Things to Do With Kids Over the Holiday Break

School’s out for Holiday Break and there are two weeks to fill with memory-making activities for kids and families. Michigan’s capital region makes a perfect getaway for a couple of days of family bonding and fun. With so much to see and do, we’ve compiled a handy list of ideas to choose from. Take a look.

Local Attractions

Impression 5 Science Center

Special holiday hours starting Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the exception of December 23 and January 1. Open Thursday-Sunday from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Impression 5 Science Center is a dynamic, interactive space for families to play, create, and challenge their understanding of science.

• First Impression Room
• Pop! A Bubble Experience
• SMASH: A Nuclear Adventure
• FLOW: A Water Experience
• Spectrum
• Chew on This
• Throwing Things
• Nano
• Build
• MI Nature

Have Fun in L.A.B.S.

L.A.B.S. (Learn About Basic Science) December 19-23, closed December 24-26, open December 27-30, closed December 31-January 2, open January 2-5   from All classes run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Find Toy Inventor, Crack the Code, Potato Chip Science, Water Water Everywhere, Dinomania, Snow Day Science, Amazing Artists, Science of Pokemon and Cool Chemistry.

Register at Impression 5 Science Center

Also don’t miss the last days of Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention, a collection of new 3D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that connect Rube’s iconic cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world. These experiences provide insight into the legacy of Rube Goldberg and how classic engineering principles can be reimagined as entry points for deeper exploration of STEAM concepts for 21st century learning. This traveling exhibit will stay at Impression 5 through January 8, 2023.

Michigan History Museum

Holiday hours
Open December 20-23 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Closed December 23-26,
Open December 27-29 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed December 30-January 2, 2023.

With three floors of Michigan history, the Michigan History Museum lets you walk chronologically through eras and decades of Michigan beginning with the native peoples, fur trading, Michigan's struggle for statehood, the Civil War, and more. Walk through a copper mine, stand next to the giant wheel in the lumbering exhibit, then window shop in a streetscape. Duck into the old time theater and take a seat. The exhibits continue through the war years and up until the 1960's with some Motown music.

Entertainment Centers

High Caliber Karting and Entertainment

Hours
Monday-Thursday Noon-10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday Noon-12 a.m.
Sunday Noon-8 p.m.
Closed December 24-25 and January 1. 

Get your adrenaline pumping at High Caliber Karting and Entertainment! Drive a European electric go-kart with speeds up to 50 mph on two different tracks or try Combat Karting where you can embrace High Caliber's Infinity Combat System ™, the world's only live, first-person shooter go-karting experience. Drivers must be a minimum of eight years old and at least 54" tall to race. 

An accessible Handicapable Go Karting option is also available.

Channel your inner lumberjack and participate in axe throwing. Axe throwers must be at least 13 years old.

Additional activities include:

• Rage Room Participants must be at least 13 years old
• ThrowBowling Players must be at least 13 years old
• Nerf Wars Players must be at least 8 years old
• Pocket Soccer and Arcade

Enjoy great food!

Launch Trampoline Lansing

Hours
Wednesday-Thursday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 10 a.m - 9 p.m.
Sunday - 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed December 25.

Enjoy trampolines featuring dodgeball, basketball, battle beams, Launch Pad, and more at Launch Trampoline Lansing. 

Additional activities include:

• The Mine Shaft Escape Room 
• Laser Tag
• Arcade
• Slack Line
• Tumble Traks
• Hit Crave for great food, desserts and beverages.

Spare Time Entertainment Center

Hours
Monday - Friday 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Closed December 24 & 25
Attractions may have separate hours

Fun for the whole family! Spare Time Entertainment Center has over 30 lanes of bowling, great arcade games, escape rooms from Escapology, and bumper cars!

Enjoy great classic American food.

Zap Zone Lansing

Hours vary

Zap Zone is Lansing's premier family fun center! Kids can enjoy a game of laser tag, indoor mini-golf, bumper cars, a bounce house, a roller coaster simulator, and an arcade! Fun for all ages.

Sports, Entertainment and Recreation

Movies

Movies over Christmas break are totally a family tradition. Get ready for the theater experience with popcorn, pop, Junior Mints and the latest movie.

Great Family Friendly Dining Options