15 Best Things to Do in Frankenmuth With Kids (MAP)

15+ Fun Things to Do in Frankenmuth Michigan with Kids

Thinking about heading to Frankenmuth with the kids for a quick getaway?

Whether it’s a family vacation or rainy day road trip, a weekend in Frankenmuth with the family is always a good time and filled with memory-making experiences.

It’s home to some amazing kids activities that are fun for adults, too, making this Mid Michigan town a perfect destination any time of the year. Think of a giant playground filled with taffy kitchens, horsedrawn carriage rides and water slides, mini golf, world famous chicken dinners and more, and you’ve got Frankenmuth Michigan!

Read on for our complete guide the best family-friendly activities in Frankenmuth!

About Frankenmuth Michigan

Known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth’s rich German heritage is evident throughout the entire area. From the gingerbread trim on the shops lining the streets of downtown Frankenmuth to the historic covered bridge spanning the Cass River, you’ll feel like you’re in a small Bavarian town somewhere in Europe as you walk through the city.

Also known as Michigan’s Christmas capital, Frankenmuth is home to Michigan’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s, where you can celebrate the spirit of the season any time of the year.

Although it is the perfect place to go with family or for a romantic getaway, it is the ideal place to go with children. Whether it’s your first time going or your millionth time, here are some things to do with kids in Frankenmuth.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Frankenmuth MI

Frankenmuth Cheese Haus
Address: 545 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The Cheese Haus is a relatively new addition to the town of Frankenmuth. This place has an abundant amount of cheese as well as little fun knick-knacks for the kids to check out. There are also plenty of photo opportunities, and your kids will love posing for pictures with the mouse and his big slice of cheese right outside the door.

The Cheese Haus is ideal for a quiet place to stop by and try new things as well as pick up some souvenirs. There are all sorts of types of candies in this shop, so you can all enjoy some savory and sweet bites while you shop.

Ultimate Mirror Maze
925 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Located the in popular River Place Shops, the mirror mazes that stretch you tall and wide will have your kids (and you, too) doubling up in laughter.

You’ll find 1000’s of mirrors as you traipse through endless hallways, making silly faces all the way through! This is a favorite indoor play place for families with kids of all ages.

Frankenmuth Aerial Park
1375 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

This outdoor adventure park features a variety of ropes courses and ziplines, designed to challenge and thrill visitors of all ages and skill levels. You can choose from a range of courses, each with different levels of difficulty.

The courses are built among the trees and feature a variety of obstacles, such as suspended bridges, cargo nets, and zip lines. Visitors wear a harness and are secured to a safety line throughout the course, ensuring their safety as they navigate the obstacles.

Grandpa Tinys Farm
7775 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Open seasonally from May to October, Grandpa Tiny’s is a family-owned and operated farm where visitors can experience a taste of life on a traditional farm.

The farm offers guided tours that allow visitors to see and learn about the animals and crops that are raised on the farm. You can meet and interact with farm animals such as goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and pigs. The farm also has a large garden where visitors can see and learn about different types of crops and plants.

In addition to the tours, Grandpa Tiny’s Farm also has a petting zoo area where visitors can get up close and personal with the animals. There are also picnic areas, playgrounds, and a gift shop on the property.

Frankenmuth Historical Museum
613 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Frankenmuth’s Historical Museum features snippets of the town’s history and events that took place. This is a fun way to teach your children about history as well as enjoy some peaceful museum time after all the fun activities.

There is a gift shop and also many souvenirs that are available, too, featuring locally made goods that are high in quality.

Frankenmuth Taffy Kitchen
565 1/2, 565 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Choose from ore than 20 flavors of “fresh water taffy” from brightly-colored baskets lining the walls at the Frankenmuth Taffy Kitchen. This Michigan-made product celebrates the Great Lakes State, and you’ll want to let the kids fill a bucket with this sweet treat. You can also choose from other tasty sweets like Cotton Candy, Nuts, Popcorn, and more!

Zehnder’s Splash Village
1365 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Part of the larger Zehnders of Frankenmuth complex, which includes a hotel, restaurant, and other amenities, this indoor waterpark and family fun center has water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a children’s play area, too.

In addition to Zehnder’s Restaurant, there are multiple dining options on site, as well as a fitness center and a game room.

Zehnders Splash Village is one of the top kid-friendly destinations in Michigan, so be sure you add it to your list.

Bavarian Blacksmith Experience
925 S Main St D-6, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Step back in time with our kids as you try the old-world skill of twsting and bending metal to create tools and more.

Located in the River Place Shops, the Bavarian Blacksmith Experience offers a wide variety of experience for you and your children to hammer, bend and twist hot metal under the guidance of a skilled blacksmith to create everything from a dog tag to a knife. They offer blacksmith experiences for kids as young as six.

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn
Bavarian Inn Lodge, 925 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

What better place to take kids than a toy store? This place features a bakery, shopping outlets and a magical toy store. There is a train that travels above your heads and also features many different types of luxury toys.

From Sanrio to dolls, this place has a large assortment of play things. In addition, there are many shops where you can buy outdoor decorations, candy and winter gifts.

In the bakery, the shop offers donuts, snowballs, Danishes and more, and it’s a great way to finish off a busy afternoon of toy shopping with the kids!

Bavarian Belle Riverboat
925 S Main St D3, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The riverboat is situated just on Cass River, across the street from Zak and Mac’s Chocolate Haus. The tour lasts about an hour and has bathrooms on the boat.

Also, the admission fee is free to children under 4 and also 5 to 12-year-olds are only $5. However, be mindful that the ticket kiosk is in River Place Shops unless you would like to order over the phone.
In addition, this boat tour features a snack bar as well as souvenirs on board to buy.

This is perfect for kids as often they have activities for children such as pirate crafts and more. This boat is an authentic restored stern driven paddlewheel riverboat that the entire family will love.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops
925 South Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

The ambiance of this cute village with old Bavarian themed shops is charming. There are small bridges over tiny rivers and even a fairy shop. In addition, stopping by the fudge shop is one of the best things children can experience.

The kids will not get bored as there are 40 shops and even an arcade within Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Also, events and festivals regularly happen within the place so be sure to check it out.

Rau’s Country Store
656 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Step back in time at Rau’s Country Store, featuring a boatload of candy varieties as well as magnets and kitchenware. Be sure to go into the back of the store, where you can buy decorations for your home and garage, too!

In the basement, there are even more things to find. If you can’t make it to the Bavarian Inn, this shop also has plenty of fun toys that can be purchased. The counter will make any kid excited as it has the restored original checkout desk.

Interactive Map of Things to Do with Kids in Frankenmuth MI

More Things to Do in Frankenmuth with Kids

Take a Horsedrawn Carriage Ride Through Frankenmuth

Whether your take your horse drawn carriage ride with the Fantasy Carriage Company or the Frankenmuth Carriage Company, this a great way to get the “lay of the land” when you first visit Frankenmuth. There is so much to do here, and chances are good that you kids will want to do it all.

Riding through the streets of downtown Frankenmuth and survey the pretty scenery as you decide what to do first can also be calming.

Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

If you like Christmas, you will love this Christmas store. Filled with presents and Santa himself, the world’s largest Christmas store offers anything and everything one can buy for or at Christmas. Inside, there is even a little place to catch a bite to eat with its vintage diner style.

A visit to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is a must on any trip to Frankenmuth. no matter the season. It’s fun to let the kids pick out their own special holiday ornament as a souvenir; I will have a mini Glockenspiel Tower ornament I purchased there years ago.

If the kids get tired of the inside activities, step outside into a wonderland of Christmas lights and also the Silent Night Chapel at the edge of the parking lot.

Glockenspiel Tower
925 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Head to the Bavarian Inn’s Glockenspiel Tower at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. each day to see and hear the 35-bell carillon.

Bring the kids near the tower so they can see the figurine’s depicting the tale of the Pied Piper and an illuminated clock, all imported from Germany. Bring your camera: this will be an intstagrammable moment!

Things to Do with Kids Near Frankenmuth

Still looking for things to do with kids in Frankenmuth? Frankenmuth is located between Bay City and Saginaw Michigan, so you’ll find things to do there as well in some of the smaller towns in surrounding areas, like Birch Run.

Birch Run Premium Outlets

On your way home, be sure to plan some extra time to stop by one of the top outlets malls in Michigan, the Birch Run outlets, where you’ll find everything from major retailers like the Pottery Barn, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Under Armor and many others.

Wilderness Trails Zoo
11721 Gera Rd, Birch Run, MI 48415

This popular Saginaw County Zoo is privately owned, and you’ll find 56 acres and plent of animals to see including lions, zebras, deer and more here.

Frankenmuth Michigan Hotels: Where to Stay in Frankenmuth

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There are a handful of options when considering where to stay when in Frankenmuth, each with their charms. Some hotels offer suites able to accommodate large groups; something worth considering when planning trip to Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark and other attractions in the area.

The Bavarian Inn Lodge

It’s a magnificent place resting right on the edge of the picturesque Cass River. With 7 acres of family fun, including indoor pools and water slides, mini-golf, restaurants, and more, there is something for everyone at the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

The Drury Inn

This charming hotel has a Tudor-like design located on Main Street, placing you right in the middle of all the holiday celebrations.

Marv Herzog Hotel

A smaller accommodation with only 38 rooms, the home-away-from-home atmosphere and gorgeous location on the riverfront are undeniably enchanting at the Marv Herzog.

The Frankenmuth Motel

This comfortable spot boasts the best value in “Little Bavaria” and is within walking distance from several of Frankenmuth’s gems.

Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel

It’s one of Michigan’s top family destinations, with more than 50,000 square feet of aquatic fun featuring both a family pool and action-packed waterpark with a water slide, raft ride and more.

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About the Author
Anna Heim is a content writer for mymichiganbeach.com. Originally from Fenton, Michigan, she now attends Michigan State University. She majors in Interdisciplinary Humanities and minors in Korean. In her free time, Anna enjoys working out, East Asian media, and video gaming. During her childhood, she spent her summers visiting places all around Michigan.