13 Things To Do in Greater Lansing With Kids

This past weekend, I had the chance to travel to Michigan’s capital city: Lansing. During my trip I was able to network with other fab bloggers, eat some great food and explore the city. It was wonderful! Along the way, I learned of some great spots and am excited to share a few of my favorites.

If Lansing is a bit of a drive for you, I highly suggest making it a destination for a night away. {Check out these places to stay.} There’s SO much to do, it may be hard to pack into just one day.

Here are my top 13 things to do in Greater Lansing with kids, including a few fun spots to grab some food, because we all love to try new spots, right? 🙂

Potter Park Zoo. Michigan’s oldest zoo {c. 1920}, is home to almost 600 animals and is the perfect size for little feet to walk. Interesting stops include camel rides, train and pony rides and multiple interactive exhibits. Admission: Non-resident adults: $10, ages 3-12: $2, ages 2 and under free. Parking for non-residents is $5.

Impression 5 Science Center. With more than 12 interactive exhibits, this spot has something to offer kids of all ages. {Exciting updates coming next year, so stay tuned!} Check out my post 13 Reasons To Visit Impression 5 for more details. Admission: $7/adult, $6.50/senior, children up to 1-year are free.

Children brushing giant teeth at the recently opened ‘Chew On This’ exhibit

Hawk Island Park. This park offers a beach, boat rentals, fishing, a playground, splash pad and more. During winter, visitors can enjoy a snow tubing hill complete with tow ropes and a warming station, too! $5 vehicle entrance fee.

Michigan State Capitol. Step back into time while visiting one of our state’s most infamous landmarks. Little ones will enjoy exploring and standing on the glass block floor, and older kids will enjoy learning about our state’s house and senate during a guided tour. Guided tours hours are from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m to 3 p.m. on Saturday. FREE to visit.

A peek inside the Governor’s office. So many details to amaze kids inside this building, including amazing door hinges!

Michigan Historical Museum. Learn about Michigan’s history at this gem of a museum filled with a life-like mine, scenes from the 1950’s, a weekly story circle for ages 2-5 and more. Kids will love putting their heads in several wooden cut-outs and riding an old bicycle too! Admission is $6/adult, $4/seniors, ages 6-17 – $2 and kids age 5 and under are free. Sundays are always free.

Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Law Stadium. With inexpensive tickets, this team and venue is the perfect opportunity to introduce baseball to your child. Tuesdays are Dollar Days where visitors can enjoy $1 pop, hot dogs and ice cream, and Sundays are Kids Days where kids can play catch before the game and run the bases after the game, in addition to enjoying zoo animals, airbrush tattoos and more on the concourse. A bounce zone at all games is perfect to entertain little legs when they get antsy. Tickets start at $8.

Cooley Law Stadium is beautiful! It’s like a smaller version of Comerica Park.

Little Hawk Putting Course at Hawk Hollow. {Located in Bath} This unique 18-hole putting course is perfect for aspiring golfers. Play time is estimated at just over and hour, so perfect for the older kids in your life. $9/player during summer. {Or try Foot Golf at The Falcon!}

4-H Children’s Gardens. This garden is just a gorgeous spot to explore. Pack a picnic to enjoy or check out one of the many story times and programming offered during the spring and summer. {Check out this post for detailed directions on getting there if you aren’t familiar with MSU’s campus.} FREE.

A serene spot to sit inside the Children’s Gardens.

East Lansing Family Aquatic Center. Complete with several slides, a splash area for little ones, a diving board, a sand area and more, families will have something for kids of all ages to enjoy. Admission ranges from $5 {residents} – $10 {non-residents}. Children 2 and under are free.

Preuss Pets. Yes, this is a pet store, but it isn’t your grandma’s pet store! Available for birthday parties and more, kids will love walking around and admiring the reptiles, small animals inside a transformed school bus, and exotic fish and coral. Feed the giant fish in the river running through the store {just $1, which goes to local charities} or check out the shop’s roaming rat, Nigel. Located in adorable Old Town in the heart of Lansing. FREE to explore.

Feeding the giant fish in the river at Preuss Pets. Such a neat store!

EATS

Soup Spoon Cafe. This full-service spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner is spacious enough to accommodate families and curious palates. Kids will love the chalk wall outside where they can write in what they are grateful for.

Lansing Brewing Company. I know, it sounds rather adult-ish, but with a cool outdoor space and bendy straws that kept my kids entertained the entire time, I’d say it’s pretty darn family-friendly too!

MSU Dairy Store. With 32 flavors, kids may have a hard time choosing! This MSU staple offers the creamiest ice cream out there. If the observation deck is open, make sure to take the kids up to see how ice cream is made.

Learn about MANY more awesome places to take the kids by visiting Lansing.org or checking out the hashtag #LoveLansing. Plan some fun today!

During my stay, my travel accommodations and meals were covered by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. All opinions expressed are my own.

What’s your favorite spot for kids in Lansing?