50+ Lit Things for Teens to Do Around Grand Rapids

List of 50+ Teen Activities in the Grand Rapids Area

There are so many things to do around Grand Rapids, but finding things for teens to do that they don’t consider lame is a tall order.

Teens are savvy and they know what’s fun and what’s not.

This is the age where you can really tap into your children’s likes and interests and run with it.

We’ve found all the non-cringey stuff that teens will want to do around Grand Rapids. Some activities they may want to do with their friends, but some of these items are perfect for family time when you’re looking for things to do with teens.

Summer Things for Teens to Do

1 – Visit Michigan’s Adventure

4750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445

Michigan’s Adventure is a water park and amusement park in one!

It’s an easy day trip from Grand Rapids.

This mid-size amusement park is small enough that you can easily let the teens run off to find their best fun without you tagging along.

Log Ride at Michigan's Adventure

2 – Try a Ropes Course or Zip Line

Adventurous teens will love a West Michigan Zip Lines or ropes course.

Popular ones include:
Muskegon Luge Adventure Park
– John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids
– TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids

Muskegon Luge Zip Line
Muskegon Luge Zip Line

3 – Play Putt Putt at Captain Sundae/Pirate’s Landing

365 Douglas Ave, Holland, MI 49424

Mini golf, aka Putt Putt, is one of the classic teen activities.

It’s even sweeter if you can do it at Captain Sundae’s and pair it with ice cream.

Try one of these mini golf spots around Grand Rapids.

Putt putt is one of the top things for teens to do in summer.
Captain Sundae mini golf in Holland.

4 – Grab Some Retro Kicks and Go Bowling

Choose from traditional or glow bowling.

Clique Lanes in Grand Rapids

5 – Catch a movie at the Drive-In

Drive-ins are the perfect choice for teens who are digging vintage vibes right now.

michigan drive in movie theater

6 – Hit the Beach at Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan beaches are always a winning destination.

Teens love the sun and selfie ops.

grand haven state park south pier lighthouse
Grand Haven State Park

7 – Hit the Rides at a Festival

Visit one of the many fairs and festivals going on this summer in West Michigan.

Eat all the elephant ears and ride all the rides.

It’s pure teen bliss and something to enjoy before they get old and rides make them queasy.

8 – Play Disc Golf

Teen activities for active kids include disc golf. And we have a lot around GR!

Favorite local disc golf courses include Fallasburg, Earle W. Brewer, and Johnson.

disc golf grand rapids

9 – Rent a Boat at Millennium Park

1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534

Millennium Park is huge and has a ton of outdoor things for teens to do, including SUP rentals and kayaks. (And a sandy beach, of course!)

10 – Attend a FREE summer teen event at a library

See what’s happening at Kent District or Grand Rapids Public Library.

11 – Go Dancing

Swing dance the night away with the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society every Tuesday night.

Or sign up for a Hip Hop culture class at Teknique Academy.

12 – Cheer on the West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps home games are loaded with entertainment and of course, good old baseball.

Many nights even end with a fireworks show.

Lawn seats are a must for groups of friends.

13 – Watch the Fast Cars at Berlin Raceway

2060 Berlin Fair Dr, Marne, MI 49435

The Berlin Raceway in Marne is West Michigan’s only NASCAR-sanctioned track.

Look for special events throughout the season.

14 – Learn How to Play Golf at Maple Hill

5555 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418

Maple Hill Golf is a leader in junior golf lessons.

maple hill junior golf lessons

15 – Sign up for a Fun Run or Adventure Race

The Color Run 5K Grand Rapids is usually in July.

The GRR Runway 5K is cool because you get to race down the place where airplanes fly.

16 – Stargaze at Veen Observatory in Lowell

3308 Kissing Rock Ave SE, Lowell, MI 49331

The telescopes are open to the public at Veen Observatory on various Saturdays, April through October when skies are clear. 

Make sure you check their website ahead of time to confirm the skies are clear enough for a viewing.

17 – Go Kayaking or River Tubing

Tube or kayak down one of West Michigan’s many great rivers with AAA Canoe and Rental or Indian Valley Campground.

Year-Round Things to Do For Teens & Tweens

18 – Play Life-Size Whack-a-Mole in Holland

478 E 16th St, Holland, MI 49423

Play Atomic Rush at BAM! Entertainment.

This giant glow-in-the-dark electronic game is one of many things for teens to do here.

They’ve got an arcade, bowling and laser tag, too.

19 – Watch Live Theatre

We love the live shows at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Broadway GR.

Live performance at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Matilda at The Civic Theatre

20 – Or Hit a Movie Theater – With Reclining Seats 

Studio Park – 123 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Many theaters have the coveted reclining seats, but Studio Park downtown is ALL reclining seats.

Add in downtown vibes and a nice grassy community area out front where they can wait for you to pick them up after the show.

It’s the perfect cinema experience for teens.

21 – Spend the Day at Craig’s Cruisers

5730 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509

There’s so much to do at Craig’s Cruisers in Wyoming!

Try a game of mini-golf or laser tag, tackle the ropes course, or go-kart.

Don’t forget to fill up on the pizza buffet before heading home.

Indoor Go Karts Craig's Cruisers

22 – Conquer the Obstacles at a Trampoline Park

Bounce off the walls or get in a game of dodgeball at Sky Zone, Rebounderz, or Craig’s Cruisers.

Trampolines at Craig's Cruisers
Craig’s Cruisers

23 – Stay Overnight on a Submarine

1346 Bluff St, Muskegon, MI 49441

Or just visit for a few hours at USS Silversides in Muskegon.

This is one of our quirky things for teens to do.

USS Silversides in Muskegon Michigan

24 – Invite Your Friends to a Video Game Truck Party 

BattleGR will deliver the video game truck to your party spot for hours of fun.

You can also visit them in Comstock Park for laser tag, axe throwing and more.

battle gr video game truck

25 – Head to the Symphony – for a Deal

DeVos Performance Hall – 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The Grand Rapids Symphony’s Rush Program will hook you up with unbeatable ticket prices for students.

Pick movie night if you must – as long as it’s with GR Symphony

26 – Visit A Local Museum

Get cultured while having fun.

Choose from:
– the GRAM
– the GRPM
– the Gerald R. Ford museum
– the African American Museum

Grand Rapids Public Museum

27 – Explore Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Find incredible sculptures around every corner at Meijer Gardens. In summer, bring your chair for Tuesday night concert series.

And if you want to feel like a kid again, visit the Great Lakes pools in the children’s garden.

Japanese garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens

28 – Get a Latte. Like from a Real Coffee Shop

We understand the draw of Starbucks with its fruity concoctions and sweet lattes.

But newsflash: local coffee shops have their own amazing specialty drinks that are way more fresh than a pink drink.

29 – Paint Your Own Pottery at The Mud Room

Or, make something special with clay at The Mud Room.

grand rapids summer activities - paint pottery at the Mud Room

30 – Root for Your Favorite Home Team 

Make it a GriffinsWhitecaps, Gold, or Rise game.

West-Michigan-Whitecaps

31 – Catch a Comedy Show

River City Improv is hilarious. Without being raunchy.

32 – Hike a State Park

Visit one of our many great State Parks with a Michigan Recreation Passport.

Hoffmaster State Park

33 – Go Treasure Hunting

Find treasure while trying geocaching.

things to do outside: geocaching

34 – Bike, Blade or Snowshoe the Trails

Bike, hike, snowshoe or blade one of these extensive trails:

The Paul Henry – ThornappleKent Trails, and White Pines trails are only a few that our area has to offer.

Check out our full list and map here.

Mt Pisgah Holland MI hiking trails stairs

35 – Try Teen Hangout Spot 3 Mile Project

Check out the 3 Mile Project, where you’ll find video games, athletic courts, an indoor skate park, a ninja course, game tables, theaters, and a cafe.

36 – Go Fishing

Go fishing! The Michigan DNR offers Free Fishing Weekends twice each year.

free fishing woman with big fish

37 – Play Paintball

Play a game of paintball at T.C. Paintball (for kids ages 10 and older).

38 – Learn to Sew

Take a sewing or craft class at Smith Owen Sewing, The Stitch Studio, or Joann.

39 – Buy a Book. Made of Paper.

Visit one of our many great bookstores. 

Schuler Books offers a variety of programs including game nights, author talks, and more.

Other local favorites include Argos Book ShopBaker Book House and Books & Mortar.

Schuler Books
Schuler Books

40 – Make Your Own Candles

1423 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Make your own custom candle at Wax Poetic Candle Bar.

41 – Go Horseback Riding

8001 Patterson Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316

Go horseback riding at Karin’s Horse Connection.

42 – Go Ultimate!

Play team frisbee with Grand Rapids Ultimate or Zig Zag Ultimate.

43 – Take a Cooking Class

Learn to cook something special at one of these cooking classes around Grand Rapids.

44 – Go Rock Climbing

851 Bond Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Reach for the sky at Higher Ground Rock Climbing Center. Youth climbing clubs meet every Monday.

Or climb at the new Grand Rapids Boulder Park at Highland Park.

45 – Volunteer 

There are over a dozen places around Grand Rapids where teens can volunteer.

Even kids as young as five can help pack sack suppers at the Kids’ Food Basket so the whole family can get involved.

46 – Go Roller Skating

3330 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418

Strap on the rollerblades or roller skates.

Tarry Hall Roller Rink is playing skating tunes several days a week.

47 – Capture the Perfect Tik Tok Background

Grab your phone and plot your own mural tour.

The perfect selfie or TikTok spot is just around the corner.

Girl jumping in front of Murals near downtown market Grand Rapids.

48 – Take Driver’s Training

Ah, the most dreaded milestone for parents and yet most exciting for teens.

Find the perfect driver’s training class for your teen.

drivers training girl with drivers permit (edited)

Winter Things to Do For Teens & Tweens

49 – Visit Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park

462 Scenic Dr N, Muskegon, MI 49445

Visit Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in the winter to enjoy ice skating on the trail through the woods, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.

luge-michigan

50 – Ski or Tube at Cannonsburg

6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI 49306

Head to Cannonsburg for skiing and snow tubing.

cannonsburg michigan snow tubing

51 – Lace Up Those Ice Skates

135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Ice skate during the winter months at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids.

rosa-parks-circle-lights

52 – Go Sledding

There are lots of sledding hills around Grand Rapids.

sledding

Did We Miss Any Favorite Teen Activities?

What are some of your best things for teens to do? Let us know in the comments below!

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