Seacoast Families and Children

See what Seacoast Families and Children do for fun!  The Seacoast area has so much to offer families and children…from nature and science programs to fitness activities and playgroups (for the whole family)!

Favorite Parks and Playgrounds

• Great Island Common, New Castle NH
• Portsmouth NH Parks and Playgrounds
• Odiorne State Park, Rye NH

Nature and Science

Seacoast Science Center is located within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH and considered a flagship institution in the region's cultural economy. A popular destination for families and students to learn about coastal environmental history, the Center's mission is: to create connections to nature through personal experience. That mission is met by providing engaging and interactive programs and exhibits. Each year, over 60,000 people visit the Center, 15,000 of whom are students from throughout New England.

Nature’s Wonders is an outdoor, nature-based classroom in Rye, NH offering young children and their families a chance to learn about local plant and animal life.  Students have opportunities to explore the salt marsh, woodlands and vernal pools.  Classes include circle time with stories and music, time outside with nature journals, and a project time.

Great Bay Discovery Center is located on the shores of Great Bay in Greenland, NH.  A trail and boardwalk allow visitors to explore a variety of habitats including upland hardwood forests, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh and mudflats. Visitors can stand on the deck of a 19th century gundalow replica or wander through the native gardens surrounding the center. Birdwatchers find the Discovery Center an excellent location to watch for Great Bay's wintering eagle population, migratory warblers, waterfowl, and locally nesting pairs of osprey.  Inside the Center, visitors are treated to interpretive exhibits about the Great Bay Estuary and its amazing creatures. Children can get their hands wet in an estuarine touch tank as they learn about lobsters, horseshoe crabs, mud snails and more. Interactive displays about salt marsh farming, salmon migration, plankton, tides and research on the Bay, allow children and adults alike to learn about the Estuary.

Attractions

The Children’s Museum is one of the nation’s most highly-regarded children’s museums and is New Hampshire's most-visited cultural attraction. Serving over 97,000 visitors a year from all over New England (and beyond), the Museum is a leader in the field for its innovative, experiential learning programs.  The new museum is located in a 20,000 s.f. facility on the banks of the Cocheco River in Dover, surrounded by Henry Law Park.

Rye Airfield is New England’s premier 50,000 square foot indoor skate and bike park.

Sagamore Golf Center Mini Golf is an 18-hole putting course is known for its eye-catching waterfalls and rock features!

Water Country is New England's largest water park. They have over 30 slides (both kiddie and adult), the largest wave pool in New England, and lots of other fun attractions.

York’s Wild Kingdom is located in York Beach, Maine and has something to offer every member of the family. Each year, people flock to the largest zoo and amusement park in the area. With exotic animals from around the world, this zoo recognized for its rare species and knowledgeable curators. They offer a variety of family rides, paddle boats, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a petting zoo, a butterfly kingdom, scenic picnic grounds and even a Haunted House. 

Fitness

Stroller Strides offers a complete head-to-toe body workout, all while your child comes along for the ride. This is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and during the workout, the instructor incorporates interaction with your child. In addition to these great classes, you can meet some amazing moms and kids. Stroller Strides is not only good for the way you look on the outside, but good for the way you feel on the inside, too!

Rumble Tumble Gym is about fun fitness through a child's natural desire to want to tumble and play.  Classes are longer than most in order to provide time for a good workout and enough time for fun without hurried pressure.  They teach children fundamental tumbling and fitness skills while improving balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination. 

Junior Gym is a creative exercise program centered around your child, motivating their interest in physical fitness. Junior Gym is a special place where your child’s imagination comes alive linking fitness with fun. They’ve created a stimulating room full of age appropriate equipment, exciting themes and music, challenging mazes and circuits, and a happy place where young children can participate and feel successful while they grow into fitness.

Seacoast Family YMCA has a mission to put into practice the positive values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. 

Sports 

Sportsmouth Tennis offers fun and rewarding tennis lessons for children of all ages and abilities!

Parent Groups

Seacoast Mothers Association a local organization formed to facilitate and nurture an engaging and supportive community for greater Seacoast area moms (with small children) and expectant moms. Their goals include connecting local moms with similar interests, providing a support network and facilitating information sharing.