Week on Cape Cod with Toddlers in July - Good outdoor activities?

Hi Susan, it really depends where on the cape you'll be. It's bigger than it seems and especially during the summer you won't want to travel too far because the summer traffic is notoriously terrible. 

I can offer some tips for my hometown, Falmouth. A good area to check out is Woods Hole. This is the place a lot of people take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard from. If you're lucky enough to find a parking spot, it's a good place to spend a few hours just walking around. There's the Woods Hole Science Aquarium which is not a particularly impressive aquarium but it is free (maybe donations) and they usually have a couple seal feedings throughout the day. A good local beach in that area is MBL Stony Beach. Checking out Nobska Lighthouse is also a popular attraction. For food, there are a lot of options for fresh seafood. Some popular places are Fishmonger and Landfall Restaurant. New England is famous for its ice cream and Woods Hole has a few good places, but my childhood favorite is in Falmouth and it's called Smitty's (on East Falmouth Highway). 

A very popular thing to do in Woods Hole is to go to The Knob, which is a short walking trail that leads to a great view of the ocean. 

Falmouth has some good bike paths and places to rent bikes, like Corner Cycle.

Hi Susan, there are a couple great beaches for toddlers in Falmouth (Massachusetts) and Woods Hole.  Both have access to the ocean on one side and tidal pools adjacent to the beaches.  One is Woodneck Beach and the other is Chappaquoit Beach. The tidal pools are right at the parking lot for Woodneck and across the road from Chappaquoit.  Both are also very scenic so bring your camera for great pics of the kids.  I believe you need a beach parking sticker, so we would have my dad drop us off.

There is also a good playground behind the Falmouth Library next to Mullen Hall School.  

Sorry we won't be there with you. Wish your dad a happy birthday for us!

Jennifer