Best Things to Do in Ocean City, MD With Kids
Ocean City, Maryland family days: Trimper's Rides and the Boardwalk, a beach swim morning, Jolly Roger's Splash Mountain Water Park, an Assateague Island wild-horse day trip, and a dolphin-watching or sunset cruise. This beach has free public access and no beach tags — the boardwalk and rides are where the money goes.
Want a resort shortlist for your Ocean City trip too?
60-second match. Free. No email required to see picks.
1Area photo: Drngogo / Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)Trimper's Rides & the Boardwalk
A boardwalk fixture since 1890, with a historic hand-carved carousel alongside modern coasters and kiddie rides. The mix of old and new, plus the 3-mile boardwalk itself for walking, ice cream, and fries, makes this the anchor evening activity in town.
Watch out: Ride tickets and wristbands both exist — do the math on which is cheaper for your group's plans before buying. Summer evenings get crowded; lines for the newer coasters can run long. The carousel building is one of the few genuinely historic structures left on the boardwalk — worth pointing out to kids.
2Area photo: Drngogo / Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)Ocean City Beach Swim Morning
Maryland's beach here is wide, lifeguarded in season, and free — no beach tags required, unlike most New Jersey and Delaware shore towns. This is the easiest, lowest-cost morning of the trip and the boardwalk is right there for a lunch break.
Watch out: Metered street parking and municipal lots fill by mid-morning on summer weekends; a beach-adjacent hotel or an early arrival helps. Rip currents happen; stay near lifeguard stands. Jellyfish show up seasonally — ask lifeguards about current conditions.
3Area photo: Drngogo / Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)Jolly Roger's Splash Mountain Water Park
A genuine water park with slides ranging from toddler-friendly to steep drops for older kids, plus a wave pool and lazy river. It's a good reset day when the ocean feels repetitive or the surf is too rough for younger kids.
Watch out: Sunscreen matters — much of the park is unshaded concrete. Summer weekends draw big crowds; arriving at opening cuts wait times significantly. It's a separate ticket from Jolly Roger's amusement-park side (Speedworld, mini golf) if you want both.
4Area photo: Drngogo / Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)Assateague Island Wild Horses Day Trip
A national seashore about 30 minutes south of Ocean City where wild horses roam free on the beach and dunes — a genuinely different, quieter experience from the boardwalk town. Swimming, hiking trails, and even primitive camping are options if you want to make it a longer stop.
Watch out: Wild horses bite and kick — rangers enforce a real minimum distance (typically 10-40 feet depending on current guidance); do not approach for photos regardless of how calm they look. Bring bug spray; the marshy areas have real mosquito and biting-fly populations in summer. Facilities are more limited than the OC boardwalk — pack food and water.
5Area photo: Drngogo / Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)Ocean City Dolphin Watching Cruise
Boats leave from the inlet and reliably spot bottlenose dolphins in the bay and near-shore Atlantic waters. A shorter, calmer-water trip than an open-ocean whale watch, and manageable for younger kids.
Watch out: Book ahead for weekend sailings in July and August. Sunset cruises are prettier but cooler once the sun drops — bring a layer. Check whether the specific cruise is dolphin-focused or a general sightseeing trip if dolphins are the priority.
Frequently asked
Do we need beach tags in Ocean City, Maryland?
No — unlike New Jersey and Delaware shore towns, Ocean City, MD beach access is free. Parking is the real cost to budget for.
Is Assateague worth the drive from Ocean City?
Yes for most families — it's only about 30 minutes and offers a genuinely different experience (wild horses, quieter beach) from the boardwalk town.
Are the wild horses safe to approach?
No — they are wild animals that bite and kick, and rangers enforce a minimum viewing distance. Admire them from the required distance, not up close for a photo.
Activity budget for a week?
Plan $450–$750 for a family of 4 doing Trimper's, the water park, and a dolphin cruise. Assateague and beach days keep the rest of the week cheaper.
Same destination, where to stay
Booking these activities? Pick the right resort first.
Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Ocean City family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
Best Family Resorts in Ocean City →Things to do in similar destinations
Same family-activity angle, different destination.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Cancun
Xel-Há All-Inclusive Eco Park · Xcaret Park (Plus Pass) · Chichen Itza + Cenote + Valladolid Day-Trip
Things to do in Cancun →
FL, United States
Orlando
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Day · Gatorland — Florida's Original Attraction · Discovery Cove (Reserved-Day, All-Inclusive)
Things to do in Orlando →
Plan a full Ocean City family trip
Tell the Advisor your kids' ages, your budget, and your travel window. We'll match a resort, an activity stack, and the booking-window math that beats peak pricing.