Amuse the kids in Oak Bluffs

0

With schools winding down for the year, kids will be in need for some fun activities to fill their time. I headed out into the community to find out great options that can take as little or as much time as you have.

Starting at the top of Circuit Avenue you will find Waters of the World, an educational, interactive, viewing aquarium. They have numerous new things this summer season. There are new exhibits, new renovations, and even new management in co-owners Kahreem and Edward Grant, but the price is still just $5. According to Kahreem, kids love the seven interactive exhibits, especially the sharks, rays, snakes, and alligators in both salt and fresh water environments. The moray eel and the coral reef tank are definitely standouts at the aquarium, along with the baby alligators and the ever-popular lionfish. With the numerous close-up touch tanks, the kids really get to learn a lot. Next week they have some more new arrivals with a hammer head shark and a white tip atlantic reef shark. This year, there will be various shark feedings, story-tellings, and movie nights. For times and more information, check them out on the web at watersoftheworld.org. Make sure to leave time at the end to peruse their gift shop for your keepsake.

Just down the street, adjacent to Season’s Pub, is Ryan Family Amusements at the old Atlantic Connection, where there are two floors of family fun for all ages. Young ones will love all the games of chance that give you the option to earn numerous redemption tickets, including my favorite, Skee-Ball. Older ones will enjoy a game of air hockey or one of the various video games like Terminator Salvation, Guitar Hero, Sega Racing Classic, or Dance, Dance Revolution. When it’s time to go home, a stop at the desk to redeem their hard-earned tickets could equate to fuzzy dice, silly bands, a whoopee cushion, or some penny candy. Industrious kids might skip the current stop at the desk in hopes of earning enough through the season to get one of the big-ticket items like a remote control helicopter. A bonus is that Season’s Pub is offering kids 10 free tokens with every Kid’s Meal.

Finally at the bottom of Circuit Avenue, across from Giordano’s, is the Flying Horses Carousel & Arcade. Flying Horses is a treasure that has been enjoyed by many generations of Vineyarders and visitors alike. The carousel, built in 1876 by Charles W.F. Dare, is the oldest operating platform carousel in America. For $2 a ride, or $1.50 a ride if you buy a book of 10, everyone gets a very memorable ride and the chance at grabbing the coveted brass ring that gives the bearer another ride for free. Once the ride is over, everyone can play some arcade games and get yummy refreshments like popcorn, cotton candy, or a slushy.

So when you have some free time and the kids want to get out for some fun, head over to Oak Bluffs and enjoy all they have to offer.