Best Hilton Head Resorts for Families | Top Picks for 2025

Hilton Head is a great family-friendly destination, no matter how old your kids are. Our favorite thing to do with our kids on vacation was to take them to Hilton Head. The calm, shallow beaches with warm water are perfect for toddlers and younger kids to splash and play. On top of that, the kid’s shows with Shannon Tanner at Shelter Cove and Greg Russell at Harbour Town are unforgettable and full of memories.

Here are a few more highlights if you have young kids:

• Kid-Friendly Beaches: Beaches like Coligny Beach Park and Driessen Beach Park are great for families. The ocean is typically calm with gentle waves unless you visit during a storm. Hilton Head also provides amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and dining options near most of their beach entrances.
• The Sandbox Children’s Museum: A must-visit for families with little ones, this interactive museum provides hands-on exhibits like a play airplane, a model grocery store, and arts and crafts stations. The Sandbox Museum is located at the Lowcountry Celebration Park near Coligny Plaza.
• Biking Trails: Hilton Head’s extensive network of paved bike trails allows families to explore the island safely. Many bike rental shops offer pull-behind kid carts or child seats, making it a great experience, no matter what the age.
• Outdoor Activities: Exploring the island together as a family creates great conversation and memories. Hilton Head is full of nature trails, dolphin-watching tours, and visits to the Coastal Discovery Museum and other local parks, which are educational but a very fun experience for your kids to connect with nature.
• Family-Friendly Dining: Hilton Head is full of family restaurants with kids’ menus, outdoor seating, and beautiful atmospheres. Popular options include Skull Creek Boathouse and The Salty Dog Café. I would also like to add in San Miguels at Shelter Cove. We go to this Mexican Restaurant right before the Shannon Tanner show, where the kids will have an amazing time listening to Shannon play incredible music and interact with your children. What a great time.

Hilton Head is packed with fun for kids of any age. The beautiful natural surroundings, engaging activities, and family-focused fun things to do, this island trip has it all. In my opinion, it is a fantastic choice for any family with young kids looking to make memories that will last forever.

If you’re planning a family getaway, you really can’t go wrong with any of these fantastic spots:

• The Sea Pines Resort
• Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort
• Shipyard

Each of these gated communities has charming villas and vacation homes that are perfect for your large family. When you stay at a VRBO vacation rental, you will have a lot more to enjoy with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and bathrooms, pretty much everything you need for a stay that feels more like home. Most of them come with stunning views from their balconies and decks, giving you even more space to enjoy the beauty of Hilton Head. Most of these locations are a great option when looking to stay in fantastic Hilton Head Resorts for Families.

Sea Pines is definitely the largest gated community among the three, and it has a ton of activities to keep your family entertained. Palmetto Dunes is our second choice, with a great mix of golf, tennis and plenty of time on the beach. And let’s not forget Shipyard! While Shipyard is not as large as the others, it’s just as beautiful. No matter which you choose, the memories you make as a family will last a lifetime.

When choosing a family resort in Hilton Head, consider conveniences that cater to kids and adults. This helps to ensure a fun and relaxing experience for the whole family.

• Beach Access
  • The Omni and The Westin Resort sit directly on beautiful sandy beaches. Start your day with a walk on the beach, build a sandcastle with your kids, and splash in the waves.
• Family-Friendly Pools
  • Kid-friendly pools with splash zones, water slides, or zero-entry for younger children and older adults can really enhance your stay. For example, the Disney Hilton Head Resort has a fun waterslide and a pool by the ocean.
• Kids’ Clubs and Activities
  • Many resorts, including the Omni, Sonesta, and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, offer supervised kids’ clubs, arts and crafts, or outdoor games.
• Spacious Accommodations
  • Privacy is important on a family trip. Using VRBO to book a suite at a resort or villa can provide the extra space you need for a pleasant vacation. Check out the VRBO listing on Hilton Head.
• Outdoor Activities
  • Bike trails are nearby, no matter where you stay on Hilton Head Island. Golf courses, tennis courts, and water sports, such as kayaking through a lagoon system or paddleboarding, are other ways to enjoy family time together.
• Babysitting or Childcare Services
  • Some resorts, such as Sonesta, offer babysitting services. This can give you that much-needed downtime or a romantic dinner.

These amenities ensure that your family can relax, have fun, and create unforgettable memories during your Hilton Head vacation.

Hilton Head offers several budget-friendly options that are family-friendly and have a good location on the island. For families looking to enjoy the beach without overspending, here are a few great choices:

1. Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort
   • Known for its affordable rates, the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort has family-friendly features such as a large outdoor pool, direct beach access, and tennis courts. The condos include kitchens, which can save money by preparing your own meals.
2. Beach House Resort
   • The Beach House Resort is right next to the Coligny Beach Park. With a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and affordable pricing, it could be an option worth looking into. It sits right on the edge of the sand, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The outdoor pool is a hit with kids.
3. Vacation Rentals in Palmetto Dunes or Sea Pines
   • Renting a villa or condo through VRBO can be cost-effective for larger families. Locating a property within gated communities like Palmetto Dunes or Sea Pines includes access to beaches, bike trails, and other family-friendly. These can often come at a lower cost than luxury hotels.

Tips for Finding Affordable Accommodations:

• Off-Season Deals: Visit during spring or fall when prices drop, but the weather is still pleasant.
• Package Offers: Look for package deals that bundle accommodations with activities like golf, bike rentals, and more.
• Direct Booking Discounts: Many properties offer discounts for booking directly through their website.

As you look at all of the budget-friendly options, keep in mind that most places you look at are great Hilton Head Resorts for Families.

If you love your pet like we do, it is hard to leave them behind when going on a trip. If you are looking for a place to stay that allows pets, a good place to start would be a Villa or Private home through VRBO. While not all of these properties allow you to bring a dog with you, many of them do, and you can find them with a quick search and filter any that “allow pets.” On the other hand, if you have your heart set on staying at a resort in Hilton Head, you have a few options as well.

Some family-friendly resorts in Hilton Head also accept pets, making bringing your furry friend along for the adventure easy. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island Sonesta Hilton Head Resort, Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, and The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa all offer pet-friendly accommodations with designated amenities and policies to ensure your pet is comfortable.

For a complete list of pet-friendly hotels and resorts in Hilton Head, visit our dedicated page: Hilton Head Pet-Friendly Hotels. Here you will find all the details you need to plan a getaway that includes every member of the family, even the four-legged ones!