Top 10 Activities for Kids on the Outer Banks

kids activties
Every parent desires to build memories with their child and what better way to build memories than when you’re on vacation. Going on vacation can get costly especially if you have kids, but fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Here is a list of activities you can do with the kids for little to no cost while you are staying in the Outer Banks.

Go Crabbing

This is a fun activity for all ages. When I was a young child we would go crabbing in the sound all the time. There are a few things you will need for this activity. First you will need a bucket, a net, some raw chicken, and some string (strong enough to hold the chicken.) Once you have this you will want to cut the chicken into chunks and tie the string around it. After that you are ready to go. Once you get to the sound dump your chicken into the water while holding onto the string. Soon enough you will have a crab gran onto the chicken. Scoop the crab out of the water with the net and place it in the bucket with water. Once you have had all the fun you can handle you can release the crabs you have caught. You are able to keep them as long as they meet requirements. I would check with a local bait and tackle shop to see what the requirements are as they may change.

Visit a Lighthouse

Making a trip to the lighthouse can be both fun and educational. There are three different lighthouses to choose from here in the Outer banks. First you have the Currituck Lighthouse in Corolla, then you have Bodie Island located in South Nags Head, and last you have Cape Hatteras which is located in Buxton. The kids will enjoy climbing to the top and seeing the view.

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

This would be a fun rain day activity. Many places you visit will have an aquarium close by but the kids always seem to enjoy going. At the aquarium kids will be able to see alligators, otters, and the largest collection of sharks in the state. They will love the touching tank full of stingrays and the hand on sea turtle rescue exhibit. If you go when it is not raining make sure to check out the nature trail and the sound side pier.

The Island Farm in Manteo

After visiting the Aquarium make sure to stop by The Island Farm for a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Here you will be able to experience island life as it was more than 150 years ago. Children will get the chance to dress up, play with toys and games from the 19th century, and play and feed the farm animals. Be sure to check their event page online before going. They offer special programs such as ox-drawn wagons rides and wash day on the farm only certain days of the week.

Visit Jockey’s Ridge

What could be more fun than climbing a large sand dune?! Nothing! That is why visiting Jockey’s Ridge is on our list! Kids will love running up the large sand dunes and then rolling down. Be careful though! In the summer the sand can get hot.

Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial READ MORE

Digging Out: Memory Monday January 25, 2016.

Digging Out

While most of the East Coast of the U.S. is digging out on this Monday from winter storm Jonas we thought it would be appropriate to remind you of warmer thoughts and share this photo from Heather Portillo of Edmond, Oklahoma who stayed with Outer Banks Blue last July in the vacation rental property “Heaven Sent.”

This image of these two cuties gives us a much better idea of what digging out is supposed to mean.

Now raise your hands….whose up for some digging in the sand in July instead of digging snow in January?!

Good day to make a reservation for your summer vacation…just sayin.

All the best from the beach!

Last Monday of 2015!: Memory Monday December 28, 2015.

Last Monday of 2015!

We are sad to see 2015 go, but looking forward to a great 2016, and so on this last Memory Monday of the year we present photo memories from our friend Amy Duchnowski of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania who stayed with Outer Banks Blue in the vacation rental property “A Corolla Corral” in the Monteray Shores area of Corolla.

Amy shares with us a couple of shots of kids on the beach, and a shot of one of our locals in the sand dunes.  We love wild horse pictures like this that show the beauty, while at the same time respecting the distance needed to keep you and the animals safe.

 

Thanks Amy for your photo memories of your Outer Banks Blue vacation.   We look forward to serving you and your family again soon.

All the best from the beach!

Strawberry Season!

It is mid-May which means only one thing for a lot of folks – Strawberry Picking time!The endless winter of 2014 made for a slow start to the season, but things are in full swing now as all of the local spots are open and the fields are full of folks getting their fill of the tasty fruit.

Strawberries anyone?

There must be something about the sandy soil around here that makes for perfect growing conditions because we think the berrys around here are the best!There is a pick your own Strawberry patch just over the Currituck bridge in Point Harbor.  You can bring your own container or they have buckets available for you there.   You should bring something to put the berrys in after you pick them, and be aware that this is a cash only business.  They sell the berrys by the pound.  On Saturday the fields were full of families as well as fruit.  What a gorgeous day!The best thing about picking berries is that it is such a great family activity.   Here’s one of the author’s 10 year old twin daughters holding up a perfect berry.   Sadly, this berry didn’t make it to the bucket.  She ate it!All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Cape Hatteras Light Gets a Facelift

Construction crews showed up last week in Buxton for the paint job of a lifetime.    The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, probably the most well known lighthouse in the world, is being repainted.

The iconic Cape Hatteras Light

The work is being done by H.I.S. Painting of Titusville, Florida and the work is expected to take a few weeks. As you can see from this photo below the paint is fading and the famous black and white candy striping is fading a bit as you can see the bricks through the white paint.

The white paint is wearing thin

The lighthouse needs to be repainted approximately once every 10 years according to a news article in the Virginian Pilot newspaper.The painting contractor will apply a sealant, a primer, and then two coats of paint on the grand old lady which this year celebrated its 144th birthday.   The current lighthouse is the 3rd lighthouse that has been in place at Cape Hatteras, and it survived an epic “move of the millennium” to escape erosion at the light’s base.  In 1999 the lighthouse was moved to its current location from a location of 1500 feet from the east. 450 gallons of paint will be used to do the job, and workers will work off of scaffolding that will be held in place by ropes from the observation deck some 200 feet off of the ground.  There was no estimate about how much “blue tape” will be used to ensure the lines will be sharp when it is painted.All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Top 5 Kid-Friendly Features to Look for When Booking a Vacation Rental

When you’re traveling with kids of any age, you know it’s critical to pack everything possible to make their experience a real treat. However, even though you’ll drive to the Outer Banks, it may not be feasible to bring all they want to your vacation destination.

When booking your family-friendly vacation rental, make a point to look for these five amenities. They go a long way to ensuring your little kids, tweens and even teens have a memorable time.

=&0=&

Sleeping in a new environment is a fun experience for kids of all ages – if there is age-appropriate bedding, that is. Look for kid-friendly options including bunk beds, dorm-style rooms, single beds and other choices that will allow your children to have a blast and sleep soundly.

=&1=&

Vacations are about having fun, so search for properties that offer games. Whether good, old-fashioned game tables (such as air hockey or foosball) or video game consoles such as Wii or Xbox, the entire family can play together.

=&2=&

It’s impossible to control the weather during every vacation. Planning for days with poor conditions is a must when you have kids. Rentals that provide DVD players are a lifesaver in these instances. A quick trip to the local rental machine or store can turn the tone from tearful to joyful.

=&3=&

The extra room that bedding, chairs and other essentials take up in your vehicle can be a strain. Look for vacation rentals that provide porta-cribs, highchairs, pack-and-plays, etc. to ensure your baby has everything s/he needs.

=&4=&

Whether you’re reserving a beachfront cottage or a luxurious golf-course manor, a private pool is a must. Smaller kids can quickly tire of the wind, noise and confusion on the beach. Having a quiet pool all your own to relax or play in is the perfect alternative.

When you search the Outer Banks Blue site, be sure to check the box for “baby equipment.” You’ll be shown vacation rentals offering necessities that will make your child’s stay (and yours!) more enjoyable. 

Memory Monday 4/14/14

Posing at the beach.Today’s Memory Monday Photo submission comes to us from Kelly Aultz of South Park, Pennsylvania who stayed with us last August in the property “Wine N Sea” in Duck.Kelly describes this as “The perfect Christmas Card picture.”Thanks Kelly for sharing this great photo.All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Memory Monday 3/17/14

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!This is the day all of us are a little more Irish and as an Irish-American let me wish you “Erin go Bragh” (Ireland Forever!).As we look at this week’s Memory Monday submission, which comes to us from Kathleen Motley-Hale from Lexington, Kentucky who stayed with Outer Banks Blue last July in the property “Derrycon” in Nags Head we think of how important family is in our lives.  We are always reminded of how important family is on a holiday and we think of family and friends.

A Happy Family!

We just love the fact this family is together (note the green on some of the outfits for St. Patrick’s day) and happy on the Outer Banks at one of our properties.Thanks Kathleen, we look forward to serving you and your family again this year on the property you have already reserved for this coming summer!All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Memory Monday 1/27/14

Happy to be at The Beach!This week’s Memory Monday photo submission comes to us from Lissette Petry, of Rockaway, New Jersey who stayed with us in Corolla at the property “Guest Quarters” last July.These two photos really capture the joy of young ones being at the beach and we could use a nice warm beach thought right about now with the temperatures we’ve seen recently and the snow we’ve all been digging out of recently.

Jumping for Joy at the beach!
Building Sand Castles at The Beach!

Thanks Lissette for your photo submission.   It made our Monday!All the best from the beach!By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services

Copyright 2021 © Outer Banks Blue. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Website Design by InterCoastal Net Designs