Fabulously Fun Things to Do on Prince Edward Island with Kids (2025)

Sometimes a destination is so special you don’t want to share it with anyone. Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of those destinations. The island is one of the Maritimes, three provinces along the east coast of Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are the other two).  Despite being Canada’s smallest province, you’ll find plenty of things to do on Prince Edward Island with kids!

Best known as the home of Anne of Green Gables, the island is also the perfect place for outdoor adventures, delicious meals, and spectacular sunset views. You can spend your days on red-sand beaches or exploring historic sites. Check out our favorite stops on PEI below.

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Best Things to Do on Prince Edward Island

We spent a week on this Canadian island with our children and it was one of our all-time favorite travel memories. For us, a week felt like the perfect amount of time to do a range of activities on PEI. But you can easily have a perfect 3-day trip to PEI if your time is limited.

There are several great hotels and inns on the island, but I suggest renting a vacation home like we did so you can fully enjoy the island. We chose a home on the northwestern part of the island and enjoyed a private beach with spectacular sunsets each night. During the day, we went out exploring and loved every minute!

1. Visit Prince Edward Island’s National Parks

There are two beautiful parks to explore: Prince Edward Island National Park, and Greenwich National Park. PEI National Park has seven beaches and over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. The landscape is a mix of sand dunes, marshes, and sandstone cliffs. Its beauty is breathtaking.

The Greenwich Interpretation Centre in PEI National Park showcases the natural and cultural history of Greenwich. This park is also home to Green Gables Heritage Place, with the preserved Green Gables house and the landscape that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write Anne of Green Gables.

Greenwich National Park is all about white sand beaches and stunning wind-swept dunes. The park’s 3 different trails range from 3/4 mile to 2 3/4 miles and kids can learn about the area’s ecosystem through interpretive signs along the way.

2. Get your hands dirty with a PEI clam dig

Several companies offer day trip options for clam digging. Tranquility Cove Adventures offers a Giant Bar Clam Dig, taking visitors to a deserted island off the coast, where everyone gets suited up to do some digging.

All of the gear is provided and once everyone is done gathering their catch, they head to the beach to enjoy the bounty. Such a fun experience for visitors of all ages!

3. Visit Historic Sites and Museums

Prince Edward Island offers a variety of historical sites and museums that are perfect for families. At the top of the list is the Province House National Historic Site in Charlottetown, which showcases Canada’s political history through exhibits and guided tours.

To learn about Acadian culture, history, and traditions, head to the Acadian Museum in Miscouche. In Charlottetown, visit the beautiful Victorian-era Beaconsfield Historic House. This house museum offers insight into the island’s Victorian era with guided tours and exhibits.

Or if your crew likes living museums, head to Orwell Corner Historic Village. Here, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to 19th-century rural life on PEI while you attend demonstrations and activities led by costumed actors!

4. Check out a hoedown at the Stompin’ Tom Centre

For some local culture, the Stompin’ Tom Centre in Skinners Pond is a fun way to spend a few hours! This museum celebrates the life and music of Stompin’ Tom Connors, a legendary Canadian folk musician.

Besides exhibits, the centre also hosts different live music events. You can attend daily concerts, dinner theatre, and weekly hoedowns (a PEI tradition). But probably the best part about the Stompin’ Tom Centre is the Homestead and Schoolhouse.

The Homestead is a replica of Connors’ childhood home in Skinner’s Pond and features artifacts and memorabilia from his early life. And the Schoolhouse is a restored one-room schoolhouse where you can experience what education was like in rural PEI during Connors’ time.

5. Explore the Anne of Green Gables Sites

If you’re a fan of the book, there are plenty of sites on PEI dedicated to the heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books! Avonlea Village is a shopping/dining area with replicas of houses and shops from the time of Anne of Green Gables.

You can visit the Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner, with exhibits of all things Anne of Green Gables, including artifacts, displays, and the enchanting Lake of Shining Waters. (This is a seasonal museum open between mid-May and mid-October.)

Another season stop that fans of L.M. Montgomery will appreciate is the Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace in New London, where you can see the author’s preserved home and personal belongings.

And if you’re going to Charlottetown, check out Anne & Gilbert: The Musical! There are hints of the book all over the island, so even if you’re not looking, it’s possible to find something related to Anne of Green Gables.

6. Discover Charlottetown

Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, and as such, is one of the busiest spots. It’s a charming city filled with historic buildings and cultural attractions.

A lot of great tours leave from Charlottetown. On this walking tour of Charlottetown, you can explore the city’s rich history and admire well-preserved architecture and historical landmarks.

Or take this Island Drive & Anne of Green Gables Tour from Charlottetown.

One of the best places to visit in Charlottetown, especially during the summer, is Victoria Row. This gorgeous pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants is on the historic Charlottetown Waterfront.

We spent the afternoon wandering the Great George and Queen Street area, stopping in the shops and enjoying ice cream at Cows Creamery.

7. Play at Off the Wallz Splash Park in Summerside

We were on Prince Edward Island during the summer, and this was one of the unexpected highlights of our visit. It’s an outdoor, inflatable obstacle course on the water.

If your kids don’t have their swimsuits, no problem! They can join in the fun at the indoor playground (for kids under 12 years) or try out the new ax-throwing area. There are concessions, including an area with picnic tables.

The Splash Park is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, and it’s the one place our kids wanted to return to every day. The place will exhaust them, but it’s a blast!

8. Enjoy the Beaches

Hands down, Prince Edward Island is home to some of the best beaches in North America. One of the top things to do on Prince Edward Island is to explore its stunning red-sand beaches, particularly along the North Shore.

Cavendish Beach is a prime example, with its soft red sands, picturesque views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and iconic red sandstone cliffs. During the summer months, this is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. There are lifeguards on duty and a beautiful boardwalk above the beach.

Thunder Cove Beach is another gem on PEI’s North Shore. This isolated beach isn’t great for swimming (no lifeguards), but it is known for breathtaking rock formations and hidden sea caves.

For something different on PEI, head to Basin Head Provincial Park, known for its white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters. This beach is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

9. Explore The Bottle Houses

If you’re looking for something unique to do on PEI, head to The Bottle Houses, located in Cape Egmont. They’re exactly what they sound like, buildings made from glass bottles.

Édouard T. Arsenault collected over 25,000 to create these unique structures, and they are worth a visit if only to marvel at the work behind the construction!

10. Take an afternoon break at a dairy bar

Dairy bars can be found all over Prince Edward Island and they make for a delicious treat any time of day.  These charming spots are popular during the warmer months.

Similar to a Dairy Queen, these roadside stands have everything from soft serve to sundaes, to creative milkshakes. Everyone can find their favorite as the menus are extensive!

11. Go lighthouse hunting

Historic lighthouses can be found all over the island, but some of our favorites include:

• West Point Lighthouse – West Point Lighthouse is one of our favorites. This is Canada’s first lighthouse to operate as a hotel. Guests can stay in one of the thirteen rooms in the tallest lighthouse on the island.
• Point Prim Lighthouse – Built in 1845, this is the oldest lighthouse on the island. This is the only round lighthouse on the island, and one of the few made of brick.
• North Rustico Lighthouse – Sits in a fishing village, next to some old fishing shacks and abandoned boats. The town is worth a quick stroll and there’s a good place up the road to buy fresh seafood for dinner. 
• East Point Lighthouse – This is the only lighthouse in Canada that’s still working today! You can tour the lighthouse, see exhibits, and enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Covehead Lighthouse – This lighthouse is PEI’s smallest and quite possibly most charming lighthouse. The sand is constantly shifting here so the structure has been moved a few times since it was built in 1967.

12. Make a pit stop at the Canadian Potato Museum

Located in O’Leary, the museum is exactly as the name says, all about potatoes. Their history, the agriculture in Canada, and even potato fudge.

Yes, you read that right. It’s the real reason our kids wanted to make this a stop.

13. Catch a movie at PEI’s only drive-in movie theater

Nothing screams nostalgia more than a drive-in movie theater. Brackley Drive-In Theatre is the only one on the island and is perfect for those balmy Canadian summer nights.

It’s open seasonally (May 1 through the end of October), and you’ll want to check out their Facebook page for the latest updates in and out of season.

14. Try local seafood at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers

You can’t visit Prince Edward Island and not sample some of their delicious seafood! New Glasgow Lobster Suppers has been serving a traditional lobster fest since 1958. We promise everyone in the family will enjoy this experience!

Where to Stay in Prince Edward Island with Kids

We rented this house through VRBO and based ourselves on the north end of the island. I would highly recommend finding a house and booking a week to experience the perfect unplugged vacation. The home had everything we could want, including privacy and spectacular sunsets every night.

Looking for other Canada posts? Don’t miss Fun Things to Do in Jasper, Alberta or 10 National Parks in Canada that Need to Be on Your Radar