Every time I post about a playground we’re playing at, I get messages asking where we are. One such playground is the Imagination Station in Brighton, Michigan.
This playground is one of my kid’s favorites and for good reason — there is plenty to do to wear out little ones! They call it the ‘wooden castle’ playground. Best of all? It’s totally FREE to visit.
We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and had so much fun exploring the park and the Mill Pond area. Downtown Brighton is adorable and a fun spot to visit with kids or on a date night.
My kids enjoy checking out every nook and cranny at this playground. With only one entrance/exit, it takes effort for kids to escape, so I feel confident hanging out at the front and allowing my kids to explore if they stick together.
With that said, this playground can be a tad crazy, so if you have multiple kids and a runner in the mix, it’s nice to have another adult on hand. Also, consider putting your child in bright-colored clothing so you can spot them easily through all the wood! There are lots of places to hide.
There is several slides, a toddler area, a sand box, an expression swing and more.
My kids beg to go on the expression swing every time, even though my little guy is quickly outgrowing the baby swing side.
Directly behind the structure is an area with a bathroom. Crucial for little bladders! We love to pack a picnic for lunch to enjoy here in the shade.
The Mill Pond where the playground is located is fun to walk around and explore. My kids love feeding the ducks, searching for turtles on the lily pads, and running on the boardwalks.
Downtown Brighton has many kid-friendly treat options, too.
Directly outside the playground entrance are two of our favorites — Oh My Lolli {gourmet, delicious and inexpensive candy} and Jack’s Custard. We love Jack’s for the fun kid sundaes, which are very affordable, and their ice cream is amazing!
A Dairy Queen is also off the Mill Pond boardwalk path.
All the businesses in downtown Brighton have amazing service in my opinion — we are always greeted with a smile.
In the nearby alley, there is a giant chalk walk, giant checkers and a public piano. It’s really a neat space that kids will love. There is also a ton of public art throughout the city — check it out — some of the pieces are great to discuss with kids!
Downtown Brighton is definitely a great place to spend some time with kids or for a day trip. Learn more here.
If you’re traveling to Livingston County for the day, I’d also recommend the Howell Nature Center and The Commons for more kid fun.
What are your favorite activities around Brighton?
[…] If you are making the trek out, I also recommend visiting the Mill Pond and checking out the Imagination Station playground in downtown. Other local kid favorites include Jack’s Custard for ice cream and Oh My Lolli […]