5 things to do on a rainy day

Thank you to Rhode Island Monthly for sharing (June, 2014) some of our favorite things to do in the summer on a rainy day!

arts | RISD Museum of Art

Experience art. Turn a trip to the RISD Museum of Art into an adventure and an opportunity to connect with some of your family’s favorite things. And the Buddha is back!

•    Visit the Egyptian Collection to see Nesmin, the Museum’s own mummy. Look at the detailed drawings, writings on the coffin, afterlife, objects to go with you.
•    Searching the galleries for art with animals or art with food, and notice what other themes emerge as you look at multiple artworks.
•     Visit the Main Gallery – pick your favorite painting and think about what it would it be like if you were in the scene.

Workshops scheduled year-round are designed for kids (toddler to teen); The Artists Lab, Open Studio and Family See + Sketch  all free with museum admission.
AGES: All ages. Recommended for kids ages 2 and up.
COST: Free all day on Sunday. Third Thursday of the month. Regular admission – check website.

Art Inspiration Bonus: Visit the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab, located around the corner from the RISD museum. See an amazing variety of specimens on display, including birds, bears and bones.
AGES: All ages but lots of delicate things to look at and not touch.
COST: FREE

books + stories | Library Adventure

Plan a literary expedition. With so many libraries to choose from  each with its own charm and character and an array of free activities for families  plan to visit a new one each week. Make your own library passport book and stamp it every time you visit a new library.  Discover more than just books  free events include storytimes, movie nights, performers and special classes. Many libraries have events geared to specific ages (toddlers, grade school, teens). There are over seventy libraries to choose from in the Ocean State!

• Providence Athenaeum: Visit the children’s room in one of Americas oldest libraries.
• Providence Library: Visit the new Chance Children’s Discovery Library with reading nooks, activity tables, story time area and family resources.
• Providence Community Library has nine branches to choose from, nestled in different neighborhoods around the city.

AGES: All ages – depending on the age of your kid search for special features (young adult rooms, play areas, etc.)
COST: FREE

nature + science | Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium

Discover our roots. Ongoing and special exhibitions, workshops and presentations at the Museum of Natural History provide ways for children and families to learn about our world and its people. The natural collection includes fossils, mollusks, minerals, rocks, mounted flora and fauna and the cultural collection includes archaeological and ethnographic specimens primarily of African, Native American and Pacific origin. Take a trip through space  special planetarium shows for kids, ages four and up, take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.
AGES: All ages. Recommended for kids ages 2 and up. Planetariun for ages 4 and up.
COST: Museum admission is $2 (Free for children under age 4.) Planetarium Admission is $3 (Children under age 4 are not permitted in the planetarium.) This includes entrance to the Museum and exhibits.

play | Providence Children’s Museum

Play never ends. Providence Children’s Museum is the perfect spot on a rainy day. Wee ones can climb into a treehouse in Littlewoods, all ages can send objects soaring through air tubes and construct magnetic mazes, build fountains in Water Ways or tackle bridge-building challenges and plan a city in Iway. Designed for older kids (ages 7 and up) experiment with shapes and spaces in the new dynamic new learning environment, ThinkSpace (hands-on opportunities to build and design in 3-D, draw maps and diagrams, and explore spaces with their whole bodies).
AGES: All Ages. Most popular with Toddler to Tweens.
COST: Free with membership. $9.00 for adults and children; babies under 12 months are free.

fitness | Rock spot Rock Climbing + SkyZone

Rock Spot Rock Climbing. Climate-controlled, indoor climbing gyms designed for toddlers to adults – different ages and skill levels.
Locations: Peace Dale and Lincoln
AGES: 3 and up
COST: Full Gym Day Pass — $16 ($24 w/gear). Kids 7 and Under — $10 ($15 w/gear). Special discounts on certain days and times. Special family Climb time on Sunday afternoon.

SkyZone: Wall to wall trampolines sectioned off into open jumping areas, basketball court, and 3-D Dodgeball. Super fun to go as a family, solo, or a group. Reserve time in 30 minute or 1 hour blocks.
COST: 30 Minute Jump Pass- $9. 60 Minute Jump Pass- $13. Special rate for toddlers.
AGES: All ages. Special Toddler Court for kids under 45″ tall.