2025 Duck Kid Friendly Activities Guide

As everyone can see just walking past this store, many of the mild-weather recreational activities that can be done outdoors are covered here. Racks in front of the store are filled with fat tire beach cruisers, kayaks and surfboards. Inside, surf gear and beach wear ---bathing suits, shorts, shirts and dresses, pants and hoodies ---fill racks and shelves.

The Town of Duck held it’s first Yuletide Celebration in 2011, and its popularity established it as an annual event.Taking place on the first Friday and Saturday in December, the Celebration begins with local merchants keeping their doors open later on Friday to help shoppers find those perfect gifts for friends and family. Locals and visitors are treated to holiday sales,  refreshments and entertainment as they stroll through this quaint, scenic town all decked out in festive holiday lights and decorations.A number of  local restaurants join in the festivities by hosting the Duck Tapas Crawls, offering a plate of tapas and a cup of cheer for one special price.On Saturday afternoon the Yuletide Celebration moves to the Duck Town Green, where Santa shows up riding in a fire truck just after 3:30 p.m. In exchange for donations to the local Food Pantry, local restaurants offer refreshments, while local artists entertain with live Christmas music. After winners of the Town-wide "Business Decorating Contest" are announced, the celebration culminates with the lighting of the Town Tree.Meanwhile, and again into Saturday evening, participating local restaurants and shops keep the celebration alive with more special promotions, refreshments and holiday sounds.

North Duck Watersports says its dedicated to providing a “clean fun experience” to all its customers. With jet ski, boat rentals and more, it boasts the largest watersports facility in Duck - if not the entire OBX - offering “something for everyone.” Groups and whole families can drift away for two hours to half a day, sightseeing on the scenic sound or fishing from North Duck’s 24-foot pontoon boats. But to get an even better view of the Carolina Coast, parasailing from 300 feet above the water is the way to go. Otherwise, if your need is speed, North Duck says it offers the “best jet ski rentals in the area,” and always the newest equipment.In addition to boating, jet skiing and parasailing, there’s kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, with lessons offered in the latter, along with special classes in windsurfing taught during the season.Located at a lovely soundside setting just south of Sanderling, with shade trees and picnic tables, North Duck provides a friendly staff and an entire day of family fun on and by the water. Be sure to call ahead 24 hours or fill out a form online to reserve your equipment, as time slots fill up fast, especially during the summer.North Duck is open daily from May until mid-October, from 9-6, with shorter days off-season.

Keep your vacation stress free!  Pack your casual beach clothes & essentials, and let Ocean Atlantic Rentals deliver the rest! CURBSIDE PICKUP/CONTACTLESS DELIVERY: 1-800-635-9559 JUST RENT IT! Since 1979, OAR has been serving families with quality gear for their beach vacation fun, their baby needs, or the even the beach cottage, all at reasonable daily & weekly rental rates.  Reservations before your arrival are strongly encouraged, and can be made at www.OceanAtlanticRentals.com or toll-free at (800)-635-9559 every day of the week! Everything can be delivered to your door; from bikes to surf boards, kayaks and paddleboards, OAR stocks the fun stuff to enjoy in the water, or on land.  Back at your beach home, OAR has you covered with gas grill rentals, rollaway beds, beach towels, and even dog crates!  Bike rentals for the entire family are just a call away at Ocean Atlantic Rentals, or get around town on a Golf Cart LSV.  These street legal golf carts are a great way to explore the villages, or get your family and gear to the beach everyday if your vacation home is some distance from the Atlantic ocean.

If you are looking for something more exciting than sitting on the beach, why not try fishing in the world renowned waters off the Outer Banks? Sharky’s Fishing Charters offers offshore, inshore, and sound fishing for every angler, regardless of experience. Sharky’s has plenty of comfortable charter boats in our fleet.  You can choose offshore fishing for a more intense experience, inshore fishing for an excursion closer to shore, or a relaxing sound fishing trip. If you do choose to go offshore fishing expect to spot some very cool sea life in the Gulf Stream. The First Mate on every fishing charter is there to assist you in any way you need. He or she will help you be involved in the full fishing experience. You can choose between half, three-quarter, and full day fishing adventures, along with two-hour Sunset or Dolphin Watch Cruises. Sharky’s even offers overnight fishing trips if you are feeling more adventurous. Sharky’s has a full supply of any fishing equipment that you may need. From poles to bait and tackle, they have it all. Don’t forget to pick up one of their popular tee shirts while you are there. With educated and experienced captains on every boat, you are sure to have a memorable experience on one of Sharky’s fishing adventures!  

No shopping trip with the kids is complete without a trip to a toy store, and The Kid’s Store in the Waterfront Shops in Duck is the perfect spot to find everything for children. From toys, books, puzzles and games, there is plenty to choose from, whether you are looking for a gift or just a few toys to keep the kids entertained during your vacation. The Kid’s Store also has outdoor gear. Enjoy a large selection of bathing suits for all ages, rash guards, hats and t-shirts to protect youngsters from the strong rays of the sun. Education toys, stuffed animals, and novelty toys are everywhere. Looking for some beach toys or the perfect kite to fly on the beach? You are bound to find it here.  And no child’s Outer Banks vacation is complete without a hermit crab.  At The Kid’s Store, customers can expect personalized attention while children choose the perfect hermit crab to bring home. Don’t forget to pick up some beach toys and kites for the kids, who will be eager to try their new gear at the beach. After 20 years in business, The Kid’s Store knows toys and they know kids, too. So bring the kids for a fun treat.

Join us in Duck, North Carolina, as we celebrate the Town’s 10-Year Anniversary with a host of fun-filled, family-friendly events.

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Donutz on a Stick

Stay, Play and Eat- Donuts, Ice Cream & Coffee Treats! Located on the Duck Boardwalk, behind Dockside Seafood, this breakfast & Dessert-Shop features treats you've never tasted before! Try the hot, made to order, donutz on a stick with more than 35 toppings! They'll melt in your mouth! Or try the Gluten-Free Donuts; limited quantities, daily. Plus, try any or all of the 9 flavors of homemade tastefully twisted soft serve. Frozen yogurt, sorbets, sherbet, hand dipped and homemade ice cream flavors.   Unique coffees, sodas and espresso that will satisfy the whole family. Mix-and-match nostalgic candies and much more. Bring the carnival to your mouth and eat it like nobody’s watchin’! Donutz-On-A-Stick- where visual stimulation meets taste bud overload!   Carnival Treats at the Beach—With Flavorful Creations and Allergy-Friendly Options, Donutz on a Stick Serves Up Sweet Treats for Everyone   David and Stephanie were not always in the business of carnival confections. In fact, Stephanie was a fitness instructor and David worked in the computer field. But he loved donuts and she loved ice cream, and when they saw an opportunity to bring their favorite treats to beachgoers, they jumped on it.   In 2014, the couple opened their first Donutz on a Stick—a family-run, family-friendly dessert shop on the boardwalk. They quickly realized that in order to serve everyone, they would need to get creative. “We had a family who would come in, and one of the little boys would have to wait by the door because of his gluten allergy,” David says. “That didn’t sit well with us. We wanted everyone to come under the same roof no matter what kind of allergies they had. And we continue to work towards that goal.”   The Williams’ daughter Desireé spent six weeks experimenting until she created a gluten-free donut that was totally safe and delicious. Gluten-free donuts are now a huge part of the business, with more than 1,000 being served each day, just out of the Duck location. But you will want to call or stop by to reserve them in advance.   The Williams’ other three children, David, Justin and Christian, have all invented menu items as well, such as Christian’s donut milkshake, which features hot and fresh cooked donuts blended into a milkshake with another donut on top making it picture perfect.   While all the Williams have created menu items, the most popular pick—the donut sundae—was actually a happy accident.   “We were being featured in a local magazine and we could only have one photo for the article,” David says. Since both ice cream and donuts were equally popular, “we built the donut sundae for the photo and we discovered after the photoshoot that it tasted amazing. It was completely serendipitous.”   The Williams family is constantly creating and improving upon their recipes. At the heart of it all is a desire to see everyone come in and enjoy an experience together. They want to bring the carnival to your mouth.   “No matter how busy we are—even if there’s a line down the boardwalk—every customer gets that engagement and service from us,” they say.   The family has since opened a second location in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.