Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Fun Activities for Families

There is something special about a summer vacation on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Countless families have made a tradition out of returning to the salty air year-after-year for generations. Here are just a few ideas for creating lasting Cape Cod memories with your own family!

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Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod is a 70-mile-long peninsula that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean like a flexed arm. This makes for an endless amount of coastline to explore! An Outer Cape beach, with its towering dunes and endless expanses of white sand, is a magical place to spend the day. Try to go during low tide so the kids can take advantage of the tide pools that often form. Be aware that these beaches have the strongest waves, as well as an occasional visit from the “landlord,” one of the great white sharks that has come to inhabit the area. Visit the Cape Cod National Seashore website for more information about parking and amenities.

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Cape Cod Bay

The waters of Cape Cod Bay tend to be calm and relatively warmer during the summer months. Mayflower Beach is just one of many kid-friendly options. Pack up the cooler, beach chairs, umbrella, and toys (you can rent all of these items from our local Quality Provider) and you’ll have everything you need for a fun day of splashing in the waves, catching hermit crabs, and building sandcastles. If you visit at low tide be prepared for a long walk across the flats to reach the water.

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Nickerson State Park

For camping, bike riding, hiking, and more, be sure to visit Nickerson State Park. No Cape Cod vacation is complete without a dip in one of the hundreds of kettle ponds that dot each of the 15 towns. And Nickerson’s Cliff Pond is one of many great spots for kids to swim, play on rafts, and hunt for frogs. You can also park at Nickerson and jump on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. It’s a scenic bike path that stretches 22 miles along an old railroad bed. Bike rentals are available at the Rail Trail Bike & Kayak just 2 miles down the street.

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Cape Cod Whale Watching

For sea life enthusiasts young and old, nothing beats a cruise aboard a Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch vessel. Trips leave the Provincetown Pier throughout the day and last 3-4 hours. Kids will be entertained roaming the decks while looking for humpback whales and other wildlife, as well as lounging in the inside cabin enjoying treats from the snack bar. Don’t hesitate bringing an infant along; these tiny passengers will likely be lulled to sleep by the sound of the engine. Don’t forget your sea legs and sunscreen!  

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Provincetown

If the clouds are keeping you from the beach, a walk down Ptown’s busy Commercial St. is a great way to spend the day. Follow the signs to park on the pier and enjoy a walk out to see the fishing boats returning with their catch. Sit on a bench at Town Hall for world-class people watching while the kids enjoy a bag of handpicked salt water taffy from the Penney Patch. If you are up for the climb, the 360-degree view of the bay (and town) from the top of the Pilgrim Monument is well worth your efforts.

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Mini-Golf

There are dozens of mini-golf options around for perfecting your putt, but Pirate’s Cove is one that is not to be missed. Its two, well-manicured courses feature exciting props such as life-sized pirates, cascading waterfalls, and pirate ships. This spot is a fun adventure for any pint-sized pirate!

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Seafood for Dinner

A Cape Cod vacation is the perfect time to have your little ones try out some fresh seafood! A top spot for casual, family-friendly dining is the Sesuit Harbor Cafe. You won’t need to worry about keeping your kids entertained because you’ll be eating at an outdoor picnic table in the sand, next to a marina on the bay. Try one of their mouth-watering lobster rolls or a dozen of their famous Wellfleet oysters!

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Cape Cod Band Concerts

Grab a little slice of Americana at a Chatham Band Concert. Every Friday night families gather downtown in Kate Gould Park for music and dancing under the stars. Bring a blanket and a bag of delicious penny candy from the Chatham Candy Manor for an extra sweet evening! If you are visiting a different part of the Cape you can check the Cape Cod Music website to find band stand music closer to you.

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Baseball Games on the Cape

You don’t have to be a baseball fanatic to get caught up in the exciting energy of a Cape Cod Baseball League game. Regarded as one of the best amateur summer leagues in the country, many players have gone on from the Cape League to play in the Majors. Kids will love to spread out on a blanket, eat a hot dog, and cheer on the players. Games start around 6:00 PM, and with ten teams in on the action, you are sure to be close to a home field no matter where on the Cape you are staying!

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Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre

For an exciting movie experience, pack up the family and head to the Wellfleet Drive-In. Nothing beats spending a warm summer night watching the big screen from the comfort of your car, all wrapped up in blankets and eating delicious popcorn from the snack bar. The Drive-In transforms into a bustling flea market and playground during the day, an equally fun experience for all ages.

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Ice Cream for Dessert on Cape Cod

You can’t go too far on the Cape without running into an ice cream shop. Whether it’s soft serve, homemade, or fresh from the ice cream truck at the beach, indulging in a frozen cone is part of any perfect vacation day. Some of our favorite kid flavors are peppermint stick from Four Seas Ice Cream and Oreo crunch from the Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor.

These are just a few of the endless ways you can enjoy the summer fun of a Cape Cod family vacation. Perhaps you too will be charmed into making it a tradition!

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About the Author

Lisa Holmes lives in Wellfleet, MA with her husband, toddler, and infant. She is a BabyQuip Quality Provider and loves welcoming travelers to Cape Cod. She works as an elementary school teacher, which gives her the opportunity to enjoy lots of time at the beach during her summer vacation. Traveling is important to Lisa’s family, and soon after having her son she found out how hard it can be to have access to clean, modern, and safe baby gear while away from home.  She looks forward to providing you with what you need for the little adventurers in your life, whether it is a crib, a stroller, or even a just a tub of toys.