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Ultimate Winter Break Activity Guide for Lansing Families
Staying home for winter break? Try these activity ideas to keep you busy.
Snow Much Winter Fun: Lansing’s Outdoor Winter Activities
10 Magical Winter Things to Do in Lansing
Yes, Michigan winters are freezing (that’s for sure), but because our seasons are temporary, the activities we do for each become even THAT more special.
From trying cross country skiing for the first time, going tubing at Burchfield Park on a beautiful snowy day, building snowmen together, to perhaps the best part: coming inside with rosy cheeks and wet boots to be comforted by hot cocoa.
Our list of Lansing winter activities will have you ready to embrace the chill, get out of the house, and try new things.
Michigan winters are inevitable, so let’s put on our big coats and snow pants and go enjoy every last bit of the season!
in this article
Outdoor Winter Fun Activities Around Lansing
1 – Go Tubing or Sledding
Does your household have endless energy that needs to be burned off?
Snow tubing and sledding is one of best ways to spend a snowy, wintry day in Michigan!
Bundle up and slide down these top Lansing favorites with a few extra tips to help make your experience amazing.
2 – Go Ice Skating
Feeling cooped up and want to stretch those legs a little?
A Michigan winter is never complete without a family ice skating trip.
Michigan is home to a lot of outdoor rinks you won’t want to miss!
Skate through Lansing at these amazing local parks and ice arenas:
| Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks | Meridian Township has an artificial ice rink in Okemos Reutter Park has an artificial ice rink in Downtown Lansing (NOTE: You can borrow ice skates from the Capital Area District Library across the street during open library hours). Gloria Miller Park in Wacousta offers ice skating during the winter months. As this rink is outside, it is weather-dependent. |
| Indoor Ice Skating Rinks | Biggby Coffee Ice Cube in East Lansing Munn Ice Arena on MSU’s campus in East Lansing Optimist Ice Arena in Jackson |
3 – Go Skiing or Snowshoeing
When the snow is falling all around, it’s time for winter sports!
For those Ski and Snowboard enthusiasts, Michigan has a ton of options.
Did you know Lansing offers several places to cross county ski?
Check out our favorite parks!
Note: Please check availability at each location before heading out.
| Local Skiing | Lake Lansing North Park in Haslett Burchfield Park in Holt Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge |
| Local Snowshoeing | Lake Lansing North Park in Haslett Burchfield Park in Holt Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge Lincoln Brick Park in Grand Ledge Harris Nature Center in Okemos |
| Skiing Out Of Town | Mt. Brighton in Brighton is just 45 minutes from Lansing and is perfect for beginners. Cannonsburg Ski Area in Belmont Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac Pine Knob in Clarkston |
Want more options throughout our great state? We’ve got you covered with our list of the Best Ski Resorts in Michigan.
4 – Take a Hike or a Walk
Going stir crazy? Are the kiddos bringing home cold after cold?
Just head outside for a little exercise and a little change of scenery to combat those winter blues.
Lansing has so many gorgeous trails and paths in our area where you can hike, run, walk, and explore.
5 – Explore Nature Centers
Michigan is home to all types of wildlife.
Luckily, Lansing is loaded with beautiful nature centers, not one is the same as the last.
6 – Visit the Zoo
Up for an adventure, but on a budget?
Potter Park Zoo is open 364 days a year so you can visit the animals both indoors and outdoors and take advantage of this more quiet time of year.
From November 1 – March 31, Potter Park Zoo is open from 10-4 PM with winter admission rates of $5 per adult, $4 for children 3-12, and those under age 3 are free.
Bonus: Most Monday mornings from 9 AM – Noon are free for Ingham County residents.
Parking is free during the winter.
7 – Play Outdoors
Are your kids unfazed by the cold?
Playing on playgrounds and at parks in the wintertime is a thing!
Put those big coats on and experience the familiar parks you love, but add a dash of snow and a pinch of cold. Your kids might actually love it more than you think.
8 – Visit a Garden
Sounds crazy, right? Gardens are a springtime venture.
Strolling through a garden in the winter can be just as peaceful and inviting as when it’s warm out, just in a different way. When you try out this idea, you may be surprised at how energizing it can be for you!
Grab some earmuffs to explore our favorites:
Lansing Community College’s Shigematsu Memorial Garden is one of downtown Lansing’s best-kept secrets. It’s a sweet little spot right in the heart of LCC’s downtown campus.
The Hunter Park GardenHouse offers year-round farm and garden education. This is part of the Allen Neighborhood Center. You’ll enjoy workshops, plant starts, and more.
Enjoy the Cooley Law School Garden in downtown Lansing. Playing here in the winter is like playing in a winter snow fort; there are lots of bushes for the snow to get caught in.
The MSU Horticulture Gardens offers 14 acres of diverse gardens including the MSU Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden.
9 – Tour the Capitol
Did you know that you can take a self-guided Capitol tour any time?
If you live in the Capital City, touring Downtown Lansing and our beautiful state capitol needs to be on your bucket list.
If visiting in December, make sure to check out the majestic state Christmas tree.
10– Visit MSU Campus
East Lansing is home to one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
If you’re looking for shoveled and well iced sidewalks to take a walk on, head to Michigan State!
Make sure to explore the MSU Children’s Garden or visit the horses at the MSU stables. Stop and get some warm soup and grilled cheeses (or some ice cream if you’re brave!) at the Dairy Store and take advantage of all the MSU photo-ops like Beaumont Tower and Spartan Statue.
MSU is full of fun for the whole family.
Bundle Up and Brave the Cold for Unforgettable Memories in Greater Lansing
Michigan winters can be long and dreary, but there are still many winter adventures to be had.
Whatever you choose, Lansing, we know you are going to make the most of it.
The cold may bother us, but we’re gonna have the best winter anyway!
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