Yes, we generally have beautiful weather in the Wilmington, NC, area, but on those rainy, cold or super-hot days, it’s wonderful to have indoor activities for families to do together. Here are a few of our favorites:
Our list of more than 30 indoor activities in the Wilmington, NC area includes something for every budget and interest.
Remember to follow our events calendar for special events, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.
There are lots of ways to beat the short, cooler days. Wilmington and the surrounding areas remain a wonderful place to raise kids, all year round!
Here are 30+ Indoor Activities for Families and Kids in Wilmington, NC:
Museums
The Cape Fear region (including Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties) is full of museums. Depending on what you want to learn and how much time you have, there is something for your family to enjoy.
- Children’s Museum of Wilmington With enthusiasm from new management, the museum is looking better than ever. A fun virtual reality experience awaits kids downstairs, and the life-size building blocks and full-size grocery store remains a huge hit with kids of all ages. Your little ones will especially love the new veterinarian’s office!
- Cape Fear Museum. The Cape Fear Museum recently reopened after a refurbishment, and the schedule is chock-full of lots of fun activities for kiddos and parents. View the Cape Fear Museum’s current calendar for more details.
- The Fort Fisher Historic Site is situated among the beautiful coastal wine-curled oaks. Read our recent feature on all there is to do at the Fort Fisher Historic Site.
- The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is one of only three North Carolina aquariums, and arguably the most comprehensive.
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher - The Wilmington Railroad Museum. Toddlers, especially, will love the special room with Thomas.
- Cameron Art Museum. Although the museum’s wonderful interactive exhibit “A Time When Art is Everywhere” recently ended, the museum remains an interactive place. With interactive digital portions of some of the exhibitions, and a lovely gift shop featuring kid- and adult-themed gifts, there is plenty to keep kids entertained. Weekend kids classes and a full-service cafe round out the museum’s offerings.
- Museum of Coastal Carolina Check out this smaller museum, sister to the Ingram Planetarium, in Ocean Isle. Try to catch a special event.
- Ingram Planetarium This Sunset Beach spot has fantastic planetarium shows and a small area of interactive exhibits.
- NC Maritime Museum Located in Southport, this museum covers regional history. It sits at the meeting point of all three types of water: brown (rivers), blue (ocean) and green (estuaries & creeks).
- Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. A small museum on the island of Wrightsville Beach, this special place allows kids to intimately learn about the topography and history of Wrightsville Beach. The diorama of the area is particularly entralling for kids, as are the real-life examples of clothes its residents wore during the area’s heyday.
- Bellamy Mansion
- Poplar Grove Plantation
- USS North Carolina Battleship Make your upper-deck visit short if the weather doesn’t cooperate, but much of the museum is inside and in the belly of the ship.
Indoor Play Spaces
- Fit for Fun Center Read our article on what Fit for Fun Center offers here.
- Wilmington Ice House Who doesn’t love ice skating in the winter months? The Ice house offers lessons for kids of all ages on Monday nights from 6-7. After they’re done, kids can go into the warm lobby to play a few video games and enjoy hot chocolate.
- Jungle Rapids Yes, there are arcade games and laser tag here, but there is also a large playroom for smaller children. Bumper cars and mini-bowling are also a hit!
- Trampoline Parks: Flip N Fly and Defy Gravity.
- Wilmington Rock Gym Go climb!
- Roller skating: Jellybeans or Scooters.
- Bowling: Ten Pin Alley, Cardinal Lanes Shipyard, Cardinal Lanes Beach Bowl.
- Battlehouse.
- Crossfire Paintball and Nerf Guns.
- Planet Fun Center. In Shallotte, this is a one-stop place for family fun. Arcade games, bowling, laser tag, bounce house, and more. Stay tuned to their website for weekly specials.
- Power of Play Younger children will love the areas for imaginative play.
- Cape Fear Games Sit and learn a new board game together. Staff is always happy to explain rules and recommend a game. They have dozens to try on-site for free.
- Glowgolf.
- YMCA: Family Swim, Splashpad, Imagination Playground – members of the Y have a lot of indoor family resources available to them with the opening of the Nir Family Y.
- Movies: Regal at Mayfaire, The Pointe at Barclay (with sensory friendly screenings) and AMC.
Art
Let your kids get messy – at someone else’s place!
- Hot Mess Art Studio. Drop in or join a class.
- Sprout. Yoga and art classes for kids on Wrightsville Beach.
- Wine & Design. No wine, just design! Select”KIDS” in the dropdown menu.
- Cameron Art Museum classes. Try to pop in to a Kids@CAM day.
- Paint-n-Play.
Libraries for Families
County libraries continue to be a space of free education and entertainment. Check online calendars for special programming, just stop in to read, browse shelves of books or play some of the interactive games allows imaginations to soar.
- New Hanover County Library. Visit their calendar for a complete list of special events.
- Brunswick County Library. The Leland Library has Children’s Storytime on Tuesdays as well as other special events (like LEGO club).
- Pender County Library
Drop-In Childcare
Let’s be honest, sometimes you need a break from the sweet kids you love – especially when playing outside isn’t an option. And they need a break from you! Whether you use these drop-off centers once a year or every week, they give kids a chance to play and interact with each other – while you get a bit of a break!
- KinderStop. Read our article about this unique drop-in childcare facility in Leland.
- Giggles.
- Simply Play.
Myrtle Beach
If you are up for a drive, Myrtle Beach has some fun opportunities for family indoor entertainment and the off-season is a great time to go. (TIP: Brunswick County residents should be sure to ask if their zip code qualifies them for a local’s discount! Some zip codes are included in the Myrtle Beach market.) Also, if you bought the Attractions Book, check for coupons even to Myrtle Beach locations!
- WonderWorks. “The upside down building.” Complete with science education and rides.
- Ripley’s Aquarium. Be sure to do the glass-bottom “boat.”
- Dave & Buster’s. Not at all educational, but upscale arcade games with a lot of fun!
These indoor activities for families are just a few of the many fun family experiences the Wilmington, NC area offers. Read more about some of the Cape Fear’s other great things to do, or check out some of our featured families.