12 Best Things To Do With Kids In Annapolis, Maryland

Written By Malcolm Lawson

Simply put, Annapolis is a fun place. A city on the water that plays as hard as it works, full of activities, festivals, and things to do for all ages almost all year long. And children are not left out of the fun!

As a local, below is my list of 12 of my favorite things to do with kids in Annapolis, Maryland. If you’re looking for something indoors or outdoors, we have a suggestion! From fishing on boats to farms and museums, there are numerous places to explore over and over again. We hope you and your kids explore, learn, have fun, and stay safe!

So what are the best things to do in Annapolis with kids?

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake
Annapolis Canoe & Kayak
Family Fishing Adventures
Sandy Point State Park
Quiet Waters
Ice Cream in Down Town Annapolis
Annapolis Maritime Museum
Naval Academy + Naval Academy Museum
Old Fox Bookstore
ZBounce
BeWithMe Playseum
Maryland Sunrise Farm – Maryland Corn Maze Fall Festival

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake

Ahoy, Me Hearties! For an adventurous afternoon on the water, board Annapolis’s pirate ship! Kids will get to a search for treasure, fire water cannons, and don Pirate attire and face paint.

More than just a mere sail into the bay, the crew is full of energy to truly bring an exciting pirate experience to life.

Perfect for a family outing or even reserve the boat for a birthday party, Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake is one of the area’s most fun and magical things to do with kids. Landlubbers, get ready to set sail and get wet!

Annapolis Canoe & Kayak

Looking for other ways to get out on the water that’s a bit more adventurous? Annapolis Canoe & Kayak offers canoe, SUP, and kayak rentals for your whole family.

With over 200 options to choose from, your sure to find something that fits your family’s needs. They also provide lessons if you need help teaching your children how to use the gear properly.

Family Fishing Adventures

All are welcome aboard the Sea Dragon! Family Fishing Adventures offers an “interactive fishing adventure that will have your child immersed in the world of fishing & crabbing and take them on a journey they could get nowhere else!”

The fishing tour is 1 hour and 30 minutes and kids can learn how to fish as well crab, and also learn about conservation in the Chesapeake Bay!

Bonus tip: Book for Wednesday nights in the summer and get $2 off your ticket and watch the famed Annapolis Wednesday Night sailboat races from the water!

Sandy Point State Park

If your kids wanna get off the water and in it instead, Sandy Point State Park is a great local beach where your kids can get into the bay, splash around, and cool off.

Located next to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, this is a popular summer spot. Beyond just the swimming beach, your kids can also fish from shore in certain areas, and there is plenty of room to run around too.

While grills are available, you are also able to bring your own, if you wanna make it an entire day in the park!

For the curious kids, there is also a nature center in the park where your children can learn about local wildlife including snakes, fish, turtles, and frogs. The park offers several interpretive programs, as well as educational programs for grades 3-8.

Quiet Waters Park

One of our favorite parks in Annapolis is Quiet Waters! It has over 3,400 acres of land, with miles of trails running through it. There are many things to do with your kids here. Here you and your kids can bike along the trails, play in the woods, open fields or playgrounds, and even bring your dog along!

There are pavilions for picnics, and in the winter, there is even an ice skating rink. Located along the South River, there is also access for fishing, of course, and places to launch stand up paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks.

Ice Cream in Down Town Annapolis

After all of these fun adventures, your kids are sure to be a bit hungry, so why not treat them to some icecream?

From The Red Bean to Annapolis Icecream Company, Kilwins, and Storm Bros. Icecream Factory, you and your kids will be sure to find your favorite flavor or several all within walking distance of each other in Downtown Annapolis!

All of these great shops offer unique mixins and flavors and dairy-free alternatives. Try them all, and taste test as you sit along Ego Alley and watch the boats and yachts come in.

Annapolis Maritime Museum

Housed in a former oyster-packing plant along the water, the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park showcases Annapolis fishing, oystering, and boating history as well as the ecology of the area.

Featuring duel 500- gallon aquariums, kids can learn all about the bay and experience some hands-on activities with some sea creatures! Perfect for families, there is educational programming for both kids and adults.

Some of the exhibits include being a virtual waterman, an interactive harvesting game, and even a virtual boat ride.

Naval Academy + Naval Academy Museum

One can not live in or visit Annapolis without exploring the Naval Academy. Beautiful grounds and architecture make for awesome walks and tours.

Your kids will love watching the Midshipman parade around, see the many statues and cannons throughout the Yard, and they can visit the onsite museum and learn about the history of sea power, the United States Navy, and the Academy itself.

In the fall, you don’t want to miss out on attending a Navy Football game or another sports event throughout the year from hockey to baseball.

And during commissioning week, make sure your kids look up to the sky to see the Blue Angels flying above. Grab some blue and gold gear and make sure your kids yell out: Go Navy!

Old Fox Bookstore

For your book-loving children, the Old Fox Bookstore is a magical delight. Here you can grab a coffee at Brown Mustache, a coffee shop located within the store, and your children can choose from a vast collection of books in this charming shop which also includes a half-Mermaid carousel “horse” and piano amongst its many decorations.

For your littlest readers, there is a children’s section, but here you will find books for all ages. On nice days, you and your kids can enjoy reading and playing in the fairy-tale-like garden in the back, and on colder ones, there are comfy chairs to curl up in.

ZBounce

If it’s too cold or rainy to explore outside, your kids will love playing at the ZBounce funhouse. Located inside the Annapolis Mall.

Here you will find a huge indoor arena, filled with inflatable slides, bounce houses, and rides including bumper cars, a space ship, and a pirate jet! ZBounce is also available for you to host birthday parties for your kids with all of their friends!

BeWithMe Playseum

Also located in the Annapolis Mall is the BeWithMe Playseum. This museum-meets-playspace will have your little ones having fun and learning all day. Featuring over 24 unique rooms, kids are “able to explore, discover, and play in uniquely designed city shops, created to mimic mom and dad’s world but uniquely scaled to their size.

Dress the part to fix a car at the mechanic’s shop, build a favorite pizza at the Italian restaurant, take x-rays of a patient in the hospital room or even pretend to bathe a puppy in the pet shop!”

There are also interactive Art, Bakery, and Science Bars where your kids can create, bake, and experiment! What is especially unique about the Playseum is its lack of electronics. As they say, they have “plain ol’ toys your kids can really play with.”

Maryland Sunrise Farm – Maryland Corn Maze Fall Festival

This farm is located 20 minutes outside of Downtown Annapolis, but it is worth the trip!

Open from September 12- October 31, 2020, Maryland Sunrise Farm’s is hosting its annual the Maryland Corn Maze Fall Festival.

It features an 8-acre corn maze, petting zoo, hayrides, giant Lincoln logs, pony rides, games, food, and so much more! Enjoy some fresh air and family fun this fall only a short trip outside of the city.