Blandford Nature Center

1715 Hillburn Ave. NW

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 453-6192

Free

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Trails are open dawn to dusk. Closed major holidays. Woods, ponds and streams preserved within the city. Animal exhibits and trails open every day, free. Admission charged for seasonal programs on maple syrup production, pioneer history and crafts.

Grand Rapids Children's Museum        

11 Sheldon Avenue

235-4726

With carefully planned true-to-life displays, Grand Rapids Children's Museum invites children to "please touch" interactive exhibits.  Contact the museum for a schedule of traveling exhibits and programs.        

Council of Performing Arts for Children

454-9221

This theatrical group provides nationally known professional theater groups for children of all ages.  The productions are offered at the lowest possible cost to encourage appreciation of and enjoyment of theater arts. Call for dates and places.

Grand Rapids Art Museum  

155 North Division Street

459-4677

The museum offers a Children's Gallery where children are encouraged to become involved in art and color experiments.    

Gypsum Mine Tour

1200 Judd SW

241-1619

Tour deep into the mine, and hear about the history and geology of gypsum mining. Spend time exploring for rocks.

John Ball Park Summer Theater          

1300 West Fulton

456-6656

Directly adjacent to the zoo is the Circle Theater.  Three children's shows run twice daily, Tuesday through Saturday, from June through August.  Five main stage shows are also performed regularly during the season.      

John Ball Zoological Garden

1300 West Fulton

776-2590

Over 500 species of animals from all over the world make this zoo their home including Siberian Tigers, eagles, penguins, wart hogs, and snow leopards.  The zoo offers a fresh water aquarium, snake house, and a display of tropical plants.  On the grounds are barbecue grills, a baseball diamond, and play areas to ensure fun for everyone.

Public Museum of Grand Rapids

272 Pearl Street NW

456-3200

This museum and planetarium have many fascinating things for families to see: 1928 Spillman carousel, 1890s Gaslight Village-a turn-of-the-century-street, Michigan mammals, Indian artifacts, prehistoric exhibits, and sky shows for youngsters.      

Maze Craze

2845 Thornhills

957-4242

An enormous indoor maze.  There are two levels of six-foot-wide twists and turns.  Maze changes weekly and is handicapped accessible.

Public Museum of Grand Rapids Van Andel Museum Center

272 Pearl St. NW

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 456-3977

Admission charged. Children 2 & under: Free.

Fee charged for special exhibits, planetarium and carousel rides.

Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving Day.

World-class exhibitions about history, nature, science, regional cultural heritage, Native Americans, 19th-century Grand Rapids cityscape and more. Ride a 1928 carousel; visit an early 20th century furniture factory; walk through a 19th century street of shops and hear the sounds from over 100 years ago.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium at Van Andel Museum Center

272 Pearl St. NW

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 456-DOME (3663)

Admission is charged.

Call for schedule.

Spectacular educational sky shows for all ages. Laser light shows set to popular music. State-of-the-art Digistar theater. Shows change several times a year.

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

11 Sheldon Ave. NE

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 235-4726

Admission charged. Children under 2: Free. Thursday evening is Family Night, admission is only $1.00 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat 9:30 - 5:00 ., Thurs 9:30 -8:00. and Sun. noon - 5:00.

The Grand Rapids Children's Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing hands-on exhibits that inspire learning and encourage self-directed exploration.

IMAX® Theatre at Celebration! Village

2121 Celebration NE

Grand Rapids, MI

(616) 530 SHOW

Admission charged.

Located on the corner of Knapp St. and East Beltline. The IMAX® large format film presentation is the most intense cinematic experience in West Michigan. (May be too loud and intense for very young children.)

AJ's Family Fun Center

4400 Ball Park Dr. NE

Comstock Park, MI .00

(616) 785-0077

Call for information.

Seasonal. Call for hours of operation.

AJ's is your one stop for total family excitement! They offer go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages, bumper boats, arcade, food and prizes. Group rates and professional catering available.

Celebration! Cinema

2121 Celebration NE

Grand Rapids, MI

Call for admission.

Located on the corner of Knapp St. and East Beltline. Seventeen-screen theatre featuring state-of-the-art projection and digital sound.

Coopersville Farm Museum

375 Main St.

PO Box 64

Coopersville, MI

(616) 997-8555

Admission charged.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm

A regional museum focusing on rural, agriculture and farm life. The museum presents regularly changing exhibits, displays, demonstrations and performances. A retail store is on site.

NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway

3700 Rivertown Parkway