Things For Kids

Enjoy The Beach: Swimming, finding shells, building a sand castle, playing beach games like Volleyball and Frisbee.   Play Putt-Putt Golf & Arcade Putt-Putt is something not only fun for the kids but also for the whole family to enjoy.   Enjoy Ice Cream: Ice cream in the summer at the beach is hard to beat and kids love it. You can bring it, make it or buy it at several locations.   Fishing: This is a good thing for adults to do with the kids. Surf fishing and pier fishing can both be fun. The City Pier at the corner of Davis & Bay Street in Southport is a great place for kids to pier fish.   Crabbing: This is fun for all ages. There are several good places for crabbing including the 78th Street NE Crab Dock, located at 78th Street & Yacht Drive. Crabbing is done by tying bait on the end of a string and letting it into the water. When you feel something pulling on the string, you pull it up slow and easy. It is best to use a net to get the crab just before the string comes out of the water. Most people release the crabs unharmed.   Shopping: Kids enjoy shopping for things like t-shirts, rafts, beach clothes, toys and getting cool henna tattoos.   Kayaking and Canoeing: Tidal Waves Park, at the end of 31st Street SE on Davis Creek has a canoe and kayak dock. There are many places for kayaking or canoeing including the Davis Creek Canoe Trail. Maps are available at the Recreation Center on Oak Island Drive.   Airplane ride: Oak Island Located on Long beach Road on the right just before the bridge. Kids will love seeing Oak Island from the air. Take an airplane ride at the Brunswick County Airport on Long Beach Road.   Playgrounds: Middleton Park, at the corner of 47th Street and Oak Island Drive has a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, a picnic shelter, a soccer field, a T-Ball field, softball field, a picnic area and restrooms. Dutchman Creek Park, on Fish Factory Rd. near marina, has walking trail, playground, boat dock, restrooms.   Shell Hunting: Shell hunting is something the whole family can enjoy. A wide range of interesting shells can be found on our South facing beach.   The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry: Riding the Ferry is always fun for kids. The Southport Ferry departs several times each day. This is a great way to get to the NC Aquarium and Fort Fisher. Call 800-BY-FERRY for the latest ferry information.   The Fort Fisher Civil War Museum: Remains of the earthen fort that kept the Cape Fear River and the port of Wilmington open to blockade runners, which delivered vital supplies to the Confederate armies until the fort fell on January 15, 1865.   The North Carolina Aquarium: The North Carolina Aquarium is Alive and Swimming... Explore environments where sharks, local fishes and sea turtles glide.   Visit The Point: The Oak Island Point is located at the West end of Beach Drive and includes an interpretive trail, parking area, covered wheelchair platform on the beach and portable restrooms. This is a great place for walking, fishing or shell hunting.   Oak Island Nature Center: Visit the Oak Island Nature Center & Register Park, overlooking the marsh and Intracoastal Waterway, the Oak Island Nature Center offers a wide range of educational activities for children and adults alike.   Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden: Kids will enjoy the Dot Kelly Memorial Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, bird watching platform and marsh walkway to the beach at 29th Place East.   Skate Park: The Oak Island Skate Park at 49th Street SE & Beach Drive is for skateboards and inline skates.   Picnics: There are several places for a picnic such as the Memorial Register Park at 52nd Street NE & Yacht Drive on the Intracoastal Waterway.   Walk the Southport Riverwalk: The River Walk winds around the riverfront starting at Whittlers Bench. This is a 6/10 of a mile walk with benches and an observation deck. The kids will love the walk, this is something that the whole family can do together.   William S. "Bill" Smith Park Located on Fish Factory Rd. Picnic area, restrooms, Baseball/Softball fields, Football/Soccer Field, Walking Trail, Sand Volleyball Court   Visit the USS Battleship North Carolina (Wilmington): The USS NORTH CAROLINA is preserved just as she was in World War II. She has been the site for many dramatic documentaries and action films.   Surf Cinemas Oak Island and Southport 4836 Long Beach Rd. 910-457-0320 Watch a movie at our local theater. Located at 4836 Long Beach Road near the Food Lion Shopping Center and across the street from the Chamber of Commerce.