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Top Kid Friendly Activities & Restaurants

5 Apr 2022
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Things to Do

Having a go-to list of kid-friendly activities is essential to enjoying your visit to Savannah with kids. While Savannah has a ton to offer, here’s our list of fun recommendations to keep your whole family amused, entertained, and happy. Read up on our top things to do for kids and kid-friendly restaurants in Savannah sure to provide fun for all. 

Kid-Friendly Activities in Savannah:

Not all activities have to be just for the kids. A few of our recommended places to go will provide fun for the whole family as well!

Savannah Children’s Museum

655 Louisville Road

Savannah Children's Museum

The Savannah Childrens Museum is located at 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, GA 31401, adjacent to the Georgia State Railroad Museum, in what was originally the Railroad Repair facility. The Children’s Museum is made up of more than a dozen interactive exhibits, including a life-size maze and an off-the-hook playground where kids can climb, run, jump, scale, bounce, slide, explore, discover, and yell to their heart’s content. Turn them loose and a watchful staffer will keep them safe and entertained playing and discovering. Currently, the museum is entirely outdoors and relatively small, so it’s not an all-day commitment, but the museum does have plans to grow. Pack your own snacks/drinks/SPF. Cost: $8 per person over 18 months old. 

Forsyth Park

2 W Gaston Street

With over 30 acres of shady groves, manicured lawns, gardens, beautiful fountains and flowers, Forsyth Park is Savannah’s largest green space, and a popular location for events, festivals and weddings. This historic gem is situated at the southern border of the Historic District between Drayton and Whitaker Streets to the East and West and Gaston and Park on the North and South.

A great place to stroll, skate, bike, scooter or jog, its paths crisscross the park making it an ideal place to relax and recharge while the kids, hopefully, run their batteries down a little. With two playgrounds (one toddler friendly and the other for bigger kids), a delightful café, and a fragrant garden, Forsyth Park is a great place to enjoy the beauty of lovely Savannah. On Saturdays you’ll also find the Forsyth Farmer’s Market, great for picking up a few staples (or treats!) for your stay.

Why not make a day of it and experience downtown's largest green space with a catered and furnished picnic from Savannah Picnic Co? They bring the food, blanket, chairs - even a Bluetooth speaker! All you need to do is show up. Schedule your picnic today and don’t forget to mention that you’re a Lucky guest!  

Ellis Square Fountains

Barnard St & W Congress St

These fountains were made for splashing! Savannah has a plethora of fountains adorning squares, but none as much fun as the Splash Fountains in Ellis Square. Free and open to the public, these fountains have been keeping kids cool and parents entertained since the square was converted back from a parking garage to a social hub in the early 2000s. Waterspouts shoot roughly 6 or 7 feet high and make for great photo opportunities. There’s plenty of seating surrounding the fountains and nearby City Market often has live music on the weekends. Bonus: Wet Willie’s has a location in City Market, so parents can grab an adult slushy to keep cool.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center

711 Sandtown Road

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah GA

Celebrating 40 years, the Oatland Island Wildlife Center is approximately 5 miles east of the Historic District. Open every day of the year (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day) from 10am-5pm, you’ll find yourself captivated by the exhibits of native animals in their natural habitats. Very peaceful and beautifully maintained, the grounds are lovely for taking a walk meandering through groves under oak tree canopies and over marshlands on gravel paths, asphalt sidewalks, and boardwalks.

You’ll receive a map of the totally walkable trail system that winds you through exhibits of wolves, cougars and various birds of prey. You can get up and close to most of the animals and even get hands-on in the barnyard. Check their website for annual events like the sheep shearing in April and the Fairy & Gnome Festival in May. Bring bug spray, pack snacks. Cost: $3-$5 per person

Savannah Bananas Baseball Games

Victory Drive at Daffin Park

Fans First Entertainment, which owns the Savannah Bananas, is known for a unique combination of baseball and non-stop entertainment like dancing players, blindfolded pillow fights, dunk an intern, and ATV-riding mascots. They also host an array of specialty theme nights like Bark in the Park, a dog friendly event, Strike Out Cancer Night, Thirsty Thursdays, and Fourth of July Fireworks. Gates open one hour before the game, parking is free, and tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Savannah Bee Company

Broughton Street

Okay, so it’s not technically a museum, zoo or playground, but at the same time, it kind of is. Sure, Savannah Bee sells everything related to honey, including t-shirts, books, chocolates, lotions and the best-tasting honey ever. But it’s also the place my daughter begs to go whenever we have some time to kill. Here’s why: 1) The Honey Bar and 2) the educational element. You can sample their wares and they aren’t stingy (the Broughton Street location also offers mead tastings to the grown-ups), and visit the Wilmington Island Showroom for a tour of the bee garden (unless you’re allergic). Just call ahead to make the request. “Petting” the bees and eating honey straight from the comb blew my kid’s city-slicker mind. Cost: Free, but bring $$$ because you’re going to buy lots of great stuff.

Tybee Island Marine Science Center

1509 Strand Ave, Tybee Island

tybee island marine center

It’s easy to forget that the waterways and marshland that surround Savannah and Tybee Island are teeming with life: sea turtles, crabs, sharks, jellyfish, and even dolphins call these waterways home. Kids can learn about tides, seashells, dunes, marine animals and more at the Marine Science Center, which features include a touch tank, turtle exhibit, and coral reef. They offer a one-hour Turtle Talk walk appropriate for all ages, and is a great way to learn more about sea turtles. They even let you excavate a mock nest. The walks are $10 per person, and you can call 912-786-5917 or stop by the center to reserve space. Get to know more about Tybee’s marine life here

Kid Friendly Restaurants:

Kids love these places to eat in Savannah — and the whole family will enjoy these restaurants too. Have picky eaters? Save time by avoiding the grocery store altogether and have local grocery concierge service Shop & Stock fill your fridge before arrival.

Clary’s Cafe

404 Abercorn Street

Happy, homey and anything but trendy. The world-famous Clary’s Cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily and expect a line out the front door most days. Abuzz with community regulars and a hustling waitstaff, Clary’s will take you back to a simpler time when, on a hot day, you could sit at the counter and enjoy a cold drink and some conversation.

Over the last century, this landmark has evolved from being a drugstore with a soda fountain into a memorabilia and photograph adorned mecca for a no nonsense kind of meal. Be sure to check out the handmade rag dolls and hair ties at the front counter – and ask for coloring books and crayons for the kids.

Black and white checkerboard floors greet you inside the green and red striped awnings. Lots of ceiling fans keep the air moving almost as fast as the wait staff.

For breakfast, you'll find all the classics. Turn things up a notch with standouts like Corned Beef Hash and Crab Cake Benedict. You won’t go wrong ordering the kids chocolate chip pancakes, some of the best pancakes in town! Speaking of the kids, at lunch you have all the regulars to keep the peace: cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, etc. All kids lunch items are served with fries, pickles, and a drink for $5.95. (This menu would also please about 99.99% of my friends, including the very discerning.) We recommend the Reuben sandwich for the 10+ crowd. 

True to their past, Clary’s also serves Soda Shoppe Specialties like malted milkshakes, egg creams, banana splits, and sundaes. Still not full? Check out the dessert case, which is full of pies and homemade éclairs big enough to take out a squirrel. 

B&D Burger

2 Locations: Broughton Street and City Market

Slide into a booth and read the profound wisdom on the wall: There’s no place like this place, anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.

Well, one of two places, to be more exact — both in the Historic District. One is at 13 E. Broughton Street (between Drayton and Bull), the other is at City Market, 209 W. Congress Street. In addition to the great food and drinks, the City Market location has a rockin' patio, a huge screen projecting movies onto an adjacent building, a big chalkboard for young Dalis, cornhole, and the coldest AC in town.

B&D offers great made-to-order burgers, which you can eat plain or craft your own personal Burger Heaven with over 20 options. Choose from Angus Beef, Bison, Elk, Turkey or a veggie patty and then encase it in a white, multi-grain, pretzel or gluten free bun. Embellish with a dizzying array of toppings, including 12 cheese choices, 8 sauce selections, classic veggies, or wild toppings like jalapeño, fresh basil, fried egg, slice of pineapple, or horseradish. Finish it off with a choice of one of their ten sides (like alligator fritters, fried green tomatoes, or pimiento cheese) for a full meal that’s sure to please. Other kid-friendly favorites include chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and fries. 

Floats and shakes, Nehi and IBC sodas, cocktails and beer... How could you NOT have fun here?

Leopold’s Ice Cream

212 E Broughton Street

You may have to queue up to get inside this landmark shoppe (established circa 1919), but it's worth the wait for old-school charm and the best ice cream around. Place your order to take out or enjoy it inside. Marble-topped tables, cool air conditioning, and a classic jukebox set the scene for a great trip to the past.

The owner, Stratton Leopold, has also made a name for himself as a producer in Hollywood, so Leopold’s also has a nice selection of movie posters and props from his many blockbusters. You can even check out one of the original “self-destructing” messages from Mission Impossible!

Seasonal flavors keep things interesting. In March, Guinness ice cream anyone? Or how about Japanese Cherry blossom in May? Frozen hot cocoa in the fall? And naturally, Sugar Plum Fairy in December. For purists, there are classic flavors. For the historic minded, they have the flavor held responsible for the penning of Johnny Mercer’s song, “Tutti Frutti.” For the kids, if you believe what the dippers have to say, the Peppermint Stick and Peanut Butter are the faves.

Spanky’s Pizza Gallery and Saloon

317 E River Street

According to legend, Spanky’s is "The Home of The Original Chicken Finger." This makes me wonder what parents fed their kids before Spanky’s invented chicken fingers. Seems to me, chicken fingers appeal to all children (and most adults), and judging from the restaurants I visited, this must be true, for each and every kid friendly restaurant had chicken fingers on the menu. Looks like a great opportunity for a chicken finger throw down. Anyway, according to the staff, pizza and chicken and hot dogs are a sure way to please the little ones. With a college pub feel and plenty of televisions broadcasting sports, Spanky’s is a great place to duck into after an exhausting day of sightseeing.

For Starters or “Munchies” don’t pass on the spuds- one of their signature dishes made from potatoes cut round and dipped into their signature batter, fried and served with creamy horseradish sauce or honey mustard-another Spanky’s classic which also pairs well with the ubiquitous chicken fingers. Fried pickles, nachos, hushpuppies- there’s a lot to love here. The pizzas are spectacular. They are prepared from scratch, as is the pizza sauce, and the ones going by looked GREAT.

Ferns and fans, posters and stained glass. The Cure, The Clash, The Cars, Bowie — again, so '80s! Burgers, Stackers, Weenies, Porridge, Pizza and Greens-Spanky’s hits all the categories and keeps everyone happy.

Molly McGuire’s

216 Johnny Mercer Blvd #1

Yes, Molly McGuire's is on Wilmington Island, but the 10-minute drive from downtown is worth it if you want to "Unwind on Island Time." Kids will love playing cornhole and riding the moustache teeter-totter. Ample outdoor seating gives parents a birds-eye view of it all, including multiple big-screen TVs. The prices run a bit higher than you’d expect for a place where you can go straight from the beach in just a cover-up and a layer of sand, but the house wine is a steal.

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