Hey Providence parents! Ditch the usual chain spots this weekend (Jan 24-25). We found some seriously fun, hands-on stuff, like building futuristic LEGOs at Mount Pleasant Library and getting delightfully messy at the Museum. Check out these weekend plans before they disappear!
Quick Picks
BILINGUAL STORYTIME / CUENTACUENTOS BILINGÜE
Rochambeau Library
East Side parents love this fun, interactive Spanish/English storytime for little ones.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON LEGO CLUB
Mount Pleasant Library
Future architects can tackle the 'Futuristic Providence' LEGO challenge indoors.
BILINGUAL STORYTIME / CUENTACUENTOS BILINGÜE
Rochambeau Library
Miss Maria keeps the 2-5 crowd happy with songs and stories in two languages.
· January 24
8PROVIDENCE WINTER FARMERS MARKETFREE : The perfect Saturday morning ritual. Grab coffee, let the kids hunt for local apples, and soak up the local vibe while stocking up on sourdough.It's the ultimate local meeting spot this winter, often featuring a musician, making it feel like a relaxed community gathering rather than just a grocery run.
BILINGUAL STORYTIME / CUENTACUENTOS BILINGÜEFREE : Miss Maria leads songs and stories in both English and Spanish. Super fun for little ones and a great excuse to grab pastries nearby afterward.This is a well-loved neighborhood staple specifically geared toward the 2-5 crowd, offering bilingual engagement that's hard to find.
GET MESSY! MAKER STUDIO : A specific weekend workshop focusing on textures like shaving cream art and slime. The best part? They handle the massive cleanup!It's not just museum entry; it’s a structured, hands-on session focused purely on messy, tactile creation for younger kids.
PLANETARIUM SHOW: SKY TONIGHT : Catch a live-narrated show detailing exactly which stars are visible over Providence right now. It’s cheap and fascinating, and it’s the only public planetarium in the state!The shows change based on the actual night sky, making this a unique, time-sensitive celestial learning experience.
SATURDAY MORNING CHARACTER SKATE : Hit the outdoor downtown ice rink and get skating tips from costumed 'Winter Heroes' characters this morning. Great photo ops and cocoa afterward.The character appearance adds a fun, unexpected twist to a standard outdoor winter activity downtown.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON LEGO CLUBFREE : Drop in for the weekly theme challenge—this week it’s 'Futuristic Providence.' Your creation might even get displayed in the library windows!It's a free, focused building activity where the theme ('Futuristic Providence') feels very hyperlocal and fun for that age group.
MAKER STUDIO: MINI MASTERS - YAYOI KUSAMA : Inspired by Yayoi Kusama, kids can create their own vibrant polka dot art in the Maker Studio today. A great way to engage with contemporary art concepts.Tapping into a specific artist theme makes this more cultural than standard drop-in crafts, engaging older kids too.
MEET ELSA & ANNA FROM FROZEN! : If you're willing to drive slightly south to Wakefield, Arendelle is coming to the library! Expect singing, dancing, and photo ops with the sisters.It's a character appearance at a local library—definitely not a major commercial attraction, making it feel special and quirky.
· January 25
3FAMILY SEE & SKETCH : Grab sketchpads and get the kids drawing right inside the gallery spaces at RISD. A perfect, low-pressure way to experience the museum.It actively encourages participation within the gallery setting, turning looking into doing.
WINTER BIRD WALK FOR FAMILIESFREE : Bundle up for a guided nature walk focusing on spotting ducks and winter birds around the park lakes. Binoculars are provided!It’s a free, guided nature activity specifically geared toward families, which is a perfect quiet contrast to Saturday's chaos.
PVD FLEA - WINTER INDOOR MARKETFREE : The famous PVD Flea moves indoors for the winter season. Great for browsing unique local vendors and grabbing some surprisingly good food truck fare.It's a genuine local market experience that is completely free to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Providence this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 24-25) you can enjoy the FREE Providence Winter Farmers Market on Saturday morning, the free Bilingual Storytime at Rochambeau Library (perfect for ages 2-5), and the free PVD Flea Indoor Market on Sunday.
Where can my 5-year-old get hands-on this Saturday?
For hands-on fun, try the 'GET MESSY! MAKER STUDIO' at the Children's Museum (ages 3-8) focusing on texture art, or the LEGO Club at Mount Pleasant Library (ages 5-11) where they can build for the 'Futuristic Providence' theme.
Are there any unique, non-museum activities happening outdoors?
Yes! Head downtown Saturday morning for the Character Skate at BankNewport City Center featuring 'Winter Heroes,' or enjoy the FREE Winter Bird Walk for Families on Sunday morning to spot local wildlife.