A Capital City Winter Bucket List Worth Getting Excited About
We don’t say “There’s nothing to do in Lansing,” anymore!
I admit – like many other Lansing residents I have been caught reflecting this popular sentiment about our city.
Then I was asked to list fun winter things to do in Lansing with kids and I found 57 things to do!
I am pleased to report that I won’t be saying “There’s nothing do here” anymore! And if anyone else tries it in front of me, I can show them this list and watch them smile.
Our city is growing rapidly and now we have no excuses to hibernate during winter, Capitol City! If you’re looking for more Lansing fun, find out what we are doing over in Mid-Michigan at Lansing Family Fun.
Here are 57 ideas for fun with kids this season:
Check out these fun things to do this winter in our Capitol City with kids. From infants to teens there’s 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!
57 Things to do in Winter Around Lansing
1 – See the wonder at Wodumar Nature Center: Trails are open everyday from dawn till dusk. Be sure to check out the Visitor Center. (Lots of fun! Check their website for hours to this facility.)
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 Birchfield Park on their two (one for littles and one for the more daring) 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 Movies.
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 in
9 – Jump your heart out!
- District Five
- Jumpin Jax
- Springz
- Zap Zone (See no. 10 for more info)
10 – Go Glow Golfing, Play in the Arcade, or Bounce at Zap Zone.
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 the YMCA or MAC.
16 – Ride the North Pole Express Train from the book and movie Polar Express.
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 (Capitol District Libraries)
- Delta Township Library
- Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum
- Fosters Coffee Company
- Schulers Book Store
- Impressions 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.
23 – Have tons of fun at Granger Park
- Sledding Hill
- Ice Skating (Call for Details)
- Disk Golf
- Dog Park
- Walking/Hiking Trails
- Playground (Weather Dependent)
24 – Forget that it’s cold outside and go swimming at:
- Schmidt Southside Community Center’s newly opened pool
- Foster Community Center
- 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 travel with someone who is? See the animals at the Potter Park Zoo for FREE on Non-Holiday Mondays from 9am -Noon.
27 – Skateboard for FREE at the Newly opened Revival Annex Skate Park located at 735 hazel street Lansing in Eastwood, brought to you by Revival Skate Shop!
28 – Flowing or frozen, visit the Brenke Fish Ladder in Old Town.
29 – Go Thrifting. I couldn’t possibly put all of the stores in this list but here are some favorites:
- Greater Lansing : The VOA on Saginaw HWY, Vintage Marketplace (Used to be Lambs Gate), Vintage Junkies, The Mega Mall, April’s, Thriftique, St. Vincent De Paul,Metro Retro, Second Time Around, Kellie’s Consignments, Tiny Town,
- 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 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 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 a plethora of events at the CADL Downtown Lansing Library. Some events include Learn Code in a fun way (Age 7-17) Scratch 101 (Ages 7-17), Saturday Family Matinees, Drop in Lego Club, Black History Month Events, Reading to Dogs and the list goes on! Check out their extensive events list
38 – Visit the Bug House at MSU.
39 – Go to the 3rd Annual Michigan Nordic Fire Festival.
40 – Grab a sample of popcorn and a free drink (coffee or caffeine free hibiscus tea) from 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 Fitzgerald Park and Lincoln Brick Park.
44 – Feed the fish at Preuss Pets and visit all of the animals.
45 – Play and learn during Open Gym at Red Cedar Gymnastics.
46 – Roller skate or play laser tag at Edru Skate.
47 – Play, Learn, and Explore at Impressions 5.
48 – Ice Fish on Park Lake and if it’s not too cold out, play on the amazing three story play structure.
49 – Visit and feed Horses at MSU.
50 – Shop for art supplies (amazing clearance) for your home DIY projects at O’Leary Paint!
51 – Stop for delicious desserts and yummy drinks while you play the onsite games at Chapelure Eastwood and Chapelure Okemos.
52 – “Dig” at your local record shop:
- Record Lounge in ReoTown
- Flat Back and Circular in East Lansing
53 – Lansing is the place to be if you want to explore fun international desserts!
- Bubble Tea and Board Games at Bubble Island
- 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 Oriental Mart in East Lansing
- Huge variety of popcorn at Cravings (Downtown and Old Town Lansing)
- Regular and Gluten Free donuts/desserts at Glazed & Confused and Chapelure
- The smallest/cutest storefront in town and delicious macarons at Le Bon Macaron
Have a place to add? Comment below!
54 – Support the year round Allan Street Market.
55 – If it’s not snowing, get in a game of soccer at Beacon Field.
56 – Join the fun at one of the Lansing neighborhood community centers
57 – Take a road trip to Grand Rapids and see what kind of fun your kids can stir up there!
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.