Written by Palmetto Bluff
Aug 08, 2022
While Palmetto Bluff offers many opportunities for the whole family to enjoy, there’s nothing better than being a Bluff kid. From the vast selection of planned activities to the pools, treehouses, games, and sports—all within 20,000 acres of pristine land alongside rivers, beaches, maritime forest, and trails—our impressive array of kid-friendly activities in an ideal setting create unlimited opportunities for fun at the Bluff.
Read more about some of our favorite kid activities that you can find on the Bluff.
Biking
Exploring on two wheels (okay, maybe four) is a safe and easy way for kids to explore the Bluff. Hop on bikes and glide around Wilson Village while you check out the Wilson Mansion ruins, Palmetto Bluff Chapel, and the waterfront area along Boathouse Row featuring swings, bocce ball, and Melt ice cream shop. Or, surround yourself with nature as you ride deep through Palmetto Bluff’s breathtaking maritime forest in the River Road Preserve. Many like to ride together from Wilson Village to Moreland Village.
Fun in Moreland Village
Located within an incredible natural setting, Moreland Village is the perfect home base for exploring the Lowcountry. Trails connect the community and lead to convenient amenities; docks along Lake Bales provide the perfect spot for fun family fishing; Canteen and Cole’s offer tasty eats; and the Outfitters, home to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy.
Fun & Games
At the heart of Moreland Village is The Boundary—a social hub with Cole’s restaurant plus a four-lane, state-of-the-art bowling alley, game room with pool tables, foosball, shuffleboard, board games, and card tables, and a pool. Throughout the year, you’ll find a variety of family-friendly concerts and events at The Crossroads in Moreland Village.
Whether your kids like to engage in a heated tennis match, prefer a more relaxed game of croquet or bocce, or want to try their hand at pickleball, Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club is the place. This recreational facility on the outskirts of Wilson Village offers tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts as well as bocce ball and croquet.
Adjacent to Wilson Lawn and Racquet Club is RT’s Market—Palmetto Bluff’s neighborhood general store and the perfect place for kiddos to grab a sandwich, a sweet treat like high-quality chocolates and other candy, or even a souvenir. On the lawn in front of RT’s market, children will find another set of swings, and down the road, one of two treehouses on property.
Treehouses
One thing is for sure: the magic of treehouses is an unforgettable feeling. Relive that excitement at one of two treehouses at the Bluff. Right off Mount Pelia Road beyond the perimeters of bustling Wilson Village (just down the road from RT’s Market), kids will discover the Mount Pelia treehouse. Standing three stories tall, this treehouse has multiple entry and exit points along with a spiral staircase, wooden boardwalk, rope ladder, and metal slide. Two hammocks and a swing set sit nearby for those who need a rest.
Tucked along the marsh at Moreland, along the beautiful May River, is the original treehouse at Palmetto Bluff. With 55 steps, 5 stories, and unlimited panoramic views from the observation deck at the top, this magical creation was one of the first amenities offered at the Bluff…and a favorite of Bluff kids.
Horsin’ Around
Home to Palmetto Bluff’s exceptional equestrian facility, Longfield Stables offers kids a chance to get up close and personal with our equine friends. Choose from a trail ride on 10+ miles of trails with an experienced guide or for those under 12, saddle up one of the Bluff’s ponies that will tour you around the Longfield Stables campus. After your trail ride, try the one-of-a-kind experience: Paint the Pony! With just a little finger paint, a pony, and a lot of creativity, kids can create their own work of art on a live canvas!
Just Another Day by the Water
With 32 miles of waterfront, Palmetto Bluff has miles of water trails—including creeks, rivers, and waterways—that make for a paddler’s paradise. Take out one of our canoes, kayaks, or rowboats from Wilson Landing.
For those looking for a reel good time, casting for largemouth bass in the freshwater ponds, fly-fishing for redfish in the salt marsh flats, or simply family fishing on one of several docks provide hours of fun. Of course, our scenic waterways provide plenty of entertainment for those who aren’t inclined to bait the hook including boat tours to exclusive beaches, full and half days on the water tubing and skiing, scenic dolphin tours, paddleboarding, and more!
Palmetto Bluff offers three picturesque pools on property—popular spots for Bluff kids to meet up with new friends.
The Lodge—an expansive saltwater pool, hot tub, and kiddie pool plus a “game deck” for table tennis, pool, checkers, chess, and foosball
The Boundary—large, family-friendly pool and pool bar
The Lodge—main pool with lap lanes alongside a shallow enclave for kids and a hot tub
I Scream. You Scream. We all scream…for Melt!
After a day exploring the Bluff, kids will inevitably find themselves at Melt, Palmetto Bluff’s ice-cream shop located in Wilson Village. Featuring signature southern ice cream flavors, shakes, sundaes, floats, candy, homemade cookies, brownies, and more, this quaint ice cream parlor by the beautiful May River beckons visitors to step inside for a sweet treat. (Sugar high kicking in? Kids can head across the street for some bocce ball and swings adjacent to the courts.)
Sunset S’mores
What do you get when you combine melted chocolate, jumbo gourmet marshmallows, graham crackers, and a roaring fire by the May River? The perfect kid-friendly nightcap after a day of exploring the Bluff. A tradition that began Labor Day 2016, every night at sunset the three-wheeled Dutch delivery bike comes to the River House fire pits bearing all the standard campfire fixings. Pull up a rocking chair and get to know some of the other families while the setting sun puts on a show over the May River.
Canine Ambassador
A family favorite is our Canine Ambassador program, featuring our resident cuddly rescue pup, Cauley, from the Hilton Head Humane Association. The Canine Ambassador’s role is to bring joy to all of our guests with meet and greets, where Cauley looks forward to interacting with everyone and posing for pictures.
Community Programming & Holiday Celebrations
Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Junior Naturalist’s Camp. Explorers camp. Paint the pony. Themed parades along the Village Green. Scavenger hunts. Poolside celebrations. Artist in Residence kids’ classes and workshops. There’s always some planned activity for kids to join.
In between year-round programming, the holiday season is something to behold at the Bluff. Whether it’s a fun-filled patriotic golf cart parade on the Fourth of July or the festive holiday season with a boat parade, reindeer games, and Santa’s workshop, there is always something fun and magical on the Bluff during the holidays.
From bike rides, treehouses, and playgrounds to tubing, crabbing off the docks, and so much more, every day is a good day when you’re a Bluff kid.
