Best Beach Activities for Kids in North Myrtle Beach: Sandcastles, Shell Hunts & Dolphin Cruises

They say childhood was made to be spent with sand in your shoes and salt in your hair—so why not make North Myrtle Beach the backdrop for your kiddo’s biggest summer memories? When the sun tickles the horizon and the surf hums its gentle lullaby, there’s no better place to let children roam wild, build castles that defy gravity, and learn the ocean’s secrets beneath a Carolina sky.

From playful splash parks to dolphin-sighting cruises, North Myrtle Beach rolls out an irresistible menu of experiences designed for tiny hands and big imaginations. Let us guide you to the best beachside adventures that will have your family laughing, exploring, and coming back year after year.

🏖️ Sandcastle Contests & Freeplay on Cherry Grove Beach

Cherry Grove Beach in North Myrtle Beach is a haven for young castle architects. With its wide, gently sloping shoreline and fine, pale sand, it’s prime territory for building dreams in granules. Keep an eye on the Thomas Beach Vacations concierge calendar—each summer they share local kids’ sandcastle contests hosted by community groups or beach shops nearby. Even without an official contest, families gather at sunrise or mid-morning to craft moats and towers, and parents can easily rent beach gear like umbrellas and chairs from North Strand Beach Service to make the day stretch longer and comfier.

Every shovel turned is a lesson in patience, and every toppled turret becomes a memory wrapped in salty laughter. Pack snacks, stay hydrated, and let little ones shovel till their hearts’ content.

Children Collecting Seashells

🐚 Shell Hunting & Nature Walks at Low Tide

Low tide brings a treasure trove of seashells dancing in the receding waves. Early risers are rewarded with coquinas, olive shells, and sand dollars strewn like pearls across the shoreline. Southern Living’s guide to shelling spots praises Myrtle Beach State Park—but North Myrtle’s shores, especially near Cherry Grove Pier, are just as generous if you time it right.

Teach kids the etiquette of shell collecting (live creatures stay put!), and turn it into a scavenger hunt: find a perfectly spiraled conch, a jingle shell that jingles, or a sand dollar as flat as a pancake and twice as exciting. Bring a small bucket and let them trade ocean wonders for ice cream cone rewards later.

🌊 Splash Parks & Obstacle Courses at Shark Wake Park

When the pelicans soar overhead and the sun climbs high, the cables at North Myrtle Beach’s Shark Wake Park aren’t just for wakeboarding—they’re launching pads for joy. According to ExploreNorthMyrtleBeach.com, families flock here for petite wakeboarders, floating obstacle courses, and mini-golf, all in one waterpark playground.

Toddlers wobble through foam trails while older kids challenge each other to climb, slide, and dunk. Lifeguards patrol the scene, kayaks dot the perimeter, and parents can stake out a shady picnic spot with ocean views. Hit that mid-afternoon peak and watch energy levels regenerate in splashes and shrieks.

Dolphin Watching Adventure

🐬 Dolphin & Eco Cruises Along the Coast

The simplest way to enchant kids? Let them meet wild dolphins in their natural playground. North Myrtle Beach’s waterways are patrolled by Sea Screamer and Sea Thunder Dolphin Cruises, narrated tours that guide families into dolphin pods and share facts about local wildlife.

Tours last between 90 minutes and two hours. Sea Screamer departs from Mineola Avenue; Sea Thunder sets sail from Little River Neck Road—both in the heart of North Myrtle. A two-hour Southern Shores Catamaran Dolphin Cruise also launches ICW adventures with shelling visits to uninhabited islands. Bow-watchers often spot dolphins surfacing, seabirds soaring, and maybe even a shy seal. These tours are paced to entertain without exhausting—fun, educational, and perfect for families.

🧒 Mini Golf & Family Entertainment Nearby

While Barefoot Landing delivers great shopping and dining, families looking for mini golf adventures will find some stellar options just down the road:

  • Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Golf at 1705 Hwy 17 S offers two immersive 18-hole courses with a mining expedition theme, complete with a “mining train” ride through caverns and waterfalls—kids love the interactive family experience.

  • Mutiny Bay Miniature Golf, nestled near Barefoot Landing on US‑17, delivers swashbuckling fun with erupting volcanoes, animatronic pirates, and shipwreck obstacles—perfect for budding buccaneers.

  • Hawaiian Rumble Golf & Batting Cages, also on Hwy 17 S, combines tropical-themed mini golf with go-karts and batting cages for an all-in-one thrill spot.

Kids can perfect their putting under palm trees, pet friendly birds at Alligator Adventure next door, and rewind with candy or beach toys from local shops. This is playground therapy for parents, too—easy walking paths, shaded benches, and waterside restaurants where everyone can celebrate a hole-in-one (or at least a well-aimed miss).

🌄 Family Farewell: Oceanfront Picnics at Sunset

Wrap up the day with something simple and spectacular: an oceanfront picnic enjoyed in the hour when the tide retreats, and the sun turns molten gold. Local markets like Boulineau’s Food Plus—or even the Thomas Beach Vacations kitchen—stock everything you need: cold fried chicken, macaroni salad, watermelon slices, and cold iced tea in mason jars.

Let the kids chase water’s edge, twilight glow on their shoulders, while your toes tap the wet sand. It’s the classic finale that never gets old—a children’s chorus of waves, seagulls, and sand-running feet.

Indulging your kids in beach activities in North Myrtle Beach is more than vacation—it’s crafting a summer story they’ll recount years from now. Sandcastles spark imagination, shell hunts foster curiosity, splash parks ignite laughter, dolphin cruises awe and educate, and evening picnics soothe the soul. It’s grand strand magic that blends wonder with warmth.

Make this your family’s best beach vacation yet—book your stay with Thomas Beach Vacations. With over 400 oceanfront homes and condos, beach chairs and umbrellas included, and concierge-recommended adventures just for kids, we’re here to make every moment count. Call 866‑249‑2100 or visit NorthMyrtleBeachVacations.com—your summer story is waiting to be written.