Don’t let the summer pass you by! Childhood only happens once. Print out the list below. Put each place on a popsicle stick and pull a different one out on each blessed day of warm summer weather. This is not a list of every single thing you can do in the area – but it does include all of our absolute favorite spots! If you don’t live in SE Michigan make your own bucket list!
NATURE CENTERS
Howell Nature Center – The Spirit of Alexandria naturescape is one of the coolest places I have ever been with my kids. We also love the Wild Wonders Nature Trail.
Leslie Nature Center in Ann Arbor – The Black Ponds Wood trail is the perfect length for kids. We love the Birds of Prey and Raptor Enclosures and the huge hill the kids can run down near those structures.
Farmington Nature Center at Heritage Park – This place is a gold mine! Go here FOR SURE! Make sure to check out the link if you haven’t been there!
METROPARKS
Kensington in Milford, MI- Don’t miss the farm, the kids cottage, the trails, the nature center, the splashpad, the paddle boats, and the beach! You could spend every day for an entire month here!
Huron Meadows in Brighton, MI – Take the small trail that heads down to the river off of the Hidden Lake Bend Trail and you will find the most incredible fishing spot!
Indian Springs in White Lake, MI – A free splashpad, an environmental discovery center when you can go underneath a pond, and tons of trails. This metropark is worth the drive!
ANIMALS
Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI
Dominoes Farm in Ann Arbor, MI
Maybury Farm in Northville, MI
FREE SPLASH PADS
Heritage Park in Farmington, MI
Canton: Heritage Park and Flodin Park
FREE SWIMMING PLACES
Island Lake (3 beaches) – Spring Mill Pond is our favorite!
River at Proud Lake (2 spots) – Swim at the dam or at a spot a short walk down The River Trail
WATERPARKS
Turtle Cove in Belleville, MI
Rolling Hills Waterpark in Yspilanti, MI
BERRY/FOOD PICKING
Spicers – Fruit Harvest Schedule in Fenton, MI
Erwins in South Lyon, MI
Hazens in Howell, MI
HIKING
The Arb in Ann Arbor, MI
Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, MI
Thayer Nature Corner in Northville, MI – This trail is short and fun and has little animal statues along the way the kids can hunt for. We also like spying on the community gardens.
Seven Lakes State Park in Fenton, MI
Pinckney State Recreation Area
Brighton State Recreation Area
Proud Lake State Recreation Area in Commerce, MI
Island Lake State Recreation Area in Brighton, MI
Maybury State Park in Northville, MI
Heritage Park in Farmington, MI
Woodland Hills Park in Farmington, MI
Shiawassee Park in Farmington, MI
Robert H. Long Park in Commerce, MI
Lakeshore Park in Novi, MI
Olson Park in Ann Arbor, MI – great spot for biking!
PLAYGROUNDS
Downtown Northville Ford Field
School Playgrounds – get a group of friends together and rotate through the school playgrounds each week!
INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Commons in Brighton, MI – This place is unbelievable. Huge sports field for the kids to run around on, 3 story play structure, basketball courts, and a cafe stocked with deliciousness. Open for FREE every day of the week from 8am to 9pm. Their facebook page is updated DAILY so you can know everything that is going on there!
Impressions 5 Museum in Lansing, MI
Michigan Science Center in Detroit, MI
FREE PRINTABLE VERSION![Screen Shot 2015-06-08 at 9.42.23 AM]()
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