Free Play Day At Providence Children's Museum April 11
Providence Children’s Museum Announces Free Admission Day Sponsored by BrightStars and Kickoff for “Week of the Young Child”
Providence Children’s Museum (PCM) is excited to announce a Free Admission Day on Saturday, April 11, 2026. This special event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of BrightStars, with funding from the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS).In addition to providing free access to the museum, this day officially kicks off Week of the Young Child, a fun-filled week dedicated to celebrating early learning, young children, and the teachers, families, and communities that support them.
On this special day, families are invited to enjoy all that the Museum has to offer—free of charge—from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors will enjoy full access to beloved exhibits including Water Ways, ThinkSpace, Coming to Rhode Island, and Play Power.
Community Partners & Resources
To celebrate the kickoff, PCM is proud to host several community partners on-site, including:
- Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children
- Center for Early Learning Professionals
- Ocean State Media
- RI Food Bank
- Books Are Wings
- RI Office of Library and Information Services
- BrightStars: Representatives will be available to answer questions regarding child care options, quality ratings, and resources for families across Rhode Island.
“We’re thrilled to partner with BrightStars and the RI Department of Human Services to open our doors to the community,” said Caroline Payson, Executive Director of Providence Children’s Museum. “This Free Admission Day is not only a celebration of play and learning but also an opportunity to support families in making informed choices about early childhood care”.Lisa Hildebrand, Executive Director of RIAEYC, added, “The early years of life matter because early experiences affect a child’s brain development. BrightStars is excited to offer a Free Play Day to families across the state to provide the enriching experiences important for a child's growth”.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South Street, Providence, RI 02903
- Admission: Free for all visitors
Providence Children’s Museum serves children and adults of all backgrounds and from all communities. Its focus is on children, ages 1 to 11, and the adults who care for them by presenting hands-on, play-based exhibits and programs that explore arts, culture and science, technology, engineering, and math.
BrightStars is managed by the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) in partnership with and funding from the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. BrightStars, helps families in Rhode Island access quality child care, early learning, and school-age programs. BrightStars also helps child care providers learn about best practices in early learning apply them to the care children receive. Visit www.BrightStars.org for more information.
RIAEYC is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Rhode Island AEYC and NAEYC are dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for young children. For more information, please visit www.riaeyc.org.
