30+ Outdoor Adventures for Families in Wilmington, NC

Springtime in Wilmington is usually pretty short. We get a few weeks to enjoy the warmer weather (sunny, random rain storms and sometimes a cool breeze) before it all changes. Our town will soon transform into “Tourist Season” where restaurants require long waits, parking will be difficult to find and all the lovely critters will come out of their nests (bugs and mosquitos). Oh and did I mention the humidity and intense heat? Don’t get me wrong, I love Summertime, but NOW is the time you want to explore Wilmington with your kids. I’ve listed a few of our favorite outdoor activities below.

Get Outside!

Water Play

• Splash Pad at Long Leaf Park – Opens May 1 (typically, verify with New Hanover P&R
• Splash Pad at Earl Jackson Pool – Opens Memorial Day
• Harbor Ways Garden Splash Area
• Jungle Rapids Water Park – Opens Saturday, May 10 for the season
• Beach Day – see this post for parking fees
• Carolina Beach + Freeman Park – Drive on the beach details
• Greenfield Lake paddle boats – Fun for older kids – details

Parks + Playgrounds

• Fit for Fun (especially for toddlers) – wonderful fenced in playground outside
• Hanover Pines – newest park on Carolina Beach Rd. which also has no shade, so visit before it gets too toasty.
• Halyburton Park – Nature trails (don’t forget to look up Little Explorers events)
• Northeast Regional Park – my favorite playground for ages 3+
• NHC Arboretum (free) – the perfect place for a picnic
• Olsen Park – one of the only fenced in parks, but there is no shade, so enjoy it before it gets hot!
• Parkwood Park – my favorite toddler friendly playground

Adventure + Explore

• Airlie Gardens ($)
• Carolina Beach State Park – Not stroller friendly + bring bug spray
• Fort Fisher Basin Trail (my favorite) + NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
• Kayak or boat to Masonboro Island
• Stanley Ryder Carnivorous Plant Garden – May is the time you want to visit to see the Venus flytraps in full bloom.
• NHC Arboretum (free)
• Tour the USS North Carolina ($) or walk around it (free)

Easy Backyard Fun

• Create your own obstacle course
• Blow up pool, sprinkler fun or water table
• Try a backyard scavenger hunt
• Use scissors to cut grass – great practice
• Watercolor paint on coloring sheets (our favorite)
• Chalk
• Kinetic sand or play dough
• Plant a garden

Sunset & Chill

• Evening beach picnic at Wrightsville Beach or Carolina Beach
• Dinner on the Intracoastal Waterway
• Sunset ferry ride in Southport or just a boat ride
• Walk down a local pier
• Walk the Riverwalk for a beautiful sunset over the river

A Few Tips:

• Baby carriers are life savers when exploring with little ones. This is probably my most used item, especially when walking nature trails, venturing around playgrounds and of course, walking on the sand at the beach
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen are recommended outside. We don’t have time for bug bites or sunburns.
• Always check the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County Parks and Recreation social media pages for closures (especially for the Splash Pads)
• Don’t ever ever ever forget water and snacks! (The most requested item when we are out and about exploring)
• Have fun! Take a photo or two, but unplug and try to soak in the adventures with your kids. (I’m still learning how to do this.)

Share Your Adventures!

I hope this helps fills up your days with fun local spots around Wilmington! Drop your favorite Springtime spots or tag @WilmingtonMom on socials.