How to Save Money Homeschooling in Rhode Island: Memberships, Free Passes & More
Updated: Aug 20
Find out how to give your kids a rich homeschool experience without breaking the bank
Homeschooling doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on field trips. Before paying full price for admission, check your library card, insurance benefits, employee benefits, and membership options. A few smart choices can add up to more learning opportunities for less money.
Start Here: Get a Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card
A Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card offers free or discounted admission at participating attractions, including places like Providence Children’s Museum and Rock Spot Climbing. Children ages 4–15 who are homeschooled can qualify by mailing a letter with their name and age, a note stating that they are homeschooled, a short list of good deeds or acts of kindness they have done, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
The Feinstein Foundation
37 Alhambra Circle
Cranston, RI 02905
Check Your Library for Museum Passes
Check your local library before paying full price for a museum, zoo, aquarium, or historic site. Many Rhode Island libraries offer free or discounted museum passes to cardholders, and the savings can add up quickly.
Providence Libraries
Community Libraries of Providence offers museum passes through its library system to Ocean State Libraries cardholders. Passes can be reserved up to three weeks in advance, and families can reserve up to two different passes per week. The library also offers $5-per-ticket reimbursement for some museums not included in its pass program.
Museums for All
Find a participating museum near you through Museums for All, a national program that offers free or reduced admission at more than 1,600 museums to visitors presenting a SNAP/EBT card. Admission ranges from free to $5 per person, and participating organizations include children’s museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, art and history museums, nature centers, and more.
Before You Pay Full Price
Before buying tickets, check your health insurance, employee benefits, AAA membership, and other memberships for discounts. Some local attractions offer special admission rates through insurance plans or membership programs, so it’s always worth checking what benefits you already have before paying full price.
Use Free Days Before Buying a Membership
A membership isn't automatically the cheapest option. Before joining, look at free days, discounted days, homeschool days, library passes, and other special offers. Roger Williams Park Zoo, for example, offers free admission on the first Saturday of every month to Providence residents and half-price admission during Winter Wonder Days in January and February.
Memberships That Can Save You Money
Biomes Marine Biology Center is one of those memberships that can make sense if you know you'll visit more than once. The family membership includes unlimited visits for up to four people, plus discounts on classes, special events, and birthday parties. Because it's an indoor marine science destination, it can also be a useful option when Rhode Island weather makes outdoor exploring less appealing. Biomes says the membership can pay for itself in about three visits.
Roger Williams Park Zoo is another membership worth considering if your family visits throughout the year. Family membership includes unlimited daytime admission for two adults and up to four children or grandchildren, along with free parking and discounts on select programs and special events. Zoo membership also includes reciprocal discounts at more than 100 participating zoos and aquariums.
Consider an Indoor Play Membership
If indoor play is part of your homeschool routine, an annual or monthly membership can make more sense than paying admission every time. Go Play, Urban Air, and Get Air are all worth comparing based on where you live, how often you'll go, and what your child actually enjoys. If you know your family will visit regularly, a membership can turn a place you already love into a more affordable part of your homeschool routine.
If your family loves nature, an Audubon Society of Rhode Island membership can be another good year-round investment. Family membership includes free admission to the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, along with discounts on nature programs, camps, and other activities. Add in Audubon's trails and wildlife refuges, and one membership can support a lot of outdoor learning.
Think About a Boston Membership
Don't automatically assume a membership has to be in Rhode Island. If your family regularly heads to Boston, a membership at a place you visit several times a year may be worth considering. The New England Aquarium offers membership options with admission benefits, discounts on additional guests, programs, whale watches, and more. The Aquarium also offers special homeschool pricing on designated Homeschool Days, so compare the options before buying a membership.
Final Thoughts
You don't need a membership to every museum, zoo, aquarium, and indoor play place in New England. Choose the places your family will actually use, take advantage of the free and discounted options first, and let your memberships support the things your kids already love to do. The goal isn't to fill your wallet with membership cards. It's to fill your year with adventures without emptying your bank account.
About the Author
M.J. Mercure is the founder and editor of Happy Homeschool RI, a publication connecting Rhode Island homeschooling families with local events, educational opportunities, and hands-on learning adventures. Subscribe to Happy Homeschool RI for weekly field trip ideas, local events, and homeschool resources delivered straight to your inbox.
Have an event or opportunity to share? Email happyhomeschoolmedia@gmail.com
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