Charleston, SC With Kids: Child Prices, Ages, Strollers

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14 things to do in Charleston with children, each with what kids pay and any age or stroller rule the operator publishes. Of these, 2 are free.

Places14on this page
Regions1Lowcountry
Free2as the operator states
CheckedOct 262026

The Short Answer

Several Charleston-area attractions let young children in free: Charles Towne Landing and Patriots Point (5 and under), Boone Hall (5 and under with an adult), Fort Sumter ferry (3 and under), James Island County Park (2 and under) and the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry (before the first birthday). source
DASH shuttles are free to all residents and visitors on three downtown lines. source
At Fort Sumter Tours, children 4-11 are $26.00 and children 3 and under are free. source
Splash Zone Waterpark's 2026 season ended August 9; children 2 and under are free and must wear swim diapers. source

Every Place on Our List

Search this list14 of 14

Name	Where	What	When	Cost	Good to know	Source
Angel Oak Park	Johns Island Lowcountry	City park around the Angel Oak tree with a gift shop and picnic area.	Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. Last entrance 4:50 p.m.; gift shop closes 4:30 p.m.	Free	Kids: Blankets and tripods are not allowed on or around the tree.	source
Boone Hall Plantation	Mount Pleasant Lowcountry	Plantation and working farm with tours and the live Exploring the Gullah Culture presentation.	Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (weekend hours not shown on the page read).	Adult $30; Seniors-Military-AAA $27; Children (6-12) $12; children 5 and under free with adult.	Kids: Children 5 and under free with an adult.	source
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site	Charleston Lowcountry	Site of the 1670 English settlement with a replica 17th-century sailing ship (Adventure), the Animal Forest zoo, gardens and a history trail.	Open year-round; from Oct. 20 about half of the Animal Forest is closed Monday-Friday during construction (open as usual weekends). Park grounds 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Visitor Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Animal Forest 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Adventure 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Closed Christmas Day.	$12/adult; $7.50/S.C. Senior; $7/youth age 6-15; free for children 5 and younger.	Kids: Free for children 5 and younger. Animal Forest has otters, bears, bison and more; cannon firings.	source
Charleston Farmers Market (Marion Square)	Charleston Lowcountry	City-produced Saturday farmers market in Marion Square with farmers, food makers, artisans, live music and kids' activities.	Saturdays, April-November 2026. Saturdays 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.	Not listed	Kids: Page lists live music and kids' activities.	source
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry	Charleston Lowcountry	Hands-on children's museum with seven indoor exhibit galleries and an outdoor backyard of interactive exhibits.	Open year-round Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. Members-only hour 9-10 a.m. Mon-Sat.	$15 at the door; $13 Advance Admission online (downtown location only); Museums for All $3/person with proof of SNAP, WIC or foster family status.	Kids: Free for children before their first birthday. Same-day re-entry with ticket. SuperStars Sundays (2nd and 4th Sundays, 10 a.m.-noon): families with children with special needs visit free. Access: Free accessibility kits at the front desk (noise-reducing headphones, weighted lap mats, fidget toys and more). Parking: Nearby Visitor's Center and Camden/Exchange garages cost $2.00/hour; city meters $2/hour.	source
DASH free downtown shuttle (CARTA)	Charleston Lowcountry	Free Downtown Area Shuttle on three lines (Orange 210, Green 211, Purple 213) around the peninsula, serving places like the SC Aquarium, King Street and Waterfront Park.	Not listed	Free	Kids: On regular CARTA routes ($2.00 fare), children under six ride free with a paying family member or friend.	source
Folly Beach County Park	Folly Beach Lowcountry	County beach park on the Atlantic and Folly River with boardwalks over the dunes, seasonal lifeguards, rentals, picnic areas and a snack bar.	Open year-round; snack bar opens April 1.	Per standard vehicle: Jan-Feb $5; March $10; April $15; May-Labor Day $15 Mon-Fri, $25 Sat-Sun and holidays; September after Labor Day $15; October $10; Nov-Dec $5. Walk-ins and bicyclists free. Cashless (card only).	Kids: Lifeguards on duty weekends only through the end of September, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Rules: stay near your children and watch them carefully. Boogie board rental $15/day (+$25 deposit). Access: Boardwalks and accessible ramps lead over the dunes. Parking: Vehicle fee above; Gold Pass members park free.	source
Fort Sumter ferry and fort (Fort Sumter Tours)	Charleston Lowcountry	Ferry from Liberty Square (downtown) or Patriots Point to Fort Sumter; about 2 1/4 hours total with about 1 hour at the fort.	Departures listed for Jan 2-Feb 26, Feb 27-Nov 30 and Dec 26-31. Liberty Square departures Feb 27-Nov 30: 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m. Patriots Point Feb 27-Nov 30: 10:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m.	Adults $43.00; Senior/Active Military $39.00; Children (4-11) $26.00; Children 3 and under FREE. National park passes do not cover the ferry.	Kids: Children 3 and under ride free. NPS Junior Ranger booklets at the Fort Sumter Visitor Center; show work to a ranger for a badge. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks allowed (not inside the fort museum). Access: Liberty Square ramp takes wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tides; Patriots Point cannot take wheelchairs or scooters. Note posted: mobility lifts at Fort Sumter are currently out of order; parade ground remains wheelchair accessible. Parking: Pay to park at both departure points (Aquarium garage next to Liberty Square).	source
James Island County Park	Charleston (James Island) Lowcountry	County park with playground, splash pad, seasonal waterpark, kids zipline, paved trails, off-leash dog park, rentals and the Holiday Festival of Lights.	Open year-round Jan-April 8 a.m.-sunset; May-Aug 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sept-Oct 8 a.m.-sunset; Nov-Dec 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Gate closes to incoming traffic 30 minutes before park closes.	$2 per person; free for Gold Pass members and children ages 2 and under.	Kids: Children 2 and under free. Children 12 and under must be with an adult when renting a boat or paddleboard. Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run and Walk (Nov 11 and 12): chaperone required for ages 15 and under.	source
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens	Charleston Lowcountry	Gardens, Audubon Swamp Garden, Wildlife Center and tours including the Nature Train and From Slavery to Freedom.	Peacock Cafe opens 9:00 a.m.	Admission price not shown on the FAQ page. House Tour and From Slavery to Freedom are included with admission (same-day ticket). Nature Train and seasonal Wildlife Boat Tour cost extra.	Kids: Nature Train and Slavery to Freedom tour: no minimum age. Tours are 45 minutes; Wildlife Boat Tour 30 minutes. Outside food allowed; picnic tables on site. Access: Strollers, wheelchairs and scooters welcome on grounds; paths are dirt and gravel and uneven. House tour has steps. Parking: Free parking.	source
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum	Mount Pleasant Lowcountry	Museum with two historic ships including the USS Yorktown, 27 aircraft, the Vietnam Experience and the Medal of Honor Museum.	Open year-round Museum open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.	Adults (13-61) $28; Children (6-12) $23; Seniors (65+) $25; Children 5 and under free; active-duty military with ID free.	Kids: Children 5 and under free. Scavenger Hunt from the USS Yorktown Information Desk ($3). Simulator ride $10/person; VR ride $11/person. Admiral's Tour is ages 12 and up ($40). Parking: Parking is a separate fee, not included in museum admission.	source
South Carolina Aquarium	Charleston Lowcountry	Indoor aquarium on the Charleston harbor with exhibits, daily programs and a Kids Coast area.	Open year-round Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; last entry 3:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 25; open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24. Closed Tuesday, October 27, 2026 for exhibit installation work.	Dated, timed tickets sold online; prices are not shown on the ticket page.	Kids: Strollers, diaper bags and backpacks allowed; smaller strollers recommended; no stroller rentals. Private nursing room on the second floor next to Kids Coast. Plan at least 90 minutes. Access: Exhibits are accessible by wheelchair; two elevators; free wheelchair checkout (photo ID deposit).	source
Splash Zone Waterpark (James Island County Park)	Charleston (James Island) Lowcountry	Seasonal county waterpark with slides and splash features inside James Island County Park.	2026: open daily May 30-August 9; closed for the season after August 9, 2026. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun 1-6 p.m. (2026 daily season).	General $15.99; under 48 in. $13.99; seniors 60+ $10.99; children 2 and under free; after 3 p.m. Mon-Fri $11.99 (not holidays). Plus $2 per person park gate admission.	Kids: Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult 18 or older. Children 2 and under must wear swim diapers. Height limits on some attractions. Life jackets available but shared; bring your own if you can. One chaperone suggested per eight children.	source
Waterfront Park	Charleston Lowcountry	Eight-acre linear park and pier on the Charleston Harbor with garden rooms, a pier with picnic tables and wooden swings, fountains, lawns and a walking path.	Open year-round	Not listed	Not listed	source

Hours, dates and prices are copied from each operator’s own page on the date shown; check before you go.

Under-Age Free Rules

Patriots Point: Children (ages 5 and under) free. source
Charles Towne Landing: free for children 5 and younger; youth 6-15 $7. source
Fort Moultrie: children under 16 do not need an entrance pass. source
Children's Museum of the Lowcountry: free for children before their first birthday. source

Strollers and Accessibility

SC Aquarium allows strollers (smaller ones recommended) but does not rent them. source
Magnolia welcomes strollers on the grounds, but many paths are uneven dirt and gravel. source
Fort Sumter Tours' Patriots Point dock cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters. source

Water Safety Rules at County Waterparks

Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult 18 or older; children 2 and under must wear swim diapers. source

FAQ

Do kids need a ticket for the Fort Sumter ferry?

Children 3 and under ride free; children 4-11 are $26.00. source

Can I bring a stroller to the SC Aquarium?

Yes. Smaller strollers are recommended and the aquarium does not rent strollers. source

Is the DASH shuttle free?

Yes. DASH shuttles are free to all residents and visitors. source

When are lifeguards on duty at Folly Beach County Park?

Weekends only through the end of September, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

SC Aquarium general admission prices: ticket page loads prices from the ticketing system; not readable on scaquarium.org/tickets/.
Magnolia Plantation admission prices: tickets.magnoliaplantation.com did not load for us; FAQ page has no prices.
Boone Hall weekend hours: only Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m. visible on boonehallplantation.com home page.
Waterfront Park Pineapple Fountain by name, hours and dog rules: city Park Directory page lists 'spectacular fountains' but does not name the Pineapple Fountain.
Patriots Point parking rate and stroller/pet rules: not on patriotspoint.org/visit.
Charleston Farmers Market: page does not say admission is free; parking not stated.
James Island County Park Splash Pad season and hours: listed as an amenity only.
lat/lon left null: no coordinates read from official pages.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Charleston With Kids”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/lowcountry/charleston-with-kids/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.