# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Grand Rapids: the parent guide

> Grand Rapids is a good city for little kids, with a children’s museum, a public museum, a zoo, a sculpture park with a children’s garden and a library system that runs storytimes at nearly every branch.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 21 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### The Score (Northeast (Northland Dr))

- A big family restaurant and sports bar with a kids menu.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: entrées ~$11–$17
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri–Sun 11am–midnight
- Kids usually order: Cheeseburger, Grilled cheese, Chicken tenders, Mini calzone
- Good for: A big family room with a kids’ menu, open late.
- Skip if: you want a quiet meal; it’s a sports bar.
- Price source: https://www.thescoregr.com/food-menu/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.thescoregr.com

### HopCat Grand Rapids (Downtown)

- A downtown gastropub with a kids menu.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $7.95
- Kids usually order: Jr. cheeseburger, Tiny tender meal, Mini corn dogs, Grilled cheese and tomato soup
- Good for: A downtown dinner with $7.95 kids’ meals.
- Skip if: you want a play area.
- Price source: https://www.hopcat.com/grand-rapids/kids-menu (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.hopcat.com/grand-rapids

### Ed Dunneback & Girls (Walker (6 Mile Rd))

- A farm market with a big yard to run in and live music on some weekends.
- Price level: $
- Hours: Tue & Thu 9am–8pm; Wed & Fri 9am–9pm; Sat 9am–5pm
- Why kids like it: Large yard and live music Fri 6–9pm and Sat 1–4pm
- Good for: A big yard to run in, with live music on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
- Skip if: it’s Sunday or Monday, when it’s closed.
- Website: https://www.dunnebackgirls.com

### The Mitten Brewing Company (West Side (Leonard St))

- A baseball-themed brewpub known for its pizza, with yard games on the patio.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $6.99, sandwiches & pizzas ~$13–$22
- Kids usually order: Pizza
- Why kids like it: Patio with giant Jenga and cornhole
- Good for: Pizza with patio Jenga and cornhole; kids’ meals are $6.99.
- Skip if: it’s too cold for the patio.
- Price source: https://mittenbrewing.hrpos.heartland.us/menu (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.mittenbrewing.com

### Yesterdog (Eastown)

- A longtime hot dog shop in Eastown.
- Price level: $
- Menu prices: hot dogs $3.52–$4.18
- Good for: Cheap hot dogs at $3.52–$4.18.
- Skip if: you want a sit-down meal with table service.
- Price source: https://order.online/store/yesterdog-grand-rapids-795883/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://yesterdoggr.com

## Indoor play & trampoline parks

### Grand Rapids Children's Museum (Downtown)

- Pretend play for young kids downtown.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Ages 1–64 $12; Under 1 free. 3rd Thursday 4–8pm: $3
- Good for: Pretend play a toddler can finish before nap; under 1 is free.
- Skip if: your kids are older and want big exhibits.
- Price source: https://www.grcm.org/visit (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.grcm.org

### Sky Zone Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids)

- A trampoline park for long West Michigan winters.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: per jumper, 90 min $30.99. All In For Fall: 120 min $16.50 · Family Fun Day (Sun/Wed): 4 jumpers for $74.99 · 120 min $32.99; socks extra
- Good for: Winter energy burn at $30.99 for 90 minutes.
- Skip if: your toddler is too small for open jump.
- Price source: https://www.skyzone.com/grandrapids/ways-to-play/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.skyzone.com/grandrapids/

### Urban Air Adventure Park Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids)

- An indoor adventure park with climbing and trampolines.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Tickets from $14.99. Kids 40″ and under from $7.49
- Good for: Kids 40 inches and under get in from $7.49.
- Skip if: you want a calm outing.
- Price source: https://www.urbanair.com/michigan-grand-rapids/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.urbanair.com/michigan-grand-rapids/

### Chuck E. Cheese Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids)

- Pizza, games and indoor play.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices (Walker (Alpine Ave) location): personal pizza $12.49 · large pizza $22.49
- Good for: Pizza and games on a gray day.
- Skip if: flashing games overstimulate your kid.
- Price source: https://order.chuckecheese.com/menu/chuck-e-cheese-828 (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.chuckecheese.com/grand-rapids-mi/

## Amusement parks, water parks & pools

### Michigan's Adventure (Muskegon (about 45 min))

- A big amusement and water park near Muskegon.
- Price level: $$$
- Tickets: Closed for the season; Day ticket $66.99; 2 and under free. Good any day of the 2027 season
- Good for: A summer ride day; 2 and under are free.
- Skip if: it’s fall or winter; the park is closed until 2027.
- Price source: https://miadventure.enchantedparks.com/passes-and-tickets/park-admission/daily-tickets/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://miadventure.enchantedparks.com

### John Ball Zoo (West Side)

- A hillside zoo on the West Side.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3–13 $14.95–$18.95; adults 13–61 $19.95–$24.95; Under 3 free. Price depends on the day
- Good for: A morning zoo trip; under 3 is free.
- Skip if: you’re pushing a stroller uphill on a hot day. It’s a hillside zoo.
- Price source: https://jbzoo.org/tickets (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://jbzoo.org

### Millennium Park (Walker)

- A large county park with a summer beach area.
- Price level: $
- Tickets (last season): kids 3–15 $2; adults 16–62 $4; 2 and under free. Summer 2026 beach & splash pad prices
- Hours: Summer: beach 10am–8pm, splash pad 10am–7pm
- Good for: A $2 kids’ beach and splash pad day in summer.
- Skip if: it’s not summer; the beach and splash pad are seasonal.
- Price source: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1768/Beach-Splashpad (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1768/Beach-Splashpad

### Holland State Park (Holland (about 40 min))

- A Lake Michigan beach west of Grand Rapids.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Entry by vehicle: Michigan plates need a Recreation Passport ($15/yr at plate renewal); out-of-state $12/day
- Good for: A Lake Michigan beach about 40 minutes away.
- Skip if: you’re from out of state and don’t want to pay $12 a day per vehicle.
- Price source: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/recreation-passport (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/holland

## Museums, zoos & farms

### Frederik Meijer Gardens (Northeast)

- Gardens and a sculpture park with a children's garden.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3–13 $14; adults 14–64 $25
- Good for: The children’s garden on a morning visit.
- Skip if: you’re paying $25 per adult for a quick 30-minute stop.
- Price source: https://www.meijergardens.org/plan (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.meijergardens.org

### Grand Rapids Public Museum (Downtown)

- A downtown museum on the Grand River.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3–17 $5; adults $15; 2 and under free. Kent County residents pay less
- Good for: A cheap indoor morning with a carousel; 2 and under are free.
- Skip if: you skip the carousel, which is the toddler payoff.
- Price source: https://www.grpm.org/admission/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.grpm.org

### Robinette's Apple Haus (Northeast)

- An orchard with fall activities.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Free entry. Activities priced separately
- Good for: Fall cider and donuts; entry is free.
- Skip if: you assume activities are included; they’re priced separately.
- Price source: https://robinettes.com/visit (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://www.robinettes.com

### Blandford Nature Center (Northwest)

- Trails and nature programs on the northwest side.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Everyone $5; 2 and under free
- Good for: $5 trails and farm animals near the zoo; 2 and under are free.
- Skip if: you need indoor play.
- Price source: https://blandfordnaturecenter.org/about/visit-us/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- Website: https://blandfordnaturecenter.org

## Staycation spots

### Amway Grand Plaza (Downtown)

- A historic downtown hotel near the children's museum.
- Price level: $$$
- Good for: Walking to the children’s museum downtown.
- Skip if: you need a pool day more than a historic lobby; check amenities before booking.
- Website: https://amwaygrand.com

### Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City (Traverse City (day trip, about 2.5 hrs))

- An indoor waterpark resort.
- Price level: $$$
- Good for: An indoor water-park weekend.
- Skip if: it’s just one night. It’s about 2.5 hours away.
- Website: https://www.greatwolf.com/traverse-city

### Holland State Park campground (Holland (about 40 min))

- Campsites by the Lake Michigan beach.
- Price level: $
- Good for: Beach camping about 40 minutes out.
- Skip if: it’s outside beach season.
- Website: https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/holland

### Zehnder's Splash Village (Frankenmuth (day trip, about 2 hrs))

- An indoor waterpark hotel in Frankenmuth.
- Price level: $$
- Good for: An indoor water-park hotel about 2 hours away.
- Skip if: you only have one night.
- Website: https://www.zehnders.com

## Free things to do

- Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Library

## Best for under 3s

- **Grand Rapids Children’s Museum**: Play areas made for young kids.
- **Grand Rapids Public Museum**: A carousel and big exhibits that toddlers love to look at.
- **Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Library**: Board books, floor space and storytimes for the littlest.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Family Storytime | Main Library** (Grand Rapids Public Library): Mondays at 10:30am · Main Library. Birth to 5 years. These storytimes feature great books, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. https://grpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Family Storytime | Seymour** (Grand Rapids Public Library): Wednesdays at 10:30am · Seymour Branch. Birth to 5 years. These storytimes feature great books, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. https://grpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Family Storytime | Yankee Clipper** (Grand Rapids Public Library): Thursdays at 10:30am · Yankee Clipper Branch. Birth to 5 years. These storytimes feature great books, songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. https://grpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Babytime** (Kent District Library): Mondays at 1pm · Amy Van Andel Library (Ada). Birth to 18 months https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Babytime** (Kent District Library): Mondays at 10am · Byron Township Branch. Birth to 18 months https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Babytime** (Kent District Library): Tuesdays at 10am · Cascade Township Branch. Birth to 18 months https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Baby Storytime** (Herrick District Library): Thursdays at 9:30am and 10:30am · Herrick Main Library. Birth to 18 months. For ages 0-18mos with a caregiver Explore early literacy skills with stories, bounces, and music https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events
- **Baby Storytime** (Herrick District Library): Tuesdays at 9:30am and 10:30am · Herrick North Branch. Birth to 18 months. For ages 0-18mos with a caregiver Explore early literacy skills with stories, bounces, rhymes, and songs. https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events

### Babies get in free

- **Grand Rapids Children's Museum**: Under 1 free. https://www.grcm.org/visit
- **Michigan's Adventure**: 2 and under free. https://miadventure.enchantedparks.com/passes-and-tickets/park-admission/daily-tickets/
- **John Ball Zoo**: Under 3 free. https://jbzoo.org/tickets
- **Millennium Park**: 2 and under free. https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1768/Beach-Splashpad
- **Grand Rapids Public Museum**: 2 and under free. https://www.grpm.org/admission/
- **Blandford Nature Center**: 2 and under free. https://blandfordnaturecenter.org/about/visit-us/

### Changing tables and nursing rooms

- **John Ball Zoo**: Baby changers are in the family, men’s and women’s restrooms and in the quiet zone.
- **Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park**: Family restrooms in several spots, plus wellness rooms.

### Stroller notes

- **John Ball Zoo**: The Zoo is hilly. Safari strollers and canopy wagons are $12 to rent, and the funicular takes strollers.
- **Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park**: Paved paths throughout. The children’s garden is partly closed for renovation through summer 2027.

## Library storytimes

- **Grand Rapids Public Library and Kent District Library**: Weekly; days and times vary by branch. Baby, toddler and family storytimes at branches across Kent County, including Main, West Leonard, Cascade and Wyoming. https://www.grpl.org/
- **Herrick District Library**: Weekly at 2 locations; Tuesday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Baby Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am, Herrick North Branch) and Preschool Storytime (Tuesdays 9:30am, Herrick Main Library). https://herrickdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events


## Happening this week

- **Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo** (10am–5pm) at John Ball Zoo. $22.95 adults; $16.95 youth (3–13) and seniors; under 3 free; members free. https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/#e-zoo_goes_boo
- **Hallowee-Ones at Meijer Gardens** (Sat 10am–2pm) at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Included with admission: $25 adults, $14 ages 3–13. https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/#e-hallowee_ones_at_meijer_gardens
- **BOO at the Barn at MI Farmstead** (Fri 1–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm) at MI Farmstead (formerly Critter Barn). $10 youth and adults; seniors and military $8; children 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/#e-boo_at_the_barn_at_mi_farmstead
- **Fall Festival at Post Family Farm** (Mon–Fri noon–7:30pm; Sat 10am–7:30pm) at Post Family Farm. Mon–Thu $9 online, $11 at the gate; Fri–Sat $12 online, $15 at the gate (ages 2+, so under 2 free). https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/#e-fall_festival_at_post_family_farm
- **Haunted Hall at the Kentwood Community Center** (Fri 6pm–8pm) at Kentwood Community Center. Free; optional mini-golf $5 per 15-minute session. https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/#e-haunted_hall_at_the_kentwood_community_c

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in Grand Rapids: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Grand Rapids for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum worth it for a toddler?
Yes, as a morning outing. It’s built around play areas for young kids, so you can follow your toddler instead of a plan. Leave before nap.

### What are the best free things to do with little kids in Grand Rapids?
Library storytimes, the Main Library and the park-and-trail stops cost nothing. Check each listing above for what costs extra.

### What can we do in Grand Rapids with a toddler when it rains or snows?
The Children’s Museum, the Public Museum and the Main Library are all indoors, and branch libraries run storytimes on weekdays.

### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Play areas made for young kids. Grand Rapids Public Museum: A carousel and big exhibits that toddlers love to look at. Grand Rapids Public Library, Main Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: John Ball Zoo (Under 3 free), Millennium Park (2 and under free) and Blandford Nature Center (2 and under free). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/guide/#under3).

### Where are the free storytimes in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids Public Library and Kent District Library: Weekly; days and times vary by branch. Herrick District Library: Weekly at 2 locations; Tuesday–Thursday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [GR weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/).

### How do you choose the places in the Grand Rapids guide?
Every one of the 21 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 16 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).

### How much is the John Ball Zoo for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 3 free; kids 3–13: $14.95–$18.95; adults 13–61: $19.95–$24.95 (price depends on the day). We checked this on [its official site](https://jbzoo.org/tickets) on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.

### How much is the Grand Rapids Children's Museum for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 1 free; ages 1–64: $12. Deals: 3rd Thursday 4–8pm: $3. We checked this on [its official site](https://www.grcm.org/visit) on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.