Providence and its environs are packed with endless chances for enjoyment with the little ones!
Youngsters can explore breathtaking natural surroundings, a variety of stimulating kid-friendly museums, a wide range of indoor and outdoor locations, learning opportunities, and a great deal more!
From adventurous endeavors immersed in stunning nature to amusing indoor locations appropriate for all ages, this is a list of the top 100 activities in and around Providence that children will adore:
1
1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Roger Williams Park Zoo
With over 100 rare and fascinating species from around the planet, visitors will get to pet an armadillo, see New England’s only Komodo dragon, experience an exhilarating zip ride, and so much more!2
151 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA
Play Time
Play Time is a clean, safe, and fun play place and party destination for children ages six months to six years old!3
100 South St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Providence Children’s Museum
The Providence Children's Museum stands as a beacon for the power of play, emphasizing its crucial role in character development and lifelong learning.4
100 South St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Providence Children’s Museum
The Providence Children's Museum stands as a beacon for the power of play, emphasizing its crucial role in character development and lifelong learning.5
475 Valley St, Providence, RI 02908, USA
Waterfire Providence
WaterFire Providence® is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement and creatively transforming the city by presenting WaterFire for all to enjoy.6
1500 Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket, RI 02895, USA
AERO Trampoline Park
Get ready to have a great time jumping at Aero Trampoline in Rhode Island. This is a 40,000 Square ft. facility with activities for all ages, so everyone in the family will have a good time!7
75 New Rd, Rumford, RI 02916, USA
United Skates of America
United Skates of America in Rhode Island is a 30,000 sq. ft. family fun center featuring a Cosmic Cafe, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, live DJs, and a large arcade with prizes.8
251 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
The Providence Athenæum
The Providence Athenæum, a member-supported library on Benefit Street, has been a central part of Providence's cultural scene for nearly two centuries.9
30 Cutler St, Warren, RI 02885, USA
Makers RI
Makers is an art studio that's all about letting kids get creative.10
21 Towanda Dr, North Providence, RI 02911, USA
Snapology
Snapology offers LEGO-themed programs, classes, summer camps, and birthday parties in Providence and the surrounding areas.11
Pine Hill Ave, Providence, RI 02907
Roger Williams Park
The People’s Park has many activities for all ages to enjoy. Home to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Roger Williams Botanical Center, and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, a whole day won’t be enough to enjoy all that this park has to offer. Kids will love the Carousel Village which has been a popular family destination for generations, and the whole family will love exploring this destination.12
5600 Post Rd, East Greenwich, RI 02818, USA
Taste Buds Kitchen
Taste Buds Kitchen is the top culinary entertainment experience for kids, families & adults!13
1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
The Museum of Natural History is Rhode Island’s only natural history museum and is home to the state’s only public planetarium!14
268 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840, USA
Ryan Family Amusements
Ryan Family Amusements is a place where FUN is guaranteed! Featuring candlepin bowling and/or ten-pin bowling, the bowling centers have game rooms with the latest games such as video games, skill games, arcade games, great prizes and so much more!15
1420 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, RI 02904, USA
Fab-YOU-Us Family FUN Center
Fab-YOU-Us Family FUN Center is a fun, positive, engaging facility where families can find something for everyone — adults and children (ages 3 – 12) alike.16
101 Dyer St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Providence Kayak
Providence Kayak offers single and tandem kayak rentals on the Providence River in downtown Providence. Families can enjoy guided tours of approximately 90 minutes and all the equipment and tour are included.17
112 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
Adventureland
From Go Karts to Bumper Boats, Mini Golf to Spin Zone Bumper Cars, Adventureland is sure to have attractions for everyone.18
70 Pawtucket Ave, East Providence, RI 02916, USA
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
SkyZone offers an exhilarating experience for both kids and adults with its wide array of trampolines and unique attractions.19
433 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
Play Town
Play Town is an indoor activity center where you will find make-believe stations, sensory play opportunities, and physical enrichment designed for kids ages 1-6, but all ages are welcome.20
40 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903
Burnside Park
This small park situated in downtown Providence is adjacent to Kennedy Plaza. The best thing you can do when visiting this green space is to enjoy a picnic surrounded by trees or next to the beautiful Bajnotti Fountain. You can get your meal from the various local food trucks! The park offers free concerts, family-friendly activities, and special events during the summer months.21
41 Grove Ave, East Providence, RI
East Providence Public Library (Weaver Library)
The Library is dedicated to the special interests of children and their caregivers encouraging a love of reading and learning. The Weaver Library is a branch of the East Providence Library and it’s great for children five years old and younger. There’s a soft play area for kids under three22
1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
If you've been wanting to visit a natural history museum that offers interactive exhibits exploring local habitats and wildlife found in the Ocean State and the Audubon Nature Shop, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is the place to go.23
100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
R1 Indoor Karting
Experience the thrill of go-karting on a custom-designed asphalt track, featuring cutting-edge karts powered by eco-friendly technology.24
160 Yawgoo Valley Rd, Exeter, RI 02822, USA
Yawgoo Valley Ski Area and Water Park
This is the perfect place for outdoor family fun! Families will get to Ski and Ride on 12 trails, learn to ski or snowboard, glide in the tubing park, or slide at the water park in the Summer!25
6640 Post Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852, USA
Biomes Marine Biology Center
The Biomes Center, unique in New England, stands out as the region's premier private marine education facility, renowned for its highly interactive aquarium experience. Since its inception in 1989, it has dedicated itself to educating both children and adults about the marine life of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.26
57 Malvern Ave, Cranston, RI 02905, USA
Orange Anchor Art School
Orange Anchor Art School offers art classes for ages 5+ through adults! You will find a wide array of workshops, summer camps, birthday parties, and family art expos!27
920 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, RI 02886, USA
Launch
Launch is a dynamic family entertainment center that transcends the typical trampoline park experience.28
Barrington, Rhode Island 02806
Police Cove Park
Kids will love the Police Cove Park splash pad in Barrington! This beautiful water park has waterfront views of the harbor and Barrington Bridge, and many amazing features for a summer day! Kids can push a button on the ground to send water streaming down on their heads, as well as nozzles and sprinklers, and benches for parents to relax!29
1000 New London Ave, Cranston, RI 02920, USA
Mulligan's Island
Mulligan's Island in Rhode Island is a 64-acre complex offering a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, making it perfect for families.30
691 Main St, Warren, RI 02885, USA
Made by Me Cooking School
MADE BY ME Cooking School sparks an interest in something that is a lifelong skill, urging children to be creative and to support the art of cooking while having fun!31
42 S Main St, Woonsocket, RI 02895, USA
Museum of Work & Culture
The Museum of Work & Culture offers a deep dive into the immigrant experience in mill towns along the Blackstone River, focusing on the journey from Quebec to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.32
2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903, USA
The Providence Rink
Families will forget about the cold while enjoying fun and exciting activities such as ice bumper cars and ice skating during winter (and roller skating during summer).33
2082 Victory Hwy, Coventry, RI 02816
Audubon Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge
This is a paradise for nature-loving families! You will find four miles of trails in several color-coded loops, which give walkers plenty of options for how long to hike and what to see.34
42 Rice St, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Rock Spot Climbing Providence
The Rock Spot Climbing Providence location features a form of climbing called bouldering, where the route setters create body movement puzzles known as “problems” that are set closer to the ground but offer a stronger focus on community and training.35
1810 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, RI
North Providence Union Free Library
The North Providence Union Free Library features a children’s area where kids will find a toy room, coloring pages, touch-screen computers, and more! The library offers amazing events for the little ones, including Lego club, storytimes, and more!36
50 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
Artists' Exchange
Artists' Exchange in Cranston is a creative hub with art studios, a gallery, a shop for art, and Theatre 82 for performances and classes.37
Veterans Way, Woonsocket, R.I.
World War II Memorial Park
World War II Memorial Park is another great option to enjoy a picnic with the family or just a simple stroll surrounded by green spaces! The park features basketball courts, Nap Lajoie Field, picnic tables, restrooms, parking, walking paths, a performance stage, the Veterans Monument, and plenty of green space for kids to run around.38
225 Niantic Ave, Cranston, RI 02907, USA
Lang's Bowlarama
Lang's Bowlarama combines serious bowling with serious fun in a family-friendly environment.39
2727 S County Trail, East Greenwich, RI 02818, USA
Go Play
Go Play is a clean, safe, and fun 12,000-square-foot facility with custom-made soft play equipment for children ages up to 12, built with active social play in mind.40
881 Main St, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA
Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration
Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration's mission is to foster a love and appreciation for history, science technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through interactive pinball exhibits.41
945 Smith St, Providence, RI 02908
Fargnoli Park And Water Park
This awesome kids’ spot features a waterpark, benches, a concession stand, a baseball field and play structures. During the summer, it hosts several neighborhood concerts. The park’s playground features many awesome play structures to let the kids’ imaginations run wild. There’s also a splash pad for a fun-filled summer!42
424 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
Newport Mansions
The Newport Mansions, managed by The Preservation Society of Newport County, offer a journey through 250 years of American history, showcasing the evolution of architecture, art, and landscape design. As Rhode Island's leading cultural organization, the Society preserves and presents Newport's architectural treasures to the public.43
40 Providence Pl, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s is the perfect place for a family night out!44
687 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
Fawn & Cub Play Space
Fawn & Cub Play Space is a play space designed for toddlers and parents to have fun, together!45
115 Pleasant View Ave, Smithfield, RI 02917, USA
Blue Door Studio
At Blue Door Studio, students of all ages are taught to use a variety of media methods and techniques.46
Audrain Building, 222 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
Audrain Automobile Museum
The Audrain Automobile Museum, located in Newport, Rhode Island, offers a unique cultural experience since 2014.47
1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Roger Williams Park Zoo
With over 100 rare and fascinating species from around the planet, visitors will get to pet an armadillo, see New England’s only Komodo dragon, experience an exhilarating zip ride, and so much more!48
708 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906
Rochambeau Library
The Rochambeau Library is a branch of the Providence Community Library located on the East Side. There are many events and programs for kids, including storytimes for all ages!49
70 Orchard Ave, Providence, RI 02906, USA
East Side Music Together
East Side Music Together offers classes for families with children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.50
281 County Rd, Barrington, RI 02806,
Barrington Public Library
Barrington Public Library is a dream destination for children: it features many family programs and events, a huge selection of books, movies, and toys that children will find in the Kids’ Room, and even a playground with slides!51
Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI 02903
Waterplace Park
Waterplace Park and the surrounding areas are home to walking paths, restaurants, concerts, and the popular and must-see WaterFire. Families can enjoy a stroll by the river past Venice-inspired bridges, see some public art, and have the experience of stepping foot into what’s considered the heart of the restoration of Providence’s downtown area.52
622 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, RI 02865
CW
CW Lanes & Games is Rhode Island’s state-of-the-art family entertainment center, featuring Zone Laser Tag and an awesome arcade!53
63 Carriage Dr, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
Rock-a-Baby
Rock-a-Baby introduces infants and toddlers, along with their grown-ups, to the world of music. This54
575 Centerville Rd, Warwick, RI 02886, USA
the imPOSSIBLE DREAM
The imPOSSIBLE DREAM Playground, Rhode Island's first integrated playground, offers an environment that is play friendly for children of all physical abilities.55
Manning Hall, 21 Prospect St, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology- Brown University
Brown University's Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology inspires creative and critical thinking about culture by fostering an interdisciplinary understanding of the material world.56
20 Main St, Slatersville, RI 02876
North Smithfield Library
Located in historic Statesville and built on the edge of Centennial Park, North Smithfield Library features walking trails that lead to the library. The library offers many events for the little ones, both indoors and outdoors!57
201 India St, Providence, RI 02903
India Point Park
Families visiting India Point Park will enjoy stunning views of the Providence Harbor and Seekonk River. This is an awesome park if you want to get into some biking: the East Bay Bike Path begins at the eastern end of the park and crosses over the Washington Bridge before heading to Watchemoket Square in East Providence. It continues on to Bristol and the Mount Hope Bridge. The park is also a part of the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.58
475 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908, USA
The WaterFire Arts Center
The WaterFire Arts Center serves as a multi-purpose arts venue as well as a social enterprise platform for all ages to visit. One of the unique features of the WaterFire Arts Center is the Main Hall which provides 15,000 sq. ft. of uninterrupted exhibitions, performances, and production space with a 40 ft. ceiling.59
7592 Post Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852, USA
Harbor Creative Arts
Harbor Creative Arts offer in-person art classes for children ages 2 to 14. Classes are all about getting hands-on with all sorts of art like drawing, painting, and making collages.60
5 Soule St, Warwick, RI 02886, USA
Kidz Kastle
Kidz Kastle specializes in luxury parties, upscale parties, and customized kids' parties!61
50 Asylum Rd., Warren
Hugh Cole Playground
This playground is worth the drive from Providence to Warren! It features separate areas for toddlers and big kids, climbing forts that are made from recycled plastic, and play areas that kids will go crazy for, including a fisherman’s boat, clam shacks, a deep-sea climbing wall, a sandbox, and construction trucks. Families can enjoy views of the Kickemuit River at the end of the woodland walking path.62
350 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02905, USA
Ocean State Kidz Club
Ocean State Kidz Club offers a comprehensive year-round program for 5th to 9th graders, aimed at helping them explore and develop new skills, gain confidence and responsibility, and improve physically.63
199 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906, USA
Lippitt House Museum
Lippitt House is Providence's premiere Victorian house museum. It was built in 1865, and it captures the brilliance of Victorian design and represents a time in Providence's industrial history.64
1 Colt Dr, Bristol, RI 02809, USA
Coggeshall Farm Museum
Coggeshall Farm Museum, set on 48 acres in Bristol, Rhode Island, offers a glimpse into 18th-century farm life.65
274 Victory Hwy, West Greenwich, RI 02817
Louttit Library
The drive to West Greenwich from Providence is worth it for this small library! Kids will find toys and games, and a playground in the back. The library offers many events for the little ones, including, of course, storytimes.66
67
20 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
RISD Museum
The RISD Museum, associated with the Rhode Island School of Design, maintains a comprehensive collection of over 100,000 works spanning diverse cultures and historical periods.68
23 America’s Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Newport Travel Trolley Tours
Newport Travel Trolley Tours offers sightseeing tours and charter services in luxury and comfort for the whole family to enjoy! Kids will love the narrated trolley tour of Newport’s mansions and breathtaking scenery, and everyone will have a blast while learning something new!69
1464 Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland, RI.
Cumberland Public Library
The Library is housed in a former monastery built in 1900! This extensive library offers events for kids such as storytime, and it also has a playground and walking trails for non-stop fun!70
891 Broad St, Providence, RI 02907, USA
Providence CityArts for Youth, Inc.
CityArts in Providence is a cool spot for young people between 8-14 years old to dive into the arts for free.71
60 Congdon St, Providence, RI 02906
Prospect Terrace Park
Prospect Terrace Park is known as “The Jewel of the City” for its dramatic elevated view of Downtown Providence where visitors can see many of Providence’s most prominent landmarks, including Providence Place Mall, the Rhode Island State House, and the Meeting House of the First Baptist Church in America, not to mention unforgettable sunsets!72
91 Point Judith Rd d3, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
Create Color Art Studio
Create Color Art Studio is a family-friendly entertainment and relaxation painting and craft venue where artists of all ages can be creative and release their inner artists. Offering PYOP, Fused Glass, Canvas Painting, Board Art, Clay Hand-building, and Pottery Wheel Lessons!73
583 3rd Beach Rd, Middletown, RI 02842, USA
Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary stands as a beacon of nature conservation and environmental education.74
34 Roosevelt Ave, Tiverton, RI 02878
Tiverton Public Library
Tiverton Public Library is great for kids! This large library offers many events and programs such as drop-in playtimes and storytimes! The main branch also has a playground and skatepark next door!75
26 Rochambeau Ave, Providence, RI 02906
East Side Art Center
No matter what the course title, the lessons at East Side Art Center for kids are different each semester. The children who attend these classes and their parents, too, look forward to each challenge with great anticipation!76
283 County Rd, Barrington, RI
Peck Center Playground
Peck Center Playground is located behind the Barrington Town Hall, and it’s perfect for kids of all ages! There’s a giant spiderweb-like jungle gym and a wooden climbing tower with two big slides for the older kids, and a separate toddler area, covered with soft padding for tear-free slips and falls, contains drawbridges, mini climbing walls, alligators, and a stationary fire engine for the younger ones!77
52 Power St, Providence, RI 02906, USA