The weather is just starting to shift in Michigan and locals are buzzing with excitement over the 50-degree temperatures. If you’re anything like me, you’re already planning out some spring activities for your kids, especially with Spring Break just around the corner. If you are wondering what there is to do, let me help you out! Here are 17 Amazing Places to Visit In Metro-Detroit With Kids.
Indoor Play
These 50 degree weather days have just been so wonderful! But of course, a true Michigander doesn’t get too excited about this Michigan weather yet! So it’s wise to plan some backup ideas for indoor play! Here are some wonderful finds that will give your little ones the right play equipment to burn off that little kid energy we all know and plan these activities for!
Rochester Play located in Rochester, MI
Located in Rochester, this play place is extremely accommodating for mamas and kiddos! Despite being busy during our visit, it didn’t feel overwhelming or crowded at all. There was ample space for the kids to navigate through the play structure and enjoy themselves. Rochester Play also provides a concession stand offering lunch items and, of course, coffee for the parents! It’s the perfect spot for your little ones to climb on the play structures while you relax with a cup of coffee and watch them have a blast!
The Free Playscape at the 242 Community Center located in Ann Arbor, MI
This FREE playscape at the 242 Community Center is an absolute blast and will keep your kids entertained! I first discovered this Community Center’s existence by following Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood, a fellow Michigander who promotes Southeast Michigan on her awesome blog! You can read more about and find pictures of this playscape on her blog here.
My favorite part of this play structure is that it’s not too large of a playground, where you constantly feel the need to pace back and forth with two little ones. It’s be enough for them to get our the energy but small enough where your little’s wont get lost! This center also features a cafe! I’ll definitely return to a play place that keeps me fueled while my little ones have a great time!
FREE Playscape at Metro City Church AKA Baxter Cafe
Metro City Church Riverview location offers a free playscape to kids 10 and under! It’s part of their giving back the community plan! If you are looking to shake things up a bit and get out of the house all while not breaking the bank, I’d highly recommend Baxter Cafe! Coffee, Jesus, and a safe play area for little’s— I’m not sure it can get any better than that!
Outdoor Play
When the weather is beautiful, the ultimate day adventure for kids awaits at a fantastic park! From soaking up the sunshine to running, climbing, jumping, swinging— you name it, a great park has it all! I should note that I haven’t visited all of these playscapes with my kids yet, but they’re at the top of my list, and I’ve given a brief summary as well as linked some great reads about them to explain why!
Innovations Hill located in Rochester, MI
I have had the pleasure of visiting Innovation Hill with my kids! This outdoor playscape will thrill you and your little ones just by approaching it! As soon as you walk through the wooden gate, you’re greeted by the largest treehouse with slides you’ve ever seen! You have two fun approaches to dive into play right away! You can take the bridge directly inside the treehouse and climb or slide down, or you can turn to the side and use their recycled boxes to slide down the grass hill!
This park truly has everything! Bring your toy boats to play in their little stream and pack a lunch to enjoy at your choice of picnic spot! If you’re finished with the park, you can take a stroll along the path around the pond where you can appreciate nature and discover outdoor games. This park is perfect for planning a day trip! You and your family will have a blast all day long!
Joe Louis Greenway, in Detroit, MI
A newly built playscape opened up at the Warren Gateway Trailhead Park in Detroit! This landscape look incredible and all the buzz is saying that it’s worth the hype! My kiddos are I have not tried out this one yet but it has quickly become top of our list to try! Check out this read here and images that are just exciting to see in person!
Tattan Park located in Westland, MI
Tattan Park is another park we haven’t had the pleasure of trying out just yet, but I say “yet” because we’ll be going in the next couple of weeks! I will have to come back and update you all but for now, you can see here the appeal of this lush green park that has a little bit of everything for the kids— including a splash pad!
Country Farm Park located in Ann Arbor
If you are looking for an adorable place to have fun pretend play while running around and enjoying all that a play structure and nature has to offer, you need to talk your little’s to Country Farm Park! Set up to look like a little farm play structure, it is surrounded by flowers and nature trails. This park is another one where you can go for the whole day and enjoy or until nap time comes! This was another great find from Mrs.Weber’s Neighborhood. You all should definitely follow her!
Libraries
Exploring a new library makes for a wonderful and cost-free activity to do with your kids during spring break or anytime you can! While we love our local library, lately, I have been trying to take my little ones to different libraries, aiming for at least one new visit each month. Here are three of our absolute favorites thus far!
Southfield Public Library located in Southfield
I had recently made the adventure with my little ones to Southfield Public Library after hearing tales of a book-built castle, an enchanting tree house, and a slumbering dragon hidden amidst the mist! This library did not disappoint!
Entering the Tower Lobby and being greeted by the Bear & Boy statue, one can feel the excitement that infuses in this library! My little ones were immediately excited and ready to explore! Once you get into the kids area, you just can see the rows and rows of books! My son was thrilled and ran to see if he could see any superhero books to get off the shelf.
My kids and I had the best time exploring the castle of books, sitting in the dragon’s den, and reading their wide selection of superhero books! I highly recommend giving this library a visit this spring!
Clinton-Macomb Public Library located in Clinton Twp., MI
This library just has a wonderful kids area featuring a train circling around when you first walk up the stairs! There’s also a large theater with so many puppets, your kids will have the best time letting their imagination retell their favorite stories!
As a mama, I enjoy this library because it is spacious and the kids area is upstairs, separate from the main portion, making it feel a little more secluded for being as spacious as it is. It also has a couple of play structures like train and a boat near the puppet theater that makes for more opportunities of imaginative play for littles! This library has quickly become our second favorite to our local one to visit!
I have a list of other libraries I have heard great things about and are excited to try this Spring and those are West Bloomfield Public Library & Mount Clemens Public Library ! I’ll have to come back and add reviews after we check them out!
Museums
Museums aren’t just for learning, they’re also a blast for you and your little ones! I used to love visiting museums when I was young, and now that I have kids of my own, it’s such a joy to relive those experiences with them!
Henry Ford located in Dearborn,MI
I can remember take field trips to The Henry Ford Museum when I was in grade school! I think I went at least a handful of times while in grade school and I never grew tired of it! There was always so much to see!
Whats great is that Henry Ford has so much more than their museum to offer! They also have events and activities that happen through out the month! If you go to The Henry Ford Website Event Calendar, you will find all of that information there!
The last great thing about Henry Ford is their Greenfield Village. Picture a village designed to whisk you away into America’s history, giving you a taste of its richness from days gone by. You’ll spot Model-T cars and horse-drawn buggies—a springtime favorite for our family! Be sure to peek at their event calendar for any extra-special happenings during your visit!
Outdoor Adventure Center located in Detroit, MI
You absolutely have to visit this place! First of all, it’s reasonably priced! I only paid $10 for my 19-month-old, 3-year-old, and myself! Considering everything you get to experience, I couldn’t believe it!
The moment you step inside, you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by the great outdoors! It’s such a warm and inviting spot, especially for the little ones! After stashing your stuff in the handy lockers, take a peek across the way at the charming play area designed like a mini campsite, perfect for your little adventurers! And right next to it, there’s a cozy spot for reading and playing with sensory toys.
Once you’ve had your fill of the play area, get ready to dive even deeper into the great outdoors! There’s so much to explore, from fishing boat simulators to live fish tanks and beyond! And just when you think it can’t get any better, you round the corner and encounter a surreal waterfall and a little creek, all overlooked by a massive tree that the kids can climb in and around. This tree house, you can either climb inside to the second story or take a slide down. My adventurous 19-month-old couldn’t get enough of sliding down headfirst, which had everyone laughing.
As you make your way up to the second level, you’ll come across a huge swinging drawbridge that leads to even more educational simulator rides and a real airplane you can take turns sitting in. There’s just endless fun and learning here! My 3-year-old always asks to come back to this incredible place, and we definitely make it a regular visit!
Day On The Farm
Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center located in Ray, MI
Our absolute favorite little farm! It’s got everything you could ever want, especially in the spring when all the adorable baby animals are just born!
Wolcott Farm Center is a proper working farm, which is so neat and educational for the kids. If you get there early in the morning, you can watch the cows being milked or the animals getting their breakfast! You’ll see the farmers tending to their animals and the gardens being tended to.
Once you’ve had your fill of petting and observing the animals, head over to the pavilion for a picnic and some playtime on their charming farm-themed play structure for the little ones!
Two other farms on our list to visit this Spring are Kensington Metropark Farm Center and Maybury Farm. You too can add them to your list of must-visit farms!
Final Thoughts:
If you’re seeking more ways to explore Metro-Detroit with your little ones, I highly recommend following Little Guide Detroit! This blog is composed of a group of fellow Michigander Mamas! On this website, you’ll discover numerous fantastic reads and ideas for you and your family. It’s where I found most of the places I take my little ones! I also recommend you follow Mrs. Weber’s Neighborhood if you live in or around Southeastern Michigan! Both are great resources and dive deep into great places to visit with your little ones!
I have no paid partnership with any of these blogs, I just genuinely love following them and love all their content!
I hope all of these 17 Amazing Places to Visit In Metro Detroit With Kids has started your list for this Spring and I hope you make all the memories and fun with your little ones! Leave a comment and let me know if you have tried any of these places or what you are most excited to try this Spring!
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Happy Spring Mamas! Hugs, You are doing a great job!
Cassie
Sarah Davis
Love all of these options for families! Until you see it in a list like this, you can forget how many cooks things there are within just a short drive.
thebloomingmama
You’re welcome! Yes! There’s so many great places! Thanks for letting me know this was helpful!
Alicia
Great post Cassie! XO
thebloomingmama
Thank you!!!