Avalon and Stone Harbor share Seven Mile Island, a quiet barrier island in Cape May County. It sits between Sea Isle City and the Wildwoods. The two towns feel like one long neighborhood.
There are no big amusement piers here. Instead, you get wide beaches, easy bike streets, and a slower summer pace that suits babies and toddlers well.
Most families split their days between the two downtowns. Avalon handles the boardwalk and Dune Drive. Stone Harbor has 96th Street and the nature spots at the south end of the island. Here is how to plan a week on Seven Mile Island with small kids.
Getting Your Bearings on Seven Mile Island
Dune Drive is Avalon’s main road, lined with restaurants, ice cream shops, and beach blocks. Stone Harbor begins near 80th Street and runs to the southern tip of the island. Its shops and restaurants cluster around Third Avenue and 96th Street. Streets are numbered, so finding a rental or a beach entrance is simple.
The two towns honor each other’s beach tags. That means one tag covers both beaches for the whole trip. In 2026, a seasonal tag cost $42, a weekly tag $18, and a daily tag $10. In Avalon, children under 12 do not need a tag. Prices can change each year, so check the Avalon and Stone Harbor beach tag pages before you buy.
Lifeguards work from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swim only at guarded beaches with little ones in the water.
Things to Do with Babies and Toddlers
The Avalon Boardwalk
Avalon’s boardwalk runs about half a mile, from 21st Street to 32nd Street. It is short, flat, and calm, which makes it easy with a stroller. You’ll find ice cream, snack stands, and a few shops along the way. Public restrooms sit at 30th Street, next to Community Hall. Many families walk it after dinner and still have the kids in bed on time.
Avalon Beaches
Avalon lays beach mats at several street ends, including 29th and 30th Streets. Mats make a real difference when you are pushing a stroller or pulling a cart over soft sand. Free sunscreen dispensers are also posted near the beach and boardwalk.
The Wetlands Institute
The Wetlands Institute sits at 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard, on the causeway into town. It’s a good choice for a cloudy morning or a break from the sun. Young kids tend to love the touch tank, the small aquarium, and the baby terrapins. An elevated walkway takes you over the salt marsh with good views of herons and egrets. Hours change by season, so check the schedule before you go.
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary
The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary covers about 21 acres between Second and Third Avenues, around 111th to 116th Streets. It was named a National Natural Landmark in 1965. The paths are short, which suits little legs. A baby carrier is handy for infants.
Downtown Stone Harbor on 96th Street
96th Street is the heart of Stone Harbor. The blocks near Second and Third Avenues hold boutiques, cafes, and gift shops. It works well for a slow morning or a rainy afternoon. Sidewalks are wide, and most shops are used to strollers at the door.
Where to Eat with Kids
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
Uncle Bill’s on Dune Drive is a summer breakfast tradition for a lot of Avalon families. Pancakes, waffles, and bacon come out fast, which matters with hungry toddlers. Go early on weekends, because the line forms quickly.
Mallon’s Homemade Sticky Buns
Mallon’s at 2105 Ocean Drive is known for warm, gooey sticky buns. A box on the porch is a fine way to start a beach day. Bring cash and go early, since the shelves can empty by mid-morning.
Avalon Freeze
Avalon Freeze at 2288 Dune Drive serves soft serve from a walk-up window. Chocolate, vanilla, or swirl with sprinkles keeps it simple for small kids. It’s cash only and a classic stop after a day on the beach.
Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream
Springer’s at 9420 Third Avenue has been scooping in Stone Harbor for generations. The menu runs to dozens of flavors, so expect some time at the counter. Summer evening lines can be long, but they move. Grab a cup instead of a cone for toddlers.
Renting Baby Gear in Avalon and Stone Harbor
Most Seven Mile Island rentals are set up for adults. A crib, high chair, or baby gate is rarely part of the house. Bringing all of it means a packed car and a long night of setup. Renting locally skips both.
Coastal Baby Rentals has delivered baby and toddler gear to Shore families since 2009. Our South Shore team, based in Ocean City, delivers to Avalon and Stone Harbor all summer. Gear arrives on your check-in day between 1 and 6 p.m. Many families head straight to the beach and come back to find everything waiting.
Popular rentals for Avalon and Stone Harbor include:
- Full-size wooden cribs with real crib mattresses
- Mini cribs for smaller bedrooms and infants
- High chairs and space-saving seats
- Baby gates, outlet covers, and video monitors
- Beach-use jogging strollers, beach buggies, and kid beach chairs
Picking the Right Crib Size
Shore bedrooms can be small, so crib size is worth a second look. A full-size crib suits most babies and toddlers for a week’s stay. A mini crib fits tighter rooms and works best for younger infants. Not sure which one fits? Read our guide on real cribs vs. pack and plays at the Shore, or call before you order.
Bedding and Cleanliness
Add fitted crib sheets and a mattress pad to your order so the crib is ready that night. Every item is cleaned with non-toxic, eco-friendly products and inspected before it leaves our warehouse. Our test is simple: would we use it for our own kids? If not, it doesn’t go out.
Strollers for Sand and Boardwalk
Regular strollers struggle once the boardwalk ends and the sand begins. Many families use a jogger for the boardwalk and a beach buggy for the sand. Our post on strollers and sand at the Jersey Shore explains what works best.
To order, enter your rental’s ZIP code and travel dates in our rental shop. Avalon and Stone Harbor are part of our South Shore service area, open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Questions about sizes or delivery timing? Call 609-380-6368 or reach out here.
One Last Tip
Seven Mile Island houses often book by late winter, and summer gear goes fast too. Reserve your crib and high chair when you book the house. Early orders get the widest choice of sizes. Then all that’s left is packing the sunscreen and heading over the causeway.
