Affordable & Free Spring Activities around Grand Rapids
There’s nothing like warmer weather and a little sunshine to inspire us to get out and explore these free spring activities!
West Michigan has everything we need to relieve our cabin fever after a long winter. I love that we can find inexpensive indoor and outdoor spring things to do with kids in Grand Rapids.
From movies to museums, to music, and more, there are a variety of affordable adventures to be had.
in this article
48th Annual Rock & Mineral Show
Thursday, April 10 & Friday, April 11: 9:30 AM – 9 PM
Saturday, April 12: 9:30 AM -6 PM
Rogers Plaza Town Center – 972 28th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
Brought to you by the Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, the popular Rock & Mineral Show is back for the 48th year!
Learn more about all things ROCKS at the many displays, demonstrations and hands-on stations.
With treasures for everyone – beginners, kids and seasoned collectors, too – expect to find hands-on kid fun, grab bags, minerals, fossils, crystals, gems, jewelry, beads, stone carvings, equipment, books, and MORE.
FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING
Select Events at Blandford Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
What’s better than 264 acres of forests, meadows, and wetlands, and eight miles of trails? Having an expert to dive into an experience with you! Blandford hosts a variety of free programs and activities throughout the spring.
Keep your eye out for pink, blue and some brown blocks on their calendar. These colors note free events!
Lowe’s DIY-U Kids Workshops
Various Lowe’s Locations – West Michigan
This monthly event is free for families – it just requires registration. Sign up for your local Lowe’s store, show up, build something cool, spend quality time with your kids – all for free! Workshops hosted by one of their experts are held from 10 AM – 1 PM.
The next free Lowe’s DIY-U Kids Workshop is on April 12, 2025, and kids will build an Herb Greenhouse. On May 17, 2025, kiddos can build a Spinning Trinket Box.
Be sure to register ahead of time to reserve your spot!
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Various Home Depot Locations – West Michigan
Home Depot also hosts a monthly workshop event on the first Saturday of each month. It is free for kids, but registration required.
Upcoming free Home Depot workshop events include:
Globe Planter – April 5, 2025
Birdy Buffet – May 3, 2025
Find an Easter Egg Hunt
Various locations around West MI
Hop over to an Easter Egg Hunt. They’re a favorite of the free spring activities offered in Grand Rapids. Most egg hunts this year are on April 12 or April 19.
Easter falls much later than it did last year, landing on April 20, 2025.
Watch a Tulip Time Parade or Dutch Dancing
Downtown Holland, MI
Tulip Time takes over downtown Holland May 2 – 11, 2025. Dutch dancing, parades, an artisan market, miles and miles of tulips, and more are highlights of this annual flower festival.
Visit Nelis’ Dutch Village
12350 James St, Holland, MI 49424
Nelis’ Dutch Village offers free admission on their opening day when visitors bring dry food goods to donate to Community Action House.
Visitors will receive a day pass to use that day or exchange for a discounted season pass.
Community Day for 2025 is on April 19.
GRAM Free Tuesdays & Thursday Nights
101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Free general admission to the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Tuesdays from 12 – 5 PM each and Thursday Nights from 5 – 8 PM.
Details
Free Thursdays at Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon
296 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440
Free general admission Thursdays, 11AM – 8 PM and the second Saturday of the month.
Details
Lakeshore Museum Center Free Community Day
430 W Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440
Lakeshore Museum Center – Muskegon Heritage Museum’s Community Days are FREE for all participants! Offered monthly May – October.
See unique machinery in operation, discover Muskegon products and explore our region’s unique industrial heritage. Each Community Day features a different theme.
Sugar Bush Fun
Maple Trees around West MI
Early spring means the sap is running! See how maple syrup is made at one of the many local sugarbush events and festivals.
Visit a participating farm for Michigan Maple Weekends in Norther Lower Michigan in March 23-24, 2025 . Trees will be tapped and sap will be flowing!
Come see how it’s harvested, and then made into the delicious syrup you enjoy. You may also catch a glimpse of maple candy, maple cream, and maple sugar being made. Meet the sugar makers who work their maple magic at these free spring activities.
Flick’s Family Film Fest
Celebration Cinema Locations
Kids ages 12 and under watch movies for free while big kids and grown-ups are just $6.
Details
FREE Family Movie Days in Muskegon
Frauenthal Center, 425 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440
The Frauenthal Center invites everyone to attend our family-friendly entertainment series featuring 9 FREE family movies inside the Frauenthal Theater.
The series aims to open doors for families in the community to experience the Frauenthal Center together or for those who are simply looking for a free and fun afternoon.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
The Wizard of Oz
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Trolls Band Together
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM
April Storybook Walk: Frog vs. Toad
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 West Cloverdale Road, Hastings, MI 49058
Frog and Toad eat the same fly — oh no! Their constant arguing wakes a hungry alligator.
Find out what happens to Frog and Toad on your self-guided storybook walk. Don’t forget to stop by the visitors center to get activity sheet.
Free (self-guided on the trails)
MORE INFO
Herrick District Library and Ottawa County Parks Story Walks
Various Ottawa County Park
Ottawa County Parks in collaboration with Herrick District Library are also providing Story Walks this Spring and Summer at various locations throughout Ottawa County.
MORE INFO
Recycling Center Activities & Tours – Monday Open Hours
Kent County MI Dept. Public Works, Wealthy St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mondays from 9 AM – noon. Learn the ins and outs of recycling, watch our workers and machines sort right in front of you, and have fun playing games and creating upcycled crafts as we reimagine waste together.
All ages are welcome. Closed-toed shoes are required.
Details
Open Play at Holland Playland
Central Wesleyan Church Playland, 446 W 40th St, Holland, MI 49423
For children ages 6 months to 11 years old.
While the kids play, you are welcome to check out the Gathering Grounds coffee shop and hang-out place.
M-W • 9am–12pm; F • 5–8pm; Sat • 9am–2pm; Sun noon-3pm; closed Th. Details
Watch Airplanes at the Viewing Park
4820 Kraft Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Visit one of our favorites: Pack a lunch and watch the planes land at Ford Airport Viewing Park.
Holland Museum
31 W 10th St, Holland, MI 49423
Discover local Holland history and more at Holland Museum for free on the second Monday of the month. The Holland Museum is open the second Monday of every month from 4 – 7 PM with FREE admission for all visitors!
Check out our current exhibits including Spark!Lab Smithsonian!
Activate Your Library Perks
Grand Rapids Public Library Patrons: Take advantage of the FREE perks for cardholders through their amazing Check It Out! program.
– This is a great way to access free passes to incredible outings like Frederik Meijer Gardens, John Ball Zoo, the GR Children’s Museum, local sporting events, theatre productions, GR museums, and more.
Kent District Library Patrons: KDL cardholders can get free passes to area attractions through their Perk Pass program. Cardholders can reserve passes online, print their passes and visit their attraction on the date they reserved. Attractions include Meijer Gardens, the GRAM, and occasionally the Children’s Museum.
Library cardholders from all over Michigan can also use their cards to access the Michigan Activity Pass, which allows patrons to print a pass to one of many state parks, historic sites, cultural attractions, campgrounds and recreation areas and other free spring activities throughout the state.
Most libraries have kid’s activities and play areas catered to kiddos of all ages. Herrick District Library’s Main branch has a Lego lab, a room decked floor to ceiling with legos. Kent District Library has 20 different libraries to visit.
The kid’s areas are fun these days – try out these Library Play Places. While you’re there, stick around for storytimes & other fun library events.
Go Out for a Free Meal for the Kids
Plan a family dinner out at one of the many places around West Michigan where kids eat free (or for less.)
Pro Tip: Tuesdays and Wednesdays have the most Kids Eat Free deals.
New Things to Do Outdoors
These are such welcome free spring activities!
Head out on one of West Michigan’s many hiking trails. It’s also a great time to visit a nature center and go for a hike, as the bugs of summer haven’t woken up yet, but lots of flowers are coming out of their winter slumber.
Try a new-to-you Grand Rapids area playground.
Want an urban adventure? Go on the Grand Rapids Mural Crawl.
Really, there are a ton of outdoor things to do in spring in West MI:
• Disc Golf
• Geocaching
• 2.5-mile City Adventure Walk – be sure to find the giant tire swing!
• Best Family Bike Ride Spots
• Enjoy the great outdoors at the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve – the trails are open for exploration.
Shop For Less
Various locations around West MI
Spring means garage sales and consignment sale time! See where you can save big on stuff for your rapidly growing kids throughout the season.
Kids Skate Free
Holland and Grand Rapids
Kids Skate Free is a program similar to the summer Kids Bowl Free program. The biggest difference is, you’re required to purchase an annual membership for $4.99
Children 12 and under get two passes for free admission to participating skating rinks each week. Skate rental is an additional cost.
Parents download the app and add their children’s information and the skating passes are available right on your phone.
Local participating locations: GR Skate and Event Center in Kentwood.
Visit a New to You Park
Grand Rapids
Keep it low-key but interesting with a new-to-you park or playground. Check out our guide to local parks all over the Grand Rapids area.
Pack a picnic lunch and make a day out of park hopping.
Paint Rocks and Leave them Around Town
Wherever you are
Leave painted rocks around your area. Make a day out hunting for and painting the rocks. Paint or color them whatever design and then leave them around at the places you visit.
Whether that’s at the playground, around town as you shop, or running errands.
Free Things to Do Event Calendar
A calendar full of free spring activities.
Love all these ideas 🙂
Crystal Lynn White