Looking for a quick, free, and family-friendly stop in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? Au Train Beach is an underrated gem located right off the highway between Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Marquette. With a sandy shoreline, shallow water, and calm inlet pools created where the Au Train River meets Lake Superior, it’s one of the best places for kids to splash and swim. The river also makes the water feel warmer than most Lake Superior beaches, making this a perfect summer road trip stop for families exploring the UP.

Magoon Creek is a hidden gem near Manistee, Michigan! This quiet Lake Michigan beach has sandy and rocky shoreline, sea glass, creek play for kids, and fewer crowds. A perfect family day trip and rock hounding spot. Save for summer adventures!

Step by Step Directions for creating a colorful rainbow igloo out of ice blocks. Perfect fun outdoor project that kids will love. The rainbow ice igloo will add some color to those long winter days. Here are helpful tips, directions and supply list to be successful.

Turn a climbing dome into a cozy DIY winter igloo for kids! Learn how to transform a metal climbing dome using a ground tarp, plastic wrap, or a premade dome cover to create a fun backyard winter fort. This easy outdoor winter project encourages more outside play during cold months, sparks imagination, and keeps kids active all winter long. Perfect for snowy days, backyard play spaces, homeschooling breaks, and winter STEM or nature play ideas. Save this pin for cold-weather outdoor fun!

Lantern Lit Night Hikes are happening across Michigan this winter! This Michigan Winter Hiking Guide for the 2025–2026 season includes a detailed map to help you plan your adventure. Hike, ski, or snowshoe along glowing trails illuminated by lantern light as you experience the beauty of Michigan after dark. Michigan State Parks, recreation areas, and nature centers are hosting these magical night hikes, many featuring cozy campfires to warm up afterward.

Fifth Avenue Beach in Manistee is a popular, family-friendly Lake Michigan beach known for its wide sandy shoreline, calm swimming conditions, and convenient amenities. Visitors can expect a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, and concessions making it an easy and relaxing beach day for families with kids. The beach offers beautiful Lake Michigan views, a long pier for walking and fishing, and stunning sunsets, all just minutes from downtown Manistee.

Step back in time and explore two hidden gems in Roscommon, Michigan. Visit the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum to learn how the CCC shaped Michigan’s state parks during the Great Depression, then head to the Higgins Lake Nursery to see where millions of trees were grown to restore Michigan’s forests. Perfect for families, history lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Add this stop to your Northern Michigan road trip, Higgins Lake vacation, or Michigan history tour.

Discover the best handicap-accessible hiking trails in Southwest Michigan, including paved paths and wide packed-dirt routes perfect for wheelchairs, rollators, and strollers. Explore accessible trails at Frederik Meijer Gardens, Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Kal-Haven, Lillian Anderson Arboretum, Pierce Cedar Creek, Celery Flats, Dorr Bysterveld Park, and TRACK Trails at various state parks. Perfect guide for inclusive, family-friendly outdoor adventures.

Celebrate the holidays in true Michigan style! From dazzling light displays and live reindeer visits to cozy small-town festivals, these 12 magical Christmas events in Michigan are perfect for families with kids. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a festive day trip, you’ll find lights, parades, Santa sightings, and plenty of cocoa.