Best Things to Do in St. Simons Island with Kids
St. Simons Island is undoubtedly a beautiful beach destination in the United States. Tucked into the “shark bite” of Georgia’s coast, about an hour south of Savannah, this little barrier island is a wonderful family-friendly destination–it also happens to be my hometown.
St. Simons Island marsh at sunset
If you’ve never been to St. Simons Island, check out these helpful tips for first-timers.
I didn’t appreciate living there until well into adulthood, and even more so after having my daughter. I love returning to visit old friends and my favorite restaurants and discovering new things to do. St. Simons Island is a perfect family-friendly vacation with plenty of activities for little ones and things to do for adults as well. I get plenty of emails and DMs about what to do with kids in St. Simons Island, so I’m finally putting together my list of favorites. These are Fern approved ;)
Perfect for: beach-loving families, curious kids, and parents who want to unplug and slow down a little.
Hit the Beach at East Beach
This is the main public beach on St. Simons Island, and it’s perfect for families. The beach is long and wide, with calm waves for splashing and tide pools for exploring. Keep your eyes open for fiddler crabs and other little creatures. You’ll need to bring your own chairs and towels, and if you have little ones, bring some buckets and nets for fun at low tide. You can also rent beach chairs and an umbrella from Barry’s Beach Service. Beach destinations are the best in my opinion with kids because it’s built in entertainment. If you want to get a fun toy for the beach, check out these reusable water balloons. These have been nonstop entertainment for us, plus, there’s no trash left behind! If you have older kids interested in history, check out the WWII Home Front Museum at the old Coast Guard Station.
Boardwalk to East Beach
Helpful tips:
Stay off the dunes: The beaches and dunes are a delicate ecosystem, so when you’re exploring the beach, stay off the dunes and use boardwalks wherever available
Don’t forget to pack out any trash you may have
Dogs must be kept on a leash
No glass is allowed
Be mindful of rip currents
Explore the St. Simons Lighthouse & Museum
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly museum with a built-in activity that burns energy, check out the St. Simons Lighthouse in the Village. Learn about the lighthouse's history and explore the lighthouse keeper’s quarters through interactive exhibits before you climb the 129 stairs to the top for a panoramic view. This is a great activity for after lunch to get some energy out before a nap or if you need a break from the sun. Tickets can be purchased in the museum gift shop.
$12 Adults
$6 Ages 6 - 12
$2 Military discount with ID
St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Museum
Visit Neptune Park Fun Zone
If you’re traveling with younger kids (10 and under), don’t miss Neptune Park next to the lighthouse. There is a splash pad, pool, and playground right by the water. If you’re dining or staying in the Village area, this is a great spot for kids to play.
Find the Tree Spirits
Back in the 1980s, an artist created over 20 tree spirits around St. Simons Island. Over time and with the help of social media, hunting tree spirits has turned into a fun activity of families visiting the area. Get some tips from the Golden Isles Visitors Center in the village and see your first one. Cora, the legendary Golden Isles mermaid, lives in a tree in the visitors center lawn so if nothing else, you can check this one off of your list!
Cora the Mermaid
Rent Bikes and Cruise the Island Trails
One of the best ways to explore St. Simons Island is by bike. There are 30+ miles of dedicated bike paths around the island, making it very bike-friendly–you can easily cruise from one end to the other. The paths are mostly shaded by towering oak trees and Spanish moss, so when you need a break from the sun, this is a great activity. The island can get pretty busy in the summer months, and biking makes it a lot quicker than riding in traffic. The good news is that there are plenty of places to stop for snacks or ice cream breaks along the way. Rent bikes from Barry’s Beach Service or Monkey Rents (inside Monkey Wrench Bikes)
Picnic and Play at Massengale Park
If you’re looking for a playground and quick beach access, Massengale Park is the perfect spot. The playground is shaded by live oak trees, giving little ones a break from the sun, and there are picnic tables, public bathrooms, and easy parking. Don’t miss the floating bridge across a huge tidepool over to the beach.
While you’re in this area, go shopping at Pane in the Glass and grab a snack from The Cottage Custard + Coffee at The King and Prince Resort. They serve Wake Up Coffee (my fav) and frozen custard, and have a great lounge area with Adirondack chairs and a castle playground.
Pane in the Glass
Go Dolphin Watching or Kayaking
When you’re visiting St. Simons Island or any of the Golden Isles, you have to get out on the water. One of my favorite guides is Cap Fendig. He’s been a captain in St. Simons Island for over 40 years and a great guide for groups of all ages. His dolphin tours run from February to Thanksgiving and are so fun for families. An overnight cruise on the Capt. Gabby is on our list for our next visit.
If you have older kids, I’d highly recommend renting some kayaks or SUPs. For a guided experience, check out Southeast Adventures. Most tours are 2-3 hours and allow you to learn about the history and nature of the Georgia coast.
Take a Day Trip to Jekyll Island
Speaking of Jekyll Island, I’d highly recommend a day trip with kiddos. Door to door, it’s about a 30-minute drive, and there is an admission fee to the island because it’s a state park. There are so many things to do, but here are a few ideas.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital and rehabilitation center for sea turtles, but it also has several interactive exhibits and a gallery where you can see turtles (and sometimes other coastal creatures) that are receiving treatment. Great for curious kiddos interested in wildlife.
Driftwood Beach is a must-see when you visit Jekyll Island. Pack a picnic and hike around this unique beach covered in massive driftwood trees.
Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
The Jekyll Island Historic District is beautiful and fun to explore on foot or by trolley. Here are a few tips!
Stop by the Island Sweet Shop for some candy or ice cream
Look for butterflies in the sunken garden at Crane Cottage
Grab lunch at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and sit on the porch
If you visit in December, don’t miss the Holly Jolly Days trolley tour of the historic district covered in holiday lights.
Where to Eat with Kids on St. Simons
When I go to St. Simons with my daughter, we usually keep dining out really casual. Luckily, there are plenty of casual restaurants with my favorite things– locally caught Wild Georgia Shrimp and oysters.
Frosty’s in the Village
The Porch: This restaurant wasn’t around when I was growing up, but I always visit a couple of times on trips these days for a really low-key lunch or dinner. They have excellent Wild Georgia Shrimp, catfish, Hot Chicken, and frose. It’s counter service, making it relaxing and easy for families and groups.
Southern Soul BBQ: For Barbecue lovers, this is the spot. You can’t go wrong with anything–I’m partial to pulled pork, smoked chicken salad, or a really good BLT. Order a bunch of sides for the kids that don’t like BBQ–the mac and cheese is always a winner. This one is good for takeout or a fun lunch spot located centrally, mid-island.
Frosty’s Griddle & Shake: I finally visited Frosty’s during my last visit and love it. It’s located in the heart of the Village and serves up great burgers, crinkle fries, milkshakes, and more.
Dulce Dough: I don’t even really like donuts but this place is so freaking good. The donuts are full of flavor, not just sweet. Dulce also has a variety of delicious quiches.
Half Shell: I like going here and sitting on the patio for oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp. Less is more when it comes ot seafood for me, but they do have a big menu if you’re looking for entrees, salads, and sandwiches. They have a kids' menu too, so everyone wins.
I do have a whole blog post about restaurants you should try in St. Simons Island for more ideas!
Fried chicken at the Porch
Tips for Visiting St. Simons Island with Kids
Best time to visit (spring/fall = fewer crowds, great weather)
My biggest tip is to visit in the off-peak season. I love St. Simons Island in the winter or early spring. That’s one of the easiest times to visit because there are fewer crowds and the weather is so pleasant. It might not be beach weather every day, but you’ll enjoy warmer temperatures than the majority of the continental United States in the middle of winter. Fall is great choice too because it is still warm outside and there are fewer bugs. Something to keep in mind when planning a trip to St. Simons in the fall—September - early October is the height of hurricane season, so be prepared to be flexible and maybe get some travel insurance.
Exploring Fort Frederica National Monument in December
Rent a house or a condo for more space
If you’re traveling with multiple kids, a vacation rental house or condo might be the best option for you. I love this 1930s renovated bungalow in the village if you have a small group. For a big family or multiple families, check out one of the Coast Cottages at East Beach. This community is filled with huge, 3 story houses on East Beach with a pool for the cottage community. We stayed here over Christmas and had a great time.
Bring sun and bug protection
You can obviously buy these things when you get there, but if you like particular brands, you might as well get them ahead of time! For kids, I love Blue Lizard because it is thick mineral sunscreen, and it’s easy to tell if you’ve missed a spot. I like the stick for kids’ faces, and then spray for everywhere else. For bugs, I like an herbal bug spray like this. Hats and sun shirts are a must if you don’t want to reapply sunscreen constantly. We also buy Fern a lot of long-sleeved suits to make it easy. Here are a few of my favorite things I pack for our trips to SSI.
Long story short, St. Simons Island is a great place to visit for beach-loving families and outdoor adventurers alike. While you’re in this area, you should check out Savannah, Georgia too!
I hope this post makes planning your trip to St. Simons with kids a little bit easier. If there’s anything I missed or you still have questions, please leave a comment or send me an email!
