If you’ve been Googling “Summer events for kids near me”—you just hit the jackpot. Whether you’re looking for free family-friendly events, outdoor festivals, or interactive museum days, this guide is your go-to list of the best summer happenings across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
From strawberry festivals to goat hikes, you’ll find something for every kind of kid (and parent). So grab your calendar, sunscreen, and maybe a frozen lemonade—and let’s dive in!
June 2025 Summer Events for Kids in Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Looking for fun summer events for kids in New England to kick off the season? June in Massachusetts and Rhode Island is packed with family-friendly activities—from strawberry festivals and cultural parades to anime cons and sheep shearing. Whether you’re planning weekend adventures or looking for weekday events near Boston and Providence, this list has something for toddlers, tweens, and everyone in between.
June 1, 2025
Name: Providence Flea
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Flea Market
Event Description: Vintage finds, handmade goods, and local food trucks = a fun and easy Sunday outing with the kids.
Event Website: Providence Flea
June 1, 2025
Greyhound Spring Craft Fair
Location: Middleborough, MA
Event Type: Craft Fair
Event Description: 50+ vendors, live music, and a family-friendly vibe. A great way to support local artists.
Event Website: Greyhound Spring Craft Fair
June 3–5, 2025
Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
Location: Boston, MA
Event Type: Food Festival
Event Description: All-you-can-eat ice cream at City Hall Plaza. Proceeds benefit cancer research and care.
Event Website: Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
June 7, 2025
Kids Con 2025
Location: Cranston, RI
Event Type: Kids Expo
Event Description: 50+ kid-focused vendors, character meet-and-greets, crafts, and interactive fun.
Event Website: Visit Rhode Island
June 7, 2025
Strawberry Festival
Location: Dighton, MA
Event Type: Food & Craft Festival
Event Description: A sweet day of local berries, crafts, and music. It’s peak New England summer vibes.
Event Website: Strawberry Festival
June 7, 2025
Ragged Island Music Fest
Location: Portsmouth, RI
Event Type: Music Festival
Event Description: Family-friendly live music, food trucks, and fun at Ragged Island Brewing Company.
Event Website: Ragged Island Brewing
June 7, 2025
Coolidge Corner Arts Festival
Location: Brookline, MA
Event Type: Arts Festival
Event Description: Explore 90+ artists at the Coolidge Corner Arts Festival—perfect for creative families.
Event Website: Coolidge Corner
June 7–8, 2025
RI Anime Con
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Anime Convention
Event Description: RI Anime Con includes cosplay, panels, vendors, and activities for anime-loving kids and teens.
Event Website: RI Anime Con
June 7–8 & June 21–22, 2025
A Different Drummer Craft Fairs
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Event Type: Craft Fair
Event Description: A Different Drummer Craft Fairs showcase handmade art and crafts from regional artisans.
Event Website: A Different Drummer Craft
June 8, 2025
The Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Location: Cambridge, MA
Event Type: Cultural Festival
Event Description: Dragon boat races, cultural performances, and kid-friendly activities along the Charles River.
Event Website: Boston Dragon Boat
June 8 & 15, 2025
Music in Bloom
Location: Boylston, MA
Event Type: Outdoor Music
Event Description: “Music in Bloom” offers live performances in the gorgeous gardens at Tower Hill.
Event Website: Nebg Org
June 14, 2025
The Spring Sheep Festival at Taylor-Bray Farm
Location: Yarmouthport, MA
Event Type: Farm Festival
Event Description: The Spring Sheep Festival features shearing demos, sheep herding, and wool spinning.
Event Website: Taylor Bay Farm
June 14, 2025
RISD Museum for Kids
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Museum Programs
Event Description: RISD Museum offers “Tours for Tots” (ages 3–5) and “Family See & Sketch” (ages 6+) for interactive art experiences.
Event Website: RISD Museum
June 20–22, 2025
The Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff Mansion
Location: Newport, RI
Event Type: Flower Show
Event Description: The Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff Mansion features stunning gardens and family-friendly exhibits.
Event Website: Newport Flower Show
June 20–29, 2025
Lavender Farm Fest
Location: Holden, MA
Event Type: Farm Festival
Event Description: Lavender Farm Fest includes fields of lavender, live music, and photo ops.
Event Website: Lavender Farm Fest
June 21, 2025
Harwich 5K Road Race
Location: Harwichport, MA
Event Type: Road Race
Event Description: Family-friendly 5K race and walk with fun spectator vibes.
Event Website: Run Sign Up
June 21, 2025
RI Caribbean American Heritage Festival
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Cultural Festival
Event Description: RI Caribbean American Heritage Festival offers music, dance, and cultural celebrations.
Event Website: Caribbean American Heritage Festival
June 28, 2025
Craft Fair and Vendor Marketplace
Location: Bristol, RI
Event Type: Craft & Vendor Fair
Event Description: Local crafters and vendors showcase handmade items at VFW Post 237.
Event Website: Bristol Craft Fair
July 2025 Family-Friendly Activities Near Providence & Boston
July is peak summer fun in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and there’s no shortage of summer events for kids! From fireworks and flea markets to STEM camps, art fairs, and kite-making days, this month is full of free and low-cost ways to get outside and make lasting memories. Scroll through to find the best summer events for families near Providence, Boston, and beyond.
July 4, 2025
Independence Day Festival
Location: Plymouth, MA
Event Type: Independence Day Festival
Event Description: Family-friendly festival, live music, games, and fireworks.
Event Website: July 4 Plymouth
July 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025
Food Truck Fridays
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Food
Event Description: Zoo visits with food trucks and live music at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Event Website: RWP Zoo
July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025
Providence Flea
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Sunday Flea Market
Event Description: Shop vintage and handmade goods with live music and crafts at 195 District Park.
Event Website: Providence Flea
July 6–13, 2025
Hall of Fame Open
Location: Newport, RI
Event Type: Tennis Tournament
Event Description: Watch professional players compete at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Event Website: Hall of Fame Open
July 7–August 1, 2025
Arboretum Young Scientists
Location: Boston, MA
Event Type: STEM Program
Event Description: A free four-week outdoor science program for Boston Public School students at Arnold Arboretum.
Event Website: Arboretum Young Scientists
July 12–13, 2025
Wickford Art Festival
Location: North Kingstown, RI
Event Type: Art Festival
Event Description: Explore over 200 artists, enjoy food vendors, and try hands-on art activities at Wickford Art Festival.
Event Website: Wick for Dart
July 14–17, 2025
International Cuisine Kids’ Cooking Camp
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Kids Baking Camp
Event Description: Hands-on baking lessons where kids learn to make delicious treats at Duck Soup.
Event Website: Event Brite
July 16, 2025
Little Explorers
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Event Type: Little Explorers Program
Event Description: Nature-inspired storytime, a short walk, and crafts for ages 3–5 at the Arnold Arboretum.
Event Website: Arboretum Little Explorers
July 25–27, 2025
Newport Folk Festival
Location: Newport, RI
Event Type: Folk Festival
Event Description: Family-friendly music festival at Fort Adams with kids’ activities, vendors, and outdoor fun.
Event Website: Newport Folk
July 25–27, 2025
Lowell Folk Festival
Location: Lowell, MA
Event Type: Folk Festival
Event Description: Celebrate culture with live music, crafts, and a family zone full of kid-friendly performances and art activities.
Event Website: Lowell Folk Festival
August 2025 Things to Do With Kids in RI & MA
As summer winds down, August brings some of the best family events in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Think LEGO build days, free museum nights, outdoor concerts, and even touch tanks at the aquarium. If you’re searching for summer events for kids in August or want to squeeze in one more family adventure before school starts, this list is your go-to guide.
August 1–3, 2025
Newport Jazz Festival
Location: Newport, RI
Event Type: Jazz Festival
Event Description: Family-friendly music festival at Fort Adams with kids’ activities, vendors, and outdoor fun.
Event Website: Newport Jazz
Arnold Arboretum StoryWalk
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Event Type: StoryWalk
Event Description: Follow a storybook path through the Arnold Arboretum with interactive stations designed for children and families.
Event Website: Arboretum Storywalks
August (Every Tuesday)
Wrentham Storytime
Location: Wrentham, MA
Event Type: Storytime
Event Description: Weekly sessions featuring books, songs, and movement for toddlers and preschoolers at Wrentham Public Library.
Event Website: Fiskelib Org
August (Every Friday)
Botanical Garden Nature Activities
Location: Boylston, MA
Event Type: Nature Activities
Event Description: Nature-themed crafts and learning activities for kids aged 3–10 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
Event Website: Nebg Org
August 7, 2025
Providence Children’s Museum Free Night
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Museum Free Night
Event Description: Free evening at the Providence Children’s Museum with hands-on exhibits and kid-friendly activities.
Event Website: Providence Children’s Museum
August 8–10, 2025
Bolton Fair
Location: Bolton, MA
Event Type: Country Fair
Event Description: The annual Bolton Fair includes entertainment, a midway, animals, tractor pulls, and live music.
Event Website: Bolton Fair
August 9–10, 2025
Nauset Summer Craft Festival
Location: Orleans, MA
Event Type: Craft Festival
Event Description: Over 100 booths of American-made crafts and specialty foods at the Nauset Summer Craft Festival.
Event Website: Castleberry Fairs
August 22, 2025
Arc in the Park
Location: Concord, MA
Event Type: Outdoor Music Series
Event Description: Arc in the Park is a free, family-friendly outdoor concert at Minute Man Arc.
Event Website: Minute Man Arc
August 23, 2025
About A Walk in the Park: Guided Tour of deCordova Sculpture Park
Location: Lincoln, MA
Event Type: Art Workshop
Event Description: A family-friendly creative workshop at the DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum.
Event Website: The Trustees Org
August (Dates Vary)
Little Explorers
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Event Type: Nature Exploration
Event Description: Little Explorers at Arnold Arboretum features nature-based learning for young children and their caregivers.
Event Website: Arboretum Little Explorers
August (Dates Vary)
WaterFire Providence
Location: Providence, RI
Event Type: Cultural Event
Event Description: WaterFire Providence features more than 80 bonfires along the rivers downtown, with performances and family activities.
Event Website:Schedule
Don’t Forget to Capture the Magic of Summer Events for Kids
Want to turn one of these summer adventures into something a little more lasting? I offer Storytelling Sessions starting at only $500—perfect for families who want to freeze time (in the cutest, most natural way possible).
Whether it’s your little one petting a goat, blowing bubbles in the park, or dancing at a street fair, we can turn everyday fun into cherished memories.
