GRKIDS Family Fun Guide - Summer 2019

SUMMER 2019

GRAND RAPIDS

VOL 5

FAMILY FUN GUIDE

BEACH

DAY DESTINATIONS

page 4

U-PICK

FRUIT all the places to go

INSTAGRAM PHOTOTOUR find all the hot spots on pages 6-7

see page 9

GRAND RAPIDS

KIDS

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Welcome

...to the summer edition of the GRKIDS Family Fun Guide. Summer is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy more time with your family.

Visit some of the top beaches in the country with our list of incredible Michigan shorelines. Before you head out, use our top beach hacks to make your trip easier.

When school’s out for the summer you can use these unique babysitting ideas and our summer camp directory to help you find child care.

And when it’s family time, discover a new favorite campground, enjoy a summer concert or movie with your kids, and explore all the awesome nearby parks & playgrounds.

Jump in a lake, roast marshmallows, hike a new trail and enjoy all that summer has to offer in our beautiful state! We hope to see you out living Michigan summer to its fullest with us this season!

Team GRKIDS Melody VanderWeide Publisher

April Hunt Content Editor

Leanne Hendrikse Content Manager

Christie Tidd Graphic Designer

Carla Hardy Contributor

Stephanie Sneller Contributor

FIND US ONLINE grkids.com Facebook.com/grkids Instagram.com/grkids grkids.com/daily

The Grand Rapids Family Fun Guide is published five times per year by Grand Rapids Kids in Grand Rapids, MI. ©2019 Grand Rapids Kids, All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement.

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3

JUST BEACHY

Incredible MICHIGAN Shorelines West Michigan is a beach lover’s paradise. With hundreds of miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline and nearby inland lakes, beach days are a must. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite unique beaches in the area that you might not have tried yet!

Duck Lake State Park - 3560 Memorial Dr, Muskegon This day-use park includes a picnic area, beach house and boat launch. Parents love this beach's shallow, warm channel from Duck Lake out to Lake Michigan. It is perfect for enjoying water play with the little ones, especially since the big lake isn’t always warm enough for swimming.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park - 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Muskegon With three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, several hiking trails, and Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, this beach is a nature-lover’s dream. Find bathrooms/bathhouse, plenty of parking and an observation deck at this beach as well.

Rosy Mound Natural Area - 13925 Lakeshore Ave, Grand Haven This is a great adventure for families with older kids who can handle a hike! Prepare for a 0.7 mile hiking trail from the parking area to the Lake Michigan shoreline that includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the dunes. This beach offers restrooms, picnic areas, and grills near the parking area.

Tunnel Park - 66 N Lakeshore Dr, Holland Kids love walking to the beach through a tunnel in the dune. There’s also a playground, a dune climb and and dune stairway with scenic views of Lake Michigan. Find bathrooms, picnic shelters, grills, playground, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and vending machines at this beach.

Versluis Park - 3650 Versluis Park NE, Grand Rapids This inland beach and park features playground areas, picnic facilities, horseshoes & volleyball, swimming areas with lifeguard stations, a bathhouse, fishing pier, boating and one mile of paved walking trail. Admission is required to visit this beach area.

Looking for our full list of West Michigan beaches?

Check out our Beach Guide at GRKIDS.COM/WEST-MICHIGAN-BEACHES 4

GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

SO MUCH Good Stuff PACKED IN HERE! Incredible Michigan Shorelines | 4 Hot Instagram Spots and Murals | 6 Car Ride Questions | 8 U-Pick Fruit Farms | 9 Get Close to Animals | 10 Unique Babysitting Arrangements | 12 Summer Reading Programs | 13 Grandtastic Winners for Family Fun | 14 Fantastic Parks and Trails for Kids | 18 Favorite Michigan Campgrounds | 22 Beach Hacks | 23 Summer Camp Finder | 24 We Heart GR | 28 Top Area Splash Pads | 29 Summer Concerts and Outdoor Movies | 30

GRKIDS.COM

5

Doing it for the ‘gram!

Find this hand painted mural walk on the north side of Bridge Street by Bridgewater Place. #RiverwalkGR

Ah-Nab-Awen Park Lorrie’s Button

Michigan Street

Grand River

en Monroe Av

ue

Michigan Street

Grand River

This sculpture by Hy Zelkowitz has called Ah-Nab-Awen Park home since 1976 and is a kid favorite. #CuteAsAButton

Riverwalk River for All (by Lions and Rabbits)

Grand Rapids Public Museum Spillman Carousel

Pearl

Downtown Grand Rapids The Blue Bridge

Fulton Street

Built in 1928, this restored carousel is housed in a pavilion offering a vast panoramic view of the Grand River. #Carouselfie

Louis Campau Promenade LOVE

This former railway bridge was converted into a pedestrian walkway and painted its distinct shade of blue in 1980. #GRBlueBridge 6

GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

Fulton Street

Here are the coolest spots for Instagram-worthy photos downtown.

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Pantlind Lobby

This opulent lobby with twelve thousand pounds of crystal chandeliers is full of rich detail and spectacle to add elegance to your next selfie. #AmwayGrand Calder Plaza La Grande Vitesse

Michigan Street

en Monroe Av

ue

Michigan Street

Grand Rapids Public Library Ryerson Building Atrium

lton Street

The ornate detail and ample natural light of this magnificent atrium make it ideal for a quick portrait. #Shelfies

Division Avenue

Division Avenue

Pearl Street

Ever since its installation in 1969 at Vandenberg Plaza, this vibrant red Calder masterpiece has provided an excellent backdrop for all sorts of dramatic pictures. #Calder

Fulton Street

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Imagine That!

This 100-foot mural, and runner-up in the inaugural ArtPrize, adorns the exterior of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. #GRCM

Feel the love at this new downtown sculpture. #GRLove GRKIDS.COM

7

CAR RIDE QUESTIONS

Car rides are an excellent time for fun conversation.

Instead of the usual “How was school today?” give one of these thought-provoking questions a try!

If you could make a board game come to life and you were in it, which one would it be and why?

If you had to dream up a new job that never existed before - and then work that job - what would it be? Describe it.

You invent a new restaurant that’s never been open before. What is its name, and what would it serve?

If you had a secret door in your room that led to anywhere, where would it go to? What happens there?

If you could go back in time and live the life of a famous person for a week, who would you be and what time period would you travel to?

Why? Most people know that there are moon symbols carved into the doors of outhouses. Make up an explanation for this interesting practice and then have the people in your group vote on the best answer.

If you could talk to animals, which type would you talk to first and what would you ask it?

If you could invent a holiday, what would it be like?

If you had $100 to spend on anything, what would you buy?

If you could design a vehicle, what would it look like and how would it be powered?

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GET TO PICKIN’

U-PICK Fruit West Michigan is a major fruit belt, with some of the tastiest natural treats in the nation. Here’s where you can pick fruit and enjoy a fresh picked Michigan strawberry or a handful of plump blueberries!

Before you head out, call ahead and ask the following (or check their Facebook page if they have one!): - “How’s the picking?”

- “What type of payment do you accept?” and “What’s the price?”

- “Is there a restroom?”

- “How do we find you?”

- “What do we need to bring?”

Many of these farms carry a variety of fruits, but here are some family favorite stops for each crop: Strawberries: June Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm - 3025 6 Mile, Grand Rapids Krupp Farms - 8025 Krupp Ave, Comstock Park

Cherries: July to August Klein’s Sweet Cherries - Fruit Ridge and 13 Mile, Sparta Goodfellow Orchards - 2565 12 Mile Rd, Sparta

Raspberries: July and September Dee’s Lakeshore Farm - 1672 S. 70th St, Fennville DeLange’s Redberry Farm - 5723 Port Sheldon St, Hudsonville

Blueberries: mid-July to mid-September Gold Barn Blueberries - 15985 Quincy St, Holland Heritage Blueberries - 12151 Stebbins Ave, Sparta

Peaches: mid-July to mid-September Crane Orchards - 6054 124th Ave, Fennville DK Orchards - 18203 8th Ave, Conklin

For a full list of U-Pick Fruit in West Michigan visit GRKIDS.COM/U-PICK-FRUIT-GUIDE

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9

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

LIONS and TIGERS and BEARS Oh

My!

Get your animal fix this summer at some of our favorite area animal hangouts.

John Ball Zoo - 1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids

John Ball Zoo has everything you’d expect in a zoo… and more! Offering camel rides, a funicular, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, and a petting zoo, it’s easy to spend a whole day here.

Blandford Nature Center - 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids

Between the wildlife and the farm animals, there are opportunities everywhere at Blandford Nature Center to get close to animals!

Fellinlove Farm - 6364 144th Ave, Holland

Fall in love with ponies, rabbits, hedgehogs, pigs, goats and more at this farm. With many opportunities to interact with all kinds of animals, your kids will love to visit! (*Open by appointment.)

Lewis Farm Market & Petting Zoo - 4180 West M-20, New Era

At Lewis Farm Market’s petting zoo you can meet a camel, alpacas, miniature horses peacocks, parakeets, wallabys and prairie dogs, to name a few.

Deer Tracks Junction - 7850 14 Mile Rd, Cedar Springs

At Deer Tracks get close to creatures like deer, goats, bunnies and pigs. Pet and feed their reindeer, elk, and yaks on the Wildlife Safari and end your visit at the ice cream shop!

Dairy Discovery - 12877 84th St SE, Alto

Bottle feed a newborn calf and learn all about dairy cows on a Dairy Discovery farm tour! Explore in the straw fort, get lost in the straw maze, play in the corn box and meet animal friends.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park - 8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is a unique, hands-on experience for the entire family where you can hand-feed giraffes, go a wild safari tour and hang with the parakeets in their large aviary.

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EXTRA HANDS

Unique BABYSITTING ARRANGEMENTS With the kids home for summer, working moms and dads are tasked with finding creative child care. Here’s a list of non-traditional options to give you fresh ideas as you plan.

The Trade-Off

With a neighbor or a friend, trade off kids on a planned day during the week.

For example, you take her kids Tuesday morning and she takes your kids Thursday afternoon.

Facebook Babysitter’s Club

Start a private Facebook group with your parent friends and trusted babysitters.

Post in the group when you need a babysitter and easily get in touch with many sitters at once. Add new vetted babysitters easily. Another version of this keeps it in the neighborhood with young families and teenage babysitters in the area.

Babysitting Co-Op

With this cashless system, use tokens to build up babysitting hours with friends and neighbors. For example, every hour of babysitting two kids equals one token. Every hour of babysitting four kids equals two tokens.

Mother’s Helper

This is a great summer job for pre-teens and a welcome pair of extra hands for moms. Mother's Helpers aide with laundry, cleaning and playing with the children.

Neighborhood Camp

Encourage responsible teenagers in your neighborhood to host a day camp.

Teenagers can arrange games and crafts nearby during the afternoon.

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

READY, SET, READ!

Summer READING PROGRAMS Each summer, area libraries, restaurants, and bookstores host Summer Reading Programs. These programs suggest books by age level and offer prizes.

Make summer reading easy with these fun and rewarding programs sponsored by the following organizations. (Bonus tip: look for those that have programs for adults!)

Allendale Township Library Baker Book House Barnes & Noble Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers Grand Rapids Public Library Kent District Library Schuler Books & Music

Be sure to check our website for our full list of summer reading programs at GRKIDS.COM/SUMMER-READING

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AND THE WINNER IS

GRAND RAPIDS

KIDS

2019 GRANDTASTIC WINNERS FOR FAMILY FUN 2019

Each year our readers vote on their favorite family events and activities around West Michigan. Here is this year’s best of the best in Grand Rapids!

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND/PARK

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE/VENUE

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, Alto

BEACH

Grand Haven State Park, Grand Haven

INDOOR PLAY PLACE

Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids

LIBRARY

East Grand Rapids KDL, East Grand Rapids

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Uccello's Ristorante, Multiple Locations

FAMILY-FRIENDLY BREWERY

Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids

EVENT FOR FAMILY FUN

Butterflies are Blooming - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

CONSIGNMENT STORE

Once Upon a Child, Alpine Location

CONSIGNMENT SALE/MOM2MOM SALE Just Between Friends (JBF) Sale, Grand Rapids

KIDS’ CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Tip Toes, Holland

ART CLASS/STUDIO FOR KIDS The Mud Room, Grand Rapids

ICE CREAM SHOP

Jersey Junction, East Grand Rapids

CANDY STORE

Holland Peanut Store, Holland

FIELD TRIP DESTINATION

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, Alto

BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, Alto

WATER PLAY PLACE

Millennium Park Beach & Splash Pad, Grand Rapids

EXPERIENCE THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC DIFFERENCE! piano voice guitar drums strings ukulele

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Marie Clark Photography

DAYCARE FACILITY

Milestones Child Development Center, Multiple Locations

SWIM LESSONS

Goldfish Swim School, Grand Rapids

DANCE CLASSES

Hearts in Motion, Grand Rapids

MUSIC PROGRAM FOR KIDS

St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids

See the full list of winners

at GRKIDS.COM/BEST-OFGRAND-RAPIDS-FOR-FAMILIES

MENTION GRKIDS FOR A $30 DISCOUNT 6159 28th St SE Ste 24 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-965-1655 academyofmusicGR.com

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- Fun, safe and clean environment - Tiny Town – for our 3.5 feet & under guests - A 3 story structure with 5 slides, a nerf ball shooting area, obstacle courses, 2-mini zip lines and more!

- 2 bounce house style toys - Interactive dance floor!

- Party rooms!

- 2 Party Package Options!

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

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GET OUT AND PLAY!

Fantastic PARKS & TRAILS for kids Amazing parks are everywhere in West Michigan! From urban to lakeshore to neighborhood parks, find your new favorite with our huge list. Head outside and explore!

ROSELLE PARK | 1010 Grand River Dr NE, Ada With 240 acres of land along the Grand River, this nature preserve boasts a wonderful paved trail perfect for strollers, jogging and little kids on bikes. There's a small play area near the iconic silos, and for extra adventure, you can climb inside one silo for beautiful views at the top.

REEDS LAKE TRAIL | 2205 Reeds Lake Blvd East Grand Rapids Located on the waterfront of Reeds Lake, this trail includes boardwalks, docks and benches on a 4.2 mile loop around the lake.

CASCADE TOWNSHIP PARK 3810 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids Enjoy a new playground with soft rubber flooring, a picnic pavilion, two baseball/softball diamonds, a multi-purpose field for soccer/football, a one-mile pedestrian path, horseshoe pits, a dog park, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts and an 18-hole Frisbee golf course.

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

JOHN BALL PARK | 1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids Have a day planned at the zoo? Take a break at the playground by the main entrance. Even more fun is the “hidden” playground! Way back at the forest edge (behind the gift shop, and next to the bandshell) follow the staircase to the playground and pavilion overlooking the woods.

IMAGINATION STATION | 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven Newly renovated in November 2018, Imagination Station features fun details that reflect the city of Grand Haven like a lighthouse, anchors, familiar street signs and a Coast Guard station. In addition to cool landmarks, there are slides, rock walls and rope structures. The playground is handicap accessible with a soft rubber flooring.

HAGER PARK | 8134 – 28th Ave, Jenison Explore this 104-acre family park full of beautiful trails, picnic areas and a large Age of Discovery community-built playground, which overlooks a terrain map of the United States.

FALLASBURG PARK | 1124 Fallasburg Rd, Lowell This 56-acre park features one of the area’s oldest covered bridges and includes parts of the North Country Trail, spanning both sides of the Flat River. Families also enjoy the ball diamond, disc golf, hiking, nature trails, playgrounds and a historic shelter house available for rent.

TOWNSEND PARK | 8280 6 Mile Rd NE, Rockford Walk the beautiful footpath bridges along a pretty winding stream at Townsend Park. This park also features baseball diamonds, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking/walking and a playground.

MILLENNIUM PARK | 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker Explore one of the nation’s largest urban parks! Millennium Park is home to a beach and splash pad, boat rental facilities, a huge playground area and 18 miles of trails and fishing.

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BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids Families love the variety of nature areas with hiking trails and the chance to scout out wildlife at this 143-acre nature center. Indoors, check out exhibits and the popular wildlife care program. Admission fees apply.

ROSY MOUND | 13925 Lakeshore Ave, Grand Haven Walk the main trail about .7 miles to a large dune with a sweeping view of Lake Michigan. Upon arrival, there’s a smaller boardwalk loop that goes by the dunes. There is public beach access and restrooms at the end of the trail.

FITZGERALD PARK 100 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge Walk the Ledges along the Grand River, hike 3 miles of nature trails and explore the nature center and the fish ladder at this 78-acre park. There are also playgrounds, picnic sites, 18 holes of disc golf, volleyball and basketball courts.

WAHLFIELD PARK 6811 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park Hike, run, mountain bike and cross country ski at this area trailhead.

Wahlfield Park features a shelter, two large play structures and a swingset.

HELDER PARK | 3751 104th Ave, Zeeland Enjoy a picnic shelter, playground, two ball fields, five soccer fields and a dog park at this 159-acre park. The northwest portion of the park is forested with a stream for exploration.

PINERY PARK | 2301 DeHoop Ave, Wyoming Stay busy with a playground, ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and a fitness trail. The enclosed lodge and park area are open year round.

ROSEWOOD PARK | 1899 Rosewood St, Jenison Slip ‘n slide at this park’s famous event held each summer and hang out year round at its two-story play structure, slides, splash pad and soccer fields.

ALLENDALE COMMUNITY PARK 11069 68th Ave, Allendale Explore a 14,000-square foot wooden play structure, a roped bridge, crawl spaces and tubes, a swinging rope, swinging balance beam, slides and zip line at this unique park.

FROG HOLLOW | 2050 Metro Ct, Wyoming Frog Hollow offers universally accessible equipment for all ages with its soft rubber flooring and full enclosure.

Find a complete list and map of West Michigan parks at GRKIDS.COM/GRAND-RAPIDS-PARKS

GRKIDS.COM

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S’MORE TIME!

FAVORITE Campgrounds in Michigan Camping in Michigan is the best camping in the U.S. With so many lakes, beach towns, hiking trails, rivers and sand dunes to explore, a memorable trip is waiting at campgrounds across the state. Here are a few of our favorites; for a full list check out the link below.

Tip: Some of these parks fill up early, so make your reservation as soon as possible!

Silver Lake Resort, Silver Lake

Silver Lake Resort knows how to glamp! They offer a heated swimming pool, clean bathrooms with hot showers, outdoor movie theatre, pavilions, picnic areas and cabins.

The Resort is close to Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Lake Michigan, and Michigan’s Adventure.

Interlochen State Park, Interlochen

Situated between Green Lake and Duck Lake, Interlochen State Park is great for fishing, swimming, biking and hiking. Across the street is The Interlochen Center for the Arts where renowned musicians perform concerts year round. Maybe you can catch a concert while camping!

Hill & Hollow Campground and RV Park, Pentwater

Find this campground nestled in the woods just two miles north of Pentwater. With an AJ’s Family Fun Center, two heated pools and basketball and volleyball courts, your kids will have a blast!

Platte River Campground, Honor

With a wide variety of camp sites available, this super clean park appeals to all! Tube, canoe or kayak down the river to Lake Michigan. Take a day trip to nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City or Glen Arbor.

Traverse City State Park, Traverse City

Camping in the City? Yes, please! Traverse City State Park is an urban park that features a quarter mile of beautiful beach on the Grand Traverse Bay. When surrounded by the woods you won’t believe you are only two miles from downtown Traverse City.

Looking for more of our favorite campgrounds in Michigan?

Check out our huge list at GRKIDS.COM/CAMPING 22

GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

Beach HACKS

Beach outings are a blast - but with all that fun comes sand, sand and more sand. And soggy stuff.

And sunburn. We love these four clever ways to deal with pesky beach time side effects.

1. Remove Sand With Baby Powder.

Sprinkle baby powder on your body and the wet and clingy sand will easily brush away.

2. Keep the Sand Away With a Fitted Sheet. Anchor a fitted sheet down at the corners with coolers and bags.

3. Start with Detangler to Avoid Tears Later On.

Avoid the agony of tears later by applying leave-in conditioner to your child’s hair prior to hitting the beach.

4. An Empty Jar Can Save Your Phone, Keys and Wallet from Taking a Splash. Clean out a jar (peanut

butter, mayonnaise, or whatever will do) and insert your phone, keys and wallet to keep them dry and sand-free.

And with a large enough jar, it will even float!

SUMMER CAMP FINDER

THE BEST WEEK OF SUMMER STARTS AT SPRINGHILL

Five days of adventure await! Sign up for Day Camp, Overnight Camp, or Family Camp!

Learn more at springhillcamps.com

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

SUMMER CAMP FINDER

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SUMMER CAMP FINDER

Laser Tag

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vISIT: WWW.BATTLEGR.COM WRISTBAND DAYS & OPEN pLAY tOO! Great for ages 8+!

(616) 345-0698

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DANCE CAMPS ages 2 & up

684 Six Mile Road NW Comstock Park, MI 49321

231-549-2889 camplakelouise.com

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GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

616-785-0650 DANCEACADEMYGR.COM academyofdancearts684@gmail.com

SUMMER CAMP FINDER

Summer Day Camp

blandfordnaturecenter.org

616-735-6240

GRKIDS.COM

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FOR THE LOVE

WE

GR

There are many, many reasons we love our beautiful city. And while people are really what makes a place special (We’re looking at you!), these local landmarks and events are like the cherry on top. We have a special place in our hearts for these Grand Rapids destinations.

Great Lakes at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Blue Bridge

Holland State Park Lighthouse

GR Museum Carousel

Giant bubbles at the Children’s Museum

Hollyhock 4th of July Parade Calder

Kent County Youth Fair

28

Picking strawberries at Krupp’s

GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

Millennium Park Splash Pad

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park Movies on Monroe

SPLISH SPLASH

Fave Splash Pads

Splash pads are a fun and free way to cool off with your crew this summer. Check out a few of our area favorites.

Mulick Park

1632 Sylvan Ave SE, Grand Rapids

Get wet at this fully enclosed splash pad with a giant dumping bucket and water tunnel. Pack a picnic and enjoy the tree shade nearby.

Mary Waters Park

1042 Lafayette NE, Grand Rapids

There is lots of seating surrounding this huge splash pad with multiple dump buckets, fire hydrants, and sprayers.

Maplewood Park

8000 12th Ave, Jenison Rosewood Park

This fully enclosed splash pad with shaded benches makes for a perfect afternoon! Enjoy the many dragon sprayers, dump buckets, and turtle fountains.

City of Zeeland Splash Pad Park 21 S Elm St, Zeeland

Cool off right in downtown Zeeland with lots of wild sprayers and water spouts.

Pinewood Park

1999 Wolfboro, Kentwood

Kids will love the dragon and frog shaped sprayers at this splash pad with a fun playground close by.

Lamar Park

2561 Porter St, Wyoming

Find water shooters, dragon sprayers, and a water tunnel at this large splash pad.

Rosewood Park

1899 Rosewood St, Jenison

Located next to an exciting playground, this splash pad has bug sprayers and flower fountains.

Aberdeen Park

2230 Eastern Ave NE, Grand Rapids

This new splash pad is Michigan themed! Cool off with a lighthouse fountain, multi-level river, a water spraying morel mushroom and more.

For more area splash pads and their hours of operation, visit GRKIDS.COM/GRAND-RAPIDS-SPLASH-PADS

GRKIDS.COM

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OUTDOOR FUN 411

SUMMER Concerts and OUTDOOR Movies Outdoor concerts and movies are the perfect way to spend a lazy summer evening. We asked the GRKIDS team for advice on what to bring to maximize fun on your night out. Here's what they said: 1. Snacks and bevys!

2. Blankets or seats.

3. Sometimes sweatshirts.

Carla Brooks

Coloring supplies or something else they can do with their (busy!) hands while still listening to the music.

Carla Hardy

Balls or a frisbee, folding chairs, finger foods, bug spray, water, favorite small toys, crayons and paper and low expectations. Bonus advice: get there early to find a comfy/big/shady spot!

Laura Gifford

Find upcoming summer movies and concerts:

VISIT GRKIDS.COM/CONCERTS-MOVIES-IN-THE-PARK 30

GRKIDS Family Fun Guide | Summer 2019

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KIDS GRKIDS.COM

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When only the best will do...

Backyard Fun Zone

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