Recommendations For A Summer In The Sun
Mike LaRose
With summer break here, this is the time of year that my kids and I sit down at the kitchen table and create a summer fun list of ideas, activities, and adventures that we want to do together over the summer months. We are a very busy family with a full calendar, so having these ideas organized and ready to go helps us to make decisions when time is limited, or our original plans get cancelled or rescheduled. As parents, we have all heard our kids say the classic “I’m bored” or “ there is nothing to do”, especially when technology is not an option. So having them help to create the list gives them ownership, so they are more invested and willing to get up and get out of the house on those long, hot, and “boring” days. Below is a list of fun, some free and outdoor activities and adventures for all ages and interests.
Make the most of summer with a fun, hands-on-program from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). Get outdoors, try something new, and build skills along the way. There’s something for everyone!
RI Department of Environmental Management ( DEM)
Aquatic Resource Education Programs
Introduction to Freshwater Fly Fishing
Audubon Society of RI Summer Camp
These top-rated, free family destinations feature fantastic play structures for a variety of ages:
1. Hasbro Boundless Playground (Providence)
- Location: 1000 Elmwood Ave (Roger Williams Park)
- Highlights: This fully enclosed, colorful, and sensory-rich playground allows children of all physical and developmental abilities to play side-by-side. It includes a Mr. Potato Head, slides, drums, climbing structures, and a dedicated toddler area.
2. Pirate Ship Park (Warren)
- Location: 250 Water St (Warren Town Beach area)
- Highlights: Situated right by the water, this playground is a major hit with younger kids thanks to its prominent pirate ship climbing structure. It also features swings, seesaws, and a merry-go-round with beautiful waterfront views.
3. Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Playground
- Location: 3524 Main Rd, Tiverton
- Highlights: A large, open park that offers a massive variety of modern equipment. Kids love the challenging climbing ropes, slides, and swings, making it well worth the scenic drive.
4. Barrington Public Library Playground
- Location: 281 County Rd, Barrington
- Highlights: Known to local parents as one of the best library-adjacent outdoor spaces, it features expansive and modern play equipment. It’s great for combining reading time with active, outdoor play.
5. Wilson Park (North Kingstown)
- Location: 250 West Main St, North Kingstown
- Highlights: A fantastic coastal playground offering a large variety of engaging slides, climbing structures, and swings for the kids, located right next to the North Kingstown Town Beach.
Rhode Island offers several free, public splash pads and water parks perfect for cooling off in the summer. Operating schedules generally run Monday through Saturday from roughly 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
6. East Providence & Barrington
- Pierce Field Splash Pad: 201 Mercer St, East Providence. A popular spot featuring multiple ground sprayers and interactive water features.
- Onna Moniz-John Park: 14 McCausland Ave, East Providence.
- Police Cove Park: Barrington (bordering East Providence). Features a scenic setting and fun water play elements.
7. Providence
Providence Parks and Recreation manages over a dozen free water parks that are open to the public. Notable locations include:
- Fargnoli Park: 945 Smith St.
- Al Carrington Water Park (Richardson Park): 64 Richardson St.
- Billy Taylor Park: 124 Camp St.
- Igliozzi Recreation Center Waterpark: 675 Plainfield St.
- Mary Ross Water Park (Bucklin Park): 404 Dexter St.
8. Surrounding & Northern RI
- Wilson Park: 100 West Main St, North Kingstown. Features a fun, accessible splash pad and adjacent playground.
- Veteran’s Memorial Park: Central Falls.
- World War II Memorial Park: Woonsocket.
- Deerfield Park: Smithfield.
Summer Sports Camps
Unified summer sports camps in Rhode Island combine athletes with and without intellectual or physical disabilities on the same teams. These programs promote meaningful inclusion and acceptance. The best local options for these programs include:
Special Olympics Rhode Island:
Offers year-round Unified Sports® training and community events, with opportunities often linking into the statewide Summer Games.
Ocean State Kidz Club:
Known for providing a highly inclusive, adaptable, and engaging environment that hosts youth of all abilities.
Teamworks Warwick:
Features adaptable indoor recreational facilities where children can participate in mixed-ability, inclusive sports programs and vacation/summer camps.
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center:
A highly inclusive and ACA-accredited camp that provides a wide range of nature and active recreational activities for all youth.
So with your summer fun list all set, you are now ready to get moving this summer! Remember, parents, the hardest part is often getting out of the door, so stay strong, patient, and flexible because once you are on your way, all will be good!
For our Complex Learners at Wolf, being outside and surrounded by nature and wilderness environments offers a less restrictive environment. It relieves the cognitive fatigue of traditional classrooms, provides natural sensory regulation, hands-on spatial problem-solving, and organic social-emotional growth through dynamic, unpredictable outdoor spaces. Sensory modulation occurs through natural elements (gentle sounds, wind, sunlight) and provides soothing stimuli that help mitigate sensory overload often triggered by fluorescent indoor lighting. Executive functioning boosts as open spaces require navigation and spatial awareness, which researchers note improves working memory, planning, and self-control.
Social-emotional growth is also another benefit of spending time outside in nature and in the wilderness. Lowered stress through time spent in green spaces actively reduces cortisol levels, decreasing symptoms of anxiety and helping learners reset emotionally. Spending time outside demands teamwork to overcome real-world challenges, fostering natural communication and negotiation skills. Lastly, both resilience and self-esteem are improved as you successfully navigate through unpredictable terrain or complete an outdoor challenge. Whatever your child’s interests are, there is a wide variety of experiences and activities out there for them. Take a chance, try something new and maybe find a few new hobbies to share with your friends and family. I hope everyone has a safe and fun summer break filled with adventure, exercise, and relaxation!
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