Planning a family beach vacation on the Washington coast? Grayland and Westport are packed with activities that kids of all ages will love. From digging razor clams in the sand to visiting a real mermaid museum, this stretch of the Pacific coast offers the kind of hands-on, screen-free fun that families dream about. We have spent years watching families create incredible memories here, and we are always amazed by how much there is to do with kids in this area.
Whether your children are toddlers who want to splash in tide pools or teenagers looking for their next adventure, our guide to kid-friendly activities in Grayland and Westport has something for every age group.
Beach Fun for the Whole Family
The beaches near Grayland are wide, flat, and uncrowded — which is exactly what you want when you are chasing after little ones. Unlike some rocky Pacific coast beaches, the sand here is smooth and perfect for bare feet, sandcastle building, and hours of imaginative play. Low tide transforms the beach into a massive playground where kids can explore tide pools, chase waves, and discover all kinds of fascinating things that wash ashore.
Sandcastle Building
The damp, packed sand near the waterline at Grayland Beach is ideal for sandcastle building. Bring along some buckets, shovels, and molds, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. We have seen everything from simple sand mounds to elaborate castles with moats that channel actual ocean water. It is the kind of activity that keeps kids busy for hours while parents relax nearby. The best part? When the tide comes in and washes it all away, you get to start fresh the next day.
Kite Flying
The Washington coast is one of the best places in the country for kite flying, and the steady ocean breezes at Grayland make it easy even for beginners. Pick up an inexpensive kite at a local shop or bring one from home, and head to the beach. Kids absolutely light up when they get a kite soaring in the coastal wind for the first time. The wide, open beach gives you plenty of room to run and maneuver without worrying about trees or power lines.
Tidepool Exploration
At low tide, small pools of water form among the rocks and along the beach where kids can discover sea anemones, tiny crabs, starfish, and all sorts of marine life. Tidepool exploration is one of the most educational and exciting outdoor activities you can do with children on the coast. Bring a magnifying glass for an even closer look, and remind kids to look but not touch — we want to leave these creatures safe in their homes. Check tide charts before you go so you can time your visit for the lowest tides.
Razor clam digging is a beloved family tradition on the Washington coast — kids love the thrill of the hunt.
Razor Clam Digging with Kids
Razor clam digging is one of the most iconic activities on the Washington coast, and it is surprisingly great for kids. During open seasons (typically fall through spring), families head to the beach armed with clam shovels and lanterns for an experience unlike anything else. Children love the excitement of spotting a clam show — the small dimple in the sand that signals a clam below — and then racing to dig it up before it burrows deeper.
Kids as young as five or six can participate with a little help, and even toddlers enjoy playing in the sand while older siblings and parents do the digging. You will need a shellfish license from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and each digger (including children 15 and older) needs their own license. The daily limit is typically 15 clams per person, and each clam you dig must be kept — no throwing back undersized ones.
After your dig, head back to your cottage and cook up your catch. Kids who help dig and clean their own clams are often much more enthusiastic about eating them. It is a full-circle experience that teaches kids where food comes from and creates stories they will tell for years.
Horseback Riding on the Beach
Few experiences capture a child’s imagination quite like riding a horse along the beach with the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the horizon. Several outfitters in the area offer guided horseback rides along the shore, suitable for riders of various ages and experience levels. The gentle, steady horses used for beach rides are chosen specifically for their calm temperament around children.
Rides typically last one to two hours and take you along the hard-packed sand near the waterline. Kids get to experience the thrill of riding while surrounded by one of the most dramatic landscapes on the coast. It is an activity that appeals to children and adults alike, making it a perfect family outing. Book in advance during summer months, as these rides fill up quickly.
The Mermaid Museum
Yes, you read that right — there is a Mermaid Museum in the area, and kids absolutely love it. At just three dollars per person, it is one of the most affordable family activities on the coast. The museum features mermaid-themed art, folklore, and exhibits that spark the imagination. During March festival weekends, admission is even free, making it an especially great deal for families visiting during the spring season.
The museum is quirky, colorful, and unlike anything your kids will have seen before. It is the kind of place that inspires stories and creative play long after you leave. Combined with the nearby beaches, it makes for a magical day that younger children in particular will never forget. Check out our events and festivals guide for details on special festival weekends.
Westport Aquarium
The Westport Aquarium, located on the Westport Marina, is a small but fascinating attraction that kids love. One of its most impressive features is a real gray whale skeleton that children can walk around and examine up close. The aquarium also has touch tanks where kids can gently handle sea stars, sea cucumbers, and other marine creatures — a tactile experience that is both educational and thrilling for young ones.
The aquarium is compact enough that it works well even for families with short attention spans (we are looking at you, toddlers), and the hands-on exhibits keep older kids engaged too. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the Westport Marina area, where you can walk along the docks and watch fishing boats unload their catch.
Simple joys like blowing bubbles become magical moments at the beach.
Activities Right at Ocean Spray Beach Resort
One of the things families love most about staying at Ocean Spray Beach Resort is that there is plenty to do without even leaving the property. Our common area features a ping pong table where kids (and competitive parents) can battle it out, along with board games and other activities perfect for rainy afternoons or downtime between beach adventures.
Rock Painting
Rock painting has become one of the most beloved activities at our resort. Kids collect smooth stones from the beach, then paint them with colorful designs, messages, or pictures. Some families hide their painted rocks around the resort grounds for other guests to find, creating a fun scavenger hunt atmosphere. It is a creative, low-key activity that kids of all ages enjoy — and parents often get just as into it as the children do.
Rock painting is a hit with our younger guests — a creative beach activity everyone enjoys.
Ping Pong and Games
Our common area is the social hub of the resort, and kids gravitate to it naturally. The ping pong table sees some fierce competitions, and we have a selection of board games and cards available for families to enjoy. On rainy days especially, the common area becomes a gathering spot where kids from different families meet and play together, sometimes forming friendships that last well beyond the vacation.
Our common area is stocked with games, a ping pong table, and plenty of fun for all ages.
The Cranberry Museum
Grayland sits in the heart of Washington’s cranberry growing region, and the Cranberry Museum in nearby Long Beach offers a surprisingly engaging experience for families. Kids can learn about how cranberries grow, see the bogs where they are harvested, and discover the history of cranberry farming on the coast. During harvest season in the fall, the sight of flooded cranberry bogs turned crimson red is truly spectacular and something kids find endlessly fascinating.
The museum is free to visit and provides a nice change of pace from beach activities. It is educational without being stuffy, and kids come away with a new appreciation for the little red berries that grow right in their vacation neighborhood.
Brady’s Oysters
For a unique educational experience, consider visiting Brady’s Oysters on the shores of Grays Harbor. This family-run operation has been farming oysters for generations, and they welcome visitors who want to learn about how oysters are grown and harvested. Kids can see oysters in various stages of growth and learn about the important role shellfish play in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems.
Even if your kids are not oyster eaters (yet), the experience of seeing a working oyster farm is fascinating. And for the adventurous young eaters in your family, there is no fresher oyster than one you watched being shucked minutes before.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
When you are traveling with kids, where you stay matters as much as what you do. Our family-sized cottages at Ocean Spray Beach Resort feature full kitchens, which means you can prepare meals and snacks on your own schedule — a lifesaver when you have hungry kids who cannot wait for a restaurant. No more trying to find a place to eat with sandy, tired children at six in the evening.
The cottages are spacious enough for families to spread out, with room for kids to play inside when the weather turns. And our location just steps from the beach means that “let’s go play outside” is always an option. Many of our returning families tell us that the ease and comfort of our beach cabin rentals is what keeps them coming back year after year.
Planning Your Family Beach Trip
A long weekend is the perfect length for a family trip to the Grayland and Westport area. With so many beach activities and attractions packed into this small stretch of coast, you will never run out of things to do. We recommend mixing active days (beach play, clamming, horseback riding) with quieter activities (museum visits, rock painting, games in the common area) to keep everyone happy and avoid over-tired meltdowns.
Spring and summer are the most popular times for family visits, but fall and winter have their own appeal. Razor clam season runs through the cooler months, storm watching is thrilling for older kids, and the beaches are almost entirely yours during the off-season. No matter when you visit, there is always something fun waiting for your family on this beautiful stretch of the Washington coast.
Planning a trip to Grayland or Westport? Ocean Spray Beach Resort offers cozy beach cottages and tiny homes just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Check availability and book your stay today.
