During the summer time there is never a lack of things to do with kids on Cape Cod. However, it can get a little tricky during the winter months to find things to do on the weekends when the kids are out of school. Winter on Cape Cod can sometimes feel like the entire Cape has been boarded up for a long winter nap. Here is a list of the top 5 Cape Cod kid activities for the winter season you need to check out!
Bowling
There are a couple of bowling alleys spread around the Cape for families to enjoy. The Ryan Family Amusements bowling alley in Yarmouth has both candle pin and 10 pin bowling, with an arcade and snack bar. The Yarmouth location is right on Route 28 across from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The Orleans Bowling Center has candle pin and a fantastic barbecue restaurant Big Dogs Barbecue that has received rave reviews, perfect for a game and lunch or dinner. It is located on Route 6A right off of exit 12 of the highway. There is also a Ryan Family Amusements on Main Street in Hyannis if you want to go for a stroll downtown before or after bowling.
Swimming
There are a handful of resorts, health clubs and hotels that allow the public to use their pool for a fee. Some even offer punch cards or monthly memberships, so your visits are at a discounted rate. This is one of the Cape Cod kid activities for the winter season that can be enjoyed in the winter months or summer months on days that are not suitable for the beach. The Quality Inn in Hyannis opens their pool to the public for $12 per person. The Cape Codder Resort also allows the public to use their pool and water park which was recently renovated for $25 per person, $15 for children under 48? and a spectator or non swimmer pass for $20. They encourage you to bring your own towels since there is a towel rental fee. They also run specials such as after school discounts.
The Four Points Sheraton pool in Eastham is open to the public and has drop-in passes for $15 per person, but they also have coupon booklets or monthly passes which gives swimmers a little discount. You do need to bring your own towel when visiting their pool. The Chatham Health & Swim Club has day passes that not only give you access to the pool, but also the entire facility. The day pass is $20 and they ask that you bring your own towels and bath cap to swim. They are located right on Crowell Road in Chatham, and say that they have the cleanest pool on Cape Cod!
Museums
On Cape Cod, we have a variety of museums to choose from to take the kids to learn about their environment, history or to just be kids and have fun. The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History located in Brewster has a variety of programs, lectures, workshops, videos and speakers that change daily which make it easy for all ages to enjoy this museum. If it’s a nice day outside, take a walk on one of their many trails on the grounds to see Cape Cod’s natural landscape change throughout the seasons.
The Whydah Pirate Museum changed locations from their Provincetown home to a bigger location in South Yarmouth (in the old Zooquarium building). Check out the treasures that were collected from the old pirate ship and learn about Cape Cod’s history with this interactive museum attraction. The Cape Cod Children’s Museum in Mashpee is a great place to spend the day with the kids where they can explore the giant tree house, make believe in the play village or partake in one of their many other play stations for the kids. There is a nice mix of thought provoking activities where kids use problem solving skills, along with other activities where children are encouraged to use their imagination and enjoy themselves.
Ice Skating
Since you are all bundled up for the winter weather anyway, it’s a good time to get on the ice and enjoy this particular selection of our Cape Cod kid activities for the winter. There is the Charles Moore Arena located in Orleans and the Tony Kent Arena in the town of Dennis close to the Patriot’s Square shopping center. At the Charles Moore Arena, they have public skating hours and it is only $5 for adults, $4 for kids and skate rentals are $2. In addition to public skating they also offer classes for varying age groups and a snack for if you work up an appetite on the ice. At the Tony Kent Arena, they also have public skating which is $6 for adults, $5 for kids and a $4 skate rental. This arena has skating lessons, figure skating and hockey teams for almost all ages.
Movies
There are movie theaters in the towns of Dennis, Hyannis and Wellfleet that play family friendly movies. The Regal Cinema in Hyannis is the largest of the theaters located at the Cape Cod Mall, offering stadium seating and more movie options and showtimes. The Wellfleet Cinema (located right next door to the Wellfleet Drive-in) is the smaller of the three cinemas with only four screens, but it still offers a nice variety of movie choices and small snack bar in the lobby. Entertainment Cinemas is located next to the Patriots Square Shopping Center just off of Route 6 at exit 9. It is a medium sized theater in the center of Cape Cod that offers stadium seating with high back rocking chairs. They offer discounted matinee showings and discounted tickets on Tuesdays.
Cape Cod Kid Activities in Winter Season
While it is true that a lot of Cape Cod closes up for the winter months, there is still plenty of fun to be had for kids of all ages. So get out of the house and check out these Cape Cod kid activities for the winter so you can enjoy this beautiful place we live in. For more ideas of fun and discounted activities to keep the little ones occupied and happy, check out Cape Cod Children’s Activities – Free & Discounted.
