There’s Endless Potential for Quality Time With These Grand Rapids Activities
“The days are long, but the years are short.” – Gretchen Rubin
We all know how time flies. Whether your family consists of a single bambino or enough kids to create your own basketball team, there are always just 24 hours in a day.
I have always tried to spend one-on-one time with each of my children. That intentional time became more important this year when my daughter left for college. When she came home during a school break, I wanted to find something for the two of us to do together.
Boy, Grand Rapids did not disappoint when I went searching for fun things to do with my girl!
Active to artsy, toddler to teen, there is something for every mama and her special girl.
Where to Pamper Your Princess
1 – Get Pampered
Mani-Pedis are always a go-to.
We have lots of salons and spas in Grand Rapids to choose from. Check out our Grand Rapid’s spa guide to find a place that will treat you and your girl like royalty.
Get a new ‘do.
Enjoy a trip to the salon for a new hairstyle or cut and blowout.
Massages or facials for two.
Many spas offer couples massages that will happily accommodate a mother daughter duo. The Doubles Massage at Urban Massage will let you both relax and stay together in one room.
2 – Princess Party Spa
The Perfect mom-and-daughter fairytale date for dressing up, getting pampered, and stepping into a magical princess experience together.
3 – SHOP TIL YOU DROP
With over a dozen shopping malls and centers in Grand Rapids, there is bound to be something that delights your fashionista.
If unique finds is more your style, try one of our many amazing resale shops, like Uptown Cheapskate or Kid-to-Kid. The girlie girls will love to shop at Ulta for the hottest new make up kits.
Antiquing and vintage shopping abounds in West Michigan. We’ve got a huge list of places where you can hunt for treasures together.
A Delicious Date
4 – TAKE TEA FOR TWO
Who doesn’t love a tea party? High Tea GR is an elegant, classic Afternoon Tea fine-dining experience.
The teas are served with tea sandwiches, seasonal treats, fresh scones and decadent desserts.
You can also enjoy tea time or a unique meal at the New Hotel Mertens .
5 – SWEETS AND TREATS
From age of 3 to about 10, one of my kids always requested donut dates. With the likes of Sandy’s Donut Shop, Marge’s Donut Den, Van’s Pastry Shop, Cindy’s Donuts and Ice Cream, The Donut Conspiracy, and Sweetwater’s Donut Mill, West Michigan has no shortage of fried goodness.
Ice cream never fails to make the little ones smile, either. You can go for a traditional treat at one of the area’s top-voted Grand Rapids ice cream shops!
For a frilly feast, try one of these specialty shops!
Many options at the Downtown Market
Raising Strong Girls Through Outdoor Adventures
6 – GET ACTIVE
As a fitness instructor, I am constantly impressed with the abundance of health clubs in Grand Rapids. Even if you aren’t a member, many facilities offer a day pass or free trial to get in the game.
The Grand Rapids YMCA offers fitness classes, open gym time, swimming, youth sports, cooking and gardening classes, lifeguard training, and so much more. There is bound to be one near YOU.
MVP Sports Clubs have a great deal for families as well. West Michiganders find their gyms to be clean, safe, and well-stocked, with tons of fun ways to stay fit.
7 – HIT THE TRAILS or Chill At the Beach
Throughout Grand Rapids there are so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors. We have beautiful parks, waterways, trails, and beaches.
8 – DRIFT AWAY
Kayak, paddle, tube, or canoe for a peaceful day on the water. See this guide for locations.
9 – OUTDOOR SPORTS
Grab a paddle and hit the outdoor pickleball court at MVP Crahen location.
Let them climb something other than the walls. Higher Ground Rock Climbing Centre and Tree Runner Adventure Park are exciting places for your young lady to soar.
Visit local parks. Our parks guide has a huge map of all the area parks and playgrounds, hiking trails, and dog parks.
You can also find specific amenities through the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks search tool. Is a round of tennis on your date agenda? Do you want to hit some balls at the batting cages? Here you go.
10 – Visit the Animals at The Zoo
Giraffes, giggles, and unforgettable memories! Few things beat the excitement of feeding a giraffe at Boulder Ridge Zoo.
And if you’re craving even more animal adventures, John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids delivers every time. From exhibits to classes, camps, Twilight Tours, Overnight Adventures, Animal Encounters, and can’t-miss events like the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival.
11 – Indoor Fun
When Michigan weather doesn’t cooperate, head inside for roller skating at Tarry Hall, drive an indoor go-kart at Craig’s Cruisers or go mini bowling at Great Lakes Glow Golf.
Set up a living room campout. Pitch a small tent or build a fort across the couch like when we were kids. Eat microwaved s’mores and tell stories by flashlight. Best of all, it’s bug free!
Search our indoor playground guide with 70+ gyms, craft spaces, and more to explore.
12: ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM TOGETHER
Grand Rapids is the home to some awesome professional sports. Take her out to the ballgame with the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Cheer for each basket Grand Rapids Gold together or watch the next generation of Red Wings players score at a Grand Rapids Griffins game .
Creative Connection – Spend Time in Arts and Culture with Your Imaginative Child
13 – DIY YOUR QUALITY TIME
Try a workshop and make something meaningful at Hammer and Stain . Your creation will last as long as the memories.
There are lots of hands-on options at The Mud Room. From story time to fused glass projects, painted pottery and more, you will have a great time creating together.
14 – PAINT ROCKS and HIDE THEM AROUND TOWN
I’m sure you’ve discovered brightly-colored rocks hiding around Grand Rapids. Help spread the joy. A trip to the local craft store and a walk in the woods will provide the materials you need to brighten someone’s day.
We’ve got all the tips for making cute creations that you can hide around town for others to discover.
15 – Take a sewing class
Book a sewing class at Common Thread Studio. You’ll leave with your very own tote bag or seasonal item like a valentines day heart. Together you will explore using a pattern, machine safety, threading the machine and constructing .
16 – TOUR Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Take in the beautiful flowers. Observe breathtaking butterflies. Admire works of art. Listen to talented musicians. The only thing better is your little girl at your side.
17 – TAKE IN A SHOW OR EXHIBIT
Grand Rapids boasts an active theater and museum scene. With the local cultural hotspots below, you can’t go wrong.
18 – SELFIE OR BEHIND THE LENS TOUR
This city is full of great photo ops. If your tween or teen is like mine, and EVERYTHING is captured on “film,” try visiting all of the most Instagrammable spots in Grand Rapids for some fun photos and lots of laughs.
Focus on Self-Improvement. Be a Mother-Daughter Duo that Makes the World a Better Place
19 – LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Try an online class in anything from coding to astronomy through Outschool. With over 8,000 options, you and your daughter will fall in love with learning together.
Take an American Sign Language class. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services offers many ways that you can learn to communicate in this beautiful and needed way.
20 – TAKE A COOKING CLASS
I have had so much fun learning new techniques and honing others at The Local Epicurean. I know my girl would also love to try her hand at from-scratch pasta. It’s even better to come home and practice your new skills.
Use this big list of local cooking classes to decide whether to make tapas, chocolates, french cuisine or maybe even… your own sausages? Yeah, you can even learn to make sausage in Grand Rapids.
21 – LEARN OUR HISTORY
Study what makes Furniture City so awesome. See what is still there and how they’ve improved. Take in the grandeur of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
22 – TOUR A LOCAL COLLEGE CAMPUS
If you are a Grand Rapids-area grad, show your daughter your alma mater. Tour campus and enjoy a packed or cafeteria lunch. Tell her stories of your time there.
If your young lady is approaching college age, show her the many campuses in town. Schedule visits and meet current students.
Grand Rapids Community College
Kendall College of Art and Design
23 – DO ACTS OF KINDNESS TOGETHER
Go on a random acts of kindness spree. Ask your daughter to help you brainstorm ways to be kind to those around you.
Plant flowers for a neighbor
Take dinner to a sick friend.
Collect books for children in the hospital.
Pay for the car behind you at the drive thru.
Or find a place to volunteer together.
