Kids activities

[aquabones]

I could use some suggestions for some activities to do with kids during their vacation at the lake. Fun Spot and mini golf are the only activities beside water stuff that I can think of.
Thanks in advance!!

[TomC]

When my kids were little we enjoyed the Squam Lake Science Center in Holderness

[Mr. V]

Times were simpler "back in the day," but perhaps they might enjoy some of the old favorites.

Card games, e.g. crazy eights

Board games e.g. Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, Clue

Water pistols

Yard games, e.g. ladder ball

Scenic attractions, e.g. Cog Railway, alpine slide, ski lifts

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by aquabones

I could use some suggestions for some activities to do with kids during their vacation at the lake. Fun Spot and mini golf are the only activities beside water stuff that I can think of.

Thanks in advance!!

What age?

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[FlyingScot]

The Flume is the best rainy day activity. Buy cheap ponchos if they do not have rain coats

[TheProfessor]

When this poster was young.

Mother would give us all old pots and pans.

[aquabones]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

What age?

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the ages are 10-15

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by aquabones

the ages are 10-15

Gotcha.

Rainy days: Mills Falls Marketplace candy store and a movie, Fun Spot, Wolfeboro WWII Museum (or other museums in the area), back-to-school (yuck) shopping at North Conway/Tilton outlets, old country stores run, ice cream at Kellerhaus, table games/cards, or just chill/read.

Nice days: lake stuff, of course, but hike and bike (tons of options all around the lake—just ask for suggestions), local drives, mini-golf, go-karts, climbing structures, outdoor concerts, fireworks, Lilioukoulani's ice cream, Weirs Boardwalk, White Mountain loop, etc.

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[tis]

If I was renting a place on the lake, I would stay at the lake and do all the water sports? Never understood why people rent and then go somewhere or sit inside and watch TV? If you want to go to all those places, save the money and rent off the lake?

Didn't know those were all questions, did 'ya??????

[fatlazyless]

Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee runs a summer camp .... www.brewsteracademy.org/summer/camps ..... which has one week long sessions for different youth age groups for indoor/outdoor rock climbing, theater design, acting, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, pickleball that run from 9am-3pm and taught by school faculty.

[camp guy]

With reference to the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro - this would be an excellent activity, and adults will appreciate it, too. This is not a military museum, it is a museum of the history of the time frame of WWII in this country. Oh yes, there is militaria to be seen, but the real crux of the collection is that homefront life that went on despite WWII, and how did the people of this country rise to the occasion. It is WELL WORTH THE TIME SPENT TOURING THE COLLECTIONS.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by camp guy

With reference to the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro - this would be an excellent activity, and adults will appreciate it, too. This is not a military museum, it is a museum of the history of the time frame of WWII in this country. Oh yes, there is militaria to be seen, but the real crux of the collection is that homefront life that went on despite WWII, and how did the people of this country rise to the occasion. It is WELL WORTH THE TIME SPENT TOURING THE COLLECTIONS.

Agreed, it's a great take, and then spend some time in downtown Wolfeboro!

[Denis D]

The New Hampshire Boat Museum in Moultonborough has many activities for children including sailing lessons and boat building. Check with them to see what's available for your time frame.

[Descant]

Rainy day: Bring from your home library: The Big Book of Games; How to Nothing, All alone by Yourself; bring a few decks of cards and learn games, tricks and how to build a house of cards. Play a game: Let's see who can be the quietist while I take a nap. The current compulsion to schedule adult organized activities is, IMHO, a negative for building imagination and self sufficiency. We were told "Go outside and play, come home when the street lights come on. (We don't have street lights in my area, but otherwise a good NH activity.) In a motel or cottage colony? Go knock on doors and ask for kids. There will be other families not knowing what to do and everybody will be happy to make new friends. Put sticks in the ground and see who can knock them over with a Frisbee. The folks at the local tackle shop would love to sell some cheap tackle and teach some basic skills. (You need a license, the kids probably don't.) If you are absolutely compelled to spend money, rent a boat, get rides at the local airport, go horseback riding. Ride the Mount rain or shine. Instead of climbing Mount Major (free) go to Gunstock and take the chairlift to the top, or get a similar view by hiking to the fire watch tower from Gilford Village. Lots of Old Home Days in August, parades and free stuff. Really stuck? www.visitNH.gov. I could keep going, but you get the idea...

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Descant

Rainy day: Bring from your home library: The Big Book of Games; How to Nothing, All alone by Yourself; bring a few decks of cards and learn games, tricks and how to build a house of cards. Play a game: Let's see who can be the quietist while I take a nap. The current compulsion to schedule adult organized activities is, IMHO, a negative for building imagination and self sufficiency. We were told "Go outside and play, come home when the street lights come on. (We don't have street lights in my area, but otherwise a good NH activity.) In a motel or cottage colony? Go knock on doors and ask for kids. There will be other families not knowing what to do and everybody will be happy to make new friends. Put sticks in the ground and see who can knock them over with a Frisbee. The folks at the local tackle shop would love to sell some cheap tackle and teach some basic skills. (You need a license, the kids probably don't.) If you are absolutely compelled to spend money, rent a boat, get rides at the local airport, go horseback riding. Ride the Mount rain or shine. Instead of climbing Mount Major (free) go to Gunstock and take the chairlift to the top, or get a similar view by hiking to the fire watch tower from Gilford Village. Lots of Old Home Days in August, parades and free stuff. Really stuck? www.visitNH.gov. I could keep going, but you get the idea...

Gee, how did stickball, kick the can, and roll the hoop not make your list?!

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[Descant]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Gee, how did stickball, kick the can, and roll the hoop not make your list?!

My sister was never very good at team sports.

[Cobaltdeadhead]

I can't seem to get the search function to work, so this seems like a good thread to ask the question.

Is the mini Arcade in Alton Bay opening for 2025? That was a nice addition last year. Even though it was small, it offered enough to send the kids off with $20 while we relaxed at the town docks

[sky's]

Originally Posted by Descant

Rainy day: Bring from your home library: The Big Book of Games; How to Nothing, All alone by Yourself; bring a few decks of cards and learn games, tricks and how to build a house of cards. Play a game: Let's see who can be the quietist while I take a nap. The current compulsion to schedule adult organized activities is, IMHO, a negative for building imagination and self sufficiency. We were told "Go outside and play, come home when the street lights come on. (We don't have street lights in my area, but otherwise a good NH activity.) In a motel or cottage colony? Go knock on doors and ask for kids. There will be other families not knowing what to do and everybody will be happy to make new friends. Put sticks in the ground and see who can knock them over with a Frisbee. The folks at the local tackle shop would love to sell some cheap tackle and teach some basic skills. (You need a license, the kids probably don't.) If you are absolutely compelled to spend money, rent a boat, get rides at the local airport, go horseback riding. Ride the Mount rain or shine. Instead of climbing Mount Major (free) go to Gunstock and take the chairlift to the top, or get a similar view by hiking to the fire watch tower from Gilford Village. Lots of Old Home Days in August, parades and free stuff. Really stuck? www.visitNH.gov. I could keep going, but you get the idea...

it is true back in our day we created our own activities and games. today they things to entertain them. sit on a couch and look at your phone all day very productive?

[pondguy]

Back in the day my Grandmother would give us the bag of clothes pins to play with it worked for a while.

[Biggd]

When I was a kid, a rainy day was for football. We called them "mud bowls".

[SAB1]

Buy them hiking boots and burn some boot leather. So many great trails to hike. They should be able to do bald peak in moultonboro, mt major and red hill easily. Mt Roberts off the castle in the clouds or big ball off the Shaw trail in tuftonboro. Tough to beat the view from bald peak, a/k/a bald knob, rt171. You can make the top in an hour and see the entire lake.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by pondguy

Back in the day my Grandmother would give us the bag of clothes pins to play with it worked for a while.

I used to know how to modify a clothespin so the spring would strike a kitchen match, set it ablaze and fly across...

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by SAB1

Buy them hiking boots and burn some boot leather. So many great trails to hike. They should be able to do bald peak in moultonboro, mt major and red hill easily. Mt Roberts off the castle in the clouds or big ball off the Shaw trail in tuftonboro. Tough to beat the view from bald peak, a/k/a bald knob, rt171. You can make the top in an hour and see the entire lake.

With all due respect I have to wonder how many of the youngsters today would be physically able to meet those challenges, given their slothful quasi-addiction to their phones and video games: hello, obesity; greetings, woefully out of shape.

What ever happened to JFK's program to instill physical fitness?

[Puck]

Go to one of the public boat launches and just watch what happens. It can be both entertaining and educational. Perhaps the kids can find some decent tiktok material.

[WinterHarborGuy]

Another fun activity for kids in Wolfeboro is the Lego place...

https://www.bricksatthelake.com/

[Senter Cove Guy]

On a rainy day, don't forget Escape Rooms (good ones in Gilford - escapehousenh.com).