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Outer Banks Things to Do With Kids

Consistently ranked one of the best family beach vacations, there is something for everyone of any age. Check out this fun Family Friendly Mini Guide or take a look at the 6-day itinerary below that's perfect for the kids or the young at heart.

family fun mini guidefamily fun mini guide


6 Day OBX Itinerary for the Family 

 

Day 1

Beach Day

No visit is complete without visiting the beach! Spend the day playing in the sand and surf. Take the kids camping or enjoy the water with our different water sport options such as kayaking, paddleboarding or kiteboarding. If you're near Hatteras Island head over to WaterBoy for equipment to take full advantage of the beaches. If you prefer to be guided around then check out our kid-friendly water tours.

Day 2

Roanoke Island Festival Park & Maritime Museum

Roanoke Island Festival Park is an interactive family attraction that celebrates the first English settlement in America. Explore the Elizabeth II, a representation of one of the seven English ships from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585. Discover the American Indian Town and a 16th-century Settlement Site. Learn about the construction and creation of traditional watercraft and related maritime activities at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum.

Visit Island Farm

Peel back the layers of the past and imagine one moment in time, at one place in history. Experience Island Farm, a living history site interpreting daily life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s.

NC Aquarium On Roanoke Island.

Explore the waters of the Outer Banks at the NC Aquarium. Learn about stingrays alligators, otters and so much more. Discover the conservation efforts in the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center and see the largest collection of sharks in the state. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a must-see. 

Day 3

Visit Wright Brothers National Memorial

Become a Junior Ranger at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Pick up your entire Junior Ranger booklet and program schedule from either of the Wright Brothers National Park visitor centers.  Complete the program and earn your Junior Ranger badge!

Paradise Golf & Arcade

Take a short drive from the Wright Brothers National Memorial to this family-friendly park of Paradise Golf & Arcade. The park features bumper cars, arcade games, go-karts and mini-golf.

Day 4

Art Classes

Take an art class. Classes are offered year-round. Take home a piece of your painted pottery, sand art, or painting to remember your vacation on the Outer Banks.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Explore Bodie Island Lighthouse. Climbing is optional from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day (in early October).

Ghost Crab Hunting

This nighttime activity is a family favorite. Once the sun goes down the real fun starts. Grab a flashlight and head to the beach.  Watch the sand as the ghost crabs scurry away from your light. Please do not harm crabs. The best time to go is during the summer months from May to early September.

Day 5

Climb Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Climb to the top of the largest living sand dune on the east coast. Don’t forget a kite! Jockey’s Ridge is one of the best places on the Outer Banks to fly a kite. Find nearby shops and local kid-friendly events at Jockeys Ridge Crossing.

Mini golf

Try to get a hole-in-one at one of the Outer Banks mini-golf courses, such as Frisco Mini Golf and Go Karts! Mini Golf courses range in themes from dinosaurs to pirates. 

Day 6

Fishing

Learn the basic skills of pier fishing at Avalon Fishing Pier from how to cast and tie rigs, best bait to use for target species, pier fishing etiquette and catch and release techniques.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Discover Pea Island Wildlife refuge. The Pea Island Wildlife refuge offers sanctuary for over 350 bird species, 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians. The visitor’s center offers programs focus on interpretations, environmental education, wildlife observation, and fishing.