Traverse City is packed with things to do for families, whether your crew craves outdoor adventures, creativity, or just a change of scenery from the backyard. From hands-on museums to pirate mini-golf and indoor climbing gyms, there are options here for every age and energy level.
Let’s get to it.
Old Town Playhouse
If you’ve got a kid bursting with energy and a flair for the dramatic, Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City is a great bet. They offer half-day camps for five-year-olds, full-day sessions for older kids, and teen productions up to age eighteen. The focus is more rehearsal room than playground, with activities like playwriting, set building, improv, and plenty of movement games to keep everyone busy.
Classes happen in classrooms led by experienced theatre educators, and group sizes stay around ten to fifteen students so no one slips through the cracks. Staff supervision is solid, which gives parents peace of mind. There are after-school classes in fall and spring, camps during every school break, and four full productions each year. You do need to audition for shows, but most camps and workshops welcome newcomers. Tuition and ticket costs aren’t free, but you can find discounts if you look. Plus, they offer special-needs accommodations and team up with local groups now and then. It’s all very organized—way more so than your typical family gathering.
ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness
When you walk into ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness in Traverse City, you’ll notice they’ve thought of everyone. The gym includes bouldering, top-rope, lead walls, and autobelay systems, so absolute beginners and seasoned climbers are both covered. Newcomers get a safety orientation, and if you’ve got little ones, the padded, staffed Child Watch room keeps toddlers busy while you find your groove on the wall.
Programs span all ages and interests. Young kids can join the Climbing Club or summer camps. Older kids have options like the Youth Ascent Team or the more relaxed Approach group. They even host Homeschool Climbing Days. Pricing is flexible too—drop-in rates, punch cards, memberships, and a Family Climb Time capped at sixty dollars per household. Safety is taken seriously by attentive staff, and you don’t need any experience to start. They also run special events like Women’s Night and Queer Night, creating a welcoming vibe. It really feels like Traverse City’s community living room, just with a lot more chalk.
Mission Point Lighthouse
At Mission Point Lighthouse, you get a bit of everything that makes Michigan special. There’s history, water views, wooded trails, and a gift shop full of lighthouse merch so you can grab a souvenir after exploring. You can take a self-guided tour of the lighthouse or step into the authentic Hessler Log Cabin. For kids six to twelve, educational group programs cover rock collecting and, soon, compass activities.
The lighthouse is open daily from ten to five, and the tower climb runs May through October—those stairs are legendary in Northern Michigan. Admission is eight dollars for adults, two dollars for kids, and children under six get in free. Parking won’t cost you unless you try something very unusual. Most park trails and the beach remain open year-round if you want a less crowded visit.
Just note that strollers won’t fit inside the tower and camping or s’mores aren’t allowed in the park. It’s a charming, hands-on slice of Michigan history without any extra frills.
Dennos Museum Center
If you appreciate a museum that’s more hands-on than hush-and-walk, check out the Dennos Museum Center. You can wander galleries or dive into printmaking, weaving, and zine-making workshops. Kids and tweens love the summer storytimes in the galleries, led by museum educators who guide every step.
Second Sunday art projects happen monthly and don’t require any special skills—just show up and get creative. Admission is five dollars for kids five to seventeen, while under-five is free. Drop-in tours on Tuesdays let you explore at your own pace. One standout offering is the Collective Self Cinema, which pairs film screenings with art workshops, so adults and kids both get a unique experience.
Everything’s indoors, so weather never messes with your plans. From scout groups to big families, the museum handles logistics smoothly, and nobody expects a perfect craft. It’s an art adventure that’s both casual and thoroughly organized.
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park
On a relaxed stroll through The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, you’ll feel right at home whether you’re a plant geek or chasing after kids who heard about face painting and wagon rides. Everything is volunteer-run, which gives the place a genuine, friendly vibe. The outdoor gardens and trails are open year-round, and during warmer months there’s a Visitor Center plus covered pavilions.
The events calendar changes all the time in the best way. One day you might find kids exploring bugs with a real forester, the next you’re at a story time that includes simple flower crafts. Floral workshops and yard games pop up too—most activities are family-focused, but adults always get to join the fun. Entry to the garden and major festivals like Old Time Harvest Day is free. Some special programs require tickets, but members get discounted rates.
Accessibility is well planned: sidewalks are smooth, restrooms are clean, and designated zones are supervised. You don’t need a parenting degree to enjoy the sunshine here.
The War Zone (Battle Tag Arena)
Ever wanted to run around like a secret agent without risking a rogue elbow or a painful paintball welt? The War Zone in Traverse City is perfect. It’s a climate-controlled indoor arena with hi-tech Rival and Half-Dart blasters, plus shields, grenades, and even foam melee gear. The whole place feels like tactical mayhem, but you don’t need Army training or to know which button to press on your first match.
They host regular games for anyone seven and up. Bring a family crew and join the Sunday all-ages battles. Kids as young as three can suit up if a parent plays along. Staff supervise every match to keep things safe and fun, and the scoring system feels more high-tech than your average arcade.
You can drop in for a casual game, join a league, or grab a membership if you’re hooked. And since the arena is air-conditioned, you won’t break a sweat even in peak summer. It’s like your neighborhood rec center if that rec center was obsessed with foam warfare and celebratory high-fives.
Jacob’s Farm TC
At Jacob’s Farm TC you’ll find the classic farm feel with a fun family twist. This spot is perfect for kids ages two to twelve. The rolling orchard actually offers plenty of shade… no one-tree “shade” gimmicks here. Their playground sits on soft ground, so you hear fewer “Mom, I scraped my knee” stories.
For a flat entry fee, you can tackle the corn maze and enjoy the playground. When fruit is in season, U-pick berries start in June with strawberries, move on to cherries and peaches, and wind up with apples come fall. Just grab a bucket, pick your fill, and pay by the pound.
Staff stay nearby to make sure nobody wanders off—both kids and grownups included. Parking is easy, paths are ADA-friendly, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome too. They even have emergency call stations in the maze in case you lose track of the kiddos. Live music some evenings and tasty farm-to-table snacks mean you’ll probably stay longer than planned.
Hull Park
Hull Park in Traverse City is an outdoor spot that mixes fresh air with whimsy. You won’t find just a lawn and swings here. There’s a Storybook Theme Garden where you can smell and touch various plants, a wooden toy train track for kids, and even a human sundial that turns timing into a playful activity.
The park stretches along Boardman Lake’s shore, complete with a looping boardwalk, a boat launch, and a covered pavilion that feels like a cozy front porch. Interactive sculptures keep kids busy, and the amphitheater hosts local performances now and then. In winter the same green space transforms into an ice rink.
Every area, from the Toddler’s Garden to the Learning Garden, is free to explore. They’ve made sure wheelchair-friendly paths and garden stations are available, even a dedicated garden for the visually impaired. Whether you’re there for a themed adventure, a picnic, or a stroll with lake views, Hull Park stays welcoming to everyone.
Handz On Art – Paint Your Own Pottery
When the weather’s gloomy or you’re feeling artsy on a random Tuesday, Handz On Art – Paint Your Own Pottery in downtown Traverse City is the spot. The studio has a laid-back warehouse vibe, with communal tables splattered in paint and shelves stacked with bisque pottery from mugs to decorative sculptures.
Kids as young as two jump right in, and parents are encouraged to pick up a brush too. You choose your piece, priced anywhere from around $12 for a small mug to about $150 for a larger item. Then you browse the buffet of non-toxic glazes, stencils, and tools.
If painting proves trickier than expected, friendly staff circulate to show you simple techniques for stripes, clouds, or other designs. There’s no studio fee or time limit, so you can linger as long as you like. They’ll even fire and ship your finished work if you’re not local. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the space is wheelchair accessible and always spotless. With over 25 years in the game, Handz On Art has become a local mainstay for birthdays, bachelorette parties, or just a creative afternoon.
National Cherry Festival
When June arrives in Traverse City, the National Cherry Festival takes over for eight days of cherry-packed fun. Clinch Park hosts a free Kids’ Club all day, every day, with games like Jumbo Jenga, cherry picking, cornhole, and even a cherry bean-bag toss. No RSVP is needed—just show up and let the kids burn off energy.
Beyond the park, there are events for all ages. Brave competitors dive into the Cherry Pie Eating Contest while the Cherry Fun Run gets runners moving through downtown. Chalk art stations let little artists go wild. At Kids Cherry Town Fun Night you’ll find live performers, tasty food, and surprise activities under the stars. The pet show often steals the spotlight—watch dogs in costume strut their stuff. Over at the DTE Energy booth, families can try prize games, and local orchard tours provide a peek behind the scenes of cherry farming. It’s a bustling, vibrant celebration that really highlights Traverse City’s signature fruit.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park
Over at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park in Traverse City, the pirate theme is no joke… you’ll see sunken ships, cascading waterfalls, and even a spooky dungeon that kids will buzz about for days. The mini-golf has 18 holes if you’re feeling chill, or 36 holes when you want to up the ante. Each course winds through rocky tunnels, over wooden bridges, and offers just the right challenge for both grandparents and preteens.
Little ones get in free if they’re three or younger. Outside, the go-karts let teens drive solo, and kids can ride along with an adult. The bumper boats guarantee a soaking good time, and you never need to book ahead. If clouds roll in, Blackbeard’s Den arcade is your go-to rescue.
Admission fees are pretty middle-of-the-road, and staff are always right there making sure everything runs smoothly. Summer is peak season—show up in winter and you’ll find a snowdrift. All in all, Pirate’s Cove hits the sweet spot for families who enjoy a bit of pirate corny-ness mixed with real fun.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | Traverse City
If you’re looking to beat the January chill, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Traverse City is the place to be. This fully indoor park means snow, rain, or spring mud puddles won’t ruin your day. You’ll find classic water park fun with slides built for older kids, a lazy river for maximum floating, a wave pool that keeps everyone laughing, plus splash zones that little ones can enjoy without swim-team stamina.
They keep safety tight with lifeguards on duty and life jackets for guests under 48 inches, so parents can actually relax a little. When you need a break from water, MagiQuest turns the entire resort into an interactive scavenger hunt… it’s fun for almost every age. Kids’ Club offers crafts and nightly storytelling for some dry-time activities. Hungry families will appreciate an allergy-aware café alongside the usual snack bars. Staying overnight isn’t cheap, but having everyone under one roof makes mornings easier and the fun never stops—perfect for family birthdays or days when you just need everyone to crash early.
