Catch Spring Fever in Kalamazoo with Some Free Things to Do
As soon as Cadbury pops up at the grocery store, I know what it means. It means Spring is around the corner.
After the cold winter, there is nothing like digging your hands in the dirt, stomping your boots in a rain puddle, or visiting an Easter egg hunt.
Not to mention daring to crack that window a little bit as you drive around, since here in Michigan, we put shorts on as soon as it hits 60 degrees.
You know the signs of spring, right? Local favorites, such as The Root Beer Stand and Twisters, open for the season.
You sigh in relief, not having to worry about endless winter gear and clothing whenever your child heads outside.
With spring in the air, where should a family head first?
Read on for over 25 of the best and most affordable things to do for families.
In this article
Free Spring Events to Try
Local organizations offer some pretty amazing, FREE fun! Check out some of the highlights below or browse our full calendar.
Edible Book Festival – March 28
There will be separate prizes for books made primarily by children and books made exclusively by adults.
Questions: info@kalbookarts.org
Danny Go! Book Release Party – April 1
Visit the Kalamazoo Public Library – Oshtemo branch to celebrate the release of Danny Go’s newest children’s book!
Dance, make Danny Go-inspired crafts, and enter a raffle for the chance to win a copy of the book.
Questions: events@kpl.gov
Mom to Mom Sale in Portage – April 11
St. Michael Lutheran School on Oakland Drive is hosting its annual Mom to Mom Sale.
School tours and concessions available throughout the day.
WMU College of Aviation Fly-In – April 12
Bring the whole family to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field for kids’ activities, pilots, planes and an egg hunt!
All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Food will be available for purchase.
Mac N Cheese May-hem – May 9
Head downtown for the 3rd Annual Mac N Cheese May-hem from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Discover both classic and wildly creative mac and cheese recipes from local favorites.
Easter Egg Hunts
Many local businesses and organizations are hosting egg hunts in SWMI. Try our list and hop on over for some free Easter fun.
All Free Events
Libraries, museums and other organizations offer fun and FREE events this spring.
Note: We’ve excluded recurring events, such as storytimes. If you’re looking for these, try our Toddler/Preschool/Infant Calendar.
Strike Out Into Nature
1 • The trails at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery are free to the public all year round. For a small fee, kids love feeding the fish in the show pond.
2 • Head out to the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Kids three and under are free; you can enjoy the Nature Center inside and out. Explore the trails independently or let your kids play at the natural playground.
Also try one of their signature programs – Preschool Explorers on Tuesdays (be sure to register online).
3 • Hike somewhere new at one of the 18 Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy preserves. Free and open to the public, they are a beautiful place to stretch your legs.
Consider setting up a checklist with your family and aim to visit all 18.
4 • Load up the bikes and visit the Kal-Haven Trail State Park. This 33-mile-long former railroad bed crosses over bridges, passes through towns and goes to South Haven for the truly adventurous explorers.
5 • Or, take your bikes to a pump track for technical riding. These tracks have rollers, banked turns, elevated beams and other features designed to be ridden by “pumping” (shifting body weight) rather than pedaling.
Lexington Green Park in Portage, Meyer Broadway Park in Three Rivers, and South Haven Pump Track are good options.
6 • Go birding with your binoculars and field guide at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. See and feed the waterfowl (select days), view the raptors and gamebirds on display, or just come for a picnic outdoors.
Admission: Adults – $6.00, Senior Citizens/College Students – $5.00, Children (Ages 2-17) – $4.00, Kids Under 2 are FREE
7 • Visit the free Dinosaur Park on Western Michigan University’s campus.
8 • Check out the fully-accessible Children’s Nature Playscape in downtown Kalamazoo.
Seasonal hours are posted on their website; be sure to check before you go.
9 • Combine art and nature by painting and hiding some rocks around town. Post clues for other friends to find them on the Portage, MI Rocks! Facebook site.
10 • Watch spring bloom before you while walking around Leila Arboretum (Open Daily, from Dawn to Dusk).
The Kaleidoscope Garden doesn’t open until June, but the Fantasy Forest and trails are open. It’s dog-friendly, too (leashes required). Admission is free!
11 • Visit the Vicksburg Historic Village. Explore a caboose and boxcar, the Union Depot Museum, General Store and Sweet Shop, Newspaper Office, and other buildings that depict life from the 1890s to the early 1930s.
12 • Put on your raincoat and galoshes and go on a rain puddle walk. Hop, skip, and jump to your heart’s content.
We recommend the West Lake Nature Preserve’s watery bridges for splashy fun!
Spring For a Fun Time Indoors
13 • Rainy day? Bounce that cabin fever away at Airborne Adventure Park or Jungle Joe’s.
14 • Sad to see winter end? Take the family to an Open Skate at The Rink Battle Creek on the weekends.
15 • Make a sand candle at Kalamazoo Candle Company. For $10, kids can make their custom sand candles, complete with custom colors and scents!
16 • Enjoy all the fun for half the price at Airway Fun Center. Regularly priced attractions are half-price on Tuesdays.
17 • Plan an indoor adventure with Allegan Event; their climbing walls are fun for families and date nights!
18 • Crossroads Mall has updated Totland to include a TV, new games, platforms, and outlets for charging phones and devices. Plus, free wi-fi! It’s all located in the food court.
19 • Play with a cat and enjoy a snack at Kzoo Cat Cafe. Book a reservation to snuggle with the adoptable cats. Kids and grown-ups of all ages will love this experience, and the admission helps care for the cats!
Move It to a Museum
20 • The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is always free and is open every day except Monday.
21 • Get your art on at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Kids 12 and under are free (register online for tickets).
22 • The Air Zoo is ready for you! Visit Aliens & Androids (including Iron Man and R2D2), try out their hands-on stations, or learn more about Amelia Earhart. Children 4 & under are always free.
If you want to head somewhere new and kid-friendly, hop in the car and visit one of these children’s museums for some more hands-on fun.
MUSEUMS FOR ALL: Don’t forget this amazing program for families with EBT cards, with over 70 options for affordable museum admission in Michigan.
Sip, Snack and Slurp Your Heart Out
23 • Drive your car in for a homemade root beer and the best hot dog in town at The Root Beer Stand.
24 • Try a Millennium restaurant on Mondays, where they offer 30% off for rewards members.
25 • Pack a lunch and blanket and head to Texas Drive Park or another favorite picnic spot.
26 • Stroll through the market and say hello to your favorite farmers as Farmers Markets open for their season in May.
27 • Treat yourself to some discounted beverages at your local Biggby. Specials like “Free Shot Friday” or “BOGO Wednesday” make that treat easier on the wallet. Check your favorite shop’s Facebook page to confirm current offerings.
28 • Let the kids eat free at these local restaurants:
Driving Route: Free Activities in Kalamazoo
Whether looking to venture during break or anytime this Spring, try this route to explore Kalamazoo for free!
More to Explore
