Martha’s Vineyard is at the heart of many a family tradition — generations gather here on the Island for weddings, reunions, and casual getaways. Kids grow up thinking of this place as a magical second home. If you’re ready to add boats, lighthouses, and the beach to their earliest memories, these things to do with kids on Martha’s Vineyard can help round out your trip.
Set Sail With MV Pirates
We’re going to be blunt here — this is hands down the coolest thing to do with kids we’ve seen in a long time. Martha’s Vineyard Pirate Adventures sails its own custom-built pirate ship out of Oak Bluffs harbor and teaches your group of landlubbing 2-10 year olds the ways of the sea. The kids get costumes and face paint, go on a hunt for buried treasure, engage in a [water]cannon battle with rival pirates, and take home some worthwhile loot. Give the adventure description a read and join us in wondering if we’re too old for eye patches ourselves.
Mini Golf at Island Cove Adventures
If the kids aren’t quite ready for a round at the Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links, they’re sure to have a blast at Island Cove Adventures in Vineyard Haven. Streams, a cave, and plenty of obstacles will keep even the most skilled golfer in the family chasing par. You’ll putt past a pond full of fish and finish in sight of a family-friendly version of the 19th hole that serves snacks, grilled food, and ice cream. Island Cove has a rock climbing wall, too, with a bird’s eye view of the course.
Ice Cream and Sweets
A Martha’s Vineyard sweet tooth tour isn’t just for grownups, though we accept no responsibility for extreme sugar highs and year-round dependency on Murdick’s Fudge (don’t tell the kids, but they can ship it to your door off-Island). Families love the old-fashioned jukebox at Mad Martha’s here in Edgartown, not to mention specialty dishes like the Clown Sundae. Consider topping off any of these things to do with kids on Martha’s Vineyard with a special treat.
Katama Airfield
We wouldn’t necessarily send our youngest guests on one of the Vineyard’s famed open-air biplane rides, but the airfield is still well worth a family stop on the way to South Beach. Planes and gliders taxi right past the Right Fork Diner so the kids can get an up-close look while they tackle their pancakes. The area is surrounded by native plant species and is extremely scenic, too.
The Island Movie Experience
Martha’s Vineyard movie theaters are a little different from the shopping-mall experience elsewhere. Two of them, the Strand and Capawock, have just reopened in all their vintage glory after years closed. The Island’s newest provides a state-of-the-art viewing experience, and Entertainment Cinemas here in Edgartown has been going strong for years with two screens and a rotating schedule. If the weather isn’t quite right, most of the theaters will host impromptu rainy day matinees.
When it’s time to rest up for another day of family fun on the Island, we’ve got you covered here at Vineyard Square. Families fit comfortably in our two-bedroom luxury suites, and we can also make arrangements for larger groups.
