Family Fun in Providence
Head to Providence and explore one of the nation's best zoos, let imaginations run wild at the Providence Children's Museum, or check out the activities at The Providence Rink in the center of downtown Providence. Take a look below for a variety of fun things to do with kids of all ages.
Top Things To Do With Tweens
Coming up with fun things to do with tweens during school break can be tricky — they're too cool for “little kid stuff” and too young to go out alone with their friends. Here are some suggestions to keep both you and your tweens happy. Be sure to check with individual businesses to see if reservations are required.
Return of the Dinosaurs
Embark on a Jurassic Journey – Dinosaurs are roaring back to life at Roger Williams Park Zoo! This immersive walk-through will take you back in time to a world of prehistoric wonder.
Museums & Historic Attractions
Battleship Cove
- 5 Water Street
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
- 101 Ferry Road
Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon
- One Patriot Place
International Tennis Hall of Fame
- 194 Bellevue Avenue
John Brown House Museum
- 52 Power Street
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
- Roger Williams Park
Museum of Work & Culture
- 42 South Main Street
New Bedford Whaling Museum
- 18 Johnny Cake Hill
Newport Mansions of the Preservation Society
- 424 Bellevue Avenue
RISD Museum
- 224 Benefit Street
Roger Williams National Memorial
- 282 North Main Street
Tomaquag Museum
- 390 Summit Rd
Touro Synagogue
- 85 Touro St
Family-Friendly Events
Historic Boat Tours of Providence
- Providence River Boat Company
- May 18, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
Outdoor Adventures Bird Walks in Roger Williams Park
- Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
- May 18, 2025 - Jun 8, 2025
Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour
- Providence Ghost Tour, LLC
- May 18, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
Return of the Dinosaurs
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 18, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
Sip & See Mimosa Cruises
- Providence River Boat Company
- May 18, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025
Springtime Glass Blowing
- Gather: Glass Blowing Studio
- May 18, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025
Weekend Goat Hikes at Gather Farm
- Gather Farm
- May 18, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025
Monday Trivia at Diego’s East Side
- Diego's Providence East Side Restaurant
- May 19, 2025 - May 10, 2027
Food Truck Concert Nights Diamond Hill Park
- May 22, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
Food Truck Friday Blackstone Valley
- May 23, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
Food Truck Friday Roger Williams Park
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- May 23, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
Explore Providence Scavenger Hunt
- Experience Rhode Island Tours
- May 24, 2025 - Nov 1, 2025
Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival
- May 24, 2025 - May 26, 2025
Twilight River Cruises
- Providence River Boat Company
- May 24, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
Food Trucks & Concerts - Chase Farm
- May 26, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates
- May 29, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
Flea in the Park!
- Jun 1, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
Haunted Boat Tours
- Providence River Boat Company
- Jun 1, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
Music at Sunset: Concert Series 2025
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
- Jun 4, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025
Food Trucks at Johnston Memorial Park
- Jun 5, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
Vineyard Voyages - A Floating Wine Tasting!
- Providence River Boat Company
- Jun 5, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025
Movies in the Park – Pirates in the Park
- Jun 6, 2025 - Sep 5, 2025
Saint Joseph's Festival
- Jun 6, 2025 - Jun 8, 2025
Food Trucks Roll Back to Richmond
- Jun 12, 2025 - Aug 7, 2025
Dinos at Dusk: Family Nights
- Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village
- Jun 14, 2025 - Aug 9, 2025
Warwick Food Truck Night Crowne Plaza
- Crowne Plaza Providence Warwick
- Jun 19, 2025 - Oct 3, 2025
Food Truck Sunsets - Safe Harbor NE Boatworks
- Jun 21, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
Food Truck Picnic in the Park
- Jun 22, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025
Foster Fairgrounds Food Truck Nights
- Jun 25, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025
Highlighted Things To Do
Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the country (since 1872). The zoo's population numbers nearly 1,000 animals, with some 165 species on display at any given time, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.
Providence Children's Museum
The Providence Children's Museum presents hands-on exhibit areas and lively programs designed for children ages 1 to 11 that explore the arts, culture, history and science. The museum offers exhibits and programs that are based on the developmental needs of children and embrace a wide range of learning styles and forms of expression.
WaterFire Providence
WaterFire Providence is a series of bonfires installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence. The event occurs several times a month from May to November and has become a "must see" for visitors to the city.
Providence Kayak
Discover Providence at your own pace as you paddle throughout the picturesque bridges, cobblestone walkways and green riverbanks of the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers, Riverwalk and Waterplace Park.
Providence Rink
The Providence Rink provides outdoor ice skating for adults and children plus a Subway concession area rink-side. The Providence Rink is available in the winter for private events on full ice, corporate and social outings, school groups, and in the summer as an event center. For all details about the winter ice skating season and the summer event center season,
Mulligan's Island
Adventure awaits at Mulligan’s Island! Imagine a picturesque getaway in the heart of Rhode Island that features every kind of golf experience for every kind of player. From our award winning 60 stall driving range to our Scottish designed 9-Hole Pitch n Putt Course, to Mini-Golf and our Par-3 Executive Golf Course - complete with water hazards and sand traps, we have it all! Our 64-acre Island escape also features baseball and softball batting cages and accommodations for group events.
FUN ALL YEAR – WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER & FALL
Outdoor Activities & Sports
Despite being an urban capital city, Providence boasts an impressive array of green space and recreational opportunities.