15+ Things to do in Providence, RI with kids
It’s not too hard to find fun things to do in Providence, RI with kids. The Renaissance City has a wide variety of entertaining activities for kids and families to enjoy.
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Take a Rhode Island Red Food Tour
One of the best things to do in Providence with kids is to take the Rhode Island Red Food Tour!
I had a fantastic time exploring Providence’s culinary scene with our guide, Jenny, who made the adventure even more enjoyable. The food stops were a delightful surprise, featuring a variety of dishes that are far from your typical American fare. It was a great way to try new flavors that we might not have chosen on our own!
One of the best things about the tour is how accommodating they are to food sensitivities, so everyone can enjoy the experience. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled with the highlights: the pizza at Plant City had a crust that was out of this world, and we even received a complimentary cake for my husband’s birthday!
Another favorite was the noodles at PVD Noodle Bar. Plus, all five members of my family found dishes they loved at more than one stop, including Dune Brothers and Charuma Tea Bar. This food tour is definitely a must-do for all the families visiting Providence!
Explore the Providence Children’s Museum
If you’re looking for a fantastic family outing in Providence, the Providence Children’s Museum is a must-visit! It’s conveniently located with free parking, making your trip hassle-free.
Inside, you’ll find interactive areas where kids can learn and play. Highlights include pretending to be a mason, working on a ship, and stepping into a market worker’s shoes.
My kids loved the expansive water room, where they engaged in hands-on experiments with piping and water cyclones. It’s a splash-tastic experience they’ll remember!
There’s also a special area for kids under four, ensuring tiny explorers have a safe space. We even found a party room buzzing with excitement for a birthday celebration!
With plenty of bathrooms available, diaper changes and quick trips are a breeze. Pack up the kids and head to the Providence Children’s Museum for a day of fun and learning!
Visit Roger Williams Park Zoo
If you’re searching for a hidden gem in Providence, look no further than Roger Williams Park Zoo! This zoo is extremely underrated.
Where else can you see the world’s fastest cheetah, largest elephant, and tallest giraffe all in one place? It’s such an incredible experience for the kids!
One of my favorite aspects is the variety of animal viewing spots. Even if some are hiding, there’s always a chance to catch a glimpse. We managed to see every animal except the moon bear since we arrived late in the day.
The zoo also allows you to bring your own food and drinks, which is a huge plus. The pricing is very reasonable, too!
Remember the seasonal events! The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in the fall, with thousands of intricately carved pumpkins, is a must-see. And in winter, the Holiday Lights Spectacular transforms the zoo into a dazzling wonderland—perfect for a festive family outing!
Attend Food Truck Fridays at Carousel Village
If you’re looking for a fantastic family outing, don’t miss Food Truck Fridays at Carousel Village! This free event at Roger Williams Park Zoo is perfect for bringing our toddler along.
You can enjoy local food trucks and live music every Friday night in the summer. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming!
The gardens are stunning any day of the week, with beautiful swans and charming bridges. Plus, the carousel and train rides are always a hit with the kids.
I had some delicious lobster nachos while listening to live folk music. It was such a treat!
Spending a spring evening here is a delightful way to enjoy the outdoors and make lasting family memories. Don’t forget to check it out!
Visit the RSID Museum
The RISD Museum is a delightful surprise for families visiting Providence! It’s bigger than you might expect, with an impressive collection that will captivate both kids and adults.
With over 100,000 works of art, there’s something for everyone. My personal favorites? The mummies and the stunning Buddha!
On Sundays, you can visit the museum free of charge, a fantastic perk for families looking to explore without breaking the bank.
You’ll find masterpieces by Impressionists like Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Renoir. American artists such as Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt also have prominent works on display.
One highlight for us was the Charles Pendleton House. It offered a peek into older colonial homes, which fascinated my little ones.
I loved that they had an exhibit curated by students featuring their own interpretations alongside the art. It’s a thoughtful touch that engages young minds and makes art more relatable!
Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park is a gem for families looking for a day of fun and exploration! This park truly has a bit of everything.
First off, the old carousel is a charming ride for just $2. My kids loved it!
There’s also a cute little train that adds to the excitement. Right outside, you’ll find lovely water features filled with little fish and picturesque bridges.
For toddlers, the playground is perfect! It’s safe and designed for the tiniest adventurers.
Don’t miss the swan paddle boats! They’re $10 per person ($5 for ages up to 12) and accept Apple Pay, making it super convenient. While kayaking isn’t available, gliding around on the water with the swans is magical.
We visited on Labor Day, and the park felt wonderfully empty. The bandstand area was closed, but we were treated to the sight of stunning white swans. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale!
There are so many cute little spots to discover. I wish we could have brought a picnic to enjoy the serene atmosphere.
You really need a full day to explore this park’s nooks and crannies. Plus, parking is easy and free in the nearby lots. We didn’t even visit the zoo—there was so much to enjoy just in the park!
Take a short trip to the Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln Woods State Park is a serene escape that my family absolutely loves! It’s such a peaceful spot, perfect for a quiet day outdoors.
We visited during the fall, and the views were simply incredible! The park is nestled by a lovely pond, adding to its charm.
About halfway through our walk, we found benches with stunning scenic views. It was the perfect spot to pause, chat, and soak in the beauty around us.
For the little ones, there’s an open area where kids regularly play football and volleyball. It’s great to see so much activity and energy!
Take a stroll in the Fargnoli Park with kids in the summer
Fargnoli Park is a cool spot for families, especially in the summer! The highlight is the kids’ water splash playground. It’s perfect for those hot days when your little ones want to cool off and have fun.
There’s also an extensive regular playground filled with equipment for climbing, sliding, and hanging out. Plus, don’t forget the swings—they’re always a favorite!
The park features a baseball field and a basketball court for sports enthusiasts. It also has dedicated playground areas for toddlers and kids aged five and up, ensuring everyone has a great time.
This summer, they offered a fantastic program that provided free meals for kids through their “Eat, Play, Learn” initiative. The summer youth program staff is absolutely amazing!
Picnic at the Scenic India Point Park
Taking a walk in India Point Park is one of the best things to do in Providence RI with kids. It’s a gem along the Providence waterfront, offering a perfect mix of nature, history, and family-friendly fun. It’s easy to get to, right off I-195, and there’s plenty of parking, whether in the lot or free on the street.
Start your visit with a stroll or bike ride along the scenic path through the park. Along the way, picnic tables are perfect for a snack break or a family picnic. Take a moment to look out over the water—you’ll spot remnants of old docks, a nod to the park’s rich history. History buffs will love the informational signs scattered throughout, with pictures showing how the area has changed over time.
There’s a wonderful playground at the very end of the park for the kids. And while they play, you can enjoy the view of boats gliding by and the city skyline in the distance. It’s a peaceful, easy-to-love spot for families to relax and explore.
Ice Skating at the BankNewport City Center
BankNewport City Center is an excellent seasonal spot! In winter, it becomes a charming ice skating rink. We visited and loved the cozy indoor area with heaters while waiting for our 20-minute skating session—perfect to avoid freezing!
It can be a bit pricey, but seeing the joy on my kids’ faces made it worthwhile.
Take a glass blowing class at Gather
Take a glass-blowing class at Gather for a fun and unique family activity! If you’re traveling with kids 8 and up, this hands-on experience is perfect for trying something new together.
The instructors are super helpful and guide you through every step of the process, so you don’t have to worry about anything. You’ll even get to pick your own colors to create a piece that’s totally your own.
It’s such a terrific way to spend time as a family and bring home a handmade keepsake to remember the day. My family loved it, and I’d definitely go back!
Bouldering in the Rock Spot Climbing
It was actually the first climbing gym I ever tried, and I was immediately hooked!
This small but welcoming bouldering gym has plenty of space for everyone to climb comfortably. The routes can be pretty steep and challenging, but there’s a good mix for all skill levels. When I visited, many of the walls were being rerouted, so there’s always something fresh to try.
One of the best parts? Rock Spot welcomes kids as young as 4 years old to join their youth programs. Just note that climbers under 14 need to be supervised by someone at least 17 years old.
If you’re looking to mix things up, there’s also a small gym area with free weights. It’s a fun, active outing for the whole family!
Bounce at the Skyzone Trampoline Park
If you’re looking for a spot where the kids can bounce off all their energy, Skyzone Trampoline Park in Providence is the place to be!
I decided to grab the monthly pass, and let me tell you—it’s a total bargain if your kids plan to jump two or more days a month. The staff is friendly, and the whole place is clean and well-maintained, which is always a win for families.
Parents, don’t worry—you’re covered too! There’s a concession area for snacks, plenty of comfy couches to relax on, and even two massage chairs (they do cost a little extra, but totally worth it for a quick break). There are lockers and cubbies for your belongings, so you don’t have to worry while the kids play.
The Great Escape Room Providence
The Great Escape Room in Providence is a hit with kids and adults alike! You get 60 minutes to solve puzzles, crack codes, and work together to “escape” the room. It’s the perfect mix of teamwork, creativity, and fun.
We tried the “Mountain Top Murder” room with two of our kids; it was such a blast!
The puzzles were definitely tricky, but it was amazing to see how the kids approached them with fresh ideas. Their perspective helped us solve challenges we wouldn’t have cracked on our own.
Month-long Lumina Festival
This free, month-long celebration turns the city’s heart into a dazzling playground of lights, art, and performances that the whole family will love.
The festival’s star attraction is the Prismatica installation, a stunning collection of 25 six-foot rotating panels. As they spin and chime, these colorful prisms create an enchanting “modern ice palace” vibe that feels straight out of a storybook.
It’s a perfect spot for kids to explore and for parents to snap those Instagram-worthy family photos. But Prismatica is just the beginning.
In 2024, it drew over 300,000 visitors, proving that it’s more than just a festival—it’s a community celebration of art, light, and winter magic.
Attend the WaterFire Night Festival
Visiting WaterFire Providence during the night festival was like stepping into another world. We went on October 26th, and it felt so special—almost like a little slice of Europe right here in Rhode Island. With gondolas gliding along the river, you could easily imagine yourself in Venice if not for the flags reminding you it’s Providence.
The atmosphere was magical. The fires lit along the river and kept us warm despite the chilly night, and the crowd’s energy added to the experience. Food carts were everywhere, so there was no chance of anyone going hungry, and the variety made it even better!
What impressed me most was how well-organized the event was. Even though some areas were crowded, it was easy to move around and find spots with more space to sit and take it all in. I’ve already marked my calendar to return next year and recommend you do the same. It’s a night worth experiencing!