8 Activities to do on Cape Cod with Kids That Aren’t the Beach
When we think of Cape Cod we think of long days lounging on the beach while watching our kids splash in the tide pools. It is by far our favorite way to spend a day on Cape Cod. Every now and then however, we need a beach day break and have found so many great ways to enjoy our time with family. We visit Cape Cod with our kids every summer and have loved finding so many fun activities for them to enjoy while here. Even though we love the beach, there are so many other great ways to enjoy your time on the Cape!
Kayaking/SUP
For those who love the water, but want something other than swimming at the beach try renting a kayak or stand up paddle board. Cape Cod Waterways offers some wonderful options for family sized or kid sized kayaks. The family sizes can hold up to two adults and two young kids (I’d say ages 6 or 7 and under depending on their size). Opt for the two hour rental out of Swan River. Swan River doesn’t have any motorized vehicles coming through. Kayak up the river to the ocean and stop at the small beach for the kids to enjoy. The way back will be nice and relaxing as the current does most of the work for you.
Hiking
You likely wouldn’t think of hiking when you think of Cape Cod, but there are so many trails to enjoy for scenic hikes and nature walks. This is a wonderful way to enjoy a different side of the Cape. Choose from dozens of options all throughout the Cape, varying from swamp trails to seashore trails.
Mini golf/go karts
Who doesn’t love mini golf? To be honest, I have never been a fan, but I know this is an activity that most people will enjoy. Go Karts on the other hand are something I can get behind! Cape Cod has no shortage of mini golf locations throughout. This is a great way to spend an evening or a cloudy day.
A couple options include:
Pirates Cove in South Yarmouth, MA has 18 holes of a pirate themed adventure
Cape Escape Adventure Golf in Orleans, MA 18 holes that includes a nautical theme and features a real Koi fish pond
Whale watching
Whale watching is an experience you will not want to miss. There is nothing like seeing these magnificent sea giants up close and personal. The kids will be in awe and many of the larger tour companies include educational sessions on board. The Whale watching season runs from April through October and will cost your family anywhere from $40-$60 per person depending on age. Most young kids are free of charge. Tours will always be around 3-4 hours in length and run at various times throughout the day. Make sure to bring some layers since it can get windy out at sea and possibly some motion sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness. Lastly, outside food and beverages are typically not allowed on the boats. Most tours offer a galley of food and beverages available for cash only.
Provincetown:
Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch Likely the most prominent in Provincetown, Dolphin Fleet has been in operation since 1975. They offer a guarantee to see whales on their trip.
Sea Salt Charters is a private whale watching tour that can take up to 6 people with a minimum of 3. This is a great way for your family to enjoy a more intimate experience
Visit Lighthouses
While not the most thrill seeking activity on the Cape, I love visiting the various lighthouses and admiring them. There are several that you can go inside and climb up which kids will enjoy. You can teach them about the history and what they are used for. Our favorite is the Nauset Lighthouse, it has that classic red and white stripe look that you think of when you envision a lighthouse, it’s easy to get to and you can go inside and climb to the top.
Go Fishing
We came across these kids fishing charters and immediately knew it would be something our boys would love to try! (Girls can fish too! But our daughter was only two at the time!). The kids fishing charter is a shortened version of your typical deep sea fishing tour designed for younger kids. The tour consisted of a 2 hour trip and was the perfect amount of time for the little ones. During our trip we caught so many fish! You can opt to keep the fish you catch as long as they are in regulation length, but we let all of ours go. If you aren’t an experienced fisher yourself, the crew is great and walking around offering help to everyone. My boys loved reeling in the fish they caught and holding them up for a picture!
Older Kids:
Young Kids:
Cap n’ Kids Fishing Adventures
Bike Ride on the Rail Trail
The Rail Trail is a 25-mile off road paved path that follows an old Cape Cod Railroad from South Dennis to Wellfleet. This is a great way to spend your morning before heading to the beach. If you aren’t able to bring your bikes along with you there are tons of rental options available. Most will rent anywhere from 2 hours to full weeks. Be sure to check with your rental house, bikes are sometimes an option that isn’t always advertised in the listing! We have been happily surprised by this bonus many times.
Family Bike Rental Options
Dennis Cycle Center Offers adult bikes, tandem bikes, kids bikes, bike trailers, tag-a-longs and child seats. 2 Hour to week long rental options available. Brewster Bike Has adult and kid sized bikes. Full day to multi-day rentals Idle Times Bike Shop Adult bikes, kid bikes, tandem bikes, bike trailers, tag-a-longs, car racks. Offering full day to multi-week rentals
Watch a baseball game
A time honored tradition, the Cape Cod Summer Baseball League has been holding games since 1885. It is the premier collegiate summer baseball league recruiting players from across the United States representing all NCAA college divisions. One in every six Major League Baseball players has played in the Cape Cod Summer League at some point in time! The season typically starts near the end of June and ends early August with the playoffs running into mid-August. The times will vary by game and you can see the full schedule here, but will typically begin around 5pm to 7pm. You can arrive at the field early to drop your stuff and save a spot. Many people will put chairs and a blanket down earlier in the day then head back when it is game time.
