St. Joseph for Kids

Seeking fresh entertainment ideas for your children? Take a day trip or vacation to St. Joseph, MI. It’s one of Southwest Michigan’s top family destinations. From outdoor beaches, splash pads, and parks to indoor hands-on museums, art camps, yummy ice cream treats, and toy stores, this is a joy-maker place to be. 

ATTRACTIONS

SILVER BEACH CAROUSEL

Start at the Silver Beach Carousel in the Silver Beach Center. Horses, a giraffe, tigers, a raptor, and even a hippocampus are a few of the 48 unique carousel figures and two chariots that will whirl you around the Carousel House. Play board games, hula hoop, and set the miniature trains in motion. The refreshment stand has kid-friendly snacks and drinks. There are interactive Silver Beach Amusement Park displays, a Brass Ring Gift Shop, and a party room to celebrate birthdays and special events. 

CURIOUS KIDS’ DISCOVERY ZONE

From the Carousel, walk a short distance along an indoor boardwalk to the Curious Kids' Discovery Zone. It’s a must-stop for ages 1-10. Kids love the Lake Michigan Water Table, where they can sail handmade boats through the lake currents and lock system. Another favorite exhibit is the 25-foot Lighthouse Tower, encouraging young visitors to climb the wave steps to the top and gaze out the window for a peek at Lake Michigan. 

Older kids won’t want to leave Recollections, a wall-sized dance exhibit where light and color mimic their movements on the screen. Check their website to see what current traveling exhibits will entertain all ages. 

WHIRLPOOL COMPASS FOUNTAIN 

Directly across the road from the Silver Beach Center is the Whirlpool Compass Fountain. The 200 ft. diameter fountain sprays water 30+ feet in the air and has water cannons that run every 15 minutes. More water fun is available at three St. Joseph beaches; Silver Beach, Lions Park Beach, and Tiscornia Park. There are also a variety of other family-friendly parks in the area, including Kiwanis Park with a skate park and in winter, a great in-the-city sledding/tubing hill.

CURIOUS KIDS’ MUSEUM

The Curious Kids' Museum captivates children’s curiosity and imaginations from ages 1 to 102. Explore art, science, engineering, and make-believe on two fun-packed floors. Join your kids in building forts, playing store, painting faces, sliding down a volcano, constructing dinosaur bones, and being an animal vet. When planning your day, dedicate at least two hours to this stop. 

THE GARDEN ICE ARENA 

St. Joseph's The Garden Ice Arena is open year-round for indoor ice skating each Friday evening. Watch their weekend schedule for having a wildly fun time playing bumper cars on ice. In the winter months, weather permitting, the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena, an NHL-sized, open-air ice rink, is another ice skating option. Both St. Joseph rinks offer rental skates and concessions. 

THE LITTLE THINGS PLAY CAFE 

Here’s a fun place for your toddlers and preschoolers to play while you stay caffeinated! The Little Things Play Cafe offers an indoor playground complete with wooden climbing structures and Montessori-inspired toys and spaces. Adults are perfectly content sipping gourmet, locally sourced coffee on the comfy couches while their kids happily play close by. 

SLACKERS FAMILY FUN CENTER

Playing isn’t just reserved for the little ones, and Slackers Family Fun Center makes your big kids happy, too. It features indoor bounce houses, laser tag, laser maze, arcade games, and more. It’s a perfect rainy day or cold-weather option, but we’ve rarely met a kid who wouldn’t choose it on any day. With its affordable prices, you can have a great time without busting your budget. 

MAUD PRESTON PALENSKE MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Your kids don’t have to be bookworms to be happy at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library. The staff offers story times, elementary school-aged fun nights, and tween events. Check their calendar to see what’s happening while you are in town.

SHOPPING & TREATS

KILWINS

Kilwins is a sweet treat destination for kids and their adult traveling companions. What fun it is to walk out of the store with a creamy caramel-coated apple or a bag of crunchy caramel corn. Making choices, however, is tough when looking into their candy and ice cream-filled glass cases. 

Finding Kilwins downtown is no trouble — just follow the mouthwatering aromas of fresh-made waffle cones and fudge wafting year-round from their door. 

KRASL ART CENTER GIFT SHOP

The Krasl Art Center Gift Shop features a curated selection of unique art-inspired gifts and toys for kids. From craft kits to artistic puzzles, children can explore their creativity and appreciation for art while discovering one-of-a-kind treasures.

If you are here the second weekend in July, plan to attend Krasl’s nationally acclaimed Art Fair on the Bluff. It’s an easy way to expose your kids to a variety of art. 

THE TOY COMPANY

The Toy Company is a beloved local toy store known for its wide selection of toys, games, beach toys, puzzles, and collectibles. Kids will delight in browsing through the crowded aisles. Don’t hesitate to ask staff about unfamiliar toys and games. They work here because they love playing on the job. 

SWEET HAVEN CANDY

Sweet Haven Candy is a charming store offering a wide variety of sweets and treats for kids of all ages. From classic candies to modern confections, this is your chance to be a kid in a candy store. 

FOREVER BOOKS

Forever Books is an independent bookstore. Kids will love exploring the shelves filled with stories that nurture their love of reading. 

G & M VARIETY STORE

This store is amazing! It’s a step back in time with its hardwood floors and shelves filled with thousands of items from beach toys, games, puzzles, candy, and snacks to affordable souvenirs for every child in your family. Plus, there’s just about anything you may have forgotten or run out of on your trip. As an added treat, let your child ride the vintage, coin-operated horse called Sandy. 

OH MY DARLINGS

This downtown boutique is small, yet full of adorable baby items and toys, plus puzzles, games, and playthings for the little ones in your life. Grandmas especially like this store — the staff is very helpful in finding the right gifts. 

PINK LEMONADE

Pink Lemonade is a boutique offering a cute selection of stylish children's clothing for infants to size 14, accessories, toys, and gifts. 

RESTAURANTS 

CLEMENTINE'S TOO

Clementine's Too offers waterfront dining with views of the St. Joseph River. Kids can enjoy watching boats go by while dining on the outdoor patio. The restaurant features a kids' menu with options like grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, and mini corn dogs.

NARDO’S PIZZA

Downtown Nardo’s Pizza has spacious seating within your eyesight of an arcade room. Their five-star-rated pizzas are the only way to entice your pinball wizards to stop playing! 

SILVER BEACH PIZZA

The popular Silver Beach Pizza is next to the Amtrak train station and within walking distance of downtown, Whirlpool Compass Fountain, Silver Beach Center, and Silver Beach County Park. Dine in or pick up a pizza to picnic nearby. The restaurant offers classic kid favorites like pizza, pasta, and chicken tenders. 

Kids can play with a ball of pizza dough while waiting for their meal. It’s also exciting to watch the passenger train stop in the evening and the freight trains rumble by throughout the day right outside the restaurant windows.

SILVER HARBOR BREWING COMPANY

Silver Harbor Brewing Company is a favorite lunch and dinner spot for the whole family. Parents enjoy craft beers and pub-style burgers, sandwiches and flatbreads. Kids like ordering the house-made root beer and building their pizza at the table. They then send it back to the kitchen to bake it. Other kid-friendly offerings include goldfish crackers, fresh local fruit and vegetables, and table entertainment such as Wikki Stix, crayons, and a coloring pad.  

THE BUCK

The Buck offers a relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu featuring American cuisine. Kids can enjoy classic favorites like burgers, corn dogs, and macaroni and cheese.

THE HOT DOG KART

What fun to walk up to The Hot Dog Kart on the corner of State and Broad and order a hot dog with your favorite condiments or a Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dog. Add pop and chips and find a nearby bench or picnic table along Lake Bluff Park or in the arboretum by the river.

WORKSHOPS & LESSONS

Looking for summer camps and special summer activities? Check out Krasl Art Center, Water Street Glassworks, and the Box Factory for the Arts. For an outstanding opportunity, try the stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or surfing lessons from Third Coast Surf Shop. 

PLAN A KID-FRIENDLY VISIT ALL YEAR! 

No matter the season, there are boatloads of fun awaiting your family. If you want more ideas, check out our Family Fun itinerary or Best Winter Vacations blog. 

Start planning your trip today! Stay overnight, let the kids splash around in a pool, and extend the fun another day.

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