Spring Break 2024 in Kalamazoo is only about a month away- March 24-29 this year. If you’re not traveling to a warm and sunny spot and still need ideas of things to do with your kids, I’m here to help. Here is a compilation of many of the fun activities planned in Kalamazoo just for Spring break, as well as entertaining activities to do around town or a short drive away. From field trips to art, sports to acting, there is such a wide variety of activities that you’re sure to find something that will be a perfect fit for your kids’ interests.
Spring Break Camps in Kalamazoo
The Spring Break Camps listed here are week long experiences unless otherwise noted. All require advance registration and may fill up before the end of March, so if you’re interested in any of them, I recommend signing up soon.
For kids from 1st-6th grade and put on by the City of Kalamazoo Parks department, the Field Trip Fest is held Mon-Fri from 8:45-5. Every day is a different field trip to some pretty amazing places, from Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth to Imagination Station in Toledo OH.
From Tuesday the 26th- Thursday the 28th, the Air Zoo will host exciting, interactive and science-based camps for kids in kindergarten- 5th grade.
Full Blast in Battle Creek’s camp runs from Mon- Fri., 7:30-5, for kids ages 5-12. Camp activities will be a mix of sports, games, park visits and field trips.
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Broadway Day Camp
Camps for Preschoolers- 9th graders, Mon-Fri, 9-4. There’s singing, dancing and acting to Broadway tunes, with a performance at the end of the week!
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Youth Art Camp
Full and half-day camps for 1st-5th graders where students will create their own works of art in the studio.
Kalamazoo Nature Center Spring Camps
Full and half day weeklong camps for preschoolers-5th graders. Stories, art, games, activities and hikes for indoor and outdoor fun.
Branch Gymnastics School Age Camp
Theme camps, clinics and open gym all week long.
Indoor play places in and near Kalamazoo
If you’re looking for a place for kids to move, have fun and burn off excess energy, any of the places below would thrill both you and your kids. These are places where kids can be exuberant and carefree!
There are an endless number of ways to have fun here! There is an arcade, bowling, climbing wall, go karts, laser tag, ropes course, an escape room and much more.
Bowling, laser tag, gellyball and an arcade
A short drive away in Grand Rapids, they have go-karts, bumper cars, an arcade, and a frog hopper that looks like a lot of fun!
Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center
The area’s largest indoor inflatable fun park with lots of things to climb, bounce. slide and jump on.
A family adventure center with climbing walls, rope courses, mazes and more. There are even areas where you must be under 48″, so there are things to do for all ages here.
Indoor pools with swimming hours during Spring Break
If you aren’t going to be at a beach for spring break, this may be the next best thing. Warm water and warm indoor temperatures to enjoy it in!
They have open swim hours and family fun times with a leisure pool, warm lap pool and a lazy river.
Open swim hours complete with pool toys, water basketball equipment and life jackets and goggles available to borrow.
Open hours are available with lap swim, splash zone and a lazy river perfect for kids
Museums for kids near Kalamazoo
Museums can provide memorable experiences, spark interest in subjects like science, technology and history, and nurture kids’ imaginations. The museums below are skilled at appealing to kids of all ages.
Located in Ann Arbor, this museum is a colorful, 4-story space invites children to play & learn through 250+ exhibits focused on science.
Impression 5 is located in downtown Lansing in a former wagon works factory. It’s designed for kids to explore and learn about science in a hands-on way and using all 5 senses. They call themselves a ‘choose your own adventure’ museum, and encourage touching things and exploring. One of the current traveling exhibits is the ‘Scooby Doo Mansion Mayhem’, and it sounds very fun!
This museum focuses on science, technology and local history, and is perfect for families. They have everything from a mummy exhibit to the ‘Kalamazoo Direct to You’ exhibit that explores things that made our city famous.
This museum has something for everyone in the family, and is perfect to enjoy together. There’s a ‘Building Buddies’ exhibit for younger kids, and arcade game area where kids can learn about ‘vintage’ arcade games (bring your quarters!), and the ‘Streets of Old Grand Rapids’ with 3/4 recreations of turn-of-the-last-century businesses and buildings. While you’re there, take in a show at the adjacent Roger B Chaffee Planetarium and view galaxies from a comfy chair.
Arts & Crafts ideas
If your kids love to express themselves through art, there is a wide variety of art experiences around town. Consider the KIA art camps or the Civic Theater weeklong camps (listed above). For a shorter or an at-home experience, try one of these unique options.
Spring Break Extravaganza at KPL
The Kalamazoo Public Library has creating activities all week for kids of all ages. For the littles, there is Playdough Playtime and Preschool Science. Older kids can make a llama pillow, a kaleidiscope and do a paint pour.
At the Oshtemo Branch of KPL, they’re having a Dino Dig. Enjoy dinosaur related crafts and activities, including digging up dinosaur ‘fossils’!
Candle making at Kalamazoo Candle Co.
Younger kids can make a sand castle at either the downtown Kalamazoo or the Portage location, while older kids and adults can make soy candles. Choose your own scent and then take your candle home to enjoy!
Art Bayou has pottery kits ready to take home and DIY. There’s a special area with a variety of kits for kids.
This doesn’t sound like a kid-friendly activity : ), but they have take home kits for kids with painting activities. This would be an ideal rainy day non-screen activity.
Beautiful take and make kits with fused glass- different and special.
Activities for kids with animals near Kalamazoo during Spring Break
Visit the Critter Barn in Zeeland to see rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, turkeys, pot-bellied pigs! Bring a lunch or a snack and eat in the big red barn. You’re free to roam the paths at your own pace here.
Home to more than 2000 animals, the zoo is located on the west side of Grand Rapids. Highlights include the Budgie Aviary (where you can feed the parakeets), camel rides and penguin feeding. Ride the funicular, weather permitting.
Potter Park Zoo in Lansing is the oldest zoo in Michigan and is home to over 160 species of animals. There are Farmyard ‘Edventures’, a Reptile House, a Feline & Primate House and camel rides.
Horseback riding at Eastfork Ranch
For an even more up close and personal animal adventure, schedule a horseback ride at Eastfork Ranch in Augusta Mi. The one time ride includes a lesson and tips on horse riding safety.
