Metro Detroit is a treasure trove of family-friendly fun, offering a stunning riverfront, iconic Motown music history, a vibrant food scene and countless historic landmarks. Whether you’re a foodie, sports fan, music lover, or adventurer, the Motor City has something for everyone in 2025.
This ultimate list of the best things to do with kids in metro Detroit for 2025 will help you explore iconic attractions, discover hidden gems and make unforgettable memories.
Check something off your Detroit bucket list
Whether you’re a suburbanite or a city dweller, you’re not a true Detroiter until you’ve checked a few of these quintessential attractions off your bucket list.
1. Explore Eastern Market with local vendors, fresh food, live music and free family fun.
2. Visit the Fisher Building, a historic landmark with lobby access, shops and Saturday tours.
3. Ride the Detroit People Mover. Families can zoom all over downtown for free on Detroit’s elevated light rail.
4. Tour the Shinola factory with kids ages 12 and older for a 90-minute behind-the-scenes look at luxury leather goods production.
5. Eat at Mom’s Spaghetti for comfort food and Eminem memorabilia in a unique setting.
6. Visit the Heidelberg Project, a free, iconic art space with polka dots and creative exhibits.
7. Get inspired at Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum. See 21 art installations made out of handmade African beads and other unique materials. Admission is always free.
8. Explore the city’s neighborhoods. While tourist attractions are part of what makes Detroit such an exciting city, so much of the city’s vibrancy and culture lies in its neighborhoods.
Indulge in a Detroit food tour
Detroit has a diverse and vibrant food scene. From classics like coney dogs and Detroit-style pizza to incredible desserts and yummy allergy-friendly options, it would take you a lifetime to eat your way through this city!
9. Pan pizza or thin crust? Decide your favorite between Detroit-style pan pizza, BBQ, vegan or allergy-friendly options at these local pizza spots.
10. Try a coney dog, topped with chili, onion, mustard, or plain for picky eaters.
11. Indulge in a grilled cheese at local spots with options like bacon or lobster for extra flavor.
12. Satisfy your sweet tooth. Treat yourself to metro Detroit’s best desserts, from loaded milkshakes to cookies, waffles and vegan sweets.
13. Eat at a themed restaurant. Enjoy a family meal at themed restaurants featuring unique settings and Motor City-inspired history.
Visit a cultural gem with your kids
Metro Detroit is home to amazing cultural experiences, including art, history and science museums. Here are just a few of the city’s great cultural centers and events to visit with kids.
14. Educate your family on the city’s history at the Detroit Historical Museum. Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park can visit for free with a Detroiter membership.
15. Visit The Henry Ford. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation features historic cars, Rosa Parks bus and engaging rotating exhibits.
16. Travel back in time with a visit to Greenfield Village. This outdoor adventure includes nearly 100 historic buildings. Explore seven historic districts, catch a ride in a real Model T and much more.
17. Visit The Wright. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History celebrates the rich cultural history of African Americans, both here in Detroit and throughout the nation.
18. Get funky at the Motown Museum and explore artifacts, costumes and history from Detroit’s Hitsville, USA era.
19. Discover dinosaurs at University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History, plus unseen worlds and more natural wonders.
20. Take a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Recently named the top museum in the country by USA Today, the DIA’s collection has more than 65,000 works of art. Plus, we love the views from the museum’s cafeteria-style Cafe DIA.
21. See modern and contemporary art at the Cranbrook Art Museum. The museum’s campus is home to world-renowned architecture, sculpture and beautiful gardens.
22. Take advantage of free admission at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Tweens and teens will love the unique rotating exhibits and contemporary art.
23. See a spectacular performance. Enjoy the city’s thriving theater scene by attending one of these must-see theater shows for families.
24. Dive into learning at Michigan Science Center, offering hands-on activities and exciting science experiments for curious kiddos.
25. Plan a visit to Cranbrook Institute of Science, home to interactive exhibits, a planetarium and observatory, world-class collections and even a T.rex and a meteorite!
26. Explore the cosmos at one of these local planetariums that are out of this world.
Cheer on a Detroit sports team
With a sports team for every major pro sport, Detroit is a great city to spend the day catching a game and cheering on the home team.
27. Play ball! Catch the Detroit Tigers in action at Comerica Park.
28. Feel the energy as you cheer on the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
29. Also at Little Caesars Arena, experience the thrill of a Detroit Red Wings game on the ice.
30. Roar with the crowd at a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field!
Attend an annual Detroit event with kids
Consider adding one of these annual events to your Detroit Bucket List for an experience that is quintessential Detroit.
31.Discover magic at Canterbury Village with family events, unique shops and stunning historic grounds!
32. Celebrate the season at Blake Farms. From lavender and sunflower festivals to Cider Dayze and pumpkin patches, there’s a fun outdoor festival for every season.
33. Attend a family-friendly summer festival and enjoy live music, vendors, food, kids activities and more.
34. Catch a movie in the park.
35. Enjoy free live music at these music in the park events for families.
Spend time in the great outdoors
No matter what the forecast calls for, southeast Michigan offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. Check out these nature spots and places for outdoor play the next time your family wants to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
36. Take a stroll along the Detroit Riverfront with riverfront views, public art, fun playgrounds and peaceful parks .
37. Explore the Dequindre Cut Greenway, an urban recreation path built on an old railway with a scenic urban path with stages, plazas and more.
38. Go for a walk or a bike ride on the Border to Border Trail.
39. Campus Martius Park was recently named the Top Public Square by USA Today.
40. Belle Isle State Park is home to a beach, an aquarium, a nature center, a conservatory, a maritime museum, a giant slide and much more.
41. Nichols Arboretum showcases the natural beauty of Michigan, including scenic trails and reflection gardens.
42. Stop and smell the flowers at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.
43. Enjoy family picnics at William G. Milliken State Park, with harbor views and Canada spotting scopes!
44. Play at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. These 13 parks offer playgrounds,m bike trails, fishing, ice skating, camping and biking more outdoor fun for metro Detroit families.
45. Have a beach day at one of the best beaches for metro Detroit families.
46. Pick your own flowers and snap the perfect Instagram photo at one of these beautiful flower fields worth the drive from Detroit.
47. Go kayaking at one of these scenic waterways in Michigan.
48. Take a Detroit Princess Riverboat Cruise. Set sail on the Detroit River for a family-friendly cruise that offers breathtaking views.
Get up close with animals
Lions, tigers and bears — and so much more! Your family can visit and learn about their favorite animals, enjoy nature-based activities and get up close and personal with wildlife at these aquariums, nature centers and more.
49. Explore free nature centers with hiking trails, educational programs and animal encounters.
50. Take a trip to a local farm and interact with friendly farm animals like horses, cows, donkeys, chickens and even reindeer!
51. Explore your family’s wild side at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.
52. Have an under the sea adventure at SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium.
53. Keep an eye out for when the new Legasea Aquarium opens this spring.
54. Enjoy free admission at the Belle Isle Aquarium, the oldest original aquarium in the nation.
55. Get hands-on at The Reptarium with hands-on encounters featuring snakes, lizards, tortoises and other fascinating reptiles.
56. The Creature Conservatory in Ann Arbor is a non-profit organization that educates visitors of all ages about exotic animals.
Find new ways to play inside
Don’t let the rain dampen your family fun! Whether the weather isn’t cooperating or you just need a new place to play, kids can spend all day at these exciting indoor spots in southeast Michigan.
57. Play the day away at one of the best indoor play places in southeast Michigan.
58. Build a brick-tastic creation at Legoland Discovery Center. Plus, enjoy Lego-themed movies, rides and activities.
59. Get creative at The Coloring Museum.
60. Explore the natural world at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. This museum has 10 exhibit areas with hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
61. Experience the Great Indoors. Located on Detroit’s Riverfront, the Outdoor Adventure Center brings all the outdoor fun inside.
62. Play pretend at Detroit Kid City.
63. Let your imagination run wild at Fascination Factory.
64. Go fowling. This unique combo of bowling and football is a blast for older kiddos and families that love sports. Try it yourself at Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck.
65. Try axe throwing at one of these family-friendly axe throwing spots in metro Detroit. The sport is best for older kids, so be sure to check out any age requirements before you go.
66. Get your game on at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, a free admission arcade with vintage coin-operated machines, new video games and tons of oddities and unique memorabilia.
67. Enjoy arcade games, mini golf, kiddie rides and more at these indoor amusement parks around metro Detroit.
68. Putt around at these indoor mini golf courses in metro Detroit.
69. Enjoy some old school fun at one of these roller rinks worth taking a spin at.
70. Spend the day at the library. These amazing children’s libraries in the city and suburbs offer free activities, a great selection of children’s books, toys and games and other learning resources for families.
Embark on a thrilling adventure
If your family loves an adrenaline-filled adventure, these amusement parks and thrilling adventure parks are sure to deliver tons of family fun.
71. Get your thrills at Cedar Point, an amusement park just two hours away from Detroit. Ride more than 70 rides, including 17 record-breaking roller coasters.
72. Climb through the treetops at TreeRunner Adventure Parks. Navigate an aerial ropes course in the forest, or enjoy on-the-ground activities like gemstone mining and mini golf.
73. Make a splash at an exciting water park near metro Detroit.
74. Rock climbing is a great activity for adventurous kids, especially when the Midwest weather isn’t cooperating with an outdoor adventure.
Go on a magical quest
Embark on a family quest to discover magical realms and mythological creatures, right here in Michigan! Magic is all around metro Detroit — if you know where to look!
75. Go searching for dinosaurs. From fossil digs to animatronic dinos, there are dinosaurs hidden in plain sight all over town with these dino-mite places.
76. Spot a mermaid. Michigan is home to a variety of marine life, including mermaids! Here are the best places to spot a mermaid in metro Detroit.
77. Transport your family back in time with a trip to the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Meet artisans, jousters, fairies and more whimsical folk at this exciting Renaissance faire.
Take a day trip from Detroit
When you need a change of scenery, Detroit is just a drive away from these exciting destinations.
78. Ann Arbor is less than an hour from Detroit, making it the perfect city for your family’s next day trip adventure!
79. Head to Shores & Islands Ohio, a.k.a Sandusky, Ohio. The thrilling attractions at Cedar Point and the natural beach scenery of Put-In-Bay are two of the area’s main draws for families.
80. Grand Rapids is home to craft breweries, a gorgeous sculpture park, fun festivals and a great children’s museum. Plus, it’s just two-and-a-half hours away!
81. Holland is a popular destination for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May, but the lakefront town offers beautiful scenery and exciting activities for families all year round.
82. Drive two hours to Kalamazoo, a college town that offers something for every family. Catch a sporting event, visit an aerospace museum, book a unique crafting experience and more.
83. Visit the state’s capital city. Lansing offers affordable fun for families on a budget. Check out the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and the Impression 5 Science Center.
84. Take a beach trip to New Buffalo. Although it’s a bit of a hike for a day trip — just under 4 hours — this charming town is the perfect beach escape for making you forget you’re in the Midwest.
85. Stop at Michigan’s Little Bavaria. Immerse your family in the charm of Frankenmuth, just a short drive from Detroit. Enjoy a classic chicken dinner at Zehnder’s or Bavarian Inn!
Enjoy seasonal activities in Michigan
No matter what time of year you choose to explore Detroit, there are exciting seasonal activities and traditions to experience with your kids. Discover some of these traditions and events that are unique to this city.
86. Start your year off with something sweet by attending one of these maple sugaring events for families.
87. Go green at the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Corktown.
88. Indulge in paczki. Celebrate Fat Tuesday with delicious paczki, traditional Polish pastries filled with cream, custard, or sweet goodies.
89. Go berry picking. Add fresh flavors to your spring and summer meals by picking your own berries at these farms near metro Detroit.
90. Browsing a farmers market is a great way to shop for produce and farm fresh goodies. You’ll also find live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and much more.
91. Get sprayed. When the summer heat hits a little too hard, cool off at a splash pad or spray ground.
92. Go apple picking. Welcome the fall season by picking your own apples at one of these apple orchards in southeast Michigan.
93. Get lost in one of these corn mazes. There are even haunted mazes and mazes to navigate by flashlight for older kids!
94. Pick your own pumpkin, snap fall photos and enjoy apple cider goodies at these pumpkin patches near metro Detroit.
95. Walk through a haunted forest at Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township.
96. Happy Thanksgiving! Kick off Thanksgiving by watching or attending the America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
97. Enjoy holiday lights. Watch your child’s eyes light up at one of these dazzling holiday light displays.
98. Walk through an enchanted town at Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village.
99. Discover a winter wonderland at Glenlore Trails Aurora.
100. Get in the holiday spirit at Wild Lights, the annual winter lights festival at the Detroit Zoo.
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