📅 Toddler-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Martha's Vineyard

exactly how to spend 3 days on MV - including kid-friendly restaurants, activities and tips

When preparing to visit Martha’s Vineyard you will likely see kid-friendly itineraries and activities, but toddlers are a whole other ball game! Your day revolves around nap times, the need for open, yet contained spaces. There is boundless energy, and long wait times at fancy restaurants aren’t exactly a vacation for parents.

I designed an itinerary that meets a toddler’s daily rhythms - early to rise, activity, mid-day nap, activity, early home - but you get to still enjoy the best parts of MV.

Everything on this list is something I legitimately have taken my kids to and done tantrum-free. I wouldn’t steer you wrong! This itinerary is accompanied by my guide below, but features the activities in a more cohesive, organized way:

Here’s how I would spend 3 days with the assumption that you bring a car with you, and that you want to eat out twice a day.

One Day in Oak Bluffs

Morning

• Walk:

  • Start your day with a stroller walk around Downtown Oak Bluffs. There are a few safe spaces where kids can get out and wander - in the MVCMA by the gingerbread cottages, or alternately up East Chop Drive for a steeper walk along the water.

    • If you need to grab breakfast, consider these options that open at 7am:

      • Winstons - call your order in ahead and take on your walk

      • Linda Jeans - if you want to sit down they have coloring pages and a kids menu

• Activity:

  • Make your way to Niantic Park so the kiddos can get some time getting their energy out! This playground has restrooms, a picnic area, and various play structures. Bring sunscreen because it lacks shade.

• Eat:

  • Nomans is a great family-friendly spot where kids can roam happily and play with yard games. A great lunch option where you order at the counter and eat at fun picnic tables with a fenced in area for kids to play.

[During Nap Time is a great time for one parent to make your way over to the Edgartown Stop+Shop and stock up on snacks and milk]

Afternoon

• Activities:

  • If it’s a beach day, pack your bags and head to State Beach. We love this spot for it’s easy access from the car and shallow waters. You will probably want to BYOP - bring your own car potty.

• Eat:

  • Feel everyone’s energy and pick-your-adventure:

    • Grab some ice cream on your way home from Ben + Bills (we usually send one adult inside while the other waits in Healy Square)

    • Grab to-go food on your way home from Lookout Tavern (great to-go seafood and menu options for kids)

    • Plan on going back out and eating at Coop De Ville (a great view and casual outdoor tables)

State Beach, Nomans, MVCMA Campground, Niantic Park

One Day in Edgartown

Morning

• Eat:

  • Head over for an early breakfast at Katama Kitchen, if there’s a wait there’s a fenced, outdoor area with picnic tables where you can watch the biplanes land.

    • Looking to avoid a sit-down option? Katama General Store has a quaint patio and amazing breakfast sandwiches you can online order before you arrive.

• Walk:

  • If you’re trying to kill a little more time, you can also take a stroller walk around Katama on beautiful paved paths.

• Activity:

  • Head the half-mile down to South Beach for a morning of playing at the beach! BYOP.

[During Nap Time is a great time for Mom to go Shopping in Edgartown :) ]

Afternoon

• Activity:

  • Head over to Edgartown Playground to get some energy out before you strap the kiddos in the stroller.

• Walk:

  • Once the kids are tired, take a walk around downtown Edgartown. If you’re looking for a souvenir, let them each pick a toy from MV Country Day.

  • You can take a walk around Edgartown Lighthouse Beach, and snap some cute family photos near the lighthouse. Not necessarily stroller friendly, but its a short walk.

• Eat:

  • Edgartown has far more fine dining options for dinner, so I’m going to recommend that this is takeout night! We love to grab Edgartown Pizza as we head out of town, and maybe do a little s’mores or movie night at home.

Edgartown Playground and Mad Martha's Ice Cream

One Day in Vineyard Haven/Up-Island

Morning

• Eat:

  • Catboat Coffee has easy parking and has an adjacent picnic area with shallow tide ponds while you kill some time outdoors. Grab some provisions for breakfast and let the kids play in the shallow lagoon pond.

  • Black Dog Tavern is very kid-friendly sit-down option with a great view. They have a kids menu too!

• Activity:

  • Owen Park Beach is a personal favorite beach for many reasons - easy parking, shallow waters, boats to watch coming in and out, restrooms and a spigot to wash your feet… it would be a great slow morning!

[During Nap Time is a great time for one parent to go take a solo walk or bike ride]

Afternoon

• Activity:

  • Take a trip up-island to see Alley’s General Store which is a locals favorite for kids souvenirs

  • See one of the farms - Native Earth Teaching Farm, Grey Barn Farm, the Alpaca Farm and FARM Institute are all great options. They have animals, open houses/classes, small market stores, and easy parking.

  • If you’re still killing time and want a playground consider:

    • Airport Playground - if your kiddo is into planes, this is a tiny playground where kids can watch the planes take off and land

    • West Tisbury Playground - behind town hall, this is a great option to pair with Alley’s above.

• Eat:

  • FishMV has a fun treasure chest for kids toys and outdoor dining, you can order at the counter and sit outside.

  • The Attic has a kids menu as well and some fun outdoor seating in the summer if you want wait service

MV Family Center and Owen Park Beach

Rain Plan

Alternate Indoor Activities:

• Check the Story Hour schedule for the library closest to you - they’re all fantastic!

• Another great option is to go swimming at the YMCA

• Go to the MV Museum kids area, or one of the additional activities below:

☔ Things to Do on Martha's Vineyard on a Rainy Day (2024)

Final MVacay Tips

Skip the Restaurant and Order Food Ahead or Picnic

Sometimes its far easier to grab-and-go to a playground or open area to eat a meal. This picnic spot roundup is clutch for when I need a takeout choice and an impromptu park hang.

Know Where your Closest Bathrooms Are

We too have been in the depths of potty training and needed a restroom, quick. Arm yourself with knowing where the closest bathroom is in my public restroom roundup.

Pack Lighter and Order Rentals Before Arriving

If you’re flying in and don’t want to lug your stuff, there are three options for baby rental companies:

• MV Baby Rent

• Drift MV

• MV Linen Rentals

Are the rental companies sold out? You can always order your necessities to an Amazon Locker in Falmouth and have the Island Runner bring them to you on island for a fee, depending on what you need.

Limit the Number of Souvenir Shops

For toys, MV Country Day in Edgartown and Alleys General Store in West Tisbury are my personal favorites for variety and price. For clothes, Vineyard Vines, Black Dog and MV Tee Shirts in Oak Bluffs are my go-to.

Bring Tick Spray

Ticks are incredibly prevalent on MV, and you have to be extra vigilant when checking, even after the beach. We have found ticks on both of our girls this summer. Please do tick checks at least twice a day, and consider a deet tick spray layered with your sunscreen.

Check the Weekend Update before you Arrive

Every Thursday morning I send an email that lists events happening for the coming weekend and week, and I label which festivals/events are kid-friendly. The free list will include cost, links for more info and locations.

This is just 3 days worth of itinerary! For more ideas, pop around and explore MVacay or send me a note! Enjoy your trip! -Lis