Pre-Trip Fun for Cape Cod, Massachusetts

"The Little Mermaid" -- You may not see Ariel in the waters of Cape Cod (although you never know), but you will be able to see some of her sea friends, including hermit crabs and harbor seals. (Toddlers and Up)

"Pirates of the Caribbean" -- After this onscreen adventure, kids will be ready for their very own swashbuckling mission aboard a ship in Hyannis. Be sure to check out the pirate booty (artifacts, for you laypeople) in Provincetown. (Pre-Teens and Up)

"Summer Catch" -- Jessica Biel stars as a rich girl summering on Cape Cod who falls for one of the local ball players. You'll want to catch a game put on by the Cape Cod Baseball League -- you never know which future star player you may see at bat. (Pre-Teens and Up)

"Splash" -- A mermaid rescues a young boy who falls in the waters of Cape Cod. Now a grown-up, Manhattanite Allen goes out in search of his beflippered childhood sweetheart (Darryl Hannah). (Pre-Teens and Up)

Clam Chowder -- No visit is complete without a cup or several (taste test, anyone?) of chowder. There's a reason why it's called New England Clam Chowder.

Grilled Rock Lobster Tails -- Another island staple; you can also steam it or try it in a roll.

Crab Cakes -- Nothing turns your little one's crabby frown upside-down like these delicate cakes.

Cranberry Bars -- These sweetly tart bars make use of Cape Cod's biggest crop; plus they're a great snack to bring for the car trip.

For more great ideas, check out the kitchen-friendly "Cape Cod Cookbook: 210 Traditional Recipes from Chatham Cranberry Salsa to Provincetown Crab Cakes."

"Good Night Cape Cod" by Adam Gamble -- As part of the "Good Night Our World" series, this book offers a glimpse of the major attractions and scenic icons of the Cape. (Ages 2 to 8)

"Pu Beach" by Jacqueline Hortten -- The colorful pictures will make kids feel like they're already at the beach -- and they may learn a lesson about overcoming obstacles (like how to get Mom to say yes to that ice cream cone). (Ages 4 to 8)

"Ribbons of Sand: Exploring Atlantic Beaches" by Larry Points and Andrea Jauck -- The beautiful illustrations and elegant descriptions of how Atlantic beaches look and are formed will have kids getting out the sand tools. (Ages 4 to 8)

"A Day in the Life of a Sandy Beach" by William M. Stephens -- After this detailed exploration of a typical day at the beach, from the perspective of the creatures who live there, your kids will be raring to get to the beach at dawn to see the seabirds on "patrol." (Ages 4 to 8)

"Samuel De Champlain: From New France to Cape Cod (In the Footsteps of Explorers)" by Adrianna Morganelli -- Set the course for exploration and adventure; check out what this French explorer found in Chatham in the 1600s. (Ages 9 to 12)

"Journey Around Cape Cod and the Islands from A to Z" by Martha Zschock -- An informative book rich with illustrations about everything Cape Cod, from cranberry bogs to the first explorers. (Ages 9 to 12)

"Moby Dick" by Herman Melville -- Cape Cod is the perfect backdrop for this whale of a classic. Be sure to make the short trip to New Bedford, the whaling community where Ahab starts his journey. (Ages 15 and Up)

"Haunted Cape Cod and the Islands" by Mark Jasper -- You may or may not believe the stories disclosed in this book, but you probably will see "life" on the Cape in a slightly different way. (Ages 14 and Up)

"One Hundred Seashells" by Harold Feinstein -- This pretty picture book will bring out the beachcomber in all. Tote this along in your beach bag and see how many of these former sea critter homes you can collect. (All Ages)

Flying Fish -- Create the kind of fish you think you might see on your adventure to Cape Cod -- or just make one in your favorite color.

20-Minute Kite -- The beach is a perfect place to test-drive your new creation.