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Indoor Kids Activities Near Ann Arbor - Girl sitting among foam blocks

Unleash the Fun: Indoor Activities for Kids Near Ann Arbor

Indoor Kids Activities Near Ann Arbor - Girl sitting among foam blocks

Are you looking for indoor fun for kids near Ann Arbor? We’ve got you covered whether it is a rainy day, cold wintry day, or super hot summer day. These indoor children’s activities near us are also great for the smoky days with the Canadian wildfires this week.

Our events calendar includes all of the great indoor events near Ann Arbor. Addtitonally, there are plenty of Indoor Family Activities near Ann Arbor that you can enjoy anytime.

Ann Arbor Indoor Activities

Did we miss some of your favorite Ann Arbor Indoor Activities? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to add them to the summary.

Indoor Play Locations

During the long winter months and increasingly hot summers, it is always a great idea to have a plan for indoor play where the kids can still get their energy out.

Indoor Playgrounds Near Ann Arbor

Indoor playgrounds have been a quite

Active Indoor Play in Ann Arbor Area


Events from our Sponsors


Visit a Museum

Visiting a museum is great indoor fun for family near Ann Arbor. There are so many options to choose from. I love that there are also several we can visit for free. The preschool room at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a great place for preschoolers to play indoors!

Our Top 5 Ann Arbor Area Museums for Kids

Museums are a great choice year round. They are a great option for rainy summer days (or really hot days when the air conditioning is a welcome relief). They are...

We have lots of great museum options in the Ann Arbor Area. Just be careful if it’s Monday. Several of the museums are closed that day.

Indoor Sports

Are you looking for indoor activities near you for teens? Indoor sports are great for teens – and kids of all ages. Check out bowling alleys, fowling, swimming, and skating.

Bowling

Bowling is always a great indoor activity year round. There are several bowling options in the Ann Arbor area.

Score a Strike Bowling at Ann Arbor’s 7 Best Alleys

Get in the fast lane to fun at these Bowling Alleys in Ann Arbor area. Bowling is a great family activity that can appeal to a wide range of ages. With...

Ice Skating

There are several indoor ice rinks in the Ann Arbor area plus the Buhr Park rink which is outdoor but covered. Several operate year round, others are only open in the colder months. Check out our Ice Skating Guide for more details.

Skate Your Heart Out: Unmissable Ice Skating Near Ann Arbor

There are several Ice Skating Rinks Near Ann Arbor. These both indoor ice rinks available year round, seasonally, and outdoor skating rinks open in winter.  As a child my favorite...

Swimming

You can swim all year with indoor pools. Check out our Indoor Swimming Guide.

Swim Year Round at These Indoor Pools Near Ann Arbor

My daughter has always loved swimming - no wonder she is on her high school team. When she was younger, I found that swimming periodically would help her maintain her...

Other Sports

Gaming Fun

Growing up in the 80s, the arcade was always a hit indoor activity for teens near us. Here in Ann Arbor, we have our own Retro arcade in Pinball Pete’s.

Introduce the Kids to Retro 80s Fun At Pinball Pete’s

My husband and I grew up in the 80s when visiting the arcade was a regular activity. There were arcades in every shopping mall - often right outside the food...

Pinball Pete’s Has Been Saved

Earlier this year it was reported that the building housing Pinball Pete's was scheduled for demolition. This left their fate undetermined. Today, April 23, MLive has reported that they have...

Just down the road is the UM Video Game Archive. There you can check out a game on the latest system, or a wide variety of classic systems.

Amaze the Kids (& Yourself) at the UM Video Game Archive

Shhhh!!!! Your kids will be amazed at the expansive selection of video games and legacy systems at the UM Video Game Archive

Another great choice is Best in Games (BIG). They offer an arcade, Laser Tag, Go Karts, Adventure Course, and so much more. BIG is located at 4095 Carpenter Rd.

You can also find a great arcade at Revel & Roll Bowling Alley.

Or, go less tech heavy and check out one of the escape rooms in the area!

Travel Around the World in 80 Days at Decode Ann Arbor

Over Thanksgiving Weekend we visited Decode Detroit's Ann Arbor location to travel Around the World in 80 Days. Decode Detroit has been voted a top 10 escape room in the...

Joining the Aurora Society at Decode Ypsilanti

This weekend we visited Decode Ypsilanti for their Aurora Society escape room. Decode has been voted a top 10 escape room in the USA by the readers of USA Today....

Or check out one of the other escape room locations

Movies

Movies are always a great indoor activity. During summer, there are a number of morning kids series which are perfect for a rainy day.

There are daily movie discounts below

  • Cinemark – Discounted Tuesday. $5.50 tickets all day. A premium is applied for 3D, IMAX & DBOX. Does not apply to certain special showings or on holidays
  • Emagine – Free Popcorn Tuesdays for Emagine Rewards members, $5 Ticket Tuesdays for Emagine Rewards Members (additional fee for EMAX andor 3D)

Now Playing

New last weekend was The King of Kings – just in time for Easter. There are also several other movies for families and kids of various ages.

  • A Minecraft Movie – PG
  • The King of Kings – PG
  • Snow White – PG
  • The Amateur – PG-13
  • Drop – PG-13
  • The Woman in the Yard – PG-13

Lights, Camera, Action: The Best Movie Theaters in Ann Arbor

There are several movie theaters near Ann Arbor that make for a fun outing year round. Seeing a movie is great for families, a date night (or afternoon), or teens with their friends. Check out all these cinemas near us. Best Movie Theaters in Ann Arbor Area Michigan Theater and State Theater are independent, non-profit […]

Upcoming Movies

Check out the list of movies coming soon for kids, teens, and families.

  • May 2 – Thunderbolts*
  • May 23 – Lilo & Stitch
  • May 30 – Karate Kid Legends
  • June 13 – How to Train Your Dragon
  • June 20 – Elio
  • July 2 – Jurassic World: Rebirth
  • July 11 – Superman
  • July 18 – Smurfs
  • July 25 – The Fantastic Four: First Steps
  • August 8: Freakier Friday

Nature Indoors

You can still experience nature indoors.

Check out Matthaei Botanical Gardens – note the linked review covers both the indoor conservatory and outdoor children’s garden.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens – Wednesday Activity Review

This review of Matthaei Botanical Gardens is part of our Summer Series: Wednesday Activity Reviews. While visiting this weekend, my mother-in law suggested visiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. My daughter...

Spend a couple hours with the Cats at Tiny Lions Cat Cafe.

Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center

Ann Arbor’s cat café, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (or “TLC” for short!) is an offshoot of the Humane Society of Huron Valley—a place where kids young and old can visit with kittens and cats in a comfy space. While all the felines there are available for adoption, there are no strings attached!

Indoor Events for Today

Date/TimeEvent
April 20, 2025
All Day
Everyday Indoor Activities
April 20, 2025
All Day
Kids Eat Free
💙
April 20, 2025
8:00am-3:00pm
Easter Brunch
at Songbird Cafe, Ann Arbor Michigan
🎟
April 20, 2025
9:00am-3:00pm
Easter Buffet
at Black Rock Bar & Grill, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
9:00am-2:30pm
Weber's Easter Brunch
at Weber’s Restaurant, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
9:00am-2:00pm
Zingerman's Easter Brunch
at Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm
Easter Brunch
at Carson’s American Bistro, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm
Easter Brunch at Lake Forest Golf Club
at Lake Forest Golf Club, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:00am-3:00pm
Easter Brunch at Venue
at VENUE, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:00am-4:00pm
Easter Egg Hunt
at Stone Chalet Events, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:00am-3:00pm
Polo Fields Easter Brunch
at Polo Fields Country Club, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
10:30am-2:45pm
Easter Brunch
at Salt Springs Brewery, Saline Michigan
💙
April 20, 2025
12:00pm-3:00pm
Critter House Open Hours
at Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor MI
💙🎟
April 20, 2025
12:00pm-3:00pm
Easter Brunch
at Gandy Dancer, Ann Arbor Michigan
April 20, 2025
1:00pm-2:30pm
Open Skate
at Veterans Ice Arena, Ann Arbor MI
April 20, 2025
2:00pm-6:00pm
Open Swim
at Mack Pool, Ann Arbor Michigan
🎟
April 20, 2025
4:15pm-5:15pm
Family Swim
at Goldfish Swim School, Ann Arbor Michigan

Indoor Events for Tomorrow

Date/TimeEvent
April 21, 2025
All Day
Everyday Indoor Activities
April 21, 2025
All Day
Kids Eat Free
🆓
April 21, 2025
10:30am-11:30am
Baby Playgroup
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
April 21, 2025
10:30am-11:30am
Jumpstart Storytime
at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti Michigan
🆓
April 21, 2025
10:30am-11:30am
Little Ones Storytime
at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch, Ypsilanti Michigan
🆓
April 21, 2025
10:30am-11:00am
Preschool Storytimes
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
April 21, 2025
11:00am-11:30am
Drop-In Story Time
at Dexter District Library, Dexter Michigan
April 21, 2025
12:30pm-4:00pm
Open Swim
at Mack Pool, Ann Arbor Michigan
April 21, 2025
1:10pm-2:30pm
Open Skate
at Veterans Ice Arena, Ann Arbor MI
🆓🎟
April 21, 2025
2:30pm-4:00pm
Beat Production
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓🎟
April 21, 2025
4:00pm-6:00pm
Visual Arts Council
at Neutral Zone, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓🎟
April 21, 2025
4:30pm-5:30pm
Young Author Club - Drop in Writing Time
at Northfield Township Area Library, Whitmore Lake Michigan
💙🆓
April 21, 2025
6:00pm-7:00pm
Melted Crayon Art
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
April 21, 2025
6:30pm-7:45pm
Emerging Writers Monthly Meetup
at Westgate Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
April 21, 2025
7:30pm-9:00pm
Open Swim
at Mack Pool, Ann Arbor Michigan
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