Family Fun on the Upper Cape & Beyond - Low cost /no cost things to do for kids of all ages Presented by the Sandwich Partnership for Families
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Family Fun on the Upper Cape & Beyond Low cost /no cost things to do for kids of all ages Presented by the Sandwich Partnership for Families
No Cost summer months, they offer a full
schedule of programs for families.
Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. seven days
Cape Cod Canal Visitor Center a week in July and August
60 Ed Moffitt Drive Sandwich, MA 508-457-0495
Canal Visitors Center is currently www.waquoitbayreserve.org
closed for the season but restrooms
and outdoor programs are being Spohr Garden
held. Visit their website for more 45 Fells Rd.
information- https://www.nae. Falmouth, MA
usace.army.mil/missions/recreation/ Go for a stroll in five acres of
cape-cod-canal/ garden gracefully wrapped around
Oyster Pond. This place provides
Cape Cod Canal a perfect setting for May-June
Service roads, which parallel both stroll. With more than 50 species
sides of the Canal, are available for of flowers, 75 types of trees and
bicycling, jogging and walking. 100 Varieties of shrubs, this lovely
Each service road is approximate- locale is in perpetual bloom.
ly seven-miles long. Benches are 508-548-0623
placed along the service roads for www.spohgardens.org
the enjoyment of our visitors. The
Canal provides a unique, close-up Scorton Creek/Talbot
view of ocean going ships and tugs Point Conservation Land
underway as they utilize the canal 518 Route 6A, E. Sandwich, MA
route between Cape Cod Bay and Take a dip in the water of the
Buzzards Bay. marsh or go crabbing at low tide.
Explore various trails along the
Plymouth County Sheriff’s marsh or in the woods, some are
Farm and Petting Zoo baby jogger friendly. Cross the
74 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA bridge to Talbot Point and walk
(off exit 5 on route 3) along the cranberry bogs. Map of
Kids young and old enjoy visiting trails is posted on sign just follow
the petting zoo. Meet Mary the main trail from the lot.
cow, Beak the chicken, Franco the
tortoise and more. Shining Sea bike Way
508-830-6810 Falmouth, MA
Curly 10.5 miles past woodlands,
Waquoit Bay Estuary Reserve marshes, salt ponds and seascape,
149 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit, MA the Shining Sea Bikeway is the only
You may access short nature bikeway on Cape Cod to skirt the
trails from the center. During the shore. Also called the Shining SeaBike Path, the paved trail extends ing, bird watching, beach combing
from County Route 151 in and sightseeing. In fall and winter,
Falmouth to the Woods Hole harbor seals can be seen just
Steamship Authority’s site in off shore. 508-866-2580
Woods Hole, a historical seaside
fishing village and home to an Sandwich Town Band
internationally known scientific Beale Ave., Sandwich, MA
community. Concerts start June 29 through
August. Come join the music, do
Boyden Farm Conservation Land the bunny hop and march to the
Sandwich Conservation Trust beat! Thursday nights at 7:30 pm
Cotuit Rd south of Farmerville Rd at the bandstand located at Wing
Come enjoy a walk through woods, School field.
by a grassy meadow and you may
get glimpse of Cape Cod Wildlife Murkwood Conservation Land
such as deer, wild turkey or a fox. Route 6A E. Sandwich, MA
(East on Route 6A, parking lot is on
Sandwich Fish Hatchery left after E. Sandwich fire station)
164 Route 6A Sandwich, MA This short and easy walk explores
Learn about and see local fresh a beautiful woodland just north of
water fish. Food to feed the Route 6A and adjacent to Scorton
fish can be purchased from Creek. The creek is bordered by an
coin-operated vending machines. extensive salt marsh, and views
25 cents. of the marsh are available.
Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sandwich Conservation Trust
508-888-0008 508-888-7629
Ellisville Harbor State Park Shawme Crowell State Forest
Route 3A Plymouth, MA 42 Main Street, on Route 130
(Exit 2 right to Route 3A. Sandwich, MA
Follow signs. Approx 2 mi.) More than 15 miles of roads
Come visit this unique coastal and trails provide hiking and
property, including beach front equestrian access to over 700 acres
salt marsh, rolling meadows, of pitch pine and scrub
and red pine forest. It’s also one of
the most scenic spots on the South
Shore coastline, where you can
see small fishing boats, a barrier
beach, and sphagnum bog, forested
upland and open meadows.
Recreation activities include, walk-Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory
100 Breed’s Hill Road in Hyannis
Take a self-guided tours through
the factory to see how Cape Cod
Potato chips are made. The tour is
short but you get a free bag of chips
when you are done.
Open Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ceek in July and August
508-4575-3358
oak landscape. You may also access
trails across from main entrance to Barnstable Great Marsh
Heritage Museum and Gardens on Wildlife Sanctuary
Pine Street. West Main St., Route 6A
Barnstable, MA 02630
Cooks Farm Conservation Area A short 1.5 mi. walk through the
Route 130 Sandwich, MA woodlands will bring you to the
This is a great loop trail that edge of the salt marsh. Enjoy the
runs 1.5 miles in total. Very easy ever-changing beauty of one of
walking for all ages. It runs through the most productive ecosystems
the woods and by the Upper & on earth.
Lower Shawme Ponds, on over 40 508-362-7475
acres of conservation land. Keep an www.massaudubon.org
eye out for an old tractor and rock
foundation, both remnants of Old Pairpoint
Quail Hollow Farm. 851 Sandwich Rd, Sagamore, MA
Come on in and view a glass
Skunknett River Wildlife Sanctuary blowing demonstration. It is a
Bumps River Road, place to watch the magic of
Barnstable, MA glass blowing.
Walking the tree-lined trails at Open Mon-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Skunknett River, you can witness 508-888-2344
nature reclaiming former mill sites
and explore a fragrant Atlantic The Knob
White Cedar swamp. The name With magnificent views of
Skunknett comes from an Algon- Buzzards Bay and Quissett Harbor,
quin word that means a fishing The Knob is a treasure to locals and
place for eel; American eels may be the lucky visitors who have discov-
seen in the sanctuary’s waterways. ered it. Cornelia L. Carey left these
www. massaudubon.org 12 acres to Salt Pond Areas Bird
508-362-7475 Sanctuaries in the early 1970s inthe hopes that the public would en- National Marine Life Center
joy such an accessible and visually of Buzzards Bay
striking nature preserve. The Knob 120 Main Street
is open to the public from dawn to Buzzards Bay, MA
dusk for bird watching, strolling, The Discovery Center will amaze,
beach combing, and swimming. entertain and educate kids,
There is no lifeguard on duty. Open Memorial Day through
To reach The Knob, follow Woods Labor Day 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hole Road south from Falmouth (Members $3, Non-members $5)
center for about two miles. At the 508-743-9888
traffic lights, turn right onto Various drop in educational
Quissett Harbor Road and follow programs. For more info:
until its end by the docks. Limited nmlc@nmlc.org or call
parking is available along the road. 508-745-9888
Dexter’s Grist Mill
Low Cost/ Water St, Sandwich, MA
The mill is not just a picturesque
Donations landscape attraction. It is still a
working mill! You can go in and
see the wooden mill mechanism at
Green Briar Nature Center work grinding corn, and you can
& Jam Kitchen buy bags of fresh cornmeal
6 Discovery Hill Rd. the same day its ground.
East Sandwich MA Adults: $5, Children 12 and under:
Located on the shores of Smiling $3. 8 and under: Free. Ticket in-
Pond and adjacent to the famous cludes Hoxie House Tour.
Briar Patch of Thorton Burgess, Open June 28 - Oct. 14
Green Briar offers interpreted Mon-Sat. 11a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
nature trails and wild flower Sunday 1-4:30 p.m.
gardens. New Green Meadow Sandwich Recreation Dept
Forest Children’s Exhibit 508-888-4361
opening this summer. For more
information on times and cost Ocean Science Exhibit Center
www.thortonburgess.org 15 School Street
Woods Hole, MA
Visitors to WHOI’s Ocean Science
Exhibit Center will learn about the
Institution’s ocean science research,
vessels and tools developed by
WHOI engineers and scientists foruse in that research. Visitors can wildlife. Variety of Trails to hike,
step inside a full-size model of the kayaking opportunities. Explore
inner sphere of Alvin and imagine Nature’s play area, crawl through
life on the ocean floor while watch- hollow “stump tunnel”, climb tall
ing vivid footage taken at deep-sea branches, balance on balance beam
hydrothermal vent sites. and branch bridge. Members: free,
Participate in “Splash Lab” hands Nonmembers: $4 adults (13+) $3
on activities for all ages. children (2-12) and seniors. They
Wednesday & Thursday 1-3 p.m. offer a variety of programs for all
Mon - Fri, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ages for additional cost.
Sat & Sunda in July & August: 508-362-7475
11:00 a.m.-4 p.m. www.massaudubon.org
508-289-2663
www.whoi.edu Cape Cod Museum
of Natural History
Woods Hole Aquarium 869 Main St., Brewster, MA
166 Water Street Woods Hole, MA There are two floors of exhibits
This small public aquarium is the about the flora and fauna of Cape
country’s oldest aquarium (1875) Cod including exhibits on whales,
and operated by NOAA fishery indigenous birds, and coastal
service. It displays about 140 change. Other displays include
species of marine animals found several aquariums holding differ-
in Northeast Middle Atlantic U.S ent species of crustaceans, mol-
Waters. Seal feedings are at 11 a.m. lusks, fish, frogs, turtles and snakes.
and 4 p.m. most days. Several interactive displays geared
Open: Tues - Sat., 11a.m. - 4p.m. towards children and special exhib-
(Admission: Free/donations its enhance the permanent collec-
welcome.) tion. Three nature trails meander
508-495-2001 through woodland, salt marsh and
www.aquarium.nelsc.noaa.gov the shore of Cape Cod Bay. Guided
field walks are offered year round,
Long Pasture Wildlife daily in summer. Adults $15, Senior
Sanctuary Mass Audubon Society $10, Ages 3-12 $6, Under 2: Free
45 Bone Hill Road 508-896-3867 ext. 138
Barnstable, MA www.ccmnh.org
Visitor center open most days
with resident goats, sheep and Taylor Bray Farm
108 Bray Farm Road
Yarmouthport, MA
Explore a farm and visit with
animals. No admission fee,although donation for care of of the same features as the big kids
animals and maintenance of section but better sized for little
rounds apprecieated hands and feet.
www.TaylorBrayfarm.org
Heritage Memorial Park
Route 130, Mashpee, MA
Playgrounds This park contains three distinct
playgrounds:
Sandwich Marina Playground -The Edward C. Tiger playground
Ed Moffitt Drive, Sandwich, MA features state of the art equipment
This playground is fenced in with and the artificial grass surfac makes
a gate to keep little wonders in. it safe for younger children.
It has swings, a climbing structure, - The Mashpee Splash Pad is a
slide, a bow of a boat. As well, small facility that gives young
as stand up and spin for the children a place to cool down those
older kids. hot summer days.
- The third playground isn’t as new
Adventure Playground but it is conveniently located near
260 Quaker Meeting House Rd. the soccer fields and baseball fields
Sandwich MA for additional fun racing around!
Renovated in 2014 with new
features and it is now fenced in Luke’s Love Playground
for safety. There are three play 2377 Meetinghouse Way
structures two specifically for West Barnstable, MA
toddlers and one for older kids. This is a “boundless” playground.
You can keep an eye on all your There are varieties of swings, slides,
kids while they climb, slide, climbing structure with ramps for
and crawl through tunnels and accessibility.
lots more.
Mullen Hall School Playground
130 Katherine Lee Bates Rd.
Falmouth, MA
A playground for all ages. It has
climbing wall, slides, swings, bal-
ance beams, monkey bars plus ad-
ditional structures for imaginative
play; a light house, small rowboats,
tug boats and lots more. There is a
separate toddler section with manyBourne/Buzzards Bay Splashpad Shawme Crowell State
by Buzzards Bay Park, MA Forest Playground
Located at Railroad bridge at the 42 Main Street, Sandwich, MA
beginning of the Cape Cod Canal. The playground is located by a
The Splashpad will be open 10 pavilion and restrooms. When
a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Closed Thursdays you enter the forest, just follow
and then 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. daily! the signs to the pavilion. Enjoy a
The park will have monitors on forest themed playground that fits
hand for safety of the children naturally into the surroundings.
It comes complete with rocks, logs,
Goodwill Park Playground a frog and a garden snake (but it
416 Gifford St, Falmouth, MA doesn’t bite). This playground is
Newly renovated in 2016, this great for older children but can
playground is neslted in the park’s be difficult for young children to
86 acres. Visitors may choose access and maneuver safely.
to play volleyball, horseshoes
and other lawn games, or go
picnicking, kayaking and conoeing
Great Finds
at freshwater public beach. Coonamessett Farms
227 Hatchville Road,
Nelson Memorial Park East Falmouth, MA
235 Water Street, Plymouth, MA Coonamessett Farm is a twenty-
This park has a bike path, picnic acre farming and research enter-
area, playground and a “Splash prise. Visit the farm for a day, pick,
Pad” where children can cool off purchase fresh vegetables, and
during the hot sumer days. There visit with the farm animals. Their
are restrooms and concessions. alpacas, sheep, goats, donkeys,
Open dawn to dusk. chickens and ducks always wel-
come company. Call for more info
Bourne Inclusive Playground at 508-563- 2560. Day pass cost:
Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA $8 per person (3 and over).
Relaxing woodland setting. New www.coonamessettfarm.com
playground with rubberized
surface. Designed for all children, Cape Cod Children’s Museum
those in wheelchairs, and those 577 Great Neck Road
with disabilities. Sway fun glider South, Mashpee MA
with wheelchair access, zip lines, Nonprofit organization Cape Cod
numberous musical activities. Children’s Museum is a place where
Access to Cape Cod Canal. families can learn and play together.
The museum feature many handson activities, a pirate ship, an in- Exhibits include black bears,
door planetarium, Puppet Theater, mountain lions, river otters, bald
toddler play area and daily eagles, and seals. Enter the world of
programs that come with price of Buttonwood Farm, where you will
admission. Members: Free; meet rare breeds of farm animals.
Summer memberships available Open Apr - Oct. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
for $75 for unlimited visits Cost: Adults $10, Student/Senior $8,
Non-members: ages 1-59 $10, Ages 3-12 $6, Under 3 Free
Seniors 60+ $8, Under 1 Free. 508-991-6871
508-539-8788 www.bpzoo.org
info@capecodchildrensmuseum.org
Buttonwood Zoo
Hawthorn Rd New Bedford, MA
Come encounter animals from
both at home and around the
world. Take a journey through
our Berkshires to the Sea.
Resources
Cape Cod Pathways
interactive map:
http://www.capecodcommission.org/index.php?id=127&maincatid=27
Fun Family Day Trips:
http://www.funthingstodoincentralmass.com/2014/05/10-
massachusetts-day-trips
Free Fun Fridays:
highlandstreet.org/freefunfridays.html
Playgrounds on Cape Cod:
Includes playgrounds, types of equipment and play area. Maps, directions
and parking locations.
capcodplaygroundsblogspot.comWebsites that provide ideas
and/or free printables
to explore the outdoors
Mass Audubon Society
https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/young-explorers/explore-a-
sanctuary/nature-bingo
National Association for the Education of Young Children
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/ideas-exploring-outdoors
Letterboxing Outside Adventure
http://letterboxing.org/kids/
Introduction to Geocaching Adventure Game
https://www.lifewire.com/geocaching-with-kids-1683671
Nature Art
https://kinderart.com/blog/nature-art/Draw yourself having fun!
The Sandwich Partnership for Families produced this book in honor
of Beth Cranston-Dwyer, whose joyful love for children,
families, and Sandwich will always be remembered.
This Booklet generously reprinted by our friends at
The Fund for SandwichYou can also read
