Lansing Summer Bucket List – Things to Do this Summer in Greater Lansing with Kids

Lansing Summer Plans? We’ve Got You Covered.

There are so many ways to make a Lansing summer memorable. Enjoy a nature center or hiking trail, get out to a park or playground, pick fresh fruit, or enjoy one of many festivals and fairs around the city.

Summer 2020 is different. We may not be able to go to all the places we’d like to visit, but it’s going to be a great year to find more to love about Lansing.

Read on for fun things to do all summer long, events for the whole family (be sure to verify they’re running this year), and a list of great road trips from Lansing!

Lansing Things to Do in the Summer >>

  LANSING SUMMER THINGS TO DO 

A Lansing summer has never been more fun! Keep the kids busy all summer with this sweet bucket list of summer things to do.

Get Into Nature

• Enjoy a walk through the MSU Children’s Garden Center/Horticulture Center or attend one of their story times in the garden. (Garden is open for 2020, but all summer programs are cancelled.)
• Explore Fenner Nature Center The warm weather and trails can make for an amazing adventurous day.
• Treck through Woldumar nature center’s many trails. Run around, climb, play at their nature park, and explore the fun on-site exhibits and structures.
• Visit a garden:
  • MSU Rivertrail and Gardens and Greenhouses
  • Cooley Law School Garden
  • LCC Japanese Garden
• Take a Nature Hike:
  • Lansing River Trail
  • Woldumar Nature Center
  • Fenner Nature Center
  • Harris Nature Center
  • Fitzgerald Park Ledges and Trails
  • Hawk Island
• Visit the Brenke Fish Ladder in Old Town.
• Visit the Animals at Potter Park Zoo. FREE for Ingham county residents on non-holiday Mondays from 9:00 AM -Noon.
• Visit and feed Horses at MSU.

Be Active

• Swim, Splash, Play – Try out a new water location or make it every one. There are so many options to stay cool this summer in our Water Play Guide.
• Play at an epic park. Make your own park bucket list using our guide.
• Kayak in downtown Lansing with River Town Adventures. It’s easy and fun for the whole family.
• Bike the Lansing/MSU River Trail with Riverfront Cycle, River Town Adventures, and MSU Bike Service Center.
• Get out on the bike track at Capitol Area BMX or just watch all of the action and fun from Nip N’ Sip.
• Race at Grand Woods Park’s RC Car Track or go Disk Golfing in their trails along the Grand River.
• Play a game of soccer at Beacon Field.
• Go horseback riding at Sundance Riding Stables or Northfork Farms and Outback.
• Try out High Ropes Courses in Howell, MI

Enjoy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

• Pick fruit at many locations around our area. A couple great spots are:
  • • Blueberries at Hazen Farm in Williamston,
    • Strawberries at Huhn Stawberry Farm in Dewitt.
    • Apples at Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns.
    • Apples at Clearview Orchards in Haslett.
    • Check out our full list of where to find u pick fruit in Greater Lansing
• Visit Uncle John’s Cider Mill.  There’s always something fun going on at Uncle John’s! Check out their event calendar or just stop by. Don’t miss the Vintage Market in August.
• Visit our many farmers markets
  • • Michigan State Capitol Law
    • Allen Neighborhood Center
    • Urbandale
    • South Lansing/Barnes
    • Peckham Farms
    • Dewitt
    • East Lansing
    • Okemos
    • Williamston
    • Grand Ledge
    • Holt

Enjoy a Classic

• Drive in to a Drive-In Movie in Coldwater, MI.
• Get out of the sun and into air conditioning for a bit and Play Indoors.

  LANSING SUMMER FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 

Know what’s happening every day with our monthly calendars. Check out these Lansing summer highlights you won’t want to miss.

Many festivals and special events are not being held in 2020. Be sure to verify before you head out.

• Be a Tourist in Your Own Town and have a $1 staycation. June 2.
• Experience Lansing’s Concert in the Park Series. Wednesdays from June 13 to Aug. 1.
• Catch an LCC Amphitheater Performance in June and July.
• Fireworks
  • Sharpe Park is a family favorite. Many scope out their spots each year but no matter where you choose to watch them – they are fantastic.
  • Downtown Lansing – Schedule a kayak from River Town Adventures or bring your own boat for an awesome view.
  • Lansing Lugnuts
  • Think yours are the best? Comment below and tell us your favorite view or location.
• Watch the Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Lansing.
• See an Outdoor Movie:
  • Moonlight Film Festival in East Lansing. Every Thursday from July 3 to Aug. 9.
  • Drive-In Movie on Groesbeck Golf Course. Aug. 10
  • Movie on the Lawn at the Capitol Building. Aug. 17
  • Grand Ledge baseball field next to Island Park. Every Friday July 13 – August 24.
• Go to the Car and Bus Races at Speedway. Cheer the busses on or watch the crazy eights for a blast of a night with family and friends!
• Get away at a Summer Camp in Greater Lansing.
• Go to Greater Lansing’s Festivals
  • Lansing: Old Town, Downtown, ReoTown, Scrap Fest
  • East Lansing
  • Grand Ledge
  • Want to add your festival? Message or comment below and we’ll get it on the list.

  LANSING SUMMER ROAD TRIP IDEAS 

Want to (safely) get out of town for a bit? Here are some great go-to options that are fun and safe for the whole family.

We recommend you contact your destination directly to verify their status for 2020.

Take a drive to the Beach

On Both the East and West Shores!

A family favorite is St. Joseph where you’ll enjoy the beach, a splash pad, and more! Our other go-to spots are Tunnel Park in Holland, Lakeside Beach in Port Huron including a splash pad, and South Haven Beach for one of the prettiest sunsets you’ll see. Where do you like to beach it during the Summer?

Go Camping!

Trek up north or stay around town! Where does your family like to camp? Hawk Hollow is a great spot to take a quick camping trip if you want to stay close to home.

Head over to Detroit

Go on a bike ride through Dequindre Cut and land at the splash pad in front of the Renaissance Center to cool off. Cross the bridge to Belle Isle to swim at the beach and slide on a burlap bag down the huge slide. 

Go to a Festival in Grand Rapids

They have something going on all summer long!

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is like none other!

There’s lots to do with kids and amazing entertainment on into the night during this week long event.

Lansing Summer Bucket List Challenge

So, who’s with me? I’ll race you! Let’s check in at the end and talk about all the fun places we’ve made it to and discuss our favorite parts of our Lansing summer.

Happy Summering, Lansing!