I haven’t been to the Hampton Beach State Park in New Hampshire since my teen years, and even then I don’t recall actually stopping, getting out and enjoying the place. Recently I decided that would be a fun day trip to do with the kids, what made the trip even more fun was that my daughter took along her bestie and we also brought my sister as well as my baby niece with us. There was my Town & Country packed full with five kids and two adults headed to make the over hour drive to Hampton Beach State Park.

After spending hours trying to find a parking spot near the Sand Sculptures and main beach area of Hampton Beach, we decided to drive further down and let the kids jump the waves, swim in the ocean and play in an area that didn’t have lifeguards but had open parking spaces. Sadly, I didn’t plan for parking meters appropriately so I only had enough quarters so we could swim at this end of Hampton Beach for about an hour and fifteen minutes. I feel that was really plenty of time, though, to be honest.

The four big kids had such a fun time out in the ocean, little man was dancing in the waves, Aj was smiling and laughing, the two big girls were floating around enjoying the cold water from the Atlantic Ocean. This was so worth it after our couple hour drive that it took us, then more hours trying to find parking. This view made that drive and time in the van well worth it.

I loved watching my oldest laugh and let loose in the ocean waves, she really is an over achiever during the school year, so I try to ensure she enjoys her Summer time during her childhood years! I love seeing the smile on Aj’s face here as the wave came rolling in crashing upon the kids.

After using up our meter pay, we hopped back into the van and got the kids all ready to travel back towards the main stretch of Hampton Beach State Park. After all, one of the things we really came to see was the huge sand sculptures from the competition that had just happened the week prior. Since it was later on in the day, we found a spot quickly and proceeded to head to the beach.

The sand sculptures were amazing, I must admit Olaf was my favorite. I just love Olaf from the movie Frozen. The kids loved how large the sculptures were and had a blast taking pictures and walking around looking at all of the scuptures

Next up, we had to feed the tribe, while I did bring some PB&J sandwiches and sis brought some snacks too, we still needed to feed the tribe something. I bought one large pizza from a place on the strip of Hampton Beach State Park and we all enjoyed one decent size of cheese pizza as well as some drinks. This is the crew sitting down to eat at one of the stage areas on the Hampton Beach Strip.

After lunch, we decided to head over to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center that is located at Hampton Beach State Park; they share with you information about the ocean animals and work to help keep our ocean animals safe. With their hands on touch tank, the kids had a blast! This place did cost $1 per person, except Livy my niece was free since she is under age 2.

This was such fun, watching the kids hang onto starfish and crabs. I loved listening to the nice ladies who worked there explain things and my children watched, listening along learning so much from them.

This was certainly a great day trip, while we did learn a few things from the trip on how we can make another trip better, we all enjoyed ourselves fully. I think the kids didn’t end up asleep til closer to midnight that night, but to watch how happy they were and the fact that this was a first time experience of the ocean for my baby nice — made this day priceless!