10 Wholesome Things to Do in Cape Cod with Family

Taking a family vacation? Cape Cod is the perfect destination for some good old-fashioned family fun.

With beautiful weather, plenty of beaches, and loads of other outdoor activities, everyone will love it. Cape Cod is known for its charming villages, lighthouses, and of course, the seafood.

With so many things to do in Cape Cod with family, it can be a challenge to fit everything in! That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the best family activities in Cape Cod for you.

We got together with Hotels.com to put together this list of some of the best family activities in Cape Cod. So, let’s get into it so you can get to planning your family adventure. 

Where to Stay in Cape Cod

You can find a wide variety of accommodations in Cape Cod. From luxury to budget, there’s something for everyone.

Things to Do in Cape Cod with Family

Cape Cod Rail Trail

This scenic trail is the perfect way to explore all that Cape Cod has to offer. This is also one of the best free kid-friendly activities in Cape Cod.

This 22-mile-long paved trail connects through 6 towns and will provide you with some amazing views of the gorgeous coastline. Of course, you don’t have to do it all in one go. Take it at your own pace, break it into several days even, and see how much the kids can handle.

There are also plenty of places to stop along the way to shop and eat, if you’d like. The trail is perfect for walking, biking, skating, and more, so grab the kids and start exploring!

Heritage Museums and Gardens

Heritage Museums and Gardens sprawls over 100 acres of land, making it the largest public garden in Southern New England. Home to art and history exhibits, trails, and beautiful gardens and sculptures, people of all ages will love this place.

However, the Hidden Hollow area of the gardens is one of the best kid-friendly activities in Cape Cod. Situated in a dry kettle hole, this is where kids can play with blocks, build forts, and play on log balance beams.

They can also do arts and crafts and experiment with the elements of nature. And, of course, there’s the splash area where kids can play in the water. You can easily spend a full day here.

The museum also features live performances and music on Fridays. If you want a fun, interactive, and educational experience, this is one of the best family activities in Cape Cod.

Nickerson State Park

If you and your family are looking for a relaxing day spent outside, head to Nickerson State Park. This state park takes up 1900 acres of land, so there’s plenty to see. You can easily spend a full day here. Or, you can camp for a few days at one of the park’s 400 campsites to explore as much as possible.

The state park is home to serene forests and tranquil ponds as well as some more active outdoor activities. Spend the day on the water on a boat or in a canoe or kayak. You can also choose to go swimming at the beach, hiking, or biking. As a bonus, the park offers educational programs for the little ones to teach them about nature.

All of this combined makes visiting Nickerson State Park one of the best things to do in Cape Cod with family.

Cape Cod Children’s Museum

The Cape Cod Children’s Museum is a must-see if you’re traveling with kids aged 5 months to 8 years old.

The perfect rainy day activity, this museum is home to tons of interactive exhibits, pretend play areas, and learning opportunities. There are also scheduled events and activities each day, including sing-alongs, arts and crafts, and stories.

This is the perfect place to spend a few hours playing and learning with your kids.

Cape Cod Inflatable Park

Cape Cod Inflatable Park is unlike any other attraction in the area! It has activities for kids (and adults) of all ages. This is one of the best family activities in Cape Cod because of the sheer variety of activities it offers.

Sith a section dedicated specifically to toddlers and a challenge zone for teens, there’s something to please everyone in the family. There are also dozens of inflatable slides and obstacle courses for the thrill seekers in your group.

Cape Cod Inflatable park also features water rides, mini-golf, bounce houses, and a giant arcade. With so much to do, it’s easy to spend the entire day here, and your kids won’t want to leave!

Hit the beach

Cape Cod is home to dozens of beautiful beaches – the challenge is just choosing the ones you want to visit. Marconi Beach, Mayflower Beach, and Race Point Beach are among the favorites for visitors.

Mayflower is known for low tide, so you can walk on the sand for miles sometimes before reaching the water. This also means this beach is perfect for seashell hunting and sand castling – activities all kids love.

Surfers tend to enjoy the waves at Race Point Beach.

Coast Guard Beach is also one of the most popular for families. At Coast Guard Beach there’s room to spread out and the surf is gentle, making it perfect for little ones.

Drive-in Movies

Give the kids an unforgettable experience and take them to see a drive-in movie. The novelty of the experience is something they’ll never forget, as drive-in theaters are on the decline across the US.

Established in 1957, the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater is the last drive-in in Cape Cod. The drive-in plays two movies per night, the first usually being family-friendly and the second meant for more mature audiences.

You can choose to stay for just one or both, but either way the whole family will enjoy the experience.

Hyannis Harbor Cruise

Get out on the water to learn about Cape Cod’s maritime history. This is a relaxing way to cool off from the high temperatures and go sightseeing at the same time.

The hour long harbor cruise will take you past landmarks like Great Island, the Kennedy Memorial, and Squaw Island. You’ll also get to see St. Andrews-by-the-sea, Point Gammon Light, and the historic Kennedy Compound. As a bonus, kids ride free on all morning departures.

Cape Cod National Seashore

This national park is home to 40 miles of pristine beaches, marshes, and ponds, and species native to this region. There are plenty of swimming beaches here as well as other activities like hiking, biking, and over-sand driving. You’ll also get to see some of the iconic lighthouses that Cape Cod is so famous for.

The national park also offers Junior Ranger programs for the kids to learn everything about the National Seashore.

Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory

Let’s be honest: what kid doesn’t love to snack? Potato chips have been the quintessential American snack for as long as we can remember. Cape Cod Potato Chips are famous for being the perfect bit of salt and crunch.

After trying some while you’re in town, you’ll want to head straight to the factory to see how they’re made. Take a tour to learn about the history of the company and get a sneak peek of the chip-making process. In the gift shop, you’ll even get to try some new flavors that can’t be found anywhere else.

Things to Do in Cape Cod with Family Wrap-up

As you can see, there are tons of things to do in Cape Cod with family. From leisurely days on the water to adrenaline-fueled bouncy houses and plenty of learning opportunities, there’s something for everyone. Cape Cod is one of the most popular family-friendly vacation destinations, and it’s easy to see why. So, grab the whole family and head to the Cape!

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As travel today remains uncertain, please keep your safety and the safety of others in mind at all times. If you are comfortable with traveling, please travel responsibly and within regulation as any travel is at your own risk.

If you do decide to travel at this time, here are our recommendations:

• Wear a face mask.
• Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
• Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures and status of local businesses.
• Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.