Providence winters are cold and gray, so keep an indoor stop in the plan from December through March.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
A West End brunch and lunch spot with patio and indoor tables.
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour. For every indoor playground we’ve checked, with prices and sock rules, see indoor play in Providence.
Free storytimes and crafts at neighborhood branches, from Mt. Pleasant to Fox Point.
Weekly storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in the children’s room.
Themed storytimes most weekday mornings at Central and the branches.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Hands-on play for young kids, with a free lot out front.
A zoo with more than 100 species in Roger Williams Park.
A small, cheap museum in the park with a planetarium.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in Providence without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Providence.
CitywideCommunity Libraries of ProvidenceFree storytimes and crafts at neighborhood branches, from Mt.FreeIndoor
Downtown, 150 Empire StreetProvidence Public LibraryWeekly storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in the children’s room.FreeIndoorCranstonCranston Public LibraryThemed storytimes most weekday mornings at Central and the branches.FreeIndoorFree or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Jewelry District, 100 South StreetProvidence Children’s MuseumFree under 12 months.$20 eachunder 12 monthsIndoor
Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood AvenueRoger Williams Park ZooFree for 1 and under.Kids $19Adults $251 and underRoger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood AvenueMuseum of Natural History and PlanetariumFree under 4.Adults $2under 4IndoorDowntown, 150 Empire StreetProvidence Public LibraryBaby Steps is for non-walkers.FreeIndoorRecurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar. For every weekly storytime by day and branch, see library storytimes in Providence.
Most weekday mornings at the branchesFree storytimes, bilingual storytimes and crafts.
Schedule ↗Tuesdays 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30am; Thursdays 11amCradle to Crayons, Baby Steps, and Reading and Rhyming.
Schedule ↗Weekday mornings at Central and the branchesThemed storytimes for ages 0 to 5.
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Wednesdays at 10:30am · Mt. Pleasant LibraryRhymes, bounces, and songs recommended for those ages 0 to 18 months (pre-walkers) and their caregivers, followed by free play.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 10:30am · Warwick Public LibraryBaby Storytime is at 10:30 a.m.
Storytime calendar ↗
under 12 months
Admission page ↗1 and under
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices. For holiday and indoor rinks with season dates, prices and skate aids, see ice skating with kids in Providence.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Providence right now.
Yes. The Children’s Museum is built for young kids, and Roger Williams Park has the zoo and a $2 museum.
Library storytimes across the city’s branches and the downtown library.
Go indoors: Community Libraries of Providence, Providence Public Library and Cranston Public Library. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
Providence Children’s Museum: Free under 12 months. Roger Williams Park Zoo: Free for 1 and under. Museum of Natural History and Planetarium and Providence Public Library are also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Museum of Natural History and Planetarium (under 4). See best for under 3s.
Community Libraries of Providence: Most weekday mornings at the branches. Providence Public Library: Tuesdays 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30am; Thursdays 11am. Cranston Public Library: Weekday mornings at Central and the branches. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Providence weekly list.
Every one of the 7 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 3 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 28, 2026. How we choose and check.
1 and under; kids 2–12: $19; adults: $25. We checked this on its official site on Oct 28, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Under 12 months; kids 1 and up: $20; adults: $20. We checked this on its official site on Oct 28, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Providence.
