May 2017 Every Friday: Bring Your Own
Improv. Family–friendly comedy show. 7–8:30 pm. Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Road. $8/adults; $4/children under 12 and seniors. www.bringyourownimprov.com
Every Friday: Frosty Drew
Observatory & Sky Theater. Public stargazing. 6:30–11:30 pm. 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. $1/person suggested donation. www.frostydrew.org
Weekends May 6/Saturday 11th Annual Touch-A-Truck with East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce. Vehicles to climb on and toot the horn, take photos with local mascots, free rides on the Chamber Choo Choo, free raffle drawings. Bring canned goods for donation. 9:30 am–2 pm. 1011 Waterman Avenue, East Providence. $5/person; $20/family of 4+ people. www.eastprovidenceareachamber.com Taco-Fest. Join InDowncity at their 6th annual outdoor celebration of spring with food, music, dancing, and more. Face-painting, balloons, sidewalk chalk, masks, etc. Food vendors include Mijo’s Tacos, Laughing Gorilla, Poco Loco Tacos, Tallulah’s Taqueria, and Fugo. Like No Udder and Millie’s Macaroon Cart for dessert. 11 am–6 pm. Grants Block and Westminster Street in Providence. Free admission. www.indowncity.com/archives/76063 Raid on Spell Hall: Revolutionary War Living History Encampment and Reenactment. Experience Colonial camp-life, music, musket and cannon demonstrations, tour General Greene’s homestead and watch continental troops defend Spell Hall from British and loyalist raiders. 10 am–4 pm. Historic 1770 Gen. Nathanael Greene 20
Homestead, 50 Taft Street, Coventry. $6/ adults; $4/children; $20 family admission cap. www.nathanaelgreenehomestead.org An Evening of Star Gazing at Ballard Park. Robert Horton, Manager of Astronomical Laboratories at Brown University, and Scott MacNeill of Brown’s Ladd Observatory guide the event and bring telescopes to view the moon and Jupiter. Dress warmly, bring a chair/blanket, and a flashlight. Sponsored by Friends of Ballard Park. 8:30–10 pm. 21 Hazard Road, Newport. Rain date, May 7. Free. www.ballardpark.org Free Family Fun Days at Audubon Environmental Education Center. Open to the public the first Saturday of every month. Crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes, and more. No need to register. 9 am–5 pm. 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Free. www.asri.org Field Studies for Families: Estuary Adventures. Discover marine life within RI’s largest coastal salt pond. Reservations required, cash or check only. 10:30 am–12:30 pm. Meet at Grassy Point parking lot in Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, just down from Frosty Drew Nature Center, 61–62 Park Lane, Charlestown. $20/ family. 401-859-1450 or fieldstudies@ frostydrew.org
May 7/Sunday Bird Walk at Ballard Park. Walk begins at the Wickham Road entrance (across from Rogers High School). Birder Patty O’Neill guides the walk and shares her knowledge of local, breeding, and migratory birds. Open to birders of all levels. Participants should wear sturdy shoes as the trails are steep and uneven in areas, and bring binoculars. 8 am. Ballard Park, 21 Hazard Road, Newport. Free. www.ballardpark.org
Rhode Island Parent Magazine May 2017
Enchanted Fairy Fun in the Enclosed Garden. Visit with the Fairy Queen and Mary King, plus enjoy Maypole Dancing, Rocket Fine Street Food Truck, and Fairy Crafts in the Summer House. Noon–2 pm. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. $28/family (two adults, two children); $14/adults; $5/children 6-17. www.blithewold.org Raid on Spell Hall: Revolutionary War Living History Encampment and Reenactment. See May 6.
May 13/Saturday Rock-A-Baby Concert at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Jam with the popular Rock-a-Baby band in the Meller-Danforth Education Center. Specifically geared towards the youngest guests and promises to be fun for the whole family. Must pre-register. 10:30– 11:15 am. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. $7/ participant (age 2+). www.rwpzoo.org Family Fun Mornings at John Brown House. Interactive, family-friendly activities for children ages 5–10. Play historic games, cook old-fashioned desserts, and more. Preregister online and sign up for e-newsletter for updates. 9–10 am. John Brown House Museum, 52 Power Street, Providence. Free. www.rihs.org/family-fun-mornings Laugh Out Loud: Jessica Chace & Friends. Laugh out loud with "The Club" members Lauren, Dave, Jessie, and Tommy. All kids allowed in this club whose rules include to "Have Fun," "Be You," "Speak Your Mind," and "Dream Big." Play games, act out stories, and be silly together. 11 am–noon. Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Pay what you can, suggested $5 donation. (continued on page 22)