50+ Fun Things to Do in Spring: GR’s Best Spring Activity Guide

Things to do in spring grand rapids - Kids on tire swing

Hello West Michigan Sunshine & Things to do in Spring!

Signs of spring are making themselves known – flowers peeking out with hints of green, the butterflies are back, moving our clocks forward, and the opening day of baseball is so close I can smell it.

Baby animal visits and Easter events are popping up, too. We’ve got a lot of things to look forward to in Grand Rapids, and spring break is just one of them!

If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. This list lays it all out so you can get out there and have a ton of fun this spring, no matter the weather or budget. (YSK: These spring-centric fun ideas are part of our massive list of the best things to do with kids in West Michigan.)

Meet the Calendar

Yep, we have a Grand Rapids Family Event Calendar.

It’s brimming with kid-friendly events and activities, so we’re sure you’ll find something fun to do every day this spring.

This kid calendar is a lifeline for families around GR. Especially when you have little kids, it can be hard to plan ahead (or even plan your day.) These daily activity lists are perfect for that parent who needs an idea right now.

Grand Rapids Events Calendar
See the calendar

Signs of Spring & Spring Events

Butterflies at Meijer Gardens: March & April. Meijer Garden’s annual butterfly display is a must see for everyone at least once.

Sugar Shack Events: March & April. Maple Syrup Festivals and Sugar shacks celebrations are one of our favorite early spring events. Find yummy pancakes at some of them.

Opening Day at John Ball Zoo: Friday, March 22, 2024

Opening Day at the Whitecaps: Tuesday, April 9, 2024. There are so many family-friendly things to do at a Whitecaps game!

GR Lantern Festival: Opens April 10, 2024. Back again, the GR Lantern Festival is a spring treat for West Michigan. Be sure to get tickets before they sell out.

Cherry Blossoms at Meijer Gardens: The Japanese Garden in unbelievably gorgeous when the cherry blossoms bloom in mid-April. Don’t miss it!

Tulip Time: May 4-12, 2024. See the most tulips and find the fun at the biggest tulip festival in America.

Wildflowers at Aman Park: Typically, the trillium and bluebells are best before Mother’s Day. (Mother’s Day is May 12, 2024)

And, one by one, the Ice Cream Shops are opening.

tulip-photo-window-on-the-waterfront
Tulips at Tulip Time in Holland

Get Outside!

Hit the Trails: Head out on one of West Michigan’s many hiking trails.

Want an urban adventure? Go on the Grand Rapids Mural Crawl or do the 2.5-mile City Adventure Walk.

Disc Golf Grab a friend for a round of Disc Golf at one of our many free courses!

Visit Animals: There’s no shortage of petting zoos in West Michigan, either. Baby chicks and bunnies are always a treat.

Discover a New Park or Playground: Try a new-to-you Grand Rapids area playground from this massive list.

Patio Dining: Warmer weather means patio season is back. Use this patio restaurant to find your place in the sun.

Play Putt Putt: Everyone feels like a winner after playing mini golf around GR.

Or, one of our favorites: Pack a lunch and watch the planes land at Ford Airport Viewing Park.

Airport viewing park grand rapids mi
Airport Viewing Park

Rainy Days & Indoor Fun

We all know spring can be rainy, but no worries.

Hit up the Indoor Play Guide when you want to escape the weather or use this West Michigan list with 22 things to do on a rainy day to jumpstart your day.

Local Indoor Pools: Splashing around in a warm indoor pool makes a great mini getaway. Bonus: It’s usually an affordable thing to do.

A visit to a GR trampoline park can keep you moving for hours.

Same with Indoor Activity Centers. Go-Karts, zip lines, laser tag, ninja warrior – and more. (Try Craig’s Cruisers, Allegan Event, BattleGR, Rebounderz, or Amped Virtual Reality for a great time.)

Paint Your Own Pottery and get creative at The Mud Room.

Children’s Museums: See what’s new at your favorite hands-on museum in West Michigan.

(If all else fails, no worries, a coffee shop stop is probably what you need.)

Things to do on a rainy day in Grand Rapids

Easter Fun

Egg Hunts: Use this complete list of Easter egg hunts to find the biggest, best, or most convenient egg hunt for your family.

Plan Your Own Easter Egg Hunt: Want to plan a super awesome egg hunt for all of your friends and family? It’s easy with this strategy!

easter egg hunt west michigan

Spring Break

West Michigan Staycations

For families spending spring break in GR, you’re in luck.

Lots of businesses offer extended hours and spring break specials each year. Find them listed in the GR spring beak guide and you won’t lack for things to do right here in town.

Or, be a tourist for a day. It’s a fun way to experience Grand Rapids with kids. I find it amazing how different the city feels when you switch up your routine and stay in a new-to-you place.

Drivable Spring Break Destinations

If you’re still hoping for a getaway, consider one these drivable spring break trips for families to visit, explore, and enjoy a change of scenery.

Some of our favorite spring break destinations are listed below:

Traverse City: If you want to stay in our home state, you’ll find lots to do in Traverse City. It’s off-season, so rates are low and the attractions aren’t as busy.

Dive into a splashy time with a stay at one of Michigan’s indoor waterpark hotels.

Take the train to Chicago.

Milwaukee: Head west to Milwaukee for a Midwest vacation in a new town. (If ferry service isn’t open, the drive is very doable!)

St. Louis: If you’re up for a bit more driving, St. Louis has a lot of family fun to offer, including an incredible city museum.

Kentucky: Explore caves, ride horses and incredible state parks are a few of the things to do in Kentucky.

Canada: Go international and visit Canada! Both Niagara Falls and Toronto are well within a day’s drive, leaving plenty of time to explore over spring break.

niagara falls canada side
Niagara Falls

Free & Affordable Stuff to Do

If finding deals is your thing, don’t miss the Spring Consignment Sale Guide.

Or, how about a 2.5-mile walk that takes you to the city’s hidden gems? It’s free!

Trying a family bike ride is another good way to get out and get going.

Also, many of the outdoor activities listed above are free. That might be reason enough to get outside!

For more affordable or free things to do with the family this spring, check out this free spring activities list.

Let us know what other fun spring activities you come across in the comments!

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