2025 Summer Bucket-List of Fun For Metro Detroit Families

We’re holding on to every minute of summer – plan for outdoor adventures, make a splash, go to a ball game or festival and hit the road for a day (or two). Here’s the ultimate summer bucket list for metro Detroit families.

Whether you’re home together every day or relishing in family time during the weekends, here are fun activities that are great for all ages. Find even more summer activities and events all in one place. Check out the FREE digital LittleGuide Magazine Summer Edition. You can also print off our summer bucket list below.

Splash & Play

Nothing says summer more than splash time. Splash pads, pools/waterparks, and beaches are open and we want to try them all. If you need ideas here are LittleGuide favorites:

Splash Pads: Heritage Park (Canton/Farmington Hills/Taylor), Normandy Oaks (Royal Oak), Lily Pad Springs (West Bloomfield), Jessica’s Splash Pad (Novi)
Pools: Rolling Hills Waterpark (Ypsilanti), Clement Circle Pool (Livonia), Wayne County Aquatic Center (Detroit), Red Oaks Waterpark (Madison Heights)
Beaches: Lake St. Clair Metropark (Harrison), Lakeshore Park (Novi), Dodge Park #4 (Waterford), Luna Pier Beach (Luna Pier)

Find a Festival or Fair

Summer is festival and fair season and there are plenty to chose from! From carnivals to artisan markets, there’s something for everyone. Here is a complete list and a few top picks:

Livonia Spree: June 24th – 29th (Fireworks)
Festival of the Hills (Rochester Hills): June 25th (Fireworks)
Wixom Lite the Night Fireworks: June 26th (Fireworks)
Taylor Summer Festival: June 26th – 29th (Fireworks)
Michigan Balloonfest (Howell): June 27th – 29th
Salute To America @ Greenfield Village: July 2nd – 5th (Fireworks)
Uncle Sam Jam @ Mt. Clemens: July 10th – 13th (Fireworks)
Oakland County Fair: July 11th – 20th
Sterlingfest: July 24th – 26th
Dearborn Homecoming: August 1st – 3rd
Belle Isle Art Fair: August 2nd & 3rd
Cheers To Chesterfield: August 7th – 10th (Fireworks)
Dexter Daze Festival: August 8th & 9th

Take A Road Trip

You don’t need to go far or take time off work to enjoy a nice family getaway. Here are our favorite places to spend a day or a weekend:

Grand Rapids – Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Millennium Park, John Ball Zoo and Grand Rapids Public Museum
Flint -Sloan Museum of Discovery, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Bluebell Beach & Splash Pad
Lansing – MSU Children’s Garden, Hawk Island, and Impressions 5
Toledo, OH – Glass City Metropark, Toledo Botanical Gardens, Cedar Pointe, Mudhens baseball game
Fort Wayne,IN – Fort Wayne Zoo, TinCaps baseball game, Promenade Park

Get Outside

Sunny days and long nights don’t last in Michigan. Make the most of the them and try some of these activities or special events.

Watch a movie outside – we love the drive-in!
Discover your favorite playground – a cool new playground to check out is Ford Woods Park in Dearborn, not only is there a fun structure it’s next to their outdoor pool!
Take a family walk or stroll somewhere new, here are the unique nature trails to try
Visit a local farmers market and make plans for a picture-perfect picnic
Visit a u-pick farm and stock up on fresh produce – our favorite place to pick is Blake Farms in Armada
Enjoy timeless fun and go fishing

Play Ball

Whether you’re watching or playing, Detroit is a sports town and it’s always a good idea to play.

Root for the home team – Detroit Tigers, Toledo Mudhens, Detroit City Football Club, or United Shore Professional Baseball
Try disc golf or play mini golf – Cranbrook On The Green is a fun temporary mini golf course on the beautiful Cranbrook campus

Summer Reading

Sign up for Summer Reading at your local library to track your hours and win free books! Show your littles how fun books can be with some of these activities.