Parent Bug - Resources for Parents, Kids & Families in Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island

Rhode Island & Southeastern Massachusetts Calendar of Events

April 2012 | May 2012

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April 2012

Sundays – 10:30am – New Bedford - Meditation for Kids - Parents wish for their children to be happy. All good qualities, such as kindness, patience and generosity can be developed through listening to and practicing Buddha's teachings. Through meditation, teachings, story-telling, arts & crafts, and other fun activities, this special class is designed to help children develop inner happiness while sharing a meaningful and fun family experience. These classes are designed for children ages 5 to 12. $4 per child. An adult must accompany children. Drop-ins Welcome. Serlingpa Meditation Center, 512 Pleasant St. (508) 979-8277 www.meditationinmass.org

Sundays – 6–7pm – Warwick - Bring Your Own Improv! - Bring Your Own Improv (BYOI) is now in its fourth season! This is an interactive improv show that welcomes voluntary audience participation! You can participate in one of three ways: Applaud at a scene you like, yell out fantastic suggestions, or if you feel you're ready, jump up and get involved with us on stage!!! ALL AGES COST: $5 The Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Rd. 401-261-7678. www.BringYourOwnImprov.com

Mondays - 10:30am & 12:30pm – New Bedford - Toe Jam Puppet Band - Creative arts playgroup featuring songs, dances and puppets. $5 per family (in addition to zoo admission). Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St. (508) 991-6178 www.bpzoo.org

Tuesdays – 11am – Dartmouth - Barnes & Noble Jr. - What is more fun than the anticipation of the most exciting time of the year? Come and listen to some stories that will inspire, delight, and entertain audience members of all ages. Barnes and Noble, 392 State Rd. (508) 997-0701 www.barnesandnoble.com

Tuesdays – 11:30-12pm – Pawtucket – StoryTime Yoga - Great books and a Puppet Family take center stage. We'll warm-up our bodies with a game or a Sundance before our story. Books are chosen that naturally lend themselves to yoga. These are stories that focus on animals and elements of nature - the basis of many yoga poses. We’ll stop the story, do the pose, maybe sing a song, and then continue with the story. AGES 0-5 FREE! OM Kids Yoga Center, 999 Main St, Suite 702. 401-305-3667, elyse@omkidsyogacenter.com www.omkidsyogacenter.com

Wednesdays – 10am – Dartmouth - Young Children’s Storytime - For ages 3-5, includes a light snack and craft. Free. Baker Books, 69 State Road (Route 6). (508) 997-6700. www.bakerbooks.net.

2nd Sunday of Every Month – 8:30am-2pm – Lincoln, RI - Lincoln Johnny Lightning Race Club - Downhill Gravity Racing, Raffle prizes, Fundraisers, Vendor tables, etc. MacColl Field YMCA,26 Breakneck Hill Rd. Contact the clubs President at (401) 724-8953 or (401) 248-1625 www.ljlrc.com

4/1 – 11am – 2pm – Providence - Draw On! : Explore new drawing and doodling ideas in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s hands-on art and science exploration space. Use markers, pencils and crayons to draw in new ways, make a partner doodle with a friend, and see what pictures emerge from a scribble. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/2 – 9am – 6pm – Providence - Kids choose a challenge sheet and comb the Museum on a quest for clues. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 3 & 4/ 4 -10am – Noon – Providence – Ramps and Balls: Play and Learn is the Museum’s open-ended story-based program especially for 2- to 4-year-olds and their parents, designed to help preschoolers build their skills in a variety of areas and to help parents continue the learning at home. This week, preschoolers practice problem solving as they build ramps and towers and experiment with rolling balls. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 5 – 10am – 3pm – Providence - Nature Investigators: Children create with and investigate objects from the natural world in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s open-ended art and science exploration space. Sort and trace shells and stones, use tools to create sandscapes, and print with paint and natural materials. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 6 – 11am – 2pm – Providence - All About Bunnies: Children hold live bunnies and learn about the habits of rabbits. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/6 & 4/7 – 1pm – New Bedford - Milk & Cookies with the Easter Bunny - Snack on milk and cookies as you visit with the Easter Bunny. Zoo admission, one ride ticket, and a small gift for each child are included in program price. Zoo members: $8/person; Non-Members: $11/person; Children under 1 are free. Participants must pre-register and pay in advance by calling (508) 991-4556 x 14. Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St. www.bpzoo.org

4/7 – 9am – New Bedford - Doughnuts with the Easter Bunny - Enjoy a delicious doughnut and visit with the Easter Bunny. Zoo admission, one ride ticket, and a small gift for each child are included in program price. Zoo members: $8/person; Non-Members: $11/person; Children under 1 are free. Participants must pre-register and pay in advance by calling (508) 991-4556 x 14. Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St. www.bpzoo.org

4/ 7 & 4/ 8 – 10am – 3pm – Providence - Nature Investigators: Children create with and investigate objects from the natural world in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s open-ended art and science exploration space. Sort and trace shells and stones, use tools to create sandscapes, and print with paint and natural materials. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 9 – 9am – 6pm – Providence - Museum Challenges: Get ready for some super sleuthing! Kids choose challenge sheets and lead a Museum investigation to solve some fun mysteries. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 10 & 4/ 11 – 10am – Noon – Providence - Bounty of Beads: Play and Learn is the Museum’s open-ended story-based program especially for 2- to 4-year-olds and their parents, designed to help preschoolers build their skills in a variety of areas and to help parents continue the learning at home. This week, preschoolers dip into a bounty of big beads to practice patterning and fine motor skills. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 12 & 4/ 13 – 10am- 3pm – Providence - Nature Investigators: Children create with and investigate objects from the natural world in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s open-ended art and science exploration space. Sort and trace shells and stones, use tools to create sandscapes, and print with paint and natural materials. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 14 & 4/ 15 – 10am – 3pm – Providence - Domino Madness: Kids and families work together to create amazing domino chains that spiral, zigzag and snake. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/16 – 4/20 – 11am-3pm - Providence - Party for the Planet! Party for the Planet is a weeklong green extravaganza featuring art made from recycled products or inspired by nature, interactive demos that will teach you all the fun you can have outdoors and green organizations from throughout RI sharing tips on how to live green in your community and home. This April vacation, don’t miss out on a party as big and green as the Earth itself! Free with admission. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, (401) 785-3510 www.rwpzoo.org

4/ 16 – 4/ 22 – 9am – 6pm – Providence - Imagination Playground Opens! : During April school vacation, Providence Children's Museum debuts Imagination Playground, an exciting new playspace that encourages child-directed, unstructured play – the kind of free play that experts say is critical to children’s healthy development. With a focus on “loose parts,” Imagination Playground inspires children to invent their own ways to play – to make their own rules, shape their environment, and work together to create imaginative structures. Using big blue foam blocks, wheels, spools and tubes, kids construct castles, forts and vehicles that move – the possibilities are endless! Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 20 – 5pm – 8pm – Providence - MetLife Family Friday at Providence Children’s Museum: The Museum is open free of charge for “MetLife Family Friday - Free at Five! ,” sponsored by MetLife Foundation. Stay out late and splash, play, explore and discover Imagination Playground! Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/21 - 10am - 6pm – Warwick - Children’s Summer Camp & Activities Expo – Meet representatives from camps and other family-friendly businesses. Entertainment throughout the day for all ages including four 15-minute Wayne Martin Puppet Shows at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm; Free stuff, cool prizes, taste Auntie Anne’s treats and so much more. Warwick Mall, 400 Bald Hill Rd. For info call expo coordinator at Parent Bug (401) 244-5060

4/21 & 4/22 - 10:30am - 1:30pm – Providence - No Time To Waste: Kids and adults learn what's so funny about trash during an interactive family comedy that gives a lighthearted look at the three R’s of protecting the environment - reducing, reusing and recycling. Four 20-minute shows at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:15pm and 1:15pm; recommended for ages 5 and up. Underwritten by Dominion Foundation. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 23 – 9am – 6pm – Providence - Museum Challenges: Kids select hunts and search high and low to solve Museum mysteries. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 24 & 4/ 25 – 10am – Noon – Providence - Bugs in Boxes: Play and Learn is the Museum’s open-ended story-based program especially for 2- to 4-year-olds and their parents, designed to help preschoolers build their skills in a variety of areas and to help parents continue the learning at home. This week, children hunt for just the right size boxes to fit various bugs. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/26 & 4/27 – 10am – 3pm – Providence – Shape Play - It's all about shapes and geometry in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s open-ended art and science exploration space! Toss, sort, stack and match an array of shapes to create designs and patterns and explore symmetry. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 28 – 11am – 2pm – Providence – SENSEsational: Explore the science of your senses at hands-on stations with the Brown University Department of Neuroscience. Try optical illusions and learn how they trick your eyes and test your sensitivity to textures, tastes, smells and sounds. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 29 – 10am – 3pm – Providence - Shape Play: It's all about shapes and geometry in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s open-ended art and science exploration space! Toss, sort, stack and match an array of shapes to create designs and patterns and explore symmetry. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

4/ 30 – 9am – 6pm – Providence - Museum Challenges: Kids explore Museum exhibits from top to bottom for evidence to solve some perplexing problems. Programs are free with admission of $8.50 pp; admission is always free for Museum members. Providence Children’s Museum 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS

May, 2012

Wednesdays – 10am – Dartmouth - Young Children’s Storytime - For ages 3-5, includes a light snack and craft. Free. Baker Books, 69 State Road (Route 6). (508) 997-6700. www.bakerbooks.net.

1st Sat of the Month - 9am–12pm – Nationwide - Home Depot Kids Workshops - FREE hands-on workshops for ages 5-12 teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement. www.homedepot.com

5/4, 5/11 & 5/18 - 3:15–4:45pm - Legos at the Library -For children of all ages. Make anything you want out of the library’s Legos. Meets in the Herreshoff Community Meeting Room. Free. Ages 4+ Contact Charlotte Burnham, in the Children’s Room. Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope St (Rt 114), Bristol, RI 401-253-6948 http://www.rogersfreelibrary.org

5/7, 5/14 & 5/21 - 10am – Noon - Toddler Art - Join Toddler Art on Mondays in May, an activity series sponsored by online parent resource Kidoinfo. Young children, ages 1½ - 3, use real tools and embrace the creative process as they delve into a different art exploration each week, including printmaking and color mixing. Take-home materials provide parents and caregivers with ideas for easy art activities to try at home. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS www.ChildrenMuseum.org

5/13 - 9am-6pm - Happy Mother’s Day! – Free Admission all day for moms and grandmoms! Children create colorful collages in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s hands-on art and science exploration space, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS www.ChildrenMuseum.org

5/18 - 5:30-7:30pm – Let’s Move! Dance Party - The Museum is open free of charge from 5:00 to 8:00 PM for MetLife Family Friday – Free at Five, sponsored by MetLife Foundation. Stay out late and join a dance party to learn a few new steps and show off your moves! Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St (401) 273-KIDS www.ChildrenMuseum.org

5/19 – 10am-4pm – New Bedford - 6th Annual General Aviation Fun Day - Festivities include: Aerial Demonstrations, Static Displays, The Buttonwood Park Zoo Choo, Antique Fire Engine Rides, Flight Simulators, New Bedford Fire and K-9 Police Demonstrations, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, Dance performances, Antique and Classic Cars and much more. Admission: FREE. Plane rides are available for a minimal charge. New Bedford Regional Airport. Additional information is available on website: www.atlanticaviators.org/funday.

5/19 – 9am – 8pm – North Dartmouth – Time to Consign’s Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale – You will find a HUGE selection of QUALITY New & Gently Used Spring & Summer Clothing from Baby to Teen along with Toys, Accessories and Baby Gear up to 90% off Retail Prices! Interested in earning money? Contact us to find out how to become a consignor. Smith Mills Congregational Church, 911 Anderson Way (right off route 6). 508-728-2988 www.timetoconsign.net

5/20 – 9am – 4pm - North Dartmouth – Time to Consign’s Seasonal Children’s Consignment 1/2 OFF Sale – At the 2nd day of this event, everything is 1/2 off. Smith Mills Congregational Church, 911 Anderson Way (right off route 6). 508-728-2988 www.timetoconsign.net

The Community Calendar is a guide to family-oriented events in your area and is provided as a community service. As events may change, we suggest you call ahead to verify events in order to avoid disappointment or inconvenience. Submit your events via email to events@parentbug.com .