Winter & Rainy-Day Survival
Indoor Play in Traverse City
Indoor play spaces in Traverse City are a winter (and rainy-spring, and too-hot-summer) lifesaver. The Great Lakes Children's Museum, climbing at ELEV8, GT Butterfly House & Bug Zoo, the indoor playgrounds at certain community centers, and seasonal indoor pop-ups round out the local options.
If you're new to TC, the museum membership pays for itself in roughly two visits — it's our most-recommended indoor reset for moms with multiples. For older kids who need to move, the climbing gym is what saves February.
Browse upcoming indoor-play events and open-play times below. For our complete list of TC playgrounds (outdoor), see playgrounds. For rainy-day art classes and storytime in heated buildings, see our classes directory. Need real-time "is the museum crowded today?" intel from other moms? That's what The Exchange is for.
Upcoming sessions
- Free
PC Tuesday Playgroup – Myles Kimmerly Park
Tue, Jun 2 · 10:00am Myles Kimmerly Park 1397 W. Burdickville Rd Maple City, 49664 United - Free
PC Wednesday Playgroup – Northport Gym
Wed, Jun 3 · 10:00am Northport Public School 104 S Wing St Northport, MI 49670 - Free
FenFest 2026 — Family Playgroup
Thu, Jun 4 · 10:30am Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire, MI 49615 - Free
PC Thursday Playgroup – Sutton Beach Park
Thu, Jun 4 · 10:00am Sutton Park Beach Street Suttons Bay, 49682 - Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Wed, Jun 10 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 Second Sunday Art Project at Dennos Museum
Sun, Jun 14 · 1:00pm Dennos Museum Center, 1410 College Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686- Free
Family Fun Day at Camp Greilick
Thu, Jun 18 · 11:00am 4754 Scout Camp Rd., Traverse City, 49696 - Free
Hands-on learning activities with the Great Lakes Children’s Museum
Thu, Jun 18 · 11:00am Glen Lake Library 10115 W. Front Street Empire, MI 49630 Parent and Baby Music Class (TC Philharmonic)
Sat, Jun 20 · 10:30am Traverse City Philharmonic Center, 1724 S Garfield Ave- Free
PC Wednesday Playgroup – Northport Gym
Wed, Jun 24 · 10:00am Northport Public School 104 S Wing St Northport, MI 49670 - Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Thu, Jun 25 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 - Free
U.S. Coast Guard Open Ramp
Fri, Jul 3 · 5:30pm USCG Air Station Traverse City, 1799 N. Long Lake Rd Civic Cello Club (TC Philharmonic)
Tue, Jul 7 · 5:45pm Traverse City Philharmonic Center, 1724 S Garfield Ave- Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Wed, Jul 8 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 - Free
Kids Cherry Town Fun Night
Wed, Jul 8 · 4:00pm F & M Park at Railroad & Washington Streets - Free
Kids Sand Sculpture Contest
Thu, Jul 9 · 9:00am West End Beach, Traverse City - Free
Dino Builder workshop & Parade
Thu, Jul 9 · 11:00am Glen Lake Library 10115 W. Front Street Empire, MI 49630 Second Sunday Art Project at Dennos Museum
Sun, Jul 12 · 1:00pm Dennos Museum Center, 1410 College Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686- Free
Field Day and Water Games
Tue, Jul 14 · 11:00am Kalkaska Senior Center - Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Wed, Jul 22 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 - Free
Foam Party in our back yard – bring your towel!
Thu, Jul 23 · 11:00am Glen Lake Library 10115 W. Front Street Empire, MI 49630 - Free
Summer Reading: Great Lakes Children's Museum
Thu, Jul 30 · 10:30am Marina Pavilion, Northport, MI (rain location: Leelanau Township Office) - Free
Summer Children's Program: Beverly the Music Lady
Sat, Aug 1 · 10:30am Leland Township Public Library, 203 E Cedar St, Leland - Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Wed, Aug 12 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646 - Free
Kalkaska County Library Playgroup & Story Time
Wed, Aug 26 · 10:00am Kalkaska County Library, 247 S Cedar St, Kalkaska, MI 49646
Related guides
We update this directory regularly as new classes and events are announced.