From kid-friendly museums and indoor playgrounds to beautiful nature centers and parks, Warren and the surrounding area feature activities and attractions perfect for family fun.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Warren Community Centre Indoor Waterpark | Water fun for all ages. |
| Detroit Zoo | Diverse animal exhibits. |
| Red Oaks Waterpark | Outdoor waterpark adventure. |
| Warren City Square Ice Rink | Seasonal ice skating. |
| AirTime Trampoline & Game Park | Indoor trampoline park. |
| Michigan Science Center | Interactive science exhibits. |
| Belle Isle Park | Large urban park with multiple attractions. |
| Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum | Museum of coin-operated machines. |
| Greenfield Village | Outdoor living history museum. |
| Ford Rouge Factory Tour | Behind-the-scenes look at car manufacturing. |
| Detroit Institute of Arts | World-renowned art collection. |
| Motown Museum | Iconic music history museum. |
The mix of indoor and outdoor options provides year-round entertainment, rain or shine. Whether you’re a local family looking for a new adventure or travelers visiting the Motor City region, Warren has something for everyone. This article outlines 12 of the top things to see and do with kids and family in and around Warren, Michigan.
1.Adrenaline Zone
Name and Location: Adrenaline Zone is located at 32713 Utica Rd, Fraser, MI 48026.
History and Significance: Open since 2017, Adrenaline Zone is an indoor amusement center featuring thrilling physical adventure activities to get hearts pumping for all ages under one roof year-round.
What to Expect: With over 18,000 sq ft, guests enjoy activities like trampolines, warrior/ninja courses, an indoor zip line, rock climbing, a Sky Ride, spin zone, and arcade games providing active family entertainment.
Visitor Information: Adrenaline Zone is open daily for walk-ins. Attraction pricing, hours, specials, and party booking details are available on their website. Socks required for safety.
Adrenaline Zone is an indoor adrenaline park featuring a ninja warrior course, rock climbing walls, trampolines, foam pits and more. Kids and adults alike will love leaping, jumping and testing their skills on the various obstacle courses.
In addition to open jump times, Adrenaline Zone also hosts birthday parties, parents night out events, camps and field trips. Conveniently located right in Warren, this indoor park is perfect for high-energy fun with the family any time of year.
Lengthy details on the offerings, layout, special events, and other key details about Adrenaline Zone.
2.Funtastic Playtorium
Name and Location: Funtastic Playtorium is located at 35355 Garfield Rd Clinton Township, MI 48035.
History and Significance: Funtastic Playtorium started 20 years ago as a leading indoor playground for Metro Detroit children to develop, learn, and have birthday parties through safe active play all year long.
What to Expect: This playground features multi-level structures with slides, tunnels, bridges, and ball pits. Parents can expect physical activity and social, motor, and cognitive skill development through creative supervised play.
Visitor Information: Open daily with entry fees posted online. Birthday packages, group rates, family passes, and age group hours available through their website. Socks required.
Funtastic Playtorium is Metro Detroit’s premier indoor playground and party center. This massive, modern facility packs in every kind of play structure imaginable across over 26,000 square feet of space. From multilevel jungle gyms to a giant pirate ship, carousels and more, kids will have a blast exploring this indoor wonderland.
Family-friendly activities like mini golf, laser tag, and arcade games are also onsite to round out a full day of play. The playtorium area is specially designed for kids aged 1-12, so families with young children can visit again and again as their kids grow. Party rooms and regular family events make the Funtastic Playtorium a go-to for indoor fun in the Warren area.
In-depth discussion of the play areas, party rooms, special events and other offerings at the Funtastic Playtorium.
3.Michigan Science Center
Name and Location: The Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202.
History and Significance: Built in 2001, this science museum advances STEM education with interactive exhibits, labs, programs, and an IMAX Dome Theater to inspire innovation and technological curiosity statewide.
What to Expect: Over 250 hands-on educational science exhibits on topics like physics, human anatomy, engineering, and green energy invite visitors of all ages to discover and build solutions creatively through engagement and play.
Visitor Information: Open Wednesday–Sunday with timed entry. Admission fees posted online provide access to exhibits and dome films. Memberships include special hours, events, and year-round reciprocal museum entry.
The Michigan Science Center is an interactive museum with hundreds of hands-on educational exhibits related to science, math, technology and engineering. Families with curious kids from toddler to teen will love exploring the innovative displays across multiple floors and themed galleries.
Kids can climb on a giant guitar to explore sound and vibrations, experiment with circuits and electromagnetism, interact with optical illusion rooms, and much more. Special traveling exhibits on topics ranging from space to illusions also provide fresh experiences. As Michigan’s premier science institution, this museum makes learning active and engaging. Conveniently located in midtown Detroit, it’s just a short drive south from Warren.
Details on some of the permanent and temporary exhibit galleries and displays, educational programs, special events and visitor information for the Michigan Science Center.
4.Detroit Historical Museum
Name and Location: The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 in Midtown’s cultural center.
History and Significance: Founded in 1928, the museum collects and presents influential exhibits spanning 300 years of metro Detroit regional history through massive community lore.
What to Expect: Exhibits, dioramas, and replica streets with iconic storefronts and artifacts chronicle area landmarks and cultural contributions covering topics like music, autos, civil rights movements, architecture, and local neighborhood heritage.
Visitor Information: Free general admission Tuesday-Sunday. Guided tours, a gift shop, research options, and annual events further explore metro stories. Group rates and accessibility accommodations online.
The Detroit Historical Museum in midtown uses interactive and immersive exhibits to showcase how Detroit and its people, events and innovations shaped American history and culture. Families can explore a massive scale model of 1927 Detroit, stroll an early 1900s Detroit street and visit shops straight from the city’s history.
Kids will love the sites and sounds transporting them back in time over 100 years. Exhibits also cover later periods like World War II, the civil rights movement, and Detroit’s musical legacy with Motown records. Short videos, games and digital displays engage modern audiences with the city’s storied past. Family discounts make trips affordable, while frequent special events add to the fun.
In-depth discussion on some of the major permanent exhibits like the old Detroit street, Model T station and more, along with details on special events and visitor information.
5.Warren Community Center
Name and Location: Warren Community Center is located at 5460 Arden Ave, Warren, MI 48092.
History and Significance: The Warren Community Center opened in 2002 and serves as a hub for recreational activities, events, meetings, and more for the Warren community. It’s an important part of bringing people together.
What to Expect: The Warren Community Center features a fitness center, gymnasium, banquet rooms, meeting rooms, and hosts various classes, camps, leagues, and community events. Visitors can expect a wide range of active and social opportunities.
Visitor Information: The Community Center is open to the public. Visitors can purchase day passes for the fitness center and gym, or register for various programs and activities. Most spaces can also be rented out.
Home to several family-friendly facilities, Warren’s Community Center complex should top any local family’s list. The Recreational Building houses an indoor water park with pools, slides, splash areas, and a lazy river perfect for kids. Adults can relax while children play.
The Blust Field sports complex next door includes an NHL regulation ice rink available for open skating and hockey along with a soccer field house. Families can hone their skills together across various sports. Playgrounds, walking trails, a senior center and picnic pavilions round out the amenities. With so much to do outdoors and in, these multipurpose facilities offer year-round fun.
Details on access, schedules and other offerings for the various facilities that make up the Warren Community Center.
6.Detroit Zoo
Name and Location: The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067.
History and Significance: Founded in 1928, the Detroit Zoo sits on 125 acres of naturalistic habitats and is home to thousands of animals from amphibians to zebras. It is a world-class zoo focused on species and wildlife conservation.
What to Expect: Visitors can see tigers, bears, seals, penguins, reptiles, Australian animals, an insect building, a rainforest dome, a polarium, and more. Many species are part of global protection breeding programs. There are food options on site.
Visitor Information: The Detroit Zoo is open daily with hours that vary by season. Admission and parking fees apply. Memberships, annual passes, and behind-the-scenes tour options are also available.
Home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 300 species, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak provides close-up encounters with exotic and endangered wildlife from around the globe. Families can explore the habitats of penguins, polar bears, giraffes, gorillas, reptiles and more in meticulously crafted naturalistic environments.
With 125 acres to traverse, kids won’t get bored. Interactive displays, play structures, rides and other engaging attractions help kids learn through hands-on play. Special events like the annual “Boo at the Zoo” Halloween celebration provide extra family fun. Just a short drive south from Warren, the Detroit Zoo makes for a fabulous family day trip any time of year.
In-depth details on some of the many exhibit habitats and animal species, along with discussion of special events, dining and other visitor information for the Detroit Zoo.
7.Warren Woods State Park
Name and Location: Warren Dunes State Park is located at 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, MI 49125 along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
History and Significance: Dedicated in 1922, Warren Dunes protects over 2 miles of sandy shoreline, dune formations, wetlands, and diverse habitat as one of Michigan’s most popular state parks.
What to Expect: Visitors enjoy scenic hiking trails, camping, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing and sledding across 1,500 acres. Park highlights include beach access, sand dune climbs, and scenic views in a uniquely biodiverse landscape.
Visitor Information: Warren Dunes offers daily and annual passes. Campground reservations, pet policies, trail maps and event details available on state park website.
Nestled along the shores of 54-acre Warren Woods Lake, this peaceful state park provides plenty of room to roam with nearly 400 acres of forests, wetlands and meadows. Families can spend the day hiking nearly 4 miles of trails past dense stands of ash and elm trees, open fields filled with wildflowers and sedges, and old farm sites that trace the land’s history.
The park’s two lakes host fishing for bass, bluegill and more, along with boating options from canoes to electric motor craft. Picnic areas and play structures round out the amenities. Wildlife like osprey, deer, red fox and pileated woodpeckers also inhabit the park, giving kids chances to spot creatures in nature. Easy access from Warren makes this natural oasis perfect for daytrips.
Details on the park’s different habitats, recreation options like hiking trails, fishing, boating and picnicking along with flora and fauna descriptions.
8.Sterling State Park
Name and Location: Sterling State Park is located at 2800 State Park Road, Monroe, MI 48162 between Lake Erie and the River Raisin.
History and Significance: Opened in 1920, Sterling State Park spans over 1,300 acres with varied ecosystems supporting rare species and recreational activities conveniently accessible from metro areas.
What to Expect: Park highlights include sandy Lake Erie beaches, fishing, eight miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, woodlands, marshes, a 1858 lighthouse, and visitor center. Four distinct habitats host an array of birds and wildlife.
Visitor Information: Sterling State Park is open year-round with fees for vehicle entry, programs, camping and firewood. Some areas close seasonally. Visitors guide and maps available online.
Picturesque Sterling State Park lies along the sandy shores of Lake Erie, just a 35 minute drive from Warren. Families can spend the day swimming, boating or fishing for perch, bass and walleye in the refreshing waters of one of Lake Erie’s few remaining natural sand beaches.
Wander shaded trails past lily ponds and towering cedars in the park interior’s unique ecosystems. Kids will love exploring the marsh boardwalks and spotting turtles, frogs and herons. The park is also renowned for excellent birdwatching, especially during spring and fall migrations. With over 1,300 acres to discover, Sterling State Park offers plenty of room to relax and reconnect with nature as a family close to home.
Details on the park’s natural features and ecosystems, recreation amenities like beaches, trails, fishing and boating along with programming and visitor information.
9.Dave & Buster’s
Name and Location: Dave & Buster’s is located at 45511 Park Ave, Utica, MI 48315.
History and Significance: Founded in 1982, Dave & Buster’s entertainment chain spans over 100 locations nationwide combining dining and arcade games for year-round fun. This Utica venue opened in 2008.
What to Expect: Guests enjoy playing the latest interactive arcade games winning tickets to redeem prizes. Sports bar fare and drinks create a full night out. Private event spaces accommodate gatherings too.
Visitor Information: Open daily for casual walk-ins. Hours, menus, and promotions posted online. Special kid pricing on Mondays. Advanced booking required for events and game card bundles can be purchased.
This massive entertainment hub packs family dining and arcade games all under one roof for easy one-stop fun. Kids will love digging into shareable favorites like cheesy pizza, chicken tenders, burgers and more while parents relax. Full bars ensure grownups get to enjoy dining out too.
After eating, playing games earns tickets redeemable for prizes, so everyone gets excited to keep winning. Arcade offerings range from racing and ticket redemption to virtual reality experiences plus a mix of classic and modern prize games. Private party rooms provide another place for celebrations big and small. Located at Lakeside Mall just outside Warren, Dave & Buster’s keeps families entertained for hours.
Discussion of the menu, gaming options, private event offerings and other details that make Dave & Buster’s a hit destination for kid-friendly casual dining and entertainment.
10.Warming Hut Family Restaurant
Name and Location: Warming Hut Family Restaurant is located at 29740 Groesbeck Hwy, Roseville, MI 48066.
History and Significance: Operating since 1965, the Warming Hut is a staple family restaurant and ice cream parlor spanning over 50 years of fond local memories around its signature Swiss Alp theme and hospitality.
What to Expect: This old-fashioned restaurant offers classic American dining from burgers to shakes with Select Michigan Craft Beers. The kids train, Banana Split boat and trademark “Hut Burger” highlight family fare.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch and dinner. Kids eat free on Wednesdays. Active duty military and veterans receive dining discounts everyday. Menus and specials online. Reservations accommodated.
Warming Hut Restaurant in Warren offers classic American fare perfect for families, with generous portions affordably priced. Kids love digging into hearty breakfast platters of pancakes, French toast, bacon and eggs served morning through mid-afternoon. At lunch and dinner, favorites like fresh burgers, pot roast, meatloaf and chicken tenders satisfy hearty appetites.
No fuss meals make dining out easy with kids and grandkids alike. Sweet treats like giant ice cream parfaits and triple-layer cakes cap off family meals with something to please every palate. Elderly guests and kids 12 and under even eat at discounted prices daily. Known for fast service with a smile, Warming Hut Restaurant has welcomed local families for over 35 years.
In-depth details on the menu, kids deals, senior discounts, and community history of the Warming Hut Family Restaurant.
11.Macomb Batting Cages
Name and Location: Macomb Batting Cages is located at 31600 S River Rd Harrison Township, MI 48045.
History and Significance: Operating since 1985, Macomb Batting Cages spans 33,000+ sq ft as an indoor baseball and softball training facility promoting player skills and enjoyment year-round.
What to Expect: Guests practice hitting in 50 batting cages, pitching tunnels, and fielding areas. Pro shop, lessons, teams, leagues, glow cage nights, parties, and pro athlete appearances further baseball fun.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Memberships, rates, reservations info for lessons, team facilities, and party packages available on their website. Walk-ins welcome based on availability.
Macomb Batting Cages in Warren lets families practice their swings hitting real baseballs and softballs without needing a whole team. The covered outdoor batting cage complex provides easy access to the thrill of batting year-round thanks to lighting and turf surfaces. Simple token-operated cages cost just a couple dollars for over 20 pitches ranging from slow-pitch to fastballs over 60mph.
Family packages with cage rentals and bat rentals make practice affordable. Multi-cage layouts mean just one parent can even pitch to several kids at once. Video arcades, concession stands and party areas round out the complex. Inexpensive, active and accommodating, Macomb Batting Cages is an ideal spot for casual family play.
Details on pricing options, party and event offerings along with other specifics about Macomb Batting Cages’ facility and batting cage offerings.
12.Michigan Skate World
Name and Location: Michigan Skate World is located at 37600 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.
History and Significance: Operating since 1974, Michigan Skate World offers year-round roller skating on a custom maple wood rink acclaimed as one of Michigan’s original and premier skating centers for over 45 years.
What to Expect: The venue features recreational skating, lessons, speed team, parties, parents night out events, DJ nights, and arcade games creating wholesome fun for all ages on wheels.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Schedule and admission fees per session type posted online. Skate rentals available. Birthday party packages can be booked in advance by phone.
Michigan Skate World has welcomed skaters in Warren for over 45 years thanks to their focus on affordable family fun. Daily public skating sees locals glide gracefully or wobble excitedly around the modern rink for just $8-9 per session including skate rentals. Family discounts make regular visits or practice skating sessions even more attractive.
A food counter serving pizza, hot dogs, nachos and other rink favorites fuels the fun at budget prices. Party rooms also provide rental space for groups big and small to celebrate together. Whether your family wants to try skating for the first time or practice lessons, Michigan Skate World keeps prices reasonable so Warren families can keep rolling all year long.
Details on daily public skating hours and pricing, skate rental process, additional kid focused programming like family nights and birthday parties to highlight Michigan Skate World as a long running budget-friendly local institution.
Conclusion
From jumping play centers to hands-on museums, delicious dining to outdoor adventures, families near and far will discover almost endless options for affordable fun in Warren and the surrounding Detroit suburbs.
Indoor recreation provides reliable entertainment rain or shine while beautiful parks and vibrant urban attractions beckon come sunny skies. Warren’s prime location provides easy access to experiences catering to all ages and stages. Use this guide to start exploring the wealth of family activities waiting to build lifelong memories close to home.