Written with contributions from William Whitford, the teen son of Dr. Alyssa Whitford.
June is here, the weather is warm, and the kids are home from school! How will you spend your summer days? We’ve collected a kid, teen, and adult approved list of activities to create the ultimate Ann Arbor Summer Bucket List. Choose your favorites and start a yearly tradition!
Go swimming or boating at Independence Lake County Park
For a refreshing swim in Ann Arbor, look no further than Independence Lake County Park. All you need is your family and a beach towel (although you might want a swimsuit too!). Take a dive, take a boat ride or take a chair down to the 300-foot beach to just enjoy the view. While you are there, don’t forget to enjoy the spray park and splash pad. For more information, go to washtenaw.org or call 734-449-4437.
Watch a movie under the stars at Capri Drive-In Theater
Do you ever get bored of your living room while watching a movie? Try going to the Capri Drive-In Movie Theater in Coldwater. Although it’s a little ways outside of Ann Arbor, it is a worthwhile trip to watch a mix of new and old movies from the comfort of your vehicle.
For movie times and more information visit their website (capridrive-in.com) or call 517-667-7824.
Take some swings at a local golf course
If you are looking for a new hobby, to improve your game, or just to enjoy some time in the sunshine, take some swings at some of the many golf courses in Ann Arbor. Local courses like the Leslie Park Golf Course offer 18 holes and a variety of tee times. In fact, Leslie Park has won several notable awards such as Golf Digest’s #1 Municipal Course in Michigan and Michigan Golf Network’s Top Ten Funnest to Play. Looking to golf with the younger members of your family? The Ann Arbor area offers several mini-golf options such as Putt-R-Round Mini Golf & Putt Arcade.
Learn more about Leslie Park Golf Course at leslieparkgolf.com or call them at (734) 794-6245.
RELATED: Where to Watch Movies Under The Stars Around Ann Arbor This Summer
Check out artwork at the Ann Arbor Art Fair
Support the arts and enjoy the work of local artisans by visiting the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. Visit hundreds of booths through July 17-19, and enjoy looking at wide variety of artwork there! With many shops and displays set up, the Art Fair is sure to be a highlight of your summer. Learn more at theannarborartfair.com
Find the “fairy doors” all over Ann Arbor
If your child(ren) or family love fantasy and exploration, step outside in Ann Arbor and look for the bite-sized doors scattered around town! Check central Ann Arbor businesses for the mini-doors/homes on shops such as the Red Shoes Home Goods or The Peaceable Kingdom.
Paddle down the Huron River
While looking for water activities to do in the summer, many families will turn to the Huron River. Bring or rent a kayak or canoe and paddle down the river to enjoy the beautiful water! And if you aren’t interested in the paddling and swimming part of the river, take a fishing rod down and have a go at catching the small- and largemouth bass, catfish, pike and trout!
Go to the Nichols Arboretum
Get back to nature to enjoy some fresh air and beautiful scenery by visiting the Nichols Arboretum at the University of Michigan. Popularly called the “Arb”, the Nichols Arboretum is an amazing way to see interesting plants and habitats. Explore the gardens of the property, run the gorgeous trails, or just wander. Your trip could include gardens, natural areas, hiking trails, or the informational visitor center. The Arb has something for everyone! Contact them at mbgna.umich.edu.
Watch a baseball game at Comerica Park
Are you a sports fan, or just want to add some thrill to your life? Go to Comerica Park and watch the Tigers play. Watch Skubal throw an amazing game, Bàez make a diving catch, and Carpenter swing for the fences, all while enjoying the fun, famous Comerica Park in Detroit. Seeing a game is a great way to spend time with your family or friends in the summer! For game dates and tickets, take a look at mlb.com/tigers.
Interact with the animals at the Detroit Zoo
Attention all animal lovers! Your summer won’t be complete without a trip to the Detroit Zoo! With plenty of exhibits, you are sure to have fun for hours. The zoo offers both day trips and memberships, along with benefits such as free parking and several options for shopping and dining. You might also explore the Dragon Forest or ride the carousel. And of course, spend some time with the penguins, lions, giraffes and more in the large zoo. Just don’t feed the tigers! Check out the Detroit Zoo’s website at detroitzoo.org.
Go “trash-bagging” down a hill
If you have or have access to a hill, don’t waste time! Grab some dish soap and trashbags, cut a head-sized hole in the bottom of the bag, wear the bag over your swimsuit, spray some dish soap on the bag, and be prepared for fun! Reach fast speeds as you penguin-slide down a hill- you’ll go even faster if you spray the hill with water. Trash-bagging is a fun adventure and an exciting ride, all the way down! Adult supervision is encouraged to ensure safety precautions are taken.
Have a glow-stick pool party
If you have a pool and are looking for a unique experience, just buy some glow-sticks (the more the better) and wait until dark. To have a glow-stick pool party, simply snap some sticks, throw them in the pool, and invite some friends or family to jump into a bright, light-filled pool! While you are at it, visit great local delis such as Zingerman’s for poolside snacks.
Jump at Launch
Too hot or rainy to go outside? Launch Family Entertainment Ann Arbor is a great way to spend the day, offering fun for the whole family. Enjoy the launch pad, rock climbing wall, arcade and more. Summer passes are available for kids who want to jump all summer long.
Start a garden
Do you want a calm, peaceful hobby for the spring/summer? Try growing your own garden! Gardening is a great way to relax and have fun in the spring and summer, and can be cost-efficient depending on which plants you grow. Local greenhouses such as HillTop Greenhouse & Farms can help you get started or continue developing your green thumb. HillTop even offers fresh produce and eggs for purchase, making it a healthy place to visit. Gardening is always a good way to spend your summer.
Play “foam twister”
If you have a Twister mat, food dye and some shaving cream, Foam Twister is a fun and cheap way to enjoy the day! Mix food dye for each color on the Twister board (red, yellow, green, and blue) with shaving cream, put the shaving cream onto the corresponding color dots, and you will have a messy, exciting game of twister the whole family can enjoy. Try not to fall!
Rent a water slide or a bounce house
For an active summer, especially with young children, temporarily take your yard to the next level by renting bounce house or water slide! Inflatables are price-efficient options that will fit in your backyard to keep children of all ages entertained this summer. With places such as No Gravity Bounce Houses and Xtreme Play N Go in Ann Arbor, you will never run out of options!
Do a “chance walk”
If you’ve worked your way through this list and need one more adventure, try a “chance walk”! Ask Siri or Google whether you should choose left or right, and go on a walk (safely) in those directions. Chance walks are free family fun that can help you create special memories. Sometimes, the places where you end up are fun and surprising!
Author: William Whitford is an aspiring writer and summer enthusiast. Dr. Alyssa Whitford is a former K-12 teacher and current professor of education at Hope College in Holland, MI. She is passionate about literacy, social studies, and all things education.
