During the winter months in Michigan, many families shift to playing and interacting indoors. If you are in search of indoor play places for kids this winter, the greater Lansing area has a lot to offer. Here is a list of free and low-cost indoor play places for kids on the next chilly day.
Capital Area District Libraries
If you have not made it to a Capital Area District Library (CADL), I would highly recommend taking a visit. The CADL branches are my favorite indoor play places for kids. All of the CADL libraries are free to the public and provide a wealth of indoor activities for children. From the weekly story times to the take-and-make craft kits readily available, the CADL branches go above and beyond to provide wonderful learning opportunities and engagement for and families. In terms of play spaces, the South Lansing and Downtown Lansing CADL branches have very spacious play areas and are stocked with a variety of toys and learning materials. Check out the CADL website for more information on locations/hours and events.
The Eli Broad Art Museum
If you are in search of an indoor play space with art, look no further. The Eli Broad Art Museum is free to the public and provides a kid friendly open art space tucked away in back corner of the first floor landing. Whether you are hoping to paint, draw, or create an open-ended collage, there is an abundance of art mediums to use for all! Furthermore, there is a fun and calming play space located in the basement of the museum.
The Emerging Parent
The Emerging Parent is a beautifully curated indoor place space located in Holt. It is wonderfully fit for children birth-up to five years of age. This is a great indoor place space for kids and is unique in nature. Miranda, the owner of Emerging Parent, offers an intentional and dynamic play space with open ended toys and creative art opportunities. In addition, she offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of early childhood development and parent coaching. Make sure to sign up for your play session online and enjoy a comforting place to play and connect with your child(ren).
The Michigan State University Museum
The Michigan State University Museum is one of my favorite FREE indoor play places for kids. It is located directly across from the MSU library near west circle (address: 409 W. Circle Dr. in East Lansing, MI). The MSU museum is three stories high and houses cultural and historical and natural sciences collections. In addition, there are multiple historical and current exhibitions to explore. Each level offers something different and unique and lots of space to roam and learn. Note: parking can be limited in front of the Museum. Be sure to check out the public parking options close by before you head to the museum.
Kiki’s Gymnastics
Kiki’s Gymnastics in DeWitt is a fantastic indoor space for children to exert energy and meet their gross motor needs. Kiki’s offers a large sprawling indoor space filled with trampolines, bars, and balance beams galore. Furthermore, the have a play structure and ball pit area for children to enjoy climbing and sliding. Kiki’s is truly a space that supports all ages and development. Be sure to check out their toddler time offered Monday through Friday from 10:00am -1:00pm.
Tinker Lab
Tinker Lab is a STEAM based store front and learning center in East Lansing. It is also a wonderful indoor place place for kids to freely explore and play with educational STEAM based learning toys. If you are looking for an indoor place to pop into, the learning lagoon is open every day for children. The owner, Melissa, also offers a variety of fun and hands on classes which take place inside her store. Be sure to check this spot out on your next cold wintery day!
