Rich in history and culture and FREE to tri-county residents – the Detroit Institute of Arts is the perfect place to spend time with kids. Explore the galleries, find inspiration and create your own art. Drawing in the Galleries and Drop-In Workshops are regularly offered at the museum.
Best Places To Go With Kids In Detroit
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Whether you’re visiting for the day or weekend, here are the best activities for families in Detroit.
Detroit Institute of Arts – Detroit
Robert C. Valade Park – Detroit
Robert C. Valade Park is the newest park to open along the East Riverfront. It features an expansive, sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas, a children’s musical garden, colorful play scapes for kids to climb on, a community barbecue pavilion and Bob’s Barge, which is Detroit’s only floating bar each summer. The park is also home to The Shed, a 3,600-square-foot building that will be used for food, events and programming.
During winter Valade Park will feature over-sized outdoor fireplaces, hot drinks, marshmallow roasters, the Sled Shed (featuring free sleds when it snows), synthetic ice curling, and more.
Michigan Science Center – Detroit
The Michigan Science Center in Midtown Detroit features over 220+ interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and special themed activities. Get creative in the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, spend time at the STEM Playground and don’t leave without experiencing the planetarium show and Science Stage Show.
Detroit Historical Museum
If you think history isn’t fun, you haven’t been to the Detroit Historical Museum. The museum brings Detroit’s history to life in fun, innovative and interactive ways all ages will enjoy. Start your tour on the ground floor and take a stroll through the streets of old Detroit. Stop into shops like Strohs and Kresge to see what life was like over 100 years ago. You can also watch and engage with the model train display. The main level of the museum takes guests on specific journeys to Detroit’s past: the Frontier, Underground Railroad, Arsenal of Democracy and the civil unrest of the 1960s. You’ll also find displays and interactive exhibits featuring the things (cars) and people (Temptations) you know and love in the Motor City and Motor City Music galleries.
Clark Park – Detroit
The NEW playground at Clark Park has it all – a fun climbing structure for kids, swings of all kinds, a natural play area, a cool sandbox with turtle statues, AND a splash pad!
Best for GPS Street Parking: 400 Scotten St, Detroit
Jolly Pumpkin – Detroit
If you’re looking for a great family dining destination in Midtown head to Canfield Street and grab a table at The Jolly Pumpkin. Order when you arrive – the pizza can’t be beat – get an order number and grab a table. The brewery also has beverages for parents and a partnership with Avalon for their delicious coffee and sweet treats. During the warm months outdoor seating is available.
Detroit Institute of Arts – Detroit
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
Rich in history and culture and FREE to tri-county residents – the Detroit Institute of Arts is the perfect place to spend time with kids. Explore the galleries, find inspiration and create your own art. Drawing in the Galleries and Drop-In Workshops are regularly offered at the museum.
Robert C. Valade Park – Detroit
2670 Atwater Street, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Robert C. Valade Park is the newest park to open along the East Riverfront. It features an expansive, sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas, a children’s musical garden, colorful play scapes for kids to climb on, a community barbecue pavilion and Bob’s Barge, which is Detroit’s only floating bar each summer. The park is also home to The Shed, a 3,600-square-foot building that will be used for food, events and programming.
During winter Valade Park will feature over-sized outdoor fireplaces, hot drinks, marshmallow roasters, the Sled Shed (featuring free sleds when it snows), synthetic ice curling, and more.
Michigan Science Center – Detroit
5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
The Michigan Science Center in Midtown Detroit features over 220+ interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and special themed activities. Get creative in the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, spend time at the STEM Playground and don’t leave without experiencing the planetarium show and Science Stage Show.
Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
If you think history isn’t fun, you haven’t been to the Detroit Historical Museum. The museum brings Detroit’s history to life in fun, innovative and interactive ways all ages will enjoy. Start your tour on the ground floor and take a stroll through the streets of old Detroit. Stop into shops like Strohs and Kresge to see what life was like over 100 years ago. You can also watch and engage with the model train display. The main level of the museum takes guests on specific journeys to Detroit’s past: the Frontier, Underground Railroad, Arsenal of Democracy and the civil unrest of the 1960s. You’ll also find displays and interactive exhibits featuring the things (cars) and people (Temptations) you know and love in the Motor City and Motor City Music galleries.
Clark Park – Detroit
1161 Clark Ave, Detroit, MI 48209, USA
The NEW playground at Clark Park has it all – a fun climbing structure for kids, swings of all kinds, a natural play area, a cool sandbox with turtle statues, AND a splash pad!
Best for GPS Street Parking: 400 Scotten St, Detroit
Jolly Pumpkin – Detroit
441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
If you’re looking for a great family dining destination in Midtown head to Canfield Street and grab a table at The Jolly Pumpkin. Order when you arrive – the pizza can’t be beat – get an order number and grab a table. The brewery also has beverages for parents and a partnership with Avalon for their delicious coffee and sweet treats. During the warm months outdoor seating is available.
