50+ Family-Friendly Things to Do in Maine This Summer

There’s nothing quite like summer in Maine — from sun-soaked beach days to classic small-town festivals, this is the season when our state truly comes alive. Whether you’re a Maine family looking to make the most of the warm months or visiting from away and hoping to experience all the magic Maine has to offer, we’ve put together the ultimate family-friendly Maine summer bucket list. Pack up the kids, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for unforgettable adventures across our beautiful state!

Outdoor Adventures

1. Build fairy houses at Mackworth Island (Falmouth) – Follow the wooded trail and create your own fairy house village.
2. Explore the tide pools at Wells Reserve at Laudholm (Wells) – Discover tiny sea creatures at low tide along this peaceful preserve.
3. Walk the Marginal Way coastal path (Ogunquit) – An easy paved path with gorgeous ocean views and benches for breaks.
4. Explore the rock formations at Pemaquid Point – Climb across dramatic rocky ledges with sweeping ocean views and visit the historic lighthouse.
5. Visit the Desert of Maine (Freeport) – Wander through this unexpected natural sand desert with fun trails and a historic barn.
6. Walk the boardwalk at Saco Heath Preserve (Saco) – Stroll along a raised boardwalk through a rare peat bog ecosystem, surrounded by wildflowers, birds, and beautiful forest views.
7. Visit Fort Knox (Prospect) – Explore the massive granite fort, wander through underground tunnels, and climb to the top for incredible views of the Penobscot River and Bridge.
8. Swim at the summit pond on Tumbledown Mountain – Hike to the top and cool off in a natural mountaintop swimming hole.
9. Go tubing down the Saco River – Float down the lazy, scenic Saco River with the whole family for a classic summer adventure.
10. Dig for clams on the coast – Grab a clam rake and bucket and try your hand at digging up clams at low tide (some beaches require permits).
11. Bike the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park – Family-friendly gravel paths weaving through the park’s forests and lakes.
12. Swim at Smalls Falls (Rangeley) – Splash, wade, and swim at this beautiful series of cascading waterfalls and natural pools.
13. Kayak or paddleboard through Casco Bay (Portland area) – Rent gear and paddle around islands, lighthouses, and seals.
14. Go horseback riding on Peak’s Island – Ride along peaceful island trails after a quick ferry ride from Portland.
15. Hike Bradbury Mountain (Pownal) – Take an easy, family-friendly hike to the summit for sweeping views of forest, farmland, and distant mountains — perfect for little legs and first-time hikers.
16. Camp at Baxter State Park – Pitch a tent or rent a cabin and experience Maine’s wild beauty at the base of Mount Katahdin.
17. Take a lobster boat tour with Lucky Catch Cruises (Portland) – Haul traps, band lobsters, and learn about Maine’s lobstering culture.
18. Ferry to Peaks Island and bike around – A short boat ride from Portland leads to a car-free island adventure.
19. Go boating on Sebago Lake – Spend a day cruising Maine’s largest lake, with plenty of room for swimming, fishing, and exploring.
20. Visit a lighthouse (and see how many you can visit) – Tour Maine’s iconic lighthouses and see how many you can check off your list! (some of our favorites this time of year include Pemaquid Point, Squirrel Point, West Quoddy Head, and Portland Head Light).
21. Go whale watching on Casco Bay – Spot humpback, minke, and fin whales (plus puffins and seals) on a family-friendly whale watch cruise.
22. Hunt for sea glass at Higgins Beach (Scarborough) – Walk the shoreline after low tide to find treasures in the sand.
23. Pick your own blueberries (or strawberries) – Head to a local farm and pick your own sweet summer berries right from the fields.
24.  Catch a ride on the Songo River Queen in Naples – Take a family-friendly paddlewheel boat cruise across Long Lake and through the Songo River Lock.
25. Take photos of lupines (you can find these in Downeast Maine!) – Wander through fields of vibrant purple, pink, and white lupines during their early summer bloom.
26. Take a seaplane tour in Naples – Get a bird’s-eye view of Maine’s lakes and forests on a thrilling family-friendly seaplane ride.
27. Take a canoe tour at Scarborough Marsh – Paddle through Maine’s largest salt marsh and spot birds, wildlife, and coastal scenery.
28. Spend a day at the beach – Build sandcastles, jump the waves, and enjoy classic Maine coast family fun.

Family Attractions & Activities

1. Play mini golf at Raptor Falls Adventure Golf (Arundel) – Dinosaur-themed mini golf that’s a hit with kids of all ages.
2. Spend a day at Funtown Splashtown USA (Saco) – Thrill rides, kiddie rides, and water slides all in one spot.
3. Visit York’s Wild Kingdom – Ride carnival rides and meet exotic animals at this longtime family favorite.
4. Ride the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland (Old Orchard Beach) – Classic oceanfront amusement park with a view.
5. Race down waterslides at Aquaboggan Water Park (Saco) – Maine’s original water park with slides, pools, and mini golf.
6. Visit Maine Wildlife Park (Gray) – See rescued moose, black bears, deer, and more up close in natural enclosures.
7. Go ziplining and play mini golf at Seacoast Adventure (Windham) – Family fun with an aerial ropes course and mini golf.
8. Pet farm animals at Pineland Farms (New Gloucester) – Visit cows, goats, and chickens, and enjoy scenic trails and playgrounds.
9. Catch a Sea Dogs game at Delta Dental Park (Portland) – Cheer on Portland’s minor league baseball team at this family-friendly ballpark.
10. Check out L.L. Bean’s family movie nights – Enjoy free family-friendly outdoor movie screenings under the stars at Discovery Park in Freeport.
11. Listen to a story at L.L. Bean’s ‘Tent Tales’ nights – Snuggle up for an evening of family storytelling with local authors and performers.
12. See a free concert at L.L. Bean (L.L. Bean’s summer concert series) – Dance and sing along to live music during L.L. Bean’s popular free summer concerts.
13. See a drive-in movie (locations in Westbrook, Bridgton, and Saco) – Pack the car with snacks and watch a movie old-school style at one of Maine’s drive-in theaters.
14. Check out the butterfly house at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay) – Walk among colorful butterflies in a magical seasonal exhibit at one of Maine’s most beautiful gardens.
15. Take the kids to the splash pad in Deering Oaks Park (Portland) – Cool off at Portland’s free downtown splash pad surrounded by playgrounds and picnic spots.
16. Visit a local farmer’s market – Browse fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade goods while enjoying live music and family vibes.
17. Eat Pier Fries in Old Orchard Beach – Grab a paper bag of crispy, salty fries from this iconic boardwalk snack stand.
18. Check out a local ice cream shop (we highly recommend Martel’s in Saco or Scoop Deck in Wells) – Treat the family to heaping scoops of homemade ice cream at one of Maine’s beloved creameries.

Summer Events & Festivals

1. Pride Portland (June)
2. Whoopie Pie Festival (Dover-Foxcroft – June)
3. Windjammer Days (Boothbay Harbor – late June)
4. Watch the 4th of July fireworks on the Naples Causeway
5. Yarmouth Clam Festival (July)
6. Moxie Festival (Lisbon – July)
7. Blueberry Festivals (Machias and Union – July and August)
8. Maine Lobster Festival (Rockland – early August)
9. Great Falls Balloon Festival (Auburn – August)
10. Sunflower Festival at Pumpkin Valley Farm (Dayton – early September)

Rainy Day Activities

1. Try swim lessons – help your little swimmers feel more confident in the water with swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School
2. Explore a local playspace or children’s museum – Maine has so many great indoor play spaces to try out from Raise Playspace in Scarborough to The Village in Augusta (among so many others). There’s something for all age groups!
3. Check out a local museum – There are so many museum options depending on your kids’ ages and interests from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (Bethel) to The Museum of Art (Portland) to the Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport). 
4. Check out a local library – Many Maine libraries offer winter story times and activities for kids. Be sure to check out their calendars to learn more.
5. Go Bowling or find an arcade – Family-friendly spots like Bayside Bowl (Portland), Spare Time, (Portland), Junction Bowl (Gorham), and Round One (South Portland) are great for winter fun.
6. See a live performance – Watch a kid-friendly show at Merrill Auditorium or a local community theater.
7. Attend an art class – the girls love studios like Color Me Mine
8. Visit the Maine State Aquarium (Boothbay Harbor) – Get hands-on with tide pool creatures, see lobsters up close, and explore Maine’s marine life at this kid-friendly aquarium.

No matter how you choose to spend your summer in Maine, there’s magic waiting around every corner — sandy toes, sticky ice cream hands, and sunset memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re hiking rugged trails, digging into a lobster roll, or exploring Maine’s charming coastal towns, these experiences are what Maine summers are all about. So grab this list, start checking things off, and create your own unforgettable Maine family summer!

What’s on your Maine summer bucket list?