Detroit is a fantastic place to visit with your kiddos! From seeing all the cool, exotic animals at the Detroit Zoo to historical places like the Henry Ford Museum, there is no shortage of fun activities for you and your family, no matter the season. Detroit is your one-stop shop for a family-friendly vacation. Whether you are heading in from a road trip from Chicago or Indianapolis, you’ll find there are so many things to do in Detroit with kids.  

Compared to other popular tourist cities in Michigan, such as Mackinac Island, Detroit has everything you need in one place for having lots of fun (and eating lots of good food) without needing to travel far. Keep on reading below for the list of 15 things to do in Detroit with kids!

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

One of the most unique attractions the Detroit area offers, Legoland is a must-see for your family’s future Detroit trip. Inside, Legoland offers tons of attractions like LEGO-themed rides, interactive rides, and building areas to play with legos. Pro-tip: visit the Legoland website to book tickets and plan in advance, tickets must be bought online. Perfect for wanting to get away from cold or hot weather!

Henry Ford Museum

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

An incredibly popular place to visit while in Michigan, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation has to be on top of your list of places to visit while in Detroit. If you don’t go to the Henry Ford Museum while here, you are truly missing out! Countless exhibits to explore, shopping areas, and food options galore! There’s nothing like learning about history while also having fun!

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART DETROIT 

WHY YOU SHOULD GO 

Formerly an auto dealership that was converted into what it is today, MOCAD aka Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, is great for families!. It is divided up into three floors, and each floor has its own theme. Usually it will take a minimum of three hours to go through the entire museum, so make sure you plan ahead for the day you plan to visit. Children 5 and under are free too!

SANDERS CANDY FACTORY TOUR

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

Have a sweet tooth? Head on over to Sander’s Candy Factory for a tour! Everyone in the family will enjoy testing out  yummy samples, and see what goes on behind the scenes in the factory. Be prepared for a sugar rush and come hungry! To visit, make sure you call up the factory beforehand to arrange a group tour in advance. Bonus? The tour is 100% free!

DETROIT RIVERFRONT 

WHY YOU SHOULD GO 

Detroit Riverwalk is one of the most beautiful places to visit, especially in the warmer months! You can feel free to do a family walk, sit and enjoy the view of the water, ride bicycles, rent electric scooters, and more. They also host free events for all age ranges. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes for this one!

GREENFIELD VILLAGE

Located within the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village is another historically fun place to take the kiddos. Take a horse-drawn carriage with the family, enjoy some frozen custard, or visit the Village Playground. With so many things to do here, you definitely won’t see everything the first time around! 

SKY ZONE INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

Need to make sure the kids are tired by the time you get back to the hotel? Come on over to Skyzone for a a bit! Bouncing up and down on a trampoline is guaranteed to get out all of the energy your kids will no doubt have. If bouncing gets boring, they can even play dodgeball, volleyball, and other trampoline games. There’s even a toddler section for the super little ones. Boredom is not a thing when you’re at Skyzone!

JUNGLE JAVA

If you would like to sit down for a minute and let the kids play, Jungle Java is the perfect place! Kids can enjoy the jungle-themed indoor playground, and after enjoy some food, which is perfect for the appetite the kids will have after they are done playing. There is a cafe with free wifi for parents who want to take a breather. The playground is also big enough for parents who decide they want to join in on all the fun! 

MARVIN’S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM 

WHY YOU SHOULD GO 

If you’re short on time, or are wanting to do an activity that won’t hurt your wallet, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is an awesome idea for the family. At Marvin’s you’ll find a ton of vintage arcade games, collector’s items, unique animatronics, as well as a cafe with wifi. Admission is free for everyone!

EXTREME FUN

Unlimited, inflatable fun  is what you’ll find here at Extreme Fun. With over 30,000 square feet of inflatables to bounce on, everyone is sure to have a great time! Extreme Fun is known for its enormous bounce houses, they even have themed inflatables such as Superman and Disney for the kiddos to enjoy.

DIAMOND JACK RIVER TOUR

One of the more chill activities for the family, the Diamond Jack River Tour delivers the most breathtaking views you’ll get of Detroit. You won’t get these views anywhere else! Fun and relaxing for all ages, get your phone ready for some awesome family pictures with the river as your background! You cannot pre-purchase tickets, and there is a limited number of people allowed on the boat – so make sure to get in line as early as possible for this tour you won’t want to miss!

THE DETROIT ZOO

WHY YOU SHOULD GO 

If you don’t go to the Detroit Zoo, your Detroit trip isn’t yet complete. It’s hands down one of the most popular attractions in the city! Visit the butterfly sanctuary, the 4D theater, or take the Tauber Family Railroad Ride to rest your feet from doing all that walking! However you decide to spend your day at the zoo, lasting memories will be made! It’s easiest to purchase tickets ahead of time for the least amount of hassle when arriving.

PARADISE PARK

Pizza and go-karts? We’re totally in! Paradise Park is another major attraction in the Detroit area. There are 10+ attractions available here, including laser tag, arcade, mini golf, and a climbing wall. No reservation is needed to come and visit. Best time to visit is during warmer months.

PUTTING EDGE

WHY YOU SHOULD GO 

Mini-golf is an enjoyable, interactive activity for all ages. It’s even better at Putting Edge! What sets this golf experience from all the others is the glow-in-the-dark courses. You can choose different themed courses too, such as a jungle or an ocean theme. If you finish the course and are itching to do more, there is a glow-in-the-dark arcade to take advantage of! 

CJ BARRYMORE’S FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

Featuring indoor and outdoor activities, going to CJ Barrymore’s is unforgettable! Get into bumper cars, bowling, the arcade, or laser tag! If spending time outside sounds more fun, CJ Barrymore’s has rides like the ferris wheel and spinning coaster, or even a baseball batting cage. Plan to spend at least half a day here, there’s so much to do your kids won’t know what to do first! And they won’t want to leave!

Map of Things to Do in Detroit with Kids

Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in Detroit

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