45+ Affordable and Free Things to Do in Lansing

Free & Affordable Fun Around Lansing

Looking for some new family activities that won’t break the bank?

Whether you want to head downtown, explore MSU, or just get outdoors—Lansing is full of fun activities.

And we know life is busy with work, school, sports, music…so we put together a list to make it easy for you.

So go ahead and check out all the fun, affordable ways to help your family get out and enjoy some time together—Lansing style.

Turn your day into an adventure that will keep your family happy, and your wallet too!

Think there aren’t any places to play for free? Nope!

Impression 5 has Tadpole Storytime hosted by CADL Library. Bring your card and get free admissions that day.

Visit a Nature Center to see the beauty in our city all year round.
- Fenner Nature Center Walk the trails or play in the welcome center. Don’t miss the Maple Syrup Festival in Spring & Apple Butter Festival in the Fall.
- Woldumar Nature Center Enjoy a story and learn about nature in the welcome center. Read, color, & explore! Then head outside for a great hike or play in their natural playground.
- Harris Nature Center Walk the trails, come to story time and check out their sensory-friendly activities too. There are many cool adventures throughout the year.

Take a free story-walk through Valley Farms Park leading to Granger Meadows Park. The Sarah Lago Memorial StoryWalk is facilitated by the DeWitt District Library and changes every season.

Potter Park Zoo is open year-round for a perfect day of animal fun. Bonus: It’s free on Monday mornings for Ingham county residents on non-holidays.

Visit a local Cider Mill & Farm to walk around orchards, take a hayride, pet farm animals, pick a pumpkin, enjoy kids play areas, eat fresh donuts and so much more.

Parks & Playgrounds: year-round outdoor fun awaits all over Lansing.
- Beacon Fields – the perfect locale for a game of soccer with friends or to just drop by.
- Ranney Skate Park – located across from Frandor, it has free baseball fields, tennis courts & a skate park.
- Sledding Hills & Tubing Spots – Lansing’s top spots for winter fun.

Grab a bite at McDonald’s off Jolly Rd in Lansing or Burger King near Frandor while kids climb all over the indoor playground.

Visit the Lansing Mall or Meridian Mall and chat with friends as your kiddos enjoy the free play areas.

Enjoy a free game of bowling during the summer with the Kids Bowl Free program. You can pick your preferred bowling alley when you sign up – discounts for the whole family are available.

Get out and catch a show, whether live or on the big screen.

Free (or cheap) family film festivals are available throughout the year at these local movie theaters:
- Kids Film Festi vals at NCG Cinema – Lansing + Xtreme
- Flick’s Family Films and Sensory Showtimes at Celebration Cinemas

Concerts in the Park – There’s nothing like hearing beautiful music outside with the wind and sky as the backdrop. Plan to attend, you won’t be disappointed.

Movies in the Park – Several area communities host Movies in the Park throughout the summer. Some of our favorite places to see a flick include Laingsburg and East Lansing. These are typically free and if you pack some snacks from home, totally affordable on a tight budget.

You might be surprised to find out that there are places where you can create art – for free!

Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum is free and open to the public all week long. The museum offers special events, crafts and projects for kids of all ages. Be sure you check out Family Day, the first Saturday of each month, it’s a blast!

Build with wood & nails at free kids workshops. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer workshops. Be sure to register to save your spot as space is limited!

REACH Art Studio offers Walk-In Wednesday, a donation based art class featuring new art projects each week. Registration is suggested as there are limited seats, ages 3+.

Of course, a great way to have free fun is to get and just walk around town!

Take a tour of MSU:
- MSU Museum will take you back in time and show you dinosaurs, old artifacts and so much more.
- MSU Children’s Gard en Center offers free indoor & outdoor story times, a children’s garden, greenhouses and a butterfly house (open in April).
- MSU Animal B arns offers visitors the chance to meet cows, horses, sheep & more. All tours are self-guided and free.

Meet all kinds of different creatures at Preuss Pets in Lansing. You can feed the Koi fish in their indoor or outdoor ponds, hear the parrots and birds, and say hi to the store counter/pet rat, Alfredo. Preuss Pets is free to visit and fish food is just $1.

Visit a Farmers Market and wander all the produce and goods. It’s free to go but we can’t promise you won’t want to buy something amazing while you’re there. Most towns and cities all over mid-Michigan participate in weekly Farmers Markets.

Wander & Shop Horrocks where you will find a shoppers paradise filled with produce, food, beer, restaurants, gardens & more.

Potter Park Zoo is free on Monday mornings until noon on non-holidays for Ingham county residents. They also offer story times through the summer months. CADL member? Check out a Michigan Activity Pass and get admission & parking for free.

Visit a Mu s eum and take advantage of reciprocal benefits. Impression 5 Science Museum offers members discounts and free entry into different museums around Michigan. Check it out!

Watch airplanes take off and land! The free airplane viewing area at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing offers a great spot to watch with clear views of the runway just east of the main terminal. It’s a family-friendly place to relax or enjoy a picnic—check the daily flight schedule to time your visit. NOTE: There are no bathrooms so plan accordingly!

Many places around greater Lansing have free events throughout the year.

Things to do at MSU:
- Bug House – free on second Monday of the month.
- MSU Science Festival – every year, families look forward to this free epic event. Don’t miss it!
- Eli & Edyth Broad Art Museum – free entry and many fun activities throughout the year.
- MSU Butterfly House – experience the magic of butterflies, free on weekends during the month of April.