April School Vacation in Rhode Island

If you're not sure how to keep the kids occupied and engaged during school vacation, just leave it to your friends here at Visit Rhode Island. We've got plenty of ideas for activities and events your littles will love. And don't forget to find a place to grab a bite and hotels with pools if you want to make it a getaway!

VACATION WEEK EVENTS

Sep 26

Block Island Glass Float Project

Sep 30

Tractor Drawn wagon ride and goat cuddling

Sep 29

Stargazing Nights at Frosty Drew Observatory

Art

Providence is a great, walkable city and there is a ton of public art to check out with your kids (murals also make great photo ops!). The Avenue Concept has a list and a map of current works in the city. The RISD Museum is another wonderful place to spend an afternoon (and kids under 18 are free), just make sure you purchase your tickets in advance. For some fun, hands-on art with the kids, head to Pea Poddery in Cumberland. You can purchase pottery to paint on-site or take a kit home, and they'll fire it for you and let you know when it's ready for pick-up. Their vacation week hours are Monday-Friday, 10 AM-7 PM, and reservations are encouraged. Adults and children eight years old and up can sign up for a glass blowing class at Gather Glass Studio and make an ornament, drinking glass, vase, or more. Check out the slider below for more art museums and classes.

History

If you want the kids to have fun with a side of learning, plan a visit to one of Rhode Island's historic sites, Newport Mansions, or history museums. Coggeshall Farm in Bristol gives visitors an authentic glimpse of life on a Rhode Island farm in the 1790s. The Tomaquag Museum in Exeter is the only museum in the state that tells the story of Rhode Island's Native people and features Native American artifacts from across the continent. Slater Mill is the birthplace of the American Revolution and captures what it was like working in a New England textile mill in the late 1700s. These are just a few of the historic places to explore.

Indoor Activities

Don't worry about rainy days, we've got you covered! There are tons of things to do in the Ocean State indoors with your little ones. From bowling to escape rooms, to trampoline parks, and more. You'll be singing in the rain on your way to family fun!

Nature

If you want to get the wee ones excited about the natural world, and the beauty and variety of flora and fauna in the Ocean State, here are some excellent suggestions. Between gardens, conservation centers, aquariums, tours, and more, you and the kids will get up close and personal with Rhode Island's plants and animals!

Kid Stuff

They say that play is the "work of the child" and Rhode Island has plenty of places for your children to get to work. Check out the Providence Children's Museum, Adventureland Family Fun Park, visit the cows at Wright's Dairy Farm, ride a carousel, grab some penny candy, and more!

Parks & Trails

Get outside and see what's blooming in our parks and on our trails. Take a walk, go for a hike, have a picnic, and more. There is horseback riding available at Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park. And you can check out our events calendar to find guided walks and outdoor events.

Biking

Hop on your bikes and take a family ride along one of the Ocean State's beautiful bike paths. There are miles and miles of them throughout the state and you'll enjoy riding through woods, along the water, past waterfalls, and more. Or take the ferry to Block Island and take the Block Island Bicycle Tour around the island (and keep an eye out for the famous Block Island Glass Floats!).