Little-kid fun in Morehead City & Crystal Coast

Covers Morehead City, Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Pine Knoll Shores and Newport. 19 places: 7 indoor and 12 outdoor or seasonal. Tap a source link to double-check before you go.

🌦️ 7-day forecast: Morehead City & Crystal Coast

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo.com (weather data CC BY 4.0). Forecasts change; check before you go.

☔ Indoor (rainy-day friendly)

📷 Shark at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Photo: jjmusgrove, CC BY 2.0, via source.

📷 Swimming turtle at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Photo: jjmusgrove, CC BY 2.0, via source.

📷 Seahorse at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Photo: jjmusgrove, CC BY 2.0, via source.

Swipe for 3 photos →

📍 Pine Knoll Shores · Morehead City area

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

☔ Indoor👶 Under 3Aquarium

State aquarium that follows water from the NC mountains to the ocean: a 32-foot waterfall, river otters, sharks, shipwreck exhibits and two bald eagles. Free daily animal programs and toddler-time events.

Where: 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Ages: All ages; ages 2 and under free
Cost: Adults (13-61) $15, seniors and military $14, ages 3-12 $13, ages 2 and under free (plus tax). Discounts for NC EBT cardholders and one free weekday visit a year for NC homeschool families.
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM daily; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Timed tickets; buy ahead online because times sell out. Phone 252-515-5100.

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ncaquariums.com

📷 Front of the NC Maritime Museum on Front Street, Beaufort. Photo: Willthacheerleader18, CC0 1.0, via source.

📷 “Echo” the sperm whale skeleton at the NC Maritime Museum. Photo: Willthacheerleader18, CC0 1.0, via source.

Swipe for 2 photos →

📍 Beaufort · Morehead City area

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

☔ Indoor🆓 Free👶 Under 3History museum (free)

State museum about coastal life: boats, lighthouses, a whale skeleton and artifacts from Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. Free Kids' Cove play mornings for ages 0-5 about once a month.

Where: 315 Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516
Ages: All ages; Kids' Cove is for ages 0-5
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Hours: Tue-Sat 10 AM-5 PM; closed Sun, Mon and state holidays

Next Kids' Cove: Wed Nov 18 and Wed Dec 9, 9-11 AM (free). The boatbuilding Watercraft Center is across the street.

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com

Illustration: children's story time in a library — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Morehead City

Morehead City Public Library

☔ Indoor🆓 Free👶 Under 3Library story time

City library with a children's room and a maker space with LEGO, puzzles and board games. Preschool Story Time (ages 2-6) and Tots at the Library free play (ages 1-4).

Where: 202 S 8th St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Tots: ages 1-4; Story Time: ages 2-6
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Thu 9 AM-5:30 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-1 PM; Sun closed

Story Time Tue and Wed 11 AM, up to 8 kids per session, so call 252-726-3765 to register. Tots at the Library Mondays 10-11 AM.

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: moreheadcitync.gov

Illustration: indoor play space with climbing frames and a ball pit — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Morehead City

Kidz at Play Family Cafe

☔ Indoor👶 Under 3Indoor playground

Two-level nautical soft-play area with slides, climbing and monkey rings, plus a separate corral for crawlers and new walkers. Coffee and snacks for grown-ups.

Where: 1513 Bridges St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Crawlers to age 11
Cost: About $27 for a weekday play session for ages 0-1 and $36 for ages 2-11 (from their membership page); Saturday and early-bird prices differ
Hours: Book play times online

Phone 252-499-9622.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Exact session prices and length; opening days and hours

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: kidzatplayfamilycafe.com

📍 Beaufort · Morehead City area

Beaufort Branch Library (Carteret County)

☔ Indoor🆓 Free👶 Under 3Library story time

Main branch of the Carteret County library with weekly Pre-K Storytime (books, music and movement) and Little Explorers sensory play for ages 0-4.

Where: 1702 Live Oak St, Suite 100, Beaufort, NC 28516
Ages: Little Explorers: ages 0-4; Storytime: all ages
Cost: Free
Hours: Not listed on the library's site in a form we could read; call 252-648-7725

Storytime Fridays 10 AM; Little Explorers Tuesdays 10 AM.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Branch opening hours

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: carteretcountync.libguides.com

📍 Newport · Morehead City area

Newport Branch Library (Carteret County)

☔ Indoor🆓 Free👶 Under 3Library story time

Branch library with weekly Story Time, Baby Storytime for ages 0-2 with play time after, and Little Explorers sensory play for ages 0-4.

Where: 210 Howard Blvd, Newport, NC 28570
Ages: Baby Storytime: ages 0-2; Story Time: all ages
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9 AM-5:30 PM; Tue and Thu 9 AM-7 PM; Sun closed

Story Time Wednesdays 10:30 AM; Baby Storytime Thursdays 11 AM; Little Explorers Tuesdays 11 AM. Phone 252-648-7727.

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: carteretcountync.libguides.com

Illustration: kids on gym mats and a low balance beam — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Newport · Morehead City area

Crystal Coast Gymnastics

☔ Indoor👶 Under 3Kids' gymnastics classes

Gym with Parent Tot and preschool gymnastics classes, plus baby Ninja (walkers to age 3), Lil' Ninja (ages 3-5) and NinjaZone (5+) classes.

Where: 300 Greenfield Dr, Newport, NC 28570
Ages: Parent Tot: walkers to toddlers; Lil' Ninja: ages 3-5; NinjaZone: 5+
Cost: Class fees (call for prices)
Hours: Business hours Mon, Tue and Thu 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed 2-7:30 PM; Fri 2-8 PM; Sat-Sun closed

Classes, not open play. The gym offers a free trial class and birthday parties. Phone 252-222-4961.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Class prices and class times (call the gym)

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: crystalcoastgymnastics.com

🌳 Outdoor and seasonal

📷 Roosevelt Nature Trail trailhead. Photo: Sparkgap, CC BY 3.0, via source.

📍 Pine Knoll Shores · Morehead City area

Roosevelt Nature Trail (Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area)

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeNature trail

Maritime-forest trail next to the Aquarium. The Aquarium lists two trails here; the Roosevelt trail doesn't need an Aquarium ticket.

Where: Trailhead at the west end of the Aquarium parking lot, 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Not stated by the Aquarium (a local visitor guide says trails close at 4:30 PM)

Good add-on before or after the Aquarium.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Trail length and closing time (from a local visitor guide, not the Aquarium); age fit

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ncaquariums.com

📷 Brick walls of Fort Macon. Photo: JessPeck88, CC BY-SA 3.0, via source.

📷 Inside Fort Macon's walls, seen from the top of the fort. Photo: DrStew82, CC BY-SA 4.0, via source.

📷 Cannon exhibit inside Fort Macon. Photo: DiscoA340, CC BY-SA 4.0, via source.

Swipe for 3 photos →

📍 Atlantic Beach · Morehead City area

Fort Macon State Park

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeState park, fort and beach

Restored 1830s brick fort with daily guided tours and cannon and musket demonstrations, a visitor center with exhibits, a swim beach and 4 miles of trails.

Where: 2303 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free (no day-use fee)
Hours: Fort and visitor center 9 AM-5 PM daily; fort parking lot until 6 PM in October-March; closed Christmas Day

Lifeguards Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10 AM-5:45 PM. Seasonal bathhouse and concession stand. Visitor center 252-726-3775.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Age fit

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ncparks.gov

Illustration: kids playing in splash pad fountains — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Atlantic Beach · Morehead City area

Atlantic Beach Town Park

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeSplash pad, playground and mini golf

Town park with a playground, splash pad, 18-hole mini golf, skate park, gaga ball pit, picnic shelter and restrooms.

Where: 915 W Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Ages: Town says the splash pad suits children of all ages; mini golf free for ages 6 and under
Cost: Park, playground and splash pad free. Mini golf $6 per person (ages 6 and under free).
Hours: Park 6 AM-11 PM daily. Splash pad 10 AM-8 PM daily, mid-May to late September (closed for the season now). Mini golf open weekends in spring and fall, daily in summer.

Skate park riders under 10 need an adult. Town Hall 252-726-2121. The town's main beach access with restrooms and summer lifeguards is at “the Circle.”

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Playground age range

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: atlanticbeach-nc.com

📷 Wild horses grazing on Carrot Island, Rachel Carson Reserve. Photo: Bonnie Gruenberg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via source.

📍 Beaufort · Morehead City area

Rachel Carson Reserve wild horses (by ferry)

🌳 OutdoorWild horse viewing (by ferry)

Protected islands across from downtown Beaufort with a small herd of wild horses, a boardwalk, trails and shelling. You can only get there by boat or passenger ferry.

Where: Across Taylor's Creek from the Beaufort waterfront (ferries leave from Front St, Beaufort, NC 28516)
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Reserve is free. Ferry costs extra; for example, Island Ferry Adventures (610 Front St) charges $10 adults, $5 ages 3-11, free 2 and under to Carrot Island.
Hours: Ferry times vary by company and season

Stay at least 50 feet from the horses; don't feed or approach them. No restrooms on the islands. Free ranger-led field trips some summer mornings (reservation required).

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Ferry schedules this time of year; age fit

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: deq.nc.gov

📍 Morehead City

Shevans Park

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeSplash pad and playground

Large nautical-themed playground with a climbable lighthouse and accessible swings, plus a splash pad, two picnic shelters and a gazebo.

Where: 1501 Evans St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Open dawn to dusk. Splash pad closed for the season now.

The city's July 2026 parks notice lists Shevans among its open playgrounds; its Parks & Rec page shows only the splash pad as closed (for the season). Morehead City Parks & Rec 252-726-5083.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Splash pad season dates; age fit

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: moreheadcity.recdesk.com

Illustration: farm with a red barn, hay bale and pumpkins — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Newport · Morehead City area

Garner Farms

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeFarm (seasonal events)

Family farm market with U-pick strawberries in spring, a U-pick pumpkin patch and corn maze in fall, and kids' events now and then. The fall festival (corn maze, hayrides, corn pit, slides and mini farm animals) is held at a separate field on US 70.

Where: 173 Sam Garner Rd, Newport, NC 28570
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Market is free to visit; U-pick and festival tickets cost extra
Hours: Strawberries usually mid-April through May; fall festival usually late September through October. Check their Facebook page for current hours and events.

Phone 252-223-5283. A festival listing gives the 2026 fall festival as 10 AM-6 PM at 5878 US 70 W, Newport, with general admission $13 for ages 4 and up.

💬 Local parent tip: Holds kids' events now and then. Check their page for what's coming up.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Market hours; 2026 fall festival dates, hours and price (from a festival listing, not the farm's own site); other kids' event dates

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: garnerfarmsnc.com

Illustration: riverside park with trees and a path — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Newport · Morehead City area

Fort Benjamin Park

🌳 Outdoor🆓 Free👶 Under 3Park and playground

County park with a large playground for ages 2-12, a band shell, picnic shelters and grills, a walking trail with fitness stations, and a rec center game room with billiards and ping pong.

Where: 100 McQueen Ave, Newport, NC 28570
Ages: Playground: ages 2-12
Cost: Free
Hours: Open all day, every day (park)

Free Freaky Friday movie night (Hocus Pocus 2) Fri Oct 30, movie at 5 PM, with refreshments and a costume prize; register at ccpr.recdesk.com (from the county parks home page). Rec center phone 252-222-5858.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Rec center opening hours; restroom hours

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ccpr.recdesk.com

📍 Morehead City

Swinson Park

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreePark and playground

Carteret County park with a playground by Picnic Shelter 2, plus ball fields and picnic shelters.

Where: 145 Swinson Park Rd, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Open all day, every day

Carteret County Parks & Recreation, 252-808-3301.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Restrooms; playground age range; accessible play features (a playground maker's site describes an inclusive playground here, but the county doesn't say so)

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ccpr.recdesk.com

Illustration: beach with an umbrella, waves and a sand bucket — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Morehead City

Radio Island Beach Access

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeBeach access

Carteret County beach access on Radio Island, between Morehead City and Beaufort.

Where: 501 Marine Dr, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 8 AM-5 PM

Carteret County Parks & Recreation, 252-808-3301.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Restrooms and outdoor showers (listed in a 2020 county parks listing, not on the current county pages); parking details; whether there are lifeguards

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ccpr.recdesk.com

📍 Pine Knoll Shores · Morehead City area

Salter Path Beach Access

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeBeach access

Carteret County ocean beach access on Bogue Banks.

Where: 1025 Salter Path Rd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 8 AM-5 PM

Carteret County Parks & Recreation, 252-808-3301.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Restrooms, grills and outdoor showers (listed in a 2020 county parks listing, not on the current county pages); parking details; whether there are lifeguards; ZIP code (the county lists 28575); town (the county lists Pine Knoll Shores, map data puts this address in Indian Beach)

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: ccpr.recdesk.com

Illustration: holiday lights, a decorated tree and a lit-up boat at night — 🎨 Example illustration, not a photo of this place. Tap “See on Google Maps” for real photos.

📍 Morehead City

Morehead City Christmas Parade

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeHoliday event

Free community Christmas parade along Arendell Street.

Where: Arendell St, between S 17th St and S 6th St, Morehead City, NC 28557
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Sat Dec 12, 2026, starts 11 AM

Watch from the south side of Arendell Street between S. 17th and S. 6th streets. Downtown Morehead City, Inc. also lists a free tree lighting with Santa on Thu Dec 3, 5:30-7 PM, at Katherine Davis Park, 601 Arendell St.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Tree lighting details (from Downtown Morehead City, Inc., not the city); parking and road closures

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: moreheadcitync.gov

📍 Morehead City and Beaufort · Morehead City area

Friends Holiday Flotilla

🌳 Outdoor🆓 FreeHoliday boat parade

Boats decorated with holiday lights parade along the Morehead City waterfront, around Radio Island and into Beaufort's Taylor's Creek.

Where: Morehead City and Beaufort waterfronts, NC
Ages: Not stated
Cost: Free
Hours: Sat Dec 5, 2026: starts in Morehead City about 5:30 PM; reaches Beaufort about 6:30 PM

Free to watch from public waterfront areas in both towns. The separate viewing party is members-only and ticketed. Run by the Friends of the NC Maritime Museum, 252-728-2762.

⚠️ Not yet confirmed: Best public viewing spots; parking; times are approximate

See on Google MapsReviews, photos, hours WebsiteOfficial site

✅ Last checked Oct 23, 2026 · Source: maritimefriends.org

💡 Know a spot we missed in Morehead City & Crystal Coast?

Playground, story time, splash pad, farm or rainy-day spot in Morehead City & Crystal Coast: tell us and we'll check it out.

Public places only, like parks, libraries, museums and businesses open to everyone. We check every suggestion before it goes on the site, and we never list homes or private property.

Suggest a place