ACTIVITIES
camps for music, nature, sports, arts, theatre
and more. The Maria Mitchell Discovery
Program offers children’s activities and camp
programs that introduce children to the
delights and wonders of the natural world,
with activities that include beach exploration,
sailing, wetland studies, discovery hikes,
art projects, and more. See page 83 for a
current list of camps, their contact
information and websites.
The Play(ground)’s the Thing!: Children’s
Beach, Jetties Beach, Tom Nevers Field
and Nantucket Elementary School all have
playground areas with swing sets, slides and
climbing equipment. There is also a small
playground on Essex Road and one behind St.
Paul’s Church. A state-of-the-art skateboard
park located within walking distance of the
ice rink is a wildly popular venue, especially
in summer.
Take to the Ice!: The Nantucket Ice CNB
Community Rink – a state-of-the-art facility
– offers a variety of year-round skating
programs for all ages. Call 508-228-2516
for further information.
Discovery Island: Both the Nantucket
Historical Association and the Maria Mitchell
Association offer classes for children.
Kids will discover what it was like to live
on Nantucket 200 years ago, learn about
native plants and animals, hike, explore the
beaches, and even learn survival skills.
Fun on the Water: Windsurfing, kayaking,
and sailing lessons are available at Jetties
Beach, provided by Nantucket Community
Sailing. Sea Nantucket Kayak rentals is
conveniently located at Francis Street
Beach, and Nantucket Island Surf School
gives surfing lessons at Cisco Beach. Preregistration is encouraged. See pages 82-86
of the Guide for contact information.
Unleash Your Creativity: The Artists
Association of Nantucket, Nantucket
School of Design & the Arts and Nantucket
Community School encourage artistic
endeavors with a variety of classes geared
toward youth, teens, ‘tweens and beyond in
all types of media. See page 103 for websites
and contact information.
Ready, Set, Shop!: Parents and kids alike
will be thrilled to explore the options for
souvenirs, gifts, and treasures of all sorts on
island. For the younger set, toy stores, gift
shops and pharmacies carry a multitude
of games, puzzles, paint sets, construction
paper, and more. Parents, indulge in the
many unique and eclectic boutiques
and shops for your age group!
A Night on the Town: Downtown
Nantucket has two movie theatres – the
Dreamland and the Starlight – featuring
first-run films, as well as esteemed theater
companies and plenty of places to stop for
ice cream and after-dinner treats all within
comfortable walking distance. At dusk, free
G-rated movies are shown at Children’s
Beach. Murray Camp offers a “Kids’ Night
Out” program for ages 5-13 from June
through September.
78 • 2014 Official Guide to Nantucket
Feelin’ Groovy!: The Nantucket Park &
Recreation Commission sponsors free tiedying clinics at Children’s Beach every Friday
from 12-1:30 p.m. throughout the summer.
All the World’s a Stage: Children’s Theatre
of Nantucket allows kids the opportunity to
express themselves through the performing
arts, as well as perform in an original
Nantucket-themed staged production. Call
508-228-8513 for more information.
Strike Up the Band: Free concerts are
held on Sundays from 6-7:15 p.m. at the
Community Bandstand at Children’s Beach.
Call Nantucket Visitor Services at 508-228-0925
for further details.
Ahoy there, Matey!: A variety of boat
charters are available for family excursions,
including some geared toward children. Ice
Cream Cruises on the Shearwater are a real
treat, and for a bonafide nautical experience,
the Sloop Endeavor offers a Pirate Adventure
Sail, as well as a “Songs & Stories of the Sea
Voyage Cruise.” To view some “denizens
of the deep”, Shearwater Excursions also
features seal and whale-watching cruises.
Go Fish!: Plan a family fishing expedition on
a charter boat, or with a surfcasting guide.
Most provide equipment and training for
both children and adults. See pages 82-86 of
the Guide for a list of charters and contact
information.
Note: Babysitting services of the highest
quality are available on island. See page 171
for details.