Caroline Payson Executive Director
Caroline was previously the Director of Education of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. In that role, she was responsible for conveying the importance of design and design thinking in everyday life education programs for audiences including teachers, students, professional designers, scholars and the general public. Major initiatives included the websites Educators Resource Center Design-in-the-Classroom, the Harlem Design Center and National Design Week. The Museums annual outreach and impact included 25,000 students, family events for 5,000, after school programs for 1000 students, public programs attended by 1,200 people and a school tour program for 6,000 students.
Kristin Read Director Of Education
Kristin has 25 years of experience in museums and other informal education settings and has supervised AmeriCorps teams for the last 8 years. As a committed museum educator, Kristin has supported the development of adult, youth and early education programming in arts and sciences, and the re-opening of the Miami Childrens Museum in its new location.
Heidi Brinig Director Of Families Together
Heidi founded the Families Together program in 1992. From the building in Pawtucket to the Museum in Providence, Heidi came to the Museum as a volunteer in April 1991, working to launch the renowned program. She has a bachelors in early childhood education and a masters degree in human development and family counseling.
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The Providence Childrens Museum
Last Sunday morning, it was a little bit rainy here, so Chris & I needed something to do with the Gruesome Twosome that was indoors. It had been almost a year since the last time we visited the Providence Childrens Museum in Providence, RI, so we were long overdue to go back.
The Providence Childrens Museum is filled with all sorts of hands-on, play-filled exhibits and programs that explore the arts, culture, history and science. Unlike some other childrens museums weve visited that are geared more towards preschool aged kids, this one is age appropriate for kids up to age 10 or 11, so my nine year old was entertained the entire time we were there.
They loved these suction tubes that sucked furry balls & scarves right out of their hands and sent them shooting through the maze of clear tubes.
And lucky for me, this tunnel building activity was double sided so there was no fighing about who got to build their track first.
The boys had a blast with this ginormous lite bright.
The Providence Childrens Museum has two floors and as soon as we walked upstairs, my kids were all over this rubber band pegboard.
Im not a fan of dress up clothing in places like these, but he had the construction hat on his head before I could stop him lets hope it wasnt filled with any cooties.
While Chris was off with the little guy, I stayed with my nine year old while he worked on building a 3D octagon-ish shaped sphere.
He was really determined
This is some true talent right here:
Who We Are
Join Providence Children’s Museum’s fun and creative team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers play an essential role in serving the Museum’s mission to inspire and celebrate learning through active play and exploration. We are always looking for energetic volunteers who want to work and PLAY! in a fun environment. We have opportunities for high school and college students, adults and families.
NOTE: Due to current circumstances we are not currently onboarding new Volunteers. Thank you for your patience.
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What We Do
The mission of Providence Children’s Museum is to inspire and celebrate learning through active play and exploration. The Museum welcomes children and adults of all backgrounds and from all communities. The focus is on serving the children of southern New England and the adults who care for them by presenting hands-on exhibits and programs that explore the arts, culture, history and science. Its exhibits and programs are based on the developmental needs of children ages one to eleven and embrace a wide range of learning styles and forms of expression. The Museum is committed to being accessible and responsive to all families — culturally, physically and economically to working in partnership with schools, child welfare agencies and other organizations to meet the needs of children and families and to increasing understanding of the ways in which children learn. PCM is one of the few places where children and adults have the opportunity to learn together. Its participatory approach to education encourages a life-time love of learning.
