Savannah with a toddler is absolutely doable — and better than most historic cities because the outdoor spaces are genuinely interesting rather than just filler between museum stops. The practical reality: summer heat in Savannah is serious, most outdoor sites have no food service, and nursing facilities are inconsistent across the park system. Plan your mornings early, pack everything, and build in nap buffer time. Here's what actually works for the under-4 crowd.
Top Toddler Picks in Savannah
Forsyth Park Playground is the first stop for toddlers in Savannah. Rated 4.9 — the highest-rated listing in the city. Stroller-friendly throughout the park. No nursing facilities on site (plan accordingly), but the playground is next to Savannah's most famous fountain and under massive Spanish moss-draped oaks. It's free. Toddlers play while parents enjoy the setting — one of the rare activities where both are genuinely happy simultaneously. Visit before 9am in summer to beat the heat. What to bring: water (essential), sunscreen, snacks, camera for fountain photos.
The Bunny Hive Savannah (rated 4.8, family of 4: $30–$50) is the toddler bull's-eye in Savannah. Stroller-friendly, nursing facilities available. A boutique indoor play space designed specifically for children under 6 — everything at toddler scale, climate-controlled, clean, safe to touch and climb. For parents of under-4s who are tired of finding age-appropriate activities, this is the answer: a curated space where little ones can actually roam freely while you actually breathe. Socks are typically required. Weekday mornings have smaller crowds and a calmer energy. What to bring: socks, snacks for after play, diaper bag.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia (free grounds access, rated 4.8) has stroller-friendly paths and nursing facilities available. The 313-acre garden includes a children's garden designed for young visitors, a tropical conservatory, and nature trails that toddlers find genuinely engaging. The conservatory may have a separate admission fee — check botgarden.uga.edu before visiting. Bug spray is essential for trail sections. What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, water, bug spray, camera.
Rotary Club of Savannah Children's Playground (free, rated 4.8) is stroller-friendly and located near Forsyth Park in the South Historic District. No nursing facilities, but it's an easy add-on to a Forsyth Park visit — same neighborhood, zero driving. Kids play while parents enjoy the Victorian architecture and Spanish moss scenery. One of the best free playgrounds in the Historic District. What to bring: water bottles, sunscreen, snacks.
The Jepson Center & Telfair Children's Art Museum (CAM) (rated 4.5, family of 4: $50–$70) is stroller-friendly and has nursing facilities. Adults ~$20, children 5–17 ~$10, under 5 free — which means toddlers get in at no cost. The Children's Art Museum section has hands-on activities and interactive installations appropriate for younger kids. Comfortable shoes recommended for nearby cobblestone streets. What to bring: water bottle, camera, comfortable shoes.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium (rated 4.6, family of 4: $25–$40) is fully indoor, stroller-friendly, and has nursing facilities. Touch tanks are where toddlers completely lose track of time — getting hands-on with sea creatures in a supervised environment. Adults ~$8–$10, children ~$4–$6. Closed Sundays. Bring a change of clothes for kids who will get wet at the touch tanks.
Ambuc Park (free, rated 4.6) is stroller-friendly and has nursing facilities — one of the few parks in Savannah's roster with both. The adaptive and inclusive playground equipment is designed for children of all abilities, making it one of the most welcoming park experiences in the metro. Athletic fields and picnic areas make it workable for longer visits. What to bring: water and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, ball for the athletic fields.
Free or Cheap Toddler Activities
Baldwin Park — $0 (rated 4.8). Stroller-friendly, well-maintained, uncrowded neighborhood playground. No nursing facilities. Good for families staying in the Baldwin Park area who need a nearby free option. What to bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, a ball for open play.
Daffin Park — $0 (rated 4.6). Stroller-friendly, 86 acres with a lake, playgrounds, open lawns. Limited nursing facilities. Toddlers who need space to run have room here. Stroller walks along the lake perimeter path are calm and pleasant. What to bring: ball, fishing rod (if interested), frisbee, stroller, water, sunscreen.
Playgrounds at Daffin Park — $0 (rated 4.7). Stroller-friendly, within the Daffin Park complex. Good dedicated playground option within the larger park.
Lake Mayer Park — $0 park access (rated 4.6). Stroller-friendly, nursing facilities available. 75-acre lake with a playground, fishing dock, and paddle boat rentals. The perimeter trail around the lake is excellent for stroller walks. Bug spray is important — the park is marsh-adjacent.
Savannah Botanical Gardens — $0 (rated 4.3). Stroller-friendly, open daily from 8am. Free, open paths with seasonal flowers and open lawns where younger kids can run without structure. The relaxed, unchoreographed setting is a relief for families who find formal garden rules stressful. Bug spray essential May–September.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm — $0 (rated 4.5). Stroller-friendly, limited nursing facilities. The towering bamboo groves are genuinely surprising — even toddlers respond to walking through a bamboo forest. No food service; bring everything. Closed Mondays.
Indoor Options (Nap-Schedule Friendly)
When nap timing is tight, you need fully climate-controlled, quick-exit capable, and low-risk of meltdown.
The Bunny Hive Savannah is the clear first choice — purpose-built for toddlers, $30–$50 for a family, nursing room available. You can arrive at open, do 90 minutes of play, and be in the car by 10:30am for a late morning nap. This is the activity that saves Savannah trips that are going sideways.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium is fully indoor, works well for a shorter visit (45–90 minutes for toddlers who'll get distracted before the full 2.5-hour adult visit). Nursing room available. Under-age-4 admission is low; under-2 may be free — confirm current rates.
Jepson Center & CAM works for toddlers specifically because under-5 admission is free. Stroller-friendly, nursing facilities available. Good for a 45–90 minute indoor visit when the weather or schedule demands it.
What to Pack for a Day Out with Toddlers in Savannah
Based on the specific needs across all 21 listings:
- Water — non-negotiable. Savannah heat and humidity are serious. Toddlers dehydrate faster than adults. Bring more than you think you need.
- Sunscreen. Every outdoor site here has sun exposure.
- Bug spray. Essential for Lake Mayer, Ambuc Park, Coastal Bamboo Farm, and any marsh-adjacent location. May–September especially.
- Extra change of clothes. UGA Marine touch tanks get kids wet. Pack two changes for longer days.
- Snacks for every outdoor stop. No food at wildlife areas, Coastal Bamboo Farm, Ambuc Park, or most parks. Pack a small cooler.
- Socks for The Bunny Hive. Typically required for indoor play venues.
- Stroller. All indoor venues are stroller-friendly. Most parks have paved paths. Forsyth Park paths are wide and stroller-accessible throughout.
- Camera. Forsyth Park fountain photos, bamboo grove photos, touch tank photos — these are the pictures you'll actually use.
Practical Tips for Visiting Savannah with Little Ones
- Morning first, always. June through August, outdoor activities should be done by 10:30–11am. Toddlers overheat. The afternoon heat is not manageable without indoor shelter.
- Forsyth Park + Rotary Playground = one free morning. Both are in the South Historic District, walkable from each other. Combine them and you have 90 minutes of outdoor play in the most beautiful neighborhood in Savannah.
- Nursing facilities are inconsistent across Savannah's parks. The Bunny Hive, Ambuc Park, Lake Mayer Park, UGA Marine Center, and Jepson Center have confirmed nursing facilities. Plan your midday stop around one of these.
- The wildlife refuge is not appropriate for infants/young toddlers. Oatland Island's 1.75-mile trail is too long for strollers on natural paths. Save Oatland for ages 3+ who can walk independently.
- Closed day awareness: Gray's Reef is closed weekends. Coastal Bamboo Farm closes Mondays. Build closures into your plan before Day 1.
Bottom Line: A complete, great toddler day in Savannah runs $0–$50 depending on how you mix it. Free morning at Forsyth Park Playground + Rotary Club Playground, then afternoon at The Bunny Hive ($30–$50) for indoor toddler play. That's the formula. Everything else is optional enrichment.