Family Fun in the Seacoast: Kid-Friendly Stops

New Hampshire's coastline is short, but it packs a lot into a small space, and that makes it one of the easiest parts of the state to visit with children. Drive times are short, the beaches are close to the towns, and there is a good mix of things to do when the kids have had enough sand. This guide covers things to do with kids on the NH Seacoast that hold up year after year, with family-friendly businesses from our directory and a few tips for planning a day that works for everyone.

As always, hours and seasons change, so check each place's own site before you go.

Planning a Seacoast day with kids

The Seacoast runs from Seabrook and Hampton in the south up through Rye and Portsmouth, with Stratham, Exeter and Dover a little inland. Most families split their time between the beach towns and Portsmouth, and that works well because the two are only about 15 miles apart.

A few general tips help:

• Do the big outing early. Popular attractions get busier as the day goes on, especially on summer weekends. Arriving near opening time usually means shorter lines and cooler temperatures.
• Mix active and quiet stops. A morning at a water park or the beach pairs well with a calmer afternoon at a farm or a museum.
• Pack for the coast. Sea breezes can make the shore feel cooler than inland towns, and the sun is stronger than it feels. Sunscreen, hats, water and a layer are worth bringing.
• Keep a rain plan. An indoor or covered stop, such as walking through a submarine, saves a wet day.

Water Country, Portsmouth

Water Country in Portsmouth calls itself New England's largest water park, and for many Seacoast families it is the anchor of a summer day. The park has 18 family-friendly water attractions, including the Giant Wave Pool and Adventure River, along with play areas such as Tahiti Tree House for younger children. Because the park is built around a mix of thrill rides and slower attractions, it works for a range of ages in one visit.

Plan for a full day here, and check the park's site for its season and any current policies on bags, food and lockers before you pack.

USS Albacore at Albacore Park, Portsmouth

For something different, Albacore Park in Portsmouth is home to the USS Albacore, a research submarine built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and launched by the U.S. Navy in 1953. The Albacore was decommissioned in 1972 and later moved to what is now Albacore Park, where it sits in a dry basin and opened to the public in 1986. The site is a National Historic Landmark.

The best part for kids is going inside. Visitors can look through the periscope and walk through the control room, engineering spaces and bunk rooms on a self-guided tour, with recordings by former crew members telling stories from their time aboard. The park also has a maritime museum, gift shop and memorial garden. The spaces inside a submarine are tight, which most kids find fascinating, though it is worth knowing in advance if anyone in your group is uneasy in small spaces.

Albacore Park is a good choice for a hot afternoon or a cloudy day, and it is easy to combine with lunch in downtown Portsmouth.

Mini golf near Hampton Beach

Hampton Beach is the busiest beach community in New Hampshire, with Ocean Boulevard running along the shore past a boardwalk, shops and seasonal hotels. Mini golf is a Hampton tradition, and two courses from our directory are worth knowing.

Captain's Cove Adventure Golf, Hampton

Captain's Cove Adventure Golf on Lafayette Road is a nautical-themed course with a waterfall, streams, coves and shipwrecks to discover as you play. The course includes sand traps, water hazards and tricky turns, which keeps it interesting for older kids and adults. It also serves ice cream, Dippin' Dots and slushies, so it is easy to turn a round into an afternoon treat.

Buc's Lagoon, Hampton Beach

Buc's Lagoon is right on the Hampton Beach strip on Ocean Boulevard. It combines an 18-hole mini golf course with an ice cream stand serving more than 50 flavors of soft serve, hard serve favorites and custom sundaes. Because it sits on the beach strip, it is an easy evening stop after a day on the sand.

Farms with room to roam

Seacoast farms give kids a chance to run around and pick something themselves, which tends to be a hit.

Applecrest Farm Orchards, Hampton Falls

Applecrest Farm on Exeter Road (Route 88) in Hampton Falls is a family farm in its fourth generation, and it bills itself as the largest apple orchard in New Hampshire. Its farm market carries meats, cheeses, dairy, local produce and the farm's own apples, and the bakery makes pies, breads, crisps, cookies and cider donuts from scratch. Applecrest is busiest in the fall, but it is worth a stop any time the market is open, and it is only a few minutes inland from Hampton Beach.

Blueberry Bay Farm, Stratham

Blueberry Bay Farm on Depot Road in Stratham is a 12-acre, chemical-free pick-your-own farm. Blueberries are the headline, and the farm also offers other fruits, vegetables, plants and pumpkins depending on the season. The farm has used an honor system, so bring cash or a check in case cards are not accepted. Berry picking is one of the best low-key activities for small children, since it is easy to do and they get to eat as they go.

Pick-your-own seasons depend on the weather, so check the farm's site or call before heading out.

Beaches and parks

The beaches themselves are the main attraction for most families. Hampton Beach State Park was named one of four "Superstar" beaches in the United States in 2011 for perfect water-quality testing results. Farther north, Odiorne Point State Park in Rye offers hiking, cycling, picnicking and fishing, and is home to the Seacoast Science Center and the remains of the World War II-era Fort Dearborn. Tide pools, open lawns and short paths make Odiorne a good break from the busier beaches.

Sample family days

A beach and boardwalk day: Spend the morning on Hampton Beach, take a lunch break, then play a round at Buc's Lagoon or Captain's Cove and finish with ice cream.

A Portsmouth day: Start at Water Country when it opens, or tour the USS Albacore at Albacore Park, then head into downtown Portsmouth for dinner.

A farm day: Pick berries at Blueberry Bay Farm in Stratham in the morning, stop at Applecrest Farm for baked goods, then cool off at the beach in the afternoon.

Tips for traveling with kids on the Seacoast

Parking at the beaches can fill quickly on summer weekends, so plan to arrive early or come later in the afternoon. Bring a small bag with snacks and water for each child, because lines and walking distances add up. For younger children, plan one main activity per half day rather than trying to see everything. For older kids, let them choose one stop so they feel part of the plan. And keep an eye on the weather: coastal fog and afternoon thunderstorms can change plans quickly, so it helps to have an indoor option in mind.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest attraction for kids on the NH Seacoast?

Water Country in Portsmouth, which calls itself New England's largest water park, is the biggest single family attraction in the area.

Is there something to do with kids on a rainy day on the Seacoast?

Touring the USS Albacore at Albacore Park in Portsmouth is a good rainy-day choice, since much of the visit is inside the submarine and museum.

Where can kids go mini golfing near Hampton Beach?

Captain's Cove Adventure Golf on Lafayette Road and Buc's Lagoon on Ocean Boulevard both offer mini golf in Hampton.

Where can we pick berries on the Seacoast?

Blueberry Bay Farm in Stratham is a pick-your-own farm known for blueberries. Check its site for the current season.

Sources

• Water Country official site: https://www.watercountry.com
• Albacore Park official site (history, tour, National Historic Landmark): https://www.ussalbacore.org
• Captain's Cove Adventure Golf official site: https://www.smallgolf.com/
• Buc's Lagoon official site: https://www.bucslagoon.com
• Applecrest Farm Orchards official site: https://www.applecrest.com
• Blueberry Bay Farm official site: https://www.blueberrybayfarm.com/about.html
• Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Ocean Boulevard, busiest beach community, Superstar beach): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Beach,_New_Hampshire
• Odiorne Point State Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odiorne_Point_State_Park