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The Top 5 Fun Places for Kids in Barnstable, Massachusetts
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Monday, December 2, 2019

Cape Cod Kids

When planning a family vacation to Cape Cod, it's essential to keep your kids' interests in mind. After all, you want them to enjoy themselves, too, and spending too much time relaxing on the beach or exploring the historic sites might get a little repetitive for them.

Luckily, Cape Cod is full of child-friendly activities and locations, giving you plenty of ways to keep them busy.

Whether you want a night out with the entire family or to check out the wildlife on a nature walk, you'll have countless options throughout the Cape.

Barnstable is particularly loaded with places to spend time with your children, so here are the top five fun sites for kids in Cape Cod's only city.

1) Ryan's Ten Pin Eatery

When looking for a location that the entire family can enjoy, Ryan's Ten Pin Eatery is at the top of the list because it has a little bit of everything. This venue is, first and foremost, a bowling alley, but it also features an arcade, some escape rooms, laser tag, and a golf simulator to enjoy.

In addition, there is an on-site restaurant where you can feed the family or stop in for drinks while the kids play.

Ryan's Ten Pin Eatery truly is a destination for everyone who is joining you on your Cape Cod vacation, and since it's located at the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, it's easily accessible from many vacation rentals on the Mid Cape. If you want to keep your kids occupied, they can spend hours at a time at Ryan's Ten Pin Eatery without any trouble whatsoever.

2) Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

The great thing about vacationing on Cape Cod is that not everything has to cost a fortune. Case and point, the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Cummaquid, which provides 2.5 miles of hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities with reasonable rates of $4 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

The Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary leads to an area that overlooks Barnstable Harbor, but before you get there, you'll cross meadows filled with butterflies, wander trails through the woods, and even see a working farm with animals. Eventually, you'll get to the sandy beach, where you'll see tidal flats and have a view of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach.

Depending on when you visit, you might even have the chance to participate in an interactive kayak or boat tour into the harbor, ensuring that you get to know as much about this scenic portion of Cape Cod as possible.

3) Cape Codder Water Park

There's a chance that you won't have sun every day of your vacation on the Cape, which is why you'll be happy that the Cape Codder Water Park exists. This park, which is part of the Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis, has a retractable roof, so when it's raining outside, the roof closes, and you won't have to worry about the weather.

No matter what the weather looks like outside, this park is the place to keep your kids entertained because it features two giant waterslides, two smaller options, a river ride, an area for smaller children, and a wave pool. There are also saunas, hot tubs, change rooms, and a cafe, making the water park a spot where you can spend the entire day.

You'll also be happy to know that the waterpark is open year-round, so if you're visiting the Cape during the off-season, you can still take your children to the waterslides.

4) Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze

Located just outside of downtown Hyannis, on West Main Street, Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze is a great place to spend a few hours with the kids. For starters, this venue has a wide selection of soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt, so it's an excellent choice if you're heading out for dessert.

Or, if you're after something a little more substantial, Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze has a small menu featuring hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, and, of course, a lobster roll.

The major draw at Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze, however, is the mini-golf course, which provides the perfect place to wind down after a day spent exploring the Cape, or an excellent way to keep the children active after enjoying a hearty lunch.

No matter how you choose to spend your time at Steve & Sue's Par-Tee Freeze, your family is sure to love it.

5) Luke's Love Boundless Playground

For younger children, Luke's Love Boundless Playground gives you the chance to relax while the kids blow off some energy. The park is named after Luke Powers, a baby boy who tragically passed away in 2000. Luke's parents created the Luke Vincent Powers Foundation, a charity that funds opportunities for children in need, in his memory.

On April 5, 2019, the Powers family was able to open Luke's Love Boundless Playground, providing a free place to spend some time in West Barnstable. The park is along Meetinghouse Way, right beside the Lombard Park baseball diamond, and close to both Route 6 and Route 6A.

As for the park itself, it has slides, a climbing wall, some swings, and other playground favorites for your kids to enjoy. It also features a rubber-based floor that prevents injuries. If you're looking for a place to fill a few hours in Barnstable without spending any money, Luke's Love Boundless Playground is worth considering.

Options for Any Budget

As you can see, you don't have to spend a lot of money to keep your kids busy because there are places that you can visit for free or with nominal fees. Or, if you want to find the perfect mix of entertainment for the children and fun for the adults, there are venues offering activities for both.

Barnstable is home to some of the Cape's most bustling villages, and also has excellent beaches, scenic marinas, outstanding shopping, and first-class dining. The city is perfect for kids, too, so make sure you check out some places that they'll appreciate during your Cape Cod vacation.

Barnstable Kids Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary Lukes Love Playground Mini Golf Steve Sues Ten Pin Eatery Water Parks

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