Kick-off Summer Fun

June is the official start of summer.

The kids are most definitely looking forward to the end of the school year. Parents may be worried about filling the days or weekends with activities. I’ve already started filling our calendar at home with free or inexpensive ways to kick off summer fun and stay busy.

Trips to the park, fishing, summer movies, fairs, and plenty of outdoor activities will have your June filled to the brim.

Looking for a few other items to add to the summer bucket list? Visit our Ultimate Kalamazoo Summer Fun Guide with 101 ideas to make it a rockstar summer.

Be sure to visit our Event Calendar for newly added activities. 

Free (or Affordable) Fun for Kids this June

Saturday, June 1

Don’t miss the annual Lake Bluff Artisan Fair in St. Joseph. Enjoy gorgeous views while shopping. Find all kinds of unique hand-crafted, homemade goods such as home décor, furniture, jewelry, candles, and clothing.

Just for teens on Saturdays this summer, visit Breakfast Club at the Kalamazoo Public Library Eastwood Branch for breakfast, games, crafts.

Take your family to the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch on the first Saturday of each month for stories, activities, special guests, and door prizes.

Sunday, June 2

Explore the trails with your family or check out the indoor exhibits at Free Summer Sunday at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

Monday, June 3

Barnes and Noble has stories, followed by coloring, and treats at Weekly Storytime. You don’t want to miss their special bookmark treasure chest.

Tuesday, June 4

Every Tuesday you can grab a movie for $5 Ticket Tuesday at the AMC Theatre with an AMC Stubs Membership.

Wednesday, June 5

Celebrate Portage Pre-K children and early literacy at the Portage District Library’s 2nd Annual Festival in the Flats. Enjoy stories from community leaders, a snack and a free book. Registration is required.

Through story and song, children’s entertainer Fred Penner invites you to join the planetarium show, In My Backyard at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, to explore the sky and the world around us.

Friday, June 7

Get moving at the Just Move Playdate. Enjoy the tot-friendly obstacle course, songs & games with Miss Heather, pom poms, disco lights, and more. It’s a toddler party!

Live music, great scenery, fun summertime games, and amazing food, Lunchtime Live has it all. Get the family out of the house this summer and head to Bronson Park in Downtown Kalamazoo for a Friday afternoon on the town.

Explore downtown Kalamazoo and enjoy an evening of art exhibits and events at the June Art Hop.

Visit Mill Race Park in Battle Creek for FREE Movies in the Park as they feature Ralph Breaks the Internet. Pre-movie activities begin early, with the movie starting at dusk.

Saturday, June 8

Grab a spoon and celebrate the most important meal of the day at Battle Creek’s National Cereal Fest. Events include the World’s Longest Breakfast Table, festival and parade.

Join Second Saturday Story Time at Galesburg Charleston Memorial Library for stories, silliness, and songs. For children ages three to six and an adult.

Find vintage-inspired treasures at Vintage Market at the Mill at VerHages Fruit Farm and Cider Mill. They will also have their farm-fresh goods, local food, baked goods and activities for kids.

Monday, June 10

Free summer movies begin this week at Kalamazoo 10 with Paddington. Catch movies all summer long.

Tuesday, June 11

Sing, chant, read stories, dance, play instruments during Sing-Along Storytime with Crescendo Music at Portage District Library.

You have the courage and heart to make the world around you a better place. Enjoy pizza and brainstorm ways to improve your community, school, and library during  Agents of Kindness:  Grades 6-12 at Portage District Library.

Join Bookworms Bookclub at Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch. Pick up your free copy at the Oshtemo Branch one month in advance.

Wednesday, June 12

Let your toddler burn energy during Toddler Open Play at Kingdom Sports. Available on Mondays and Wednesdays, year round. New summer hours!

Draw, write, color, and create origami while enjoying hot beverages and delicious baked goods during Teen Art Space at Portage District Library. Open to students in grades 6-12.

Thursday, June 13

Create Chalk Art during Preschool Summer Art Adventure at Antwerp Sunshine Library.

Friday, June 14

Kick off Harborfest in South Haven with free live music, food & craft fairs, Dragon boat races, kids activities, beer garden and more. Harborfest of South Haven is an annual celebration of South Haven’s unique maritime history. 

Catch the movie Bumblebee at Hays Park to kick-off Kzoo Parks Summer Cinema.

Bring your blanket or lawn chairs for Movies in the Park at Celery Flats in Portage, featuring Smallfoot.

Saturday, June 15

Visit South Haven for Mermaid MegaFest 2019. Learn about mermaids and pirates, dedicated to the preservation of our planet’s aquatic ecosystem through public awareness, community education, and social activism.

Stop by the Antwerp Sunshine Library at any time between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to make a special gift for dad at Father’s Day Craft Creation Station.

Celebrate Summer Reading Kickoff at the Portage District Library. Sign up for our Summer Reading Program and be sure to stay for activities, scavenger hunts and more.

Sunday, June 16

Explore Kingman Museum with free admission and check out the new Force 5 Planetarium Show.

Looking for a fun-filled day? Check out Plainwell Days Festival Family Fun Day. There will be games, superheroes, trucks, petting zoo, face painting, rock painting and fun for Dad on Father’s Day.

Monday, June 17

Drop by the Antwerp Sunshine Activity Room on Mondays 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM all summer long to create space-themed projects. Create a solar system necklace this week at Maker Monday.

Tuesday, June 18

Join Just Movie Fitness as you stretch, move, and dance, dance, dance during Summer Family Fun – Just Move at Portage District Library. This high energy class develops your child’s body awareness, coordination, and self-confidence.

Wednesday, June 19

An annual favorite –  FREE Park Day! Entrance fees will be waived all five Kalamazoo County Parks, Robert Morris Park in Comstock Twp, Ramona Park in Portage, and Upjohn Park and Kik Pool in the City of Kalamazoo.

Visit Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for an evening of family fun with ice cream, music, and hands-on science activities at Ice Cream Social and Family Science Night. Learn pond exploration, astronomical observations, recycling and up-cycling, arts and crafts, all for FREE.

Using only ceramic tiles, Sharpies, and rubbing alcohol, you will be able to create pieces of unique and beautiful abstract art at grades 3-5 Turn Tiles Into Unique Coasters at Portage District Library.

Thursday, June 20

Run, dodge, and dive as you outwit and out-blast the competition at Nerf Wars at Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square Branch. Designed for grades third through fifth.

Friday, June 21

It’s National Go Skateboarding Day. Bring your skateboard to Upjohn Park and catch some air at Six Starz Skate Jam.

Pack a picnic and a blanket and join the Youngish Professional Committee (YPC) for live local music at the Brooks Memorial Fountain for Fridays at the Fountain: Family Friendly Concert Series in Marshall, all summer long.

Saturday, June 22

Summer is in the air at the Urban Craft Fair at the Kalamazoo Expo Center. Featuring over 100 local artists, crafters, vendors, and summer themed giveaways every half hour.

Settle in for Movie Matinee: LEGO Movie 2 at Antwerp Sunshine Branch Library. Popcorn will be served.

Sunday, June 23

Kick-off the kid-friendly Kindleberger Summer Concert Series with a tribute to the Beatles, by Shout, the “best Beatles tribute band in Michigan.”

Kids can enjoy activities, crafts and an obstacle course at Flescher Field during Oshtemo’s Music in the Park. Yolonda Lavender and her band will perform soul-based music with gospel, r&b, hip-hop, blues and jazz influences.

Monday, June 24

Join the Summer Adventure Lunch Bunch at Vicksburg Library, a Book Club for students who have completed grades 4-8.

Tuesday, June 25

As a family, play with our favorite preschool age-appropriate board games, puzzles, DUPLO’s and more during Summer Family Fun and Games at Portage District Library.

Who will win the Teen Cake Decorating Competition at Portage District Library? Middle school and high school students can compete for prizes by having the best designs.

Wednesday, June 26

Cruise In at the Gilmore Car Museum to check out old vintage cars or enjoy a visit to Sally’s Blue Moon Diner.

Thursday, June 27

Head to Bronson Park for the 25th Annual Maranda Park Party. Maranda will bring tons of FREE entertainment, snacks, attractions, prizes, and fun for families.

Saturday, June 29 

Catch and release bluegill and bass fishing at Hook, Line and Sinker Kid’s Fishing at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. For children ages three to 16 all summer long.

Celebrate 100 Years of the Douglass Community Center at a Summer Picnic. Enjoy free food, activities, and games.