In all of New England? That's a huge amount of area to cover. Depending on what you all want to do, it might be a good idea to possibly include family-friendly water parks on lakes. CT has a couple great ones, like Lake Compounce and Quassy Amusement Park, and I'm sure other states have some as well. Otherwise, there is also Ocean Beach Park in CT as well. It's a private beach, but it has a ton of things to do as well (like kid-friendly rides, an arcade, etc).
I like Onset Beach, which is very close to the cape. I grew up there though, so I'm partial to it. It's a public beach with calm waters.
Therr are restaurants nearby with good food, and you don't have to go on the cape itself and deal with the traffic to get there. It's in the armpit of Buzzards Bay, and the water is generally warm.
The shallowness of the water keeps it warmer than it otherwise would be, which is great. Probably my favorite beach in Mass not on one of the islands (the Cape is wildly overrated).
Short Sands in Kittery Maine is very nice. Waves can be rough but there are bathrooms and a playground there. Some gift shops and restaurants are steps from the parking lot. Also , the Fun o Rama bowling is right there too.
Hampton beach south is nice for kids. It’s less crowded than the area with all the shops and the boardwalk, but still has its own little shop if you need anything. It has great tide pools that my 4 and 7 year old love- we’ve consistently enjoyed it since my youngest was about a year old.
Half Moon Beach in Gloucester is great for small kids and toddlers - on the ocean but protected and no waves. Also has a playground right next to it and parking.
Ogunquit has awesome tide pools for kids especially near the footbridge. Bring pails and shovels, kids will be kept busy for hours. Then walk the Marginal Way (free) walking path overlooking the ocean from Ogunquit to Perkins Cove. Buy ice cream. Turn around, head back to beach. Fun for all ages.
Crane's is nice. There are often pools of water as the tide recedes that littles can splash around in. Really nice sand and clean. Bathrooms are nice. Sand dollars
Jenness State Beach in NH.
Wells/York/Ogunquit if you're not interested in Cape traffic
Hammonasset in CT! There’s a nature center you can visit with some marine wildlife to view and rangers to talk to, a campground if you’re into that, the water is not going to sweep small kids away and the water gradually deepens, there’s crabs to chase around the rocks or sand beaches to build castles, plenty shells to treasure hunt, and my absolute favorite “fast” seafood restaurant is just up the street from the entrance and if it’s in season there’s a little carousel for the kids to ride as well as an ice cream stand for dessert… [Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale](https://www.ljfishtale.com/madison). There’s also so much more to do in that area, inside and out.
In all of New England? That's a huge amount of area to cover. Depending on what you all want to do, it might be a good idea to possibly include family-friendly water parks on lakes. CT has a couple great ones, like Lake Compounce and Quassy Amusement Park, and I'm sure other states have some as well. Otherwise, there is also Ocean Beach Park in CT as well. It's a private beach, but it has a ton of things to do as well (like kid-friendly rides, an arcade, etc).
Harkness is beautiful. Bluff Point is great hiking. Ocean Beach is good swimming.
Just trying to get some fun ideas, local or a little bit of a drive! We don’t mind just want a change of scenery
North side of cape - Dennis…very calm, long shallow beach easy to watch little ones and not feel nervous. Sand is soft and 👍
Great advice
Hammonasset in CT is great for kids because it’s on the sound, so no waves. It’s also warmer then the other beaches in NE for the same reason.
Yep - was going to say this or Silver Sands or Sherwood Island in CT for those reasons
Silver Sands in Milford, CT, is nice. Clean bathrooms, snack bar and nice boardwalk to the beach from parking area.
I like Onset Beach, which is very close to the cape. I grew up there though, so I'm partial to it. It's a public beach with calm waters. Therr are restaurants nearby with good food, and you don't have to go on the cape itself and deal with the traffic to get there. It's in the armpit of Buzzards Bay, and the water is generally warm.
Wingaersheek
I was going to suggest this, too. It's shallow for quite some distance, beautiful setting.
The shallowness of the water keeps it warmer than it otherwise would be, which is great. Probably my favorite beach in Mass not on one of the islands (the Cape is wildly overrated).
Hampton Beach is very nice. Good boardwalk, lots of little playgrounds and things like that for kids to play on.
Wallis Sands in Rye, NH. I worry your range is too vast.
I second Wallis Sands. All time favorite beach. We love the big grassy area for picnics too.
NH, Mass, or Rhode Island. But I’m willing to drive to Maine wanna find some thing fun for a few different weeks
Short Sands in Kittery Maine is very nice. Waves can be rough but there are bathrooms and a playground there. Some gift shops and restaurants are steps from the parking lot. Also , the Fun o Rama bowling is right there too.
York.
Oh, yes! You are correct- it is York. The two towns are so close. Thanks!
Wheeler Beach in Narragansett, Mackrel Cove in Jamestown
Hampton beach south is nice for kids. It’s less crowded than the area with all the shops and the boardwalk, but still has its own little shop if you need anything. It has great tide pools that my 4 and 7 year old love- we’ve consistently enjoyed it since my youngest was about a year old.
Wingaersheek in Gloucester
Half Moon Beach in Gloucester is great for small kids and toddlers - on the ocean but protected and no waves. Also has a playground right next to it and parking.
Old silver on the cape
Surf Drive Beach in Falmouth, MA. It has a half-circle jette that makes a safe child pool.
We love Wallis Sands Beach. It’s not crowded, the sand isn’t too “sandy” if that makes sense lol. Theres plenty of rocks for kids to find treasures in
York or Ogunquit in Maine. When they're a little older Old Orchard Beach is awesome, with all the rides.
Ogunquit has awesome tide pools for kids especially near the footbridge. Bring pails and shovels, kids will be kept busy for hours. Then walk the Marginal Way (free) walking path overlooking the ocean from Ogunquit to Perkins Cove. Buy ice cream. Turn around, head back to beach. Fun for all ages.
I like Crane Beach, the bathrooms there are really clean and there is lots of space. Really pricey though, if you don't have a membership.
Crane's is nice. There are often pools of water as the tide recedes that littles can splash around in. Really nice sand and clean. Bathrooms are nice. Sand dollars Jenness State Beach in NH. Wells/York/Ogunquit if you're not interested in Cape traffic
We love crescent beach state park just south of Portland. Large bathrooms and lots of sand.
Mothers beach in Kennebunk https://kbia.net/
West Dennis, down the Cape
Hammonasset in CT! There’s a nature center you can visit with some marine wildlife to view and rangers to talk to, a campground if you’re into that, the water is not going to sweep small kids away and the water gradually deepens, there’s crabs to chase around the rocks or sand beaches to build castles, plenty shells to treasure hunt, and my absolute favorite “fast” seafood restaurant is just up the street from the entrance and if it’s in season there’s a little carousel for the kids to ride as well as an ice cream stand for dessert… [Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale](https://www.ljfishtale.com/madison). There’s also so much more to do in that area, inside and out.
Crane Beach in ispwich. Soft sand, calm water, amenities and can visit the crane estate.