What to do with kids on the Cape, on a rainy day?

[Jim in CT]

Our second annual camping trip to Eastham is coming up. We have a fishing trip booked on the Beth Ann, and a lobster boat tour booked out of P-Town as well (an awesome way for kids to have fun on the water).

Any suggestions for what to do if it rains? Hotel affiliated with the campground has an indoor pool. Wellfleet has a movie theater. There's an aquarium in Woods Hole. What else?

THANKS!

[ProfessorM]

Getting from Eastham to WHOI on a rainy day during the summer will take a whole day. I would need a stiff drink after that. I try and stay off the roafs on rainy days.
Maybe Chatham fish pier to see the seals.
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

Getting from Eastham to WHOI on a rainy day during the summer will take a whole day. I would need a stiff drink after that. I try and stay off the roafs on rainy days.
Maybe Chatham fish pier to see the seals.
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We're going next week, hoping that since it's June, it won't be too mobbed.

For the Chatham Fish Pier, is there a certain time of day when the boats gather to unload? My kids would like to see the boats unload their catch.

[stripermaineiac]

My kids loved the antique an flea market shops. mini golfin in the rain is fun too.

[ProfessorM]

Not sure of the time but I bet if you called the market they could give you that info. The seals are pretty cool, although I hate them.

[tattoobob]

The Sandwich Glass Museum is always a good time, although sitting at the cottage and catching up on summer reading is good to

[Yudi]

Good question Jim. I'll be in Dennis in July and need something to do in case of bad weather as well.

As for June I think you will be better off. I was in Dennis last year around June 20th for the weekend and it was excellent. Crowds hadn't started and the weather was great. Bayside water was nice and warm for the kids to swim.

[redlite]

A haul ( about 50 minutes without traffic) from eastham but there is the really fun and awesome Cape Cod Childrens musuem right off the rt28/ rt 151 rotary in Mashpee

Or u could go to ptown and don ponchos and walk around
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[Nebe]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

The Sandwich Glass Museum is always a good time, although sitting at the cottage and catching up on summer reading is good to

Yes! They even have a little furnace in there and do demonstrations.
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[FishermanTim]

Depending on the age of the kids, you could have them watch the movie "Jaws" and then explain that any GWs around here are here for the seals. They might want to see if they go after the seals.....

...then again, seeing a seal attack isn't everyone's cup of tea.....

You could find some decent tidal pools and go exploring at low tide?

[Fish On]

My wife wants to go to Provincetown with out 3 year old this summer. What's the deal on the lobster boat tour? Does it stay docked or do you actually go out on it and pull up a few traps? My kid LOVES lobsters. We spend 15 minutes at the seafood counter/lobster tank every time we go to the supermarket.

[Ed B]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

We're going next week, hoping that since it's June, it won't be too mobbed.

For the Chatham Fish Pier, is there a certain time of day when the boats gather to unload? My kids would like to see the boats unload their catch.

Usually by mid afternoon and later the boats are coming back and unloading.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Fish On

My wife wants to go to Provincetown with out 3 year old this summer. What's the deal on the lobster boat tour? Does it stay docked or do you actually go out on it and pull up a few traps? My kid LOVES lobsters. We spend 15 minutes at the seafood counter/lobster tank every time we go to the supermarket.

On the boat I use (I presume there are others who do it), you go out on the boat for 2 hours, and watch him haul a dozen or so traps in the bay. The captain explains all about the history and science of lobstering, and explains all about the different creatures that are in the traps. Last year, he put my (then) 8 year-old to work, my son was measuring lobsters and putting rubber bands on the claws of the keepers, and he let my son drive the boat most of the way back in. If you like, shoot me a PM and I will give you his info, I am not sure if it's OK with John if I post his number?

I bet your kid would LOVE it. I think it's $60 per person, something like that? So much fun.

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Fish On

My wife wants to go to Provincetown with out 3 year old this summer. What's the deal on the lobster boat tour? Does it stay docked or do you actually go out on it and pull up a few traps? My kid LOVES lobsters. We spend 15 minutes at the seafood counter/lobster tank every time we go to the supermarket.

We also did this trip 3 or 4 years ago, when my oldest was 4 or 5. The captain (same guy) gave him a thick pair of rubber gloves so he'd be comfortable holding up a big lobster.

This captain I slike a friendly kindergarten teacher. PERFECT temperament to spend 2 hours with a kid that age.

[FishermanTim]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

We also did this trip 3 or 4 years ago, when my oldest was 4 or 5. The captain (same guy) gave him a thick pair of rubber gloves so he'd be comfortable holding up a big lobster....

Did he develop a taste for them?

Unfortunately seeing them caught, tagged and packed for shipping doesn't show what happens when they get cooked and eaten.
(Kind of like showing a kid with a pet duck, pig or chicken what happens when they pets "pass on" and end up on the dinner table.)

Anyway, I think that is a real good option for a rainy day trip!

[Swimmer]

This is not the reply you were looking for, but when my parents bought a little cottage, in Sunset Village, in Eastham, in 1957 that first weekend there it did nothing but rain. I was seven, and my mother said why don't you go outside and look around. I said its raining, and she said it wont hurt you. Back home in Whitman only crazy people played in the rain. I new then Eastham was a very special place when I started exploring at low tide in the eel grass walking out onto the flats.
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[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Yes! They even have a little furnace in there and do demonstrations.
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Yes We saw that and it was very entertaining