Family Activities
Little Rhody is big on family fun.
It’s easy to travel about this compact state, and a great place to stay with kids and pets.
You’ll enjoy the Ocean State’s many beaches, parks, farms, nature preserves, and outdoor activities.
Roger Williams Park Zoo offers close encounters with over 100 species of rare and fascinating animals.
Race go-karts on the longest family track in New England.
Visit gigantic green animal sculptures and quaint fishing villages. There are lighthouses, Block Island and Newport, RI to explore, plus renowned colleges and universities, great restaurants, and delicious local seafood to savor.
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9 places to visit
Warwick, RI
Visit Warwick, RI
Outdoor and indoor activities engage every member of your family in Warwick
Indoors and out, Warwick, RI has enough activities to keep every member of the family entertained. Picturesque parks have beaches, nature trails, paddling, boat ramps, ballfields – and a public golf course! In Goddard Park, you can even arrange to go horseback riding at C and L Stables. Freshwater ponds have great swimming and fishing. There are kids’ programs at the Warwick Public Library, and pick-your-own blueberries at Rocky Point Farm. Greet the animals or pick pumpkins at Morris Farm or soar in the air at Launch Trampoline Park. At The Impossible Dream Playground, children of all physical abilities can join in the fun. There’s fun shopping at the Warwick Mall, movie theaters and an art center with family-friendly improv theater nights.3275 Post Road
Providence, Newport, Westerly, RI, MA
Save The Bay
Have fun while learning something? Save The Bay can help you do that!
For Save The Bay's educators, learning and having fun go hand-in-hand. This nonprofit environmental organization offers plenty of opportunities to do just that at its year-round locations in Providence and Newport, RI. At its Bay Center in Providence, you can explore shoreline trails, enjoy the fishing cove and public dock, or even hop on board a Lighthouse Tour (June through October). In Newport, you can stop by their interactive Hamilton Family Aquarium to check out sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, skates, sharks and more. Or, you can take a Seal Tour from Perrotti Park from November through April.
Boat tours depart from Newport, Westerly, and Providence RI.Multiple Centers & Dock Locations 401-272-3540
Providence, RI
Go Providence
No secret why families focus on the Providence area for fun activities, attractions
Families flock to the Providence, RI area, and it’s no secret why: There is so much to do! Visit the African elephants and snow leopards at the Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village or the farm animals at the Casey Farm, take a river gondola by bonfires in the spectacular WaterFire event or a swan boat in Roger Williams Park or go kayaking. Kids can “work” in the innovation lab at the Providence Children’s Museum or explore the skies at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. In the winter, they can go ice skating at BankNewport City Center. With a variety of family-friendly hotels (some with pools) and restaurants, the area is a welcoming one for families four seasons of the year. For more info, visit GoProvidence.com1 Sabin Street 401-751-1177
Narragansett, RI
Block Island Ferry
There’s an activity for everyone on Block Island, and the fun starts with the ferry trip over
Kids love Block Island, RI, which makes it the perfect spot for your family vacation. Take the Block Island Ferry out of Narragansett, [Point Judith] or Newport, RI: It’s a fun, scenic trip. When you get off the ferry at Old Harbor, the visitor’s center is right across the parking lot with lots of ideas. But here are a few in advance: Head out to Mohegan Bluffs for stunning cliff views, visit the exotic-animal farm, walk to a lighthouse or over nature trails. Bike to a beach to go snorkeling, clamming, surfing, paddle boarding or fishing. Go horseback riding or parasailing! And don’t forget activities in your departure port — those astonishing mansions or the Car Museum in Newport, the beaches and clam chowder in Galilee, home of Point Judith.304 Great Island Road 401-783-7996
New London, CT
Block Island Express
A Fun, Fast, and Family-Friendly Way to Travel to Block Island
Block Island Express offers a fast and comfortable ferry ride from New London, CT or Orient Point, NY and Block Island, RI - perfect for families planning a day trip or vacation. The high-speed ferry gets you to Block Island in just over an hour, giving you more time to explore and less time in transit. On board, passengers enjoy spacious seating, air conditioning, clean restrooms, and a full-service snack bar with sandwiches, drinks, and kid-friendly options. There’s ample space to walk around, and outdoor decks provide panoramic views of Long Island Sound. Bikes, strollers, and beach gear are welcome, and pet-friendly areas are available. The trip itself becomes part of the adventure, offering families a fun and scenic start to their island getaway.2 Ferry Street
Providence/Newport, RI
Rhode Island Red Food Tours
Bring the whole family along for a flavorful day with Rhode Island Red Food Tours.
Our tours are designed for ages 8 and up to enjoy, with plenty of kid-friendly tastings, hands-on learning about local history, and stops at iconic Rhode Island eateries. Children love sampling clam cakes, house made ice cream scoops, or tasting a sweet treat at a local bakery, while parents enjoy discovering hidden gems to go back to and cultural stories. Walking together through charming neighborhoods makes it an easy, family-friendly adventure that mixes fun, food, and learning. Rhode Island Red Food Tours is a memorable way to spend quality time together with the whole family, young and old while experiencing Rhode Island’s best flavors. An award-winning activity for all!Tours offered in Providence & Newport 401-684-1110
Bristol, RI
Audubon Society of Rhode Island - Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
Explore WILD THINGS at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium!
Stroll through a pollinator garden, hike trails to Narragansett Bay, and spot birds, frogs, and turtles along the boardwalk. Inside, discover seahorses, sharks, and other fascinating marine life in the aquarium. Year-round programming includes birding walks, nature workshops, evening hikes, and close-up animal encounters with turtles, snakes, owls, and hawks.During the summer, head "Outside with a Guide!" Small-group private tours led by an Audubon naturalist are available for adults or families with children ages 5 and up, with a maximum of 10 participants.1401 Hope Street, 401-949-5454
Warwick, RI
Goddard Memorial State Park
Plenty of activities, from bridle trails to sandy beaches, at this expansive park
Stroll, swim, see an equestrian show: There are plenty of fun family things to do at Goddard Memorial State Park. The 472-acre park has 355 picnic tables, so definitely bring a lunch! There are 18 miles of bridle trails and 11 game fields, spacious lawns and forested areas and an expansive sandy, saltwater beach for swimming (there’s a seasonal lifeguard) and fishing. Launch your kayak or canoe from the boat ramp. Equestrian shows, concerts and other events are held in the pavilion. There’s also a par-36, nine-hole public golf course. (Call for a tee time, since walk-ins are not allowed.) This four-season park along the shores of Greenwich Cove and Greenwich Bay is a great place to spend the day. - Park Map (PDF)1095 Ives Road 401-884-2010
Warwick, RI
Rocky Point Park
From amusement park to state park, Rocky Point has been a favorite with families for decades
Rocky Point has been a favorite gathering place for families for almost two centuries, first as the Rocky Point Amusement Park and, since 2014, in its reincarnation as a multi-use state park. Rocky Point State Park, set on 124 acres in the upper part of Narragansett Bay, features hiking and biking trails and, in the highlands, wide open fields for recreation. It’s a great spot for family picnics and walks along the craggy beach, exploring tidal pools and seeking out shells and sea glass. A public fishing pier consists of a long wooden walkway from the blacktop path out to a main deck 13 feet above the water. Leashed dogs are permitted in the park. Movies are shown on the lawn in the summer.1 Rocky Point Avenue