Rehoboth Beach to your north is a much more "family friendly" boardwalk than OC. Lots of alcohol and young kids making stupid decisions in OC. Rehoboth has good food, a clean beach, a nice amusement park and fun shops. Great safe fun place to walk around.
Lewes is also a great little town. Lots of restaurants and cool shops, historic houses and family friendly walkability. We love Lewes.
Cape Henlopen State Park is also up at that little corner and our family LOVES it. It costs a couple dollars to get in but has great bike trails, a restored WW2 army base and observation tower you can climb and look out over the ocean and coast.
