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45+ Affordable and Free Things to Do in Lansing
Free & Affordable Fun Around Lansing Looking for some new family activities that won’t break the bank? Whether you want […]
Things to do in Lansing: The Complete List of Family Fun in Lansing + Mid-Michigan
Over 100 Things to Do in Lansing with Your Family
Mid-Michigan is brimming with ideas and activities and things to do with your family all year round. Over 100 ideas you say? Absolutely!
With so many options, it’s hard to know what to try out first. Indoor or outdoor activities? Local attractions and family-friendly events? All are covered in this easy to navigate resource guide of things to do.
We’ve even covered FREE events and outings for kids in Mid Michigan and Greater Lansing.
Which ones will be added to your family short-list?
Whether you’re new to Mid Michigan or a Lansing native, there’s so much to discover.
Anything not covered that you think is a must to add? Make sure to let us know or submit an event here.
Outdoor Recreation
Everyone loves exploring, and family outings provide an opportunity to discover all the best that Lansing Outdoors has to offer. You’ll find suggestions for toddlers, teens, and adults.
Where are the best hiking and biking trails? You’ll also find trails throughout Lansing’s five nature centers.
With so many lakes and the Grand River running through Mid Michigan, take advantage of the best paddling water fun Lansing has to offer with kayaking or canoeing.
Try an outing that’s fun for the entire family like disc golf or the Lansing mural crawl.
You may also be interested in:
Summer Fun // Potter Park Zoo // Year-Round Fun at Hawk Island // Farmers Markets // Lugnuts – Lansing’s Baseball Team
Weekly and Special Events – Things to Do Today
Our Lansing Family Fun event calendar is packed with things to do and events to attend every single day!
You’ll find special events like concerts in the park, storytimes, art Walk-in-Wednesdays with REACH Art Studio, Holiday plans, Halloween, and the list goes on!
Plan ahead or check here daily to find what’s happening throughout the week in Lansing, plus a link to your list of one time and bi-weekly events that we add to daily.
Do you have an event you want to promote? Send it our way, here.
Things to Do Indoors In Lansing
Mid Michigan weather can turn on a dime. Parents and caregivers need a list of options for indoor play in our back pocket that offer plenty of inspiration for toddlers and big kids alike.
Lansing offers many centers that are perfect for running, jumping, sliding and swinging. Kids can burn off energy jumping on a trampoline, trying their hand at bowling or exploring interactive museums.
Parks & Playgrounds
Parents understand that having a go-to park or playground is a real sanity saver. These Lansing area spots offer plenty of space to romp and enough outdoor entertainment to make them worth loading up the kids and heading out.
We’ve added a map to help you choose and find each location easily.
Museums & Cultural Attractions
If you’re looking for cultural attractions in Mid Michigan, you’re in luck. The best family museums in Michigan are as entertaining as they are educational. Your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re learning.
Plan a trip with your family to make field trips fun. Read this before you visit Impression 5, “Know before you go” to the Michigan History Museum, and get ready to fall in love with the Edyth & Eli MSU Broad Art Museum. They’ll love the history, art, play, science, and a plethora of things to do.
Happy exploring and shhhh, LEARNING!
Animal & Farm Fun for Families
Kids and animals go hand-in-hand. Lansing Michigan is surrounded by amazing places to get up close and personal to a wide variety of animals.
You’ll find many of them smack dab in the middle of town at Potter Park Zoo (open year-round) and others at some farmers markets, special events, and nature centers.
Summer is the best time to find u-pick fruit, including organic varieties. Kids will have a blast at visiting a farm with bounce houses, wagon rides, country stores, corn mazes, petting zoos.
You may also be interested in:
Pumpkin Patches & Apple Picking // Christmas Tree Farms
Beaches
Summertime means beach time for Michigan families.
Get to know the best features – attractions, food, bathroom availability – for all of the beaches near Lansing and across Michigan. From Lake Michigan to Lake Huron to inland beaches, there is a beach near you right now.
Splash Pads & Outdoor Water Fun
When the sun is blazing down its heat in Michigan, families may all be asking the same question: Where can we go swimming? Luckily for us, there are a number of options to take a dip or run under a water fountain.
Find cool water playgrounds with kiddie pools, fountains, geysers, pumps, and spray features that kids love. 29 to be exact!
Looking for a bit more water action? Southwest Michigan provides many exciting ways for families to enjoy boating with historic tours and boat rides.
You may also be interested in:
Have Fun!
No matter what you do, you will have a blast playing and exploring in Lansing and mid-Michigan.
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