I get it: vacations are expensive- heck, kids are expensive NOT on vacation(!)- so when I can find an activity to keep us busy without spending a dime, I’m all over it! You can always check out one of the many awesome Outer Banks playgrounds, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique, there are plenty of other options. Here are some of my favorite no-cost Outer Banks activities, indoors and out, for getting my kids up, out of the house, and engaged!
Jockey’s Ridge
Climbing Jockey’s Ridge is a true Outer Banks bucket list item, and not only that, it’s totally free. Some days though, it’s really, really hot. Super windy. Maybe you’re just feeling a chill vacation day, not a climb-a-vast-sandy-desert-mountain-that-you’ll-probably-have-to-carry-your-kids-up day. If that’s the case, don’t skip the Jockey’s Ridge visit, just shift your priorities! There is a small visitor’s center with some fun interactive exhibits highlighting the history and wildlife of Jockey’s Ridge. It’s indoors, air conditioned, and doesn’t cost a cent. You’re not going to spend hours here, but it’s a good stop for a quick visit if you need an inside activity. From there, you can walk the short nature path boardwalk to the base of the dunes and learn about native plants and animals. Then, decide if -or how far- you’ll head up Jockey’s Ridge!
There are some small sand hills just at the base of the boardwalk that are nice and shady during the morning hours- that may be enough for you and your kids (it usually is for mine). Or, you can keep going and do the full climb if you’re feeling adventurous. The views truly are worth it if you’re up to the hike! Once you’re done, you can head back down the boardwalk and rinse off legs and feet at the spigot stop.
Kill Devil Hills Splash Pad
Located at Meekins Park, right between the Dare Center (the Food Lion shopping center at MP 6) and the Kill Devil Hills Fire Station, the splash pad is a super fun spot to get wet! It’s not huge, but there’s plenty of space for kids of all sizes to play. It’s mainly water jets that spray from the ground, but the dumping buckets are a big hit as well. There are shaded spots around the perimeter so parents can get (mostly) out of the sun while they keep an eye on the kids. This is adjacent to a large playground and huge grassy fields, so kids will most likely want to bounce back and forth between those and the splash pad, which can keep them busy for a good long time. A great option for a super hot day, the OBX splash pad is a fun, free spot to cool off!
Jennette’s Pier
State-owned Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is definitely not your average fishing pier. It’s a fun spot to explore with amazing views of the beach and ocean! We like to ride on the turtle statue out on the deck, then head inside to check out the 2 large aquarium tanks with native fish species. There’s also some interactive computer games for small kids, an educational video, and a gift shop. The deck is nice and shady and there’s usually a breeze, so it’s a great spot to stop and cool off while you check out the views.
To be fair, it’s not free to walk out to the end of the pier, but at just $2/person, it’s probably the cheapest thing you’ll find to do on the whole Outer Banks. (Free if you’re an NC Aquarium member!). It’s definitely worth it if you make this stop; you can walk all the way to the end, watch people fishing, and see the beach from a whole new viewpoint.
Watch the Boats Come In
Need something unique to do in the afternoon or evening? Head to Pirate’s Cove or the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center around 4:30 and watch the boats come in from a day of offshore fishing. Depending on the time of year, you can see them throw big catches of tuna, mahi mahi, tilefish, sea bass and more on the dock, which is something you definitely can’t experience just anywhere! It’s fun to walk the docks, check out all the boats and see the Outer Banks from a new perspective.
Bonus (non-free) perk: Pirate’s Cove has a small outdoor tiki bar called Mimi’s Tiki Hut where you can grab a drink or snack and watch the boats tie up before or after you cruise around the docks. It’s a fun spot that often has live music in the afternoons!
Historic Corolla Park
Staying in Corolla, or planning a day trip? Plan to spend plenty of time at Historic Corolla Park! This is a large, free park with a lot of different attractions. The walking path and bridge are awesome in themselves, and this is a GREAT spot to catch an amazing sunset. You can pack a picnic or plan for an outdoor snack under the live oaks. There is a really awesome playground, new in 2023, that kids will be able to spend some serious time enjoying. The Whalehead House is an historic lodge- walk around and view the grounds and the amazing architecture (inside tours are available, but are not free nor particularly kid-friendly). Visit the Currituck Lighthouse (again, climbing to the top costs money and unless you want to carry them up/down 220 steps, may not be the best for kids under 5, but still very cool to see from the ground). You can check out the Currituck Maritime Museum, a top-notch free museum, opened in 2021, that celebrates the maritime heritage of the area. Learn about boat building, historical boats and fishing, lighthouses and more! Finally, the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is a great stop to learn all about the Outer Banks’ wildlife and natural history. They offer fun, free educational programs as well, from crabbing and fishing to arts and crafts and ladybug hunting- check out the upcoming schedule here!
You can definitely spend a good part of a day just checking out the attractions at Historic Corolla Park; plan to stay a while and learn about the history and heritage of the area and enjoy the breathtaking views of this unique Outer Banks spot!
Bodie Island Lighthouse
You can’t visit the Outer Banks without seeing at least one lighthouse up close, and Bodie Island is a great pick. While it’s not free to climb, it’s completely worth a stop just to visit the grounds and explore the area. There is a short (⅛ mile) boardwalk trail that winds through the marsh and ends with an observation tower overlooking the lighthouse pond. The view from the tower is pretty magnificent, and it’s a super easy walk, even for young kids. You can also check out the expansive grounds and visitor’s center, housed in the old lighthouse keeper’s quarters. This is a great stop with beautiful scenery and a great way to spend an hour or so! You may even see some wildlife- we have seen crabs, baby muskrats, snakes and more on the short hike, although you should be safe as long as you stay on the boardwalk.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas for free, fun, kid-friendly activities on the Outer Banks! From beautiful scenery to interactive exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy without spending a cent.
