Top 10 Things To Do For Kids In Detroit, Michigan

things to do in detroit for kids
Karina
Karina 
Updated
| 5 min read

Detroit is known as a fabulous city for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they are bikers, hikers, or sailors, a hotspot for Motown aficionados, and an ideal destination for art and culture connoisseurs. What many people may not know, however, is that Michigan’s largest city is also a family-friendly destination, with lots of attractions for all ages. Whether you’re taking the kids to the Playpark in Rivard Plaza, or watching a puppy show at the Detroit Puppet Theatre, these are all activities the whole family will get to enjoy. Read on as we explore some of the best things to do for kids in Detroit, Michigan, and have a marvelous family vacation.

1. Take your kids for a swimming class or summer camp at Boll Family YMCA

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Happy Birthday, Maggie! What better way to celebrate your 60th, than with a special aqua fitness class! Thank you for sharing your birthday with the Y.

Posted by Boll Family YMCA on Saturday, August 10, 2019

No matter the age, anyone who wants to get their body moving will find a class they’ll love at Boll Family YMCA. They have everything from cardio and core strength to belly dance, Pilates, and yoga. Boll Family YMCA also has a swimming program for children of all ages. Their lessons focus on problem-solving, using a guided-discovery teaching method. Children will feel safe in a very positive and caring environment and will learn in groups divided by age and skill level, so everyone has the best chance of learning.

Boll Family YMCA

Address: 1401 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

Website: Boll Family YMCA

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 10pm; Sat: 7am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm

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2. Watch a puppet show at Detroit Puppet Theater

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Traveling with children will often force you to include activities you wouldn’t normally enjoy in your schedule. Going to a puppet show? Probably not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of fun stuff to do in Detroit. Prepare to be surprised, as the Detroit Puppet Theater will entertain everyone, from kids to grandparents. See local artists perform in Detroit’s Entertainment District, a tradition well kept for over 20 years. Here you will also find a studio that offers puppetry classes, and a museum with some pretty cool exhibits.

Detroit Puppet Theater

Address: 24293 Telegraph Rd #150, Southfield, MI 48033

Website: Detroit Puppet Theater

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3. Discover a new world at Detroit Riverfront Playpark

Detroit International Riverfront Rivard Place
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user View more used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the most lively and bustling parts of the city, Detroit Riverwalk is a go-to location for families with children, as it has everything from dining and shopping to walking and playing. Kids will love playing and making new friends at the Playpark in Rivard Plaza. Here, you’ll find a lovely outdoor area with a carrousel and riverfront loungers. Plus, there’s always something going on, whether it’s the Saturday market, a marathon, or a concert.

Detroit Riverfront Playpark in Rivard Plaza

Address: 1340 Atwater St (at Rivard), Detroit, MI 48207

Website: Detroit Riverfront Playpark in Rivard Plaza

Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)

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4. Go back in time with your kids at POP + Offworld

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

To most kids today, the classic arcade games are yet another peculiarity of the past. They’re used to playing on much smaller screens that they can take anywhere. But once in a while, it’s worth going back in time for a piece of history, and this is exactly what POP + Offworld Arcade offers. This hip place is a pizza parlor, a bar, and a live entertainment venue all in one, but best of all, it has lots and lots of arcade games people can still play today. Get ready to play the 1991 Simpsons game, Smash TV, the all-time classics Ms. Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat, and other games including Toki, Final Fight, Paperboy, or Video Pinball. Your kids will have a blast, and so will you.

POP + Offworld

Address: 128 Cadillac Square, Detroit, MI 48226

Website: POP + Offworld

Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)

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5. Interact with penguins at Detroit Zoo's new Polk Penguin Conservation Center

Detroit Zoo penguins at Polk Penguin Conservation Center
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gregory Varnum used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Polk Penguin Conservation Center spreads over 33,000 square feet (3,065 square meters), features a 25-foot-deep (7.62 meters) aquatic area, and hosts over 75 penguins that call this place home. It truly is a place like no other, where visitors will be able to get some of the most epic views of the penguins above the waters or explore their underwater gallery. It is not only an impressive encounter with penguins, but visitors have the chance to learn about the different penguin species and their different traits, as well as the extinction risks they’re facing due to global warming.

Polk Penguin Conservation Center

Address: Royal Oak, MI 48067

Website: Polk Penguin Conservation Center

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

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6. Let your kids enjoy a sumptuous meal at Lafayette Coney Island

Detroit December 2015 34 (Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Barera used under CC BY-SA 4.0

When it comes to staple foods in Detroit, the legendary Lafayette Coney Island hot dog diner is the best. The cash-only venue has been serving their iconic chili-topped hot dogs, burgers, and fries for a long time, and tourists and locals alike never get tired of ordering them. There’s been a long-time debate over who makes the best hot dogs, between the American and Lafayette Coney Island restaurants. To get the right answer, bring your kids in for a savory meal, try them both, and see for yourself. They also serve a variety of desserts, so remember to save some room.

Lafayette Coney Island

Address: 118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Website: Lafayette Coney Island

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8:30am - 3am; Fri - Sat: 8:30am - 4am; Sun: 9:30am - 3am

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7. Take your kids for an exciting train ride in People Mover

Detroit People Mover
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Eugene Kim used under CC BY 2.0

Kids will love an elevated ride through Downtown Detroit, plus, if they’re aged five or under, they get to ride for free. It can be an excellent option for sightseeing, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Children tend to get tired much faster than adults, so instead of walking, take the People Mover, and see all the main Detroit landmarks. Downtown Detroit is sprinkled with all kinds of family-fun attractions, from food trucks and sports parks to the Detroit Riverwalk with its green spaces and shopping centers.

People Mover

Website: People Mover

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6:30am - 12am; Fri: 6:30am - 2am; Sat: 9am - 2am; Sun: 12pm - 12am

Price: 0.75 USD per ride (Children ages 5 and under ride for free)

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8. Plan a picnic at Milliken State Park

Detroit Riverwalk Milliken State Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fredlyfish4 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, also known as the Milliken State Park, is the first urban park in Michigan, spread along the Detroit River. The park is home to acres of wetlands, trails, and a harbor. It is an oasis right in the heart of the city and a place to rest with the kids, between all the visiting. The park is also known as a great fishing spot. Visit the harbor area and lighthouse, and the many yoga and sports events that are organized here.

Milliken State Park

Address: 1900 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207

Website: Milliken State Park

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

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9. Play football or any other sports at Fowling Warehouse

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Another great venue for fun and games, whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, is the Fowling Warehouse. Here, people of all ages come to play fowling, which is a mix of football and bowling. How it works is that each team gets to throw a football, aiming to be the first to knock all the opponent’s bowling pins. It’s going to be so much fun playing it, plus you’ll get to bond with the kids, and teach them a thing or two about team play.

Fowling Warehouse

Address: 3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck, MI 48211

Website: Fowling Warehouse

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 12am; Fri: 5pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am (closed on Sun)

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10. Go on a fun scavenger hunt through the iconic Renaissance Center (from USD 29.0)

things to do in detroit for kids | go on a fun scavenger hunt through the iconic renaissance center

Let a local guide take you on an adventure to see the real Downtown Detroit. You will be riding the People Mover, get to see the Fox Theater and the Comerica Park, and taste the famed Coney Island hot dog or some of Greektown’s pastries. We recommend their authentic baklava, but feel free to choose anything that triggers your senses. To make things more fun and exciting for your little ones, you can turn the tour into a scavenger hunt, by asking them to spot the attractions the tour guide is describing.

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Detroit: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour with a Local

Duration: 2 hour

36 reviews

Detroit is a year-round family-friendly destination

Downtown Detroit, Michigan
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Whether you’re visiting Detroit during the warm summer months or the snowy winter, you will have a blast with your family. There are so many things to do here with kids, both indoors and outdoors, so no need to worry about how you’re going to fill your time in the city. Make sure you check out our list of things to do for kids in Detroit, Michigan, to see that when we say fun, we mean it!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Karina, a content creator rooted in Bucharest, Romania, embodies the spirit of a globetrotter. Her fascination with the beloved series F.R.I.E.N.D.S and a fervent love for coffee add vibrant layers...Read more

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