Summer vacation season is in full swing – so pack up the car and make your way to Rhode Island, a hot spot for families and children looking to have fun in the sun.
Here are some fun kid and family favourites to keep children entertained, engaged, and learning when you’re vacationing or holidaying in Rhode Island.
Top children’s activities & attractions in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Children’s Museum – Providence
Designed for children ages 1 -11, the Rhode Island Children’s Museum features hands-on exhibits that are both fun and educational. Children and adults can dress up as brown bears in Littlewoods, build a fountain in Water Ways or put together a life-size skeleton in Bone Zone. The museum is open seven days a week and hosts special group activities every day. For more information visit www.childrensmuseum.org.
Watch Hill Carousel – Westerly
Built in 1867, the Flying Horse Carousel is believed to the nation’s oldest carousel and is still functional today! Located in a charming village nestled along the shore of Rhode Island, the carousel is open to children ages 2 – 12 and is open from 1 – 9 p.m. For more information visit www.visitwatchhill.com.
Slater Mill – Pawtucket
A national historic landmark right in our own backyard, Slater Mill was built in 1793 as the first successful water-spinning cotton mill in North America. Today, more than 30,000 visitors come to peruse a gallery filled with local art, attend the farmers market and tour the museum. One of the biggest draws is the nightly Ghost Tour that runs from August to November. The mill is open May to October and closed on Mondays. For more information visit www.slatermill.org.
Roger Williams Park and Zoo – Providence
This beautiful 430-acre Victorian park features walkways, outdoor gardens and a Carousel village as well as the Roger Williams Zoo. The zoo features several different exhibits and more than 50 animals from around the world. In addition to the zoo, children can ride the carousel or mini train, visit the Natural History Museum or play on the jungle gym! For more information visit www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org.
Brenton Point Park – Newport
One of Rhode Island’s numerous state parks, Brenton Point Park is perfect for a day of fun in the sun. Featuring an assortment of beautiful gardens, walking paths and picnic areas, the park is a great place for kids to run around or fly a kite! For more information visit www.riparks.com.
Green Animal Topiary Gardens – Portsmouth
Overlooking the Narragansett Bay, the Green Animal Topiary Gardens is the ideal outing for your little professor! The oldest and most northern topiary in the United States, the topiary features 80 pieces consisting of 21 animals and birds in addition to a number of geometric and ornamental designs. For more information visit www.newportmansions.org .
Save the Bay Exploration Center – Newport
The Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium is an interactive marine science learning center located on Newport’s Easton Beach. Children and adults can learn more about the Narragansett Bay by spending the day playing with the center’s 150 marine species, examining lobster traps and digging for fossil shark teeth. For more information visit www.savethebay.org.
For more ideas on kid-friendly outings, visit www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-do/childrens-activities.