Gather the family and experience spring break in Calhoun County! Whether you’re looking for art, tacos or penguins – there is something fun for everyone.     

PLAY AT KIDS ‘N’ STUFF    

Kids ‘N’ Stuff in Albion is ready for another fun-filled Spring Break! During March 27-April 3, they are offering a kid-friendly escape room. Work together with a team of 4-10 players to explore "Antarctic Escape,” a 30-minute escape room. You are a team of scientists in Antarctica, studying animals and the climate. A big snowstorm is arriving in 30 minutes – and you are locked out of your research station! Gather clues and solve puzzles in order to finish your research and get inside. Tickets are available for pre-sale.  

All the classic exhibits are still around to fill an afternoon with play: the water table, costumes and theater stage, block mountain, farm and shopping mart, wind tunnel wall and baby room. There’s also the special socks skating rink in the Chill Out exhibit. Kids ‘N’ Stuff is about more than toys – it’s about inspiring kids to be creative, to get messy, to engage in parallel play.     

CATCH A MOVIE   

The JC Cinema always offers low movie ticket prices. The GQT West Columbia 7 features $5.50 movies on Tuesdays. Bogar Theatre is a cute family-friendly spot in Marshall, while Bohm Theatre in Albion is a refurbished movie palace from the early 20th century.     

ENJOY THE THRILL     

Bowlero Lanes in Battle Creek offers so much more than spares and strikes. They have a variety of attractions, including an arcade, escape room, laser tag and a virtual reality experience. They offer bundle deal pricing, as well as a full bar and food menu.     

EXPERIENCE NEW CUISINE     

There’s no need to travel far to experience flavors from around the world. Catch the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean at Island Style BBQ, where you can indulge in smoked chicken coated in authentic jerk sauce with a side of cornbread and Haitian greens. If you want to go further afield, there are great options for Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian and more. Start with New Asian Taste, Kume Hibachi, Omurice Ramen and Sakura Sushi Bar & Grill. Enjoy authentic Mexican food and salsa at Torti Taco. You can even experience a European getaway at the Irish style pub, Griffin Grill and Pub.     

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ART AND HISTORY   

Explore the history of America through automobiles at the Gilmore Car Museum. The campus is huge and there’s tons to see for all ages, from a movie set to muscle cars.   

GRAB SOME NOVELTY ITEMS     

Downtown Marshall will have carnival games for the kids from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31-April 2. While there, you’ll find some unique gifts and goodies. Pick out a spring break vacation book at New Story Community Books – they have books in an array of genres like silly, scary, magical, and relatable. The Mole Hole has a great selection of family board games and puzzles. Grandma’s Toys & Treats also has a broad selection of fun crafts and science experiments to keep busy over break. If you’re looking to paint, The Busy Paintbrush has walk-in hours for ceramics painting. 

RIDE THE RAMPS    

Battleground Skate House is an indoor skate park located inside Lakeview Square Mall. Don’t have room for your bike or want to try skateboarding? They offer equipment rentals. The mall also has a Barnes & Noble and Dunham’s. Horrock’s Farm Market will fill all of your gummy candy snacking needs. And there’s a Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch. If you need to do a little shopping for summer clothes, there’s also a nearby TJ Maxx, Target and Kohl’s.    

CRUISE HISTORIC BRIDGES    

Load up your bicycles and head on over to Historic Bridge Park for a paved trail that will take you through the woods. The park is also a great spot for a picnic, with a playground, kayak launch, and some beautiful old bridges to explore. You can sit at a table right next to the Kalamazoo River and grill hot dogs.     

EXPLORE THE FANTASY FOREST    

Embark on a journey through a world of wizards, castles, dragons, and other mythical creatures at Leila Arboretum. The Forest features a sculpture garden filled with art carved from trees that were dying because of the Emerald Ash Borer. Now with new life, the statues are weird and whimsical. Fantasy Forest is part of a larger park, with a walking trail, farm stand, disc golf course, flowering trees and a Kaleidescope garden.    

GO TO OUTER SPACE     

Astro Fun World has something for all ages. It feels a little like entering a space station in a movie. Fluorescent lights draw the eye to an arcade, full of games like pop-a-shot, Skee-Ball and air hockey. Older kids will make a beeline to the go-kart track. For younger kids, there’s a bounce house and ropes course. Try the VR motorcycle that looks like it’s straight out of Tron. Glow-in-the-dark mini golf, laser tag, the interactive pixel floor and the climbing walls are all there, too. Spring break hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 30-April 3.