Are you looking for fun things to do in the Outer Banks with kids? We’ve got you covered!
The Outer Banks is a popular family-friendly destination, whether for the summer or over spring break.
The pristine beaches and fun surf draw visitors from all over. However, these North Carolina barrier islands have more than just sun and sand. There are many fun things to do in the Outer Banks with kids that are unique to the area.
This guide breaks down some of the attractions that have made the Outer Banks a perfect family vacation.
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Fun Things To Do in the Outer Banks With Kids
1. Wild Horse Adventure Tours, Corolla
One of the things that makes the Outer Banks so unique are the wild Spanish Mustang horses in Corolla and north. However, the roads leading to the wild horses are unpaved and require 4X4 vehicles to navigate those roads, making it difficult for the average visitor to see them.
Wild Horse Adventure Tours has fixed that problem by offering tours in open-air Hummers. These 2-hour tours take visitors through the Wild Horse Sanctuary as they share facts about the history and ecology of the area. Several tours are offered throughout the day. Don’t miss this unique experience the next time you’re in the Outer Banks with kids!
2. Wright Brothers Memorial, Kill Devil Hills
Over 100 years ago, two brothers from Ohio figured out how to create a flying machine, forever changing how we travel. You can learn more about the history and process of this fantastic feat by visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills.
Start your visit at the visitor’s center, where there is a large exhibit and replica plane. Guided ranger programs are also offered throughout the day. After you leave the visitor’s center, you can walk over to the replica hangar and workshop. After that, you’ll reach the four markers indicating the length of each flight taken.
You can walk to the monument at the top of the dune from the markers or drive your car over. The walking path is about 1/4 mile to the circular road from the flight markers, and then it is a steep, uphill walk to the monument. The views are beautiful, though!
Before you leave the property, don’t forget to stop at the sculpture depicting the first flight on December 17, 1903. Kids will love climbing on the sculpture and interacting with the full-size statues.
There is a fee to enter to the Wright Brother’s Memorial. However, you can get in FREE with your National Park Pass (including the America the Beautiful and Every Kid Outdoors passes).
3. Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
There is no better way to spend an evening in the Outer Banks with kids than flying kites on top of the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park! If you forgot to pack your kite, don’t worry! Kitty Hawk Kites, across the road, is ready to serve you. Even without kites, climbing to the top of the dunes and enjoying the ocean and sound views are fun.
Before you head out onto the dunes, stop by the visitor center and museum to learn more about the dune’s ecology. Then you walk the boardwalk for a more accessible entry onto the dune. If you’d like more of a workout, there are a few hiking trails on the dunes, ranging from .6 miles to 1.2 miles.
It can be windy on the dunes (that’s what makes it the perfect kite-flying location), so bring a lightweight jacket to block the wind and a hat to stop the sand from getting into your hair.
4. First Flight Adventure Park, Nags Head
Aerial adventure parks are becoming more popular everywhere you go, but there is something about being several stories in the air with a view of the ocean! The First Flight Adventure Park has 50 obstacles and 14 ziplines, ranging from easy to complex. Climbers as young as six (minimum height 45 inches) can participate with an adult, making it a fun activity to do in the Outer Banks with kids!
Admission to the First Flight Adventure Park includes your helmet, harness, and gloves. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes. After you are done, treat yourself to some ice cream from Cookies and Cream across the street.
5. Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head
There are several lighthouses located in the Outer Banks. However, the Bodie Island Lighthouse is closest to the central towns like Kitty Hawk and Nags Head. Built in 1872, the Bodie Island Lighthouse opened to the public in 2014 and is part of the National Park Service.
If you want to climb the 219 steps to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse, you need tickets. The National Park Service releases tickets at 7 am the day you want to visit. Adults cost $10, and children 11 and under are FREE. You’ll want to log as close to 7 am as possible, as tickets sell out very quickly, especially during the busy summer months.
You can still visit the lighthouse property without tickets. There is a small exhibit in the Visitor’s Center and a lovely gift shop. Kids can complete the Junior Ranger Program and get their National Parks passport stamped. A flat boardwalk also leads out to the marshes, where visitors can sit and observe the wildlife.
6. Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
If your family is interested in history, then they will love the Roanoke Island Festival Park! With attractions like the Elizabeth II, a huge sailing ship that kids climb, explore, and even swab the deck, it’s a unique experience for all. After you visit the ship, head over to the American Indian Town, where you will learn about Coastal Algonquin culture. Don’t miss the settlement site, where kids can learn more about what life was like for the people who arrived in 1585.
Roanoke Island Festival Park is open Tuesday-Saturday, mid-March through the end of December, making it a perfect addition to your spring break itinerary. Admission ranges from $8-$11 depending on age, while children two and under are FREE. Don’t forget to ask about military and senior discounts.
7. North Carolina Aquarium, Manteo
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is open every day from 9 am-5 pm. Reservations are required at this point. The aquarium participates in the AZA reciprocity program. Otherwise, tickets range from $11-$13, depending on age. Children ages two and under are FREE.
North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is open every day from 9am-5pm. Reservations are required at this point. The aquarium participates in the AZA reciprocity program. Otherwise, tickets range from $11-$13 depending on age. Children ages two and under are FREE.
8. Island Farm, Manteo
Step back in time to the 1850s as you visit Island Farm, a living history museum on Roanoke Island. You and your family can learn what life was like for farmers in the Outer Banks during the mid-19th century, including how the Civil war affected them. The various buildings and structures on the property, like the blacksmith shop and windmill, help bring it all to life. Kids will especially love interacting with the farm animals.
Inside the gardens, you’ll find several surrounded by beautiful flowers, trees, and plants such as azaleas, hydrangea, and magnolias. Kids will love the Discovery Cottage, where they can climb aboard a ship or play in Tudor-style houses. They will also enjoy the fairy hunt and butterfly room!
9. The Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo
The Elizabethan Gardens are open March – January, with varying hours. Admission price varies based on age. Children two and under are FREE! You can even bring your dog for a fee.
Inside the gardens, you’ll find several surrounded by beautiful flowers, trees, and plants such as azaleas, hydrangea, and magnolias. Kids will love the Discovery Cottage where they can climb aboard a ship, or play in Tudor style houses. They will also enjoy the fairy hunt and butterfly room!
The Elizabethan Gardens are open March – January, with varying hours. Admission price varies based on age. Children two and under are FREE! You can even bring your dog for a fee.
Fun Facts About the Outer Banks
- The Outer Banks was the first English settlement in America (Roanoke Island)
- Nags Head gets its name from the practice of ship wreckers tying lanterns to the necks of ponies (knowns as “nags”) and marching them along the high dunes (so they look like boats at anchor) to trick captains into running their ships aground, which then allowed their cargo to be seized.The tallest brick lighthouse (Cape Hatteras Light Station) is in the Outer Banks
- The Outer Banks islands are made up entirely of sand and are not anchored by rock to the earth (like most other islands), causing them to move (albeit very slowly…)
Where to Stay in the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is made up of several towns and neighborhoods. Where you will want to stay on your family vacation depends on what you are looking for.
If you want a quiet, small beach town experience, consider staying in Duck. It’ll be fun for kids to explore the town using bike paths and wooden boardwalks. And the beaches are some of the best on east coast.
For a bit of excitement, stay in the middle of the action in Kitty Hawk. It’s the first town you encounter after you cross the Wright Memorial Bridge.
If you want to be close to almost everything listed below, then Nags Head is the right choice. You’ll be within a 15-20 minute drive, keeping travel to a minimum and maximizing your time for fun.
There are plenty of housing options when you stay at the Outer Banks. Some of the houses available to rent fit 20 or even 30 people, making a perfect destination for a multigenerational family vacation. Of course, there are also several hotel chains on the islands as well.
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