There are a lot of fun things to do with kids in Wilmington, NC. From visiting a museum to going to an aquarium to attending an event for kids, there’s a large variety of great activities to do with children.
Wilmington is an incredible city to visit and if you’re in the city with children, there are great activities. Many of these aren’t only fun for kids, but they can be great for the whole family.
This guide to the best things to do in Wilmington with kids consists of the most fun family-friendly activities you shouldn’t miss out on!
Best Things To Do With Kids in Wilmington
Visit the Wilmington Railroad Museum
The Wilmington Railroad Museum is an interesting museum in the city that is both fun and educational.
This museum has an interesting collection of items that relate to the development of railroads in the Wilmington area. Also, you can learn about the people that worked on the railroad here.
There are many interesting exhibits at the museum through which it is possible to learn about railroad history. For example, there is a 100-year-old steam locomotive that is very interesting to see.
Also, there’s a special Children’s Hall where interactive scale train models can be seen and played with.
Besides that, the museum’s collection also includes lots of memorabilia related to the railroads.
Address: 505 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Bowl at Cardinal Lanes Beach Bowl
Cardinal Lanes Beach Bowl is a bowling center with 24 lanes that can be found in Wilmington at Market Street.
It is possible to go here to bowl with your kids every day of the week.
The bowling alley has a great atmosphere, making it a fun place to check out with the whole family.
In addition to being a great place for bowling, this bowling alley is also a nice place if you want to have food. The pizza that you can get here is delicious and there is a lot more food to choose from.
What’s great about this bowling alley as well is that it isn’t a very expensive place.
Address: 7026 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28411
Go to The Children’s Museum of Wilmington
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington, located in downtown Wilmington, is perfect if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Wilmington. This is a fun hands-on museum where children can learn a lot of new things in a fun and interactive way.
You can find many interactive exhibits at the museum that all focus on one particular topic.
For example, there is a pirate ship exhibit where children can steer a steering wheel.
Another interesting exhibit is the “Bodies in Motion” exhibit. Through this exhibit, children can learn about the human body.
Furthermore, the “Community Market” exhibit is an exhibit where children can shop for produce, flowers, and other items in a kid-sized setting. Children can also work the register in this exhibit and do a variety of other activities.
Besides that, there are many other interesting and fun exhibits for children here.
Address: 116 Orange St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Check Out the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher can be found a bit outside of Wilmington, but it is easy to get here.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is a state-owned aquarium where children can learn about marine animals that live in the waters of the Cape Fear region.
Some of the animals that you can see at the aquarium are sea horses, copperheads, and bass.
Furthermore, there are often events at the aquarium, including story time events that can be great for children. During these events, children can also do a special animal encounter during which they can see animals up close.
Address: 900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Go to the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park With Kids
Jungle Rapids is a fun place to check out if you’re wondering what to do in Wilmington with kids, as it is a place with a large variety of fun activities.
First of all, this is a water park with a lot of fun water attractions, including many waterslides and pools.
Furthermore, it is possible to play miniature golf at “Jungle Golf”. This is an 18-hole miniature golf course that is perfect for all ages!
Another activity at Jungle Rapids that is great for children under 8, is the Kids Jungle. This is an indoor playground at Jungle Rapids.
Address: 5320 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
Attend a Family Event at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College is a performing arts center that is part of Cape Fear Community College.
Lots of different types of shows take place at the center, and this also includes many shows that are great for the whole family.
For example, there are great Broadway musicals that are great to see with children.
Besides that, there are great concerts. For example, it is possible to attend a concert by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra when you check out the Wilson Center.
What’s great too is that there are fun events during the holiday season, such as “The Nutcracker”.
Address: 703 N 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Explore Battleship North Carolina
One of the most iconic sights in Wilmington is a great sight to check out with children. You can go to Battleship North Carolina.
This ship, which is a fast battleship that was launched in 1940, is moored across historic downtown Wilmington. Since 1962, the ship has functioned as a museum ship.
The ship took part in many military operations during the Second World War, and the ship earned 15 battle stars in total.
The ship can be very interesting and exciting to visit with children. It is possible to explore the nine levels of the ship through a self-guided tour, and it is possible to learn about naval history when you go here. What’s interesting is that there are volunteers stationed throughout the ship.
Address: 1 Battleship Rd, Wilmington, NC 28401
Go to DEFY Wilmington
DEFY Wilmington is a fun trampoline park that is located in Wilmington. You can find several DEFY trampoline parks in the United States, but each one of the parks is unique, and you can do many kinds of activities at DEFY Wilmington.
For example, there is a ninja course at this place.
Also, there is a zip line that can be a lot of fun to ride.
Besides that, there is a large open jump area with many trampolines next to each other that together form a very large trampoline area that children can jump on!
Address: 6431 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28405
See a Movie at The Pointe 14
Going to the movies is also one of the best family-friendly activities in Wilmington, and there are several good places for this in the city.
One of the best places in Wilmington to see a movie is The Pointe 14.
This is a modern multiscreen movie theater where the latest family-friendly movies can be seen.
What’s great about this movie theater is that it uses the latest technology to provide the best cinema experience. For example, there is a Dolby Atmos sound system.
Also, it is sometimes possible to see 3D movies here.
Address: 2223 Blockbuster Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412
Go to a Family Event at the Airlie Gardens
It can be great to go to a family event at the Airlie Gardens.
The Airlie Gardens is a public garden that can be found at Airlie Road and it was created in the year 1886. When it was created, it was a private garden for the Pembroke Jones Family.
Lots of beautiful plants and flowers can be seen at the Airlie Gardens. For example, there are many different types of azaleas and palms.
The Airlie Oak can also be found at the Airlie Gardens. This is a 500-year-old live oak.
Lots of events take place in the garden, and this also includes great family events.
Address: 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403
Check Out the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is a museum that you can find in downtown Wilmington. What’s special about this museum is that it was founded in 1898, which makes it the oldest history museum in North Carolina.
The museum is a very interesting museum to check out with children and children can learn a lot when they go there.
The museum has a large collection of more than 50,000 objects. These objects are very diverse as they relate to science, history, and culture.
Moreover, the museum has a variety of exhibitions. For example, there is one exhibition that focuses on space.
In addition to that, there are often temporary exhibitions at the museum.
Address: 814 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Go to a Family Event at the Thalian Hall
Thalian Hall is a historic performing arts center that you can find in downtown Wilmington. This theater dates back to the year 1858.
Thalian Hall is a beautiful building that was built in a style that combines elements from the Classical Revival and Late Victorian architectural styles. In addition to that, the theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lots of events take place at the theater, including events that can be great to attend with children.
For example, it is possible to go to a musical at the theater.
Address: 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Go to the Annual Bellamy Mansion Museum Family Fun Day
The Bellamy Mansion Museum is one of the best museums in Wilmington. You can find the Bellamy Mansion here, which is a Neoclassical mansion that dates back to the 19th century.
The mansion is one of the best examples of antebellum architecture in North Carolina and it is part of the Wilmington Historic District.
Once a year, the Family Fun Day takes place at the Bellamy Mansion, and going there is a great thing to do with kids in Wilmington. This is a free community event that is a lot of fun for children to attend.
During the event, there is a petting zoo, children can do pony rides, there are storytelling activities, there’s live music, and there’s much more.
Address: 503 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Get Ice Cream at Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream
Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream is a wonderful ice cream store to check out with children.
The ice cream that you can get at Boombalatti’s is made with local ingredients from the state. Also, what’s great is that this ice cream store doesn’t use artificial flavors and colors.
Moreover, the ice cream at this ice cream store is very fresh and delicious!
There are many flavors of ice cream to choose from here, including vegan flavors. There are always 6 to 8 nondairy ice cream flavors at each of the three locations of this ice cream.
Also, there often are seasonal flavors at Boombalatti’s!
Address: 1005 N 4th St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Go to a Kids Event at the New Hanover County Public Library
The New Hanover County Public Library is a great place to visit with kids as there are often fun kids events.
These events take place at several of the library’s branches. For example, there are events at the Main Library in downtown Wilmington.
One of the events that children can attend here is the “Read to a dog” event. During this event, children between 5 and 11 years old can practice reading aloud to a special dog.
Also, there are often storytime events at the library.
Address: 201 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Do a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Historic Downtown Wilmington
Another fun family-friendly activity in Wilmington is doing a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city.
It is possible to do a horse-drawn carriage tour that starts on Market Street, between Water and Front Streets.
During this tour, you can explore historic downtown Wilmington while listening to information from a costumed driver. You’ll ride along the riverfront and see historic mansions during this tour.
The tours can be done almost every day of the week and reservations are not needed.
Also, what’s interesting to know is that rescued horses are used for this tour.
Check Out Flip N Fly
Flip N Fly is a fun trampoline park in Wisconsin. This is the largest indoor trampoline park in the city.
You can find a lot of wall-to-wall trampolines at Flip N Fly, that are a lot of fun to jump on for children.
Also, what’s great is that there are several other attractions here besides the freestyle trampoline court.
For example, there is a kids court that is great for young children. This is a separate court for the little ones to enjoy.
Also, there is a ninja course and there are dunk hoops that are a lot of fun.
Address: 830 Inspiration Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405
Go to a Kids Event at the Cameron Art Museum
The Cameron Art Museum, located in downtown Wilmington, is an interesting art museum where temporary art exhibitions can be seen.
These art exhibitions are very diverse and there are local, national, and international works on display here. Each exhibition is at the museum for a limited time only.
Besides that, there are often events at the museum, including kids events.
For example, there are events during which there are fun hands-on activities that children can do while exploring the museum with their parents.
Address: 3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28412
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It can be great to combine checking out the things to do in Wilmington with kids on this list with going to a family-friendly restaurant. For this, there are several great restaurants in the city that have a kids menu.
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I hope I helped you find some great activities. As you see, there are many things to do with kids in Wilmington, NC!