Family Fun for Hot Weather: How to Stay Cool in the Heat
Here are a few places you can beat the heat with your kids.
Options for your consideration:
1 – Go Ice Skating
Most indoor ice rinks are open year-round.
What better than renting a pair of ice skates and flying across a sheet of frozen H-2-O to cool you and your family down?
Here are a few local places where you can skate right now:
Griff’s Georgetown in Hudsonville
8500 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Admission & Skate Rental: $10 per person
Online registration is required for all open skating.
Thursday, June 16th, 1- 2:30 pm
Wednesday, June 22nd, 1- 2:30 pm
Wednesday, June 29th, 1- 2:30 pm
Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids
2550 Patterson Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
$10 per skater (includes skate rental)
June 21, 11 am – 12:50 pm
June 22, 11 am – 12:50 pm
June 28, 11 am – 12:50 pm
June 29, 11 am – 12:50 pm
2 – Explore Library Play Spaces
Camping out at your local library or trying a new one is a great way to stay cool and check off boxes on your summer reading chart.
The Main Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library has an area with dress-up clothes, a play kitchen, LEGO bricks, and more. The Cascade Township KDL branch is outfitted with a “Space Lab” and lots of activity bins.
For photos of all of the area library play areas and a description of what each one offers, look here.
4 – Splash the Day away at Michigan’s Adventure Waterpark – TICKET DEAL!!
For the most part, Wildwater Adventure water park is open daily from noon to 6 pm starting on June 11, 2022.
Use our exclusive ticket deal to get 2-Day Admission Passes for $63!
5 – Head to an Inland Beach
When the water on the big lake hasn’t warmed up enough for swimming but it’s hot outside, it’s time to head to a local inland lake! Here are some favorites:
6 – Jump in a Pool or Splash Pad
The City of Grand Rapids operates several swimming pools. To help you know if they’re at capacity, they now offer live online updates. Check the status before heading out.
Or, consider a splash pad visit to help you cool off. We’ve listed them by size and broken down the amenities offered to help you choose a destination.
7 – Find Indoor Fun
Check out our Indoor Play Guide for a huge list of local places you can take kids to have fun indoors.
Trampoline parks, museums, movie theaters, pottery painting places, and indoor playgrounds – there are so many to choose from.
Take your pick, these destinations offer fun, learning, and a cool venue for the price of admission.
A few museums we love include:
– Grand Rapids Public Museum
– Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Tell us if you have more ideas for staying cool in the comments. Thanks!
More to Explore

Great Deal! Dive into Double JJ Resort’s $10 Outdoor Waterpark Days
Double JJ Outdoor Water Park Offers Affordable Summer Fun Looking for an affordable way to keep the kids busy and cool off this summer? Head to THE SWIMMING HOLE at Double JJ Resort (5900 S Water Rd, Rothbury, MI 49452), an outdoor water park that offers a fun experience without breaking the bank. With exciting…

Versluis Park in Plainfield Twp is Your Beach For Nearby Water Fun
Versluis Park is Your Go-To Beach Versluis Park, among more than 50 west Michigan beaches AND one of the 85+ playgrounds, is unique around west Michigan. The weather was beautiful. The beach beckoned…but which one? I thought of driving out to Lake Michigan, but didn’t really want to make the commitment. Then I remembered Versluis Park…

North Beach Park: The Secret Lake Michigan Beach that Families Adore
North Beach Park – A West Michigan Gem North Beach Park, among the many west Michigan beaches, is a low-key alternative to the buzzing beach at Grand Haven. Families have great reason to love this lesser-known Lake Michigan destination in Ferrysburg MI: the large playground, updated facilities, and wheelchair-accessible beach walk make this a thoughtful escape. Plus,…

Ocqueoc Falls MI is a Hidden Treasure: You Can’t Beat this Up North Waterfall Swimming Hole
The Only Place in Lower MI Where You Can Swim in a Waterfall Swimming in a waterfall might seem like something you can only do in the tropics, but Michigan’s Lower Peninsula offers up one place you can have this incredible free experience: Ocqueoc Falls MI. Before you grab your suit and jump in the…

2023 Asian-Pacific Festival Grand Rapids: Don’t Miss this Exciting 3-Day Cultural Extravaganza!
Join the Festivities at Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival 2023 Revel in the vibrant atmosphere, fantastic entertainment and diverse cultural displays this June 9-11, 2023 at the 7th annual Asian Pacific Festival in Grand Rapids. Held at Calder Plaza: 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, it’s one of the area’s exciting summer things to do, drawing…

16 Unique Family Restaurants in Grand Rapids
Interesting Kid Friendly Restaurants in Grand Rapids Dining at family restaurants is always an adventure, whether intentional or not. Here in west Michigan we have free & cheap spots, our favorite spots and summer time outside dining. And now we have the best intentional adventures for kid friendly restaurants. Play pinball, eat inside an old…
Great list to follow! Running errands is one that I usually do because I get a chore done and stay cool at the same time.
Oh–and at the GR libraries, based on availability, you can get free museum passes.
Yup! Libraries and museums are the best! And if you take the bus, it’s air conditioned, you don’t have to get into a hot car when you’re done, and if your kids have a Grand Rapids library card, they can get free bus tickets from the library children’s desk through the “Ride to Read” program.
perfect, exactly what I was looking for!