Think back to the best Christmases and birthdays of your childhood…
If you’re anything like me, toy gifts don’t stick out much, but the memories and people do.
I’ve quickly realized my kids are happy with a few gifts to open, but mostly they are just happy to feel special and spend time together. As a mom, I find it so hard to focus on them in my own house due to work, laundry, messes, etc., so I love going on adventures together, even if it’s just a quick trip to the neighborhood park.
If you’re at a loss as to what gift to get a child and they don’t have a need for more toys, I’ve put together a list of 50+ experience gift ideas for southeast Michigan kids!
Of course these can be presented as gift cards, but it’s easy to up-the-ante by just including a hand written note or even including a small gift to symbolize the adventure if you think he/she would like to open something!
I hope this list gets your brain thinking less of toys and more about the lasting impact of just being together. I also have a big list of free fun if budget is a concern. Memories don’t need to cost much – promise! 😉
Make sure to visit the bottom for a fun giveaway from Castaway Play as well!
50+ Experience Gift Ideas For Southeast Michigan Kids
SUPPORT THE ARTS
- Have a ‘crafternoon’ together with recycled craft supplies from The Scrap Box in Ann Arbor or Arts and Scraps in Detroit
- Paint pottery at The Ceramic Studio Etc. in Howell
- Sign up for a writing workshop for older kids with 826 Michigan in Ann Arbor and Detroit
- Catch a play together at a professional venue, or choose a kid’s show at Wild Swan Theater in Ann Arbor, the Marquis Theatre in Northville, at Detroit PuppetART, or at your local community theatre
- Purchase gift cards to local movie theater and add a little extra cash for popcorn!
- Choose a kid-friendly painting at Painting With A Twist {multiple locations}
- Sign up for an art class at Abrakadoodle in Canton, Creative Arts Studio in Royal Oak or Flipside Art Studio in Ann Arbor
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
- Nab a zoo membership to the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak or Potter Park Zoo in Lansing
- Head to LEGOLand Discovery Center Michigan or SEA Life Aquarium in Auburn Hills
- Visit Sloan Museum in Flint and catch a planetarium show too
- Have a day in Detroit and check out the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center
- Take a guided tour at the Motown Museum for music-loving teens
- Learn about science at the Michigan Science Center, Impression 5 Science Center or Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
- For little ones under age six, sign-up for a parent-tot class at Play. in East Lansing
- Get your history on with a membership to The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village
- Test LEGO skills at The Robot Garage in Birmingham, Grosse Pointe or Rochester Hills
- Check out the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti for some sweet rigs
- Visit the dinosaurs {and more} at Cranbrook Institute of Science
GET PHYSICAL
- Pick up a Metroparks pass and plan a day to hike and feed the birds
- Check out Iron Grip Ninja & Obstacle Training in Howell for classes or open gym
- Plan a family day of roller skating or ice skating at a local rink
- Go for a trail ride on horseback at Brighton Rec Stable
- Nab tickets for a future sporting event {my kids love attending Lugnuts games!}
- Take an archery class at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit {ages 8+}
- Grab a family membership for the YMCA {multiple locations}
- Head bowling together as a family
- Climb the walls at Planet Rock in Ann Arbor or Madison Heights
- Zipline through the trees at Adventure Park in West Bloomfield
- Take a seven zip eco tour or grab a family membership at Howell Nature Center
- Grab a season pass at a local ski hill: Alpine Valley in White Lake, Mt. Brighton, Mt. Holly or Pine Knob in Clarkston
- Purchase gymnastics classes or karate/martial arts classes {multiple locations}
- Gift swim lessons for Goldfish Swim School {multiple locations}
JUST PLAY
- Play arcade games at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills
- Burn energy by jumping at Sky Zone {multiple locations}
- Little ones can visit the adorable mini city inside Detroit Kid City in Southfield
- Play and climb at The Chelsea Treehouse or Jungle Java {multiple locations}
- Plan an outing to Build-A-Bear to make a toy creation together
- Try to win a prize at CJ Barrymore’s in Clinton Township or Dave & Buster’s in Livonia
- Have toddlers shop for play groceries at the Flint Children’s Museum
- Book a family night away in a hotel with a spot on this list
- Attend a game night at 3&Up Board Game Lounge in Plymouth
- Go glow-in-the-dark mini-golfing at the Putting Edge in Novi
- Plan a family WhirlyBall outing in Novi or Clinton Township {4 ft. 6″ minimum height}
- Visit Castaway Play Cafe in Howell for climbing, arcade games, and laser tag
What spots would you add? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
GIVEAWAY
I have a 4-pack of passes to give away to Castaway Play Cafe in Howell. My kids ask for gift cards to here for all occasions. It’s Michigan’s largest plindoor ay structure and a ton of fun for kids, especially during these cold weather months! Hint: They have amazing pizza too 😉
Enter using the form below. Good luck!
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