Kid Friendly Activities

What Are the Best Family Activities in Prince Edward County?

The best family activities in Prince Edward County include swimming and building sandcastles at Sandbanks Provincial Park, riding the Glenora Ferry, exploring Little Bluff Conservation Area, visiting Lake on the Mountain, and enjoying a movie at the Mustang Drive-In. Families also love Wellington Beach, North Beach, local farm markets, ice cream stops in Picton and Bloomfield, and kid-friendly wineries with outdoor spaces. With beaches, nature trails, wildlife, and small-town charm, Prince Edward County offers plenty of fun for both kids and parents.

When most people think of Prince Edward County, they think wineries, beaches, and romantic getaways. As a long-time resident of Prince Edward County, I can tell you there’s another side to the County that often gets overlooked: it’s an incredible destination for families.

Growing up here and raising children around the County, I’ve discovered that some of the best adventures don’t require expensive attractions or detailed itineraries. Sometimes all it takes is a beach, an ice cream cone, a little imagination, and a willingness to embrace the occasional sandy car seat.

If you’re planning a family trip, here are 20 kid-approved activities in Prince Edward County, along with a few local secrets that many visitors never discover.

1. Spend the Day at Sandbanks Provincial Park

No family trip to Prince Edward County is complete without a visit to Sandbanks.

Kids love:

  • The giant sand dunes
  • Shallow swimming areas
  • Endless opportunities for sandcastle building

Local Secret

Most visitors head directly to Outlet Beach. Locals often prefer Dunes Beach, where the scenery is spectacular, and the photos are postcard-worthy.

Here is everything you need to know about The Sandbanks Park that most people don’t know.

2. Explore Little Bluff Conservation Area

This hidden gem on the County’s south shore offers easy trails and dramatic views over Lake Ontario. Note that there is a safety rail to restrict getting too close to the edge.

Kids love:

  • Looking for ships on the horizon
  • Exploring rocky shorelines
  • Feeling like they’re on a real adventure

Insider Tip

Bring binoculars. Kids can spend surprisingly long periods “captaining” imaginary ships from the bluff.

3. Ride the Glenora Ferry

For children, this isn’t transportation.

It’s a boat ride.

The ferry crossing between Glenora and Adolphustown is short but exciting for younger visitors.

Local Secret

The upper deck provides the best views and plenty of opportunities to spot birds and boats.

4. Visit The County Cider Company

Parents can enjoy cider tastings while children enjoy the spectacular view.

Kids love:

  • The giant apple orchard
  • Open green spaces
  • Looking over Prince Edward Bay

It’s one of the few places where everyone leaves happy.

Here are some things you may not know about the Cider Company.

5. Discover Lake on the Mountain

This natural mystery fascinates adults and children alike.

A lake sitting high above the Bay of Quinte?

Kids immediately start asking questions.

Honestly, many of us locals still don’t fully understand it either.

6. Eat Ice Cream in Picton

Sometimes the simplest activities become the most memorable.

A stroll through Picton with ice cream in hand is practically a family tradition.

Local Tip

Expect at least one child to request a flavor they didn’t actually want after tasting someone else’s.

Here’s where you can gon in PEC for Ice cream.

7. Visit Macaulay Heritage Park

History becomes much more exciting when kids can explore old buildings and imagine life in the past.

Parents appreciate the educational value.

Kids appreciate running around.

Everybody wins.

Here is a list of 5 secrets you may not know about this area of Picton.

8. Experience Mustang Drive-In Theatre

Few places can match the nostalgia of a summer evening at the Mustang Drive-In.

Kids love:

  • Watching movies outdoors
  • Wearing pajamas in the car
  • Loading up on snacks

Insider Information

Many local families bring blankets, lawn chairs, and enough snacks to survive a three-day camping trip.

See what the drive-in is all about here.

9. Explore Downtown Bloomfield

Bloomfield is packed with unique shops, colorful storefronts, and plenty of opportunities to wander.

Kids enjoy:

  • Toy stores
  • Candy shops
  • Finding unexpected treasures

Parents enjoy pretending they’re “just browsing.”

10. Visit Waupoos Estates

While parents sample wine, children can explore the grounds, watch farm activity, and enjoy beautiful views.

  • Lots of outside seating areas
  • Large fountain
  • Look for fish at the water’s edge.

Local Secret

The drive to Waupoos is almost as enjoyable as the destination itself.

11. Spend an Afternoon at Wellington Beach

If Sandbanks feels too crowded, Wellington Beach offers a quieter alternative.

The calm waters are perfect for younger swimmers.

Plus, parking is usually much less stressful.

Learn why you want to take the kids for a walk around Wellington here.

12. Hunt for Hidden Pebble Beaches

Some of the County’s lesser-known beaches like Long Point offer unique shoreline adventures.

Kids can:

  • Skip stones
  • Search for unusual rocks
  • Explore natural shorelines

This often becomes a surprisingly competitive family activity.

13. Go Cycling on County Roads

The relatively quiet roads and scenic countryside make biking a fantastic family activity.

Insider Tip

Bring more water than you think you’ll need. County distances have a way of looking shorter on a map.

To learn where to go cycling, check it out here.

14. Visit Local Farm Markets

The County is filled with seasonal farm stands offering:

  • Fresh strawberries
  • Sweet corn
  • Local honey
  • Homemade treats

Kids quickly discover that vegetables somehow taste better when purchased directly from a farm.

15. Explore Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

Even children who claim they don’t like birds often enjoy seeing migration activity and spotting wildlife.

Local Secret

You may encounter deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife along the way.

See what it’s all about right here.

16. Try a Family-Friendly Winery

Many County wineries welcome families and offer outdoor spaces where children can stretch their legs.

A few provide lawn games and picnic areas during the summer months.

  • Parents enjoy the wine.
  • Kids enjoy being outside.

It’s called compromise.

See my list of the main family-friendly wineries that kids will enjoy.

17. Take a Picnic to North Beach

One of the County’s most underrated family destinations.

Less crowded than Sandbanks, North Beach offers:

  • Great swimming
  • Beautiful views
  • Lots of room to play

Local Secret

Many lifelong County residents consider North Beach one of the area’s best-kept secrets.

18. Visit the Mariners Park Museum

If your family enjoys boats and maritime history, this small museum is worth a stop.

Kids often enjoy the marine exhibits far more than parents expect.

Learn more about what’s in South Bay and surrounding areas you may want to see.

19. Watch a County Sunset

This may sound simple, but Prince Edward County sunsets are genuinely spectacular.

Some favorite viewing spots include:

  • Wellington waterfront
  • Waupoos
  • Sandbanks
  • Lake on the Mountain

And best of all, it’s free.

20. Base 31

Located on what we locals call “The Heights” or the “Old Army Base”, Base 31 has kept the history with a museum, food court, and lots to see and do for the family.

  • Air Force Museum
  • Commissary (Food & Entertainment)
  • Outside sculptures

Lastly…there is nothing wrong with having a “No Plan” Day!

This may be my most valuable local advice.

Don’t schedule every minute.

Some of our family’s best County memories happened when plans changed unexpectedly, and we simply explored.

Kids notice things adults overlook:

  • Interesting rocks
  • Frogs in roadside ponds
  • Hidden trails
  • Ice cream shops

Sometimes the best attraction in Prince Edward County is letting children discover it themselves.

Final Thoughts

Prince Edward County isn’t just for wine lovers. It’s a fantastic destination for families looking to spend quality time together, explore nature, and create memories that last long after the vacation ends.

As a long-time local, one thing I’ve noticed is that children rarely remember the carefully planned itineraries. They remember jumping waves at Sandbanks, riding the ferry, watching a movie under the stars, and eating an ice cream that melted faster than they could finish it.

Those little moments are what make family trips to Prince Edward County so special.

And if your kids fall asleep in the car on the drive home with sandy feet, sun-kissed cheeks, and ice cream on their shirts, congratulations. You’ve experienced a successful Prince Edward County family vacation.