Nothing like exerting all that youthful energy in the great outdoors ... and what better place than in Maine?
State parks and beaches offer up plenty of space for romps, hikes, swimming and exploring. Amusement parks and water parks in southern Maine are a big attraction during the summer, and many families like to enjoy a day at the ballpark watching the Portland Sea Dogs - the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
When clouds and rain threaten, there are lots of kid-friendly museums with challenging and fun interpretative exhibits. There's an entire world out there to discover!
Cape Elizabeth
Pond Cove Elementary School, 12 Scott Dyer Road
Middle School, 14 Scott Dyer Road
High School, Ocean House Road
Fort Williams Park, 320 Ocean House Road (swings only)
Cumberland
Wilson School, Tuttle Town Playground, 355 Tuttle Road
Firebarn, Blackstrap Road (swings only)
Freeport
Moore Street School, Moore Street
Mass Landing, off Bow Street
Gorham
Villiage School, 12 Robie Road
Naraganset School, 300 Main Street
Gray
Newbegin Gym, Route 100
Elementary School
Island Playgrounds
Peaks Island
Great Diamond Island
Cliff Island
New Gloucester
Elementary school, Route 231
Naples
Playground next to Post Office, Route 302
Portland
Adams School, 48 Moody Street
Baxter School, 150 Ocean Avenue
Clark Street
Nathan Clifford School, 180 Falmouth Street
Hall School, 23 Orono Road
Longfellow School, 432 Stevens Avenue
Lyseth/Lyman Moore, 175 Auburn Street
Munjoy South
Peppermint Park
Pleasant Street
Presumpscot School, 69 Presumpscot Street
Reiche School, 166 Brackett Street
Riverton Community School, 1600 Forest Avenue
Stone Street
Taylor Street
Tate-Tyng, York Street
Pownal
Pownal Elementary School, Elmwood Road
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Scarborough
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
Blue Point School
Acorn School
Wentworth School, Route 114
Peterson Fields, Pine Point Road
South Portland
Brown School, 37 Highland Avenue
Skillin Elementary School, 180 Wescott Road
Windham
Windham Community Center, School Road
Windham Elementary School, 404 Gray Road
Manchester School, 709 Roosevelt Trail, Route 302
East Windham Firestation, Falmouth Road
Westbrook
Riverbank Park, Main Street
Congin School, 410 Bridge Street
Saccarappa School, 110 Huntress Avenue
Canal School, 102 Glenwood Avenue
Yarmouth
Nan Jones Kimball Memorial playground, North Road
Rowe School, Main Street
Yarmouth Elementary School, McCartney Road
Harrison Middle School, McCartney Road
Aquaboggan Water Park
Eight waterslides, toddler splash and play area, wave pool, swimming pool, kiddie bumper boats, snack bar on premises. Race cars, skid cars. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m daily, weather permitting.
Route 1, Saco
(207) 282-3112 Web site
Funtown USA
The amusement park includes a miniature golf area and the water park "Splashtown." Open most Saturdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for more information and rates.
Route 1, Saco
(207) 284-5139 Web site
Happy Wheels Skate Center
The skating centers offers open skating for all ages on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fridays from 8-11 p.m., and Saturdays from 7:30-10 p.m. From July 8-August 12, day skating is offered on Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. Call for rates.
331 Warren Avenue, Portland
(207) 797-8207 and (207) 883-3713
Seashore Trolley Museum
Features the one of the world's largest collection of trolleys and rides in restored antique, electric trolleys. Trolley rides offered May through October. Call for more information on hours, admission prices and a calendar of events.
203 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport
(207) 967-2800 Web site
York's Wild Kingdom
Open May 24-Labor Day. Call for admission prices.
U.S. Route 1, York
(207) 363-4911 Web site
Children's Museum of Maine
The Children's Museum features "hands-on" educational exhibits for children
in the areas of natural history, science and the arts. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m., but the museum is closed on Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
142 Free Street, Portland
(207) 828-1234 Web site
Desert of Maine
Maine's only desert is actually an ancient glacial land deposit. Narrated history rides are available along with sand design demonstrations, coach tours, nature trails and gemstone hunts. Horseshoe pits and picnic tables are also available.
95 Desert Road, Freeport
(207) 865-6962 Web site
L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools
The Outdoor Discovery School offers a range of summer camps and programs for children and parents, from the Adventurers' Camp for ages 8 to 11, the Explorers' Camp for ages 12 to 15, to the Parent and Child Adventures for kids 8 to 11 plus parent.
Freeport
(888) 552-3261 Web site
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
The railroad museum celebrates Maine's industrial history with exhibits of trains from the 1800s. Also offers train rides along Portland's historic Waterfront. The museum is open year-round from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., except on Christmas and Thanksgiving. The train rides are offered from May through mid-October from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
58 Fore Street, Portland
(207) 828-0814 Web site
Maine Wildlife Park
With an assortment of live animals from pheasants to mountain lions, the Wildlife Park (formerly the Gray Game Farm) is a fun and educational experience for children and their parents.
Route 26, Gray
(207) 657-4977 Web site
Palace Playland
The amusement park features an arcade, roller coaster and three-flume waterslide. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to midnight.
1 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach
(207) 934-2001 Web site
Portland Public Library Children's Room
Children's Room hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, noon-9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Children's stories are Monday at 10:30 a.m. for ages 3-5, Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. for babies, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. for 2-year-olds.
5 Monument Square, Portland
(207) 871-1707 Web site
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates' season runs from October through April, or longer if the team makes the playoffs. Kids can enjoy the on-ice antics of "Crackers" the parrot, and "Salty Pete" the pirate. Hot dogs, pretzels and other snacks are sold at the concession stands.
Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Square, Portland
(207) 775-3458 Web site
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs' season runs from April through Labor Day. Kids can meet "Slugger" and eat ice cream, hot dogs and nachos at the concession stands.
Hadlock Field, 271 Park Avenue, Portland
(207) 874-8200 Web site
Seacoast Fun Park
Attractions include 18-hole adventure golf, go-carts and bumper boats. Call for seasonal hours and admission prices.
Route 302, Windham
(207) 892-5952 Web site.
Smiling Hill Farm
This historic family farm offers a petting zoo of farm animals from late spring through October, a playground as well as a year-round ice cream bar.
781 County Road, Westbrook
(207) 775-4818 Web site
Southworth Planetarium
The planetarium offers several laser and astronomy shows, some tailored for children, such as "Little Star That Could" and "Through the Eyes of Hubble". Call for show listings and show times. Educational and entertaining shows for adults and children. The planetarium is open to the public for Friday and Saturday evening shows and Saturday matinees.
96 Falmouth Street, Portland
(207) 780-4249 Web site
Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Company
Touted as the "6th oldest continually operating railroad in the country," this historic railroad is led by a 1913 Swedish steam locomotive. In addition to two-hour, narrated scenic rides, there are scheduled dinner and theater excursions, train displays and even special rail fantasy programs. Operates from June to October; trains depart from Unity or Belfast.
(800) 392-5500 Web site
Boothbay Railway Village
Features a re-created early New England village and antique automobile exhibit. Offers railway rides through the village. Call for seasonal hours and more information on upcoming events.
Route 27, Boothbay
(207) 633-4727 Web site
Maine Maritime Museum
The museum features exhibits describing Maine's shipbuilding history and offers boat rides along the Kennebec River. Open daily from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
243 Washington Street, Bath
(207) 443-1316 Web site
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Features exhibits of pioneer aircraft, ground vehicles, carriages, bicycles, and automobiles. The museum is open daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Hours from April through October are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hours from November through March are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Route 73, Rockland
(207) 594-4418 Web site
Norlands Living History Center
The center offers a glimpse at rural life in Maine during post-Civil War days. Tours include a Victorian mansion, church and one-room schoolhouse. Call for seasonal hours.
Route 4, Livermore
(207) 897-4366 Web site
Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI)
MERI Center for Marine Studies offers Eco-Cruises for families and adults throughout Blue Hill Bay. There are Children's Island Explorer trips, day-long cruises offering marine science activities for ages 6-17. Inside the center in the Ocean Room are aquariums, touchtanks and hands-on science activities.
MERI Center for Marine Studies, Main Street on the Mill Stream, Blue Hill
(207) 359-8078 Web site
Children's Discovery Museum
This museum offers "hands-on" opportunities for youngsters through grade five.
265 Water Street, Augusta
622-2209 Web site
Old Fort Western
Old Fort Western is the 1754 National Historic Landmark fort, store and house museum on the Kennebec River.
16 Cony Street, Augusta
(207) 626-2385 Web site
Maine Discovery Museum
74 Main Street, downtown Bangor.
The second-largest children's museum in New England, this fairly new spot is a good one, full of all sorts of interactive and challenging exhibits.
(207) 262-7200 Web site
The Telephone Museum
largest collection of various electro-mechanical telephone switching systems in New England. Visitors can use a hand-crank wall phone and help an operator switch a call.
166 Winkumpaugh Road, Ellsworth
(207) 667-9491 Web site
Nothing like exerting all that youthful energy in the great outdoors ... and what better place than in Maine?
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