Plymouth Pirate Cruise
A family pirate-themed cruise on Plymouth Harbor. Booked on Viator.
With Kids · Free & bookable
Cape Cod with kids.
Rain in the forecast. See real pirate treasure at the Whydah Pirate Museum, paint pottery in Mashpee, or watch live glassblowing at the Sandwich Glass Museum.
Today for kids
- Weather
- 46° · Light rain
- Low tide at Wellfleet
- 8:27 PM
- Sunset
- 4:21 PM
What can we do with kids on Cape Cod?
Mix free days outside with one or two booked outings. Everything here is listed and verified by Cape Cod Certified. Filter by price, where you’re staying, and indoors or out.
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- Outdoors
Polly Hill Arboretum Trails
Winding paths through a beloved 70-acre arboretum cultivated over decades by Polly Hill, featuring rare trees, flowering shrubs, and…
Plymouth Harbor Party Cruise
A festive harbor party cruise out on the water. Booked on Viator.
- Outdoors
Helltown Conservation Trail
A quiet trail through the inland conservation land known locally as Helltown, the old settlement area of East Harbor before it was cut off…
Stand Up Paddle Board Ice Cream Boat Adventure
An active Cape Cod adventure on the water and shoreline. Booked on Viator.
- Outdoors
River Road Conservation Area (Osterville)
Short trail along the tidal edges of the Centerville River as it passes through Osterville. The river corridor supports a rich mix of…
OutdoorsNantucket Coast-to-Coast Self-Guided Biking or Driving Tour
A self-guided biking or driving tour across Nantucket. Booked on Viator.
- Outdoors
Ice House & Reuben's Ponds Conservation Trail
A 1.5-mile loop system through pitch pine and oak woodland connecting Ice House Pond and Reuben's Pond. Bench overlooks each pond; plant ID…
Surf Lessons at Marconi & White Crest
Catch your first wave with the Cape's all-female surf school on the Outer Cape's legendary Atlantic breaks. Private, couples and multi-day…
- Outdoors
D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands
A scenic 1.8-mile loop along nearly half a mile of Monomoy River (locally called Muddy Creek) in East Harwich. The trail winds through…
OutdoorsScenic Excursion Train Ride
A narrated two-hour rail journey along the Cape Cod Canal and through scenery you can only reach by train. An easy, all-ages outing little…
- Outdoors
Henson's Cove (White's Lane) Conservation Area
A 17-acre OCT conservation area (formerly the White's Lane Trail) of donated and purchased land beside The River. It protects prime nesting…
Kids’ corner · sit together
How do we get the kids excited for the Cape?
Pick a hunt pack for the car, print a coloring page traced from our own photos, and watch other kids exploring the Cape. Everything here is free.
Cape Cod Hunt Packs
Pick a pack, read each clue out loud, then go find it. Tap Found it! to collect a stamp, or print the pack and take it with you. Every stamp counts toward your explorer rank.
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12 stops · Plymouth to Nantucket
The Whole Cape Classic
The big twelve, one or two in every region. Great for a whole-week trip.
0 of 12 found
- Stop 1Outer Cape
“I'm red on top and white below, and my picture is on a famous bag of Cape Cod potato chips.”
Draw my stripes.
- Stop 2Outer Cape
“I'm the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod. I was moved back from a sandy cliff so I wouldn't fall in.”
How close is the cliff edge now?
- Stop 3Outer Cape
“I'm a tall granite tower you can climb. From my top you can see the whole tip of the Cape.”
Guess how tall I am.
- Stop 4Lower Cape
“Stand by me and look out at the water. Can you spot a seal popping its head up?”
Count the seals you see.
- Stop 5Mid Cape
“Baa! Moo! Find the farm where you can say hello to sheep, goats and donkeys.”
Which animal said hello first?
- Stop 6Mid Cape
“Arrr! Find the real pirate treasure pulled up from a shipwreck off the Cape.”
Draw one treasure you saw.
- Stop 7Upper Cape
“I stand on a hill above Woods Hole, watching the ferries head out to the islands.”
Spot a ferry leaving.
- Stop 8Upper Cape
“I'm a giant arch over the Cape Cod Canal. Count the boats going under me!”
Count the boats.
- Stop 9Plymouth
“I'm a famous rock with a year carved into me. Can you read the year?”
Write the year.
- Stop 10Plymouth
“I'm a wooden ship you can walk aboard. How many masts can you count?”
Write how many masts.
- Stop 11Martha's Vineyard
“Find a tiny house painted bright colors that looks like it was made of gingerbread.”
Color your favorite one.
- Stop 12Nantucket
“I'm a little lighthouse that says hello and goodbye to every ferry.”
Wave at a ferry.
For local businesses
Sponsor a hunt pack
Put your business on a pack families carry around town. Your logo sits on the pack cover, the printed sheet and the finish screen, and you can add an offer for kids who finish. One sponsor per pack.
Free Cape Cod coloring pages
We traced these from photos we took ourselves on the Cape, so every page is a real place you can visit. Print one before you go, then find it for real.
Watch Cape kids exploring
Short clips we shot ourselves
Biking the Shining Sea Bikeway Sunset from the Vineyard ferry Sunrise bike ride Racing down to the beach
Which guides help families plan?
All family guidesBeaches by age, rainy-day indoor ideas, museums, playgrounds, and easy trails — everything for a family trip to the Cape.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Cape Cod with Kids Beyond the Beach: 15 Hands-On, Educational & Memorable Family Activities
15 hands-on, educational and memorable Cape Cod family activities beyond the beach — whale watches, museums, mini golf, baseball, the drive-in and more.
Visiting Cape Cod
Best Family Beaches on Cape Cod: Calm Water, Facilities & Kid Favorites
The best family beaches on Cape Cod ranked by calm water, facilities, and kid-friendliness — from tidal flats in Orleans to warm Nantucket Sound shores in Barnstable.
Visiting Cape Cod
Bay, Sound, or Ocean? Choosing the Right Cape Cod Beach for Your Kid's Age (and the Tide)
Calm warm flats for toddlers or surf for teens? A local's guide to picking the right Cape Cod beach by your kid's age and the day's tide. Free parking tips inside.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Cape Cod with a Baby or Toddler: The Honest Guide for Parents of Young Kids
The honest parent's guide to Cape Cod with a baby or toddler: the best calm-water beaches (Bay side, not Atlantic), tide timing for Brewster's tidal flats, what to pack, and why vacation rentals beat hotels every time.
Visiting Cape Cod
It's Raining on the Cape — 20 Indoor Things to Do With Kids, Organized by Town
Raining on Cape Cod? Here are 20 indoor things to do with kids, organized by town from Sandwich to Provincetown, with 2026 prices, ages, and timing.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Best Playgrounds on Cape Cod: Town-by-Town Guide to Splash Pads, Climbing Structures & Parks
A guide to the best Cape Cod playgrounds and splash pads: what to look for, how to find the standout in each town, and how to work them into a family day.
Show all 21 family guides
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Cape Cod Museums for Kids: What's Actually Fun, What to Skip, and the Age That Gets the Most Out of Each
Cape Cod museums for kids: which are actually fun, which to skip, and the right age for each — from the Children's Museum to Heritage Gardens' carousel.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Cape Cod Aquariums & Marine Centers: Where Kids Actually Learn About Sea Life
The best Cape Cod aquariums and marine science centers for kids: Woods Hole, the shark center, natural history museum and sea-turtle hospital, by age.
Visiting Cape Cod
Cape Cod Rail Trail with Kids: Family Biking Tips, Best Entry Points & Stopping Points Along the Way
Plan a family bike ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail with entry points, best segments by age, swimming stops, and parking tips for Dennis, Brewster, Eastham, and Wellfleet.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Free Cape Cod Family Day: Splash Pad to Tidal Creek Paddle
A full free family day on Cape Cod: Sandy Pond splash pad in West Yarmouth, a local lunch, then a tidal creek paddle for ages 3–12. Real times, costs, and local tips.
Visiting Cape Cod
Free Family Day on Cape Cod: Beaches After 5, Concerts on the Green & Cape League Games
Skip the $35 beach fees. A local's guide to a free family day on Cape Cod: beaches after 5pm, town band concerts on the green, and Cape League games.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids · Martha's Vineyard
Car-Free Family Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard (Bike + Ferry from Woods Hole)
A real, family-tested itinerary: bike the Shining Sea Bikeway to Woods Hole, take the first ferry to Martha's Vineyard, and explore Oak Bluffs, Edgartown & Jaws Bridge by bike — no car needed.
Cape Cod Day Trips with Kids
Cape Cod for Teens: 20 Things That Won't Bore a 13–17 Year Old (Locals' Real List)
The honest locals' guide to things to do Cape Cod teenagers will actually enjoy — surfing, whale watches, the Wellfleet Drive-In, Provincetown, and more.
Cape Cod Celebrations
Kid-Friendly Fall Activities Cape Cod
Fall on Cape Cod with kids: cranberry bog tours, pumpkin patches and farm stands, Wellfleet OysterFest and Halloween fun from Chatham to Brewster.
Cape Stories
The Day Nobody Cried
Three kids, one September Saturday in Falmouth — empty beach, bikes on the Shining Sea Bikeway, and main street with room to breathe. This is the Cape worth keeping.
Visiting Cape Cod
Best Beaches on Cape Cod for Young Kids (Ages 4–9)
Bay flats, Sound waves, or harbor swims — find the right Cape Cod beach for ages 4–9 based on water type, tide timing, and what your child is ready for.
Visiting Cape Cod
Best Beaches on Cape Cod for Small Kids
The practical parent's guide to Cape Cod beaches with toddlers: short walks from parking, restrooms, calm water, and snack access—organized by Cape region.
Visiting Cape Cod
Cape Cod Beaches for Toddlers: Plan Your Day Around the Tide
The best Cape Cod beaches for toddlers under 4, organized by time of day — tidal flats at low tide, calm ponds at noon, and sheltered afternoon floats.
Visiting Cape Cod
Easy Hikes and Nature Walks on Cape Cod with Kids
Our field-tested guide to the best short, flat nature walks on Cape Cod for families — boardwalks, pond loops, beach walks, and shaded forest paths.
Visiting Cape Cod
Kid-Friendly Restaurants on Cape Cod
Our vetted family-friendly restaurant picks across Cape Cod — from Bourne to Provincetown and Martha's Vineyard. Browse by region and find your next family meal.
Visiting Cape Cod
Mini Golf on Cape Cod: Every Course We Verified, Upper to Outer
Every verified mini golf course on Cape Cod, organized Upper to Outer Cape—pirate themes, vintage 1961 obstacles, bumper boats, and ice cream. Plan your round right.
Which Cape Cod beaches are best for kids?
All beachesBay-side and pond beaches, where the water is calmer and warmer than the ocean side. Skaket in Orleans has shallow flats at low tide and lifeguards. Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth is free, with a splash pad and playground.
Old Silver Beach
Falmouth's most popular beach — warm, calm Buzzards Bay water, a tidal sandbar kids love, lifeguards and a snack bar. The sunsets here are the classic Falmouth…
Town Neck Beach
Sandwich's marquee Cape Cod Bay beach, anchored by the iconic Sandwich Boardwalk over Mill Creek marsh. Calm bay water, wide tidal flats at low tide, and…
Sandwich Boardwalk (Mill Creek)
The famous Sandwich Boardwalk stretches roughly 1,350 feet across Mill Creek and salt marsh out to the bay-side dunes and beach. A beloved spot for strolling…
Bass Hole Beach (Gray's Beach)
Bayside beach on Cape Cod Bay famed for its long boardwalk over a tidal salt marsh and dramatic sunsets. Features a picnic area, pavilion, and seasonal…
Dowses Beach
A scenic peninsula beach in Osterville bordered by Nantucket Sound on one side and East Bay on the other, offering both open-water and protected calm-water…
West Dennis Beach
A mile-plus-long Nantucket Sound barrier beach off Davis Beach Road, just east of the mouth of Bass River, with one of the largest beach parking lots on Cape…
Glendon Road Beach
A neighborhood Nantucket Sound beach in Dennis Port with warm, calm south-facing water that's well suited to families and young swimmers. Lifeguarded in season.
Craigville Beach
One of Cape Cod's most popular south-facing beaches on Nantucket Sound. Wide sandy shore with warm calm water, ideal for families. Located at the end of…
Where are the playgrounds and splash pads?
Playgrounds and splash pads, with inclusive and accessible ones listed first. We’re still adding the Cape’s public playgrounds to this map, so check back. Tap a place for directions. Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth has a summer splash pad, and Hedges Pond has a playground beside the beach.
Nov 13–15, 2026 · Updated Mon · Tue · Thu
What’s on for kids this weekend?
HARVEST Art Exhibition on Friday, and Little Wren Story Time & Craft Event on Saturday. The full weekend list, with farmers’ markets and lighthouse tours, is on This Weekend.
See this weekend- Ongoing through Saturday, November 28
- Saturday, November 14
What can kids do on Cape Cod when it rains?
See real pirate treasure at the Whydah Pirate Museum, paint pottery in Mashpee, or watch live glassblowing at the Sandwich Glass Museum.
Where can we get a treat after the beach?
Cape Cod Coffee — Route 130 in Mashpee, Cupcake Charlie's - Mashpee Commons in Mashpee and Lazy Sundaes Ice Cream in Bourne. Sweet stops first, then every family-friendly place to eat we list.
Can we bring a piece of the Cape home?
Yes. Goods & Bundles has Cape-made goods chosen to the same local standard as our listings.
Browse Goods & BundlesCommon questions about Cape Cod with kids
What can kids do on Cape Cod when it rains?
Head to the Cape Cod Children's Museum in Mashpee, watch the hourly glassblowing demonstrations at the Sandwich Glass Museum, see the live animals at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, or paint pottery. Our rainy-day page lists more, grouped by region.
Where can kids see seals on Cape Cod?
Seal-watching boat tours run out of Chatham and Orleans; check each operator's season before you book. The Woods Hole Science Aquarium, long a favorite for seeing seals, is closed for repairs until early 2027.
Is the Cape Cod Rail Trail good for kids?
Yes. It's a paved, car-free path, so it suits kids on bikes, and there are bike rentals near the trail. Pick a short stretch and turn back while everyone still has energy.
Do we need a beach sticker?
It depends on the town and the beach. Many town beaches need a resident sticker or a day pass in season, while others are free. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the town before you go.
When are the tidal flats safe to walk?
Around low tide. Check the tide table for the beach you're visiting, keep kids close, and head back as soon as the water starts coming in.