Parents and children can find family-friendly activities throughout Northern Michigan’s welcoming communities, from Petoskey stone hunting along Lake Michigan’s shoreline to bowling, kid-friendly libraries and getting up close with some amicable animals at local farms.

Get that furry feeling

Help a dog have fun this summer, too, by volunteering to take one out for a walk, a swim or a run,  from the Little Traverse Humane Society in Harbor Springs.
For families who are on vacation and had to leave their own pets at home, it’s a way to get their furry-friend fix. And for the dogs, the attention and love and exercise will make their day. About 14 to 19 dogs, many Lab-mixes and shepherd-mixes, call the shelter home. Leashes, food, water and biscuits are all provided for those who adopt-a-dog for the day (or even an hour).
The program helps the humane society too, by hearing back about how the dogs did in the car, off a leash, in the lake, etc.
The kitten room at the humane society is another hopping place for kids to come in and play with the rambunctious little kitties.
Racine said visitors are welcomed any time at the no-kill shelter, 1300 W. Conway Road, during business hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 347-2396 for more information.
 

Indoor & outdoor waterparks

The area’s only outdoor waterpark is located in Mackinaw City, and with 12 slides, a climbing wall, volleyball and other fun, Thunderfalls is a family-friendly destination.
Two speed slides are more than six stories tall, and riders drop nearly at free-fall speeds. Areas designated for little kids, a lazy river, wave pool and a new four-story climbing wall are on-site as well.
The water is heated so it’s comfortable even on cooler days, and complete food service is available.
Thunderfalls opens Saturday, May 24, and closes Sept. 1. Tickets range from $16.50 to $23 depending on age/height, and kids 2 and under are admitted free. A season pass for a family of four costs $299.95, with unlimited visits. For more information, visit thunderfallswaterpark.com, or call (231) 436-6000.

It’s just as wet and wild indoors at Avalanche Bay, located at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls.
With 88,000 square feet, Avalanche Bay is Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark. Amenities include five waterslides, kids’ area and pool, the Rip Zone Surf Simulator, wet climbing wall, lazy river, activity pools, a 100-plus game arcade, two eateries and an adjacent après-ski pub. Plus, every 13 minutes the chime of the clock tower signals the impending 800-gallon avalanche that pours out of Splasherhorn Mountain — and it always gets the kids running to get soaked underneath,” said Erin Ernst, Boyne USA public relations manager.
“Beyond the attractions, one of the best aspects about Avalanche Bay is that it’s always 84 degrees,” she said. “On days with inclement weather, it is open daily to provide fun and entertainment.”
Full-day and half-day admissions are available, with prices ranging from $25-39. Visit avalanchebay.com, or call (800) GO-BOYNE.
 

Bike rentals

Latitude 45 in Petoskey is located just a block up from the Little Traverse Wheelway, the extensive area trail that connects Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. Latitude’s location makes it a convenient spot for renting bikes for the whole family and spending a day pedaling through some incredibly scenic stretches.
“It’s one of the best bike paths in the Midwest, if not the U.S.,” said owner Christian Janssens.
The shop rents bikes (helmets included) for paved-path and road riding and also mountain biking. Kids’ bikes are available too, and tag-a-longs for little riders can be attached to parents’ bikes and toddlers can either pedal or enjoy the ride.
“It’s a fun, affordable family activity,” Janssens said. “The Petoskey area has a wealth of trails.”
Reach Latitude 45 at 348-5342 or www.latitude45.com.

Also try:
High Gear Sports, Petoskey, 347-6118
Touring Gear, Harbor Springs, 526-7152
 

Fresh from the farm

Many children love to get up-close to animals, and Pond Hill Farm, 5 miles north of Harbor Springs on M-119, offers the chance to feed and pet a variety of wildlife. Piles of cracked corn allow personal encounters with friendly pigs, sheep, lambs, cows, calves, geese, roosters and chickens.
Situated on 158 acres, the farm and surrounding land have enough activities to keep a family busy all day long. “You can come and shop, you can hike, feed the fish, feed the animals, you can tour the greenhouses,” said Sharon Spencer, who owns the farm with son Jimmy. “You can sit in hunting blinds and observe wildlife.”
Fishing ponds are stocked with rainbow trout for feeding or catching. Several miles of hiking trails, scavenger hunt lists and a “squash rocket” are other fun ideas, along with picking raspberries and strawberries. The Audobon Society has determined 63 species of birds live on the acreage at Pond Hill.
Some of the activities have a small fee; others are free and there is no charge to visit the farm. An on-site store specializes in organic products.
Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Visit www.pondhill.com or call 526-3276.

More area farms with fresh in-season fruit and family-friendly activities:
Friske Orchards, Atwood, (231) 599-2604
Just A Plain Farm, Carp Lake, 537-2302
Kiteley Farms, Charlevoix, 547-2318
 

Time to spare: Bowling

Bowling is a great family activity rain or shine, and Northern Lights Recreation in Petoskey provides a clean, smoke-free environment for families, according to general manager Mike Naturkas.
Sixteen bowling lanes mean hours of fun for kids and parents, plus there’s an 18-hole mini-golf course, billiards and arcade inside the facility, along with a full-service restaurant that specializes in steaks, ribs and pizza. Live entertainment on the weekends makes it an all-day destination, and glow bowling takes place after 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Lane bumpers can be raised for young bowlers and lightweight balls are available, too.
“It’s a real safe, clean place to come,” he said. “It’s easy to move around in here for families, and the kids can run around and have fun.”
Northern Lights is located on M-119; call 347-3100.

More bowling locations:
Boyne City Lanes, 582-7291
Gemini Lanes, East Jordan,  536-2411
Paul Bunyan Lanes, Charlevoix, 547-2848 

More family fun:

Mini-golf:
Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf, Boyne City, 582-3505
Great American Adventures, Petoskey 347-9566 (and go-carts, batting cages, driving range),
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Petoskey, 347-1123
The Jungle Indoor Adventure Golf (and arcade), Petoskey, 348-8787
 
Libraries:
Petoskey Public Library, 758-3100
Charlevoix Public Library, 547-2651
Both have children’s activity areas and age-appropriate summer reading programs.
 
Community pools:
Charlevoix, 547-0982
Harbor Springs, 526-4824
East Jordan, 536-2250
 
Miscellaneous:
Oden Fish Hatchery, U.S. 31, Oden, 347-0998