Family-Friendly Things to Do in the Hamptons (2026 Guide)
The Hamptons wear their reputation lightly. Beneath the polished addresses, the East End is a coastline built for families, wide ocean beaches, quiet bay coves, working farms, and village greens where children chase a soccer ball while the grown-ups linger over coffee. At Luxury Beach Getaway, we have spent nearly twenty years helping families plan Hamptons trips they return to every summer after.
This guide gathers the family-friendly things to do that we recommend to our own guests, from Southampton and Sag Harbor out to Montauk, plus a few North Fork detours worth the drive. Every place is real, reviewed, and pinned to a map, organized the way you would actually use it, beaches for sandy mornings, farms and museums for the in-between hours, and a handful of attractions that anchor a full day.
The Best Family-Friendly Attractions in the Hamptons
These are the anchor stops, places worth building an itinerary around whether you are visiting for a long weekend or a full summer week. Each one accommodates a wide age range, which matters when you are traveling with a mix of toddlers, elementary kids, and teenagers.
Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE)
Set on the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, the Children’s Museum of the East End is the region’s most reliable rainy-day rescue and one of its most beloved everyday stops. Local families and visiting parents cite it as the single best indoor destination for kids under ten, and the exhibits, an old-fashioned soda fountain, a working windmill, an indoor playground, a cozy reading nook, are designed for open-ended play rather than passive viewing.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (447 reviews)
- Address: 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
- Hours: Daily, 9 AM to 5 PM
- Phone: (631) 537-8250
- What to do: Let younger kids run the Soda Fountain Cafe exhibit for an hour, then explore the outdoor play spaces if the weather cooperates
- Ages: Toddlers through elementary; still fun for a short visit with older siblings
Long Island Aquarium
A short drive west into Riverhead, the Long Island Aquarium punches well above its weight. It houses one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the Western Hemisphere, and the animal encounters, shark dives, snorkel programs, sea lion shows, salt marsh boat tours, are what turn a two-hour visit into a full afternoon. It is the strongest all-ages attraction in the area, teens included.
- Rating: 4.4 stars (5,787 reviews)
- Address: 431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901
- Hours: Daily, 10 AM to 4 PM
- Phone: (631) 208-9200
- What to do: Book a shark dive or snorkel session in advance during peak summer, then walk downtown Riverhead afterward
- Ages: All ages
Montauk Point Lighthouse
The Montauk Point Lighthouse sits at the eastern tip of Long Island, commissioned in 1796 and still guiding ships past a stretch of coast that feels genuinely wild. The climb to the top is short enough for most gradeschoolers and steep enough to feel like an accomplishment. Pair it with a picnic on the bluff and a walk down to the surrounding trails, and you have an easy half-day.
- Rating: 4.8 stars (318 reviews)
- Address: 2000 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
- Hours: Weekends 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM; Weekdays 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- What to do: Bring quarters for the observation viewers at the top, and layer up, the wind at the point is real
- Ages: Gradeschoolers and up for the tower climb; all ages for the grounds
Splish Splash Water Park
For a straightforward day of pure fun, Splish Splash in Calverton delivers. It is one of the largest water parks in the Northeast, with slides for every age and shallow zones for toddlers. Arrive when it opens, stake out a spot in the shade, and expect to stay until the kids are worn out.
- Rating: 4.3 stars (7,630 reviews)
- Address: 2549 Splish Splash Dr, Calverton, NY 11933
- Hours: Daily in season, 10 AM to 7 PM
- Phone: (631) 727-3600
- What to do: Buy tickets online in advance, arrive at opening for the shortest lines
- Ages: School-age through teens
The Best Family-Friendly Beaches in the Hamptons
The Hamptons has both moods of coastline, wide Atlantic ocean beaches and calmer bay beaches. For families with young children, the bay side is often the smarter first choice because the water is warmer and gentler. Save the ocean beaches for confident swimmers and older kids who want to bodysurf.
Cooper’s Beach, Southampton
Cooper’s Beach is the marquee ocean beach of the Hamptons, and for good reason. A wide 500-foot stretch of soft white quartz sand backs onto grassy dunes at 268 Meadow Lane, with a snack bar, showers, restrooms, and lifeguards through the summer season. The surf can be choppy, so it is best suited to strong swimmers and older kids, but the setting is unbeatable for a picnic and a long walk.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (1,642 reviews)
- Address: 268 Meadow Ln, Southampton, NY 11968
- Phone: (631) 287-3450
- What to do: Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends to secure parking, pack for shade
- Ages: All ages, best swimming for confident older kids
Foster Memorial Beach (Long Beach), Sag Harbor
Locals call this one Long Beach, and it is the go-to family swim spot for anyone staying near Sag Harbor. The bay water is calm, warmer than the ocean, and stretches out shallow for a long way, which is exactly what a nervous four-year-old needs. Bring water shoes, the shoreline is a mix of sand and small stones.
- Rating: 4.7 stars (451 reviews)
- Address: 1000 Noyack-Long Beach Rd, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
- Hours: Open 24 hours (lifeguards seasonal)
- Phone: (631) 728-8585
- What to do: Pack water shoes and sand toys, plan on a low-key half-day
- Ages: Ideal for toddlers and young kids
Meschutt Beach County Park, Hampton Bays
Meschutt is the Hamptons beach with a real snack bar, live music some summer evenings, a playground, and a bay of calm, swimmable water. It has the busy, social feeling that many families love, kids collect shells at the shoreline while parents grab fried food and a drink from Tiki Joe’s.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (796 reviews)
- Address: Canal Rd, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Hours: Daily, 8 AM to 9 PM
- What to do: Time an evening visit around live music at the snack bar in July or August
- Ages: All ages, particularly good for young swimmers
Nature, Farms, and Hands-On Fun
Some of the best family memories on the East End are made away from the sand, on a nature trail, at a working farm stand, or feeding chickadees from a hand held out in the woods. These stops break up beach fatigue and give kids a different rhythm to the day.
Harbes Family Farm, Mattituck
A worthy North Fork detour, Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck is a full-day destination in its own right. In summer expect musical hayrides, farm animals, sunflower fields, and bounce attractions. In fall it becomes one of the best pumpkin patches on the East End, with corn mazes, apple picking, and warm cider donuts. May brings the Baby Animal Festival with baby goats, lambs, bunnies, and pig races.
- Rating: 4.3 stars (708 reviews)
- Address: 715 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY 11952
- Hours: Daily in season, 9 AM to 7 PM
- Phone: (631) 482-7641
- What to do: Aim for the Baby Animal Festival in May, or opening hour on fall weekends
- Ages: All ages
Amber Waves Farm, Amagansett
A working farm right off Main Street in Amagansett, Amber Waves runs kids’ summer workshops on farm chores, cooking, and foraging. The farm store and cafe are worth a stop on their own for scratch-made pastries and produce a short walk from the fields. Book workshops well in advance for July and August.
- Rating: 4.3 stars (179 reviews)
- Address: 367 Main St, Amagansett, NY 11930
- Hours: Daily, 8 AM to 6 PM
- Phone: (631) 267-5664
- What to do: Reserve a kids workshop in advance, pair with a walk in Amagansett village
- Ages: Kindergarten through elementary for workshops
Antique Carousel, Greenport
Cross over into the North Fork and end an afternoon at the Antique Carousel in Mitchell Park on Greenport’s waterfront. It is a fully restored historic carousel with brass rings the kids can grab as they spin, and the surrounding park is a quiet, walkable village stroll with ice cream and harbor views.
- Rating: 4.6 stars (267 reviews)
- Address: 115 Front St, Greenport, NY 11944
- Hours: Daily, 11 AM to 5 PM
- Phone: (631) 477-0248
- What to do: Time a ride around a Greenport lunch stroll, watch for the brass ring
- Ages: Toddlers through elementary
Family-Friendly Restaurants in the Hamptons
Family dining in the Hamptons is easier than the reputation suggests. Skip the scene restaurants and head for the places that welcome high chairs, sandy feet, and children who need to eat by 6 PM.
Cowfish, Hampton Bays
Cowfish is the rare Hamptons waterfront restaurant that markets itself as kid-friendly and actually means it. There is a play ship outside for children to climb on while parents wait for a table, panoramic bay views from every seat, and a menu that stretches from sushi and steaks to seafood classics and cocktails. On a warm evening the outdoor deck is the place to be.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (2,164 reviews)
- Address: 258 E Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays, NY 11946
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday until 10 or 11 PM; Friday and Saturday until 1 AM
- Phone: (631) 594-3868
- What to order: Sushi, the fish tacos, or a hot lobster roll
- Ages: All ages
Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen
A Hamptons institution since 1925, Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen is a retro luncheonette on Montauk Highway that serves classic diner fare, thick milkshakes, and homemade ice cream. It is cash-only, so plan ahead. Perfect for a post-CMEE breakfast or an ice cream stop after a long beach day.
- Rating: 4.3 stars (320 reviews)
- Address: Montauk Hwy, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 7 AM to 6 PM; Sunday 7 AM to 4 PM
- Phone: (631) 537-9885
- What to order: A chocolate milkshake, blueberry pancakes, or a scoop of homemade ice cream
- Ages: All ages
Ready to Plan Your Hamptons Family Getaway?
The Hamptons rewards families who plan the little things ahead, parking arrivals, a rainy-day backup, a farm workshop booked weeks out. The rest, the sandcastle mornings, the ice cream drives home, the lighthouse climbs, the North Fork carousel spins, those write themselves.
When you are ready to build the trip, our team has been matching families to the right East End home since 2008. Browse our family-friendly Hamptons vacation rentals or get in touch and we will help you plan the stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hamptons family-friendly?
Yes. Beneath the glossy summer reputation, the Hamptons and the neighboring North Fork are built for families, with quiet bay beaches, working farms, hands-on museums, wildlife refuges, and a well-stocked calendar of seasonal events like sandcastle contests, farm festivals, and the Hampton Classic Horse Show in late August.
What is the best beach in the Hamptons for young kids?
For toddlers and preschoolers, the bay beaches beat the ocean beaches. Foster Memorial Beach (Long Beach) in Sag Harbor and Meschutt Beach County Park in Hampton Bays both offer calm, shallow water and easy access. For a marquee ocean beach with older children, Cooper’s Beach in Southampton is the classic choice.
What are the best rainy-day activities in the Hamptons with kids?
The Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton is the go-to rainy-day stop for kids under ten. Directly across the road, the South Fork Natural History Museum is a solid second stop. For a full day out, the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead works for all ages. A quiet family movie at Mattituck Cinemas on the North Fork is another good backup.
Are there free family-friendly things to do in the Hamptons?
Yes. The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is free and open year-round. Village playgrounds like Herrick Park in East Hampton, Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor, and Agawam Park in Southampton are all free. Bay and town beaches are free outside peak-parking hours if you can walk in, and the grounds around Montauk Point Lighthouse are free even if you skip the tower.
When is the best time to visit the Hamptons with a family?
Late June through August is peak season for open beaches, lifeguards, and full farm programming. September is a favorite of returning families, warm water, thinner crowds, and better restaurant reservations. October brings pumpkin picking at Harbes Family Farm and the Hampton Classic wraps up the summer social calendar in late August.
How long should we plan for a Hamptons family trip?
A long weekend gets you the highlights. Four to five nights lets you split time between the ocean and the bay, add a North Fork day, and slot in a rainy-day backup without feeling rushed. Week-long stays are the sweet spot for younger families, they allow real rest between the busy days.
