weather/activity questions

we%26#39;re planning a trip to charleston in the beginning of august, we will have two small boys (6 and 4) with us. i%26#39;m was hoping to get some input on the following questions:

1. what will the weather be like in early august? (mainly i need to know if it will still be warm enough to go to the beach!)

2. are there any beach areas that would be good places for my guys to find ';treasures';; i.e. shells, sand dollars, etc?

3. what other activities are around that younger kids might be interested in?

thanks!

weather/activity questions

The weather will be extremely hot and sultry. Even the breezes off the water will probably be warm. The ocean water will be warm. The sun will be very strong, so please be extremely careful in using sunscreen.

How many shells are on the beach sort of depends on what%26#39;s been going on out to sea. If there has been a storm in the ocean, it may churn things up and throw more shells on shore.

Otherwise, the best time to look for shells is at low tide, especially early in the morning. Beachwalker Park, on Kiawah, is a very good beach for young children and has nice restroom facilities and a snack bar. We find a fair number of fossil sand dollars, as well as other shells.

weather/activity questions

1. As the first poster said, yes, it will be very hot. Probably 90%26#39;s in early August. You can generally swim comfortably in the ocean here until sometime in October. Keep an eye on the weather channel for tropical storm/hurricane forcasts before you come. That is typically when it begins to heat up.

2. Many. Beachwalker park is my favorite as well, but it kind of depends on where you are staying. It is on Kiawah Island and can be a pretty good drive depending on your location. Isle of Palms would be my next choice, but more people go there so not as many shells to collect unless you go really early.

3. SC Aquarium. Boys will love it. There is an interactive section where they can actually touch some sea creatures with assistance. Across the streee in the park they are constructing a tall ship by hand like it was done years ago. Very interesting.

Fort Sumter might be fun for them. The fort is okay, but a short tour. The boat ride out is where younger kids will usually have the most fun. Many times dolphins will tag along and jump across the bow.

Much of what to do depends on where you are staying. I would suggest Cypress Gardens since you can take a boat tour through the swamp (boys will like), but it is between Moncks Corner and Goose Creek, so may be a drive for you.

Several waterparks of course.