Things to do in Cape Cod with a 3 year old?

[jessnpaul]

We're going to Cape Cod in less than 2 weeks and I have almost nothing planned! We'll be staying in Brewster. It'll just be us and our 3 year old for 5 days. I'm a total planner (my husband says I don't do vacations, I do trips as I like to pack in activities!) and while I'm hoping to relax, I also don't want to drive all the way up there and be all "now what?!" 

I have Pirate Adventures and the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory on my list so far (but I hear that takes like 20 minutes). What else should we do? What's a can't miss?

[countthestars]

There's a drive-in movie theater in Wellfleet! Also at the Drive-in location but during the day, there is a flea market if you like to look at cheapy junk.

Mini golf! We love Pirate's Cove but really any mini golf is probably good for a 3 year old.

Eat all the ice cream

We love Moby Dick's for food. The wait is usually kind of long though.

We always have fun walking around Provincetown but I'm not sure if it would be that fun with a 3 year old. DD mostly just hung out in her stroller last year while we walked and poked in shops.

[jessnpaul]

We've never taken him to mini golf. It's funny because DH asked that a few months ago and I thought he was too young, but maybe not?

I fear he'll end up swinging around the golf club and take out someone ;-)

[justjen]

snip

[countthestars]

I would give mini golf a try! It may be a disaster, but it's pretty cheap so you could always just leave. my dad always stood behind the hole for us while we were putting and used his feet as a backboard so we didn't take too long

[Deleted]

We took the kids in June.

We did Pirates Cove wth J. And all the kids to Cape Code chip factory but yes, that takes like 20 minutes.

We also took J to the Cape Cod Inflatable park. They have a separate toddler area too. It's just a huge park full of bounce houses including many with water slides. They also have an arcade with some little ride on things J liked.

We also did the beach a few days.

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 9:35:34 GMT -5 justjen said:

Go to Scargo Pottery and say hi to Meden

Just kidding--that place us a disaster waiting to happen with a 3yo.

Allow me to recommend the beach

Your DH gave me the name... we'll see. I doubt he'd remember me because I think I've only met him once or twice?

[drloretta]

Definitely the beach. DD could spend all day there.

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2015 9:28:11 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

We've never taken him to mini golf. It's funny because DH asked that a few months ago and I thought he was too young, but maybe not?

I fear he'll end up swinging around the golf club and take out someone ;-)

It was actually really fun with J. We didn't even have to pay for him and just paid for H. I just helped J do all of his shots. Then afterwards the kids get a free ice cream or slush (at pirates cove).

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 9:38:04 GMT -5 @awinter said:

We took the kids in June.

We did Pirates Cove wth J. And all the kids to Cape Code chip factory but yes, that takes like 20 minutes.

We also took J to the Cape Cod Inflatable park. They have a separate toddler area too. It's just a huge park full of bounce houses including many with water slides. They also have an arcade with some little ride on things J liked.

We also did the beach a few days.

Unfortunately my kid is banned from bounce houses for life due to scoliosis (he had neck surgery 1.5 years ago and there might be more down the line) but that really does sound awesome for a 3 year old!!!

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 9:39:42 GMT -5 @awinter said:

Jul 23, 2015 9:28:11 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

We've never taken him to mini golf. It's funny because DH asked that a few months ago and I thought he was too young, but maybe not?

I fear he'll end up swinging around the golf club and take out someone ;-)

It was actually really fun with J. We didn't even have to pay for him and just paid for H. I just helped J do all of his shots. Then afterwards the kids get a free ice cream or slush (at pirates cove).

Sold!

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2015 9:39:55 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Jul 23, 2015 9:38:04 GMT -5 @awinter said:

We took the kids in June.

We did Pirates Cove wth J. And all the kids to Cape Code chip factory but yes, that takes like 20 minutes.

We also took J to the Cape Cod Inflatable park. They have a separate toddler area too. It's just a huge park full of bounce houses including many with water slides. They also have an arcade with some little ride on things J liked.

We also did the beach a few days.

Unfortunately my kid is banned from bounce houses for life due to scoliosis (he had neck surgery 1.5 years ago and there might be more down the line) but that really does sound awesome for a 3 year old!!!

Ahh, then yeah, that's out.

There are lots of candy shops down there too. Not like it will take up a bunch of time but still fun. You could go to one of the Salt water taffy places (personally not a fan but lots of people like it). Or just one of the large candy shops and let him pick something out.

[elcjet]

We love to get penny candy at the Centerville Store -- it's walking distance from a great playground and Four Seas Ice Cream, which I personally love more than any other ice cream.  

We took my then-9 month old and 3 year old to Brewster for the day.  Went to the Museum of Natural History, explored the mudflats, enjoyed Captain Frosty's fried clams in Dennis (very close), and then had a blast exploring the tidal pools at Breakwater Beach.  The Brewster beaches are perfect for exploring toddlers and there really is not surf for quite a ways out.

I think whale watches take a little too long, but we did take the kids to Provincetown and our 3-year old walked up the monument.  It was a fun day!

[jessnpaul]

Oh, has anyone been to the Truro Winery? That's obviously for me, not my 3 year old ;-)

Would it be okay to bring him there? I've been to many wineries on vacations but never brought my kid.. however we have no childcare this time.

[countthestars]

Jul 23, 2015 10:36:32 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Oh, has anyone been to the Truro Winery? That's obviously for me, not my 3 year old ;-)

Would it be okay to bring him there? I've been to many wineries on vacations but never brought my kid.. however we have no childcare this time.

we went! The tour is fairly short and I'm sure he would be fine. The tasting at the end is a sit down with everyone from the tour and they tell you a little about each before they pour for you. my nephew was an infant and stayed in his ergo but I would think a well behaved 3yo would be fine. Maybe call them and confirm though?

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 10:40:07 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Jul 23, 2015 10:36:32 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Oh, has anyone been to the Truro Winery? That's obviously for me, not my 3 year old ;-)

Would it be okay to bring him there? I've been to many wineries on vacations but never brought my kid.. however we have no childcare this time.

we went! The tour is fairly short and I'm sure he would be fine. The tasting at the end is a sit down with everyone from the tour and they tell you a little about each before they pour for you. my nephew was an infant and stayed in his ergo but I would think a well behaved 3yo would be fine. Maybe call them and confirm though?

Good idea. Thanks!

[juliette21]

Jul 23, 2015 10:36:32 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Oh, has anyone been to the Truro Winery? That's obviously for me, not my 3 year old ;-)

Would it be okay to bring him there? I've been to many wineries on vacations but never brought my kid.. however we have no childcare this time.

The Truro Winery is awesome, I'm not sure how well your 3 year old would do but I think it's okay to bring him. We did a wine tasting there with my DS1 when he was about 22 months old. He was kind of a maniac in the gift shop but sat pretty well during the wine tasting and ate the little cracker things they give you to cleanse your palate.

In reading your OP, just to warn you the Cape Cod Chip Factory is very underwhelming. It's cool to check out, but DH and I were like, "seriously, that's it?" haha.

The Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich is really nice, there's antique cars for the adults and a little children's outdoor area with water tables, pretend play, etc.  

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 10:49:40 GMT -5 juliette21 said:

Jul 23, 2015 10:36:32 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Oh, has anyone been to the Truro Winery? That's obviously for me, not my 3 year old ;-)

Would it be okay to bring him there? I've been to many wineries on vacations but never brought my kid.. however we have no childcare this time.

The Truro Winery is awesome, I'm not sure how well your 3 year old would do but I think it's okay to bring him. We did a wine tasting there with my DS1 when he was about 22 months old. He was kind of a maniac in the gift shop but sat pretty well during the wine tasting and ate the little cracker things they give you to cleanse your palate.

In reading your OP, just to warn you the Cape Cod Chip Factory is very underwhelming. It's cool to check out, but DH and I were like, "seriously, that's it?" haha.

The Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich is really nice, there's antique cars for the adults and a little children's outdoor area with water tables, pretend play, etc.  

That will totally be my kid! He loves crackers so much... that was his potty training reward!

I read reviews on Yelp about the Cape Cod Chip Factory... i figured it might be fun but I'll keep my expectations very low!

Heritage Museum sounds perfect!

[Deleted]

Your pretty close to Edaville . I would check to see if the Thomas park is open yet.

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2015 12:01:53 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Your pretty close to Edaville . I would check to see if the Thomas park is open yet.

Not open until August 15.

Eta: It happens to be my birthday and I was just looking at the website last week so I remember the date

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2015 12:22:35 GMT -5 @awinter said:

Jul 23, 2015 12:01:53 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Your pretty close to Edaville . I would check to see if the Thomas park is open yet.

Not open until August 15.

Eta: It happens to be my birthday and I was just looking at the website last week so I remember the date

Boo. ( but Happy Early Birthday)

[jessnpaul]

Jul 23, 2015 12:22:35 GMT -5 @awinter said:

Jul 23, 2015 12:01:53 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Your pretty close to Edaville . I would check to see if the Thomas park is open yet.

Not open until August 15.

Eta: It happens to be my birthday and I was just looking at the website last week so I remember the date

Damn, we'll just miss it! We're there through the 10th.

[Redpoppy]

We used to go to a timeshare in Brewster. Skaket Beach was our favorite. On the bay side so you have to plan with the tide but there are tons of tide pools for catching hermit crash and shallow splashing in water warmed by the sun. We went on the Cap'n Kid for a kids fishing trip and loved it. Be sure to check out Sundae School. We also like to hit the drive in depending on the movies.