15 Best Things to do in Detroit with Kids!

Detroit is rich in history, culture, and exciting activities that families love to enjoy and share together. When you’re traveling with kids, you want places that are not only educational but also exciting and easy to explore. From hands-on museums to outdoor adventures, Detroit is packed with activities that keep children curious, engaged, and entertained. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 15 best things to do in Detroit with kids, with section goes into detail so you can plan your trip with confidence.

1. SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

The SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium is the biggest aquarium in the state, home to more than 2,000 sea animals from over 250 different species. Guests can walk through a wide underwater tunnel that curves 180 degrees, giving close views of sharks, rays, and colorful fish swimming all around. One of the most popular attractions is Interactive Touchpool, where parents and kids can gently touch crabs, sea stars, and other small ocean creatures. Families can take part in special programs, including behind-the-scenes tours that show how the animals are cared for every day.

2. LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

The LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium is a huge indoor center that combines marine life and reptiles under one roof. Families can watch bright tanks filled with colorful fish, stingrays, sharks, and coral reef creatures, while touch pools allow guests to carefully interact with some of the smaller sea animals. Inside the Reptarium, guests will find rare animals like a two-headed snake, which staff members allow visitors to safely hold and experience up close. Guests can also join private animal encounters for a closer experience or take part in special programs and events offered throughout the year.

3. Detroit Zoo

Covering across 125 acres, Detroit Zoo is designed with natural-style habitats where animals can live more freely. It houses over 2,000 creatures from more than 200 species, including well-loved animals like polar bears, giraffes, and tigers. A highlight for many visitors is the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, where families can walk inside a large indoor area and watch penguins swimming and playing right in front of them. Inside, visitors can watch short films in a 4D theater, enjoy a butterfly garden, and take a train ride that loops around the grounds, giving extra fun for both kids and parents.

4. Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center invites families to discover science, math, technology and engineering through interactive activities that make learning fun. Inside, there are more than 220 interactive exhibits covering subjects like outer space, health, and movement, along with live demonstrations and short science films. The center includes five different theaters, such as the IMAX Dome, a Planetarium, and a 4D theater that mixes lights, sound, and motion for an exciting experience. Kids can spend time at the STEM Playground, where they get to build, test, and learn through simple play activities.

5. Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

Opened in 1885, Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) stands in Midtown Detroit with over 100 galleries filled with variety of artwork from around the world. Its collection holds over 65,000 works, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern-day paintings. A highlight for many visitors is the Detroit Industry Murals created by Diego Rivera, which illustrate scenes of factory life and the city’s workforce. Today, the museum itself is large and recognized as one of the leading art museums in the country and has even been honored as the best art museum in the United States.

6. Cranbrook Institute of Science

The Cranbrook Institute of Science is a hands-on museum dedicated to science and natural history, where guests can explore topics like fossils, space, animals, geology and the history of our planet. A major highlight inside is the life-size cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, displayed alongside real meteorites and fossils that guests can view and even touch. The museum also includes the Acheson Planetarium, where films about stars and planets are displayed. Every year, the institute organizes family activities, school trips, and special science events that make learning fun and engaging for all ages.

7. LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Michigan

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan is a fun indoor space filled with activities centered on LEGO play. One of the highlights is MINILAND, where guests can look at Detroit landmarks carefully built from LEGO bricks. Another ride, Merlin’s Apprentice, lets children pedal to raise their seats into the air, giving them the feeling of flying as they move around in circles. Families can also enjoy building and racing LEGO cars, take part in sessions with expert builders, and explore special zones like the LEGO Racers area and DUPLO Farm designed for younger kids and families.

8. Belle Isle Nature Center

The Belle Isle Nature Center is a free, family-friendly place where families can explore nature and learn about local wildlife. Both indoor and outdoor areas let guests observe native animals that live in and around Detroit. A popular feature is the birdwatching window, where people can watch local and migrating birds as they feed. Another highlight is the beehive exhibit, giving visitors a safe way to see bees busy at work. It display many hands-on exhibits, hosts family programs, guided walks, and seasonal events that make the visit both fun and educational for families with kids.

9. Ford Field

The Ford Field is a massive indoor stadium in Detroit, that has been the home of Detroit Lions since 2002. For football games, it seats around 65,000 fans, but the space can hold even more people during basketball games or major events like WrestleMania. Ford Field is not only for NFL games — it also hosts college football, high school championships, and big concerts. One of the most memorable events was WrestleMania 23, which drew more than 80,000 fans. On certain days, visitors can also join guided tours to see the locker rooms, entire playing field, and the press box.

10. Comerica Park

The Comerica Park has been the home field of the Detroit Tigers since 2000 and is known as a fun and energetic place to watch baseball. The stadium offers unique features beyond the game itself, including a Ferris wheel, a carousel decorated with tigers, and a huge fountain that lights up and plays music whenever the Tigers score a home run. Inside, visitors can take a walk through a museum-style display that tells the team’s history decade by decade and its legacy. On the field, a special section honors more names from the Tigers’ past, giving fans a chance to connect with the history of the team.

11. TreeRunner Adventure Park & Putt Forest

The TreeRunner Adventure Park & Putt Forest is an outdoor destination having more than 250 climbing challenges, 47 zip lines, and 15 trails that range from easy to hard, giving visitors plenty of options to try. Before heading onto the trails, every guest is given safety equipment and a quick training session, with staff always close by to guide and assist. The Putt Forest adds another layer of fun with an 18-hole mini golf course built using natural elements, along with a gem mining station where children can sift through running water to uncover stones and treasures.

12. Little Caesars Arena

The Little Caesars Arena is the main home for the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons, bringing fans together for hockey and basketball games as well as concerts, shows, and other big events. Since opening in 2017, the arena has welcomed nearly 19,500 people for hockey and more than 20,000 for basketball, making it one of Detroit’s biggest sports and entertainment venues. A unique part of the arena is the glass-covered walkway known as the Via, which stays open even when no events are happening and links visitors to nearby shops and buildings.

13. Campus Martius Park

Covers about 1.2 acres, Campus Martius Park sits right in the heart of downtown Detroit and recognized as the starting point of Detroit’s street grid. In winter, families and visitors love spending their time at ice skating rink, which offers a vibe much like the most popular rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City. When summer arrives, the sandy Beach at Campus Martius becomes a favorite spot to relax, listen to live music, or let kids play in the sand. The park also has water features, and plenty of seating areas, while hosting variety of concerts, outdoor movies, and family-friendly programs.

14. Outdoor Adventure Center

The Outdoor Adventure Center is a hands-on destination where people can explore Michigan’s outdoors. Guests can step behind a manmade waterfall, test out a snowmobile or bike simulator, and climb up into a tree canopy. The center also features a large aquarium filled with Michigan fish, a small airplane where visitors can sit, and practice areas for archery and hiking. A model suspension bridge and a hunting blind add to the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Families can join programs, summer camps, and special events such as nature talks that make learning more enjoyable.

15. Midway Sports & Entertainment

The Midway Sports & Entertainment is an outdoor park designed for families, offering plenty of activities like go-karts, mini golf, a driving range, batting cages, bumper cars, and more. Visitors can take part in activities like Euro Bungy, rock climbing, Spin Zone ride, and even Bungy Dome, giving both kids and parents plenty of fun options. Instead of cash, visitors use a Midway Fun Card to access rides, play games, and purchase snacks. For birthdays, school outings, or company events, the center provides special group packages that include food along with activities, making their visit more enjoyable.

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