winds to Dr Seuss’s Taxidermy. And if that sounds intriguing, wait until they try the two-person gyroscope.

Imagination Lab and the Light and Sound Zone are great for younger children. But older ones and teens have plenty to get their head round too.

Or, if they aren’t feeling entirely cerebral, Wonderworks also features an amazing 1000ft high zipline over water – great view of the topsy-turvy building. And there’s also a seriously challenging rope course outdoors too.

Huntington Beach State Park

Head to Huntington Beach State Park in summer and spread out on its beautiful three mile beach.

If kids are keen to spot shy wildlife, follow one of the two well-marked nature trails for an easy walk that might reward you with glimpses of anything from sea turtles and dolphins to alligators. And don’t forget to look up occasionally too, the park is also prime bird watching territory.

Drop into the Nature Center and talk to one of the local experts before you stride out.

Sensory experiences, Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach State Park might only be a short drive from South Ocean Boulevard, but it still feels like an adventure.

You’ll find lifeguarded beaches here from May to September so it’s a safe spot for a family swim. Two large playgrounds bring the fun on dry land, especially for younger kids. And conservation-conscious teens should lace up their boots and hike the Sculpture Oak Nature Trail through one of South Carolina’s rare stands of maritime forest.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Just when you think you couldn’t love aquariums more, one comes along with a Sloth Valley.

That one is Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach and, considering it was pretty stupendous before, you can only imagine how amazing it is now it has Costa Rican icons in residence.

As well as encounters with sloths, the recently expanded Penguin Playhouse lets kids get up close to more cuties. Then for something completely different, you can drift into the Dangerous Reef and observe – at a safe distance – the more fearsome creatures of the deep: we are talking about a lot of sharks here.

Catch a breath and a glimpse of the sea beneath your feet on Ripley’s Glass Bottom Boat Adventure. And when you need a quiet moment, go gaze at the backlit jellyfish in Planet Jellies: more like a mesmerising art installation than marine life.

The SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

The SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

Soaring up to 187ft high and gazing out over the endless Atlantic from its pole position on Ocean Boulevard, The SkyWheel Myrtle Beach is no ordinary Ferris wheel.

For a start it’s the first observation wheel of its kind in the US, so very much an only-in-Myrtle-Beach experience.

Each comfortable pod fits up to six people, which is ideal for families and you can ride day or night. In fact there’s even a sunrise rotation, for early risers who want to see Myrtle Beach and beyond before anyone else.

SkyZone, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

SkyZone: bounce around fun in downtown

Feeling bouncy? Take your big and little thrill-seekers to SkyZone in downtown Myrtle Beach.

Aside from an enormous Freestyle Jump zone where kids can get acrobatic, competitive or plain worn out, there are climbing walls, foam pits, towers and even a parkour circuit.

They don’t do age-limits here, so it’s up to you, but the new Lil Ninja zone is bounce-around heaven for under-fives.

Strolling Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stretches for over a mile and can’t be beaten for it’s authentic American seaside atmosphere. We don’t do really do boardwalks in the UK, so when you get the chance to stroll along one in the land that invented them, grab it with both hands.

As well as second-to-none ocean views, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has everything from shopping and waterfront restaurants to the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach.

After a recent facelift, recycled plastic boards now take the place of the original wooden ones, making for a more durable and accessible surface: kids will love the colour scheme.

Speaking of kids, the Boardwalk is where to find Ripley’s Aquarium along with Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Ripley’s Mirror Maze. It’s also one of the best places to put Myrtle Beach’s reputation for outstanding ice cream to the test. And when hunger really strikes, quite a few of the boardwalk restaurants could have been designed just to delight children.

Teens will appreciate the vintage vibes of the traditional fishing pier and if you’ve little dudes in tow, the Boardwalk does a nice line in surf shops too.

Riptide Rockets, Myrtle Waves Waterpark

Myrtle Waves Waterpark

South Carolina’s largest waterpark, Myrtle Waves features no fewer than 22 rides, chutes, slides and attractions, and the best news is that one ticket covers them all.

So you pay once and get to play as long as you like on the likes of Turbo Twister or the Thunderbolt Speedslides. When you need to take five, grab a ring and float down the long, long lazy rivers.

There’s also an enormous and very family-friendly wave pool, and if that’s not enough wave action for your surfers in training, Myrtle Waves also has a Flowrider^® where visitors of all ages can boogie board or be a bit more ambitious.

Myrtle Beach, Mini-Golf Capital of the World

Play 50 Mini-Golf Courses

That’s right, Myrtle Beach is the Mini-Golf World Capital, with 50 novelty courses to play on and some of the most inventive – and fiendishly difficult – designs on earth.

The game’s affectionately called ‘putt-putt’ in the US or more often Crazy Golf in the UK, but whatever title it goes by there is no denying that it says holiday fun loud and clear in Myrtle Beach.

Kayaking, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Go kayaking with kids

Along the remarkable 60 mile coastline here there are plenty of high-thrill water sports available. But some of the best adventures in Myrtle Beach happen in a quieter way on waterways and inlets, rivers and even saltmarshes.

Kayaking is great fun and you can go it alone with a little local advice or book a tour for real insight into what interests you from the remarkable South Carolina coastal eco-system to equally remarkable wildlife.

Many local companies specialise in family kayaking tours or can point you in exactly the right direction to paddle safely and happily for hours with your kids.