What to do with Teens and Older Kids? You’re in Luck.
Teens can be a tough audience.
Sometimes it seems all of the events are geared for little kids, but teens still want to have fun and explore.
Thankfully, there’s 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 those cell phones down…well, after they text a friend to invite them along.
45 Things to Do with Teenagers in SW Michigan
Here’s the lowdown of the best things to do in Kalamazoo with teens and tweens.
We’ve highlighted lots of teen-friendly activity centers, shops, restaurants, and events. You’re sure to find something fun for your teen(s) to do and something that they’ll deem TikTok-worthy.
This is a time in life when teens really begin to carve out their identities and determine what experiences and hobbies truly excite them.
We’ve gathered over 40 fun pastimes they may actually enjoy.
Family Enrichment Center
Kalamazoo DHHS Foster Care
We need foster parents in our community to help keep kids safe and give them a place to begin to heal.
Be that one that makes a difference in the life of foster child today.
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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 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Jumpers must wear bright, neon clothing or they can buy a shirt that glows.
2 • Explore new heights at Allegan Event with an outdoor zip line (open seasonally) and the year-round indoor adventure center with ropes courses, climbing walls, and plenty of vertically challenging fun.
3 • Be a ninja. Head up to Grand Rapids 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.
Indoor Activities
6 • Visit Airway Fun Center to check out the bowling, arcade, climbing wall, 4Spin Gyroscope, laser tag, and virtual reality.
7 • Take a belay class and then rock climb all year round without ever heading to the mountains at Climb Kalamazoo.
8 • Strap on those rollerblades. Rollerworld is a fun place to get exercise, hang out with friends, and listen to music.
9 • Head to the Air Zoo to see their latest exhibit or climb aboard a 3D Full-Motion Flight Simulator. Save your money to take control of a real plane with a barnstorming flight experience in an open cockpit Biplane Adventure (seasonally mid-May thru September).
10 • Volunteer at one of the local libraries to gain experience and volunteer hours and make friends. Comstock Township Library offers a teen volunteer program for the Summer Reading Program.
11 • Test out your ice-skating skills at Wings West open skate.
12 • Rock shop at Geoscape Rock Shop or Rockhound Rock Shop.
13 • Explore the inflatables, mini golf, and arcade games at Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center.
14 • Learn historic medieval martial arts with daggers, swords, and spears at Southside Dojo’s L’Arte D’Armizare classes.
15 • 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.
16 • 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!
Outdoor Activities
17 • Try a one-hour kayak river excursion with Plainwell Kayak Company.
18 • Test your legs and bike the entire Kal-Haven Trail.
19 • Face the wind head-on with your friends on Echo Valley’s Toboggan Run or their giant tubing hill.
20 • Go rock hunting at Pilgrim Haven Natural Area. Jump in the lake to cool off after your rock hunting adventure.
21 • Play team frisbee with the Kalamazoo Ultimate Disc League. They offer a youth league.
22 • Relax in a tube or try the water-slides at Flash Flood Outdoor Waterpark in Battle Creek during the summer.
23 • Go paddle boarding at Gun Lake. You can rent a kayak or go swimming with your friends, too.
24 • Feed some swans at Kalamazoo Bird Sanctuary
Food & Drink Lovers
25 • Drink a cup of java or boba tea at Chocolatea. Is coffee not your thing? Visit a spot known for hot cocoa bombs.
26 • Grab homemade root beer and a dog with your friends at The Root Beer Stand (open seasonally).
27 • Go on a donut adventure by sampling some delicious Kalamazoo donuts.
28 • Sugar Rush: Pair up a popcorn and candy stop in downtown Kalamazoo at Pop City Popcorn and Rocket Fizz.
Artsy & Creative Activities
29 • Sign up for a class at the Civic Theatre to explore acting basics such as speaking with a different accent, writing plays, as well as beginning dance. Classes for ages 12 and up, and 16+ can take adult classes.
30 • Draw, paint, and learn photography at one of the many teen classes offered by the KIA with classes offered year-round.
31 • Head to Art Hop on the first Friday of the month with your friends. It’s a perfect way to explore Kalamazoo and support local artists.
32 • Paint pottery at Art Bayou.
33 • 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.
34 • Make perfume (or cologne). Visit The Aroma Labs and make your own fragrance.
35 • Try glass blowing. Glass Art Kalamazoo holds classes; grab a couple friends and check one out.
36 • Feeling inspired? Pinspiration Kalamazoo offers workshops, a variety of projects, a splatter room or candle making. Reservations are required on their website.
Gaming Galore
37 • Book a video game theater party with BattleGR.
38 • Escape. Grab a bunch of friends and try to solve one of seven different puzzles to escape in Escapology at Airway Fun Center.
39 • Work on your arcade skills. Pac-Man or Donkey Kong anyone? Play the classic arcade games your parents enjoyed at Klassic Arcade in Gobles.
40 • Go retro. Grab your friends and play some vintage arcade and pinball at Rocket Arcade in South Haven.
Watch a Movie or Event
41 • Catch a concert or game at Wings Stadium. They offer everything from current artists, K-Wings games, and special events like the USA Curling Nationals.
42 • Watch a movie from your car. In the summer, make your way to Coldwater to catch a flick at the old-fashioned Capri Drive-In Theater.
43 • Catch an IMAX movie at Celebration Cinema Crossroads.
44 • Play ball! Battle Creek Battle Jacks play baseball May throught August. Single tickets and Group Outings are available.
45 • Support the Broncos. Sporting events are in Kalamazoo’s backyard at Western Michigan University. You can purchase tickets for football, basketball and hockey online.
Did We Miss One of Your Teen’s Favorites?
Know of a popular activity that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
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