Cape Cod has been a top tourist destination for families forever and for good reason: there is no shortage of things to do with kids here. Yes, there’s the beach of course, and we have plenty of those to explore, but if you’re looking for some suggestions for things to do with kids on Cape Cod beyond just time in the sun and sand, you’ve landed in the right place.
I’m a native Cape Codder (born and raised!) who lived away for over 20 years but moved back home with my husband and young son a few years ago. While I’m obviously very familiar with the area, I’ve had to learn a new side of the Cape now that I’m a mom, and I’ve compiled a list of things that have been a hit for me and my little one.
Before we get into all my picks for the best things to do with kids on Cape Cod, here are a few things worth noting:
My son Zane turns five this year so this list caters to the five and under crowd. If you have an older kid some of these recs will still be good but I may be missing some top activities that my son just hasn’t aged into yet.
I live in Sandwich so this list is predominantly ideas for things to do with kids on Cape Cod in Sandwich and the Upper Cape/Mid Cape with a few recs from the Lower and Outer Cape thrown in because I love it out there. If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Falmouth though, I’ve got nothing for you because I rarely make it over there—and for no good reason! A local friend of mine once joked that he’s been to Mexico more times than Falmouth and this is honestly the mentality here. I can’t explain it but IYKYK.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything there is to do with kids on Cape Cod. It’s just a compilation of some of my personal favorites. Maybe I’m missing some of the “big ones” but this is an authentic list of things I actually do with my own kid here on a regular basis.
As Cape Cod is a very seasonal place, not everything listed is open year round. I’ll add a little sun emoji ☀️ to places that are open in the summer and a snowflake ❄️ to ones that are open in the off-season too.
Whether you’re new to the area and looking for recommendations or you’re on vacation and could use some help figuring out what’s actually worth doing, this is my list of tried and true things to do with kids on Cape Cod.
The Best Things to Do With Kids on Cape Cod
I’m going to break this up by things to do with kids on Cape Cod that are worth the money, things to do with kids on Cape Cod that are free, our favorite local playgrounds, kid-friendly hikes, seasonal activities and events not to miss, and a shout out to a few off-Cape highlights too.
We love The Heritage Gardens. The playground there, Hidden Hollow, is amazing and I love just walking the grounds, especially in summer when all the hydrangeas are at their peak.
Things to Do With Kids on Cape Cod That Are Worth the Money
The Heritage Museums & Gardens: If you’re anywhere near Sandwich, Heritage Gardens is a must. A friend brought us here right after we moved to town and we immediately got a membership. There are over 100 acres of gorgeous gardens so it’s beautiful to stroll through (if you have a baby who loves a stroller nap, this is where I’d go to meander around while the baby sleeps), but there’s an incredible playground called Hidden Hollow that feels like you’re in an enchanted forest, a carousel, an antique car museum, and an Adventure Park with a ropes/zip lines course for older kids (7+). If you’re around during the Christmas season, get tickets for Garden’s Aglow where they light up the whole place and turn it into a winter wonderland. ☀️
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History: This one is in Brewster but worth the drive and the admission fee (this is another place where we immediately became members). The basement has an aquarium with a ton of different local creatures and the upstairs has kid-friendly exhibits and an amazing room called “Science Rocks” with all sorts of materials kids can build and tinker with. The outdoor area is great too with a Mud Kitchen (Zane LOVES this), bubble area, and butterfly house in the summer months, and there is a beautiful trail that leads out to the ocean (go during low tide if you can). ☀️❄️
Cape Cod Toy Library: Yes, it’s a toy library where you can borrow toys like you would library books, but it’s also a giant playroom that is open and sunny with a bunch of areas set up with different types of toys and activities. You can pay a drop-in rate or become a monthly member (which is what gets you access to the toy library). ☀️❄️
Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary: I hesitate to even share this one because it kind of feels like a local secret but it’s one of my favorite spots. It’s a Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary that has gorgeous views of Barnstable Harbor and Sandy Neck Barrier Beach, walking trails, a small pond (not for swimming), and a charming wooden playground (with oceans views—I love a playground with a view!). Another amazing spot to go during low tide to catch sea creatures or park it on a sandbar with a beach chair. ☀️❄️
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: Another Mass Audubon location, if you’re up in Wellfleet I love it here. It’s pretty similar to Long Pasture but you’ll swap views of Barnstable Harbor for Wellfleet Harbor. They have a large indoor area with a mini aquarium, beautiful trails along the marshes, and a cool wooden outdoor play area. ☀️❄️
Fins Up! Water Park at Margaritaville: The Cape area has three water parks: Water Wizz in Wareham which is where we would go when I was a kid (I haven’t been in decades so I can’t attest to how it is nowadays but it was THE SPOT in the 90s), Wicked Waves in Yarmouth (which I have not been to yet but it’s on my list because they have a swim up bar), and then Fins Up Water Park which is indoors (so a great rainy day or winter activity) at the Margaritaville in Hyannis. My bestie and I brought our boys here over the summer and everyone had a blast. There’s an area for little kids, a few water slides, a wave pool, and everyone’s favorite: the lazy river. ☀️❄️
The Lanes Bowl & Bistro: Bowling isn’t a Cape-specific activity, but if you need a rainy day activity, Mashpee Commons has a nice bowling alley that is great at accommodating little kids and they have a full menu that you can order right to your lane. There’s another bowling alley (and arcade) in the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis too that looks nice but I haven’t personally been there yet. ☀️❄️
Zane enjoying himself at Taylor-Bray Farm in Yarmouth
Free Things to Do With Kids on Cape Cod
Taylor-Bray Farm: A historic working farm that has been in operation for over 350 years (since the pilgrims!), we love coming here. It’s free and open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk and there are a bunch of different farm animals, a small boardwalk with marsh views, and some trails that I’ve never been able to explore because Zane wants to spend all his time in the chicken coop. They have a great Fall Festival in early October that we always attend. ☀️❄️
Scargo Tower: If you head to Taylor-Bray, Scargo Tower is right down the street and a good add-on. It’s a 30-ft. tall tower you can climb to the top of and on a clear day you can see as far as Provincetown and Plymouth. ☀️❄️
Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center: I had never come here until I had a kid but it’s a cute spot with some fun activities for younger kids like a train/lego table, pretend fishing with magnetic fish, and some hokey things like an old school model of the canal with buttons you can press to light up different areas (obviously a hit with small children) and a station where you can learn how to band a lobster. It feels straight out of the 1950s, I love it. ☀️
Mass Wildlife Sandwich Fish Hatchery: This place is great! A very easy, low-key activity where you can walk around long outdoor pools where trout are being raised to stock Massachusetts waterways. They have fish food you can buy for a quarter to feed the fish with—pro tip, bring a little cup to put the food in so you don’t have to use your hand. Sandwich’s best coffee shop, Snowy Owl, is across the street too so stop there for a treat before or after. ☀️❄️
Train Station in West Barnstable: If you have a little one who loves trains, definitely come here. Yes, you can hop on a scenic train ride (which I’ve heard are great), but Zane never even wants to do that. He just wants to play at the Brio train table they have and then hop over to the old train car across the way that has an extensive model train system set up and a giant bin of old Matchbox cars and trucks. Stop at The Old Village Store next door for food and drinks, it’s a Cape Cod classic that was recently lovingly renovated but perfectly maintains its old-fashioned charm while elevating the offerings. ☀️
Sandwich Boardwalk: Many storms have taken this boardwalk out over the years but they thankfully always rebuild it. It was just redone in 2024 and to the joy of everyone with small children, they built full-length guardrails on both sides so it’s safe for kids of all ages to explore (and less nerve-racking for parents). The boardwalk leads right up to the Town Neck Beach and at high-tide in summer you’ll see people jumping off it into the creek. In the winter months, we go shellfishing here for oysters and clams (another activity that Zane loves). ☀️❄️
Wood’s Hole Science Aquarium: This is the only thing on my list in Falmouth because as I mentioned before, I never end up there, but it’s worth stopping by if you’re in Woods Hole. It’s a small aquarium featuring marine animals from our region and a touch tank where you can “pet” some of the sea creatures too. ☀️❄️
Cape Cod Canal Bikeway: There are close to 7 miles of scenic trails along both sides of the Cape Cod Canal that are perfect for bike riding. No real incline either so easy for little kids and adults with old knees who don’t want to work that hard. There’s a small playground near the Sandwich Marina that is a good starting out point. ☀️❄️
Sandwich Skatepark: Zane loves to come here and zip around on his scooter and watch the bigger kids doing tricks. It can get busy on nice days after school lets out so come earlier in the day if you want more space. ☀️❄️
Top: Baby Zane at the playground at Sandwich Marina Park (not listed here but it’s a nice little playground with views of the canal and the Sagamore Bridge). Bottom: Right across the street from the Centerville Playground, the 1856 Country Store is a must-stop.
Our Favorite Playgrounds on Cape Cod
Adventure Playground: It’s big with areas for kids of all ages to play and some short walking trails though the woods too. Bonus is that Surf’s Up will deliver pizza here so come on a Friday night and park it at a picnic table for dinner. ☀️❄️
Luke’s Love Boundless Playground: A good size playground in West Barnstable that is one of our regular stops. It’s close to the train station, the Old Village Store, and Barnstable Farm & Pet Supply that has some animals outside you can wander over to look at like peacocks! ☀️❄️
Shawme Crowell Playground: Located in the state park, this playground is great and has some good, longer walking trails too. Lots of shade here so a good option for a hot day. ☀️❄️
Centerville Playground: They finally redid this one recently and they did a great job. Plus, the 1856 Country Store is across the street (an old-fashioned penny candy store that is 10/10) and Four Seas Ice Cream is close by too, both of which are Cape Cod kid classics. ☀️❄️
Edward C. "Tiger" Long Memorial Playground & Mashpee Splash Pad: So I wouldn’t say this is one of the best playgrounds on Cape Cod, but It has a splash pad so it’s a great spot for cooling down in summer. ☀️
Orleans Community Playground: If you’re out this way, I think this is one of the best playgrounds on Cape Cod. It’s located at an elementary school though so you can only go after school hours or on the weekends but it’s old-school and great. I always love to stop at Sunbird for a bite and a matcha when we’re in Orleans too. ☀️❄️
Wiley Park: We don’t make it out here all that often because Eastham is a hike, but Zane loves this playground. The highlight for him is the sandbox full of diggers and constructions trucks. I like it for the walking trails and the views of the pond (that you can swim in so bring a bathing suit in warmer months). Any playground with a view is a 10 in my book. ☀️❄️
Puma Park: This might be the actual best playground on Cape Cod. If you’re on the Outer Cape with a little kid who needs to get some energy out, it’s a must. It’s right behind the Truro Public Library which is charming and worth a stop too. ☀️
If you’re nostalgic for the wooden playgrounds of our millennial childhood, check out Puma Park in Truro.
Kid-Friendly Hikes on Cape Cod
Guys, I am a novice at this, so follow a real hiker instead, but these are some hikes (glorified walks) that I’ve had success on with my kid who instantly gets bored on nature walks and has no endurance. There’s a great book called “50 Cape Cod Hiking Trails: The Best Family-Friendly Nature Trails on Cape Cod” that is an excellent resource for hiking in the area with kids.
Long Pasture: There are 2.5 miles of easy trails here through the marsh, wildflower meadows, and woods with beautiful views of Barnstable Harbor. There is a small entrance fee but Mass Audubon members get free admission (for what it’s worth, I think becoming a member is totally worth it if you live in Mass, the Cape has two Mass Audubon locations that are both are A+ and there are over 60 locations throughout the state). ☀️❄️
Old Sandwich Game Farm: This area is super close to our house so it’s our go-to. Right on Scorton Creek, there are a ton of trails through woods and marshland. If you like to kayak or paddle board, this is a popular launching point. Note that a lot of people bring their dogs here and many, most I’d say, are usually off-leash. ☀️❄️
Crocker Neck Conservation Area: Just discovered this gem in Cotuit recently and we will be back to explore more. There are 1.5 miles of trails through marshes and forest with views of Popponesset Bay. It also has a wooden viewing deck and a little swimmable beach at the end of the trail. ☀️❄️
Cook’s Farm Conservation Lands: I first went here on a field trip with Zane’s playgroup and it’s an easy, uncrowded trail out to Shawme Pond with access to the dam there, which is def the highlight for little kids. ☀️❄️
Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail: This is one of the top trails on the Cape—for all ages. It’s only about a mile and there are some stairs but it’s still pretty easy. The highlight is the wooden boardwalk section of the trail that winds through the swamp. If you have time, head across the street for epic views of the Cape Cod National Seashore and the site where the first transatlantic wireless communication took place in 1903. ☀️❄️
Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary: There are five miles of trails here with some different terrain to explore. I love the Bayview Trail that winds along the marsh with beautiful views of Wellfleet Harbor. Note that there is a small entrance fee here as it’s part of Mass Audubon. ☀️❄️
Views from our hikes: Top left, Crocker Neck Conservation Area. Top right, the Cape Cod National Seashore across the street from the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail. Bottom left, Scorton Creek at Old Sandwich Game Farm. Bottom right, the Bayview Trail at Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kid-Friendly Seasonal Events and Activities on Cape Cod
Summer and Fall are so good on the Cape and every weekend seems to have something going on. Summer is obviously the busy season here when seasonal activities abound but fall is amazing too with fewer crowds, lowers temps, and all kinds of quintessential fall things to do. And while I wouldn’t necessarily tell you to go out of your way to visit Cape Cod in winter (although you can’t beat the solitude and snowy beach walks are beautiful), Christmastime on the Cape is magic and there is surprisingly a lot going on in December.
These are some of the seasonal things we love:
Zane and his buddy paying close attention to the music at Jailhouse Jams in Barnstable Village
The Beach: While this post is meant to be a guide for things to do with kids on Cape Cod beyond the beach, I feel like I have to at least give the beach a brief paragraph since it’s such an integral part of life here.
Because from Memorial Day to Labor Day you have to pay to park at the beaches on Cape Cod, I typically end up not straying far from home and just going to the beaches in Sandwich that my beach sticker gets me into. Perhaps someday I will do my research and put together a deep dive on the best beaches for kids on Cape Cod, but for now, I can share a few of my personal favorites:
If you’re in Sandwich, I recommend Sandy Neck Beach (there are full facilities here and a snack bar) and Boardwalk Beach (come during high tide to jump off the boardwalk or low tide to search for ocean critters). Barnstable (where I grew up) has a ton beaches and most of them are kid-friendly, meaning they have facilities and waters that are typically calm. I like Craigville Beach, Dowses Beach (this is resident-only though), Millway Beach (also resident-only but you can park in Barnstable Village and walk down) and Kalmus Beach. If they created an all-Cape beach sticker that got you into any beach on Cape all summer long, I’d happily pay whatever exorbitant fee they were charging.
Cape Cod Baseball League Games: These games are so fun. The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league that has 10 teams across the Cape that compete from mid-June through August. The games are free and fun and very wholesome.
Barnstable County Fair: Going to The Barnstable County Fair is one of my top core childhood memories. It’s the kind of county fair that they write country songs about and I’m happy to report that it’s hardly changed at all over the years. Think: rides, carnival games, farm animals, fried dough, face painting, live performances, and more. It’s open for a week every summer at the end of July.
Jailhouse Jams in Barnstable Village: This runs every Wednesday evening in July and August and we love it. They get a different band to play on the little stage on the old jailhouse lawn and everyone brings chairs and picnic dinner and the kids spend hours rolling down the hill and running around barefoot. A free, easy, and fun summer activity.
Mini Golf: I remember when I first moved to the midwest wondering where all the mini-golf courses were. I hadn’t realized that they’re mainly a thing in tourist towns. They’re all over the place on Cape Cod, especially along Route 28, but I’ll give a special shout out to Lightning Falls in Hyannis because it’s owned by my Aunt Sue and Uncle Steve. We brought Zane for the first time this summer and he had so much fun. Par-Tee Freeze is the attached ice cream shop and it’s the perfect treat after a round of mini golf. It’s actually one of my favorite spots to grab a cheap lunch too, they have the best tuna rolls in town and I always stock up on their ice cream sandwiches when they close for the season. Note that it’s cash only!
Fruit Picking: In late summer we love going blueberry picking at The Blueberry Bog in Sandwich and in the fall Crow Farm in Sandwich does apple picking and they have an old-school corn maze with homemade scarecrows.
Christmas Strolls: If you’ve not been to a Cape Cod Christmas stroll, you’re missing out. This is another core childhood memory for me and I love coming to them as an adult too. Most towns and villages seem to have them spread out during the first few weeks of December but my favorites are the Barnstable Village Winter Stroll (you’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie), the Sandwich Village Stroll and the Centerville Christmas Stroll.
Scenes from The Barnstable County Fair, my childhood happy place.
Not Technically the Cape, but…
If you don’t mind crossing the bridge, here are a few things a little bit off Cape that I think are worth the trek:
Scusset Beach State Reservation: Just over the Sagamore bridge, I love the playground here for the location because you can walk down to the canal and climb on the jetty or head over to Scusset Beach, which shares the same lot. You will need to pay to park if you come in the summer months but the rest of the year parking is free and plentiful. ☀️❄️
Buttonwood Park Zoo: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island is great, but it’s big and a hike from the Cape. I am a huge fan of Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford. It’s only about 40 minutes from our house, it’s small so very easy to manage, they have a few awesome playgrounds on site, a good variety of animals, a cafeteria with every kid food imaginable, a carousel, a little train ride you can hop on that loops through the zoo, and it’s so cheap! I feel like they have not raised their prices in 20 years and I am not complaining. 10/10 recommend. If you’re hungry after, head to No Problemo Taqueria in downtown New Bedford for excellent Mexican food. ☀️❄️
Nova Trampoline Park: If it’s raining or your kid just has energy to burn through, this is a solid indoor trampoline park in the Cape area. What’s nice too is that you don’t have to pay an entrance fee if you don’t plan on jumping so you can just pay for your kid and you can park it in one of the recliners. ☀️❄️
Biking along the Cape Cod Canal at Scusset Beach State Reservation
If You Live Here…
These aren’t things I’d necessarily recommend to tourists, but if you live here or are here seasonally, I would check them out:
Sandwich Public Library: Our library is excellent and has a huge kids room and a ton of great programming for children of all ages. And don’t forget that your library card gets you free or discounted admission to a ton of local museums too!
Sandwich Partnership for Families: A friend of mine recommended checking this out when we first moved here and it’s a great resource for local families with small children. They have a number of free public programs like playgroups, yoga, local group field trips, and more.
Friday Night Lights: Can I just give a shout out to going to your town’s high school football games? The team in our town is the Sandwich Blue Knights and after seeing enough lawn signs advertising, “Friday Knight Lights” (clever guys!), we finally caved and brought Zane and it was great. Free, fun, and very nostalgic.
I’m still discovering things all the time so let me know if I missed any of your favorites or if you have some things to add to my list for when Zane gets a little older.
p.s. We have been to The Cape Cod Children’s Museum and Zane loved it but he got norovirus the next day so I’ve been hesitant to return—even though this is obviously a risk when you bring your kid to any indoor play space in January. It’s not their fault, give it a try!
p.p.s. I wouldn’t put it on the top of your list but I will say that if your little one is interested in how things work, the Dexter Grist Mill does a short tour that Zane really enjoyed and he also loved the glass blowing demo and the intricate marble runs at the Sandwich Glass Museum. Worth a stop!
