15 Seacoast Outings to do With Young Kids

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Scratching your head for something to do with your kid today? Here are 15 Seacoast outings to do with young kids. Save this post for later and you’ll be ready the next time you’re looking for something to do.

15 Seacoast Outings With Young Kids

Seacoast Science Center – Rye, NH

Head over to the Seacoast Science Center to view the aquarium, get hands on at the touch tank and interact with all the awesome exhibits. This small aquarium is the perfect outing with your young child. Admission is $10 for teens/adults and $5 for kids. Little ones under three are free. When you’re done, have a picnic in Odiorne Point State Park and go tidepooling! Want to spend the whole day there? Learn more about the trail system from Seacoast Hikes.

Seacoast Science Center

USS Albacore Museum – Portsmouth, NH

You kids will love taking a self-guided tour through a real submarine! This museum is open seven days a week from 9:30am – 4:30 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 a kid (5-14) or $20 a family. The best part is that you can go through as many times as you want! It is so special to explore this piece of history!

Bike the Pump Track – Stratham, NH

Stratham Hill Park has a pump track that’s perfect for your little kid. A pump track is a looped track of swooped banks and turns for bike riders. It is designed to help the rider keep momentum so they can ride with minimal pedaling. So whether your 5 year old is on a balance bike or pedaling, this will be a fun experience while building skills and confidence. I’ve even brought my 2.5 year old on it! To access the pump track, park at the Jack Rabbit Lane entrance and walk a quarter mile to the pump track. It is free to the public and accessible year round.

Stratham Hill Park Pump Track

Great Bay Discovery Center – Greenland, NH

This spot is great year round. With a short, stroller-friendly interpretive trail, playground, picnic area, and waterfront – this spot is a favorite of small kids. It also has a wonderful little visitor center with exhibits perfect for little kids. The Discovery Center is free and open June through September, Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Check out their year round Monday take-home packages that are free for kids of all ages. Learn more about the trail from Seacoast Hikes.

Your Library – All Seacoast

Too often overlooked, a visit to the children’s room at your local library is a magical excursion! Check out our guide to Seacoast area libraries and let your child bring home a few books and CD’s! Best part? It’s free! If you are new to the library, make sure you bring proof of residency so you can get a card.

Seacoast Playground – All Seacoast

The Seacoast has some amazing playgrounds. Take your child to a new one and watch them explore! Don’t know where to go? Check out our guide to the best playgrounds on the Seacoast. The fresh air and exercise is sure to be a day well spent.

Winnie the Pooh Trail – Barrington, NH 

This is the perfect hike for a young child. A one mile loop through forest, past a pond and climbable rocks. This whimsical trail passes imaginary homes of Pooh and his friends. It’s a favorite for my littles and five is the perfect age to visit. Learn more about this hike and others from Seacoast Hikes. After the hike, stop at Calef’s Country Store – there is a penny candy section that is perfect for a post-hike treat.

Seacoast Science Center
Winnie the Pooh Trail – Seacoast Hikes

Dover Bowl and Arcade – Dover, NH

Take your kid bowling! Dover bowl has bumpers, kid balls, shoes and even assistance ramps to push the ball down the lane. Dover bowl is open seven days a week at noon until late. Bowl per hour is $45 for the entire lane or you can pay per game – $6 per person, $4 shoe rental. Not into bowling? Dover bowl also has a kid friendly arcade that your child will love.

The Beach – Seacoast Beaches

One of the best parts about living here is the beach! Don’t think of this as just a summer destination. Seacoast beaches are open year round with easier parking in the non-summer seasons. Check out our guide to Seacoast beaches.

Storywalk at Mount Agamenticus – York, ME

Open year round, you and your little one can walk the story walk at Mount Agamenticus. The Ring Trail has 24 stations – each with a new page of a story book. Your elementary age children will love reaching the next page of the story and never get that bored feeling on a hike. Learn more about this hike from Seacoast Hikes.

Lickey and Chewy’s Candies & Creamery – Dover, NH

Treat your child (and yourself) to a decadent ice cream at Lickey and Chewy’s! This medieval themed candy store is an experience with decorations that will excite the imagination and desserts that will excite the taste buds! This is a really fun outing for you and your child.

Photo courtesy of Lickey and Chewy’s

Seashore Trolley Museum – Kennebunkport, ME

The first and largest museum dedicated to mass transit – this is a great outing for your train-loving kid! There is an exhibit hall, large grassy campus, hiking trail and perhaps the most exciting part; trolley rides! Trolley rides run every 45 minutes on their private track. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for kids 6-16, and $6 for kids 3-5. The museum is open May – December from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Portsmouth Harbor Cruise – Portsmouth, NH

Take your little one out on a boat ride! Portsmouth Harbor Cruise company operates May to October. The one hour harbor cruise is the perfect amount of time for a kid. You’ll pass lobster buoys, lighthouses, and even an old military prison! Cost is $22 per adult and $16 per child.  

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – Dover, NH

Drive a submarine, dig for dino bones, build a rocket, and explore a cave. The Children’s Museum in Dover is a great spot for your five year old to learn, explore, and play. Before or after, play at the awesome adjoining playground at Henry Law Park. Admission is $11 for those over one. Check their website for hours and reserve a time slot.

Go Fishing – All Seacoast

Grab a rod and some bait and go fishing! Adults need to purchase a NH fishing license or Maine fishing license, but kids don’t need one. Some easy fishing spots with your kid are Knights Pond in South Berwick, Willand Pond in Dover, Barbadoes Pond in Madbury, Cocheco River on Watson Rd Dover and Rogers Pond in Kennebunk. Make sure your child has a life jacket and you are practicing water safety.

Fishing the Cocheco River off Watson Road in Dover

Not just for the little ones

These outings are great for most kids (or adults). The Seacoast has a plethora of places to adventure and experience. What’s your favorite kid friendly outing?