In the era of tech entertainment, spring and summer vacations can be be hard on parents. Motivating your kids to get out of the house and get active is increasingly difficult as a host of console video games, tablet games, television shows and device streaming options become more readily available every day.
If you’re trying to limit screen time this summer, these activities across Delaware are sure to have your kids forgetting all about the video games at home. From water activities and trampoline parks to outdoor thrills and fun in the sun, these family-friendly to-dos are delightful for all ages.
Make a Splash
From waterparks to kayaking to coastal fun, these water-centric attractions scream “summer!”
Killen’s Pond Water Park: With water slides, a floating lily pad walk, a baby pool and the “Tot Lot,” this waterpark is fun for the whole family. The “Tot Lot” features bubblers, ground water jets, smaller water slides and a waterplay system. It’s the perfect way to introduce younger kids to water fun.
5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton
Thunder Lagoon Waterpark: This waterpark is part of Viking Golf & Go Karts. The full-service fun park includes go-karts, mini-golf and more. The waterpark features a 400-foot Lazy River, six water slides, an activity pool, a kiddie pool and more.
38960 Island Street, Fenwick Island
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Delmarva Board Sport Adventures: If your children are already experienced swimmers, consider renting a paddle board or booking a kayaking adventure. Delmarva Board Sport Adventures offers plenty of options, including guided and unguided kayaking and paddleboarding in multiple locations in Southern Delaware. This is a great activity for spring when it’s not quite hot enough for a full-on swim day.
Various Locations
Jungle Jim’s Waterpark: Delaware’s largest waterpark includes a wave pool, lazy river, activity pool, water activities for kids and several large water slides. If you live nearby and want to get the most waterside fun out of your summer, consider a season pass. Plus, along with the waterpark, enjoy batting cages and two mini-golf courses. Jungle Jim’s Waterpark opens for the season on Memorial Day weekend.
36944 Country Club Road, Rehoboth Beach
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Outdoor Thrills
If water isn’t your thing, these family-friendly outdoor activities are a great way to stay active in the sunshine.
Funland Rehoboth: Funland opens this weekend on May 11! Delaware’s boardwalk amusement park is a great place for summer fun. With games, children’s attractions and thrill rides, Funland turns a typical beach day into an unforgettable outing that kids of all ages will enjoy. The best part? It doesn’t have to break the bank. Entry to Funland is free, and single-ride tickets begin at just $0.60. Especially for younger children, this experience can be just as budget-friendly as it is family-friendly.
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
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Go Ape: This unparalleled outdoor adventure experience is a great way for older kids to stay active throughout the summer. The Treetop Adventure is a fun-filled two-hour ropes course with super long ziplines, tree-to-tree crossings and Tarzan swings, all up to 50 feet off the ground. For a more introductory version, try the treetop journey. Plus, the Forest EscAPE offers a fun and interactive experience like an escape room in the great outdoors. Most Go Ape activities have an age minimum, so check the website to make sure everyone in your group is old enough.
1042 Howell School Road, Bear
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For a Rainy Day
These indoor activities are perfect for those days when the weather isn’t up to par.
Shell We Bounce Trampoline Park: Open daily starting at 10 a.m., this trampoline park offers plenty of jumping space, a small arcade and a café. Bouncing activities include basketball, dodgeball, a foam pit and a kid zone for the younger children.
32295 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Lewes
Xtreme Zone: Go-karting, axe throwing, VR experiences and more await at Xtreme Zone. Kart-racing is fun for the whole family with both junior and adult races. Axe throwing and Airsoft ranges provide fun activities and games. The axe throwing range is complete with digitally projected targets, allowing participants to play with a standard bullseye, a tic-tac-toe board or even a zombie invasion experience.
4060 North DuPont Highway, New Castle
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Delaware Rock Gym: For great exercise and tons of fun, try a rock-climbing gym. The Delaware Rock Gym offers both roped climbing and bouldering. For inexperienced climbers, reserve a Trial Climb with an experienced staff member. All ages are welcome to climb, and the gym does have children’s harnesses, although those over the age of five or six will likely have the best time. Those 14 and older can take the intro course and fully immerse themselves in the fun of climbing and belaying.
520 Carson Drive, Bear
A Roller-Skating Rink: Indoor roller skating is a great way to get the kids active all year long. The First State is home to three great roller rinks — one per county — so no matter where you are, there’s a convenient spot to skate.
Multiple locations
Drink Break!
These family-friendly Delaware locations are the perfect spot to stop for a meal and a drink (or two), with plenty for the kids to do.
Crooked Hammock Brewery: Crooked Hammock locations are perfect for families with kids to sample craft beer and have a delicious meal together. With an extensive menu and activities like lawn games and playgrounds, both the Middletown and Lewes locations offer plenty of fun for the whole family.
16 Auto Park Drive, Middletown
36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes
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Constitution Yards: With classic American fare, a constantly rotating collection of craft beers with plenty of local selections and fun games, this is a great spot to stop for a drink and a meal with the kids (and dog) in tow. Enjoy corn hole, giant Jenga, axe throwing and even live music on select days.
308 Justison Street, Wilmington
Learn Something New
Delaware’s museums offer plenty of interactive exhibits and events to engage the kids and keep their brains active in the summer months.
Delaware Children’s Museum: Wilmington is home to a great children’s museum sure to stretch your child’s imagination and knowledge. With plenty of hands-on exhibits, kids can get their hands dirty while learning about nature, structures, transportation and more.
550 Justison Street, Wilmington
Delaware Museum of Nature and Science: Discover dynamic and diverse ecosystems at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science. With cool exhibits and unique events, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is a great educational activity for the whole family.
4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington
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Air Mobility Command Museum: Dedicated to airlift and air refueling history, this museum houses plenty of old aircraft and even hosts open cockpit days to explore the inner workings of the aircraft. The museum currently houses over 30 aircraft in varying sizes. Plenty of volunteers and staff are retired pilots and offer insight from firsthand experiences.
1301 Heritage Road, Dover
Budget-Friendly Options
Costs build up quickly with multiple kids. If you’re on a budget, there’s still plenty of family-friendly fun to be had in the First State.
The Brandywine Zoo: This small but mighty zoo in Wilmington is just $7-$9 for admission. With animals like red pandas, lemurs, bobcats, small primates, capybara, a red-footed tortoise, exotic birds and more, this budget-friendly zoo is great for young children to explore. Plus, supporting the zoo means supporting its incredible conservation efforts. For an evening experience, check out the family-friendly Sip & Stroll events. Local craft breweries sell libations throughout the zoo, so you can taste craft beer, wine and more while you enjoy animal encounters with the kids.
1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington
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Spend a Day at the Beach: Pack a cooler with snacks, lunch and drinks to make a day at the beach (almost) entirely free! You’ll likely have to pay for parking, but from there all you need to do is bring a book and let the kids enjoy the sun and sand for a budget-friendly day of fun. For a great family-friendly beach, try Lewes. The cape blocks most of the wave activity, so the shore in Lewes is a bit safer and frequented by families with children.
Related: These Summer Camps Are a Must for Kids in Delaware
