Taking your kids to Westerly is as natural and right an occurrence as taking sun block and a bathing suit. There are tons of things to keep the kids happy here.

First, of course, is the water. Stake our your spot on the beach early in the day, get settled with beach toys and lots of snacks and you have the makings for a great beach day. Head a bit out of Westerly to Atlantic Beach Park in Misquamicut for a combined beach day and fun amusement park activities like the famous handcarved Hershel-Spillman carousel, a giant water slide, bumper cars, spinning cups and other rides. Open throughout the summer.

If your kids want a little action outside of beachside entertainment, consider the following options:

*Kids love bowling and Westerly offers a fun bowling alley called Alley Katz Bowling Center. It’s on Granite Street in Westerly.

*If you’re willing to take a little drive, head for the Mystic Aquarium. Here, kids can touch or get in a pool with a cownose ray, and get an up-close view of Beluga whales. They can also “return to the Titanic” with a 25-foot replica of the ship’s bow and other displays.

*Your children, especially the youngest, will enjoy visiting the Enchanted Forest, which offers attractions like the yellow shoe of “the old woman who lived in a show” and the brick cottage belonging to the “three little pigs”. There’s also a ferris wheel, miniature golf, boat rides and batting cages.