Kid Friendly Fun: Budlong Pool, Cranston Libraries

Budlong Pool

In the search for summertime kid-friendly fun, the obvious first destination in Cranston is the Budlong Pool.

One of the largest outdoor public pools in the country, Budlong Pool reopened to visitors this year — much to the delight of the city's youngsters, who suffered through an exceedingly hot summer last year without the pool at their disposal. The city's financial woes, combined with damage from the historic flooding last March, forced the city to keep the pool closed for the season.

This summer, after repairs and a thorough cleaning, the pool is open for business. The large pool features a a shallow and a deep end with depths ranging from two to nine feet. Admission to the pool is via seasonal or day passes available to all Cranston residents. The pool is open from noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Swimming lessons are available.

The Libraries

Although summer is a season associated with outdoor fun, there are those days when it's too hot and sticky, when there's nothing to do, when the kids scuff their feet around the house and complain about being bored.

Take them to the library. 

Cranston boats an extensive library system and in the summer, there's always something happening. So far this summer children have had the chance to , frogs, turtles and toads, meet a ghost hunter who's been on the SyFy channel and write a short story with help from Steve Krasner, a former sportswriter who covered the Boston Red Sox at the Providence Journal for years.

There are programs for toddlers, elementary schoolers and teens. And at a time many families are trying to save money, nothing beats the library in terms of value. The programs are free and the library visit is an opportunity to check out books, movies and music for the family to enjoy. Save those Redbox costs.

So take a look at our calendar and find a library event.