Traveling to Myrtle Beach with a toddler is a completely different trip than the one you took before kids. The beach is technically free, but a two-year-old who hates sand, a 9 AM meltdown at an attraction that doesn't open until 10, and zero nursing rooms in a three-block radius will wreck your day before lunch. This guide is the logistics layer — stroller access, changing rooms, short visit durations, and indoor fallbacks for nap schedules that refuse to cooperate.
Top Toddler Picks in Myrtle Beach
Savannah's Playground is the single best free stop for toddlers in the area. Rated 4.9 stars from 2,597 reviews — higher than most paid attractions. Stroller-friendly with wide paths, limited nursing area nearby. Visit duration: 1.5–2.5 hours. Cost: $0. Pack water, snacks, and sunscreen. This is the one playground in Myrtle Beach worth going out of your way to find.
Star Academy North Myrtle Beach earns a 4.8-star rating for its indoor play space designed for the toddler-through-early-elementary crowd. Fully stroller-friendly. Nursing and changing room on-site. Visit: 1.5–2.5 hours. Budget $50–80 for a family session. Perfect for families staying in North Myrtle Beach who don't want to drive south.
Big Air Trampoline and Adventure Park has a dedicated toddler section — not just a corner, an actual separate zone that keeps little ones away from flying teenagers. 4.8 stars, 1,422 reviews. Nursing room on-site. Limited stroller access inside. Budget $80–120 for one-hour sessions. Bring grip socks or buy at the venue.
EdVenture Myrtle Beach is a hands-on children's museum where every exhibit is designed to be touched, built, and explored. Fully stroller-friendly. Nursing and changing room on-site. Visit: 2–3 hours. Family admission: $60–80. This is the go-to rainy day anchor for families with toddlers — plan to stay longer than you think.
McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach has 1,189 reviews at 4.6 stars. Stroller-friendly throughout. Nursing room available. Full picnic setup, playground, and open fields. Cost: $0. Visit: 2–3 hours. Bring a picnic and make it a morning.
Myrtle Beach (the actual beach) is stroller-friendly along the boardwalk, though sand is a different story for some strollers. Nursing and restroom facilities available. Beach access: $0 — budget $20–40 parking and $50–80 food unless you pack your own. Bring a pop-up shade tent. Early morning beach sessions (7–9 AM) before crowds and heat are the toddler sweet spot.
Free or Cheap Toddler Activities
All Children's Park in Surfside Beach is an inclusive playground designed with accessibility in mind so children of different abilities play together. Stroller-friendly. 173 reviews at 4.7 stars. Cost: $0. Visit: 1–2 hours.
McLean Park playground is the dedicated play area within McLean Park. Stroller-friendly, 4.7 stars. Cost: $0.
Pavilion Park sits steps from the boardwalk. Stroller-friendly, good for a play break. Cost: $0.
Plyler Park is right on the oceanfront with wide paved paths that are very stroller-friendly. Budget $0 entry plus $10–20 if kids spot ice cream. The boardwalk walk from here is a low-effort activity that buys you 30–60 minutes.
Elsie's Playground near Broadway at the Beach is free and lets kids burn energy while you're visiting the larger complex. Cost: $0. No nursing room, so plan accordingly.
Socastee Recreational Park is a well-loved community park with 469 reviews at 4.5 stars. Stroller-friendly. Nursing and changing room available. Cost: $0.
Nature Center in Myrtle Beach is a free coastal nature museum — 4.7-star rating. Limited stroller access inside. No nursing room. Visit: 1–1.5 hours. Cost: $0.
Indoor Options (Nap-Schedule Friendly)
These are your go-tos when naps have already been sacrificed but the day must continue.
Star Academy North Myrtle Beach — 1.5–2.5 hour visit window. Fully indoor. Nursing room available. Budget $50–80. Great for a post-nap afternoon session.
Big Air Trampoline and Adventure Park — 1.5–2.5 hours, dedicated toddler zone. Nursing room on-site. Budget $80–120. The toddler section works for kids as young as 18 months.
EdVenture Myrtle Beach — 2–3 hour visit. Full stroller access throughout. Nursing room available. Budget $60–80. The child-sized town section is especially good for 2–4 year olds who love role-play.
Fun Walls Kids Climbing & Arcade — Climbing walls and arcade in North Myrtle Beach. Indoor. 1–2 hour visit. Budget $50–80. Call ahead (843-361-0047). Limited stroller space inside, no nursing room.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park — Has Toddler Time sessions at lower pricing — check the schedule before booking. Nursing room available. Budget $80–120 for standard sessions. Limited stroller access inside.
What to Pack for a Day Out with Toddlers
Every listing tells you something different, but here's the consolidated list for a Myrtle Beach day with a toddler:
- Socks for everyone — Trampoline parks (Sky Zone, Big Air) require non-slip grip socks. Buy a multi-pack before your trip.
- Sunscreen and a hat — Plyler Park and the boardwalk have zero shade. Reapply every hour at the water park.
- Full change of clothes — EdVenture has messy exhibits. The beach requires it anyway.
- Pop-up shade tent — Essential for beach sessions over 60 minutes with a toddler.
- Packed cooler — Boardwalk food costs $50–80 for a family. A cooler with toddler snacks, juice boxes, and adult food saves $30–50 per day.
- Compact stroller — Most indoor venues have limited stroller parking. A folding umbrella stroller is easier than a full travel system inside Star Academy or EdVenture.
- Dry bag for the beach — Keeps phones, wallets, and the car keys away from sand and water.
Practical Tips for Visiting Myrtle Beach with Little Ones
Start activities at 9 AM, wrap up by 1 PM. Toddlers hit a wall between 1–3 PM. Schedule the beach or a park for morning when energy and temperatures are both manageable. Save indoor venues for afternoon.
Nursing logistics: Star Academy, Big Air, EdVenture, McLean Park, Socastee Rec Park, and Myrtle Beach (boardwalk restrooms) all have nursing or changing facilities. Elsie's Playground, Fun Walls, and the Nature Center don't — plan around it.
The boardwalk is stroller gold. The paved Myrtle Beach Boardwalk runs 1.2 miles and is completely flat and smooth. It's one of the best free toddler activities in the city — walk it in the morning before crowds hit.
Skip the boardwalk arcades with toddlers. Boardwalk Arcade and Fun Plaza are loud, crowded, and not designed for the under-5 set. Save those for when your kids are 6+.
Buy jump socks before you leave home. If you're planning to hit Big Air or Sky Zone, a four-pack of non-slip socks costs $10–12 on Amazon versus $3–4 per person at the venue.
The beach itself remains the best toddler activity in Myrtle Beach — free, endlessly entertaining, and fully adjustable to any energy level. Build your days around it and use the options above to fill gaps, handle rain, or rescue an afternoon that's going sideways.