Get Moving!
Trampoline Parks, Locations Vary
The worst part of rainy days is when your kids have all of the pent-up energy and nowhere to spend it. What better place to get them moving and grooving than at a trampoline park? There are a few available in Rhode Island:
- Sky Zone, Rumford
- Launch Trampoline Park, Warwick
- Aero Trampoline Park, Woonsocket
Monster Mini-Golf, Seekonk, MA
Wish some of your sunny day activities could still be had when it’s rainy or cold out? Wish no more! Monster mini golf offers a fun and unique indoor mini-golfing experience. It’s a little spooky but a lot of fun. There is also an arcade area. Helpful hint: You can often find Monster Mini Golf discounts via Groupon!
Skating, Locations Vary
Embrace winter, lace up your skates, and get some exercise at your local ice rink. There are many rinks in the state that offer indoor public skates that run year round. Here are a few locations:
- Smithfield Municipal Skating Rink, Smithfield
- Dennis M. Lynch Arena, Pawtucket
- Cranston Veterans Memorial Rink, Cranston
- Boss Ice Arena, North Kingston
- Levy Rink, Burrillville
- New England Sports Village, Attleboro, MA
United Skates of America, East Providence
Is the ice not for you? Then maybe you need to throw it back to junior high and lace up some rollerskates with your family! With laser tag, rock climbing, and an arcade also available, there are plenty of options for indoor family fun.
Discover
Biomes, North Kingston
A private marine education facility, Biomes is a hands-on experience for kids and adults alike. Biomes has kept my children entertained on more than one rainy day. One minute you can hold a horseshoe crab, and the next you can watch a stingray feeding or pufferfish demonstration.
Providence Children’s Museum, Providence
Providence Children’s Museum offers hands-on, play-based that explores arts, science, technology, and engineering. Accesible for a range of ages, children can learn about early Rhode Islanders, engage in water play, and plan city exhibits among many other activities.
RISD Family Programs, Providence
Right in the heart of Providence, is the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Not only does the RISD museum offer stunning galleries, but also a wide variety of family programs ranging from age 3 to 18. Check their events calendar for upcoming sessions that are sure to keep creative juices flowing, even for the youngest art enthusiasts.
Build and Create
Pottery painting, Various Locations
If your kids are like mine, they love to paint. They also are pretty messy with said paint and just taking out all of the supplies can be a bit of a pain. If the kids are clamoring for their arts & crafts, head out to a local pottery painting place. They get to choose their own piece of pottery and the colors. There are several locations in RI:
- Clayground, East Greenwich
- Peapoddery, Cumberland
- Weirdgirl Creations, Barrington
- Create Color Art Studio, Narragansett
Home Depot Kids Workshops, Various Locations
The first Saturday of the month, Home Depot offers free kids workshops. Each child receives an apron, a pin and all the parts they need to make that month’s project. Projects vary from month to month. My son and I most recently made a block calendar together at one of these events. Home Depot offers this across most locations.
Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids, Cranston
Each Saturday, between 11am and 3m, Lakeshore Learning offers free kids crafts for the 3+ crowd. No pre-registration is necessary. Just show up and begin crafting. Projects vary weekly.
Catch a Game
It’s easy to get spoiled when you are a New England sports fan and get lost in the “big” leagues by way of the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics. But here in Rhode Island, we have some great teams you can watch, indoors, to get a taste of the next big sports sensations. Try catching a Providence Bruins game, or a Providence College basketball or hockey game. If you’re from the southern part of our state, grab tickets and cheer on the University of RI basketball team.