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, seeing those first tiny buds on the trees, or stomping your boots in a rain puddle.
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. And you breathe a sigh of relief not worrying about the endless winter gear and clothing every time 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.
Free Spring Events
Local organizations offer some pretty amazing, FREE fun! Check out some of the highlights below or browse our full calendar at any time.
Family Fun Night at Ripple Effects (Mar 15)
Ripple Effects Community Inclusion Center in Portage periodically offers free events, including this Family Fun Night on March 15.
Find more events from Ripple Effects
Learn more about this nonprofit and its mission here.
Edible Book Festival (Mar 23)
The Kalamazoo Book Arts Center invites all to this annual tradition, where books become food!
KNC Earth Day Celebration (Apr 20)
Enjoy FREE admission to the Kalamazoo Nature Center on Earth Day (April 20).
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.
2024 Ultimate Easter Guide: Kalamazoo Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Brunches, Easter Bunny Visits + Local Treats
Big list of Easter brunches, Easter egg hunts and bunny sightings in Kalamazoo.
All Free Events
Libraries, museums and other organizations are offering some fun and FREE events this spring.
Note: We’ve excluded recurring events like storytimes. Try our Toddler/Preschool/Infant Calendar if you’re looking for these!
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, and you can enjoy the Nature Center inside and out. Explore the trails on your own, 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 of them.
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 all the way to South Haven for the truly adventurous explorers.
5 • Go birding with your binoculars and your field guide at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. See and feed the waterfowl, 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
6 • Visit the free Dinosaur Park on Western Michigan University’s campus.
7 • Combine art and nature by painting some rocks and hiding them around town. Post clues for other friends to find them on the Portage, MI Rocks! Facebook site.
8 • Watch spring bloom before you during a walk around Leila Arboretum (Open Daily, from Dawn – 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!
9 • 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
10 • Rainy day? Bounce that cabin fever away at Airborne Adventure Park or Jungle Joes.
11 • Sad to see winter end? Take the family to an Open Skate at The Rink Battle Creek on the weekends.
12 • Make a sand candle at Kalamazoo Candle Company. For $10, kids can make their custom sand candles, complete with custom colors and scents!
13 • Enjoy all of the fun for half the price at Airway Fun Center. Regularly priced attractions are half-price on Tuesdays.
14 • Plan an indoor adventure with Allegan Event; their climbing walls are fun for both families and date nights!
15 • Pinspiration Kalamazoo offers a large variety of projects and you can pick the time you want to go. Don’t miss the Splatter Room if your kids want to get extra messy.
16 • Play with a cat and enjoy a snack at Kzoo Cat Cafe. Book a reservation to snuggle with the adoptable cats. Kids and grownups of all ages will love this experience and the admission helps care for the cats in their care!
Move It to a Museum
17 • The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is always free and is open every day except Monday. Make it easy and register for your visit online before you arrive.
18 • Get your art on at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Kids 12 and under are free (register online for tickets).
19 • The Air Zoo is ready for you! Visit Aliens & Androids (including Ironman 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 50 options for affordable museum admission in Michigan.
Museums for All in Michigan: FREE Museum Admission for Families with an EBT Card
Museums for All provides FREE or reduced admission to 50+ museums in Michigan and over 1000 in the United States.
Sip, Snack and Slurp Your Heart Out
20 • Drive your car in for a homemade root beer and the best hot dog in town at The Root Beer Stand.
21 • Try a Millennium restaurant on Mondays, where they offer 30% off for rewards members!
22 • Pack lunch and a checkered blanket and head to Texas Drive Park or another of our favorite picnic spots.
23 • Stroll through the market and say hello to your favorite farmers as Farmers Markets open for their season in May.
24 • Treat yourself to some discounted beverages at your local Biggy. Specials like “Free Shot Friday” or “BOGO Wednesday” make that treat a bit easier on the wallet. Check your favorite shop’s Facebook page to confirm current offerings.
25 • Let the kids eat free at these local restaurants:
20+ Restaurants Where Kids Eat FREE (or Nearly Free) all Week in Kalamazoo
List of Kalamazoo restaurants where kids eat free or cheap all week long. We’ve listed by day the restaurant deals for families.
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
