cover image: Airway Fun Center
What to do with Teens and Older Kids? You’re in Luck.
Teens can be a tough audience.
Sometimes, it seems all events are geared toward little kids, but teens still want to have fun and explore.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options in the Kalamazoo area and beyond for things to do for teens.
From adventure rope courses to tabletop gaming, your teenager can get out of the house, hang with friends, and even discover a new interest.
They might even put down their cell phones—well, after they text a friend to invite them along.
50+ Things to Do with Teenagers in SW Michigan
Here’s the lowdown on the best things to do with teens and tweens in Kalamazoo.
We’ve highlighted many teen-friendly activity centers, shops, restaurants, and events. You’ll surely find something fun for your teen(s) to do and something they’ll deem TikTok-worthy.
This is when teens begin to carve out their identities and determine what experiences and hobbies truly excite them.
We’ve gathered over 50 fun pastimes they may actually enjoy.
In this article
Adrenaline Seekers
1 • Jump to new levels at Airborne Adventure’s GLOW.
Lasers, music, and blacklight turn the entire place into a jumping dance club every Friday evening. Jumpers must wear bright, neon clothing or buy a shirt that glows.
2 • Explore new heights at Allegan Event with their year-round indoor adventure center with ropes courses, climbing walls, and plenty of vertically challenging fun.
Recharge and refuel with their different food options.
They offer meals, snacks and treats to keep your hunger in check during your visit.
3 • Be a ninja. Head up to Grand Rapids to visit one of the many ninja warrior courses: Rebounderz, and 3 Mile Project will get you started and the adrenaline pumping.
4 • Aim high with a road trip to Skydive Tecumseh – an adrenaline rush like no other.
5 • Drive to take a ride! Ride shotgun at the Michigan International Speedway with their NASCAR Ride Along Experience.
6 • Visit Airway Fun Center and spend the day outside on the climbing wall, ropes course, go-karts, gyroscope, spinning coaster, and mini golf course.
Indoor Activities
7 • Visit Airway Fun Center (again)! They have so much to do, we listed it twice.
When an outdoor visit isn’t in the cards, Airway is a sure bet for indoor bowling, the arcade, laser tag, and virtual reality.
8 • Take a belay class and then rock climb all year round without ever heading to the mountains at Climb Kalamazoo.
9 • Strap on those rollerblades. Rollerworld is a fun place to exercise, hang out with friends, and listen to music.
10 • Head to the Air Zoo to see their latest exhibit or climb aboard a 3D Full-Motion Flight Simulator.
11 • Got a bookworm? Browse new and used books at locally owned bookstores like Booked Up, This is a Bookstore, Kazoo Books, and Words on Pages.
12 • Test out your ice-skating skills at The Rink Battle Creek open skate.
13 • Get in the zone…ZapZoneXL, that is. Housed in the Crossroads Mall in Portage, it’s two levels of major fun. From go-karts, laser tag, and axe-throwing, to bumper cars, football bowling, and so much more .
14 • Upgrade your LEGO® collection with new or pre-owned sets from Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo. You can even build your own custom LEGO® Minifig!
15 • Roll out to Revel and Roll West for food, laser tag, axe throwing, bowling and their new Puttify game, where mini golf meets arcade fun.
16 • Want to throw stuff? Don’t axe questions—just head to Choppin Co. in Plainwell or ZapZoneXL in Portage for some good ol’ axe throwing.
Note: anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Closed-toe shoes are required.
17 • Volunteer at SPCA of Southwest Michigan. Volunteers walk the dogs and snuggle the cats.
Teenagers can volunteer at the age of 16 with parental consent; younger kids can volunteer with their parents.
18 • Are cats more their jam? Book some time at the Kzoo Cat Cafe & Rescue, grab a complementary beverage, and chill with the pretty kitties.
19 • Team Puppy? Visit the Animal Rescue Project puppy playroom and cuddle some pups!
Entrance fees are accepted in the form of food or monetary donations. Call ahead or visit their Facebook page to confirm hours, availability and details.
20 • Explore the inflatables, mini golf, and arcade games at Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center. Yes, it’s still fun as a teen.
21 • Learn historic medieval martial arts with daggers, swords, and spears at Southside Dojo’s L’Arte D’Armizare classes.
22 • Branch Gymnastics/KidsSports USA offers Open Gym and Clinics a few times a year.
Not a student? Not a problem! You can register and enroll for just their special events.
23 • Interested in cars? The Gilmore Car Museum has over 400 vehicles on 90 acres.
Even those less enthused with cars will find something interesting to see. They offer snacks!
24 • Go swimming. There are several places near Kalamazoo that offer year-round indoor swimming.
25 • Got a thrifter? Score some sustainable finds at local thrift shops + consignment stores.
Outdoor Activities
26 • Try a one-hour kayak river excursion with Plainwell Kayak Company.
27 • Test your legs and bike the entire Kal-Haven Trail.
28 • Visit a beach. Fort Custer offers a nice local spot to enjoy the sun and water.
Or venture to a Lake Michigan beach and experience the loveliness of the West Michigan Lakeshore. St. Joseph, Holland State Park, and South Haven are all about an hour from Kalamazoo.
29 • Face the wind head-on with your friends on Echo Valley’s Toboggan Run or their giant tubing hill.
30 • Go rock hunting at Pilgrim Haven Natural Area. Jump in the lake to cool off after your rock-hunting adventure.
31 • Play team frisbee with the Kalamazoo Ultimate Disc League. They offer a youth league.
32 • Relax in a tube or try the waterslides at Flash Flood Outdoor Waterpark in Battle Creek.
33 • Go paddleboarding at Gun Lake. You can rent a kayak or go swimming with your friends, too.
34 • Visit the swans at Kalamazoo Bird Sanctuary.
35 • Hike a State Park. Visit one of our many great State Parks with a Recreation Passport.
36 • Explore the night sky. In Lowell, the telescopes are open to the public at Veen Observatory on various Saturdays, April through October, when skies are clear.
Check their website to confirm the skies are clear enough for a viewing.
37 • Take golf lessons atFirst Tee of West Michigan.
If your teen wants to learn a new sport or brush up on their golf skills, have them check out golf lessons.
38 • Go horseback riding. Wild West Ranch in Fennville offers year-round trail rides.
39 • Catch an outdoor summer concert in Paw Paw. No matter your taste in music, Warner Vineyards is a fun (and affordable) spot to catch a smaller-scale concert for all ages.
Tribute bands will have your teens belting out their favorite songs from pop, country, emo, hip-hop, and more.
Food & Drink Lovers
40 • But first, coffee. Get caffeinated at any of these local java joints.
41 • Drink a cup of boba tea at MI Boba.
42 • Grab homemade root beer and a dog with your friends at The Root Beer Stand (open seasonally).
43 • Go on a donut adventure by sampling some delicious Kalamazoo donuts.
44 • Sugar Rush: Pair up a popcorn and candy stop in downtown Kalamazoo at Pop City Popcorn and Rocket Fizz.
On the west side? Get your sugar fix at Schultz Sweets.
45 • Backyard of Kalamazoo: The Backyard of Kalamazoo is open year-round, with heated igloos in the chilly months and plenty of patio seats during the summer.
The “backyard” here is packed with outdoor games that rotate regularly.
46 • We All Scream for Ice Cream: There are many delicious creameries like Schultz Treat Street, Bella Creamery, The Spirit of Kalamazoo, and more. Dish or cone, it’s always a good time for ice cream (screaming is optional).
Artsy & Creative Activities
47 • Sign up for a class at the Civic Theatre to explore acting basics such as speaking with a different accent, writing plays, and beginning dance.
Classes for ages 12 and up, and 16+ can take adult classes.
48 • Draw, paint, and learn photography at one of the many teen classes offered by the KIA, with classes offered year-round.
49 • Head to Art Hop with your friends on the first Friday of the month. It’s a perfect way to explore Kalamazoo and support local artists.
50 • Paint pottery at Art Bayou. Feeling extra creative? Create your own pottery at Hot Flash Pottery in Vicksburg. Clay girl, clay.
51 • Drop by Kalamazoo Candle Company and make your very own candle.
Explore the different fragrances and mix & match your favorites until you find the perfect combination. Create your very own labels for unique-as-you candles.
52 • Make perfume (or cologne). Visit The Aroma Labs and make your own fragrance.
53 • Try glass blowing. Glass Art Kalamazoo holds classes; grab a couple of friends and check one out.
54 • Have a Henna Party. Colors & Cocktails offers Henna 101 (and many other classes and art experiences). Register online.
Gaming Galore
55 • Book a video game theater party with BattleGR.
56 • Escape. Grab a bunch of friends and try to solve one of seven different puzzles to escape in Escapology.
57 • Work on your arcade skills. Pac-Man or Donkey Kong, anyone? Play the classic arcade games your parents enjoyed at Klassic Arcade in Gobles and Paw Paw.
58 • Go Modern. Looking for a modern gaming lounge? Check out LVL Up Gaming Lounge in Vicksburg. They offer PC, PS5, and Xbox gaming.
59 • Go retro. Grab your friends and play some vintage arcade and pinball at Rocket Arcade in South Haven or One Well Brewing in Kalamazoo.
60 • Get to LFG in downtown Kalamazoo before 9 PM for food, arcade games, and game console fun.
61 • Visit Game Pawn to explore and trade video games, consoles, and collectibles.
Teens can find new and retro favorites and even get store credit or cash for their old gear.
62 • Head to Odyssey Games for an unplugged adventure teens will love. From popular card games like Pokémon and Magic to open play nights and leagues, it’s a fun, social space where strategy, creativity, and community come together.
Movies and Scheduled Events
63 • Catch a concert or game at Wings Stadium. They offer everything from current artists to K-Wings games tospecial events like the USA Curling Nationals.
64 • Watch a movie from your car. In the summer, go to Coldwater to catch a flick at the old-fashioned Capri Drive-In Theater.
65 • Catch an IMAX movie at Celebration Cinema Crossroads.
66 • Play ball! The Battle Creek Battle Jacks and Kalamazoo Growlers play baseball from May through August.
Single tickets and Group Outings are available.
67 • Support the Broncos. Sporting events are in Kalamazoo’s backyard at Western Michigan University.
You can purchase tickets for football, basketball and hockey online.
Map: Fun Places to Go with Teens
Plan your adventures with this map, outlining some fun things to do with teens in SWMI:
Did We Miss One of Your Teen’s Favorites?
Know of a popular activity that we missed? Let us know in the comments.
More to Explore
