Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do with Kids in Sterling Heights, MI

  • Published 2022/11/28

Measuring 36.80 miles, Sterling Heights is one of the hugest suburbs in Detroit.

In Macomb County, Sterling Heights was a former agricultural area focused on various crops, particularly rhubarb.

Incorporated as a city in 1968, it is located 19 miles from downtown Detroit, with the Clinton River flowing on the northeastern side of the town.

To this day, Sterling Heights continues to thrive as both an urban and suburban area with plenty of things for kids of all ages to do!

Various festivals and events are held throughout the year, including the annual Sterlingfest.

If you want a place to bond with your kids and create memories, check out these 15 best things to do in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Go for a Stroll with Your Kids at the Lakeside Mall

Outside view of Lakeside Mall

ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For a day of shopping and fun, head to the Lakeside Mall on Lakeside Circle.

With numerous retail stores and food chains, you can find numerous items here, including your kids’ favorites.

Explore the Children’s Play Area and watch your kids have fun with other children.

Enjoy the Movie Magic Lakeside and other fun events throughout the year.

Bring your whole family to Lakeside Mall for some quality time together!

Hit up Dodge Park and Let Your Kids Run Wild

An entire day will not be enough when you visit Dodge Park on Utica Road.

Dodge Park is a sprawling 51.2-acre park filled with adventures.

Kids can enjoy all sorts of play structures and activities, such as swings, slides, and monkey bars.

Let your children enjoy the cool water in the park’s splash pad, or let them ride their bikes on the paved routes for a bit of exercise.

The park is home to walking trails, playgrounds, and numerous courts and fields where your kids can hone their athletic skills.

With plenty of open space and playgrounds, Dodge Park is perfect for letting your kids run wild and play to their hearts’ content.

Take a Trip to the Sterling Heights Public Library

The Sterling Heights Public Library on Dodge Park Road is one of the jewels of this city, with various resources for both kids and adults.

The library offers different program year-round that caters to children and other age groups.

You can let your kids join the reading program to encourage their love of books or allow them to participate in arts and crafts activities to stimulate their creativity.

The Sterling Heights Public Library also offers special events such as movie screenings, book talks, author signings, and more.

You can also journey through Beaver Creek or Ben Hadley and marvel at the Storywalk books at the library.

You can even arrange a tour for your kids and some of their friends to get them excited about reading and learning.

Play Games at the Sterling Lanes at Spin Bowl

For a fun night bonding with your kids, head to the Sterling Lanes at Spin Bowl at Schoenherr Road.

You can challenge your kids to a friendly game of bowling to test their skills, or you can try and beat them in the pool for bragging rights!

The Sterling Lanes at Spin Bowl also offers food and drinks, including pizza, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and more.

Party packages are also available if you want to celebrate your child’s birthday or other special events at the bowling alley; they come with a party host and are customized for your child’s special day.

You can also schedule a Day Care or Field Trip with your kids and their friends at the Sterling Lanes at Spin Bowl.

Sterling Lanes at Spin Bowl is the place to be whether you want to play games, eat good food, or hang out with your kids in a fun, laid-back atmosphere.

Join the Parties at Sterling Heights Nature Center

Another popular spot for families is the Sterling Heights Nature Center on Utica Road.

Here, kids can learn about the various habitats found in Southeast Michigan and explore flora and fauna native to this region.

Let your kids join the party every Saturday, which features encounters with reptiles and amphibians and a scavenger hunt.

The Sterling Heights Nature Center also has displays that teach kids about animal life cycles, rainforests, deserts, and more.

Kids can look at the massive aquarium with fish endemic in the area.

Raring to spend more time outside?

In that case, you can persuade your kids to go with you on a riverside walk.

Get ready for sights that many others won’t believe you can discover in a busy metropolis as you wander along the riverbank.

Have a Blast at AirTime Trampoline & Game Park

For a family day jam-packed with fun and excitement, head to AirTime Trampoline & Game Park on Hayes Road to have fun with kids and their friends.

Opened in 2012, this popular spot features a variety of activities that will keep your kids jumping and bouncing around for hours on end.

With about 10,000 square feet of trampoline space, kids can pull off various stunts and acrobatics to their heart’s content.

They can also play at the AirTime Trampoline & Game Park’s mosh pit or join the Jam Session for a quick round of excitement.

Unleash your kids’ inner warriors as they race through the 22-foot Technology Warrior course, rope swings, monkey, and trapeze bars.

Younger kids can also have the time of their lives, as children five years old and below have a special area in the park.

Get Your Kids’ Adrenaline Pumping at Kart 2 Kart

Kart 2 Kart is a family-owned and operated business in Van Dyke Avenue that’s been operating since 2000.

The go-kart track here is a popular place for families to visit, as you can challenge your kids to a friendly race around the 1/2-mile track.

Famous for its fastest go-karts in the state, Kart 2 Kart is open year-round, which makes it a convenient spot to go with your kids.

Party packages are also available, which include several perks, such as customized celebrations with action-packed activities complete with food and beverages.

If you have older kids with you aged 12 years and above, you can also try axe-throwing.

No matter what kind of fun you’re looking for, Kart 2 Kart has you covered.

Let Your Kids Play at the Playgrounds of James C. Nelson Park

If you’re looking for a place where your kids can run and play without restrictions, head to James C. Nelson Park.

Located on Mile Road, this ADA-accessible park features various playground equipment that is perfect for kids of all ages.

Your kids will have a blast in the playground, featuring swings, slides, and climbers.

Aside from the playgrounds, you can bring your kids to the picnic areas where they can enjoy their favorite snacks or meals.

Explore the non-motorized trail as you wander through the nature area and talk to your kids about everything under the sun.

There’s also an open field where you and your kids can play catch or frisbee.

Wander through Big Toys and Try the Various Arcade Games

If you’re in the mood for a fun-filled day with your kids, head to Big Toys on Mound Road for some adventure.

Play the various arcade games in Big Toys for hours of fun for you and your kids.

Try different versions of the classic game Pinball and let them experience the fun and nostalgia of the game.

If they’re a fan of combat games, introduce them to Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat.

You can also try Dome Hockey or Foosball for hours of fun.

Let Your Kids Learn How to Swim at the Aqua-Tots Swim School

Children aged four months to 12 years old will love swimming at the Aqua-Tots Swim School on Hayes Road.

This swim school is known for its high-quality service and excellent instructors who are passionate about teaching kids to swim.

With their safe and organized system, your kids will develop all the skills they need to be confident swimmers at Aqua-Tots Swim School.

They also have special classes for kids with disabilities, the Special Needs Aquatic Program, so that all kids can enjoy the water safely and comfortably.

Your children can also join the Swim Club to enhance their skills and confidence in the sport.

If your kids are itching to hit the pool, consider signing them up at Aqua-Tots Swim School.

Jump around at the Bounce House

Walk-in customers are welcome at the Bounce House on Van Dyke Avenue.

This bounce house is known for its fantastic selection of inflatables perfect for your kids’ birthday parties and other special occasions.

From classic bouncers and slides to obstacle courses, they have something that will fit any party theme or occasion.

Kids can bounce all day during weekdays and 90 minutes during the weekend for a fee.

Bounce House provides two slices of pizza per customer, so your kids will have a fun and filling day out.

There are also arcade games that kids can binge on once they get tired of jumping.

Spend an Afternoon at Zap Zone

Zap Zone in Riverland Shopping Center is an entertainment center packed with fun activities for the whole family.

Let your kids play on the trampoline and test their skills on games like Laser Tag, Mini Bowling, and Time Freak.

Encourage your kids to try the VR Ride for a different adventure or practice their Ninja Skills at the Ninja Zone Jr.

While resting, you can check out the latest arcade games that Zap Zone offers and earn some rewards.

You can also celebrate your kids’ birthdays at the Zap Zone for non-stop fun.

Explore a Nature Trail at Freedom Hill Country Park

A multi-purpose park, Freedom Hill County Park on Metro Parkway offers a nature trail for all ages to explore and enjoy.

With its beautiful trees, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and relax while walking through the Freedom Trail that will bring you to Metro Beach.

Aside from strolling, you can bike or rollerblade with your kids for a fun outdoor activity.

Freedom Hill Country Park also has a playground where your kids can play and let off some steam, as well as picnic areas so you can have lunch while enjoying the view.

The park is also famous for its amphitheater, where concerts and other activities are held.

The park’s pavilion is also perfect for private events, making it ideal for a family outing.

If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that will bring you closer to your loved ones, visit Freedom Hill Country Park today!

Celebrate Your Kid’s Birthday at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Let Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park on Hall Road help you prepare for the best party ever.

Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park has the perfect party package for your kid, regardless of the theme or size.

You can choose from a Classic Birthday Package, where your kids and their guests can explore the Indoor Park for two hours.

You can also choose the Glow Theme, where your kids and their guests can bounce under black light and enjoy music that will get everyone dancing.

Your kids will have fun with activities like trampoline jumping, wall climbing, dodgeball, and obstacle courses.

If your kids get tired, they can head to Virtual Reality, where they can fight with robots or dragons or compete against their friends and win all the coins.

Before you plan your kid’s next birthday party, check out Urban Air Trampoline Park for a fun and unforgettable celebration!

Join the Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair for a Fun-Filled Festival

Looking for a community festival that you can join with your family?

Sterlingfest Art and Music Fest is a fun-filled festival in Sterling Heights that you don’t want to miss!

Held every last week of July or the first week of August in Dodge Park, Sterlingfest is one of the city’s most well-loved events during the summer.

You can check out the Kidzfest Stage and participate in the various activities for kids, such as getting to know Little Creatures, Watching Rosco clown, or the magic of Eugene Clark.

Let your children have fun with the animals and pets at Lou’s Pet Shop; get to know Mad Science Detroit; and watch Jonathan Haglund, the juggler.

The Arts and Crafts part of the Springiest was added in 1991, and it has grown to become one of the largest art fairs in Michigan.

Final Thoughts

Sterling Heights has something for everyone, no matter what your kids are into.

With its abundance of parks, entertainment centers, and other attractions, there’s something fun and exciting for everyone here.

If you’re planning a holiday trip, check out these best things to do with kids in Sterling Heights, Michigan!

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