Wrightsville Beach is full of active adventures the whole family can get into. Little ones will love exploring coastal gardens, playing at the park and hopping aboard pirate-themed cruises, while older kids can try watersports, learn about local history and spot wildlife on eco-tours.
Keep reading for family-friendly activities for every age, plus great local spots to grab a bite and something sweet along the way.
1. Activities for Little Kids
From easy walks and playgrounds to imaginative discoveries by the shore, Wrightsville Beach offers plenty of adventures designed for short attention spans and curious minds:
Stroll the Wrightsville Beach Loop
Known to locals as The Loop, this wide, paved path runs through the heart of Wrightsville Beach and easily accommodates strollers, training bikes and little walkers. Along the way, kids can enjoy views of Banks Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as native plants and flowers at Harbor Way Gardens.
Play at Wrightsville Beach Park
Let the kiddos burn off energy at Wrightsville Beach Park, where a playground with an aero glider, six slides, spin cups, a climbing tunnel, swings and more awaits. The nearby covered picnic shelter makes a perfect spot to rest and enjoy a snack in the shade.
Insider tip: The aero glider rocks back and forth, sparking imaginative play as kids pretend they’re sailing the high seas.
Explore the shore
Spend some time by the water, where youngsters can hunt for seashells or build sandcastles while the adults relax nearby. For an easy beach picnic, pick up fixings from Robert’s Grocery or Bevvy Mart and spread out a blanket on the sand.
Leave a note in the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox
Tucked at the north end of the island, the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox (managed by Wrightsville Beach Museum of History) is a small, whimsical stop where kids can leave drawings or notes for future visitors. Pens and blank paper are provided.
Insider tip: To find the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox, start at Public Beach Access #2 (2698 N. Lumina Ave.), which has metered parking, restrooms and showers. Walk north along the shoreline past Shell Island Resort, keeping an eye out for a lone mailbox and bench near the dunes. The whole experience feels like a mini treasure hunt!
Join a Pirate Island Treasure Hunt with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours
For kids who love stories and make-believe, this pirate-themed cruise is a hit. Led by a costumed pirate guide, families cruise to Masonboro Island Reserve to dig for “buried treasure” while hearing tales of Captain Kidd, Blackbeard and other legendary pirates said to have sailed these waters. Insider tip: Bring snacks and your singing voice.
See the blooms at Airlie Gardens
Just a short drive from Wrightsville Beach, Airlie Gardens is full of blooms, buzzing pollinators and wildlife for little ones to discover. In spring, colorful azaleas line the paths, and the Pollinator Garden is active year-round with bees, moths, hummingbirds and other creatures. Kids can wander the historic camellia gardens that are over a century old and end their visit marveling at the massive Airlie Oak, a 500-year-old tree that towers above the gardens.
Insider tip: If you’re visiting from June to September, don’t miss the Butterfly House, a 2,700-square-foot open-air structure where native butterflies thrive. With advance tickets, kiddos can even take part in butterfly releases on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Plan around seasonal events
Held every spring at Wrightsville Beach Park, the Wrightsville Beach Easter Egg Hunt is a favorite family tradition featuring more than 8,000 eggs. Kids are grouped by age, giving everyone a fair shot at collecting Golden Eggs with special prizes! After the egg hunt, families can take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny.
In October, the annual WB Bike Rodeo at Wrightsville Beach Park gives young riders a chance to practice balance, braking and turns on a fun obstacle course. Bikes and helmets are available to borrow, or you can bring your own. The afternoon also includes free lunch and a “touch-a-truck” experience, where kids can explore equipment used by local law enforcement, public safety and public works teams.
Visit the Town of Wrightsville Beach website to find specific dates and times for each event.
2. Activities for Big Kids
Older kids and adventurous families can dive deeper into Wrightsville Beach’s waters, wildlife and coastal culture with hands-on experiences that blend learning and play:
Tour nearby barrier islands with Coastal Eco Adventures
Coastal Eco Adventures leads immersive Barrier Island Tours that explore more than eight marine ecosystems. Kids can look for wildlife along the Intracoastal Waterway, dig into island geology, explore the swash zone and search for natural “treasures” during a beach scavenger hunt on Masonboro Island. Tours last about three to four hours, with life jackets provided and drinking water available on board.
Note: Closed-toe shoes are required – and yes, they’ll probably get a little wet.
Join an Guided Beach Eco-Tour with Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours
This two-hour island excursion sails by catamaran-style vessel to Masonboro Island Reserve, where kids scavenge for shells to use in an art project. Along the way, field ornithologist Captain Joe shares insights into coastal ecosystems and conservation, helping kids connect their discoveries to the bigger picture of protecting barrier islands. Note: Don’t forget to bring snacks and wear water-appropriate shoes.
Learn to paddleboard with Wrightsville SUP
For confident swimmers (ages 10+), stand-up paddleboarding is a fun way to explore the coast. Wrightsville SUP offers family-friendly lessons and tours, with experienced instructors who teach safety, technique and marine-life awareness before heading out. The full experience lasts about 90 minutes, giving kids a chance to learn new skills and spot wildlife such as dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles and blue crabs. Insider tip: Wrightsville SUP also offers canoe tours and kayak rentals for those looking to explore the waterways at their own pace or for families with children who may not be ready to stand and paddle just yet.
Cast a line at Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier
Stretching more than 1,200 feet into the ocean, this iconic pier is great for young anglers and curious kids. The all-day fishing pass includes a blanket license for fishing between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (no separate license required), and the pier also offers a tackle shop, seasonal snack bar, bathrooms and unbeatable ocean views.
Step back in time at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History is housed in an early-1900s cottage and is easy to explore in under an hour. Exhibits include hands-on elements, historic beach artifacts, a scale model of Wrightsville Beach ca. 1910 and the original Wrightsville Beach Mailbox.
Catch a wave with local surf schools
Year-round private lessons and summer camps make Sean’s Private Surf Instruction a go-to for young surfers. All equipment is included, and experienced local instructors tailor each session to your kid’s skill level and goals.
Indo Jax Surf School runs all-inclusive summer camps for “groms” (ages 7 to 11) and teens (ages 12+), pairing surf instruction with other watersports like bodyboarding and paddleboarding.
To learn more about all things surfing in Wrightsville Beach (and scope out other surf camps and lessons), take a look at this blog.
Seasonal events:
Fall and winter bring family-friendly fun with Movies in the Park at Wrightsville Beach Park. Families can pack picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs and settle in to watch a family-friendly film. Visit the Town of Wrightsville Beach website for the most up-to-date movie schedule.
Every year, the annual Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot offers a festive way to start Thanksgiving Day. The 1-mile course is flat and family-friendly – plus, there’s a turkey costume contest with fun prizes.
3. Kid-Friendly Dining and Treats
Between beach time and activities, Wrightsville Beach offers plenty of spots where families can refuel:
Choose from classic hot dogs (including beef, turkey, sausage and vegetarian options) and pile on your favorite toppings. Don’t forget a cold pink lemonade to cool off, with all-day refills to keep the whole family refreshed.
Insider tip: Early birds can also stop by The Coffee Stop, a walk-up window open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., for coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
With its Edgar Allan Poe-themed décor and alfresco seating areas, this restaurant is full of quirky, kid-friendly charm. The kids’ menu has lots of options (grilled cheese, mac and cheese, burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches and quesadillas), all served with hand-cut fries.
Family-owned since 1987, Vito’s serves classic New York-style thin-crust pizza by the slice or pie. Stick with kid-friendly classics like cheese or pepperoni, or branch out with specialty options such as the Sweetwater (ham and pineapple) or Red Dawg (sausage, pepperoni and banana peppers).
Surfberry (seasonal)
Start the day with acai bowls (no added sugar), smoothies, toast or baked goods. Then, come back in the afternoon for frozen yogurt, milkshakes or customizable Hawaiian shaved ice (with optional sour spray for the kiddos). Parents love the organic ingredients, and kids love the sweet treats.
The Original Ice Cream Stand (seasonal)
The Original Ice Cream Stand has been a colorful walk-up favorite since 1994, offering ice cream, Italian ices, banana splits, floats and smoothies just steps from the ocean.
Waves Hawaiian Shaved Ice (seasonal)
Located inside Robert’s Grocery, Waves Hawaiian Shaved Ice serves real Hawaiian fruit flavors with no artificial dyes or fake sugars. Add-ons like ice cream centers, creamy drizzles and fresh fruit make it an extra special treat stop.
Kohl’s Frozen Custard (seasonal)
Kohl’s Frozen Custard is a must-stop for families craving something sweet after a day at the beach. This seasonal spot serves gourmet frozen custard, sundaes, milkshakes, floats and smoothies, with rotating custard flavors like Cereal Milk, Death By Chocolate, S’mores and Rice Krispie Treat. For an extra special treat, try a “hurricane” – a custard flavor of your choice blended with one to three toppings. Visit this link for the most up-to-date flavor schedule.
For more kid-friendly dining options in Wrightsville Beach, check out this link.
