Whether you live in Bluffton/Hilton Head Is. or are making a daytrip from the Greater Savannah area, Coastal Discovery Museum is a fun place for kids to visit – especially when there are educational kids’ programs happening.

Check out events happening at Coastal Discovery Museum by clicking here.

FREE Family Fun Day
Fri. August 8, 2014 10 am – 3 pm
Explore Honey Horn’s programs & activities on Free Family Day,  Aug. 8 when there will be no charge for admission  (donations are appreciated)
10% off store purchases (20% for members), excluding consignment items. (Proceeds from sales benefit the Coastal Discovery Museum educational programs.)

Discover Blue Crabs
Learn about Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Meet the Marsh Tacky Horses
Visit the Butterfly Enclosure
Indigo Tie Dye
Close Up Critters
Explore an ‘archaeological site’ with Camp Dig It
Look for birds with the HH Audubon Society
Visit the Sandbox Traveling Museum (11-3)

For additional information call 843-689-6767, ext 223

Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926, tel: (843) 689-6767, email info@coastaldiscovery.org, www.coastaldiscovery.org

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables , both on Hilton Head Is., invite you & your family to “Sandbox at the Stables” this Labor Day 2014.

Everyone is invited to this community celebration on Labor Day Monday, September 1 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Lawton Stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. (about a 1 hr drive from Savannah).

This event will include: Music, Pony rides, hayrides and the animal farm, The Sandbox’s Imagination Hour, craft projects and mobile interactive museum exhibits A pitching radar Kids Zone’s inflatable water slides and bounce houses Cappy the Clown Face painting Family activities like bocce ball, frisbee, ring toss, horse shoes and corn hole  

There will be concessions available for purchase and refreshments including, snow cones and cotton candy.

Participants may bring their own picnic provisions and beverages.

Participants can purchase additional tickets for food, drinks and some activities.

Admission is $5 per person, children 12 months and under are free. LOTS OF FREE ACTIVITIES. (Plus $6 Sea Pines gate entrance fee per auto)

(The Sandbox at the Pope Avenue location will be closed on Labor Day)

Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928 tel: (843) 671-2586, www.lawtonstableshhi.com/

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Can you believe it’s been about a year since the grand opening festivities at the Whole Foods Market Savannah?

Get ready for another Whole Foods grand opening this month. The Whole Foods Market on Hilton Head Is. opens Wed. July 30 at 9 AM. The store is located at 50 Shelter Cove Ln., Ste. R, at the Plaza at Shelter Cove.

Opening day guests are invited to arrive at the store at 8 a.m. for grand opening festivities, including a chance to win one of 100 gift cards valued between $5 and $500.

More information on the Whole Foods Market Hilton Head Facebook page here. 

The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. presents the second annual Countdown to Kindergarten. This is a celebration for rising kindergartners and their families.

FREE ADMISSION FOR RISING SOUTH CAROLINA KINDERGARTENERS!

August 15, 2014, 5p-8p. Countdown to Kindergarten provides parents with an opportunity to connect with representatives from school districts, state agencies and community to learn about available educational, health and community resources. Let the countdown begin!

About The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum

The Sandbox is an interactive children’s museum dedicated to the positive development of young children through educational play in an atmosphere that fosters family and community. Established in 2005, and located on the south end of Hilton Head Island, The Sandbox is the only non-profit play and learning center of its kind in the Low Country featuring region-related exhibits, crafts and programming specifically designed to stimulate curiosity, evoke creativity and motivate learning in children ages eight and under. For more information about The Sandbox, visit www.thesandbox.org  or call (843) 842-7645.

For more information, call The Sandbox at 843-842-7645 or e-mail crinehart@thesandbox.org .

The Sandbox Children’s Museum, 18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head Is., 29928 www.thesandbox.org

Hilton Head Island gets a bad rap for being pricey. But there are free ways to entertain the kids on this overwhelmingly family-friendly island.

Hilton Head Island’s beaches are the No. 1 way to entertain kids. You can bike on this beach. You can play in the tidal pools at low-tide. Swim. Sand castles. Ride the waves.

Here are our top picks for other free ways to entertain the kids on this island:

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM EVENT CALENDAR HERE.

1. Bicycling on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island offers over 50 scenic miles of public bicycle pathways and nature trails. The hard-packed beaches are also popular for bicycling at low tide.

2. Free family-friendly outdoor Gregg Russell concerts at Harbour Town, Sea Pines

A classic on Hilton Head Is. for almost four decades, Gregg Russell Concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town happen every night during summer (weather permitting) except Saturdays, 8-9:30 p.m. During Summer 2014, Gregg Russell will perform June 1-August 22 (every night except Saturdays) & August 28-31. This family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads & silly songs with audience participation. Kids in the audience try to get Gregg to pick them to sing a song to the crowd, often using creative pick-me posters etc. Concerts are free; there’s a $6 gate fee per auto.

3. Free petting farm at Lawton Stables in Sea Pines

The free animal farm includes a deer named Callie, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, turtles, cows and rabbits.  Kids can also pet a friendly retired Clydesdale, Harley, at the stables. Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee. The animal farm is free; there’s a $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here. 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, 29928

4. Hike trails in the free Sea Pines Forest Preserve

The 605-acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve includes easy trails to various points of interest including the 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The walks range from 25 minutes to one hour. Bicycles are not permitted on the nature trails, so please park your bicycles at the locations provided. Open from sunrise to sunset. The Forest Preserve is free; there’s a $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. More info here.

5. Ride the free Sea Pines Trolley

Take the free Sea Pines Trolley to all your favorite Sea Pines locations. This is a great way to entertain kids who are still thrilled by “bus rides etc”. The trolley offers an easy way to get around Sea Pines while giving you a scenic tour of a favorite family vacation resort. Schedule info here.  Trolley rides are free; there’s a $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto.

6. Go to the beach at the newly redone Sea Pines Beach Club. 

Convenient access to the Surf Shop, restrooms, shower facilities & Surfside Market featuring to-go sandwiches, salads, snacks &  cold beverages. Details here. 87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928. The beach club is free; there’s a $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto. 

7. Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town, Sea Pines

The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area. Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a fee plus $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto.  Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928

8. Explore FREE historical Stoney-Baynard Ruins, Sea Pines

The ruins of the old Baynard estate, the main house as well as attendant slave quarters, are permanently preserved within six-acre Baynard Ruins Park. The home was raided during the Civil War and Union forces made it their headquarters. Details here. The ruins are free; there’s a $6 Sea Pines gate fee per auto.

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM EVENT CALENDAR HERE.

Win a high-tech birthday party for your child.

This month, a lucky SouthernMamas.com reader will win a GameTruck birthday party from  GameTruck Hilton Head , which serves Savannah, Bluffton, Pooler, Richmond Hill & Hilton Head is. 

Imagine having GameTruck’s state-of-the art Mobile Game Theater come to your party FOR FREE.

GameTruck’s Original Mobile Video Game Theater™ features five flat screen TVs (yes, five!), dozens of video games, the latest consoles, climate control, two vendor doors. 

Think video-game paradise on wheels. Kids enjoying two hours of  Wii U, Mario Kart, Mine Craft & more.

To enter to win, ‘like’ GameTruck Hilton Head  on Facebook by clicking here.  Then on their Facebook wall, share the name of your or your child’s favorite video game, tablet/smartphone game or app – just tell us whatever game or app you or your kids love. Be sure to say SouthernMamas.com sent you.

Deadline to enter is July 30. We’ll announce the winner here & on our & GameTruck of Hilton Head’s Facebook page, so be sure to check back July 30 to see if you or someone you know (who will invite you to their GameTruck party) won.

Giveaway Rules: Prize is One GameTruck party. Winner needs to be within GameTruck of Hilton Head’s Savannah & Lowcountry service area. GameTruck party must be redeemed by Dec 31, 2014.

GameTruck isn’t just for children’s birthday parties. This kind of interactive video game entertainment is perfect for block parties, corporate events, school functions & more. Even better: GameTruck Hilton Head is locally owned & operated.

Book Now: GameTruck brings the excitement right to your door
888-602-GAME (4263)
843-619-7FUN (7386)

Gametruck Hilton Head, (843) 619-7386, email jason.stockwell@gametruckparty.com ,www.gametruckparty.com/HiltonHead On Facebook here.

This looks like a great, fit way to wrap up your kid’s summer.

TD BANK Hilton Head Island KIDS Triathlon– August 9, 2014 @ Island Recreation Center – Hilton Head Island, SC

Time – 9am Start

Distances
Ages 4-6
Swim 25 Yds | Bike 0.5 Mi | Run 0.33 Mi
Ages 7-10
Swim 75 Yds | Bike 2 Mi | Run 1 Mi
Ages 11-14
Swim 125 Yds | Bike 3 Mi | Run 1.5 Mi

Transition Area: The transition area will be set up in the front parking lot of the Island Recreation Center. Bike racks will be placed in 3 zones – grouped by age divisions. Participants will rack their bike on the bike rack(s) in their zone and set up their transition area next to their bike with their race equipment (helmet, running shoes, …).

Swim: The swim will start at 9am. The age group 4-6 yrs will go first and complete the swim – then, head over to the bike and run. ALL participants 4-6yrs will complete the race course before the next 2 age groups start the swim. Swimmers will use the same lane to swim their respective distance. The swim will be monitored by life guards and there will be skilled volunteers in the water (along the swim lane) assisting the swimmers if needed.

Transition 1: Participants enter the transition area and go straight to their bike. All participants must wear a helmet – NO EXCEPTIONS. Participants must run their bikes out of transition and mount their bike in the safe zone.

Bike: Participants will bike their respective distance. All passing must be on the left side of the overtaken rider.

Transition 2: Participants will dis-mount their bike in the safe zone and run their bike back to their spot in the transition.

Run: Participants will run their respective distance – and, finish at the finish line in front of the Island Rec Center.

More info here.

We love this high-tech kids’ entertainment option: have a state-of-the art Mobile Game Theater come to your house.

That’s what GameTruck Hilton Head offers not just for Hilton Head Is. but also for Savannah, Bluffton, Pooler & the surrounding area.

JUNE 2014 SPECIAL: Mention you read about GameTruck Hilton Head Island on SouthernMamas.com & receive this deal during June! Receive GameTruck’s weekdayprice of $299 for the remainder of the month ANY DAY if you mention you read about this special on SouthernMamas.com. Just call Gametruck’s local number to receive the offer, 843-619-7FUN(7386)

GameTruck’s Original Mobile Video Game Theater™ features five flat screen TVs (yes, five!), dozens of video games, the latest consoles, climate control, two vendor doors. This video-game paradise on wheels is staffed by experienced GameCoaches. Talk about posh & fun. Just what your little gamers would love.

GameTruck isn’t just for children’s birthday parties. This kind of interactive video game entertainment is perfect for block parties, corporate events, summer events/camps, fund-raisers, school functions & more. Even better: GameTruck Hilton Head is locally owned & operated.

Book Now: GameTruck brings the excitement right to your door
888-602-GAME (4263)
843-619-7FUN (7386)

Gametruck Hilton Head, (843) 619-7386, email jason.stockwell@gametruckparty.com ,www.gametruckparty.com/HiltonHead On Facebook here.

Congratulations Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge nearby in South Carolina which was spotlighted in the July 2014 issue of Parents Magazine, available now.

The article ’50 Free Attractions Across America’ found a fabulous free attraction in every state that won’t cost you a dime any day of the year. In South Carolina, the destination featured is nearby Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, and in Georgia, the destination is BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Ga.

Pinckney is a great daytrip from Savannah, located 1/2 miles west of Hilton Head Island off of U.S. Highway 278. Details here. Bikes are welcome. Pinckney is perfect spot to see white ibis, herons, and egrets, maybe some alligators and deer. Bathrooms and picnic spots available. Free parking.

Parents Magazine, we couldn’t agree more. Pinckney Is. is an amazing free family-friendly attraction. Check out the Land of the Free feature on page 44 in the July issue.

There are 10 miles (16.1 km) of hiking trails on the refuge and nine recommended hikes:
Ibis Pond – 1.2 miles (1.9 km), round trip; one and a half hours walking at a leisurely pace
Shell Point – 4.6 miles (7.4 km), round trip; four hours and 15 minutes
Wood Stork Pond – 2.7 miles (4.3 km), round trip; two and a half hours
Osprey Pond – 3.0 miles (4.8 km), round trip; three hours
Nini Chapin Pond – 3.6 miles (5.8 km), round trip; three and a half hours
Bull Point – 5.0 miles (8.0 km), round trip; five hours
Dick Point – 7.4 miles (11.9 km), round trip; six and a half hours
Clubhouse Pond – 6.2 miles (10.0 km), round trip; five and a half hours
White Point – 7.8 miles (12.6 km), round trip; seven hours

A reader asks “What is the top rated children/family friendly beach around besides Tybee Island?”

That got us thinking. Here are our picks:

Sea Pines Beach Resort, Hilton Head Is., S.C. Convenient access to the Surf Shop, restrooms, shower facilities & Surfside Market featuring to-go sandwiches, salads, snacks &  cold beverages. Details here.
87 North Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29928. Details here. (While on HHI, be sure to check out Sandbox Children’s Museum (especially if it rains), the free petting farm at Lawton Stables, climb the Harbour Town Lighthouse or stay after dinner for a FREE kid-celebrated Gregg Russell concert at Harbour Town. ($5 Sea Pines Resort gate fee per auto) Details on Gregg Russell concerts here.

Neptune Park Fun Zone, St. Simons Island, Ga. Offers an 18 hole miniature golf course, an interactive Kiddie Pool, a zero entry swimming pool and playground right on the beach. Details here. 550 Beachview Dr. Saint Simons Island, Ga. 31522. Details here.

Hunting Island State Park, S.C. Five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure.
The historic lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park is the only publicly accessible lighthouse in South Carolina. For an admission of $2, visitors can climb the 167 steps & walk around the observation deck for a lofty view of the barrier island and surrounding seascape. CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 44″ TALL TO CLIMB THE LIGHTHOUSE. Details here.

FREE summer outdoor children’s concerts by kids’ musician Gregg Russell, Harbour Town, Hilton Head Is.
Sunday through Friday evenings during summer (weather permitting).

A classic on Hilton Head Is. for almost four decades, Gregg Russell Concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town happen every night during summer (weather permitting) except Saturdays, 8-9:30 p.m. During Summer 2014, Gregg Russell will perform June 1-August 22 (every night except Saturdays) & August 28-31.

This beloved family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads and silly songs with audience participation. Kids often make & bring “pick-me-to sing-with-you” signs to hold up for Gregg to see.

The concerts are FREE. There’s a $6 per auto fee to enter the gates to Sea Pines Resort. The concerts are open to the public.

Call ahead to confirm: (843) 842-1979 or www.seapines.com

HWY 21 DRIVE IN, BEAUFORT, S.C.

If your summer to-do bucket list includes hauling the kids to an old-fashioned Drive In movie theater, check out Hwy. 21 Drive In in Beaufort, S.C.

The Drive In accepts most major credit cards.

For directions or to see what’s playing, click here or follow the Drive In on Facebook here.

Hwy 21 Drive In, 55 Parker Dr, Beaufort, South Carolina 29906, tel (843) 846-4500, Email hwy21drivein@embarqmail.com

http://hwy21drivein.com/

JESUP DRIVE-IN

There’s also a drive in theatre in Jesup, Ga., which is a farther trek from Savannah than Beaufort. For info on the Jesup Drive-In schedule, click here
Follow the Jesup Drive-In on Facebook here.

Jesup Drive-In, 3686 Savannah Hwy. Jesup, Ga 31545 tel 912-559-2183 (office) or 912-427-7254 movieline, email jesupdrivein@yahoo.com, http://www.jesupdrivein.com

This summer is a great time to bring your kids to The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. for the museum’s Summer Fun Series which includes fun kids’ events as well as Parents Night Out so you & your sweetie can enjoy an evening out on Hilton Head Is.

Summer Hours:
Mon-Sat.: 10-5 April, June thru August (During July, the museum will be open 1PM-5PM on Sundays.)

JUNE 23 – AUGUST 7 Kids’ events
Most events included in admission except Parent’s Night Out
Mondays | Sizzlin’ Summer Science 10:30a-11:30a
Mondays |Decorate Your Own Cupcake 1:30p-2:30p
Tuesdays | Crafty Kids 10:30a-11:30a
Wednesdays | Arts and Crafts 10:30a-11:30a
Wednesdays | Parents Night Out ($) 6p-9p
Thursdays | Imagination Hour 10:30a-11:30a
Thursdays | Parents Night Out ($) 6p-9p
Fridays | Coastal Critters with Coastal Discovery Musuem10:30a-11:30a

Click here for more details about The Sandbox’s summer events.

Parent’s Night Out!
JUNE 25 – AUGUST 7
Wednesdays & Thursdays 6-9pm
• Staff supervised play time
• Dinner (pizza, drink & dessert)
• Fun take home craft
• Geared for children 3-9
• Must be potty trained
• Reservations highly recommended
Cost: Sandbox Members $20/child, Non Members $30/first child, $20 siblings.
Click here for more details about Parent’s Night Out.

Summer Camp for ages 3-10
JULY 1 – JULY 31
Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 11:30am
(Except July 4th and 23rd)
Click here for details about summer camp @ The Sandbox Children’s Museum.

Admission rates & deals

Day Rates: Adults: $6; Seniors (65+): $5; Active Military: $5; Groups of 10 plus*: $5; Children (1+): $6
(0-12 Months): Free; Members: Free

Saturday Stimulus for Locals: Locals can come play on Saturdays at The Sandbox for only $5 per person (under 1 free). A driver’s license with a “299″ zip code must be presented when registering.

Membership benefits: $75 Membership Includes: 20% discount on birthday parties. Discounts on Parent’s Night Out, and our signature events. Refer a member and receive a $10 gift certificate at The Sandbox gift shop.

Stay connected by liking The Sandbox on Facebook here.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email:crinehart@thesandbox.org

Planning an easy getaway to Hilton Head Is. this summer? Be sure to check out all that The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. has to offer – including summer camps for ages 3-10.

2014 Summer Camp Information at the Sandbox Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is.

(please call 843-842-7645 to reserve your spot)
Dates
July 1 -July 31, 2014
Description
Children will enjoy supervised play time in the Museum, fun activities s theme,educational activities that
stimulate their senses during the summer, messy fun outside as well air conditioned play inside. (In the event of rain, extended pre-planned activities/crafts will take place inside)

Summer Camps
Weekly and Daily Pricing

Weekly 8:30-11:30am/Monday-Friday
Member $125
Non Member $160

Week of July 1st (no camp on July 4th) and July 23rd
(no camp on July 23rd, “Christmas in July event)
Member $100
Non Member $128
Daily 8:30-11:30am
Member $30
Non Member $40

Camp Details
• Ages 3-10
• Morning Camp is 8:30am-11:30am
• Held Monday-Friday with the exception of the week of
July 4th and July 23rd (no camp July 4th (Friday) or July 23rd (Wednesday) due to “Christmas in July” special event)
• Children will be supervised according to a 1:5 ratio of Coordinator to children
• Everyone goes home with at least one completed project/craft

Camp Guidelines
• The Sandbox will provide a mid morning snack
• All children attending camp must be potty trained and demonstrate full independence in the bathroom
• Registration and full payment required to hold your camp spot
• Cancellations made outside of 48 hours will receive full refund less
$5 processing fee, within 48 hours will receive refund less 25%

HOURS & REGULAR ADMISSIONS TO THE SANDBOX

Tues-Sat: 10-5 September thru March, May
Mon-Sat.: 10-5 April, June thru August
Sunday: Closed.

OPEN MONDAY, MAY 26, MEMORIAL DAY, 10-5

Membership Unlimited Family Pass Membership: $75 year
A great saving if your family visits the museum 3+ times a year.
Grandparents Membership: $75 year
Applies to all grandchildren.

Day Rates: Adults: $6.00
Seniors (65+): $5.00
Active Military: $5.00
Groups of 10 plus*: $5.00
Children (1+): $6.00
(0-12 Months): Free
Members: Free
* Must be one payment for groups. Special discounted rates cannot combined with other discounts. Come Play at The Sandbox and browse our little gift shop and snack bar.

Details here.

Stay connected by liking The Sandbox on Facebook here.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email:crinehart@thesandbox.org The Sandbox is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

When visiting Hilton Head Is., be sure to check out The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is.

Located just off Pope Avenue on the south end of the Island, this interactive museum provides a unique place for educational play between children and their parents, grandparents or caregivers.

Little ones from infant to age 8 will be captivated by the fun filled play centers and engaging activities.

Details here.

HOURS & ADMISSION TO THE SANDBOX

Tues-Sat: 10-5 September thru March, May
Mon-Sat.: 10-5 April, June thru August
Sunday: Closed (Open on Sundays during July 2014)

Membership Unlimited Family Pass Membership: $75 year
A great saving if your family visits the museum 3+ times a year.
Grandparents Membership: $75 year
Applies to all grandchildren.

Day Rates: Adults: $6.00
Seniors (65+): $5.00
Active Military: $5.00
Groups of 10 plus*: $5.00
Children (1+): $6.00
(0-12 Months): Free
Members: Free
* Must be one payment for groups. Special discounted rates cannot combined with other discounts. Come Play at The Sandbox and browse our little gift shop and snack bar.

Details here.

Stay connected by liking The Sandbox on Facebook here.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email:crinehart@thesandbox.org The Sandbox is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Celebrate Fourth of July with Pop Goes The Sandbox! at the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is.

Friday, July 4th
10:00am-5:00pm
Fun games and activities, decorate (and eat!) cookies, fun arts & crafts,

Members: FREE with your current membership
Adults and Children $6, Children up to 12 months Free!
(Seniors, Active Military $5)

Details here.

Stay connected by liking The Sandbox on Facebook here.

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email:crinehart@thesandbox.org The Sandbox is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

A state-of-the-art maritime center is scheduled to open in May off S.C. 170 at the site of the former Lemon Island Marina near Beaufort, Bluffton & Hilton Head Is. S.C. (and a roughly 45 minute to an hour drive from Savannah).

The Port Royal Sound Maritime Center will feature touch-screen exhibits, classrooms, hands-on learning spaces and other areas where everyone can learn and celebrate the uniqueness of the Port Royal Sound and have diverse and fun opportunities to experience and connect with the Port Royal Sound area.

We can’t wait!

Picture 8-foot-wide jaws of a megalodon shark in the reception area; exhibits of suspended models of a tiger shark, a loggerhead sea turtle, bottleneck dolphin & cownose rays; a 2,400-gallon tank with cobia, red drum & small sharks;  a shallow tank with fish & rays for visitors to touch; a moon-and-tides exhibit featuring interactive displays explaining Port Royal Sound’s large tides; a sounds exhibit that will allow visitors to listen to the songs of dolphins & fish picked up by a submerged microphone near the center – according to the Island Packet.

Read more here.

Stay connected to Port Royal Sound Foundation & informed when there’s a scheduled opening date by liking the foundation on Facebook here.

New program: Discover. Imagine. Grow.

Come D.I.G. at The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is, Tuesdays 10:30 AM-11:30 AM.

Through the guise of play and exploration, D.I.G will empower young children by encouraging and guiding development of the skills needed for their success in learning and in life: language and literacy, reading and writing, math and science, and social, emotional, and physical well-being. Geared toward children 3-PreK. Included with paid museum admission. First come First serve, sign up at check-in. Click here for more info on the DIG program

The Sandbox, An Interactive Children’s Museum, www.thesandbox.org, 18A Pope Ave. (located behind St. Andrew’s By the Sea Methodist Church), Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Tel: 843-842-7645 email:crinehart@thesandbox.org 

Now that Spring is almost here, spend the day “playground hopping,” visiting some of our top picks for playgrounds in the Greater Savannah, Ga. area & Hilton Head Is./Beaufort, S.C. area or just picking one and spending the day there.

Here are our picks for the best playgrounds in Savannah, Hilton Head Is., Beaufort, S.C. To see our ENTIRE list of playgrounds (the best & the so-so), click here.

Forsyth Park
Two playgrounds with restrooms, café, spray pool, paved sidewalk for walking, biking. Pack a lunch (or eat at the café) & spend the day in this landmark, historic park. Check out the gated fragrant garden for the blind if it’s unlocked, the park fountains. Kids can dance to their heart’s content on the bandshell’s canopied stage. Toddler playground at Forsyth Park (next to the Visitors’ Center cafe) includes a rocking toucan
700 Drayton Street, Savannah 31401

Mother Mathilda Beasley Park:
Two playgrounds with new equipment, large grass-covered field, a baseball field, multi-purpose trail and dog park, picnic tables. Drawbacks include lack of shade & the beautiful new pavilion with restrooms is often locked & inaccessible.
500 E. Broad Street Savannah, 31401

Hull Park 
Playground, sheltered picnic area, spray pool, baseball field. A great, popular neighborhood playground with a merry-go-round perfect for playdates. Drawback: no restrooms and not a lot of shade.
55th St./Atlantic Avenue, Savannah 31405

Lake Mayer
Playground includes three climbing structures complete with climbing walls, tunnels; swing sets, baby swing sets, swivel seat, twirling toy, see-saw, mulch; picnic tables, two pavilions available for rent, tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, 1.5 jogging/bike paved trail with fitness course, lake, boat ramps, restrooms, baseball field, lighted hockey rink, dog exercise area.
1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, 31406

Memorial Park Playground, behind Tybee Is. Library, Tybee Is.
Fenced playground, bath rooms, covered picnic area, faux pirate ship, see-saw whale rocker, climbing wall, swings.
405 Butler Ave., Tybee Island 31328

J.F. Gregory, Richmond Hill
Fenced playground, picnic tables, restrooms, covered pavilions available for rent, 335 acre multi-use recreational area with a lake, walking trail, birding tower, and two restored Henry Ford era homes.
521 Cedar St, Richmond Hill, 31324

Tom Triplett Park, Pooler
Playground, two Pavilions available for rent, conference room available for rent, tennis courts, lake, 1.5 jogging/bike paved track with fitness course, restrooms, dog exercise, disc golf course
Tom Triplett Rd Pooler, 31322

West Chatham YMCA playground
Chatham County’s first play facility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and features a music station, a tractor, a climbing wall and therapeutic swings for special-needs kids.
off Pooler Parkway between the YMCA and Pooler’s new municipal recreation complex

Hilton Head Is/Beaufort, S.C.

Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town, Hilton Head Is.
The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area.
Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a fee plus $5 Sea Pines gate fee.
Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Playground, Beaufort, S.C.
Playground with hardwood mulch, restrooms a stage for performances, a pavilion for displays and a grassed amphitheater for picnicking, frisbee or simple relaxing. Kids can watch fishermen showing their skills on the dock in front of the playground
1010 Bay Street, Beaufort, S.C. 29902

Pigeon Point Park playground, Beaufort, S.C.
Age appropriate playground equipment that includes merry-go-around, restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, age appropriate playground equipment, large oak trees that provide shade
Pigeon Point Road Beaufort, SC 29902

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, CLICK HERE.

Shark tooth hunts are so cool & totally worth the roadtrip to Port Poyal, near Beaufort, S.C.

The Shark Tooth Fairy, Mike Harris, regularly invites kids to come to The Sands beach in Port Royal to look for shark teeth, Megalodon teeth and other fossilized finds. These kid-friendly hunts are held every couple of months throughout the year.

The Shark Tooth Fairy  spreads out over 100 pounds of shark teeth over the beach before kids arrive. Info on The Sands in Port Royal, S.C. near Beaufort here.

Read about The Shark Tooth Fairy & the public shark-tooth beach hunts by clicking here.

Find out when the next shark tooth hunt will be by ‘liking” the Shark Tooth Fairy & his pup Captain Morgan on Facebook here. 

(Make a day of it and pair your visit with a trip to the lighthouse at Hunting Island near Beaufort.  Info on Hunting Island here.)

Here are our favorite picks for nearby spots outside of Savannah that are well worth the trip:

(To find out kid-friendly activities, visit our Events Calendar here)

1. Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Is., Ga (closed Mondays ). Hours, admission rates, directions and more details here.

2. South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston Harbor , S.C. . Hours, daily events, admission rates & specials here.  .

3. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Charleston, S.C. Hours, exhibits, admission rates & more details here.

4. Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.

5. Museum of Science & History (MOSH) & The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Jacksonville, Fla.. Hours, daily Planetarium shows, upcoming special events, admission specials & more details here. 

6. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jacksonville, Fla.. Hours, January discounts, admission rates & more details here.

7. Lawton Stables, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head. Is. S.C. (open everyday except Christmas) Lawton’s free animal farm includes goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, ponies, rabbits, a deer named Callie and a Clydesdale named Harley (who loves visitors bearing carrots and apples). Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee. Details here. Pair your visit to Lawton with a visit to The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum

8. The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is., S.C..  Details here.

9. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Columbia, S.C. Hours & admission rates here.  .

10. EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia, S.C. Hours & admission rates here.

11. The Kazoo Factory museum tours, Beaufort, S.C. Hours & admission rates here. Pair your visit with a trip to the lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park. Details here.

12. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.

13. Wildlife Programs @ The Center for Wildlife Education & the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University Campus, Statesboro. Details here.

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables , both on Hilton Head Is., invite you & your family to “Sandbox at the Stables” this Labor Day.

Everyone is invited to this community celebration on Labor Day Monday, September 1 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Lawton Stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. (about a 1 hr drive from Savannah).

This event will include: Music, Pony rides, hayrides and the animal farm, The Sandbox’s Imagination Hour, craft projects and mobile interactive museum exhibits A pitching radar Kids Zone’s inflatable water slides and bounce houses Cappy the Clown Face painting Family activities like bocce ball, frisbee, ring toss, horse shoes and corn hole  

There will be concessions available for purchase and refreshments including, snow cones and cotton candy.

Participants may bring their own picnic provisions and beverages.

Participants can purchase additional tickets for food, drinks and some activities.

Admission is $5 per person, children 12 months and under are free. LOTS OF FREE ACTIVITIES. (Plus $6 Sea Pines gate entrance fee per auto)

(The Sandbox at the Pope Avenue location will be closed on Labor Day)

Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928 tel: (843) 671-2586, www.lawtonstableshhi.com/

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

This looks like a fun daytrip from Savannah: The Kazoo Factory, also known has Kazoobie Kazoos, in Beaufort, S.C..

We’d love to hear comments from anyone who has visited this spot with kids. Feel free to comment on our Facebook page by clicking here.

The Kazoo Factory offers museum tours where kids can see how kazoos are made. The museum tours show how kazoos are assembled,
imprinted, packaged and shipped to all corners of the world. Kids can also make their own kazoos to take home.

Factory Tour Hours
Monday – Friday
10 AM and 3:00 PM
Admission: $4.00 per person (includes a build-it-yourself kazoo)

This might be a good activity to pair with a visit to the lighthouse at Hunting Island near Beaufort.  Info on Hunting Island here.

For more kid-friendly daytrip suggestions from the Savannah/Hilton Head Is., click here.

The Kazoo Factory, 12 John Galt Road, Beaufort, SC 29906,  (800) 326-0358, http://www.thekazoofactory.com/

Here’s a fun family bike ride suggestion: the I-Spy-a-Critter Bike Ride on Hilton Head Is.

This creature feature ride is a 10-mile route perfect for kids because it’s a treasure hunt for the island’s collection of permanent “creatures” – an alligator statue, a peacock stained glass window, a giant pelican, dolphin door, heron and horse statue as well as a few live critters – a trio of macaws, a Clydesdale, ponies, goats and a deer.

To make the bike safari adventure semi-educational, have your little ones complete the nature rhymes we paired with “animal” sightings. Check out the ride here:

Crabbing with kids to catch Carolina Blue Crabs can be comical and tends to require less skill than fishing.

What you need:

a bucket, a crab net (available at any hardware store or bait shop), 10- to 12-feet of sturdy string with a chicken neck attached above a two-ounce sinker.

What to do:

Cut the line about ten to twelve feet, add a sinker, then a chicken neck for bait. Leave the end with the chicken in the water, and patiently wait. You’ll see the crab nibbling on your line. Once the crab grabs, pull the line in with the crab on it and scoop it into the bucket

Where to crab

A pier, sea wall, sea shore, or dock. Crabs will be closer to shore in murky water and a bit farther out in clear water. You can crab from shore if there is no wave action.  Our suggestions include:

Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Harris Neck Road (Highway 131)
Off U.S. Highway 17 between Eulonia and Darien in McIntosh County, GA (From I-95, take Exit 67)
www.fws.gov/harrisneck/

South Beach, Hilton Head Is.
Located at the “toe” of the island near the South Beach marina, is the Calibogue beach. There is no public parking, so it’s best to walk or bike from South Beach Marina parking lot.

Rules

There is a minimum size for “keepers”: five inches wide point to point to keep.  You may not keep a female carrying eggs (an orange spongy mass on their underside).

My son is still talking about the pony ride he took on “Cookie” last week at Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island. And the goats he feed; as well as the llama, bunnies, sheep, chickens, turtles, roosters, donkeys, miniature ponies and trail horses he visited at Lawton’s FREE animal petting farm.

Pony rides for children ages 7 and younger are $10.

Kids can also pet and feed a friendly retired Clydesdale, Harley, at the stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort. Don’t let the gates at the Sea Pines entrance keep you from visiting. You don’t have to be staying at Sea Pines to visit Lawton Stables. It’s open to the public. Entrance to Sea Pines is $6 per car.

Lawton Stables also has a gift shop with horse-related items and a coin-operated horse for kids too young for the pony experience. Lawton also hosts kids’ horse-themed birthday parties and offers horse trail rides and carriage rides.

Click here for more info.

Butterfly kisses were my 2-year-old son’s main objective during a recent visit to the Karen Wertheimer
Butterfly Enclosure on Hilton Head Island. He was all about trying to touch a swallowtail to find out if they really felt like eyelashes fluttering on his cheek. Fortunately for the butterflies, he wasn’t quick enough.

The butterfly habitat is a treat for kids. The small screened enclosure includes a variety of butterflies as well as nectar plants to feed the butterflies and host plants to feed the butterfly larvae.

Kids can see a live caterpillar and see butterflies in all four stages of their metamorphosis up close.

The habitat is at the Coastal Discovery Museum in Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Is, which also has other children’s activities. For the butterfly habitat’s hours click here. 

Visiting the habitat is FREE. $3 museum donations are suggested.

There’s also a weekly Butterfly Discovery Tour, a guided tour through the butterfly enclosure to get up close and personal with native butterflies. Kids learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, see a living caterpillar and a chrysalis. Museum guides also share how to help butterflies survive and thrive and also explain their adaptations and characteristics. Reservations suggested. 843-689-6767 ext 223.

Click here for more info about Hilton Head Island’s butterfly habitat.

If you’re planning a day trip to Hilton Head Is. from the Savannah area, visiting the butterfly enclosure won’t take up too much time. It’s a good kids’ activity to pair with a visit to the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum or to the animal farm at Lawton Stables, which also has horseback riding, pony rides, birthday parties, trail rides and more. All of which make up a great outing for Savannah moms groups.