Family Staycation Ideas in Flint, MI

There’s no need to travel outside of Flint, Michigan, for your next family vacation. Instead, stay within the city limits and explore indoor and outdoor areas that inspire learning and promise quality time with the people you love. Whether you’re seeking an educational experience for young children or are wanting to entertain teenagers in your group, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about these establishments to complete your itinerary for the weekend.

Get Creative at Flint Children’s Museum

Greetings from Flint, Michigan – Large Letter Postcard by Steve Shook is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Invite the young members of your family with you for a day of discovery at Flint Children’s Museum. The museum hosts a variety of interactive exhibits where kids can make their own creations and explore different concepts, such as geography, magnetism, and physics. For example, at the Slide & Sketch wall, kids can manipulate magnets into a beard or mustache. The Build a Bridge section challenges them to construct a tower out of blocks, while the Make it Balance exhibit demonstrates weight distribution with scales and beanbags.

After playtime, you and your family can retreat to the indoor eating section to grab lunch or share some snacks. If someone in your party is younger than the age of three, then bring them to the Tot Spot, where they can play with toys and interact with other children in their age group. Here are the location and times when you and your family can have fun at Flint Children’s Museum:

• Location: 1602 W. University Ave., Flint
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m.

Learn New Things at Sloan Museum of Discovery

Dedicate a day of your family staycation to hands-on learning at Sloan Museum of Discovery. The museum has four galleries, each exploring unique subjects that can appeal to all your companions, regardless of age. Escort the four- and five-year-olds in your group to the Early Childhood Learning Gallery, where they can ride a tricycle through a neighborhood on Hangerman Street, embark on their own shopping trip, and climb the three stories of a tree house. If you’re a car enthusiast, then you may enjoy a tour through the Durant Vehicle Gallery, which showcases the evolution of automobiles.

The History Gallery has displays that teach you about the past, including the ways of life of the first people to live on earth. Head to the Discovery Science Gallery to learn about the phenomena of the natural world and beyond. For example, you can study Earth’s adventures to outer space and experience the properties of the Great Lakes at the water table. Remember to purchase souvenirs at the gift shop before you leave. When you’re ready to expand your knowledge, Sloan Museum of Discovery welcomes you at the following location and times:

• Location: 1221 E Kearsley St., Flint
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.

Have a Picnic at Stepping Stone Falls

Take advantage of the sunshine and cool breeze with an afternoon visit to Stepping Stone Falls. The manmade waterfall is a sweet spot between Flint River and Mott Lake, and the surrounding park is the perfect scenery for a picnic with your family. Consider bringing board games to keep you and your companions occupied while you enjoy your meal. Once your stomach is full, venture to the bike path to exercise or incite friendly competition with a bike race along the trails.

You won’t want to miss the view at Stepping Stone Falls when the sun sets. Lights illuminate the streaming water in an assortment of colors. Lay back on your pillow and blanket to gaze at the stars twinkling against the darkened sky. The times you can visit the waterfall depend on the season and weather. Here are the park’s summer hours you can use when coordinating your family staycation:

• Location: 5161 Branch Rd., Flint
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 8 to 12 a.m.

Solve Riddles at Spymaker Escape Rooms

Put your family teamwork to the test by daring to play the games at Spymaker Escape Rooms. With five rooms to choose from, you and your family members can immerse yourselves in the theme as you collect clues to solve the puzzle. For example, the Escape the 80’s game challenges you to retrieve relics amidst the danger of a cyborg and the threat of becoming trapped in the decade forever. In The Alchemist room, you’ll be skulking through the laboratory of a dangerous sorcerer to foil his wicked agenda.

Other engaging escape rooms are The Catacombs, Dead Man’s Hand, and Spymaker. You and your party have between 60 to 75 minutes to escape, depending on the theme, and the capacity for the rooms ranges from three to 12 players. Once you’ve conquered the escape games, attempt to solve the riddles in the Treasure Hunt Michigan to win special prizes. The establishment also features ax throwing and virtual reality. Don’t forget to grab a board game before you leave to take the fun with you.

Recruit members of your family to win big at Spymaker Escape Rooms at the following location and times:

• Location: 4310 Miller Rd., Flint
• Hours: Monday, 3 to 10:20 p.m.; Tuesday to Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 3 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 10:20 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

Consult this list from Apple Chevrolet when you’re looking for engaging activities to do with your family while spending the weekend in Flint. If there’s another park, museum, or other establishments that are family-friendly and fun, send us a message on our website to let us know, and we’ll be happy to upgrade our list. When you’re in the area, feel free to stop by our dealership so you can find a vehicle that’s safe, stylish, and reliable for all of your family adventures.