Cape Cod
Things to do with kids on Cape Cod
Cape Cod is the summer-vacation dream for many families, but its playgrounds, beaches, mini golf, farms and festivals keep things lively well beyond July. From the Canal to the Outer Cape, we help you find the best stops for little travelers, including where to eat and stay.
Upcoming local events
Playgroup at Cape Cod Cheer Academy
Through Fri, Dec 31 · Hyannis · Active Play
Give little ones a morning to move, explore and meet new playmates at Cape Cod Cheer Academy in Hyannis. This drop-in playgroup combines music and…
Pumpkin People in the Park
Through Sun, Nov 1 · Chatham · Special Event
Stroll through Kate Gould Park to see imaginative Pumpkin People displays created by local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community…
Spooktacular Story Time
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM · North Chatham · Stories & Songs
Wear a costume if you like and enjoy an ocean-themed picture book with a Halloween twist, a sing-along and movement time, plus crafts and activities…
Drop-in Play at Little Milestones
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM · Falmouth · Active Play
Explore Little Milestones' indoor Play + Learn space with an accompanying adult. Regular drop-in play runs Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–3 PM, and weekends…
Spooky Knights at Heritage Museums & Gardens
Sat, Oct 24 · 3:30 PM · Sandwich · Special Event
Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween fundraiser with carnival games, face painting, temporary tattoos, the Musical Cakes game, crafts, carousel rides…
Fall Play at Cape Cod Toy Library
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:30 AM · West Barnstable · Active Play
Bring the family for autumn-inspired play at Cape Cod Toy Library’s Community Play Space. The Fall Play flyer features leaves, sticks and other…
Trick or Treat at Mahoney's Falmouth
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM · East Falmouth · Special Event
Dress up and trick-or-treat around Mahoney’s East Falmouth garden center. Candy and non-candy treats will be offered; the event is free and welcomes…
October Fun at Coonamessett Farm
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · Falmouth · Special Event
Make a fall outing of Coonamessett Farm in East Falmouth, with weekend hayrides along a mildly spooky lane from 10 AM to 3 PM. The farm's October Fun…
High School Stick Practice (Grades 9–12) at HYCC
Sat, Oct 24 · 7:30 PM · Hyannis · Active Play
High-school hockey players can practice their skills independently during this open stick session. Participants must be enrolled in high school; the…
Love Farms Harvest Festival: Oktoberfest
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · West Dennis · Special Event
The Saturday Harvest Festival fills Love Farms’ patio and back lawn with tasting stations, hands-on activities, local vendors, farm tours, and…
Family Jam Making Class: Apple Butter
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · East Sandwich · Cooking & Food
Learn traditional jam-making techniques with Addie Vestal in the historic 1903 Green Briar Jam Kitchen while making Apple Butter. Each family pair…
Fall Sidewalk Saturday at Mashpee Commons
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM · Mashpee · Special Event
Celebrate fall around Mashpee Commons with live music by Bryce Elizabeth, sidewalk shopping, and the organizer’s district-wide seasonal atmosphere…
Places to play
1856 Country Store
Barnstable · Toys & Shops
Turn a stroll through Centerville into a little treasure hunt at the 1856 Country Store. Families can browse classic and newer candy favorites…
Adventure Playground
Sandwich · Playgrounds & Parks
Make time for a playground break in East Sandwich at Adventure Playground, a town recreation spot on Quaker Meetinghouse Road. It’s an easy place to…
Annie’s Books and Gifts
Orleans · Books & Hidden Nooks
A Orleans bookstore on the official Cape & Islands Bookstore Trail. Stop in with the family to browse books and discover a new read together.
Art's Dune Tours
Provincetown · Sandy Spots
Hop aboard a classic Suburban and explore the breathtaking dunes of Provincetown on this unforgettable Cape Cod adventure. Art’s Dune Tours takes…
Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail
Wellfleet · Playgrounds & Parks
A 1.2-mile Cape Cod National Seashore loop that descends through oak and pine woods to a boardwalk winding through a rare Atlantic white cedar swamp…
Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
Chatham · Museums & History
Learn all about sharks and ocean life through interactive exhibits and hands-on educational experiences.
Barnes & Noble (Cape Cod Mall)
Hyannis · Books & Hidden Nooks
The Cape Cod Mall bookstore runs a free Saturday morning storytime and has a big, browsable kids' section — a reliable rainy-day stop in Hyannis.
Belonging Books
Hyannis · Books & Hidden Nooks
A Hyannis bookstore on the official Cape & Islands Bookstore Trail. Stop in with the family to browse books and discover a new read together.
Brewster Book Store
Brewster · Books & Hidden Nooks
A Brewster bookstore on the official Cape & Islands Bookstore Trail. Stop in with the family to browse books and discover a new read together.
Brooks Park
Harwich · Playgrounds & Parks
A spacious community park with playgrounds, sports fields, and plenty of room to play.
Buds Go Karts
Harwich · Sports & Entertainment
Race around the go-kart track, play arcade games, and enjoy classic Cape Cod family fun.
Buzzards Bay Park & Splash Pad
Buzzards Bay · Playgrounds & Parks
Features a modern splash pad with views of the Cape Cod Canal traffic.
Cap'n Kids Fishing Adventures
Harwich Port · Sports & Entertainment
hands-on fishing adventure designed specifically for kids, Cap’n Kids Fishing Adventures introduces little ones to the fun of fishing in a relaxed…
Cape Abilities Farm
Dennis · Farm Fun
A year-round care farm, market, and gift shop on scenic Route 6A in Dennis, providing meaningful work opportunities for individuals with…
Cape Cod Central Railroad
Hyannis · Museums & History
Hop aboard a scenic train ride through Cape Cod with themed excursions and beautiful views.
Cape Cod Children's Museum
Mashpee · Museums & History
A hands-on children’s museum designed for imaginative play, creativity, and movement. Kids can climb, build, explore interactive exhibits, create…
Cape Cod Gymnastics
Yarmouth Port · Sports & Entertainment
A high-energy space offering gymnastics classes, open gym time, and active fun for kids.
Cape Cod Lavender Farm
Harwich · Farm Fun
Stroll through fragrant lavender fields, visit the farm shop, and enjoy a peaceful family outing.
Cape Cod Mall
Hyannis · Toys & Shops
A convenient family stop for shopping, dining, and indoor entertainment all in one place. Along with major stores and kid-friendly food options, the…
Cape Cod Museum of Art
Dennis · Museums & History
Explore rotating exhibits, family art programs, and creative activities designed to inspire young artists.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster · Museums & History
A favorite for nature-loving families, this museum combines aquariums, interactive exhibits, marsh trails, and hands-on learning all in one beautiful…
Cape Cod National Seashore
Eastham · Sandy Spots
Discover miles of beaches, trails, dunes, and scenic spots perfect for outdoor family adventures.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Hyannis · Playgrounds & Parks
Bike, walk, or scooter along this scenic trail that winds through some of Cape Cod’s prettiest towns.
Cape Cod Toy Library
West Barnstable · Indoor Playspace
A dedicated nonprofit offering families, caregivers, and educators a year-round indoor community play space plus an extensive toy lending library…
Kid-friendly places to eat
Anejo Mexican Bistro
Hyannis · Mexican
Lively Mexican restaurant with a dedicated kids' menu, colorful atmosphere, and great early-evening family dining.
Anejo Mexican Bistro (Falmouth)
Falmouth · Mexican
Cozy Mexican restaurant with outdoor patio seating, a family-friendly vibe, and classic kid-approved favorites.
Bad Martha Farmer's Brewery - Falmouth
East Falmouth · Brewery
A year-round East Falmouth brewery with artisan pizza, soft pretzels, charcuterie, games, live music, and relaxed indoor and outdoor seating…
Bagelhound
Wellfleet · Coffee | Bakery
Cozy Outer Cape bagel stop with fresh bagels, sandwiches, and easy morning fuel for family beach days.
Bagelhound
Harwich Port · Coffee | Bakery
Friendly bagel shop with fresh-baked bagels, schmears, and easy grab-and-go breakfasts the whole family will love.
Barnstable Brewing
Hyannis · Brewery
A family-owned, year-round Hyannis brewery with an on-site tasting room, a seasonal outdoor patio, and a full-time JP’s Twisted BBQ food truck…
Baxter's Boathouse
Hyannis · Seafood
Classic over-the-water seafood restaurant where kids can watch ferries and boats pass by during dinner.
Beach Bar at Ocean House
Dennis Port · American
Casual beachfront bar at Ocean House with sand-side seating, kid-friendly menu, and easy summer-vacation vibes.
Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium
Falmouth · Ice Cream
An easy Main Street stop for a scoop, sundae, or chocolate treat. Ben & Bill's makes its ice cream on site and has a candy-shop collection that makes…
Boathouse
Falmouth · American | Seafood
Falmouth Harbor restaurant where kids can watch boats being moved with the fork truck while you enjoy a meal on the water.
Brax Landing
Harwich Port · Seafood
Lively waterfront seafood restaurant with harbor views, lawn games, fire pits, and a crowd-pleasing kids' menu.
Cape Cod Beer
Hyannis · Brewery
A family-friendly, year-round Hyannis brewery with an indoor taproom and a spacious outdoor beer garden open from May through November. Families can…
Family-friendly places to stay
Atlantic Oaks Campground
Eastham · Campsite
A modern, wooded Eastham campground where the Cape Cod Rail Trail literally touches the back of the camp — and the National Seashore Visitor Center…
AutoCamp Cape Cod
Falmouth · Campsite
A coastal Cape Cod camp near beaches, bikeways, and island ferries, with playful shared spaces for an easy family escape. Family accommodation…
Bluebird Dennis Port
Dennis Port · Hotel
A retro-inspired boutique hotel with major summer camp energy for families. Kids will love the indoor greenhouse-style pool, seasonal outdoor pool…
Chatham Bars Inn
Chatham · Resort
A luxury oceanfront resort that still feels incredibly family-friendly. Known for its private beach, cottages, kids club programming, boat rides…
Dunes' Edge Campground
Provincetown · Campsite
Camping at the very tip of the Cape, wrapped in National Seashore dunes — wake up, climb a dune, and you're in postcard territory. Whale watches…
Love Farms Lodge
West Dennis · Hotel
A cozy boutique-style stay that pairs perfectly with a family trip to Love Farms. Families will love the heated outdoor pool, fire pits, quiet…
Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod
Hyannis · Resort
Island time comes to Cape Cod at this laid-back Hyannis resort (formerly the Cape Codder Resort and Spa). Families love the indoor wave pool, the…
New England Vacation Rentals
Chatham · Vacation Rental
A locally owned Cape Cod vacation-rental company with more than 250 homes across the region, giving families room to settle in with separate…
Nickerson State Park Campground
Brewster · Campsite
Tucked into the woods of Brewster, Nickerson is Cape camping at its finest. Kids can splash in warm kettle ponds (there are eight to choose from)…
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Brewster · Resort
A longtime Cape Cod family favorite with something for every age. Families love the bike trail access, pools, private beach access, lawn games…
Pelham House Resort
Dennis Port · Resort
A stylish beachfront resort with easy beach access, pools, and spacious suites that work well for families. Best for families wanting a more relaxed…
Pelham on Earle
West Harwich · Hotel
A quieter, laid-back sister property to Pelham House Resort with a boutique coastal feel. Great for families wanting a peaceful Cape stay close to…