The official 2022 Beaufort County summer bucket list for kids before school starts

While kids mourn the dwindling days of summer, marked to end in Beaufort County by Aug. 15, here are 10 family-friendly activities to cross off the bucket list while you still can.

Hilton Head

Zion Cemetery Costume Tour: Your household’s history buff can enjoy a day of historical immersion and outdoor learning at the Zion Cemetery and Baynard Mausoleum’s costumed tour. The tour begins on Hilton Head at 574 William Hilton Parkway around 10:30 a.m. and leads you through gravesites of Revolutionary War veterans and some of the island’s oldest structures. Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults.

Sea Turtle Patrol: Every Monday, the Sea Turtle Patrol, a local volunteer organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles, heads a talk about local wildlife at Lowcountry Celebration Park. The talk is held from 8 to 9 p.m. The 45-minute talk is presented by the organization’s leader, Amber Kuehn, and is free to attend.

Harbourfest Fireworks: Fireworks aren’t just for the Fourth of July. Harborfest’s fireworks show starts as soon as it gets dark at Shelter Cove on July 12, 19 and 26. Fireworks will also be shown on Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Bluffton

Farmer’s Market: Every Thursday, Old Town Bluffton’s streets are flanked by tables full of fresh produce from local vendors. The historical neighborhood is home to the weekly market from noon until 5 p.m., and boasts of its fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, herbs and artisan goods. Shoppers can get updates regarding possible weather cancellations by texting the word “farmer” to 484848.

May River Shrimp Festival: Enjoy live music, food, an arts and crafts center for kids and more at the May River Shrimp Festival. Activities are set to start Thursday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Oyster Factory Park. Lawn chairs and pups on leashes are welcome and there is no charge for kids under 12 years old. Tickets for the three-day festival can be purchased online and range in price from $10 to $25 depending on the admission type.

Beaufort

Beaufort Water Festival: The annual festival is highly anticipated in the area, and has been for about 66 years. The 10-day festival is known for its live music, water parade and activities. Kicking off this year’s festivities is the arts and crafts market which features artists from all over the state. The event takes place from 2 until 7 p.m. at the promenade at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

Beaufort County Cooking Camp: Need an extra hand in the kitchen? Send your children to Beaufort County’s cooking camp and they’ll learn how to create their favorite recipes. The camp meets daily from July 19-21 from 9 until 3 p.m. at the Beaufort Clemson Extension Office on John Galt Road. The camp accepts kids from 8 to 13 years old.

RNBBQ Picnic Party: Get the lawn chairs, blankets and appetites ready for the RNBBQ Picnic Party on Saturday, July 16. The picnic starts at noon and goes until 8 p.m. at Coursen Tate Park on Springfield Road on Lady’s Island. Grills will be provided.

Port Royal

Squid Dissection: Kids will get the chance to learn more about wildlife at this informative hour-long session held Friday, July 29 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Maritime Center on Okatie Highway. Supplies will be provided to kids who must be over 10 years old to participate and accompanied by an adult. The dissection costs $5 per participant. To register ahead of time, call 843-645-7774.

Farmer’s Market: The year-round Port Royal farmer’s market is the place to be Saturdays. Local farmers and artisans gather each weekend to spend the morning at the Naval Heritage Park. White tents are set up beneath oak trees beside the skate park and the shipyard playground selling everything from fresh cut flowers to baked goods and locally grown produce. The market is open from 9 a.m. until noon.