Stuck at sea in the middle of COVID 19…

Helpful tips for what to do with the kids (of any age)!

So you find yourself on an island in the middle of a pandemic…here is a quick, meant to be playful, list of activities to explore, today, this month or anytime or you might be looking for something a little different!

For a variety of reasons, there are some folks here now that have never experienced our magical Nantucket island during the month of May ever before.  It’s not quite beach weather but there are some nice sunny days. Oh yes, the wind whips but that is the fun of our spring, all right before we get to the month of June-uary, that’s an interesting phenomenon all to itself, but I digress. For a reference, just put the month of June (sunny longer days) in a blender with January (frigid and blustery) and well, you get the picture.

Fisher Real Estate has a wonderful blog post about navigating the summer of 2020, here is a link to our Resource Guide with other tremendous information.  This quick post is about the here and now and some creative little known activities some people have never thought to participate in.

In chatting with a friend who has now made Nantucket home for the foreseeable future, the topic of what to do with kids came up. With a little local knowledge, we put our heads together and curated this list. Have fun exploring and let us know which were your favorites by tagging @brenttucket in your Instagram post!

• Check out the conservation properties for great properties and trails that you may have never before explored. Be sure to tell us about your favorite.
• The ‘Sconset Bluff Walk is always fun – cool views and picturesque homes.
• Got Mud? Squam swamp is great for exploring a different habitat and on sunny days, if it appeals to you, you can even go “snaking”. I never knew about snake boards!
• Wet a line, fishing of course!  Bill Fisher Tackle not only has a fun new podcast and an insightful fishing report, but they also have curbside pick-up. Give them a call and they can set you up.
• Clamming – although I have yet to do this activity, it may be an easier and more guaranteed activity than chasing after the elusive early season stripers.
• What better time than to learn about something new. Geocaching – it’s a thing and I couldn’t tell you what, who, or how, but isn’t that part of the fun!
• If you have two wheels and pedals around, helmets first please, but we have about a gazillion miles of trails to socially ride on while maintaining physically distant.
• Ever heard the saying “go flying a kite”. 😉
• Look for arrowheads – lots out here but not an activity I have ever done before.
• Walk the scenic property out at the Cranberry Bogs.
• Go birding…see how many different species you can find and this time don’t tag me, tag the amazing Linda Loring Nature Foundation located down Eel Point Rd.
• The currency of mermaids, sand dollars and the currency of love, heart rocks are all best found on the south shore, specifically ____________ (shh I can’t tell you my secret spot!)
• Check out Brant Point Lighthouse while watching the ferries cruise around the point!
• Collect shells and then learn how to create a sailor’s valentine – they look quite impressive but just (gasp) aren’t anything I have ever done before…maybe one day!
• One idea you probably don’t need me to mention is sunset-watching, not sure that is even a term but it is an activity that settles you at the end of day reminding how we are #luckytolivehere. Put a twist on it and we can create the #sunsetchallange, 5 nights, 5 different sunset spots. Take photos of your munchkins and make into a collage or fun frameable art piece!?
• The opposite of this and (warning) potentially harder to motivate the troops for, would be to watch the sunrise in ‘Sconset – some say we are the first location in North America to witness the delight of the sun rising over the Atlantic. However, bribery is a must for this activity! Nothing better than the return trip home that would require a stop to the Downey Flake for hot from the kitchen donuts!
• Lastly, with the blustery winds of June-uary, my new favorite activity is watching the kiteboarders in Madaket – totally rad fun!

Go enjoy Nantucket in a way most people haven’t and be sure to tell us about your experience.