Living in Metro Detroit with all of its parks, lakes, and playgrounds means that it’s really easy to find things to do with your children — and at little to no cost. There are a bevy of beautiful outdoor spaces — and a few indoor hot spots — that make excellent outings for any parents, babysitters, or nannies who are looking for fun and cheap activities to entertain the kids.
What makes these spaces extra wonderful is that they’re free and welcoming to kids of all ages. Most of them allow you to bring your own snacks and drinks, as well, making the trip cost effective as well as an enjoyable way to spend the day.
Here are 10 spots around Metro Detroit where families can have fun for free!
The Splash Pad at Mt. Elliott Park
Address: 110 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit, MI 48207
Water Feature Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 313-566-8200
Do your children and their friends love pirates and voyaging ships? Then this splashpad will thrill them to bits. The Riverfront is one of Detroit’s greatest assets, and this Mt. Elliott spot has everything you will need for a fun afternoon. There’s the water feature, a small café, and bathrooms. Bring a towel and a snack to sit and relax at the nearby tables. Street parking is a short distance away from the splash pad, but it’s a easy walk with a stroller or group of kids.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Address: 100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI 48207
Hours: Summer Hours (through Sept. 3), Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Regular Hours, Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Phone: 313-833-1805
Imagine being the captain of a mighty ship, sailing down the Detroit River. This amazing museum will let children try out the wheel at a boat simulation that overlooks the water. Admission is free at this charming museum, which highlights the area’s shipping, boat-building, and maritime history. For a city built on a river, the history is deep and the information is exciting to all ages. The exhibits are very hands-on. For example, there is a simulator that allows kids to try their hand at sailing, boat-building, and more. Parking is right outside the door, and the area is small enough that you can keep track of everyone easily. This museum is a must-see for parents and kids given Detroit’s long-standing love affair with the water.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Friday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 313-833-7900
This museum is a must-see for any art lover, with its great rotating exhibits, amazing collection of masterworks, and regular programming for kids and families. The epic Detroit Institute of Arts is free to residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties all year long, so families should take advantage of this cultural institution. Children under 5 are free every day, and there are occasional “free days” sponsored by local companies for the rest of the family. Most rooms have an “Eye Spy” game for smaller kids, and there are great interactive displays, like the European dinner party table on the third floor that older kids will love. There are regular kids’ events, allowing children to create their own art in the galleries and studio room. There are two eating areas with some low-cost items. The street parking nearby is plentiful, and it’s easy to get around the museum with a stroller.
Detroit Experience Factory
Address: 123 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 313-962-4590
Detroit Experience Factory is a great starting point for any trip to Detroit, and most of its tours are free to try for families and larger groups. Go with a guide with a pre-arranged tour or go it on your own, but the experts at the Detroit Experience Factory will help you find all of Detroit’s food, architectural, and retail hot spots. There are guided walking tours and bus tours available on a regular basis. The tours highlight all kinds of city experiences, including its great architecture, its art, its lunch hot spots, and more. There are lists available that you can use to check off everything you see. Plus, the tour center is a fun place to pick up brochures and advice. Street parking is available.
Belle Isle Aquarium
Address: 900 Inselruhe Ave., Detroit, MI 48207
Hours: Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 313-402-0466
This free aquarium is a destination for kids of all ages, especially those who love fish, frogs, and wildlife of all kinds. Designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn, this is the oldest aquarium in the country. And thanks to an ever-growing roster of devoted volunteers, it’s still open for all ages to enjoy! The interior is small, yet full of fun and colorful displays. The fish are right at kid-eye level, so school-age children will love the aquatic exhibits. You may have to lift smaller kids so they can see everything. Displays change on a regular basis, so there’s always something new to see. The big event of the year is the return of the koi fish to the outdoor pond, so check out times to participate. Parking is nearby and strollers are welcome inside.
The Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library
Address: 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, noon – 8 p.m. | Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 313-481-1300
The Detroit Public Library is a great spot to enjoy what makes libraries great: Free to all, open for quiet reading, and set up with regular family programming. Grab a book and cuddle up for a story at this magnificent public library. The children’s area is a wonderful spot on the first floor with lots of books and activities. There’s a regular storytime for younger children, book clubs for tweens, as well as a teen club. But before you go, be sure to take everyone to the second floor, where the murals will fill your eyes with wonderful sights. There is ample street parking outside, but it is near Wayne State University, so have an eagle eye open to catch any spots. Strollers are welcome, as well.
The Museum of Contemporary Art – Detroit (MOCAD)
Address: 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
Hours: Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Thursday & Friday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 313-832-6622
Admission is free to this outstanding museum, which will entertain the kids, enlighten adults, and surprise everyone with its intriguing exhibits. Kids under 12 are always free, and there are fun events there, like making puppets, doing creative projects like printmaking, and free Family Days with inside and outside events. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a former automotive dealership-turned art museum. There is an ever-changing array of art on display here inside its large rooms. The exhibits are both inside and outside, so you can explore all sides of this unique museum. Kids should be warned not to touch any art, though, because it is so open and easy to access. Parking is easy to find on nearby streets, and strollers are welcome. There are also regular kids’ events, mostly on weekends.
Detroit Historical Museum
Address: 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202
Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 313-833-1805
The Detroit Historical Museum is a great showplace for Detroit’s more than 300-year history. Admission is free daily, with a box at the front that accepts donations. There are many interactive exhibits for children to enjoy, such as climbing into an old Model T for a photo shoot. The best area for kids may be the basement, with the Glancy train tables and the city street display. There is a small area for snacking and a small gift shop. Street parking is ample, and there’s a paid lot right next door. Strollers are welcome.
Campus Martius Park
Address: 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Open daily, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 313-566-8250
Every summer, Campus Martius transforms into a wonderland. There’s a great fountain, a stage with daily music, puppets, and other free performances, as well as a sandy beach-like area, where kids and parents can play together. You can grab a seat or table nearby to hang out or enjoy some snacks either from home or from a nearby food truck. Parking is tight around the park, but you can find street spaces if you’re patient.
Eastern Market
Address: 1445 Adelaide, Detroit, MI 48207
Hours: Welcome Center Hours, Saturday (year-round), 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Tuesday (June – September), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Sunday (June – September), 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Hours of individual vendors will vary. Click here to see a directory.
Phone: 313-833-9300
Eastern Market is a bounty of shops, sights, and smells — all for free when you browse this exciting outdoor market. Do some people-watching. Check out the artisans for inspiration. Study the crafts for ideas to try at home. This wonderful outdoor and indoor shopping area features the best selections of meats, fruits, and plants you’ll find in the Detroit area. The Tuesday and Sunday market days tend to be slower and quieter than its busy Saturday markets. But the market area and its neighboring stores are open every day for shopping. For those curious about the market’s offerings, there’s a Welcome Center where you can learn about everything. Eastern Market also frequently offers activities geared toward kids, such as cooking classes. You’ll just need to make sure you check the calendar ahead of time and book in advance. Street parking is ample and easy to find. Strollers are welcome, and there are public bathrooms in the Welcome Center.
