Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend at Outer Banks Family-Friendly Events

Spring events are in full swing on the Outer Banks. The weather has been just wonderful for all the fun happenings over the last few weeks, and it looks like that may continue for this weekend’s lineup of family-friendly events (despite a few rain showers). Perfect for Mother’s Day fun, these events are appropriate for all ages.  

Photo: KidsFest is a free event for young children at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

KidsFest

Friday, May 9 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo

A festival geared entirely to young children, KidsFest invites preschool-age children and their parents, grandparents or caretakes to a free event with music, games, crafts, exploration and activities.

Last year, more than 1,700 participates enjoyed more 60 play stations including bubbles, arts and crafts, the Sea Turtle Hospital, emergency vehicles and Buster the School Bus and the Imagine Circus stilt walker.

As a special treat, the presenter of KidsFest, Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County is partnering with Dare Arts and the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series to bring the Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana to the stage at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

In its 16^th year, KidsFest is an annual event celebrating the young child and promoting the importance of play in developing the minds and imaginations of young children. This exciting event is provided free-of-charge through a variety of local supporters. Children & Youth Partnership is a nonprofit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County.

For information, go to KidsFest | Children and Youth Partnership | Outer Banks, NC

Photo: The Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana will be performing at KidsFest and Artrageous.

Artrageous Kids Art Festival

Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dowdy Park, Nags Head

With the theme Wander the World of Art, Dare Arts’ 36th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival,
presented by PNC Bank, is a free, family-friendly event that includes interactive art activities, live music, theatre and dance performances as well as an artisan market and food vendors. Some of the free art activities for kids will include aboriginal dot painting, creating musical rainsticks, tribal mask making, building mandala wind chimes and crafting African trade beads.Hailing all the way from Ghana is West Africa, the Saakumu Dance Troupe will headline the stage at Artrageous giving the audience the opportunity to experience traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dance and music. Students from Hatteras Island Community Strings, Mustang Music Outreach Program and Atlantic Dance will be performing throughout the day. There will also be improv theatre by Donna Roark’s Shadow Players with Drama Mama and roving artists including actors from The Lost Colony, local musician Al Bailey playing the didgeridoo and a performer from Raleigh-based Imagine Circus.

More than 25 local artisans will be selling their work, and there will be a Young Artist Village, which provides a venue for students to sell jewelry, paintings, fiber art and more. Food and drinks will be available from Fork‘et Me Not, Island Snowball, The Muse Buzz and The Lopez Lemonade Stand. This is a huge festival, and parking can be found onsite and at Nags Head Elementary School, Outer Banks YMCA, Downing & Long Dentistry and the Bonnett Street Beach Access.

For information go to Artrageous Kids Art Festival | Dare Arts

Photo: Pups can make pawprint crafts at Bark in the Park on Saturday.

Bark in the Park

Saturday, May 10 | 1 to 4 p.m.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head

The 4^th annual Bark in the Park is an afternoon of fun presented by and benefitting Outer Banks SPCA. There are lots of activities for dogs and humans, vendors, beer, a DJ spinning dog tunes and a barking contest for the humans. Leashed dogs are welcome, and adoptable pets will be on hand.

For information go to Bark in the Park | obxspca.org

Nags Head Woods Run

Saturday, May 10 | 7 a.m.

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, Kill Devil Hills

First Flight Rotary and North Banks Rotary present the annual 5K run, a charitable event that has become a longstanding annual tradition. New this year 1-mile “Walk in the Woods” at the same time as the 5K Race. Cost is $38 per adult, $35 for teens, $20 for elementary kids or $25 for the Fun Run. All Mom participants receive flowers, and there’s an post-race BBQ immediately following the race. Online registration is closed, but walkups will be accepted. Parking is at OBX Bowling Alley at 200 W. Satterfield Landing Road in Nags Head with a shuttle going to the race site. The shuttle runs from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m.

For more information go to Nags Head Woods 5K | First Flight Rotary

Photo: Run with mom at the Nags Head Woods 5K on Saturday.

Manteo Mother's Day Flower Crawl

Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Downtown Manteo

Sip, eat and shop your way through Manteo, from Silver Bonsai Gallery on Highway 64 to the eateries, boutiques, shops, galleries, outfitters and bars along the streets of Downtown Manteo. At each of 19 stops, participants will receive a flower, ending up with a beautiful bouquet. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased here: Manteo Mother's Day Flower Crawl Tickets, Sat, May 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

For more ideas for Mother’s Day Weekend fun, visit our Daytime and Nightlife listings. And if it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner Mom is craving, see our Restaurants listings for ideas.