11 Things to Do in Maine With Kids

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Maine may not be the first vacation destination that comes to mind, but it’s actually a great place to go with your kids.

Maine has beautiful beaches, historic villages, and pine forests, along with plenty of kid-friendly activities.

11 Things to Do in Maine With Kids

If you are planning a vacation in Maine, or simply a resident looking for things to do with your kiddos, you’ll find the best things to do with kids in Maine right here.

You can check out museums, spend some time in nature, and see what life was like a few hundred years ago.

Don’t forget to spend some time on the coast.

1. Visit a Children’s Theater and Museum

One of the great things about Maine is that it’s easy to combine education with recreation.

The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is a great way to begin your trip.

It’s located in Portland and has exhibits that kids and parents will love.

Budding engineers and artists can check out MakerSpace. Children can create their own art or building project.

Bins are full of art and craft materials, and children are encouraged to use their imagination.

Tools, including drills and saws, are available to create projects with the help of the staff.

Go With the Flow teaches kids about water, while the Mountains to the Sea Exhibit showcases Maine’s watersheds.

In addition to museum exhibits, the theater frequently puts on professional quality plays, including Charlotte‘s Web and The Never Ending Story.

2. Get Away at Sunday River

If you love nature, luxury, or both, you should visit Sunday River.

You can explore the rugged mountains of Western Maine.

The mountain is well known for its excellent skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

However, there’s plenty to do during the summer as well.

You can enjoy the view on a scenic lift.

You can hike family-friendly day trails, or go on a backpacking adventure.

You and your children can get a crash course in archery, ax throwing, paddle boarding, or kayaking by taking a course offered at Sunday River. Guided kayak tours are also available.

When you need a break, take advantage of the spa and daycare services offered by the lodge.

3. Check out a Railway Museum

In addition to the Children’s Museum and Theater, Maine offers a few family-friendly railway museums.

The Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum is a can’t-miss for history and train lovers.

The railway was opened in 1894. It was originally planned to connect the two of Wiscasset with Quebec, Canada.

The narrow gauge railway only extended 50 miles into Maine and closed during the Great Depression.

Today, you can ride the steam engine.

There are several activities that vary by time and season.

During blueberry season, you can ride the train to a blueberry patch.

You’ll also find ice cream socials, and excursions to Trout River Preserve, where you can hike and explore the rail yard.

4. Have an Adventure at Northeast Whitewater

Northeast Whitewater offers a range of things to do.

When it comes to accommodations, you can stay in a yurt for a glamping experience.

The Hawk’s Nest Lodge gives you luxurious lodge accommodations, or go back to your roots with tent camping.

You can go on a whitewater rafting, take an eco-tour, or take an on-the-water tour.

You shouldn’t miss the moose and wildlife-watching tours while you are there.

Other activities include waterfall hikes, ice cave exploring, paddleboarding, and canoeing.

5. Roosevelt Campobello International Park

To visit Roosevelt Campobello International Park, you’ll need to cross the Canadian border.

This means you’ll need a passport, a birth certificate, and social security card.

However, it’s well worth the trip.

It truly is an international park, with Canada and America partnering to run things.

It was a favorite getaway for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Visit the summer home of Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor, which looks very similar to its original state in 1920.

You can also learn more about Elanor Roosevelt with Elanor’s Tea.

In addition to the main cottage, there are smaller restored cottages you can view.

There’s also a stunning natural area that spans 2,800 acres of land.

The area features 9 hiking trails and 3 carriage trails.

You’ll find forests, rocky shores, cobble beaches, and sphagnum bogs.

6. Experience the Unexpected in the Desert of Maine

If you are looking for a unique and even weird experience, you should bring your family to the Desert of Maine.

As the name suggests, the Desert of Maine is an actual desert located in Maine.

You’ll find more than 20 acres of sand dunes amid a traditional Maine forest.

The area became popular in the 1800s, and the Desert of Maine was founded in 1926.

Since then, more than 1 million visitors have passed through the park.

There is plenty of entertainment for kids and adults.

Kids love the natural playground, the Gemstone Village labyrinth, which allows kids to dig for gems, and a fossil dig exhibit.

Adults will love the self-guided educational tour.

You’ll learn about the dunes and the natural processes that formed them.

You can also see the 1800s Farmhouse Museum.

7. Go Back In Time At Washburn-Norlands Living History Center

If you love history, you should visit the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center.

You’ll see what life was like in 19th-century Maine in real-time.

The estate has 400 sprawling acres of land.

This includes a Victorian Mansion, complete with a granite library and a farmer’s cottage.

There’s also a Universalist church meetinghouse and a one-room schoolhouse.

In addition, there are many acres of working farmland that you can tour.

Children can also participate in farm activities, including gathering eggs, milking, planting, and cutting firewood.

8. Take a Cruise with Katahdin Cruises & Moosehead Marine Museum

The Katahdin Cruises & Moosehead Marine Museum offers an educational and fun maritime experience.

You can choose from several tours that are designed for people of all ages.

The Katahdin is a 1914 steamboat, which is a historical site in itself.

Along with the Katahdin, you can visit the Maritime Museum.

All cruises include museum admission as part of the ticket price.

The Sugar Island Cruise takes you around Sugar Island and other local landmarks.

During the 3-hour tour, you’ll learn about the history of the area.

The Moose Island Cruise lasts for 2 hours.

For an all-day experience, consider the Head of the Lake Cruise.

Breakfast and dinner are included.

9. Take a Photo Tour

If you or a family member loves photography, you must take the Coastal Maine Photo Tour.

You can choose from a variety of tours based on your interest.

One-day tours are a great way to spend a day of your vacation while improving your photography skills.

If you have the time, you can book a multi-day tour.

These tours include workshops to help you improve your photography, as well as plenty of photo ops.

The Great Island Photo Tour is a 3-day tour that takes you to 3 different Maine islands.

You’ll visit a bustling port and downtown area, and a rural area with no paved roads.

One-day tours include Hours or Flowers and Monhegan Island tours.

10. Get Active with Take Flight Adventures

Take Flight Adventures is an aerial challenge course, which has more than 65 activities and attractions.

You’ll take on the aerial course with a partner or two, which makes it a great way to bond with family members.

There are 3 levels to the course, so it’s suitable for younger children as well as adventurous adults.

You’ll climb cargo nets, go across bridges, and enjoy swinging platforms.

You can also go on one of two adventure zip tours.

In addition to the zip line, you’ll encounter 3 climbing elements.

You’ll also traverse bridges and cargo nets in between zip lines.

11. Go Mini-Golfing

If you are looking for a fun day for the family, you should go mini golfing at Raptor Falls Mini Golf & Ice Cream.

The course features animatronic dinosaurs, which kids love.

These realistic dinos add a touch of whimsy to the course.

You can enjoy homemade ice cream near Shaker Pond, and play golf.

At the 18th hole, you’ll face an interesting waterfall.

It’s a safe and family-friendly environment and gives you a great way to spend some time in Maine.

Maine Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Maine Safety Review

Safety Index:

86

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW