Relaxing on the beach is only fun for so long when you’re a kid! It is arguably infinitely fun for grown ups. To bridge this gap, we bring to you some options to allow for both kids and grown ups to have fun while on vacation in the form of… summer camps and childcare! There are plenty of wonderful options around Carolina Beach so that your kids can create special and educational memories. Take a look!
1. Island Time
This drop-in daycare is located conveniently behind the Lazy Pirate and offers a variety of childcare services focused on PLAY! Kids ages 12 months to 12 years are invited to participate at Island Time. There are weeklong summer camp offerings all throughout the summer months as well as daily drop-in care from 7:30 am-6:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am-9:00 pm on Friday, and 2:00 pm-9:00 pm on Saturday. This makes it easy for parents who are on vacation but maybe have a half day of work to do, want to enjoy a beach day by themselves, or go on a date. IT also offers Create Your Own Date Night where as long as there are 5 kids signed up, they will add a later evening to their calendar. If you’re traveling with other families, this is a wonderful option.
Day camps (one day of childcare up to 8 hours) costs $70 for one kid and $50 for each additional sibling. For only a few hours of childcare, rates are $14/hour for the first child, $8/hour for the second child, and $5/hour for each additional child. Reservations are required to attend Island Time so be sure to text ahead of time. Head over to their website for more information and for contact information.
2. Fort Fisher Aquarium
If you check out the aquarium as a family during your stay on Pleasure Island and your little one just can’t get enough, there’s a summer camp for that! The Aquarium is offering summer camps for school aged kids (ages 5-14) on a variety of different subjects. The weeklong camps are currently full for the season but you can join a waitlist. You never know, plans change! These weeklong camps cost between $300-$350/child and run from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
In addition, the Aquarium offers day camps! This may fit your vacationing needs better as it is only a 1-day commitment and allows for a balance of learning and play during your stay at the beach. Day camps are scheduled to take place on Monday June 30th, Tuesday July 1st, Wednesday July 2nd, and Thursday July 3rd, 2025. This works out swimmingly because the chances your family will be at the beach that week are even higher because of Fourth of July! Day camps operate from 8:30 am-3:00 pm each day and include a snack and lunch. This year’s themes are Woodland Wonders, Exploring Freshwater, Salt Marsh Inhabitants, and Amazing Ocean. The cost is $65 for non-members of the aquarium. If you’re the parent of a budding oceanographer or marine biologist, this is a wonderful option!
3. Seahorse Stables Equestrian Farm School
This nature school is expanding its offering to summertime with four weeks of camp options. These are half day camps beginning at 9:00 am and ending at 1:00 pm designed for younger beachgoers between the ages of 3 and 7. Similar to the aquarium, each week has a different theme- Woodland Wonders, Barnyard Buddies, Pony Pals, and Farm Friends. Seahorse Stables allows campers time for both structured and unstructured play in a farm setting, allowing them to explore while also learning farm skills. The cost for each week is $350 with sibling and multi-week discounts available. Spots are filling quickly too! A waitlist has already begun for some of the weeks. One thing to note is that this camp is located just over the bridge, adding just a few minutes of driving time.
4. Kure Beach Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard Camp (Summer Only)
The Kure Beach Ocean Rescue Junior Lifeguard Camp is a fun and educational summer program designed for children and teens who are interested in water safety and lifeguarding skills. Participants learn essential ocean rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, and beach safety, all while enjoying the beautiful coastal environment. The camp emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, and physical fitness, providing kids with a hands-on experience in ocean rescue. It also gives them the opportunity to develop leadership skills and form lasting friendships, all while gaining confidence in and around the water.
As always, we wish you the best and most peaceful beach vacation so provide these resources as a means of achieving so. If you’re interested in surf camp for your kiddos, check out another one of our articles featuring Tony Silvagni Surf School. Whichever camp you decide, it is sure to bring some fun in the sun for both you and your kids!
