The fun never ends for parents and kids of all ages in Kure Beach thanks to free family-friendly programming all season long. What’s not to love about a DJed dance party and meeting a real-life princess?Jump right into the fun Kure Beach has to offer by perusing this list of Kure-ated ideas!

Summer Programs at Ocean Front Park & Pavilion

Join in on the fun with a plethora of programs open to the public at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park and Pavilion. Bring a beach blanket for a fun evening of music by the sea during the Boogie in the Park Concert Series. On the first and third Sunday of each month from May to October, groove out to all types of music ranging from bluegrass to reggae while waves crashing in the distance add their own soundtrack to the mix. Make sure to mark down that there are no concerts on July Fourth or Labor Day weekends.

 

If a DJ is more your style, don’t fret – move on over to Up & Active! Bring the whole family to shake it out for an hour of music, games and face painting. Every Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 16 to Aug. 18, take it seaside to the Ocean Front Park lawn and join in on all the fun that this new active event has to offer. 

Bring your little future environmentalists to Turtle Talks, where kids and adults can learn all about local nesting sea turtles in an engaging educational discussion. The event is hosted by the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project, a local non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all sea turtle species, every Monday from 7-8 p.m. from June 13 to Aug. 29.

 

A magical experience awaits at Story Time by the Sea. Little ones can meet princesses and their fairytale friends every Wednesday from 10-11:30 a.m. June 15 to Aug. 17. Enter a new kingdom to enjoy stories, crafts and games at Ocean Front Park & Pavilion with the Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea team. Make sure to pack a camera because this is a photo op you don’t want to miss!

 

Under the Sea Activities at the North Carolina Aquarium

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher offers fun for the whole family with fascinating exhibits of aquatic environments and wildlife. For an extra special adventure, explore more outdoors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nature Play by the Sea. If you head to the bike path and follow the signs to Nature Play, you’ll find plenty of space to swing, climb, dig, build and adventure outside on the aquarium grounds.

Get Moving at Carolina Beach State Park

Join a Park Ranger at nearby Carolina Beach State Park to brush up on your carnivorous plant knowledge as you hike along the Flytrap Trail. As you loop through wetlands, wiregrass and across stretches of wooden boardwalks, learn about how the different habitats existing within the State Park affect its plants and animals. This half-mile hike is perfect for all ages and is handicap accessible. It takes place every Saturday at 10 a.m. through the end of October, meeting at the Flytrap Trail Parking Lot at the end of Nature Trail Lane.

 

Whether you’re a novice or avid birder, jump right into bird watching with the Fourth Wednesday Bird Walk, which takes place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 8-10 a.m. No experience is necessary and the easy two-mile hike along Snows Cut Trail covers flat terrain. Meet at the Marina to join the group and your park staff guides. Don’t forget to pack water, bug spray and binoculars for a morning full of bird watching.

 

Whether you’re jiving to lively music by the sea, listening to magical stories, learning about sea turtles and history, or exploring the magical world of the aquarium, dive into all the family-friendly fun Kure Beach has planned this summer!