5 things to do with Kids on the Central Oregon Coast
I’m a mom. I get it. Kids have iPads and Game Boys and they like to hang out on the couch. But youth is short-lived and a trip to the Central Oregon Coast offers plenty of opportunity to peel youngsters away from those glowing screens. Here are our five favorite things to do with our kiddo on the Central Oregon Coast.
See the Dunes
One of our son’s favorite parts of living on the Central Oregon Coast is the dunes. What’s not to love about a giant sandbox?
The awe-inspiring dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area were formed thousands of years ago as sand was blown inland by coastal winds. Today wind and water continue to shape the Oregon dunes, which are ever-evolving with the seasons. This unique landscape offers an incredible backdrop for family fun.
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation area extends over 31,500 acres of the Siuslaw National Forest, but don’t let that overwhelm you. While portions of the dunes can be hiked, kids will likely have the most fun on a motorized tour.
Multiple companies up and down the coast around Florence, Winchester Bay & North Bend/Coos Bay offer hourly or daily rentals of ATV’s or UTV’s. If you’d rather be chauffeured around the dunes, there’s nothing quite like a giant dune buggy or sand rail tour to give you a unique view of the Oregon dunes and give your kids something to tell their friends about back at school. Sandland Adventures is my favorite tour company in Florence. And you can even play a round of mini golf or hit up the go-karts after your tour, if you’re looking for some extra fun afterward.
This giant dune buggy ride was part of a Kindergarten field trip with Cam’s class. Perks of coastal living!
Hunt for Agates
If your kids are like my kid, they like anything that can be construed as a treasure. And Oregon Coast agates are one of our favorite treasures. Beach combing at the right time of year, in the right place, can produce a pocketful of Oregon Coast treasures to take home.
Agates, jasper, the occasional shark or sea lion tooth – all kinds of goodies can be found on Oregon’s beaches if you take your time and look.
Check out some of my favorite Oregon Coast beachcombing spots for a chance to find a little treasure of your own.
For an added layer of fun, keep an eye on the Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming special drops with the “Finders Keepers” program. This unique community program involves a group of “float fairies” who hide handmade glass floats on the beaches around Lincoln City throughout the year. If you’re fortunate enough to find one, this treasure, too, is yours to keep!
Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium
Adults and children alike are sure to fall in love with a creature or two who call the Oregon Coast Aquarium home. Located in Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is open 364 days a year. With their only closure on Christmas Day, anytime is a good time to stop in and see stunning displays of sea life.
This is also a great activity to get in out of the wind if you’re ready for some indoor entertainment. Be sure to allow yourself a few hours here to take in all the sights and get your admission money’s worth. For more information on animal feeding schedules, upcoming events and admission fees, check out the Oregon Coast Aquarium website.
Explore Downtown Newport
Newport is a great destination for locals and visitors the Oregon Coast alike. This downtown area packs a lot to do in an easily walkable area.
My son is fascinated with commercial fishing boats, so the docks here offer enough on their own to keep him entertained. Seeing which fishing vessels are in port, or offloading their catch is a thrill. And if your little one has an affinity for boats, they’ll love it, too. To add to the hype, check out Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove on the Discovery Channel before you head to town. This 2016 show chronicled the Dungeness Crabbing season with a few boats that call Newport harbor home.
Newport also has a population of sea lions who can almost always be found sunning themselves on a few docks floating next to the underwater gardens. Just listen for their barks and you’ll find your way. Again, my kid (and I) could watch these guys argue over space to rest for hours.
If you’re looking for more tourist-like attractions, Newport also has the Undersea Gardens, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and the Wax Works museum located near one another and interspersed with some great local shops and restaurants.
Go Sandboarding
Like snowboarding, but instead of glistening snow, sandboarding will lead you to find yourself sliding down dunes of gritty Oregon Dunes sand. Sounds fun, right?! The area around Florence offers a few options for trying your hand and sandboarding. Sand Master Park, located at the North end of Florence is the world’s first sandboarding park and has acres of dunes to ride, rentals and instructional help to get you started.
On the South end of Florence, the dune that borders Cleawox Lake within the borders of Honeyman State Park is another popular spot for sandboarding. Board rentals are available at a couple stands along Highway 101 just north of the Honeyman State Park entrance. Both Cleawox Market and the seasonal stand across the highway from the market offer board rentals for very affordable rates ($10 bucks or so…) Rent your own board, and head out to Honeyman State Park with the family. Let the kids slide down the dune, bring a lawn chair and enjoy a little family time by the lake.
The Oregon Coast has entertainment for the young and young at heart. Get outside and find some fun with your kiddos!
Have fun out there,
Nat