Things to do with young kids in Michigan - updated 2/17/2014

Since having children, I have searched the internet many times looking for something to do with my kid(s). I've found it very hard to find one central place that lists all of the possible things to do in the area with young children. Therefore, I am creating this list of things to do. I'm doing it for my own purpose, but I'm making it public so that other moms/dads can use it as a resource when trying to find ways to entertain your young children. My kids are 7-years old and 2-years old, so the activities I've posted below are appropriate for one or both of their ages. Please let me know if you know of any other local activities. Feel free to bookmark this page and I'll add things as I find out about them. I'll also update this with upcoming events as seasons change.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Free Children's Concert Series
February 22, 2014, 11:00am: Tom Chapin
East Lansing Hannah Community Center
Tom Chapin is a gifted singer who charms audiences of all ages. His remarkable musicianship, great songwriting and personal warmth shine through in his concerts, which are special experiences for young and old alike.



LANSING AREA - INDOOR ACTIVITIES (ANYTIME OF THE YEAR)

• Impression 5 - http://impression5.org/ - Admission = $7 (non-members) or free for kids 1 and under. Science fun. Also has a First Impression Room for kids age Birth-4 years old.
• play. - http://playeastlansing.com/ - NEW: You now must be a MEMBER to go to play. eco-friendly, indoor playspace full of activities for infants, toddlers, and children up to 6 years old.
• Jumpin Jax - http://www.jumpinjaxbouncearena.com/ - inflatable jumpy things. There is a toddler-ish area, but the kids should be confident walkers before they go.
• ICE SKATING
• Munn Ice Arena - http://www.munnicearena.com/schedules.html
• Suburban Ice - http://www.suburbanice.com/suburban-lansing/index.html
• The Summit - http://thesummitsportsandice.com/public-skating-sessions
• Edru Roller Skating Rink - http://www.skatarama.com/ - yes, they still have roller skates.
• BOWLING
• City Limits (Mason & Meridian Township) - http://www.masonbowlingcenter.com/ - this is where all of my kid's field trips go. Apparently a kid friendly place.
• Holiday Lanes (Lansing) - http://www.bowlholidaylanes.com/default.asp?Page=Home
• Royal Scot (Lansing) - http://www.royalscot.net/bowling.html
• Abrams Planetarium - http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/Index.html
• MSU Museum - http://www.museum.msu.edu/ 
• GYMNASTICS
• Red Cedar Gymnastics - http://www.redcedargymnastics.com/ - they even have evenings where they will watch your kid while you go out!
• Twistars USA Gymnastics Club - http://twistarsusa.net/ 
• MOVIES
• Celebration Cinema (South Lansing) - https://celebrationcinema.com/location/Lansing
• NCG Cinema (Eastwood Towne Center) - http://www.ncgmovies.com/lansing/
• Capital Area District Library - http://host5.evanced.info/cadl/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ag=Young+Children&ln=ALL - Story time for various ages
• Art Unlimited (Okemos) - http://www.artunlimitedgallery.net/ - pottery painting, glass fusing/mosaics
• Piece of Mine Pottery Studio (Grand Ledge) - http://www.pieceofminepottery.com/ 
• Preuss Pets - http://preusspets.com/store/field-trips - Just go and look around or get a group together for a fun experience. $4 for groups with less than 10 kids
• MSU Bug House - http://www.ent.msu.edu/BugHouse/tabid/70/Default.aspx  - Open to the public from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Mondays during the school year.
• INDOOR SWIMMING
• Hannah Community Center (East Lansing) - http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/hannah/ - swimming information on the right of the webpage
• Holt Junior High Community Pool (1784 Aurelius Rd) -  http://www.holtcommunityed.com/insight/registry/classlist.asp?catID=208  Open/Family swim on website. Children six or older must use same gender locker rooms; family changing areas are available. Arm floats or life jackets may be worn only if an adult 18 or older accompanies the swimmer in the water. $3/person or $7/family. Pay at the door.

OUTSIDE of the LANSING AREA - INDOOR ACTIVITIES (ANYTIME OF THE YEAR)

• Castaway Play (Howell, MI) - http://www.castawayplay.com/ - Indoor playgound, inflatibles, laser tag, arcade. Prices vary weekends/weekdays.
• Jungle Java (locations in Canton, Farmington Hills, Clinton Township & Ann Arbor) - http://www.junglejavaplay.com/  - indoor soft play center. Includes a coffee bar with snacks and wifi for the adults.
• Bounce Castle (Jackson, MI) - http://www.thebouncecastle.com/home.html - inflatibles. $8 to bounce.
• Kids N Stuff Children's Museum (Albion, MI) - http://www.kidsnstuff.org/things-to-do - hands on learning, interactive exhibits and programs. $5 admission.
• Chelsea Playhouse (Chelsea, MI) - http://www.thechelseatreehouse.com/ - Indoor playground.
• Flint Children's Museum (Flint, MI) - http://www.flintchildrensmuseum.org/ - Hands-on learning. $6 admission.
• Grand Rapids Children's Museum (Grand Rapids, MI) - http://www.grcm.org/ - Closed Mondays. $7 entry, Under 1 is free.
• Jester's Court (Grand Rapids, MI) - http://jesterscourt.co/ - Includes an indoor playground and inflatibles. Under 6 months = free, ages 6 months-2 years old = $5, ages 3-12 = $10, Adults = $1.50.

WINTER

• SLEDDING
• Burchfield Park (Holt) - http://pk.ingham.org/ParksTrails/BurchfieldPark.aspx - warming house, bathrooms, tube rental, toboggan
• Hawk Island Snow Park (Lansing) - tubes and snowboarding. http://pk.ingham.org/ParksTrails/HawkIslandSnowPark.aspx
• MacDonald Middle School (East Lansing) - no bathrooms
• Fitzgerald Park (Grand Ledge) - sledding hill, cross country ski trails

LANSING AREA - SPRING/SUMMER/FALL ACTIVITIES

• Lansing Lugnuts Games - http://www.lansinglugnuts.com/
• Potter Park Zoo - http://www.potterparkzoo.org/
• Hawk Island Park - http://pk.ingham.org/ParksTrails/HawkIsland.aspx - swimming, boating, splash pad, playground
• East Lansing Family Aquatic Center - http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/AquaticCenter/
• Lake Lansing Park South - http://pk.ingham.org/ParksTrails/LakeLansingParkSouth.aspx - beach, playground, big wheel track, picnic areas
• Sundance Riding Stables - http://www.sundanceridingstables.com/
• FunTyme Adventure Parks
• Okemos - http://www.funtymepark.com/east.html
• Grand Ledge - http://www.funtymepark.com/west.html
• The Country Mill - http://www.countrymill.com/
• Uncle John's Cider Mill - http://www.ujcidermill.com/
• MSU 4-H Children's Garden (Butterfly House is in the building nearby) - http://4hgarden.cowplex.com/
• Waldumar Nature Center - http://www.woldumar.org/
• Fenner Nature Center - http://www.mynaturecenter.org/