Kid-Friendly Things to Do in the Outer Banks

Plan an Outer Banks escape packed with family-friendly fun, from beaches and aquariums to wildlife refuges, waterfront walks, and easygoing adventures.

Consistently ranked one of the best family beach vacations, the Outer Banks offers something for every age and every kind of traveler. Use the Family Friendly Mini Guide for extra inspiration, or follow the 3-day itinerary below for kids and anyone who still feels young at heart.

A 3-Day Outer Banks Family Itinerary

You only have 18 summers with your children, so make every one count. The Outer Banks is full of kid-friendly experiences the whole family can share, including wide pristine beaches, memorable history, and adventures that bring imaginations to life. This 3-day itinerary helps shape a getaway filled with moments your family will remember for years. The Family Friendly Mini Guide is also worth a look.

Day 1

Morning

Start the trip with the classic Outer Banks experience: time at the beach. After an easy breakfast, gather the sunscreen and beach toys and settle in for a morning of sandcastle building, splashing in the waves, and searching for seashells along the shore.

Afternoon

After a morning in the sun, the kids will likely be ready for lunch. Stop at one of the inviting OBX restaurants, then continue to the North Carolina Aquarium, where stingrays, alligators, otters, and a bright mix of marine life are waiting.

After exploring the aquarium, slow things down with a relaxed walk along the Manteo waterfront and treat everyone to ice cream.

If your family wants to keep exploring, spend more time around the Manteo waterfront with a cool treat, or visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where aviation fans can discover the birthplace of aviation and kids can become Junior Rangers.

Evening

When the sun starts to drop, take a quick drive to Paradise Golf & Arcade. This family-friendly spot brings together bumper cars, arcade games, go-karts, and mini-golf for an easy evening of play and friendly competition.

Day 2

Morning

Step into the past at Roanoke Island Festival Park. This hands-on destination shares the story of the first English settlement in America through experiences like the American Indian Town, a recreated 16th-century settlement, and traditional boatbuilding at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. For an even deeper look at earlier island life, Island Farm is a living history site that shows daily life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s.

Afternoon

Let the family explore at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Climb the largest living sand dune on the East Coast and take in sweeping views from the top. Bring a kite, too; Jockey’s Ridge is a favorite place for kite flying, and watching it move across the sky is part of the fun. Nearby shops and family-friendly events at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing add even more for kids to enjoy.

Evening

At dusk, bring a flashlight to the beach for a nighttime ghost crab hunt. Watch these interesting little creatures move across the sand, observing without harming them. This memorable summer activity is best from May to early September.

Day 3

Morning

Travel south for a morning at the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. This protected habitat is home to over 350 species of birds, making it a favorite for bird watchers. Visitors may also spot mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The visitor center offers special programs and opportunities to go fishing.

Afternoon

If beach horseback riding is on your family’s wish list, Kitty Hawk Kites offers horseback adventures on Hatteras Island. Ride through the Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore for a one-of-a-kind Outer Banks experience.

You can also spend the afternoon enjoying Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Hunt for shells, make sandcastles, or simply relax in the sun. For families ready for a climb, kids who are at least 42 inches tall can take on the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in North America, and enjoy panoramic views from above.

Evening

As your OBX trip comes to a close, sit down for a good dinner and then make time for putt-putt at one of the area’s mini-golf courses, such as Frisco Mini Golf and Go Karts.

This itinerary is only a small preview of what makes the Outer Banks special. Come build sandcastle kingdoms, search for ghost crabs beneath the stars, and make family memories that will last a lifetime.