If you’re heading through Georgia with the whole family and make a stop in Jekyll Island, you may wonder what experiences are available for the little ones in your group. This island is a beautiful place with tons of history and many people stop once and end up going again time and time again. On top of the history, you can expect all sorts of island and beach adventures to take up your time. With the whole family in tow, we wanted to share some recommendations for things to do that are kid-friendly.
Visit the Driftwood Beach
When you have little ones, you know how much they love to rip, run, and climb. Driftwood Beach is perfect for that sort of thing. The entire area is covered in large pieces of driftwood that can be climbed on, run around, and played with. Getting there is a breeze, too. You can take a bike on the beach from the parking lot on the north end of the island. There’s also a bird sanctuary nearby where you can park and then take a short path down to the beach.
Always remember to check the tide before going as you don’t want to end up stuck. The best time of day to visit is early in the morning when the insects haven’t taken up residence. You may even find yourself exploring and playing with the kids as they run. If you prefer, there are other beaches that can be just as much fun to explore, but the driftwood here really adds something special to the experience.
Go on the Dolphin Cruise
Who doesn’t want to see dolphins playing out in the ocean? If you want to get up close and personal, all you have to do is book a ride on the Dolphin Tour. There are dozens of dolphins playing and swimming and splashing around near the boat. The kids will love it and so will most adults. While you’re out on the boat, you also get a chance to view Cumberland Island and the end of Jekyll Island. The ride itself is built to be family-friendly. There’s lots of room and kids can walk around. There are also bathrooms on the boat. It’s a must-see while on the island.
Spend Time at the Turtle Hospital
It might not sound like a lot of fun to visit a hospital, but when it’s a turtle hospital, you might be surprised. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a haven for learning more about the ways to keep our beaches and oceans safe for the turtles who live in and around them. You can even enjoy a fun interactive game where you take a card and explore the lifecycle of a turtle. You make certain decisions along the way and find out whether you live to be an old turtle or pass away early. You can also watch the experts work on turtles from behind a glass window.
Relax and Enjoy Some Miniature Golf
While you’re likely to be caught up in all the crazy things you can do on Jekyll Island, you may occasionally want to rest and do something more relaxed. That’s a cinch when you visit the mini-golf course on the island. This is an extremely family-friendly destination where you can just enjoy some time with your loved ones or get a little competitive over the winner of the game. Take some time to putt on the green and then head over to the playground if you want to do a bit more playing before you move on to other things.
Climb Aboard the Tram Tour
Jekyll Island has a tram tour that can be a lot of fun to experience. It’s an educational tour where you can learn more about the people who purchased the island and some of the houses that are there. The tour is by tram, but you also get the chance to walk through two of the old-fashioned homes. If you have young kids with you, the tour can be a little long so make sure you bring along some snacks they can munch on while it’s going on. You’ll learn a lot and probably have a decent amount of fun at the same time.
Go for a Bicycle Ride
One of the coolest things about Jekyll Island is how bicycle friendly it is. There are trails across the entire island and rental bikes allow you to explore every bit of it. There are bicycles for kids and adults. There is even a bike stroller available for rent if you want to transport your kids across the island. You also get helmets when you make a rental so you can be sure everyone will be nice and safe. Those who want to do something a bit different can rent a 4 or 6-person bike where everyone works together pedaling to get from place to place.
Visit the Water Park
If you aren’t getting the bang you want from the pools and beach, it’s time to take the kids and head to Summer Waves Water Park. This is a massive park with a lazy river, six water slides, a splash zone, wave pool, and a special area for the little ones. You’ll find the park open during the summer months and you get a discounted entrance if you come in after 3 or 4 pm. Kids who are under three even get in for free so you can save money and have a great time with the entire family. It’s a great chance to hang out and have a good time while on the island.
Take Advantage of a Tour by Kayak
The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center, which is affiliated with the nationwide 4-H program, offers amazing tours by kayak of Jekyll Island and all its marshes and rivers. They also offer canoe trips out to Rixen Pond and nature walks that take place on the beaches, marshes, and forests of the island. The center itself has an amazing exhibit area where the kids can get their hands dirty with hands-on learn experiences. Using the touch tank, you can meet crabs, alligators, sea turtles, snakes, and other creatures that are native to Georgia.
Take a Gatorology 101 Class
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers a program known as “Gatorology 101” where you can learn more about alligators that make their homes in Georgia and other nearby states. While you wait for the program to get underway, you may even see one of the wild gators that hang out at Horton Pond. The program teaches you and your family more about the biology of alligators, safety tips, and how alligators are tagged and tracked on Jekyll. There is also plenty of information about box turtles, as well. It’s relatively inexpensive and your ticket includes admission into the center, but make sure you book in advance.
There is a lot of fun stuff to do on Jekyll Island and much of it is family-friendly. A lot of the programs, tours, and activities you will find are inexpensive and completely appropriate for younger and older children. The nine options we’ve listed are a great place to get started so you can have a ton of fun while visiting Georgia. Make sure you allocate enough time to see and do everything you want before you make the long drive back home. You won’t regret it! Finally, make sure you car is ready for your trip to Jekyll Island by getting your cheap car insurance in Georgia here.
