Enjoy Learning About The Planet Through Many Fun Local Experiences

 Here are five fun activities for your kids and the kid in you.

• JOURNEY TO THE STARS PLANETARIUM SHOW
  Where/When: Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium, 25 Dorrance St., Providence, at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from Aug. 15 through Sept. 2, 2011.
  Why Go: This new show launches visitors through space and time to experience the life and death of the stars in our night sky, including our own nurturing sun planetarium.
  Price: Admission is $3 (No one under age 4 is permitted in the planetarium.) This includes entrance to the museum and galleries. Admission to just the museum is $2 children under 4 are free.
• FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - TOE JAM PUPPET BAND
  Where/When: Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol, on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  Why Go: Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the show! Activities will include a live performance from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a craft project, face painting and games from noon to 1 p.m. rain or shine.
  Price: Adults $10/Seniors $8/College students $8/Kids ages 6-17, $2. You can pre-register. Tiverton library also has a museum pass that admits up to 2 adults and 6 children under 18 for fre.
• METLIFE FAMILY FRIDAY FREE AT FIVE
  Where/When: Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St., Providence, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Why Go: Every Friday evening through Labor Day, sponsored by MetLife Foundation. Stay out late and splash, play, explore and discover! From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., drop in to Discovery Studio, the museum’s new art and science exploration space, to experience a sensory exploration of materials from mild to messy.
  Price: Free
• ZOOARTYSSEY
  Where/When: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, on Fridays evenings on Aug. 19 and Aug. 26. Admission is from 6 to 8:30 pm and the event ends at 9 p.m.
  Why Go: Discover enchanting and engaging living art characters created by Rhode Island’s renowned performance artists, TEN31 Productions. You'll enjoy the living art as well as all the animals on exhibit, along with live music. Delicious food and an array of beverages including beer and wine will also be available for purchase.
  Price: Adults: $15 ($10 for zoo members) Seniors & Children: $10 ($5 for zoo members
• OCEAN EXPLORIUM
  Where/When: Ocean Explorium 174 Union St., New Bedford, MA. Summer hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Why Go: Learn about the ocean through live animal exhibits, hands on experiences (including the new ray and shark touch tank) and visually stunning 3-D Science on a Sphere®.
  Price: Adults: $8.00 ,Seniors (55 +): $6.50,Students: $6.50*, Children (3 - 17): $6.00, Children (under 3): Free ; (Tiverton Essex Library also has a pass for free admission for up to 8 people)