Nantucket Fun for Kids
Family friendly adventures, coastal activities, and memorable Nantucket experiences for every age.
Family Friendly Nantucket Experiences
Nantucket can feel like a summer playground for families, offering everything from quiet beach days and bike rides to hands on learning experiences and outdoor adventures. Whether you are visiting with toddlers, school age children, or teens, the island offers activities that make it easy to spend meaningful time together.
Families visiting Nantucket can explore nature walks, museums, playgrounds, sailing excursions, fishing charters, surfcasting trips, and seasonal programs designed specifically for children. During the summer season, the island also offers art workshops, music programs, theater activities, storytelling sessions, sports camps, sailing camps, and surfing instruction for younger visitors.
Nantucket’s museums also provide engaging educational experiences for children. The Whaling Museum features a Discovery Room designed for hands on learning, while the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum regularly offers youth focused programming during the season.
Beyond organized activities, some of Nantucket’s best family moments are often the simplest. Spend the afternoon at the beach, explore the island’s lighthouses, visit the playgrounds at Hinsdale Park and Codfish Park in Sconset, or enjoy the free summer Sunday evening concerts held at Children’s Beach.
Families can also enjoy harbor cruises, ice cream outings, sailing charters, fishing trips, and professional family portrait sessions to capture their time on island.
For seasonal activities and upcoming programs, explore the Nantucket Events Calendar for children and family friendly events happening throughout the year.
Family Activities & Experiences
Nantucket offers families a mix of outdoor adventure, creative programming, and relaxed island experiences that appeal to a wide range of ages. Spend the day exploring museums, visiting lighthouses, taking harbor cruises, or enjoying live music and seasonal family events around the island.
Children can participate in storytelling sessions, theater programs, art workshops, and hands on activities throughout the summer season, while families looking for outdoor adventure can explore sailing charters, fishing trips, surfcasting excursions, and scenic nature walks.
The Nantucket Arts Council offers community arts programming, workshops, exhibitions, and creative events designed to support artists and expand access to the arts on Nantucket. Located on Union Street in downtown Nantucket, the organization connects residents and visitors with classes, cultural programming, and opportunities to engage with the island’s creative community.
The Nantucket Arts Council offers community arts programming, workshops, exhibitions, and creative events designed to support artists and expand access to the arts on Nantucket. Located on Union Street in downtown Nantucket, the organization connects residents and visitors with classes, cultural programming, and opportunities to engage with the island’s creative community.
Barnaby’s Toy & Art is a Nantucket toy store and creative studio offering toys, books, art kits, children’s classes, and hands on activities designed to inspire creativity and play. Located on Oak Street, the shop combines imaginative retail experiences with seasonal classes, parties, and take home projects for children of all ages. Created by author and illustrator Wendy Rouillard, Barnaby’s brings together storytelling, art, and community in a colorful space designed for kids to create and explore.
Barnaby’s Toy & Art is a Nantucket toy store and creative studio offering toys, books, art kits, children’s classes, and hands on activities designed to inspire creativity and play. Located on Oak Street, the shop combines imaginative retail experiences with seasonal classes, parties, and take home projects for children of all ages. Created by author and illustrator Wendy Rouillard, Barnaby’s brings together storytelling, art, and community in a colorful space designed for kids to create and explore.
Endeavor Sailing offers daytime sails, sunset cruises, and private charters aboard a classic Friendship Sloop departing from Straight Wharf in downtown Nantucket. Led by Captain James Genthner, the charter welcomes both novice and experienced sailors for relaxed excursions around Nantucket Harbor and Nantucket Sound. Guests can help raise the sails, learn about the island’s maritime history, or simply enjoy the scenery from the deck of one of Nantucket’s longest operating sailing charters.
Endeavor Sailing offers daytime sails, sunset cruises, and private charters aboard a classic Friendship Sloop departing from Straight Wharf in downtown Nantucket. Led by Captain James Genthner, the charter welcomes both novice and experienced sailors for relaxed excursions around Nantucket Harbor and Nantucket Sound. Guests can help raise the sails, learn about the island’s maritime history, or simply enjoy the scenery from the deck of one of Nantucket’s longest operating sailing charters.
The Maria Mitchell Aquarium & Sea Shop is a seasonal marine science center located directly on Nantucket Harbor. Operated by the Maria Mitchell Association, the aquarium features locally collected marine species, interactive touch tanks, educational exhibits, and family friendly science programming focused on Nantucket’s coastal ecosystems. Visitors can explore local sea life while learning about the island’s marine environment through hands on experiences and marine ecology programs.
The Maria Mitchell Aquarium & Sea Shop is a seasonal marine science center located directly on Nantucket Harbor. Operated by the Maria Mitchell Association, the aquarium features locally collected marine species, interactive touch tanks, educational exhibits, and family friendly science programming focused on Nantucket’s coastal ecosystems. Visitors can explore local sea life while learning about the island’s marine environment through hands on experiences and marine ecology programs.
The Nantucket Family Resource Center provides free family support services, referrals, parenting resources, and youth assistance programs for Nantucket families and caregivers. Located at Freedom Square, the nonprofit organization helps connect children, parents, and caregivers with educational support, assessments, community programs, and guidance designed to strengthen family well being across the island.
The Nantucket Family Resource Center provides free family support services, referrals, parenting resources, and youth assistance programs for Nantucket families and caregivers. Located at Freedom Square, the nonprofit organization helps connect children, parents, and caregivers with educational support, assessments, community programs, and guidance designed to strengthen family well being across the island.
The Nantucket Historical Association Family Programs offer hands on educational experiences designed to connect children and families with Nantucket’s history, art, and culture. Through seasonal workshops, crafts, discovery activities, and interactive learning programs, the NHA creates engaging opportunities for families to explore the island together. Programs are designed for a range of ages and encourage creativity, storytelling, and hands on participation.
The Nantucket Historical Association Family Programs offer hands on educational experiences designed to connect children and families with Nantucket’s history, art, and culture. Through seasonal workshops, crafts, discovery activities, and interactive learning programs, the NHA creates engaging opportunities for families to explore the island together. Programs are designed for a range of ages and encourage creativity, storytelling, and hands on participation.
Steve Tuna’s Beach Fishing Adventures offers guided surf casting experiences across Nantucket’s remote beaches and shoreline fishing spots. Led by longtime local fisherman Steve “Tuna” Tornovish, each trip blends fishing, island exploration, and local knowledge in a relaxed, approachable format for all skill levels. From striped bass and bluefish to bonito and false albacore, it’s one of the most authentic ways to experience Nantucket’s coastline.
Steve Tuna’s Beach Fishing Adventures offers guided surf casting experiences across Nantucket’s remote beaches and shoreline fishing spots. Led by longtime local fisherman Steve “Tuna” Tornovish, each trip blends fishing, island exploration, and local knowledge in a relaxed, approachable format for all skill levels. From striped bass and bluefish to bonito and false albacore, it’s one of the most authentic ways to experience Nantucket’s coastline.
The Tall Ship Lynx offers a one-of-a-kind sailing experience aboard a beautifully crafted interpretation of an 1812 privateer schooner. Departing from Nantucket during the summer season, the vessel combines scenic harbor sails with hands-on maritime education and living history. Whether joining a public cruise, sunset sail, or educational program, guests experience Nantucket’s seafaring heritage in an immersive and unforgettable way.
The Tall Ship Lynx offers a one-of-a-kind sailing experience aboard a beautifully crafted interpretation of an 1812 privateer schooner. Departing from Nantucket during the summer season, the vessel combines scenic harbor sails with hands-on maritime education and living history. Whether joining a public cruise, sunset sail, or educational program, guests experience Nantucket’s seafaring heritage in an immersive and unforgettable way.
Nantucket Camps
Nantucket offers a wide variety of summer camps and youth programs designed for children of different ages and interests. Families visiting for extended stays can choose from half day and full day programs focused on sailing, surfing, sports, art, theater, music, and outdoor exploration.
Many camps operate throughout the summer season and provide children with opportunities to stay active, creative, and connected while parents enjoy time exploring the island.
Nantucket Community School Camp offers seasonal youth programs, enrichment classes, and summer activities designed for children of varying ages and interests. Programs include arts, sports, outdoor activities, STEM experiences, and educational workshops led by instructors and community partners across Nantucket. The camp and youth programming focus on creating accessible, engaging experiences that support creativity, learning, and community connection throughout the year.
Nantucket Community School Camp offers seasonal youth programs, enrichment classes, and summer activities designed for children of varying ages and interests. Programs include arts, sports, outdoor activities, STEM experiences, and educational workshops led by instructors and community partners across Nantucket. The camp and youth programming focus on creating accessible, engaging experiences that support creativity, learning, and community connection throughout the year.
Murray Children's Camp of Nantucket Island
Murray Camp offers summer camp programs on Nantucket designed around outdoor play, creativity, sports, exploration, and hands on activities for children. Located at Nobadeer Farm Road, the camp provides age based programs focused on building confidence, friendships, teamwork, and active island experiences throughout the summer season.
- Murray Children's Camp of Nantucket Island Website
Murray Children's Camp of Nantucket Island
Murray Camp offers summer camp programs on Nantucket designed around outdoor play, creativity, sports, exploration, and hands on activities for children. Located at Nobadeer Farm Road, the camp provides age based programs focused on building confidence, friendships, teamwork, and active island experiences throughout the summer season.
Beaches & Outdoor Fun
From calm harbor beaches to scenic bike paths and playgrounds, Nantucket offers families countless ways to enjoy time outdoors. Spend the day building sandcastles, exploring nature trails, or relaxing at family friendly beaches perfect for younger swimmers.
Popular spots like the Discovery Playground at Hinsdale Park and Codfish Park Playground in Sconset make easy stops while exploring the island. Whether planning beach days or sunset walks, Nantucket makes outdoor family time feel effortless.
Family Portraits
A Nantucket vacation often becomes part of a family’s traditions, making professional family portraits one of the island’s most meaningful keepsakes. From beach sunsets and cobblestone streets to dune paths and harbor views, Nantucket offers beautiful natural settings for family photography sessions.
Whether you are planning annual portraits, multigenerational family photos, or candid vacation photography, local photographers help capture your time on island in a timeless coastal setting.
Explore Nantucket by Bike
Skip traffic. Cruise beaches. Explore more.
- Bike Paths & Maps
- Bike Rentals
- Tips & Guides
View Bike Guide
Plan Your Nantucket Family Adventure
- Book camps and popular family activities early during the summer season
- Bring bikes or rent them to explore Nantucket’s scenic bike paths
- Keep beach gear lightweight since many beaches require short walks
- Plan a mix of beach days, indoor activities, and evening events
- Check the Nantucket Events Calendar for family programs and concerts
- Pack layers since island weather can change quickly throughout the day
- Reserve family portrait sessions in advance during peak summer weeks
- Consider harbor side beaches for calmer water and younger children
- Keep rainy day backup plans like museums, shopping, and casual dining nearby
- Leave time for slower moments like ice cream, walks, harbor watching, and sunset strolls
Explore Nantucket Beaches
From calm harbor shores to wide ocean beaches, Nantucket offers something for every kind of beach day.
- Calm beaches for families
- Surf beaches
- Sunset spots
- Easy-access beaches near town
Find Your Perfect Beach
View Nantucket Beaches
Photo by Sonja O’Brien
Nantucket
Events
In One Place
Discover what’s happening
on island this week
Things to Do
Nantucket
Beaches, bike paths, museums, events & more, something for everyone, every season.
Your perfect Nantucket day starts here