By: Mark H Stowers

Spring Break 2021 for Families in Metro Detroit

Spring Break 2021 will be here soon. For those looking for family adventure and kids activities, Michigan has plenty from Detroit to the UP, from Muskegon to Bad Axe and several towns in between. Michigan Spring Break adventures abound for both inside and outside fun. There’s a destination for every budget and with working at home parents, day trip adventures are nearby and perfect. Let’s dive in and find fun for kids and great ideas for families.

Michigan's Beautiful State Parks

With 900 miles of trails spread over Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas, there’s a state park with lots of outdoor fun opportunities near you. Check out Michigan.gov/dnr online to find a park near you and a wealth of activity to keep your kids busy. From fat-tire biking to luge, winter birding, winter disc golf and even winter stargazing plus a whole lot more, don’t let the cold temperatures hamper your spring break. All this for the annual cost of a $12 plate registration add on or $17 when purchased at the park.

MetroParks are also a treasure trove for family fun and a great way for working parents to keep kids busy. An annual pass ($40 for resident, $45 for non-resident) gives you 365 days of access to 13 Michigan Metroparks that offer plenty of day trips to explore. From winter fun with cross-country skiing, down hill skiing and skate ski trails, each park is full of family ideas and fun. Check with your local park for rental availability. There’s also sledding and tobogganing available. Some parks offer ice skating and have an area for hockey as well.

Each park also has fun classes to sign up for - Maple’s Sweet Story (how maple sugar is collected and made into syrup) Orienteering (understanding and reading a compass), Young Outdoor Explorers, Full Moon Hikes and much more. Pre-registration is required. Check your local metropark for class availability and times.

Picnic tables are available at some sites so pack a lunch and make it a day.

Wet Water Park Fun in Michigan

If your family is longing for a taste of summer, there are indoor water parks spread across the Great Lake state from the Fairview Beachfront Inn & Water Park in Mackinaw City where 5,000 square feet of water cannons, geysers, dump buckets and more fun awaits.

A bit south, there’s Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain - the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan offers 88,000-square-feet of spring break family fun. In Traverse City, Great Wolf Lodge has eight water slides, five pools and a giant water fort. Fort McKenzie is an interactive tree house with suspension bridges, soaking spray stations and more. There’s also a 1,000-gallon water bucket that dumps down at intervals. A three-person toboggan ride winds 336-feet through the water park and there's a 25-foot rock climbing wall with secure harness equipment.

Comfort Suites Lakeside in Houghton Lake 9,000-square foot of water slides, a lazy river, kids’ pool and a hot tub. Located in Rothbury near Muskegon, the Double JJ Resort is home to a 60,000-square foot Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark with Michigan’s tallest indoor waterslide.

Frankenmuth offers two types of water adventures. At the Bavarian Inn Lodge guests can dip into five indoor pools and three whirlpools. The site includes a two-story children's play village. Kids and parents can play a round of indoor miniature golf or enjoy more than 100 arcade games.

Zehnders Splash Village Hotel & Indoor Waterpark , just one mile from downtown Frankenmuth, offers 30,000 square feet of aquatic adventures.

And near Detroit is the Best Western Sterling Inn in Sterling Heights. In addition to the 22,000 square feet of water fun, kids can enjoy a 2,300 square foot interactive Splash Play Park. There’s also an indoor running track, basketball court, video game arcade and a fitness center.

Indoor Adventures

Dry indoor adventure can be found at Legoland in Auburn Hills. They offer two-hour limited playtimes with all things Lego and there’s also the SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium nearby as well. Kids Unlimited Activity Centers offers safety, security and fun for children two and half up and up. Snow Day Camps, Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break activities are available. Check out their website, gokidsunlimited.com for more information.

Local libraries and city parks are also fun daytime getaways to find adventure and education. Check with your local YMCA for upcoming Break Camps. Many correspond with local school districts. They also have day camps available for children with special needs.

For even more opportunities in southeast Michigan, check out Oakland County Moms. You’ll find more links to exciting indoor and outdoor affordable fun.

There’s even online adventures for those who want to stay in while warm and cozy. Age appropriate virtual book clubs, virtual snowboard lessons and even a virtual escape room are available all in the comforts of your own home via the Internet. Art classes, online baking and other skills can be learned and honed all on your pc or tablet. Check out https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/virtual-winter-activities-for-winter-break for more information.

Spring break doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming in finding activities. Enjoy affordable, day trips, longer events and family oriented outings all across Michigan. Also, check out our list of Metro Detroit Igloos to dine in!

Please adhere to social distancing, masks and sanitizing as standard protocol at the indoor getaways. Also remember that there is limited occupancy to keep everyone safe.