20 Summertime Activities in Michigan Your Kids Will Actually Want to Do

There is no reason your kids should complain this summer about being bored and that there is nothing to do.  If you have the time your kids could experience so many different adventures all over the state.

From the Upper Penninsula all the way down to the bottom of the mitten, there is much to do and a lot of fun to be had.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

The Henry Ford in Dearborn recently wrapped up their Marvel Comics exhibit, and it was awesome.  The Marvel Universe of Superheros wrapped up at the end of January, and now a new exhibit takes its place.  The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited opened June 4th and goes until Labor Day.

Jim Henson gave us Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and Labyrinth just to name a few.  The Jim Henson exhibit takes a look back at an amazing career and will have on display original muppet puppets like Bert and Ernie, scripts, storyboards, film clips, and even an area where you can try your hand at puppeteering.

The Oswald Bear Ranch in Newberry

This Upper Penninsula ranch is committed to the rescue of abused and neglected bears, also is a haven for bear cubs who have been orphaned.  An educational facility, the Oswald Bear Ranch helps teach the need for the protection of our black bears and their habitat.  The ranch currently has 40 bears living there, and fun fact, it is the largest Bear Ranch in the U.S.

Moo-ville Creamery in Nashville

The Moo-ville Creamery in Nashville (Michigan FYI) is a fun time. Not only can you enjoy delicious ice cream, but you can tour the farm and check out the petting zoo.

The Capri Drive-In Theater in Coldwater

What a blast that would be for kids and adults who have never experienced a drive-in movie.  To experience it to the fullest, kids should be in their p.j.'s just like we were back in the day.

The Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp-Resort in South Haven

This family campground has a pool, movies showing all day long on the outdoor screen, hayrides, themed weekends, and a short drive to a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan.  I camped there several times with my kids and we loved it.

Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon

This theme park has great rides from the tame to the scream-worthy, water park and,  this year, the All-New Camp Snoopy.

Extreme Indoor Kart Racing in Clio

Offering 1/4 miles of racing fun for the kids and even more fun for Mom and Dad. (Yeah Baby!!)

The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie

It's an incredible feat of engineering watching these huge ships go through the locks.  Mesmerizing for any age.

Top Golf in Auburn Hills

First played this game while on Vacation in Phoenix and had a blast. It doesn't matter what your golf skill level is, this game is fun.

Mackinac Island

Of course, we have to include this, instead of biking around the island, get the kids on horseback. This is a great way to see the island.

Michigan Capitol Building in Downtown Lansing

Our state capital is beautiful and so fun to tour, especially knowing that it is haunted.  Seriously, it's haunted.

Dinosaur Gardens Pre-Historic Zoo in Ossineke, MI

While in the area you can stop and see the statue of Paul Bunyon and his faithful ox, Babe.

Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore

Run up and roll down the dunes, but keep this in mind: the dune may not seem big until you start running up and end up gasping for air. The kids have no problem...getting old stinks.

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Traverse City

You can purchase a $30 dollar day pass, or book a stay, either way, it is not cheap but it's fun.

The Headlands International Dark Sky Park

There are 600 acres with no light pollution so you can stare up at the stars and see the constellations and who knows maybe even see an alien spacecraft

The Detroit Zoo

This zoo has been a family favorite for a long time.  If you go, check out the Polar Bear exhibit. It's worth every cent to see this.

The Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek

While we are on the subject of zoos, Binder Park lets you feed graham crackers to the Giraffes. A great photo opp as well as a fun thing to do.

S.S. Badger in Ludington

I tell people this is something you should do at least once. The Badger is a huge car ferry that takes you from Ludington to Manitowoc Wisconsin.  Lots of fun things to do on the ship, you can even watch a movie, or sit on the deck and look out at our beautiful Lake Michigan.

Mid-Michigan's Children's Museum in Saginaw

Making science fun for kids of all ages.

Upland Hills Farm in Oxford, MI

Your family can get up close to many different farm animals, and you can even learn how to milk a cow.  See what life is like on a farm firsthand.

My advice is to print this list off and if your kids start whining that there is nothing to do, just show them this, get in the car and go.