Discover the best things to do in Kure NC and Pleasure Island NC with kids of every age, from soft, easy mornings at the aquarium to wide-open beach days, shaded historic trails, and ferry rides across the Cape Fear River.
Your Per-Age Guide to Kid-Friendly Fun in Kure NC & Pleasure Island NC
Kure NC and Pleasure Island NC are the kind of places that reward unhurried wandering, wide-eyed curiosity, and the beautifully unpredictable pace of family travel.
One minute you're answering a preschooler's question about how sea turtles find their way home, and the next you're watching your teen quietly admit they love the ocean more than they expected. In between, you'll find trails that invite exploring, waters that encourage splashing, and shorelines that seem built for slowing things down together.
And because no two family trips unfold the same way, this guide brings together the easiest, most enjoyable things to do in Kure Beach with kids of all ages: babies, toddlers, big kids, teens, and everyone in between.
At Carolina Beach Realty, we specialize in vacation rentals in the heart of Pleasure Island. Family-owned and locally operated since 1963, we've spent over 50 years helping guests discover the best of North Carolina's coast. Our blog is filled with insider tips on where to eat, must-visit spots, and year-round events, because we love sharing the hidden gems that make Carolina and Kure Beach so special!
Here's what to do in Kure Beach with kids of every age.
Infants (0–12 Months)
- Ocean Front Park & Pavilion; Basin Trail (first section); Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry (onboard ride)
Toddlers (1–3 Years)
- North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher; Kure Beach Pier; Ocean Front Park Pirate Ship Playground; Carolina Beach Lake Park
Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
- Fort Fisher State Historic Site; Coquina Rocks at Low Tide; Carolina Beach Boardwalk (seasonal rides)
School-Age Children (6–12 Years)
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area; Hi-Tech Arcade; Kayaking to Zeke's Island Reserve; Pier & Surf Fishing; Carolina Beach Lake Park Events
Tweens & Teens (13–15 Years)
- Surf Lessons (Carolina Beach); Snorkeling/Diving at The Condor Wreck; Full Basin Trail; Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry + Southport Village
What to Do in Kure North Carolina With Infants (0–12 Months)
These early outings aren't about checking boxes; they're about creating calm spaces where you can breathe, wander, and let the day unfold around your baby's rhythm.
Ocean Front Park & Pavilion
This is one of the easiest places to spend time with a baby in Kure Beach. If you're traveling with a baby who naps best while moving, you'll appreciate how gentle the environment is: soft waves, quiet paths, and shaded swings where you can sit, relax, and take in the shoreline while your little one drifts off. It's the kind of outing that feels effortless — and when you're traveling with a baby, that counts for a lot.
Families with older kids won't arrive until much later, so you often get this space almost to yourself. It really sets the tone for your time in Kure Beach.
Fort Fisher Basin Trail (first half-mile)
For new parents looking for a change of scenery without committing to a long hike, the opening stretch of the Basin Trail is perfect. It's flat, open, and wonderfully quiet. You can stroll at whatever pace suits you, pausing to watch the marsh grasses shift with the breeze or listening to distant shorebirds while your baby enjoys the motion of the carrier or stroller. There's something grounding about being in such a natural setting during this stage of parenthood.
Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry (stay onboard)
If your baby loves motion, the ferry is gold. You don't even need to get off in Southport — the ride itself is the experience. It creates this rhythmic environment that calms both babies and adults. Parents often tell me it becomes one of the most unexpectedly soothing parts of their trip.
And while your baby naps or looks around at the wide horizon, you get a rare moment where you can just enjoy the scenery without rushing to the next activity. It's simple, affordable, and remarkably peaceful.
What to Do in Kure Beach With Toddlers (1–3 Years)
This is the age where everything is exciting: a crab scuttling across the sand, the whoosh of a wave, a pelican flying overhead. Your job isn't to plan perfect outings — it's just to offer opportunities for toddlers to explore safely and joyfully.
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
This place was practically designed for toddlers. Giant viewing windows sit at toddler height, fish drift by slowly enough to keep their attention, and the otters are guaranteed to spark full-body excitement. You'll watch them discover something new every few minutes, and the best part is that it's all contained and easy to navigate.
The outdoor play area is a bonus. After the sensory overload of the exhibits, toddlers can climb, wobble, and burn energy before you head back.
Kure Beach Pier
For toddlers, the pier is a sensory buffet: waves crashing, fishermen reeling in surprises, birds swooping, and people stopping to say hello. There's enough space for them to toddle safely without you worrying about cars, and the simple act of walking a long pier becomes a big adventure. They get to point at everything, ask questions in their own language, and feel the wind rush past.
Parents love it because the outing is short, flexible, and surprisingly calming.
Ocean Front Park Pirate Ship Playground
This playground is toddler heaven. The pirate ship design fuels imaginative play, but the real win is how manageable it feels. Soft sand, easy steps, slides, and ocean views mean you can sit nearby and actually relax while your toddler cycles through being a pirate, a sailor, a captain, and whatever other identity emerges in the moment.
Carolina Beach Lake Park
A five-minute drive brings you to stroller-friendly walkways, gentle water views, ducks, and open grass. Toddlers can run, wobble, point, and explore without overstimulation. For parents, it's a quieter change of scenery than the beach itself.
What to Do in Kure Beach With Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
This age is magic: everything becomes a story, a puzzle, a treasure hunt. Kure Beach shines for preschoolers because so many experiences invite curiosity without overwhelming them.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site
Preschoolers love places where history feels tangible, and Fort Fisher delivers: earthworks to climb (gently), cannons to inspect, and shady loops that feel like exploring an outdoor museum. Their imaginations run wild here — the landscape is open enough for free play but structured enough to feel like an adventure.
The short trails also make this an easy "one-hour outing," perfect for their attention span and stamina.
Coquina Rocks at Low Tide
This is one of Kure Beach's quiet wonders — a rare natural rock formation that appears only when the tide is low. For preschoolers, it's like stepping into a tide-pool storybook. They crouch, lean, observe tiny creatures, discover new textures, and suddenly the whole outing becomes a science lesson wrapped in play.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk (Summer)
Short rides, ice cream, and retro touches turn this into a preschooler paradise. It's the kind of place where the simplest choices — which flavor, which ride, which prize — feel monumental and fun.
What to Do in Kure Beach With School-Age Children (6–12 Years)
This is the perfect age for gentle independence, small challenges, and activities that reward curiosity.
Hi-Tech Arcade
For school-age kids, Hi-Tech Arcade shifts from "flashing lights" to genuine friendly competition. They're old enough to choose their own games, track scores, and take pride in small victories, whether it's a jackpot spin or a well-timed basketball shot. It's energetic, safe, and close enough to the pier to pair easily with a beach break.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Kids love the sense of freedom here. The beach feels expansive, the dunes are dramatic, and the shoreline shifts throughout the day. They can collect shells, watch shorebirds, run in and out of the water, and start to form their own little adventures without wandering too far. It's relaxed, but full of discovery. The Basin Trail adds another layer: a WWII bunker, maritime forest, and lookout points that feel like secret finds.
Kayaking to Zeke's Island Reserve
School-age kids are at the sweet spot for this — old enough to paddle with help, young enough to be amazed by everything. The lagoon-like waters feel safe, and the wildlife is constant: herons lifting off, minnows darting, marsh grasses shimmering.
Pier Fishing or Surf Fishing
Here, fishing becomes an experience rather than a task. Kids learn knots, patience, species identification, and the thrill of a sudden tug on the line. The Kure Beach Pier is particularly friendly for beginners, with staff who genuinely enjoy helping kids catch their first fish.
Carolina Beach Lake Park Events
Outdoor movies, farmers markets, and weekend gatherings add a casual layer of community that kids this age really respond to. Events are usually easy activities that pair well with dinner and requires no planning at all.
What to Do in Kure Beach With Tweens & Teens (13–15 Years)
Older kids want experiences that make them feel capable, challenged, or at least entertained in a way that doesn't feel "for little kids."
Surf Lessons
Teens pick up surfing quickly, and Kure Beach's gentle breaks are perfect for beginners. Surf schools near Carolina Beach make the process easy: boards, wetsuits, instructors, everything handled. And because teens love a moment of independence, the victory of standing up on a wave becomes a memory they replay long after the trip.
Snorkeling or Diving at The Condor Wreck
For confident teens, this is a standout experience: clear waters, marine life, and the thrill of exploring a historic shipwreck. It's safe, well-established, and gives teens that "real adventure" feeling that's often hard to capture at this age.
Longer Hikes & Scenic Walks
Tweens and teens enjoy trails that feel purposeful — the full Basin Trail, beach hikes at sunrise, or even a longer boardwalk-to-pier stroll. They can move at their own pace, listen to music, take photos, and enjoy a quieter, more grown-up connection with the landscape.
Ferry to Southport + Town Time
The ferry ride gives them wind, water, and wide-open views. Southport gives them shops, snack spots, and streets to explore with a little independence. It's simple, but teens love the shift in environment and the chance to lead the outing a bit.
Make the Most of Your Trip to the North Carolina Coast
At Carolina Beach Realty, we offer a curated selection of vacation rentals across North Carolina's coast — from classic beach cottages to spacious oceanfront homes. With over 50 years of local experience, we take pride in delivering personal service, exceptional comfort, and that unmistakable Carolina hospitality.
