slides: Family Matters: 100 Things To Do in RI With the Kids

Friday, July 13, 2012

Anisa Raoof, GoLocalProv Family Expert

For a little state, Rhode Island has a wealth of experiences that I really want to experience with my kids. So, a few years ago, I created this list of 100 things to do with my kids in Rhode Island (and nearby areas) before they grow up. There's a mix of fun stuff as well as the things I think are important for them (and me) to do.

I like having a master list, knowing which ones are free, organized by indoor and outdoor places. We still have not done everything on the list and since I published it, we have made updates as places have gone out of business. What makes it even better is now it's no longer "my" list, it's really the Kidoinfo List. I've highlighted 10 to get started on, here, and you can jump to the full list for 90 more, plus comments for additional suggestions from readers about places to go and things to do. Feel free to comment, below, on your ideas, or let us know how your experiences are.

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Picnic at Narragansett

Have a picnic at Roger W. Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett at sunset. (Free after 5pm)

Bonus South County idea

Visit Casey Farm in Saunderstown. (Free for Historic New England members and Saunderstown residents)

Photo: Abigail Batchelder/flickr

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Tide Pool at Beavertail

Check out the tide pools at Beavertail State park in Jamestown. (Free)

Bonus Jamestown idea

Visit a former military fort with a history dating back over two centuries at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown. (Free)

Photo: Clara S./flickr

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Fly Kites in Newport

Fly a kite at Breton State park along Ocean Drive in Newport. Annual Newport Kite Festival in mid-July. (Free)

Bonus Newport idea

Spend the day at Easton’s Beach in Newport. Enjoy the carousel, water slide, skateboard park, and playground.

Photo: Newport Kite Festival

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Zoo Adventure

Go to the Roger Williams Park Zoo and imitate the animals. (Free with membership)

Bonus Providence idea

Shop at the Providence / Hope St. Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, June through November (List of other markets).

Photo: Jude/flickr

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Family Concert

Have a picnic supper at the John Brown House while listening to Concerts Under the Elms, Thursday evenings in the summer.

Bonus cultural idea

See the ceramic mural and play at India Point Park in Providence. (Free)

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See Shakespeare Outdoors

See Shakespeare in the Park in Wilcox Park in Westerly. (Free)

Bonus Westerly idea

Visit every carousel in the Rhode Island area, starting with Watch Hill's Flying Horses.

Photo: Pietro

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Go To The Drive-In

Watch a film at the Rustic Tri Vu Drive-In, Rte 146, North Smithfield.

Bonus movie idea

Watch Movies on the Block outside every Thursday evening (June-September) in downtown Providence. (Free)

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Visit Coggeshall Farm

Travel back in time by visiting a 1790s New England farm: Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol.

Bonus animal idea

Visit a real working dairy farm: Wrights Dairy Farm and Bakery in North Smithfield (Blackstone Valley).

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See Green Animals

Think Edward Scissorhands, visit Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth.

Bonus history idea

Take a walk through Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, and find the resting place of famous souls like science fiction pioneer H. P. Lovecraft. (Free)