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27 Neat Things To Do With Kids On Cape Cod

Family vacation means planning activities that the whole family will enjoy and the Cape has plenty to offer families with children of all ages. Whether the kids are the outdoorsy type or the type that prefer the quiet of a museum there are plenty of activities for them to enjoy.

For kids who enjoy the outdoors, riding on the bike trails or enjoying the water are two excellent ways to spend a day. Biking is a fun and safe way to get a little exercise and enjoy the natural beauty of the land. If being on the water is the thrill that the kids are hankering for, there are an abundance of options from whale-watching tours to harbor cruises and hands-on educational cruises.

Perhaps a fun cultural experience is what the kids are seeking. Kids can go to the theatre and see a show produced just for them or visit a museum and experience a variety of exhibits and hands-on activities. Factory tours at the headquarters of locally produced and nationally famous snacks are always a treat or the kids might like to shop for craft items to create their own homemade souvenirs of their trip. Quiet time at a local bookstore to search out the perfect beach read or bedtime story should always be included on the busy agenda.

The fun doesn’t stop there. The whole family can enjoy a rousing game of mini-golf or take in a movie at one of the last remaining drive-in movie theatres. Be sure to top off your active day with a locally made luscious tasting ice cream cone!

Bead Emporium – 551 Main St., Hyannis. 508-790-0005. Beading craft materials and classes.www.capebeademporium.com

Ben Franklin – 631 Main St., Chatham. 508-945-0655. A great store for kids and family! An old-fashioned variety stored filled with everything from craft items and toys to movie rentals and beach stuff!

Cape Cod Maritime Museum – 135 South St., Hyannis. 508-775-1723. A museum that explores the Cape’s rich maritime history with interactive exhibits. www.capecodmaritimemuseum.org

Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Ln., off Rte. 6A, Dennis. 508-385-4477. Bring your children and let them experience the “Kids’ Treasure Hunt in the Galleries”. Summer art camp and classes available as well. www.ccmoa.org

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History – 869 Rte. 6A, Brewster. 508-896-3867. Offering a variety of programs tailors for families and children including the popular KidSummer nature programs. www.ccmnh.org

Cape Cod Potato Chips – 100 Breeds Hill Rd., Hyannis. 508-775-7253. Tour of the potato chip factory and gift store. www.capecodchips.com

Cape Escape – 14 Canal Rd., Orleans. 508-240-1791. An 18 hole mini-golf in a nautical setting with authentic Cape Cod fishing boats, live koi pond and beautiful waterfalls. www.capeescapeadventures.com

Cape Playhouse – 820 Rte. 6A, Dennis. 877-385-3911. A summer children’s theatre featuring a variety of classic tales, zany humor, and beloved stories. Thurs. and Fri. 9:30 and 11:30. www.capeplayhouse.com

Catboat Rides – Ocean St. Dock, Hyannis. 508-775-0222. Join us for a relaxing sailboat ride with friends and family aboard the catboat "Eventide". www.catboat.com

Dolphin Fleet – Ticket office: 70 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown. 800-442-8188. Whale watching excursions to popular Stellwagen Bank with naturalists onboard. www.whalewatch.com

Fishtale Sport Fishing – Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich Port. 508-432-3783. Enjoy a world-class fishing experience! Start out in the quiet harbor at Harwich Port and then set out past Monomoy Island to fish the waters of Cape Cod. www.fishtalesportfishing.com

Focal Point Studio - 56 Main St., Orleans. 508-255-6617. Family portraits are the specialty. Plan your Cape Cod family portrait at the beach or in your home! www.focalpointstudio.com

Heritage Museums – 67 Grove St., Sandwich. 508-888-3300. Family fun in a beautiful setting Self-guided activities, concerts, craft and garden projects and family-centered events. www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org

Hyline Harbor & Canal Cruises. - Ocean St. Dock, Hyannis, for Harbor Cruise. Onset Town Pier, Onset, for Canal Cruises. 800-492-8082. Narrated cruises in Hyannisport Harbor and the Cape Cod Canal. www.hy-linecruises.com

Idle Times Bike Shop – 4550 Rte. 6, North Eastham and 29 Main St., Orleans. 508-255-8281. Rent bikes for the whole family and enjoy a day out on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. www.idletimesbikes.com

Kid & Kaboodle – 115 Rte. 6A, Orleans. 508-240-0460. A children’s clothing boutique featuring many children’s fashion favorites. Crib and other children’s equipment rentals available too! www.cribrentalscapecod.com

Kream & Kone - 961 Rte. 28, West Dennis. 508-394-0808. The perfect spot for family dining overlooking beautiful Swan River. Kids will love the 24 flavors of soft ice cream and other frozen delights! www.kreamnkone.com

Mass Bay Company – 595 Main St., Hyannis. 508-771-2114. Cape Cod’s Army Navy store. You and your children will love poking around the selection of army-navy merchandise as well as fun fashions for the whole family. Outdoor gear as well.

Patriot Party Boats – Falmouth Harbor, 227 Clinton Ave., Falmouth. Family fun and adventure on Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds including sport fishing, deep sea fishing, sailing, charters, and sightseeing. www.patriotpartyboats.com

Pirate Adventures – MacMillian Wharf, Provincetown. 508-487-1010. Come aboard the original Sea Gypsy for a swashbuckling adventure! We will transform your child into an official member of the Sea Gypsy crew!www.capecodpirateadventures.com

Provincetown Book Store – 246 Commercial St., Provincetown. 508-487-0964. Loaded with children’s books!

Provincetown Art Association and Museum – 460 Commercial St., Provincetown. 508-487-1750. Treat the young people in your life to some serious artistic fun! Children’s classes in painting, sculpture, clay, printmaking and more! Children’s classes throughout July and Saturdays in August. www.paam.org

R & S Avenue – 547 Main St., Hyannis. 508-771-1480. A children’s boutique filled with fun fashions, shoes, accessories, and gifts! www.rsavenue.com

Sandwich Glass Museum- 129 Main St. at the corner of Rte.130 and Tupper Rd., Sandwich. 508-888-0251– Your children will be transfixed watching molten glass, drawn from the furnace then blown and pressed into exquisite shapes. www.sandwichglassmuseum.org

Seabury Surf Gifts – 461 Rte. 6, South Wellfleet. 508-349-2620. A great shop for souvenirs, gifts, and fun beach toys. Something for kids of all ages!

Wellfleet Drive-In & Theatres – Rte. 6 on the Eastham/Wellfleet line. 508-349-7176. Drive-in movie theatre and indoor cinema with 4 screens. Mini-golf on premise as well. www.wellfleetcinemas.com

Yellow Umbrella Books – 501 Main St. Chatham. 508-945-0144. Books for the whole family. Complete collection of Cape Cod titles. www.yellowumbrellabooks.com