Summer Fun for Tweens Along Michigan’s Art Coast^®

Channel Their Creativity

The Art Coast is one of Michigan’s most creative destinations, and it’s a great place for tweens to get in on the action. The Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) offers youth programs and one-day, multi-day, and week-long camps taught by professional artists. These include hands-on workshops in painting, theater, movement, and mixed media, along with the popular Wildly Creative Camp, which blends outdoor exploration with artistic expression. Camps are available throughout the summer and include options specifically for older children and young teens.

Located just outside of Saugatuck in Fennville, The Express Yourself Art Barn invites visitors to paint pottery, create mosaics, and explore other hands-on art projects in a fun, relaxed environment. With hundreds of project options to choose from, tweens can create something that reflects their personal style. 

Tween Challenge: Make a piece of take-home art inspired by their time visiting the Art Coast.

Seek Out Adventure

Social media simply can’t compete with the adventure that awaits outdoors along the Art Coast. Few experiences are as memorable as the Saugatuck Dune Rides. This one-of-a-kind excursion takes visitors across towering sand dunes, forested trails, and scenic overlooks while guides share stories about the area’s unique history and ecosystem. Along the way, your kids can spot deer, wild turkeys, and sweeping views of Lake Michigan while enjoying thrilling climbs and descents. 

Another adventurous way for your family to experience Saugatuck/Douglas is from the water. The calm stretches of the Kalamazoo River are ideal for beginner kayakers and paddleboarders, offering a chance to spot turtles, herons, ducks, and other wildlife while exploring at their own pace. For rentals by the hour, day, or week, check out Third Coast Paddling, located at Wade’s Bayou in Douglas, or In The Elements Rental in Saugatuck. In The Elements also offers bike and e-bike rentals, which are another great way to explore the area with your tweens. 

Prefer to cruise the waterways together on one vessel? Check out the Donut Boats from Retro Boat Rentals. These fun, easy-to-drive boats can be anchored or beached in the Retro Boat’s “cove” area before Lake Michigan, where you can spend a fun afternoon of swimming, floating, or just hanging out.

Tween Challenge: Complete a photo scavenger hunt. The list of challenges could include capturing a Lake Michigan sunset, animals, wildflowers, a family selfie with a scenic view, a funny-shaped cloud, and more.

Find a Sweet Escape

When vacationing with tweens, seeking out the best locations for sweet treats should be at the top of your list. Luckily, the Art Coast has plenty to offer. Some of the most popular ice cream destinations in the area include Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream, known for its waffle cones, fudge, and chocolates; the Saugatuck Drugstore & Soda Fountain, offering old-fashioned sundaes and floats; Charlie’s Round the Corner Ice Cream in downtown Saugatuck; and Dairy Dayz, conveniently located near the Saugatuck Dune Rides. 

If you’re headed to Oval Beach in Douglas, be sure to stop by the iconic Root Beer Barrel, which serves root beer floats and ice cream sundaes in an outdoor setting your family will love.

For a more immersive experience, check out Crane Orchards U-Pick, where you can unleash the tweens to pick sweet cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples in season. When you’re done, visit Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery for a slice of their favorite fruit pie topped with homemade ice cream. Other U-Pick locations in the area can be found here.

Tween Challenge: On the car ride home, share their top five sweet treats from the trip (Tweens love to rank things!)