by Martie Lownsberry

Created on: October 07, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

If your are a parent you know how difficult it can be to keep your children happily engaged. Children need exercise and variety to keep from getting bored. Luckily if you live or are planning a visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan this winter there is plenty to do to keep your children occupied and interested no matter what age they happen to be.

Bright white snow, and sparkling trees calls to the nature lover in your child, and there are several places you can visit that will bring them the enjoyment of such beautiful surroundings. The Blanchard wildlife Perserve at 1715 Hillburn Ave right in the city offers a series of Nature trails for you and your family to enjoy. So why not bundle up and explore the beauty of ponds and streams and wildlife in this beautiful and natural setting.

If your children are looking for more action out of doors then why not go sledding? Richmond Hill Park has a wonderful sledding hill that is steep and long enough to give great rides but is not so difficult that children won't want to climb the hill again and again for the thrill of the downward journey.

Bellnap Park's Lookout Hill and the Union High School Hill also offer great sledding venues, so if one hill is crowded you are sure to find one of the other ones more to your liking. Simply load up the kids, the sleds, and a big thermos of Hot chocolate and enjoy an afternoon in the great snowy out of doors.

If Ice skating is more your thing you have a choice of outdoor or indoor skating venues. Rosa Park circle provides a great outdoor skating rink that is popular and lots of fun, While the Patterson Arena offers an indoor skate for around $6.00.

Another great place to enjoy the great out of doors is John Ball Zoo. The zoo is open all winter and during the month of February you can visit for free. What could be more fun than seeing and learning about all kinds of animals and seeing them frolic in the snow.

The holidays in Grand Rapids offer even more fun filled activities. A tour of the city at night to view all the wonderful Christmas displays is fun and exciting for the entire family. Go by car or walk around town by foot and simply enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

The Meijer gardens offer a special holiday celebrations. Enjoy the 300,000 lights, the horse drawn carriage rides, and the Christmas Carols of the season. You also get an opportunity to learn about other holiday traditions from around the world such as the Chinese new year.

You can bundle up and enjoy going on a treasure hunt through out the holiday exhibit and the children will love a visit to the interactive holiday activities offered at the Children's garden.

The exhibit runs from the 18th of November through New Years so you can visit as often as you wish.

When you are ready to get out of the cold for a while your younger child will enjoy a visit to the Children's Museum. It's a great hands on place for children and they will have a great time exploring all kinds of exhibits. Thursday nights is family night from 5 to 8 pm. Attending during this time will save lots of money as charge on family night is only $1.50 per person a $4.50 savings from their regular rates.

Older children will also enjoy a visit to the Gerald Ford Museum or the Grand Rapids Museum of Art.

Other winter time activities for the entire family to enjoy in Grand Rapids can include a fun afternoon of bowling at one of the cities bowling centers or enjoying a movie together at the Celebration theater in the Woodland Mall

There are plenty of activities both inside and out to be enjoyed during the long Michigan winter in Grand Rapids. Why not come on down and check a few of these fun filled activities out?

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