Make Spring Break Staycations Fun With These Local Activity Options
Spring Break in 2021 will thankfully look a lot different than it did in 2020. We’re seeing a lot of things *slightly* return to normal.
Social distancing is still a thing, and masks are required at indoor venues. BUT, local places and spaces are open and ready to entertain you if you don’t head out of town for Spring Break.
If you’re sticking around West Michigan for spring break, you can stir up some fun in Grand Rapids and enjoy the mini summer vacation that’s coming our way in April. Businesses around town are holding special hours or events just for your kids!
Lock in Your Spring Break Spots Now if You Can
The name of the game this year is ADVANCED RESERVATIONS and lots of patience.
Capacity limits are in place. Use this list of spring break ideas to plan where you want to go. If reservations are offered, lock in your spots now.
A fun way to get everyone involved is to show your family this list and have each child choose an activity that they’d love to do the most and then tackle each one over break. (Tip: if that’s more activities than your budget will allow, call for a family vote or draw their nominations from a hat.)
Happy Spring Break, everyone!
Top Grand Rapids Spring Break Ideas
You may be surprised to learn that there is plenty to do right in your neighborhood this Spring Break. Scroll through this list for Spring Break ideas from our partners.
Good for Ages: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
BattleGR offers fun for everyone. We will be offering half days Spring Break camp. Activities will include: Nerf, laser tag, archery, dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, board games, arts & craft, Super Smash Bros tournament, and a snack is included.
Looking to bring the family out for some fun. Join us for a wristband all you can play, open gym, our family board game night. Check our website for details. We also can book private play time if you don’t want to mingle with the public.
Our laser tag is different and we have over 30 different games we can play.
Each game has a different mission or objective.
Our facility has air ionizers that are certified to kill covid, viruses/bacteria, and mold in the air. Our air turns over every 10 minutes. We also have sprayed the whole facility with MicrobanCare which also is a long lasting virus/bacteria killer. We have our bio-load checked every month. A hospital wants a bio-load of 45 or lower. This month ours was 2. We work very hard to keep our facility clean and safe.
If you would like to book a private session please call us at 616-345-0698.
T E S T I M O N I A L
"FANTASTIC facility and amazing set up for laser tag! We loved the variety of game setup options to keep us challenged and entertained. By far the best laser tag in town! Their basketball/athletic courts were also fantastic." - Rachel
Good for Ages: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
“We took our kids to a water park, and all they wanted to do was play VR!” - Parent
AMPED VIRTUAL REALITY has 4.9 STARS ON GOOGLE!!
PERFECT for the entire family! Freshman Anne can draw with light or give herself a fright! Mom can swim with dolphins while Dad and fifth-grader John battle zombies together! 4-year old Susie loves Fruit Ninja or being inside a Disney movie.
There are over 40 experiences, including multiplayer options: enter MINECRAFT, swing like Spider-man, complete spy missions, be inside a DISNEY movie, Create 3-D art, swim with dolphins, or travel the world!
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center is open for your spring break staycation!
Open daily during spring break with family fun for all ages.
The outdoor attractions will be available if weather permits!
See craigscruisers.com for hours and specials!
Spring Break Idea: Open Studio & Art Classes for Creative Fun
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Make sure you include a visit to this favorite family-friendly art studio over spring break! Fun for all ages and no experience is necessary. Don't worry if you're "not creative..." Their helpful staff will help anyone feel like an artist!
Visit during Open Studio hours for an impromptu creative day out to paint pottery. Reserve or call ahead for guaranteed seating, although walk-ins are welcome if there's room. Check their website for hours.
Plan ahead and register ages 7-adult for a private Potter's Wheel class for good clean fun! A perfect hands-on activity for your family or friends group.
Spring Break Idea: Indoor Ropes Course, Zip Line & More at at Allegan Event
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Allegan Event will be open for extra weekday spring break hours Wed., March 31 - Fri., April 9!
Conveniently located 30-minutes from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Holland, Allegan Event is Michigan’s largest indoor ropes course and offers endless adventurous activities for guests of all ages to explore, get active, and make lasting memories.
Attractions include the heart-pumping bi-level Sky Trail® ropes course with Sky Rail® zip rails, Sky Tykes® course for small children, QUICKjump free-fall simulation, Vertical Drop Slide, Clip ‘n Climb® walls, arcade, and food and beverage area.
Spring Break Idea: Sean Kenney's Wild Connections at the GRPM
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Get out of the house this spring break by spending a day at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Don’t miss Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks to see larger-than-life animal and plant sculptures and learn about science, engineering, and more!
Included with your admission, explore the arctic permafrost in Under the Arctic to become a scientist and learn more about global climate change.
During Spring Break enjoy special performances with Professor WOW with fun and kooky experiments.
Enjoy a Chaffee Planetarium show, grab a snack at the Museum’s café and take home a memento from the Curiosity Shop.
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Come paint pottery and create not only a functioning item to use, but also create a memory to last a lifetime!
Choose from 100's of pieces of pottery, sit and paint your creation, and chat with your loved ones!
Make a reservation or come on in. We also offer "to go" pottery to paint at home.
Paint a Pot is fun and creative shop for all ages, no experience needed!
Come on in or check out our website.
Spring Break Idea: Go to the Movies and Get the Spring Break Special!
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Join us during your school's spring break in the month of March/April to take part in our Spring Break Special! 1 ticket + Small Combo for $10!
You can also upgrade for $2 more to a medium combo. Limited to students from Pre-K to College only.
For all our other specials, find us at GQTmovies.com or download our app!
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Come roller skating this Spring break!
Public skating sessions:
Friday April 2
Monday - Friday April 5-9
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
$8 Admission
$1 Roller skate rental
$2 Rollerblade rental
All ages welcome, masks required.
Our Snack Bar is open!
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Adventure is open at John Ball Zoo. Families are building bonds while exploring the natural world around them. It’s all here, at your John Ball Zoo.
Now is the time to get up close with some of your favorite animals.
Plus, you’ll not want to miss BRICKLIVE Supersized! This international exhibition supersizes nature’s small and mighty. From sneaky predators such as the fearless honey badger to the venomous blue-ringed octopus, the over 30 toy brick sculptures are featured because of their colorful appearance in nature, unusual natural abilities, and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.
Good for Ages: Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Air Zoo is a highly charged, multi-sensory atmosphere that goes beyond anything you've ever seen! They boast 100+ rare and historic air and space artifacts, exciting stories and exhibits, a world-renowned restoration center, hands-on learning stations and so much more.
New policies and procedures ensure guests feel safe while exploring the Air Zoo’s engaging and immersive experiences.
VIRTUAL CAMPS
Live-Virtual Spring Break Day Camps are also available for kids Kindergarten-5th Grade!
Spring Break Events & Activities Calendar
From activity centers to Easter fun to petting zoos and classes, the events calendar has a lot to choose from.
This is an ideal time of year to visit a local farm, as all sorts of baby animals are being born. 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.
Check the events calendar below for even Grand Rapids Spring Break ideas.
Spring Break Activities Calendar – toggle open to see the list
Your family's new spring tradition! $12/child, or $25/family
Michigan’s largest indoor ropes course! Offering endless adventurous activities for guests of all ages.
March 31-April 12, 2021
(Closed on Easter Sunday, April 4)
Staying home for Spring Break? Hit the ice for some fun during Open Skate!
Wristbands include: Indoor & Outdoor Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Mini-Golf, Bumper Boats, Frog Hopper, Cruiser Coaster and Ninja Course. Order in advance to secure your spot! $40/person
Wristbands include: Indoor & Outdoor Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Mini-Golf, Bumper Boats, Frog Hopper, Cruiser Coaster and Ninja Course. Order in advance to secure your spot! $40/person
Come roller skating this Spring Break! $8/admission, $1/skate rental, $2/rollerblade rental
Enjoy live science shows, intriguing exhibits and planetarium shows, as well as festive food experience featuring a food truck from ART: Caribbean Fusion Cuisine along with an assortment of beverages and beer from City Built Brewing Company.
Come join us for our Camping theme Spring Break Day Camp! $55 members, $65 non-members. Sibling discount: $10
Come plant your own tomato tower! Masks & registration required, $12.
Learn all about these animals through a up-close, hands-on experience: Kangaroos, Sloths, Lemurs.
Reserve your spot in advance.
Spring into fun during afternoon Spring Break Sk8’s! $6 admission, $4 regular rental, $5 blades.
Come see the new life that Spring brings us! Meet the new baby ducklings, chicks, lambs, kids, and calves!
$5 person, $20 family/household
Includes supplies & 16X20 gallery wrapped, take-home canvas! $29
Jump on the trampolines, climb the ropes, swing into the foam pit, and more!
30% Off Ultimate Ticket ONLY
Create a unique field journal to record your findings and then investigate woods and wetlands. Ages 6-7, $22/child, $22/adult.
Includes a full schedule of camp programs and activities plus lunch. Ages 7-13, $50/day
Find out why spring is such an important season! Ages 4-5, $22/child, $22/adult.
Spring Break Ballet Camp for 2-4 year olds. $12 residents, $15 non-residents.
Visit SwissLane Farms for a fun filled day this spring!
Celebrate the arrival of spring and Earth Day with several activities! Free with admission.
April 8, 2021
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superhero Day at John Ball Zoo!
Kid/teen inspired classes for ages 5+, includes supplies & 11X14 gallery wrapped, take-home canvas! $25
Walk the trails for exercise, fresh air & sunlight! FREE
Walk the 3/4-mile nature trail, visit the animals, ride in a pedal boat. $5/suggested donation
Kids will plant their own cat grass seeds! Masks & registration required, $10. Includes planter, soil and seeds!
More Spring Break Ideas Around Grand Rapids
If you are still looking for more fun spring break activities, the GRKIDS team has hand-picked these ideas for YOU! Check them out below and keep that spring break momentum going.
Free (or Cheap) Things to Do on Spring Break
We like to balance our adventure between free and paid activities to help make spring break easier on the wallet.
Here are a few Spring Break things to do that won’t cost you anything but time and gas money in 2021:
- Head to the Movies: GQT Theaters in Ada-Lowell, Hastings, Holland & Kalamazoo have a Spring Break special deal: 1 student ticket + Small Concessions Combo for $10! Flick’s Family Films in Grand Rapids: $5 tickets, free for kids 12 & under. Locations and showtimes vary, verify schedule online.
- March Storywalk Book in Hastings: Take a journey with a young indigenous girl as she reminds us we are all together on this Mother Earth and invites us to help protect its water.
- GRAM Free Tuesdays in Grand Rapids: Free general admission to the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Tuesdays.
- FREE Thursdays at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon: Free general admission.
- Attend an Easter Egg Hunt. (Here’s the list of Local Egg Hunts)
- Head out on one of West Michigan’s many hiking trails, or try a new Grand Rapids area playground.
- Want an urban adventure? Try the Grand Rapids Mural Crawl.
More Things to Do on Spring Break in West Michigan
Movement-Based Spring Break Ideas
- Try an open gym at either For the Kidz Gymnastics and Trampoline or GR Gymnastics. Kids can jump, tumble and play during scheduled sessions.
- Kids can really get their hearts pumping at a family activity center like Battle GR Laser Tag, Amped Virtual Reality, Craig’s Cruisers, or Allegan Event.
- Skate the afternoon away at Tarry Hall Roller Rink or Grand Rapids Skate and Event Center.
- Bowling enthusiasts can aim for the pins at Eastbrook Lanes or Hudsonville Lanes.
- Splash around – these Grand Rapids indoor pools have open swim times.
Outdoor Ideas for Spring Break
- John Ball Zoo opens on March 27 for the season and is hosting a new exhibit, BRICKLIVE Supersized!
- Visit the Children’s Garden at Meijer Gardens.
- Visit animals at Fellinlove Farm or the Critter Barn.
- Spend the afternoon finding the hidden tire swing, big red button, and exploring downtown on this 2.5-mile tour.
Indoor Spring Break Ideas
- Road trip it to Kalamazoo and spend the afternoon exploring artifacts of the skies at the Air Zoo.
- Visit the butterflies at Meijer Gardens.
- Movie theaters are back! Catch a flick at a GQT movie theatre or Celebration Cinemas, both with multiple locations around West Michigan.
- Creative kids can get hands-on with paint or pottery at Paint a Pot in Holland or The Mud Room at Knapp’s Corner.
- Curious kids can explore a local museum. Grand Rapids Public Museum is hosting a cool lego exhibit (along with live science shows and planetarium shows, too) and Grand Rapids Art Museum is hosting an Art & Nature event.
Drive Just a Little
- Spend a night in a hotel with a pool in Cadillac for just $100/$125 a night (includes dining voucher).
- Enjoy Spring Break in Lansing
- Enjoy Spring Break in Kalamazoo
Pingback: Spring Break ‘Staycation’ Ideas : First United Credit Union