Rhode Island

Looking for inexpensive ways to have fun with the grandkids in RI? Here are 12 ideas.

Published

11 months ago

March 29, 2025

Press Room

Looking for inexpensive ways to have fun with the grandkids in RI? Here are 12 ideas.

Susan McDonald
| Special to The Journal

Rhode Island offers many fun and educational activities for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together.
From zoos and aquariums to museums and planetariums, there is something for everyone.
Outdoor activities include hiking, exploring nature centers, and visiting a lighthouse.

Few things compare with the joy of spending time with your grandchildren, and whether you’re the cool Glamma or the wise Pop, sharing fun adventures can help create an indelible bond between generations.

The next time you’re babysitting, try some of our top suggestions for inexpensive ways to create memories around the Ocean State.

What’s new at the zoo?

Roger Williams Park Zoo (rwpzoo.org), Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Your littlest charges will marvel at the size of the camels, tortoises and giraffes lumbering about the zoo’s meandering paths, and then eagerly pet goats and sheep in the farmyard. Older kids will enjoy learning fun facts about how gibbons announce themselves to the jungle or how dyeing poison dart frogs emit toxic chemicals. “Return of the Dinosaurs” also returns April 6 with almost 60 life-size animatronic and interactive creatures to behold. Take a break on Explore and Soar, where you can see the park from the air on a zip ride and tour the woodlands by train. Spring hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and on holidays and school vacations. Tickets are $22 for ages 13 and up, $18 for seniors, $16 for ages 2 to 12 and free for age 1 and under.

Learn while playing at Providence Children’s Museum

Providence Children’s Museum (providencechildrensmuseum.org), 100 South St., Providence. While their motto is “Play Every Day,” the secret to the museum is that kids can learn while they’re having fun pouring and damming flowing water, experimenting with shapes and fiddling with real tools in the innovation lab. Littlewoods allows children up to age 4 to burn some energy by climbing a tree house and exploring a bear cave. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $17 for adults and children over 1, free for ages 1 and under.

Get in touch with sea creatures

Biomes Marine Biology Center (biomescenter.com), 6640 Post Road, North Kingstown. Let the kids get hands-on with shrimp, horseshoe crabs, octopi and small sharks in the facility’s touch tanks. Docents explain native and tropical residents, and a feeding schedule allows visitors to watch. The littles can enjoy educational activities, books and toys in Ruby’s Play Center, where rescued hermit crabs, geckos and a bearded dragon are kept. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily, and admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and children ages 3-12, and free for age 2 and under.

Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium (savebay.org/family-fun/aquarium), 23 America’s Cup Ave., Newport. This new museum features 13 exhibits that focus on Narragansett Bay habitats – from the rocky shore to its deeper waters – featuring local species that come from – and are returned to – Narragansett Bay. The aquarium offers 7,000 square feet of discovery opportunities, complete with three touch tanks with sea stars, horseshoe crabs and sharks, and an augmented reality watershed model. Hours are Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors and free for ages 2 and under.

Explore the wonders of nature

Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium (asri.org/learn/naturecenteraquarium), 1401 Hope St., Bristol. Head out on a guided walk or take a birding class with trained docents who will help you spot everything from tree frogs to tidepool creatures to pollinators in a specially designed garden. The 28-acre wildlife refuge on Narragansett Bay offers ADA-certified walking trails and a boardwalk through fresh and saltwater marshes. Bikers and walkers are allowed on the trails. The calendar includes events for all ages, and sensory days are perfect for those on the autism spectrum. Hours through mid-April are Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; trails and grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for ages 3 and under.

Museum of Natural History and Planetarium (providenceri.gov/museum), Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. The sky’s the limit for the fun you can have at this gem, which combines a collection of taxidermy, flora, rocks and oceanic artifacts with dazzling planetarium shows in the dome theater. Check the calendar for other activities, such as guided bird and plant walks through the park and a variety of events for school vacation week. The museum is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with planetarium shows (open to ages 4 and up) at 2 p.m. Admission for the museum only is $2 and free for ages 3 and under. For both the museum and planetarium, the cost is $5 person, and planetarium tickets must be purchased online. Children must be at least 4 years old to enter the planetarium.

Tennis, anyone?

International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport. You don’t have to play – yet! – to appreciate the history and highlights of tennis. Browse the bios and artifacts from 267 inductees from 28 countries, follow the sport’s evolving fashions and browse the array of tennis-themed toys. The facility reopens after renovations on May 15. Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20; $17 for seniors and students; and free for ages 12 and under.

Space exploration in Charlestown

Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center (frostydrew.org), 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. Open every Friday night and for special events, the observatory offers a variety of telescopes through which to view the galaxy under its 18-foot dome. The equipment – with guidance from trained volunteers – can track more than 80,000 deep-space objects, 200 million stars, the rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, nebulae and more. When the weather is inclement, there’s a Science Center to explore and presentations in the Sky Theatre. Hours change with the season, so check their website before you go. Admission is free, but a donation of $5 per person is appreciated.

Golf for the whole family

Mulligan’s Island (mulligansisland.com), 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Everyone loves a fun game of mini golf, and this is one of the largest in the area. Share some friendly competition through the volcano and around other obstacles, hit the driving range, freshen your swing in the batting cages or, when it gets warmer, watch a beach volleyball game. Food Truck Fridays begin again on May 2. Mini golf admission is $14 for adults and seniors, and $9 for juniors. One round in the batting cage is $3.

Learn about lighthouses at Beavertail

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum (beavertaillight.org), 800 Beavertail Road, Jamestown. There’s plenty to do in Beavertail State Park – from hiking to saltwater fishing to picnicking beside the crashing waves. On weekends from May 17 through June 22, and then daily through Labor Day, check out the museum, where you can learn about the function of the light (the third-oldest lighthouse in the U.S.) and the arduous life of the keepers. On select dates, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse tower. From June to mid-October, visit the Beavertail Aquarium, located in the lighthouse’s old foghorn house, with tanks that simulate the state’s shoreline environment and offer shellfish, crabs and fish to discover. All exhibits are free.

Soak up some culture at RISD Museum

RISD Museum (risdmuseum.org), 20 North Main St., Providence. You’ll just need one word to captivate your grandkids: mummy. Nesmin is the resident mummy, and he sits in just one gallery in this expansive museum. Ancient Egyptian lore mixes with the history of photography, ancient ceramics, Philippine textiles and contemporary enamels. Exhibits delve deeper into themes of artwork, metalwork and more. Admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. Hours vary. Admission at other times is $22, $17 for seniors, and free for age 18 and under.

Try a family-friendly hike

Simmons Mill Pond Management Area, 212 Colebrook Road, Little Compton. Dubbed the most family-friendly hike by The Journal’s Walking Rhode Island columnist, John Kostrzewa, this 433-acre preserve features wide, flat paths lined with dozens of hand-lettered signs giving information on the trees, wildlife and rocks you’ll pass as well as some of the area’s rich history. Extend your hike on one of the many well-marked trails circling six ponds and an old grist mill site.

Source link

Click to comment

Rhode Island

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

Published

8 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

Local News

The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said.

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

Sign up for the Today newsletter

Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.

Source link

Rhode Island

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)

According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

Source link

Rhode Island

Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

Local News

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Col. Michael J. Winquist said.

A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.

Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.

The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.

That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said.

When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.

First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.

The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.

Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said.

Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.

Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.

The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.

“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.

Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.

Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.