You’ve seen plenty of Outer Banks Bucket Lists; those must-do OBX items everyone should do or see at least once. But, we think it’s high time there was a version JUST for the kids! Let your little ones take the lead on activity planning and cross off these 8 bucket list items this summer.
Visit the water park
H20bx is a really fun water park just over the bridge in Currituck. Every kid I know absolutely loves it, no matter what age (plus, it’s clean and really nice so parents love it as well). There is a phenomenal young kid area with shallow water and slides just for babies and toddlers. If you have young ones, you can easily spend your whole day here. The lazy river is a big hit with everyone, and there are plenty of slides for older kids as well. It’s definitely a fun way to spend a day off the beach!
8526 Caratoke Hwy, Powells Point
Go to Jumpmasters
Jumpmasters is an awesome indoor trampoline park in Manteo that is kid heaven. Any age kid can have a great time- there are plenty of trampolines, a foam pit and climbing wall, ninja course obstacles, as well as video games in the entrance area. It’s a great way to burn energy for an hour or two! For young kids, they feature a toddler time on Wednesday mornings that’s a little more chill than other times can be (seasonal, check their website for details/times). It’s a great option for a rainy day, but be warned, it can get crowded.
Climb Jockeys Ridge
Jockey’s Ridge is one of the most iconic, classic Outer Banks landmarks. I have great memories of climbing it as a kid. It definitely takes some effort, but the views are worth it, and kids will love running/rolling/jumping down the dunes over and over. Bonus- you can rent sandboards across the street from Kitty Hawk Kites if you want to try your luck with that! Plan to climb earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to beat the heat. You can either park in the state park lot just to the north of the dunes, or across the street at Kitty Hawk Kites and cross at the light.
Get a milkshake from John’s
No kid summer on the Outer Banks is complete without a stop at John’s Drive In for a milkshake. John’s is an OBX classic, and their milkshakes (and fried seafood, for the record) are not to be missed. Plenty of flavors to choose from, including chocolate, peanut butter, banana, peach, strawberry, pineapple and more offer endless combos so everyone can find their favorite.
3716 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Go to the Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a crowd favorite. While it’s not huge, there is plenty to see with really nice exhibits. Check out fish, turtles, jellyfish, otters, alligators, sharks and more! There is a cool turtle rehab activity for kids, and the touch tank is always a hit. If the weather is nice, there’s also a pier outside on the sound, as well as a pollinator garden. We like to end out trip searching for shark teeth in the dig area! Again, this place is packed on rainy days, so plan accordingly. Also, advance tickets are required, so purchase online before you go!
374 Airport Rd, Manteo, NC 27954
Eat pizza on the beach
Kids love the beach, and kids love pizza, so a pizza picnic on the beach is a no-brainer! Nags Head Pizza will deliver to a beach access (in Nags Head and possibly further-check their website for delivery radius). Make an evening of it at the beach, and get your dinner delivered right to your spot. Kids will get a kick out of a fun dinner, plus their pizza and salads are fantastic- win-win!
4036 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
Go Crazy with ice cream toppings
Ice cream is always going to be a kid favorite, but one of our top options, worthy of the kid-bucket-list-status, is Surfin Spoon in Nags Head. Adult wins: it’s local and family-owned, and their shop is super cute with plenty of seating inside and out. But most importantly, the kid wins: plenty of flavors of soft serve to choose from (with weekly rotations), and ALL the toppings you could dream of! Want Oreos and gummy worms? You bet. M&Ms, bananas, sprinkles and pretzels? Absolutely. Let your kids go nuts inventing their own sugary masterpiece. At least once!
3408 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
enjoy a beach bonfire
End your day on the Outer Banks with a classic beach bonfire, a surefire crowd pleaser and great, budget-friendly way to spend a summer evening! Beach fires are allowed from Nags Head south to Hatteras, but permits and regulations exist- check county info here. There’s also a company that you can hire to set up your bonfire for you, Outer Banks Beach Fires, if you prefer the hands-off approach. Either way, a fire and s’mores with friends and family is a great way to cap off a day on the OBX.
Start your OBX bucket list today with some of these all-time kid favorites! Inside or out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on this list- even the grownups.
