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
I’ve assembled a list of Fun Ann Arbor Activities with Grandparents. With grandparents spanning a wide range of ages and physical abilities, what works for one family may be harder for others. I also find that with my in-laws who live out of town, we tend to do more “destination” visits. On the other hand with my parents who live locally, we tend to do more everyday activities.
Visit a Museum with Grandparents
A Museum is always a great choice with the Grandparents. Check out our Top 5 Museums in the Ann Arbor Area.
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a particularly good choice with the grandparents. Did you know that a membership includes free admission for grandparents? We have used it with both sets of grandparents over the years. While the museum is on multiple-levels, they are all accessible by an elevator for strollers or those with limited mobility. There are also plenty of benches or stools throughout the museum to take a break.
Explore Nature
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
My husband’s parents visited over Memorial Day weekend. My mother-in-law suggested a trip to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. It’s a great place to explore with all ages. Whether you visit the indoor conservatory or the outside gardens, all ages will enjoy exploring.
Visit Animals
There are several options to visit animals in the Ann Arbor area. You can take a trip to the Toledo Zoo or Detroit Zoo. You can also visit animals at Leslie Science Center, Creature Conservancy, or Domino Petting Farm.
Family Friendly Hikes
A Family Friendly Hike is a great way to spend time with grandparents. The kids are free to run back and forth and explore a little more while the grandparents can go at a slower pace.
Pick Your Own Fruit
We first visited a pumpkin patch with my parents when my daughter was 9 months old. Ann Arbor has fruit picking options from June through October. Start by picking fruit, then the grandparents and kids can make delicious treats.
Note: Picking season can vary year to year, for example blueberries ended in mid-August in 2018.
Get Active with Grandparents
Visit a Playground
Playgrounds are also a great place to visit with grandparents. With my parents living locally, when my daughter was younger, they would take her to the parks closer to their house which were different than the ones closer to our house.
Putterz Miniature Golf
My grandparents loved to take us miniature golfing when we were kids. I remember going almost every summer. Likewise, my parents have taken my daughter to Putterz for miniature golfing.
Bowling
When the weather is not as nice, bowling can also be a fun afternoon with the grandparents.
Other Suggestions
Movies
My parents love taking my daughter to the movies. My daughter will often get to see movies twice – once with us and once with my parents.
Shopping
My daughter loves to go shopping with my parents. Whether it’s the mall, or even a trip to Target, she enjoys the chance to get out without Mom & Dad (and usually comes home with a few treats).
Do your kids have any special activities in Ann Arbor that they like to do with their grandparents?
Putterz is not closed and did not close after the 2016 season.
Thank you for catching it. This article was originally written for 2016 Grandparents Day when your closing was rumored. I had updated the review of Putterz for the 2017 and then the 2018 season, but missed this article. I’ve updated it with your correct information and revamped it for 2018.