Staying home this spring break? Us too! Follow our family of seven’s spring break Michigan staycation itinerary to join in on the fun.
Spring break with a family is never easy. Finding a destination everyone likes, booking plane tickets and rooms and entertainment, planning and packing, and hoping no one gets sick at the last minute—it can be a lot. Plus, there’s the increased cost of, well, everything these days.
This spring break, our family decided to opt out of traveling and enjoy a staycation instead. While escaping Michigan’s winter temperatures at a beach resort sounds tempting, the chance to catch up on some lingering tasks at home and enjoy some destinations right in our home state sounds equally as refreshing.
A staycation can be just as fun as a vacation because it provides the chance to try things you wouldn’t normally do at home. I created a simple Michigan staycation itinerary for families you can follow and adapt to your own local area below, with more details on specific places our family is trying.
Michigan Staycation Itinerary for Families
Sunday: Museum Day
- Our family’s pick: Michigan History Museum in Lansing
- Bonus: A post-museum trip to the MSU Dairy Store for ice cream!
Kick off Spring Break with a visit to one of Michigan’s many family-friendly museums. Bonus: Some Michigan museums, like the Michigan History Museum in Lansing, offer free admission on Sundays, so plan ahead! I plan to take full advantage of the free admission and am dragging all five of my kids, aged teen to kindergartener, to the museum for the first Sunday of spring break, and I know they will appreciate it far more than lounging beachside.
Because it’s so close and happens to be closed on Mondays, we’re going to end our time in Lansing by swinging by the Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Store. It’s open until 8 p.m., so it makes the perfect post-museum destination for a sweet treat.
Other Michigan museums with free admission include the University of Michigan Museum of Art and the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor (with free street parking on Sundays), the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, which is normally closed on Sundays but is open free on April 12 only. If you happen to be a Bank of America member, they also offer a “Museums on Us” free admission program to cardholders on the first full weekend of the month.
EBT/WIC cardholders can also get $1- $2 admission at most Michigan museums. You can check with your local library to get a Michigan Activity Pass for free or discounted passes to select museums. (I searched the Michigan Activity Pass, and it appears some of the bigger venues are blocked off during spring break, so you may need to choose off-dates to take advantage of the pass.)
Monday: Closet Clean Out + Ice Cream Day
- Our family’s pick: Modern Cone in St. Clair Shores
- Bonus: Stop by the Civic Arena for public indoor ice skating!
Cleaning out closets may not be a fun spring break activity, but it’s probably a necessary one after a long Michigan winter, so gather the fam, divide and conquer, and then, when the work is done, treat yourself by visiting a new ice cream parlor. (And don’t forget to drop those donations off from your closet clean-out at the thrift store on your way, so they don’t languish in your car for months.)
We have our eye on Modern Cone in St. Clair Shores, because it boasts seasonal treats like a Shamrock Ice Cream Taco and shakes, incredible ‘Stackers,’ ice cream nachos, ice cream flights, custom ice cream cakes, and my personal favorite: coffee. If you want something to do with the kids, you can also take one of the creamery’s online classes, such as their “How to Make an Ice Cream Cake,” right from the comfort of your home.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, keep driving on to the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena for some public indoor skating time. The April calendar was not released at the time of publication, but you can check online for the calendar that lists open skating times. Skate rentals are available for $5/pair, and kids six and under get free admission to public skate when skating with a paid adult.
Tuesday: Shopping Day
- Our family’s pick: Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills
- Bonus: Stop by the Rainforest Cafe for lunch!
Now that your closets are freshly cleaned out and organized, it’s time to replenish and update your and the kids’ wardrobes. Pick up some new spring pieces, or get an early start on special events, like Prom, Easter, spring formals, Confirmation, or First Communions, or weddings.
Our family is planning a trip to Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills because it has special-event boutiques (hello, prom dresses), clothing stores, and all kinds of entertainment for the kids. For instance, you can have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe (tip: book a reservation in advance if possible, because it gets busy), visit SEALife Aquarium or LEGOLAND Discovery Center, or just let the kids play in the free play structure in the food court.
A word of caution: the carousel is strategically placed by the play structure, so you might want to be prepared to spend a few bucks either way.
Wednesday: Swim Day
- Our family’s pick: City of Lapeer Community Center for open swim + a slide
- Bonus: Stay overnight or book a day pass to the brand-new Bavarian Blast waterpark in Frankenmuth!
Plan a day trip to one of Michigan’s many indoor waterparks, like Splash Village or the new Bavarian Blast waterpark, both in Frankenmuth. Both options also offer dining and overnight lodging with additional family-friendly entertainment, such as laser tag, indoor mini golf, arcades, and rope climbing.
If the crowds of spring break at Frankenmuth feel too overwhelming, drop in for an open swim at your local pool or rec center. The City of Lapeer Community Center, for instance, offers daily public open swim during spring break and includes a full pool, diving board, whirlpool, and two slides: a large ‘twirly’ slide and a smaller, toddler-friendly version.
A third, more private option: Book a staycation night at a hotel that offers indoor swimming. There are also some select AirBnBs in Michigan with private indoor pools, like this option in Oxford, Mich., although I will warn you: Most indoor pool AirBnBs come with pretty hefty price tags, so you may want to find some friends or family to split the price with.
Thursday: Book Day
- Our family’s pick: Cashing in some holiday Barnes & Noble gift cards
- Bonus: Visit your local library for free coloring pages + crafts
My kids have some Barnes & Noble gift cards from Christmas burning holes in their pockets, so we will be spending a cozy afternoon browsing at our nearest Barnes & Noble. However, we recommend hitting up a local bookstore near you.
For a more budget-friendly book day, stop in at your local library to stock up on some new reads. Don’t forget to ask your librarian what other activities they offer, like crafts, coloring pages, puzzles, or in-library events. Your local library is a wonderful—and free—resource to utilize during spring break whenever the kids get stir-crazy!
Friday: Free Day
- Our family’s pick: Spending a quiet day at home
- Bonus: End the week with a family movie night!
After a busy week, Friday is a ‘free day’ to enjoy as you wish. You could add another activity to your schedule or choose to enjoy some downtime at home after being on the go for days.
Some suggestions: Read the new books you picked up, print out some relaxing coloring pages, play some board games, and end the night with a family movie night. Keep in mind that for those who celebrate, the next two days are Easter weekend, so it’s a good time to rest before diving into more family fun (and lots of candy).
