Spring break is a great time to get out of town or find new adventures (or camps) right here in your own backyard!

Maybe you’re using the week for your own spring break and heading out of town – if you are, check out our travel guides for vacation tips.  Perhaps you’re scrambling to find last-minute child care, we’ve got you covered there too – check out our listing of spring break camps in metro Detroit. If you’re somewhere in between, here are some activities to keep you busy…and, when necessary, out of the house.

Find Spring
It’s officially spring, but Mother Nature is sending mixed messages. So grab your hats and gloves, just in case, and enjoy the sunlight and get some fresh air.

• Become a Junior Ranger at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park.
• See the city from Belle Isle – find tropical weather at the Conservatory and explore the Great Lakes at the Dossin Museum.
• Visit the Farm Centers at Wolcott Mill or Kensington Metro Parks.
• Time for hibernation is over, say hi to the animals at the Detroit Zoo.

Get Out of Town
We had a tight budget when I was a kid, so our annual family vacation was often an overnight hotel stay within driving distance…and it was the best! Find a place with a pool and even if it’s just up the street, your littles will feel like they’re at Disney World. A change of scenery is always refreshing, so get away for a day, even if it’s just an afternoon road trip.

• Air Zoo – Portage
  The Air Zoo is a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum with over 100 rare and unique aircraft & spacecraft, inspiring interactive exhibits, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, and hands-on, science-based camps and classes.
• Impressions 5 – Lansing
  Impression 5 Science Center is a dynamic, interactive space for families to play, create, and challenge their understanding of science. Our mission is to facilitate learners in scientific exploration through hands-on exhibits and participatory educational programming.
• Pretzel Rolling Class @ Bavarian Inn Restaurant – Frankenmuth
  Let your little become a German baker. Explore Michigan’s ‘Little Bavaria’ and discover proper pretzel-rolling methods – they get to try it themselves!

Do Something Sweet
Spring time means spring cleaning! Spend the morning picking up and picking out toys and clothes your little outgrew and bring them to a local homeless shelter. The act itself will feel good, and getting a sweet treat afterwards will be a bonus.

• Treat Dreams – Ferndale/Detroit
• Shatila – Dearborn
• The Donut Bar – Southfield
• Home Bakery – Rochester
• Browndog Creamery – Farmington/Northville

Discover Detroit
Start checking items off our list of 75 things to do with kids in Detroit and spend some time in the city. Whatever your littles’ interest, there is something fun to do downtown. If you’re going to get something to eat, here are our favorite places to dine with kids in Detroit.

• Music + Movies: Sing like the stars did at the Motown Museum and see a show at the DSO – Disney favorites will be performed at A Tale As Old As Time concert on April 3rd.
• Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Go for a ride on the QLine and People Mover. Stop by the RenCen (a PeopleMover stop) to see cars on display and go to the Outdoor Adventure Center to climb high and fly a plane.
• Games: Empty the piggy bank, trade in those pennies for quarters  and play arcade games at Pop + Offworld. Find boardgames, comics and more  couple blocks away at Vault of Midnight.
• Skateboarding: Bring your boards to Wayfinding Skate Park downtown and if you need a board, stop by Detroit Surf Co. in Midtown.
• Sports: Get selfies at all the stadiums – including the old home of Tigers Stadium and the new home of Detroit PAL’s The Corner for Kids.

Win Tickets to a Pistons Game: Come cheer on the Detroit Pistons as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers in one of their last home games on Wednesday, April 4th. Best part – you can go for FREE – enter to win below!

Photo credit: Facebook