Summer 2026: Everything we did on Cape Cod with kids
Every summer our family spends an extended stay on Cape Cod, and this year we challenged ourselves to make the most of every day by creating a family summer bucket list.
Some adventures were planned in advance, while others happened because it started raining or someone suggested trying somewhere new. Looking back, this might have been one of our favorite summers yet.
If you're planning a Cape Cod vacation - or you're lucky enough to spend the summer here - I hope this list gives you some ideas for your own family adventures.
Outdoor Adventures
Heritage Museums & Gardens
We visited during the Hydrangea Festival and quickly realized this is so much more than a flower garden. Between the historic carousel, Hidden Hollow, the classic car collection, Old East Mill, Lily's Café, and the beautiful walking paths, we could have spent an entire day exploring.
Parker's River Landing
Parker's River Landing quickly became a frequent stop for us on the Cape. The playground has something for a wide range of ages, and the soft recycled rubber surface made it comfortable for little ones to run, climb, and explore. We also loved the large, flat walking path, which was perfect for bikes, scooters, or an easy family stroll along the water. It's conveniently located right across the street from the Whydah Pirate Museum and Captain Parker's, making it easy to turn into a full morning or afternoon outing.
🎥 Watch our Parkers Landing recap here
Dennis-Yarmouth Red Sox Game
Spending an evening at a Dennis-Yarmouth Red Sox game was a fun way for our large group to switch things up after so many beach days and nights spent at home. It's an affordable, family-friendly outing that combines America's favorite pastime with a relaxed Cape Cod atmosphere. Bring a few lawn chairs and a blanket to spread out on the grass, pack your own snacks, or grab dinner from the concession stand, which has a great variety of food. The girls' favorite stops, though, were definitely the ice cream stand and the team merchandise shop! Whether you're a baseball fan or simply looking for a different way to spend a summer evening, it's a great addition to your Cape Cod itinerary.
Skull Island Adventure Golf
The girls had been hearing all about golf from their dad and grandfather, so they were excited to try it for themselves. We spent the morning at Skull Island, starting at the driving range before making our way over to the mini golf course. It was a fun way to break up the day and introduce them to a new activity.
Barnstable County Fair
A classic Cape Cod summer tradition! Between the rides, games, animals, and fair food, there was something for everyone. If you're visiting while it's in town, it's definitely worth adding to your itinerary. The dates for 2027 were just announced as July 19 – July 25, 2027.
Bass River
One of our favorite ways to spend a summer day is out on the boat. Since our family keeps a boat at Bass River Marina, we were excited to finally try Harbor Fox Coffee before heading down to check on the boat and spend the day on the water. Their viral double coffee definitely lived up to the hype! After a day of boating, one of our favorite traditions is docking back at the marina and grabbing a seat at The Summer Shanty. There's nothing better than relaxing on the lawn with dinner, drinks, and beautiful waterfront views while watching the boats come and go.
Cape Towns We Explored
Harwich
One of our favorite days was spent exploring Harwich and Harwich Port. We started the morning with tennis lessons before heading to the beautiful Cape Cod Lavender Fields, where we wandered through the flowers, found the fairy house, and browsed the adorable gift shop. Just a short drive away, Harwich Port was the perfect place to spend the afternoon shopping. Some of our favorite stops included The Silly Goose, Sativa & Soleil, and Murphy's General Store, where we picked up a few souvenirs before heading home.
🎥 Watch our day in Harwich here
Hyannis
We found ourselves in Hyannis several times throughout the summer, and every visit felt a little different.
We loved strolling down Main Street, stopping into local shops, grabbing candy and ice cream from Kandy Korner, picking up popcorn from Smith Family Popcorn, and finishing the evening with dinner at Alberto's Ristorante.
Don't miss the colorful Hyannis HyArts Artist Shanties, where local artists sell handmade artwork and gifts along the waterfront.
Brewster
A stop at Ocean Edge Resort is always worth it, even if you're not staying there. We loved walking the property before heading over to the Brewster General Store, one of those classic Cape general stores that's fun to browse for gifts, candy, and local goodies.
Rainy Day Favorites
Whydah Pirate Museum
If you have kids who love pirates, the Whydah Pirate Museum is a fun stop to add to your Cape itinerary. The museum is interactive and does a great job bringing the story of the Whydah shipwreck to life, with real artifacts recovered from the ocean and exhibits that keep both kids and adults engaged. It was a great rainy-day activity and something a little different from our usual beach adventures.
One of the best parts is that it's conveniently located right across the street from Parker's River Landing, making it easy to combine both into one outing. We spent the morning exploring the museum, let the girls burn off some energy at the playground, and then wrapped up the day with lunch at Captain Parker's, which is just steps away.
Cuffy's
A rainy-day tradition for our family. We watched the singing bear, got glitter tattoos, visited the jelly bean wall, sounded the foghorn, and of course left with new Cape Cod sweatshirts.
🎥 Watch our Cuffy’s recap here
Cape Cod Mall
One rainy afternoon, we escaped the weather with a trip to the Cape Cod Mall to watch Toy Story 5. As longtime Toy Story fans, it was a movie our whole family had been looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. The theater's oversized reclining seats left plenty of space between groups, which was especially appreciated with two young kids. When my youngest started to get a little restless during the movie, she was able to stand by her seat and stretch without feeling like she was too close to anyone else. It made the experience much more relaxing for everyone, and we all loved the movie.
Although we ran out of time, we noticed Aloha Mini Glow Golf, a neon indoor mini golf course located right inside the mall, and it's already on our list for our next visit. Before heading home, we made one last stop at Barnes & Noble, where the girls picked out a few new books and definitely made out like bandits.
Honorable Mention: Hammer & Stain
We decided to switch up one of our usual Cape date nights and try something completely different by taking a resin art class at Hammer & Stain in Sandwich. My husband was a great sport - and the only man in the class! -but even he admitted it was a fun experience and enjoyed trying something new. We each created a resin Cape Cod sign that now hangs in our home as a reminder of this summer.
After class, we walked over to Tomatos Trattoria, a cozy Italian restaurant just around the corner, and ended the evening with a delicious dinner. It made for the perfect date night and was a fun reminder that even while vacationing with kids, it's nice to sneak away for an evening together.
Beach Traditions
Honestly, these are some of my favorite memories every summer.
Sandy Handprints
Every year we bring a few blank canvases and Elmer's glue to the beach to make handprint keepsakes. It's inexpensive, a little messy, and completely worth it. Once we're home, I add one of our favorite beach photos using my Instax printer so we always remember that day.
🎥 Watch our DIY here
Shell Painting
One of our favorite low-cost beach activities. We collect shells during the week, bring a few paints to the beach, and let the kids decorate their treasures before bringing them home. Links: Paint Palettes, Watercolor Paints and Paint Brushes
Favorite Eats
One of our favorite parts of every Cape Cod summer is trying new places while still making time for our annual stops. Whether you're looking for a quick ice cream stop after the beach, a family-friendly dinner, or a sweet treat while exploring a new town, these are a few spots we found ourselves returning to all summer long.
Our favorites included:
Cape Cod Creamery – One of our go-to ice cream stops with so many delicious flavors.
The Skipper – A Cape classic that's perfect after a day at the beach.
Lil' Caboose – We never miss the chance to grab ice cream, play on the playground and let the girls ring the train bell .
Backyard at Foley's – Great drinks, great vibe and great food truck options.
Harbor Fox Coffee – Known for their viral double coffee, and it definitely lived up to the hype. My favorites were the Salted Caramel and Campfire flavors. A great spot to grab coffee before heading out for a day on the boat.
Captain Parker's – A family favorite after visiting Parker's River Landing and the Whydah Pirate Museum.
Alberto's Ristorante – A great Italian dinner spot while spending the evening in Hyannis.
Smith Family Popcorn – We couldn't leave Main Street without bringing home a bag (or two!).
Kandy Korner – Candy, ice cream, and a must-stop whenever we're in Hyannis.
Our Summer Bucket List
One of our favorite traditions this year was creating a family summer bucket list before we left for the Cape. We checked off as many adventures as we could, and it ended up inspiring some of our favorite memories. If you'd like to create your own, you can download our free printable below!
🎥 Watch our DIY here
Our Favorite Memories
Looking back, what I'll remember most isn't checking every box on our bucket list. It's watching the girls become a little more adventurous, discovering new favorite places, and realizing that some of our best days weren't the ones we planned.
If you're heading to Cape Cod with kids, I hope this list helps you create a few memories of your own. And if you have a favorite Cape activity we should add to our list next summer, I'd love to hear it in the comments!
With love,
The Nest Collective
Creating meaningful moments, celebrating life's milestones, and helping families make memories that last.
