When the heat hits southeast Michigan, there’s no denying that it’s hard to figure out what to do with the kids. Stay cool all summer long with these fun kid-approved solutions for families in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties.
1. Visit an indoor play place
From trampoline and inflatable parks to laser tag and bowling, there’s no shortage of fun in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. Get in on it at one of these indoor play spots.
2. Sing and shout
Dance around with your energetic little ones at home or a drop-in music class. Check your local dance studio or library to find an event near you!
3. Head to a water park
As great as your local park district pool is during the summer, treat your kiddos to an awesome day at one of these local water parks.
4. Enjoy nature inside
If your kids want to smell the flowers, opt for these nature centers. In addition to plants, many offer fossil displays and live animals. You can even take a hike around the nature center grounds in most cases.
5. Take a boat ride
It’s cooler on the lake and Michigan has so many inland lakes (not to mention the five Great Lakes) for you to explore. No boat? No problem! Take a look at some of these boat tour options.
6. Visit a cooling center
It’s important to stay safe during a heat advisory! Check on your neighbors and if you or someone does not have a working AC, visit a cooling center in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne or Washtenaw County.
7. Eat all the ice cream
How can you say no to ice cream when it’s extra hot? Grab a scoop at these independent ice cream spots.
8. Have a beach day
If you can handle the heat, head to the beach to build sandcastles and play in the water.
9. Attend an indoor event
Looking to go out but want to stay indoors? Our Weekend Picks always cover plenty of indoor events or see a full list of family events on our calendar.
10. Visit an escape room
Now’s the time to put your family to the test and try out one of these kid-friendly escape rooms.
11. Play mini golf
Some local mini golf spots are outdoors but there are also plenty of indoor mini golf places in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. Many of those spots offer a cool glow-in-the-dark-experience too.
12. See a show
Catch a flick on the big screen at a local movie theater or support a theater group and enjoy a more intimate experience.
13. Run around a splash pad
Let the kids loose at these fun spraygrounds and splash pads in Detroit and beyond. And parents, we know you won’t hesitate to get wet too.
14. Climb your heart out
Your adventurous rug rats will love to visit one of these indoor rock climbing gyms. It’s also a fun workout for the whole family!
15. Go to a museum
Enjoy a day of learning at one of your favorite Southeast Michigan museums! Your kids will get a kick out of the Jim Henson display at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and we can’t forget about the three temporary Van Gogh displays coming to our area.
16. Visit an amusement park
You’ll forget all about the heat on a roller coaster or thrill ride. Take the kids to Cedar Point, Michigan’s Adventure or another amusement park this summer and enjoy a fun day in the sun.
17. Make a cool craft
If you don’t want to leave the house, keep the kids entertained with some fun crafts. Try out this lava lamp activity or even better, make your own ice cream!
18. Visit the library
A trip to your local library never fails. They might even have a fun event going on while you’re there! If not, find a great new book and let your imagination take you away from the heat.
19. Splash around indoors
Want water fun without the sun? Check out some of the indoor water parks in our area or look for an indoor public swimming pool.
20. Enjoy some classic Italian ice.
After having some ice cream with the family, you can save some room for Italian ice too. Try some from Rita’s in Sterling Heights, Treat Dreams in Ferndale or the Detroit Water Ice Factory.
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