Sun. Sept 4, 2022 (1-2PM) Summertime is almost over why not go out with a bang? Bring your water blaster, super soaker, or entire H20 arsenal to a water fight extravaganza. Play games like fortress destruction, and soak a ranger, and end with free play. Pre-register by calling park office: 912-727-2339
Get lost in Poppell Farms’ tall sorghum maze, enjoy wagon hayrides and the Pumpkin Patch! Stay after dark on Friday and Saturday nights to explore the maze with a flashlight (it’s NOT haunted). Beginning October 7, brave the Haunted Trail through the woods after dark.
Open every Friday night, Saturday (day and night) and Sunday from October 1-30, 2022.
Join the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Is. and its partners in this FREE Family Fun Day 2022 for all ages, 10AM-1PM Tues. Aug. 9.
Come early or stay for lunch at the weekly Farmer’s Market on site between 9AM and 1PM
Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum’s boardwalks, learn about the salt marsh, and walk to the horse barn and pasture to see the marsh tacky horse “Comet” and his companion horse “Hawk”.
Stop by the Karen Wertheimer Butterfly Habitat to see the life cycle of native butterflies and learn from museum docents how to plant a butterfly-friendly garden of your own.
Express yourself – artistically – with hands-on activities offered by the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and The Sandbox. Make a piece of “Tiny Art” to take home or to share with the Tiny Art Galleries around town (sponsored by the Town of Hilton Head Office of Cultural Affairs). Create your own tie dye shirt using real indigo dye or watch sweetgrass basket makers at work.
Sing along with Jevon Daly at one of the two “Kids Concerts” (10:15AM and 11:30AM) in the Birdseye View Theater. Jevon is a local favorite with the young and old alike and is known for his summertime concerts at Coligny Plaza.
Watch and learn about local birds from the Hilton Head Audubon Society. Dive into our local history and environment with the Lowcountry Master Gardeners, the Outside Foundation, Hilton Head Archaeological Society, the Gullah Museum, Heritage Library, Explore Mitchelville, the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage and others.
Stop in the Discovery House for the “Children’s Book Fair” to purchase signed copies of educational and local children’s books to take home. Authors scheduled to attend include Susan Diamond Riley, Susan McElroy Montanari, Lisa Anne Cullen, Rebecca Chamberlain, Patricia Bee, Donna Brainard, Mary T. Jacobs, Miho Kinnas, Iris Jackson, Robin Prince Monroe, and Antawn Eady. Find out more about our local literary scene with the Pat Conroy Literary Center.
Visit special exhibitions in the Discovery House. “Conservation in the Classroom” (Main Gallery) includes student artwork focused upon the conservation and protection of dolphins, sea turtles, shore birds, and horseshoe crabs. “Nikon Small World” (Sea Island Room) is a traveling exhibition of 20 jaw-dropping, prize-winning photomicrographs (photographs taken through the light of a microscope).
There’s something for everyone at Family Fun Day!
There is no charge for admission on this special Museum Day and reservations are not required.
Please call (843) 689-6767 ext. 223 for details or learn more here.
Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Looking for a kid-friendly daytrip destination from Savannah?
We love Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. – a roughly 70 minute drive from Savannah. While there be sure to try to catch a sighting of one of the manatees (pictured above in a photo we took in July 2022) that hang out @ Harbour Town Yacht Basin. The manatees sometimes can be seen in the part of the marina near where this sign pictured below is posted, where the arrow points in the photo below.
There’s still time to catch a legendary free Gregg Russell concert outdoors under Liberty Oak in Harbour Town this 2022 summer season. See his Summer 2022 performance schedule here. 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.
Next time you take the kids to Hilton Head Island, here are two of our favorite playgrounds there.
Adventure Playground @ Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Is.
The spacious Adventure Playground features a giant ship complete with mist cannons. located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot. Adventure Playground is open from sunrise to sunset. Restroom facilities at the park close at 10PM. Parking is available in the Coligny Beach Parking Lot, the parking lot off Nassau Street or onstreet parking on Nassau Street. Details here.
Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town (pictured), Sea Pines Resort, 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 $9 Sea Pines gate fee. Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928
_______________________________________
See our favorite Savannah & Beaufort area playgrounds here.
Rick Hubbard entertains the whole family with his Kazoobie Kazoo Show at The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is. on Monday Fundays throughout the summer. All kids join Rick on stage, and everyone gets a FREE Kazoobie Kazoo!
Mondays through Aug. 15 2022
The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is is a non-profit children’s museum dedicated to the positive development of young children through play.
80 Nassau St Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
___________________________
The Sandbox Children’s Museum is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Lowcountry Celebration Park 94 Pope Ave. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
You’re invited to the Annual Boiled Peanut Festival in Historic Downtown Bluffton.
Set for Sept. 24, 2022, noon-6PM at the historic Heyward House on Boundary Street.
Enter your little Peanuts in the 2022 Lil’ Baby Goober, Lil’ Miss Peanut, and Lil’ Mr. Goober Competition. Have the best boiled peanut recipe in Bluffton? Find out and enter the Boiled Peanut Cook-Off Contest.
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Move Nights @ various parks in Bluffton SC Fridays 5-8PM. Movies start @ 6PM
May 20 2022 – Space Jam: A New Legacy Movie Night (Buckwalter Place Park) June 17 2022 – Encanto Movie Night (Field of Dreams) July 15 2022 – Luca Movie Night (Martin Family Park)
Who is ready for lazy river, spray pads & waterslides ?
Here are water parks in Statesboro, Jekyll Island & Charleston. (The Pooler water park – Surf Lagoon – is closed).
_________________________________________
Water Parks Near Savannah
Splash In The Boro opens for 2022 summer season May 21, weekends only. Opens daily May 28. 45 miles from Savannah in Statesboro, Ga. Water Slides – 2 body slides and 1 inner tube slide wind around each other and finish with a plunge into a common wave pool. The park has a double flowrider , a 5-lane mat racer, a spray pad and slides for toddlers, 3 tube slides, a lazy river.
Open weekends only May 21 2022; Open daily May 28 2022. For hours click here.
________________________________
Summer Wavesopening weekends May 14 2022. 75 Miles from Savannah on Jekyll Island.
Summer Waves Water Park located on Jekyll Island with 11 acres of splashing summertime fun for the whole family. Nine exciting attractions including six water slides, wave pool, lazy river, splash zone and kiddie area.
Open May 14 weekends only. Open daily May 28. For hours, click here. Hours are subject to change. Please call ahead to confirm Summer Waves is open. 912.635.2074
___________________________________
Charleston, SC Water Parks
Splash Zone Waterpark at James Island County Park 871 Riverland Drive Charleston, SC 29412 79 Miles from Savannah in Charleston, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4. Schedule here. 200-foot tube slide – 200-foot open slide – Caribbean play structure with slides, wheels, and sprays – 500-foot lazy river with an adventure channel featuring sprays and a waterfall – Leisure pool – open seasonally
Whirlin Waters Adventure Waterpark 87 miles from Savannah in North Charleston, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4.. Schedule here. Fun for all ages, Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark is located within North Charleston Wannamaker County Park and offers seasonal, island-style water play packed into over 15-acres. Rip Tide Run mat racer takes riders on an exciting head-to-head competition over gut wrenching bumps, accelerating riders towards the finish line. (minimum height of 42”)
Splash Island Waterpark 91 miles away in Mount Pleasant, SC Opens May 21 2022 weekends only; opens daily June 4.. Schedule here. 200-foot water slide – 16-foot otter slide – Sprays, geysers, and raindrop waterfalls – The Cyclone, a 10-minute swirling water ride – Recreational pool
U-Pick Strawberry Season 2022 is open. Fields below close on certain days due to field conditions. Please call ahead or check social media before going.
Hodges Farm – a local family owned “Pick Your Own” or “We Pick” farm of strawberries.
The farm is located on the Effingham/Screven County border just 20 minutes from Statesboro and 50 minutes from downtown Savannah. Cash or check with ID.
Adults and kids will enjoy a fun day outdoors celebrating how prescribed fire is good for Georgia’s forests and meet some of the organizations using it to support healthy wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires.
This is a FREE festival for the whole family with fire equipment, food trucks, face painting, and games. In case of inclement weather, the rain date for the festival is Sat. May 14 2022.
Visitors may participate from March 15 – April 24 2022 on Tuesdays – Sunday from 10AM – 4PM daily.
Guests will be given an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt map with instructions. Just follow the simple instructions, using the map for clues, to answer the secret phrase. After completing the hunt repeat the phrase to the Ranger at the museum and receive a prize bag with toy filled Easter Eggs & more.
Participants can receive an EXTRA PRIZE for taking a selfie at one of the clue locations.
This event is for the ENTIRE FAMILY and all ages. Come out and enjoy the open spaces, have fun & tour the plantation.
Cost
$8 adults
$7.50 seniors (62 and over)
$5 youth (ages 6 to 17)
Children ages 5 & younger are free
912-264-7333
UPDATE: Both main fields open THURSDAY, FRIDAY, and SATURDAY the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February. Hours are 9AM – 4PM.
UPickDaffodils.com is family owned and operated on what was once the family dairy farm. Chuck and Diane have planted several varieties of daffodils, not all of which bloom at the same time, according to their Web site.
2022 marks the 26-year history of partnership between the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and the Gullah community. On February 12 2022, from noon-3PM, the free, community-wide Taste of Gullah festival will be held once again on the grounds of the Arts Center. It’s an exciting day of celebrating the entertainment, food, and art of the rich Gullah culture that remains an integral part of the history of Hilton Head Island.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
The day includes performances by the award-winning Voices of El Shaddai, basketweaving demonstrations by Michael Smalls and Dino Badger, and a special presentation of “Harriet Tubman” orations by Cora Miller. Gullah-inspired crafts will be outside for all ages as well.
There will be two food trucks: Melly Mel’s and Chef B. Eatz, featuring okra gumbo, red rice, fried fish, shrimp, slow smoked ribs and chicken. Beer, wine, soda and water will also be available as well.
A festival highlight will be a special unveiling of a large-scale mural . Through a series of workshops, children from the Arts Center, Penn Center, and the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton learned about the Gullah/Geechee culture then conceptualized and created the mural with artist Amiri Farris. The mural will then travel to various cultural sites in Beaufort County through Juneteenth. This project is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Also part of the festivities is the annual art exhibit and sale of The Aarts Ob We People inside the Walter Greer Gallery at the Art League of Hilton Head. The exhibit displays original work by acclaimed artists representing the life of Gullah people in the Lowcountry.
For more information on the Feb. 12 Taste of Gullah festival, please visit artshhi.com.
Find your Island Treasure now through Feb. 28 2022.
Every year, Jekyll Island commissions a group of highly skilled artisans from across the U.S. to create exquisite, handworked glass floats for Jekyll’s annual Island Treasures event.
(Jekyll Island is an easy, roughly 90-minute drive down I-95 from Savannah. See our list of things to do with kids on on Jekyll Island here. )
The glass floats are part of a hide-and-seek style game played on Jekyll Island throughout January and February. Each day, volunteers called Beach Buddies hide clear globes around the island for lucky guests to find and redeem for a real glass float. Gather your friends and family to search for globes that can be exchanged for dazzling handcrafted glass floats.
Posted in Daytrips from Savannah, Travel/Weekend Outings | Comments Off on Savannah Daytrips: Hide-and-seek game for handmade glass floats on Jekyll Island during Jan., Feb. 2022
The center’s 3:30PM weekday 30-minute nature programs have new daily themes. Visit to see some interesting wildlife up close and personal. Then stay to tour the center, which includes birds of prey, reptile, discovery trails with wetland preserve & more.
SAT. JAN. 29, 2021
11AM-4PM
SHELTER COVE COMMUNITY PARK
39 SHELTER COVE LANEHILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC, 29928
$10 ages 2-17, adults free
This is a family event that will have inflatable rides, a snowfield, and entertainment. For the kids who have never seen snow, this is the perfect event. The price of admission includes snow field. Additional rides and games sold separately.
Enroll now for a fun and educational way for your child to spend their winter break.
The Sandbox Children’s Museum Tanger Outlet location in Bluffton SC will offer a two, 4-day winter STEM camp that combines science with fun holiday activities the weeks of Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30 2021. Children will have supervised time to explore the exhibits, daily snacks, and staff-led projects. Choose one week or both.
Don’t miss the Sandbox Children’s Museum’s family friendly New Year’s celebration: Noon Year’s Eve. This special event will have themed art and STEM projects as well as a balloon drop at noon! Light refreshments will be served on our porch!
$15/person | $8/members – Space is limited so make your reservation now!
Visit www.thesandbox.org & click BOOK NOW, then click on General Admission, then calendar date.
Come play on The Sandbox Children’s Museum new shrimp boat on Hilton Head Is. and learn about the history of the commercial shrimping industry, parts of a shrimp boat, the life cycle of the Atlantic White shrimp, and how shrimp boats prevent turtles from being caught in the nets!
You’re invited this Sunday for The Sandbox Children’s Museum Author series @ 3PM this Sun. Nov. 14 with Ellen Giordano as she reads her book The Best Day Ever.
Free with Admission. Make sure you have a spot and reserve your tickets online @ www.thesandbox.org
For Fort King George Historic Site’s special Tricentennial anniversary, the annual Autumn Encampment will include reenactors from the three nations: England, France, and Spain. Join us for activities, demonstrations, and historical crafts. Festival includes a ceremonial parade procession and musket firing salute to honor the soldiers whose graves are marked at our historic cemetery.
Cost is standard admission.
Adults: $7.50
Seniors (62+): $7.00
Youths (6-17): $4.50
Under age 6 is free entry.
For 18th century reenactors and vendors looking to participate as a volunteer/camper, please call and register at 912-437-4770.
Veterans Day Parade 2021 in downtown Savannah, starts between 10AM-10:15AM @ Abercorn & Gwinnett streets on Thurs. Nov. 11. See the parade route above.
Located south of Savannah on the banks of the Ogeechee River, Fort McAllister State Park showcases the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. Despite being attacked seven times by Union ironclads, the fort didn’t fall until 1864—ending General William T. Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Explore the cannons, a furnace, bombproof, barracks, palisades and other remains of the battlefield, and admire artifacts in the Civil War museum. This scenic state park includes cabins, camping, walking trails, and fishing piers.
Tour the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast at Fort King George, which was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America from 1721 until 1736. The on-site museum offers a film detailing the 18th and 19th– century history of Fort King George, including Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission, Fort King George, the Scots of Darien and 19th century sawmilling.
In the late 1700s, the Continental Congress fortified barracks on the Medway River at Sunbury to protect the seaport from the British. When the British demanded the fort’s surrender on November 25, 1778, the defiant Col. John McIntosh replied, “Come and take it!” The British refused and withdrew back to Florida, but 45 days later, they returned with a superior force, and on January 9, 1779, Fort Morris fell after a short but heavy bombardment. Stand within the earthwork remains and view scenic Saint Catherine’s Sound. A museum and film describe the colonial port of Sunbury and the site’s history.
