Things to do in Brighton with Kids

There are so many things you can get out of the house and do with your children right in Brighton, MI! Being a stay at home moms myself, I needed to find ways to entertain the kids that didn’t involve sitting in front of the TV everyday or playing with the same ole things day in and day out! My kids love adventure, so it was always a priority of mine to find fun things to go out and do on a weekly basis that they could look forward to. Now. I know COVID may be standing in the way of some of these things at the moment, but this won’t be forever and the fun activities listed below will still be here when all is back to normal!! In no particular order, these are some of our absolute favorite things to do in Brighton and the surrounding areas!

Castaway Play Cafe

Castaway really has it all and is located right in Howell, Mi near the Tanger Outlet Mall! They have something to enjoy for kids of all ages, including an indoor bounce and play structure, laser tag, a challenge course, arcade area and even a toddler play area! Pricing starts at kist $7 for ages 1-2yrs  and for older kiddos, pricing is just about $11. Parents don’t get in for free and cost $2 per parent, but grandparents and children younger than 11 months are always free!

When we go, our family typically plans to get there when they open and play before we have their AMAZING pizza and then we play some more! It is so easy to stay there for 4 hours or more and the kids are always so sad when it’s time to leave! This is a great choice for any kiddo with a lot of engird, especially in those winter months!

For more information on this fun indoor play space check out Castaway Play Cafe.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum 

My family absolutely loves any children hands on museums where kids get to explore, play, learn, and interact with other children their age all at the same time! Admission starts at $12.50 per adult/child and babies under 23 months are free. There is really something to do for all ages here and is just a short drive from the Brighton area!

Trust me, it is so worth it! They have a designated play room for preschool aged kids and younger for a fun and safe learning and play experience. Other exhibits including Michigan nature, water exhibits, and energy are just a few to keep your older kids entertained for many hours! You can even plan your child’s birthday party here as well for a day full of fun! This place is packed with amazing things you just have to see! Definitely plan to spend a good amount of time here and always bring money for parking as the museum is downtown!

For more information on this wonderful STEM museum check out The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

2|42 Community Church

Need an option to get out of the house and burn off some energy with the kids on a rainy or cold winter day? This is the perfect place! The 2|42 community church is a great option as it is always free to the public! Actually, both Ann Arbor and Brighton have an indoor playground area in their community churches!

We love the Brighton location as it has a two level climbing structure with slides and bounce areas! They even have a full indoor soccer field to run off all that energy any time of year! You can always plan to pack a lunch and stay for the afternoon, or hit up their amazing little cafe for a bite to eat! My best advice, go during the weekdays as it will be less crowded and more open for your children! It’s great to meet other local families and make long lasting friendships too! 

For more information on this fun indoor play area check out 2|42 Community Church.

M Street Baking Co.

Mmmmmm… did some say milkshake? Right downtown Howell, you will find the cutest little bakery that makes the most decadent, hand crafted, and unique milkshakes you will ever see! Your kids are sure to love this one and if you haven’t heard about it, you definitely need to drop in! Milkshakes with the names of Fruity Pebbles, Birthday Party, Cookie Monster, S’mores and Oreo Party sound so tasty right!?

And they are not just a basic milkshake you can get anywhere. These are decorated with amazing topping overflowing the top of the cup! The names give you just an idea of what amazing things will come on top of your milkshake! Not a fan of milkshakes? Don’t worry, they have many more desserts to choose from such as their cakes and cupcakes as well! 

For more information on this fun indoor play area check out M Street Baking Co..

Huron Meadows Metropark

Feeling the need to get outdoors with the family and just enjoy the fresh air and calming sounds of nature? Huron Meadows is a 1,540 acre park offering hiking, golf, and even fishing! Pack a picnic lunch and head out of the trails and enjoy the scenery! There is an admission fee of $10 per vehicle or you can purchase an annual pass for a little as $40 and go all year round as many times as you want!

Getting outdoors and just breathing in the fresh air is something we just don’t take the time to do everyday! Surly it will help bring your family closer together after spending a fun filled day at this park! 

For more information on this great nature park check out Huron Meadows Metropark.

Howell Nature Center

This nature center is a g great way to get outdoors and learn about nature and animals with the kids! They are a non-profit organization, so they rely heavily on memberships to keep their operations up and going! Family memberships start at just $75 for the entire year and gets you amazing perks like early registration for events and programs or ever 10% discount in the gift shop!

Check out their various child day or overnight camps, explore the trails and wildlife, or head over to Alexandria’s NatureScape and The Tree House for hours of fun! They even have an area for orphaned wild animals they care for! This is one membership you surly don’t want to miss out of with so many things to do, learn, and see here! 

For more information on this great nature center check out Howell Nature Center.

Mt. Brighton Ski Resort 

Is your family one that absolutely loves all things winter? This may be the place for you! We definitely all need more activities to do in the winter rather than hide in our house. So, plan a day trip or buy a full season pass to enjoy the slopes all winter long! Even younger kids can enjoy the snow as well! New to skiing or snowboarding? No worries, they cater to all ages and even offer classes to children as young as 3 years old! 

For more information on this local ski resort check out Mt. Brighton Ski Resort.

Brighton Bowl

I mean, who has never enjoyed a night of bowling? It may seem obvious, but when you really think about it, when is the last time you went bowling as a family!? I know, personally, my family goes maybe once a year. That is why my kids absolutely get so excited at even the thought of being able to go! It is so great for kids of all ages too! So, if you have kids that are both older and younger, they can all participate in on the fun! I especially like to plan bowling days when we really need an evening out of the house on a gloomy, rainy day! Such a simple thing to do, but so much fun!! Your kids will be talking about it for days!! 

Tanger Outlet Mall

Need something to do and bored at home? Who does’t like to walk around and shop at some cool stores! The Tanger Outlet Mall is a great place to get a little shopping done, while enjoying some fresh air outdoors! While this may not be best for younger kids, your older kids would sure love to check out the latest trends in the clothing stores! The outlet is located right off I-96 for easy access and has a variety of stores to fit a variety of needs! 

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