Michigan’s state history comes alive on three floors of interactive exhibits. See a replica of a copper mine, one room school house, lumber baron mansion and more. Visit on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. for free admission. Visit Michigan History Museum to learn more.

While at the Capitol visitors have the opportunity to watch the legislature in session, admire the nine acres of hand-painted decorative art, and learn stories from Michigan’s past. Enter through the new Heritage Hall entrance on Ottawa St. Free tours available Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Find more information at State Capitol Building.

A museum-style gallery filled with exhibits, hands-on activities, and computer programs to help demystify the judicial branch of state government. Best for tweens and older. Free one-hour tours available Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Reservations required. Closed state holidays. Housed inside the iconic Hall of Justice. For more information, visit Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center.

All ages are invited to enjoy the Village grounds and surrounding trails throughout the year. Historical buildings are open to the public for free every Saturday from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. from May until the end of October. Find more information at Meridian Historical Village.

Do your kids have a fascination with insects? Get up close and personal with all of the creepy crawly critters during their free public open houses. Events are held on a monthly basis. See MSU Bug House for dates.

The animal lovers in your family will flip for Preuss Pets, mid-Michigan’s largest family-owned pet store. Feed the fish in the 3,000-gallon in-store Koi pond that runs through the middle of the store! Browse thousands of fish and coral, explore a bus full of fuzzy creatures, reptiles and more! Visit Preuss Pets for special free events.

The Michigan Vietnam Monument, provides an opportunity to recognize, honor, and learn from both the Michigan residents who served, and from those who, by death, missing in action, or prisoner of war sacrificed their life in Vietnam. The names of Michigan's casualties are listed by county on lighted plaques made of brushed steel. Learn more at Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The park’s open to riders of all ages and skill levels. They host weekly races all summer, with a full-size BMX track and a pump track that’s ready to ride. Visit Capital City Family BMX at Gier Park to learn more.

Beacon Fields are community-owned, free-play mini turf fields with LED lighting and kick boards, welcoming players of all ages. No leagues or reservations—just show up and join a pickup game anytime! You’ll find one field downtown Lansing at Ferris Park and another in southwest Lansing, perfect spots to get outside and play. Find more information at Beacon Soccer Field.

John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium is a free, miniature stadium where you can pitch, hit, and field. It’s perfect for pick-up games, practice, or friendly competition, and welcomes players of all ages and skill levels. No tickets or reservations needed, just show up and play! Bonus: it’s right next to Beacon Soccer Field in Ferris Park, offering even more space to play and have fun. Discover more at John Smoltz Strikeout Baseball Stadium.

Tracing the banks of the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers, connecting parks, historic sites and urban activity centers and attractions for over 20 miles. The trail is ideal for running, biking and inline skating. Trail winds through the heart of downtown Lansing past Potter Park Zoo, Impression 5 Science Center and other family-friendly landmarks. Discover all there is to do on the Lansing River Trail.

Located at Ranney Park near Frandor shopping plaza, the 20,000-square-foot facility was designed and built by nationally known skatepark experts, Team Pain. The park is open daily, dawn to dusk, and offers free admission. Learn more at Ranney Skate Park.

Located inside the Lansing Center, the Hall of Fame honors and celebrates those that contributed to Mid-Michigan’s athletic legacy. Free self-guided tours. Learn more at Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Picturesque garden for kids with a play area, koi ponds, hedge maze and foot bridges. Colorful themed gardens like Peter Rabbit Herb Garden, Butterfly Garden and more. Self-guided tours of the garden are free. *May be small fees for parking and special events. Learn more information at MSU 4-H Children's Garden.

Kids of all ages will love to get back to nature. Enjoy an environmental education center on 134 acres of urban green space. Four miles of trails, Playscape, a natural playground, and the monarch house. The visitor center features interactive, hands-on displays. Visit Fenner Nature Center.

Grab your hiking boots and hit the five miles of natural trails with views of the Grand River, wetlands, forests and prairie. Providing environmental and historical education programs to the community. Learn more about Woldumar Nature Center.

Get outside and enjoy over five miles of nature trails and a 0.75 mile-paved loop. Harris Nature Center is set on the banks of the Red Cedar and offers many options for viewing wildlife. Visit Harris Nature Center.

Your little explorers will experience a scaled representation of the solar system. The 5.5 mile journey starts at Impression 5 Science Center, along the River Trail and ends at Abrams Planetarium. Each footstep is equivalent to one million miles. Explore the Planet Walk.

A Zaha Hadid-designed art museum, dedicated to exploring global contemporary culture and ideas through art. Presenting groundbreaking, international contemporary art across all media. Visit the first Saturday of the month for free Family Day activities from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Young visitors can imagine, build, and create at a variety of hands-on art making stations. Learn more about the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.

Beaumont Tower is one of the most recognizable and photographed landmarks on the MSU campus. It houses a full carillon with 49 bells. The public is welcome at free carillon concerts held Wednesday evenings throughout July. Visit Beaumont Tower for more information.

Foster your little ones love of music with a visit to Elderly Instruments. This family-owned and world-renowned music store specializes in stringed and fretted instruments. Browse acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, violins and much more. New, used and vintage instruments. Learn more at Elderly Instruments.

Over 600 pieces of public art grace the 48-acre downtown Lansing campus. The most notable piece, The “Red Ribbon in the Sky,” stands 30 feet tall and delicately flows around a stainless steel rod. Visit the Sculpture Walk.

Be sure to check out the new universally accessible playground for children of ALL abilities. Play Michigan!, is the first universally accessible playground in the region, designed to promote inclusivity and the health and well-being of ALL children. Explore Play Michigan!.

The Greater Lansing region is home to a plethora of free family-friendly concerts of all kinds. Grab your blanket or lawn chair, a few snacks and let the kids dance while you enjoy the music. Find them in Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge and more. See our events calendar for complete list of dates and locations throughout the summer.

Greater Lansing, Michigan’s festival capital, hosts over 60 festivals every year—many with free admission and tons of family fun! From community events like Yankee Doodle Days in Grand Ledge to music festivals like the Sun Dried Music Festival in Mason, and artsy fun at Old Town’s Chalk of the Town and the Turner-Dodge Fairytale Festival, there’s something for everyone. Check out our calendar for all the details!