10 Fun Things to Do with Kids in St. Andrews, New Brunswick

Planning a family trip to St. Andrews by-the-Sea? This charming seaside town in New Brunswick has so many activities perfect for kids of all ages. From outdoor adventures to white sandy beaches, here's your ultimate guide to things to do with kids in St. Andrews, NB! Tried and tested for 40 years.

The below is in no particular order, as we couldn’t agree which was number one but something had to go first!

1. Explore the Huntsman Marine Science Centre & Fundy Discovery Aquarium

This is a perfect activity for a rainy day, as our children will happily spend hours in the Huntsman Aquarium. Kids can touch starfish, scallops and little crabs in the touch pool, watch live seal feedings, and learn about the marine life and huge tides of the Bay of Fundy. Check out the website for ad hoc summer activities for kids. The playground is small but mighty, so have a run before leaving!

Top Tip: They also run brilliant summer camps, if you are lucky enough to get a spot. Click here for the Aquarium Website.

2. Walk the Ocean Floor at Ministers Island

Drive or walk across the ocean floor at low tide to Ministers Island and explore the historic Van Horne Estate and nature trails. Our children love exploring the ancient farm machinery in the restored barn, playing hide and seek on the trails and paddling in the incredible sea pool by the bathing house. Older children may enjoy the Van Horne house with its perfectly preserved nurseries and vintage toys – and grandparents certainly will! There is some food available on the island but we usually stop at the Clam Digger on the way home for fried clams and milkshakes.

Top Tip: Join the car queue a little early, take spades and play on the beach while you are waiting, or chat to the friendly clam diggers. Click here for the Ministers Island Website.

3. Fishing at the Wharf

Our cousin and talented artist, Felicia Bartlett is the queen of mackerel. She throws her rod into the water at the wharf and scores of fish dance onto her line. Luckily, we have had mixed success, as I wouldn’t know what to do with a fish if we caught it! However our children have spent hours fishing down here.

Top Tip: If you haven’t bought your own kids' rod, you can buy one for $20 at the hardware store at the beginning of the wharf and they will set it up for you at the cashier, ready to go. Do this at the beginning of your holiday, so you get lots of use out of it — and bring it back next year!

4. Go Whale Watching in the Bay of Fundy

Join a whale watching tour and spot humpback whales, porpoises, and seals in their natural habitat. Our two best options for whale watching are: The Jolly Breeze and Fundy Tide Runners both are fabulous and a completely different experience.

The Jolly Breeze is a huge sailing ship, the friendly crew are dressed as pirates, there are games and biscuits for children. While a peaceful way to see whales, it is a 3 hour round trip, so we find ourselves playing games or reading books to younger kids on the way home.

The alternative is the Fundy Tide Runners, the high-speed zodiac team. Depending on your numbers, you can take out the whole boat or join individually. The whale jokes haven’t changed in 20 years. All passengers wear warm orange float suits and the boat zips out to the whales. The boat ride is almost more fun than the whales, bouncing across the waves. It stays in radio contact with the other boats, so it can respectfully find where the whales are. We’ve taken our children as young as 5 years old and they had the best time.

Top Tips: 1) Wear socks or your ankles freeze! 2) Have an ice cream on the wharf afterwards, (Tall Tom’s is our favourite) or walk across the road to Clam and Chowder for supper. 3) Our favourite ride is the sunset cruise. We ask to sit right at the front, it’s exhilarating!

5. Visit Kingsbrae Garden

Kingsbrae Garden is a kids paradise and adult heaven. They can run free, explore the maze, pet the goats and alpacas, hide in colourful Wendy Houses, discover the herb garden, find the sculptures and paddle in the water features. It’s quite stroller-friendly (gravel at times) but perfect for exploration and the imagination.

Top Tip: Book an outside table in advance at the Kingsbrae Garden cafe, so kids can play on the lawn while they are waiting for their food to arrive. It’s great food and delicious cocktails. The atmosphere inside the cafe is a bit hushed but the staff are very child-friendly.

6. St. Andrews Community Playground

Ahhhh the hours we have spent in the St Andrews Playground! Designed as a castle, this large playground is a brilliant bit of engineering, kids can run, hide, slide, jump, swing. There is even a marble run, although we have lost many good golf balls to it! It doesn’t have a website but does appear on Google Maps. Its a wonderful way to expel energy and our children request to go daily.

7. Lobster Boils and Cookouts on the Beach

Shhhh don’t tell a soul, this a spoiling treat! However, Kiwanis Ocean Front Camping at the far end of town will boil fresh lobsters for you to pick up already hot. Walk them across the road and on to the beach. Light a small fire for marshmallows and hotdogs (for the haters and kids!) and enjoy your evening sipping a beer as the sun goes down. You can also buy live lobsters too and bring them back to Peacock Farmhouse to cook.

Top Tip: Call a day ahead to ensure they have the lobsters in stock. Warning, they only accept cash, and we know from bitter experience, they do not accept a card!! If lobsters feel too much, get take out from the Clam Digger and sit on the beach on the Bar Road.

8. New River Beach

New River, be still my heart! This beach has beautiful yellow sand and stretches for miles. At low tide the beach is huge - although the cousins would tell you to come as the tide is rising over the hot sand for the warmest sea. Take a picnic (as local food choices are not good, except ice cream) and go and dig, fly a kite, swim, boogie board.

Top Tip: Do drive home via the hidden and incredible OvenHead Smokers for hot smoked salmon. It’s a five minute detour and SO worth it, they smoke it onsite and it’s just delicious, you will be going back for more! You will also see the vintage diner Ossie’s at the top of the road, we only recommend it for ice cream, the days of decent fried clams are gone - go to the Clam Digger back in St Andrews for those!

9. Blockhouse Beach Walk

When the tide is low, you can walk for a couple of hours straight out from the blockhouse, across the rocks. It’s a great walk but do put kids into proper shoes (no flipflops) or they will be sliding about all over the place. The beach there is muddy at low tide but you will find clams and see the pros out digging them to sell. You think you can get as far as Deer Island but don’t be fooled, there is a deep channel to let boats through, even at the lowest of tides.

Top Tip: Play on the canons at the blockhouse after the walk or treat yourselves with a cup of tea and flourless chocolate cake at the Tea House.

10. Spend the Day at Katy’s Cove Beach

We used to hate Katy’s Cove as children. It was hot and uncomfortable with soupy, algae-filled water. It is now the dream as the water is clear, clean and a perfect temperature! Enjoy swimming, sandcastle building, and picnics at Katy’s Cove. It’s a safe, family-friendly beach with nearby playgrounds and lifeguards in summer.

Top Tip: Watch out for small kids and red ants on the grass, some summers have them and some don’t!

Bonus: Visit the Ross Memorial Library

The Saint Andrews Library offers a whole floor for children, with books, toys, and programs like crafts and storytelling. It’s air-conditioned — a perfect escape on hot days.

Top Tip: Borrow a few books and enjoy them at Char & Chowder while waiting for your order.

Tips for Visiting St. Andrews with Kids

Most attractions are walkable in downtown St. Andrews.
Check tide times for Ministers Island.
Pack layers – the ocean breeze can be cool even in summer.
Many restaurants offer kid-friendly menus and high chairs.
Bring your tennis rackets to play on the town courts.
Bring bikes to explore scenic trails.