Warm summer months present so many opportunities for Toledo area family-fun. Take your family out of town for the day or weekend, there are many to explore.
Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Balloon & Fireworks Festival 2026
10020 S. Compass Dr., Rossford
visitrossfordohio.com/balloon-and-boom
On Friday-Sunday, July 17-19, the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Balloon & Fireworks Festival 2026 will be taking place with live music, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, a beer garden and more. On Friday and Saturday there will be Kids activities from 5-9pm, including inflatables, carnival games, face painting and temporary tattoos by Hero’s Party Experience. Additionally, Birds Eye View Circus performers will be there to perform. During the festival, the hot air balloon pilots will be doing meet and greets with the community and there will be an opportunity to collect trading cards. This is a free event with no admission fees.
Make this summer one to remember at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Southeast Michigan’s premier destination for hands-on science, discovery, and family fun. Families are invited to stay, play, and learn together in a vibrant space where curiosity leads the way and every exhibit encourages exploration.
 Inside the museum, guests can dive into immersive, interactive exhibits that bring science to life in exciting and unexpected ways. From water play that explores motion and flow, to engineering challenges that test creativity and problem-solving skills, to exhibits focused on light, sound, and energy, every gallery is designed for hands-on discovery. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to touch, build, experiment, and explore at their own pace, making each visit a unique experience.
The museum also offers rotating activities and seasonal programming that add even more opportunities for learning and engagement throughout the year. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend visit or a planned summer outing, families will find something new to spark imagination on every trip.Â
With its welcoming atmosphere, dynamic exhibits, and commitment to playful learning, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a go-to destination for family fun in Ann Arbor. It’s a place where kids and grown-ups alike can discover together, ask questions, and make lasting memories.
Check our website for upcoming events, programs, and special experiences, and plan your next adventure in science and discovery this summer.
Sauder Village
Sauder Village is celebrating 50 years this year! This local history organization takes guests on a journey through time from 1803 though the 1920s. This family-friendly attraction celebrates local heritage, specifically highlighting art, food and rural living. It is the perfect day trip for any history loving family that enjoys watching art be made, shopping, meeting farm animals and learning something new. Sauder Village offers, tours, group lodging and group dining for those who call to arrange their visit. Classes and events are regularly held, including the next Sensory Friendly Tuesday on July 14.
Bavarian Inn Lodge
Make this summer one to remember at Bavarian Inn Lodge, Michigan’s premier family vacation destination in Frankenmuth. Families can stay, play, and create lasting memories with endless activities all under one roof. Splash into adventure at Bavarian Blast Waterpark, Michigan’s Biggest Indoor Waterpark and Family Fun Center, featuring thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, wave pool, and interactive play areas for all ages.
Beyond the waterpark, guests can conquer the three-story ropes course, scale climbing walls, enjoy mini bowling, challenge friends on the mini golf course, and explore more than 180 arcade and redemption games. Treat the family to sweet delights at the ice cream and candy store or create a one-of-a-kind furry friend at the Build-A-Bear Workshop®.
With spacious accommodations, delicious dining options, and entertainment around every corner, Bavarian Inn Lodge offers the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for an unforgettable summer family getaway.
African Safari Wildlife Park
267 S Lightner Road, Port Clinton
419-732-3606
africansafariwildlifepark.com
Have up close animal encounters at African Safari Wildlife Park. During the Drive-Thru Safari experience, animals will walk right up to your car so you can feed them snacks. Produce and grain snacks are available for purchase. African Safari Wildlife Park is open rain or shine, however, some animals may not be out if it is too cold or rainy, such as giraffes. Some of the animals that guests may get to meet during the Drive- Thru Safari experience are American bison, Grant’s zebra, elk, emu and much more. The Walk-Thru Safari experience is open from mid-May through early October. Guests can feed animals approved food during scheduled encounters. Some of the animals that can be seen through this experience are Bennett’s wallaby, Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, red kangaroo and more.
Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-5721
toledozoo.org
Come closer to adventure at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium! With more than 16,000 animals from over 680 species, guests can learn more about wildlife in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Since there are both indoor and outdoor attractions, the Zoo can be an exciting activity, rain or shine. In addition to the animals, there are also interactive activities for families throughout the Zoo. Among the many activities are the African Carousel, Safari Railway and Aerial Adventure Course. Nature’s Neighborhood is an area dedicated specifically for kids to play. Within Nature’s Neighborhood, kids can pet animals, play dress up, play on the tree house and climbing wall and more. The Zoo also hosts family-friendly events all year long. Some of their upcoming events include Dart Frog Dash, Summer Season Kickoff, Kidza- palooza, Twilight Evenings and a Father’s Day BBQ.
Visit Fort Wayne
260-424-3700
visitfortwayne.com
For families looking to leave town and explore a new city, Fort Wayne, Ind. is a family-friendly option with a variety of attractions to explore. Through the adventure pass, families can visit Fort Wayne Zoo, Science Central, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory,Fort Wayne Museum of Art, The History Center, Firefighters Museum, The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research and Fort Wayne Visitors Center. This deal allows families to save up to 30% per ticket. Downtown Fort Wayne is a walkable city for families. Promenade Park offers fun such as the kids’ canal, kayak rentals and treetop canopy trail. The city holds annual events throughout the year. Upcoming events in May and June include the Cherry Blossom Festival, Fort4Fitness Spring Cycle, Arab Fest, Fort4Fitness Run Wild, Germanfest, BBQ Ribfest, Middle Waves, Allen County Fair, Greekfest and the Fort4Fitness Summer Sunset Relay.
