The Outer Banks Childrenâ??s Museum
Located in Kitty Hawk, the interactive â??Children at Playâ?? museum provides children and parents with fun, hands-on exhibits created to learn about fishing, measuring, lighthouses, lifesaving, flying an airplane, shopping for groceries at the store or running their own deli, among others. The Children at Play Museum is the perfect place for a rainy day activity on the Outer Banks or any other day, to take the toddlers for a little mental and physical exercise. Stop by for special events, including Science Thursdays, Movies on the Sound, or host a birthday party there! For more information, click: here.
Room to Play
Unlike many other East Coast beach destinations, the Outer Banks has enough beach to go around, leaving room for families to spread out and enjoy their own personal, uncrowded space. This is perfect for the kids, as less people mean a little more play room. Building sand castles, chasing sandpipers and running back and forth along the shoreline top many childhood memories for children. The Outer Banks has innumerable beach accesses and oceanfront rental properties that allow kids and their families the freedom to enjoy the beach without the stress and hassle of posting up two feet from a group of strangers.
Kite-Flying
Well-known for the Wright Brothersâ?? first flight, the Outer Banks cherishes its history of aviation and excels in kite flying opportunities. With wind conditions that first brought the famous brothers here from Ohio in 1900, the area is perfect to take a beautiful kite to the air. Many places along the Outer Banks sell kites, but Kitty Hawk Kites, with locations in Corolla, Duck, Nags Head, Manteo, Rodanthe, Avon, Hatteras, and Ocracoke, is the largest kite store in the world, and would be an optimal stop before taking to the highest heights. One of kidsâ?? favorite places to fly a kite on the Outer Banks is atop Jockeyâ??s Ridge, the largest natural sand dune system on the East Coast, located in Nags Headâ?¦conveniently across from Kitty Hawk Kites.
North Carolina Aquarium
It would be hard to mention activities for kids on the Outer Banks and not list the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. With a wide array of daily activities, hands on events, and classes for kids of all ages, the aquarium is a terrific place to take children for a little educational break from the beach to learn about the coastal region, the marine animals found here, and see the largest collection of sharks in the state! For more information, click: here.
First Flight Adventure Park
The Outer Banksâ?? first and only aerial ropes course, located in Nags Head, is an ideal place to take children of all ages to have a lot of fun, get exercise, and enjoy one of the best views on the island. First Flight Adventure Parkâ??s 60-foot tower features 48 different elements to cross, including zip lines, cargo nets, ladders, and more. People of all ages, from ages 3 to 93, are able to cross elements that are complementary to their skill level, while attached to a high-tech constant belay system that eradicates the chance of human error. For more information, click: here.
When considering where to take the entire family on your next vacation, choose the Outer Banks, and make sure to take advantage of some of these activities while you are here. Your kids will thank you one day!
