A Capital City Winter Bucket List Worth Getting Excited About
When it comes to winter activities, we have so many fun things to do in Grand Rapids with kids.
I’ve always thought of Lansing as a bit boring, definitely nothing exciting enough to make the drive. However, I was in for a big surprise when I started looking into all the things there are to do in our capitol city.
Not only is there MSU and all the places to explore downtown—I found 55 different activities that families can enjoy right there in Mid-Michigan.
Now when people say it’s not worth the trip to Lansing, I just laugh and pull out my list.
So check out these fun family activities for winter in Lansing. From infants to teens, there is something for everyone.
I’ve challenged my family to pick 3-5 things per week for the rest of the winter. If we accomplish this bucket list of wonder we will have something to look forward to all winter long and these cold, cloudy days will fly by.
Before we know it we will be getting out our sand toys and heading to the beach for Spring Break!
55 Things to do in Winter Around Lansing
1 – See the wonder at Woldumar Nature Center: Trails are open everyday from dawn till dusk. Be sure to check out the Visitor Center.
2 – Tube down the snow hill or snowboard at Hawk Island, and use their lift to get back up the hill. Walk or hike the beautiful Riverwalk trails. A snack bar is also located on site.
3 – Sled at Burchfield Park on their two sledding hills.
4 – Discover Lansing’s rich transportation history at ReOlds Transportation Museum and explore Oldsmobile from the very first prototype to today’s streamlined automobiles.
5 – Enjoy a FREE Family Movie on the weekends at NCG Free Family Movie Festivals.
6 – Experience the Abram’s Planetarium on MSU’s Campus.
7 – Explore Fenner Nature Center to walk the trails or play in the Visitor Center.
8 – Paint or Create Pottery
9 – Jump your heart out!
10 – Go Glow Golfing, Play in the Arcade, or Bounce at Zap Zone XL or Dave & Busters.
11 – Skate like a pro at Munn Ice Arena’s open skate or come back later to watch a game of MSU hockey.
12 – Visit Grand Woods Park’s RC Car Track or go Disk Golfing in their trails along the grand river.
13 – Immerse yourself in beauty at Eli & Edyth Broad MSU Art Museum, where the first Saturday of the month is family day. Make sure to check out the Children’s area downstairs.
14 – Visit beautiful Jenison Field House on Michigan State’s campus, where you can watch a Gymnatics Competition or take a dip in the Jenison Pool during open swim.
15 – Take a class at one of the four Lansing YMCA’s or at the MAC.
16 – Ride the North Pole Express Train and step back in time as you enjoy a ride to the Village of Ashley’s Country Christmas.
17 – Visit Curwood Castle in Owosso and walk the suspension bridge.
18 – Take an art class from Reach Art Studio. (From Kids to Teens to Adults) You’ll learn from the most friendly staff in a unique and cool facility.
19 – Walk the green houses in the MSU 4-H Children’s Indoor Garden.
20 – Take a Breaking (Break Dance) class from All of the Above Hip Hop Academy at the Cadillac Room in Reo Town.
21 – Frequent a Monthly/Weekly/Daily story time:
- CADL (13 different libraries are part of the Capitol Area District Libraries)
- Delta Township Library
- Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum
- Fosters Coffee Company
- Schuler Book Store
- Impression 5: Free admissions to I5 during Tadpole story time when you show your CADL Card.
- MSU 4-H Children’s Indoor Garden
22 – See the dinosaurs at the MSU Museum. Grand reopening Jan. 14, 2026.
23 – Have tons of fun at Granger Park
- Sledding Hill
- Ice Skating (Call for Details)
- Disk Golf
- Dog Park
- Walking/Hiking Trails
- Playground
24 – Forget that it’s cold outside and go swimming at:
- East Lansing Aquatic Center
- Hunter Park Pool
- Moores Park Pool
- Schmidt Pool
- IM Circle Pool on MSU Campus
25 – Hang out at Blue Owl Cafe and catch a music performance or impromptu movie night.
26 – Are you an Ingham County Resident or traveling with someone who is? See the animals at the Potter Park Zoo for FREE on Non-Holiday Mondays from 9 -12 PM.
27 – Skateboard for FREE at the Revival Annex Skate Park at 735 Hazel St, Lansing, brought to you by Revival Skate Shop.
28 – Flowing or frozen, visit the Brenke Fish Ladder in Old Town Lansing.
29 – Go Thrifting. I couldn’t possibly put all of the stores in this list but here are some favorites:
- Greater Lansing: Volunteers Of America on Saginaw Hwy, Simply Vintage Marketplace, Vintage Junkies, The Mega Mall, April’s Antiques, Thriftique, St. Vincent de Paul, Metro Retro & Kellie’s Blue Moon.
- Williamston
- Howell
- Grand Ledge
30 – Take a tour of LCC’s Radio Station.
31 – Take in a performance at Wharton Center, Riverwalk Theatre and Peppermint Creek Theatre.
32 – Take a tour or a free self guided tour of the Capitol building and the Michigan Hall of Justice.
33 – Climb to the top of MSU’s Beaumont Tower in a tour. You may even get to play the Carillon located at the very top!
34 – Attend a Family/Kids Workshop at Home Depot or Lowes every month!
35 – Spend your week at Mother & Earth Baby Boutique with a full schedule of craft and music classes, story time, play group and parent and child yoga.
36 – Visit and play in the children’s area at the Michigan Historical Center and Library.
37 – Enjoy free events at the CADL Downtown Lansing Library. Events include story time, lego building, coding, art classes, STEM, video games & more.
38 – Visit the Bug House at MSU.
39 – Go to the annual Michigan Nordic Fire Festival.
40 – Grab a sample of popcorn, a free coffee or tea and wander through Horrocks.
41 – Let the kids play while you relax at Alive! in Charlotte.
42 – Ski at Mt Brighton.
43 – Snowshoe or cross country ski at Burchfield Park, Fitzgerald Park, Harris Nature Center, Lake Lansing Parks & Lincoln Brick Park.
44 – Feed the fish at Preuss Pets and visit all of the animals.
45 – Play and learn during Open Gym at gymKiND Academy & Kiki’s Gymnastics.
46 – Roller skate at Edru Skate.
47 – Play, Learn, and Explore at Impressions 5.
48 – Ice Fish on Lake Lansing South and if it’s not too cold out, play on the amazing three story play structure.
49 – Visit and feed Horses at MSU.
50 – Come play arcade games, pinball machines & billiards at Pinball Pete’s in East Lansing.
51 – “Dig” at your local record shop:
- Record Lounge in ReoTown
- Flat Back and Circular in East Lansing
52 – Lansing is the place to be if you want to explore fun international desserts!
- Pan Dulce and more at Don Ponchos Market
- Hand rolled ice cream and unique tea at Unicha
- Baklava and more at Woody’s Oasis or Zaytoon
- Mochi and more at the Fresh Market or LLB Asian Market
- Huge variety of popcorn at Cravings Gourmet Popcorn
- Regular and Gluten Free donuts/desserts at Groovy Donuts, Mitten Raised & Strange Matter
- The smallest/cutest storefront in town and delicious baked goods at Make it Sweet & Sweetie-licious
53 – Support the year round community hub at Allen Street Market.
54 – Get in a game of soccer, open year-round, at Beacon Field.
55 – Join the fun at one of the Lansing’s neighborhood community centers:
What are we waiting for?
So, are you ready to venture out with me?
It’s already proving to be a blustery winter so let’s hit the hills, eat all the cozy treats, meet up with others in the community and have some fun.
Keep the fun coming
Head over to Lansing Family Fun for more great guides and fun in Greater Lansing and Mid-Michigan!
If you have places and adventures to add we always love adding to our lists. Please feel free to comment below with your suggestions.
What a great idea. thanks for writing this .
Awesome Article !!!! Thanks for sharing
2022 Winter is coming, i am so glad that you share these list or ideas to do in winter season. Love from India.
I will sure gonna try these ideas!
Nice idea , I am inspired.
Lansing sounds like an interesting place. I have always wanted to check it out with family. Seeing your blog, I feel I should make the trip soon because I seem to be missing out on many interesting activities. Keep penning such posts with pictures. A nice share!
Greater Lansing Balloon Festival in August!! This year in 2018 its August 24th and 25Th. check out our website http://www.greaterlansingballoonfestival.com to see the dates for future years and to get details on this years!
When winter is on the cards, I am always a confused mother. I could never decide what I am doing to do for my kids. However, when I came over this blog, I was really impressed. Now I know what I can do in winters for my kids and make their winters memorable.
This is amazing!! Wonderfully written.