Getting a card: Check It Out passes need a Grand Rapids Public Library card. PerkPass needs a Kent District Library card (age 18+), and that library serves most of Kent County outside the City of Grand Rapids. Ask at a branch about the right card for your address.
Check before you go. We copy details from each venue's own page and show when we last checked. Where a page doesn't say something, we write "Not listed on source" instead of guessing. Dates sell out and programs change, so confirm with the venue.
All upcoming
Age
Every dated event, soonest first (the next date for each listing).
Sat, Oct 24: Boo at the Barn at Michigan Farmstead, Michigan Farmstead (formerly Critter Barn) (Zeeland). $10 youth and adults, $8 seniors and military, free ages 2 and under📅 Add to calendar
Sat, Oct 24: Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo, John Ball Zoo (Grand Rapids). $22.95 adults 13–61, $16.95 ages 3–12 and 62+, free under 3. Museums for All is not valid for this event.📅 Add to calendar
Thu, Oct 29: Trick-or-Treat at the Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum (Grand Rapids). Included with regular admission ($12 ages 1–64, $11 seniors, under 1 free)📅 Add to calendar
Sat, Oct 31: Hallowee-Ones at Meijer Gardens, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids). Not listed on the event page (gardens admission: ages 3–13 $14, adults 14–64 $25, under 3 free)📅 Add to calendar
Tue, Nov 24 opens: Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Meijer Gardens (through Sun, Jan 10), Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids). Included with gardens admission (ages 3–13 $14, adults 14–64 $25, under 3 free)📅 Add the date range
John Ball Zoo · Grand Rapids (John Ball Zoo · Downtown & west side)
Halloween eventPaidNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sideAll ages welcome
A costume-friendly Halloween at the zoo with 13 treat stations, decorations. Bring a bag for candy. Booths with teal pumpkins hand out allergy-friendly treats (ask for a token). Face painting is available if you have no costume.
Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Downtown & west side)
Trick-or-treatingPaidNext: Thu, Oct 29Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sidePreschool · Kids
Costume night with trick-or-treating through the museum, a treat bag to decorate, themed crafts and games, and a Glow Dance Party. The museum closes from 4 to 5 p.m. and reopens at 5 for the event.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids (Frederik Meijer Gardens · East side & Beltline)
Halloween eventPrice not listedNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)East side & BeltlinePreschool · Kids
Kids dress up and join a costume parade at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Also a Not-So-Spooky Storytime in the Log Cabin and a Spook-tacular Autumn Play in the Kid-Sense Garden.
John Ball Zoo · Grand Rapids (John Ball Zoo · Downtown & west side)
Halloween eventPaidNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sideAll ages welcome
A costume-friendly Halloween at the zoo with 13 treat stations, decorations. Bring a bag for candy. Booths with teal pumpkins hand out allergy-friendly treats (ask for a token). Face painting is available if you have no costume.
Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Downtown & west side)
Trick-or-treatingPaidNext: Thu, Oct 29Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sidePreschool · Kids
Costume night with trick-or-treating through the museum, a treat bag to decorate, themed crafts and games, and a Glow Dance Party. The museum closes from 4 to 5 p.m. and reopens at 5 for the event.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids (Frederik Meijer Gardens · East side & Beltline)
Halloween eventPrice not listedNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)East side & BeltlinePreschool · Kids
Kids dress up and join a costume parade at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Also a Not-So-Spooky Storytime in the Log Cabin and a Spook-tacular Autumn Play in the Kid-Sense Garden.
Check each event's page before you go, since tickets and times can change.
Bring your own treat bag where the event asks for it.
Clocks fall back one hour on Sunday, Nov 1.
Homeschool days & classes (5 listings)
Age
Spring Homeschool Series at Blandford Nature Center
Blandford Nature Center · Grand Rapids (Blandford Nature Center · Downtown & west side)
Nature centerPaidNext: Wed, Mar 17Downtown & west sidePreschool · Kids
A 3-part drop-off nature series for ages 5 to 12, taught outdoors in the forests and meadows. Spring 2027 topics are Sugarbush (maple syrup, Mar 17), Birds of a Feather (Apr 21) and Michigan Ecosystems (May 19). Parents may chaperone for free if they register too. Children are placed by age group.
Upcoming dates: Wed, Mar 17, 2027; Wed, Apr 21, 2027; Wed, May 19, 2027
When: Wed Mar 17, Wed Apr 21 and Wed May 19, 2027 (registration opens in early January 2027)
Time: 1–2:30 p.m.
Price: $40 per student, $32 for members (all 3 programs)
Ages: Ages 5–12
Booking: Registration opens in early January 2027 and closes in early March (exact dates not posted yet). Sold as a package of three.
⚠️ Mostly outdoors in rain and snow. Health information is required because kids may be dropped off. Private homeschool groups can request a school-style field trip instead from the same page.
Group field trips at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Children's Museum · Downtown & west side)
Children's museumPaidOngoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sidePreschool · Kids
A two-hour group visit with use of the whole museum, in a morning or afternoon slot. There are no lunch rooms. Little ones can use the Wee Discover Zone (ages 3 and under).
More detailsLess⚠️ (includes a notice)
When: Tue, Wed and Thu by reservation, scheduled 14 days ahead
Time: Not listed on source
Price: $10 per student
Ages: Best for ages 0–12
Booking: Request a slot at least two weeks ahead.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page does not name homeschool groups and does not give a minimum group size.
Grand Rapids Public Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Public Museum · Downtown & west side)
MuseumPaidOngoing / by arrangementDowntown & west sideAll ages welcome
Groups of at least 10 students explore three floors of exhibits at their own pace. Optional add-ons are guided education programs, a planetarium show and a carousel ride. A lunch room is available for 20 minutes if booked.
More detailsLess⚠️ (includes a notice)
When: By reservation (museum open Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Time: Not listed on source
Price: $5 per student (free for Kent County students); 1 free adult per 5 students, extra adults $13 ($8 Kent County). Guided program $125, planetarium $5 per person.
Ages: All ages
Booking: Reserve through the museum's group scheduling. The final invoice is due 1 week ahead.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page is written for schools and does not say whether homeschool groups get the student group rate.
John Ball Zoo · Grand Rapids (John Ball Zoo · Downtown & west side)
ZooPrice not listedOngoing / by arrangementDowntown & west sidePreschool
Homeschool and virtual-learning groups of 15 or more students that pre-register get the discounted student rate. One chaperone per five students is free, and extra adults pay regular admission. You can add a classroom program such as Wild Encounter (an animal visit), Penguineering or Exhibit Design.
More detailsLess⚠️ (includes a notice)
When: Weekdays by reservation (no weekend trips; none on Oct 30; none after Nov 20, 2026)
Time: Not listed on source
Price: Discounted student rate (amount not listed for homeschool groups)
Ages: Preschool and up (programs by grade)
Booking: Send the online field-trip request. Three weeks of notice lets the zoo mail wristbands.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page does not give the homeschool dollar rate. As of Oct 8 it says program availability is very limited, so you may need a self-guided trip.
Student field trips at Meijer Gardens (homeschool groups welcome)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids (Frederik Meijer Gardens · East side & Beltline)
Garden & sculpture parkPaidOngoing / by arrangementEast side & BeltlineAll ages welcome
The gardens list homeschool groups as eligible for student field trips. A free 15-to-20-minute hands-on Learning Lab runs on school days, plus printable chaperone-led Exploration Guides (scavenger hunts and walks). Plan 2 to 3 hours. Trips go ahead in rain or shine.
More detailsLess⚠️ (includes a notice)
When: By reservation (Learning Labs Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Sept 1 to the first week of June)
Time: Not listed on source
Price: $6 per student (10-student minimum). One chaperone per 5 students free; extra adults $16 on the group payment.
Ages: All ages
Booking: Register at least two weeks ahead. Payment is due one week before the visit.
⚠️ At least one chaperone per 10 students is required, and students must stay with a chaperone.
Free Thursday nights at the Grand Rapids Art Museum
Grand Rapids Art Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Art Museum · Downtown & west side)
MuseumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sideAll ages welcome
General admission is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. (thanks to a foundation gift). The Discovery Gallery in the Creative Learning Center is an open play-and-make space for kids, and Saturday Drop-in Studio (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) is a family art project included with admission.
More detailsLess⚠️ (includes a notice)
When: Every Thursday evening
Time: 5–8 p.m.
Price: Free admission Thursday 5–8 p.m. (otherwise adults $15, youth 6–17 $8, ages 5 and under free)
Ages: All ages
Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. On Thursdays it is open 12–8 p.m.
Grand Rapids Public Museum · Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids Public Museum · Downtown & west side)
MuseumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Downtown & west sideAll ages welcome
Children 17 and under who live in Kent County get free general admission every day, and parking is free with paid admission for Kent County residents. Adults pay $10 with Kent County ID. Exhibits cover science, history and culture on three floors.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids (Frederik Meijer Gardens · East side & Beltline)
Seasonal exhibitionPaidOpens Tue, Nov 24 · through Sun, Jan 10Good for little kids (2–4)East side & BeltlineAll ages welcome
Holiday displays and decorations across the gardens. Santa meet-and-greets run Saturdays (Nov 28, Dec 5, 12 and 19, 1–4 p.m.) in Michigan's Farm Garden, and Sensory-Friendly Santa visits are Dec 5 and Dec 12, 10 a.m.–noon.