Grand Rapids Children's Activities

Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers many excellent hands-on activities for children of all ages. Three premiere destinations designed with children in mind include the John Ball Park Zoo, the Frederik Meijer Gardens, and the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

John Ball Park Zoo

John Ball Park Zoo is the home of over 1,100 different creatures from five continents. The extensive collection includes the new Lions of Lake Manyara exhibit, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Based on the Lake Manyara biosphere in Tanzania, there are two levels of viewing decks from which to enjoy watching the animals. The zoo also features a large aquarium, children’s petting zoo, camel rides, and the Mokomboso Valley Chimpanzee Exhibit, one of the largest in the country. The zoo is open every day except Christmas. Entrance fees vary by season, but range from $3.00 to $7.50. (Children under two are always free.) Hours also vary by season.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

The Meijer Gardens offer an extensive children’s garden with ten different themed areas. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden is a hands-on place where children can learn about plants, gardening and general wildlife in the Great Lakes region. Also of interest to children will be the Michigan’s Farm Garden, a three-quarters size replica of Lena Meijer’s childhood farm home. The farm also features the award winning original barn that was moved and reassembled at the gardens. Specific children’s activities are also held at the farm at various times during the year and reflect the current season. Children will also enjoy the annual butterfly exhibit held each spring. The Gardens are open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Entrance fees range from $4.00 to $12.00 with discounts given for groups. Hours vary by day.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum in downtown Grand Rapids is all about play! Featuring a combination of permanent and changing exhibits, there is something for children of every age including the under five crowd and the crawlers who get their very own Crawler’s Corner. Permanent exhibits include: Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles; Buzzy Beehive (a real beehive); Mirror Magic; and a Spin Table. The museum also offers a different hands-on activity each day which is announced in advance on the website calendar. Admission is $5.00 per person with children under two free. Discounts are available for groups, military families, and seniors. Thursday nights are family nights with $1.00 admission. Hours vary by day.

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