St. Simons Bucket List: 8 Island Activities Your Kids Will Love

May 19, 2025

St. Simons Island offers so many family-friendly activities that it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve highlighted eight must-try experiences for kids visiting this summer that showcase the best of what makes St. Simons special – from beautiful beaches to historic sites and local treats.

Here’s what makes each of these bucket list activities worth checking off during your island visit. (You can grab a copy of our printable bucket list coloring page at the end of this post, or find it included in our guest welcome packet!)

Climb to the Top of the St. Simons Lighthouse

Try counting all 129 steps as you climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, built in 1872. This 104-foot lighthouse gives you great views of the coast from the top.

Kids love hearing ghost stories about Frederick Osborne, a former lighthouse keeper. The museum in the keeper’s house has exhibits about boats, lighthouses, and local history that kids can touch and explore.

Location: 101 12th Street, St. Simons Island Hours and Costs: Check the Coastal Georgia Historical Society website

Hunt for the Mermaid Tree Spirit

One of St. Simons Island’s most magical attractions is its collection of tree spirits – intricate faces carved into live oak trees throughout the island. The Mermaid Tree Spirit is especially enchanting for children to discover!

Tip: The Golden Isles Welcome Center has maps to help you locate the many different tree spirits and you might find that the mermaid is right around the corner!

Ride Through Town on the St. Simons Trolley

For a fun way to see the island, catch Anchor Trolleys’ colorful open-air trolley. Kids love the wind-in-your-hair experience as the trolley loops around the south end of St. Simons!

Starting from the historic Pier Village, the trolley makes stops at popular spots like Arnold Road (near King & Prince Hotel), Massengale Park (beach access), Coast Guard Station (East Beach), Southern Soul BBQ, Red Fern Village (shops and restaurants), and Retreat Village. Drivers share fun island stories along the way.

Departures: Regular loops from Pier Village Tickets: Available from the driver or online

Get Ice Cream from Frosty’s

Cool off at Frosty’s Griddle & Shake on Mallery Street, created by the team behind the popular Southern Soul Barbeque. This local favorite serves soft-serve cones, floats, milkshakes, and their signature “Hurricane” (their own take on a blended ice cream treat).

Beyond ice cream, they also serve tasty smashed cheeseburgers, chili dogs, and shrimp baskets if you’re hungry for a meal.

Location: 501 Mallery St, St. Simons Island Hours: 11am to 8pm daily (closed Mondays)

Build a Sandcastle

St. Simons beaches offer the perfect sand consistency for impressive sandcastle creations! Don’t underestimate this classic beach activity—when the whole family gets involved, the laughs and teamwork become the highlight of the day. The gentle slope and wide shoreline at East Beach make it an ideal spot for family sandcastle projects, with convenient facilities nearby.

Tip: Visit during low tide for the best sandcastle-building conditions. The sand is more compact and easier to work with, and you’ll have more beach space to create your masterpiece!

Collect Seashells

St. Simons beaches offer a casual treasure hunt for shell collectors, especially after storms or during low tide. East Beach and the stretch from Coast Guard Beach to East Beach tend to have the best finds. Make a game out of finding different shapes and colors with your kids!

Tip: Always check shells to make sure they’re not occupied! Hermit crabs and other small creatures often make their homes in empty shells. If it’s occupied, gently place it back where you found it.

Best Time: 1-2 hours before or after low tide or after storms

Fish or Crab from the St. Simons Pier

Kids love watching the action at the St. Simons Pier, one of only three ocean piers on the Georgia coast. Try your hand at fishing or net crabbing, or simply stroll the length of the pier to enjoy views of Jekyll Island to the south.

If you want to fish or crab, the pier has convenient tray tables and water hoses along the railings for preparing bait and cleaning catches. Younger kids especially enjoy dropping crab nets with bait and checking what they’ve caught.

Not interested in fishing? The benches along each side of the pier offer great spots to sit and watch local fishermen and crabbers in action. It’s a relaxing way to spend an hour, especially at sunset!

Visit the Sea Turtles on Jekyll

Just a short drive from St. Simons is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. This is Georgia’s only sea turtle hospital, where kids can see real turtle patients in the rehabilitation pavilion. The center features hands-on, interactive exhibits where children learn about sea turtle life cycles and conservation through touch displays and games.

Looking for even more turtle adventures? Check out their summer programs! Join Night Patrol or Dawn Patrol to ride with researchers searching for nesting turtles, or try a Turtle Walk to look for tracks on the beach. With luck, you might spot wild sea turtles!

Hours: Open daily from 9am to 5pm Summer Programs: Visit their website for more information

Get Your Own St. Simons Bucket List

Want a copy of our St. Simons Bucket List coloring page and crayons? We’ve got you covered:

For guests with reservations: Simply mark that you’re traveling with children when booking, and we’ll have it ready in your welcome packet.
Already here or traveling without children? No problem! These activities are fun for grown-ups too! Request a copy from any member of our staff, or download a printable version below

Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals – St Simons Summer Bucket List Download

Book your summer trip now and start planning your island adventure. Happy exploring!