Among a parent's greatest resources for entertaining kids (besides the Wilmington area beaches and waterways) are the various museums, which offer classes and workshops in arts and crafts, and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, which also offers classes and workshops as well as outdoor activities. Also, opportunities for adolescents to learn boating skills, to participate in gymnasium and team sports and to take part in many other activities, both physical and cerebral, exist with the various parks and recreation departments throughout the area. To contact these resources, see the listings in our chapters on Watersports and Rentals, and Sports, Fitness and Parks.

For this chapter, we've tried to ferret out some of the participatory activities that are easily overlooked as well as the bare necessities of kidstuff to balance the ubiquitous consumer-oriented offerings. Keep in mind that many of the activities listed here are not strictly for kids; conversely, many attractions and activities listed in other chapters are not exclusively for adults. Be sure to comb other chapters -especially Attractions; Sports, Fitness and Parks; and Watersports and Rentals -for great kidstuff ideas.