Yarn Yard Monsters
Clear sticky paper, colorful yarn and a goofy face turn into a simple Halloween craft that works at home or with a small group.
See the full how-to →Activities for home + around town
Something good to do with the kids.
Use this page when you need an easy project, a hands-on learning idea or a solid free resource without digging through twenty tabs first.
Made by Mecosta County Kids
Seasonal activities worth saving
These are our own activity guides. We’re starting with fall and adding new ideas as they’re actually ready—not filling the page just to make it look bigger.
Pinecone Sunflowers
Turn a pinecone on its side, paint the outer scales yellow and let it dry for an easy fall decoration kids can help make.
See the full how-to →Trusted free resources
STEM & science
These go straight to established public science resources. We link to the original source so you can see exactly where the activity came from.
NASA Science at Home
Hands-on Earth and space science activities, models, experiments and projects for a range of ages.
Explore NASA activities ↗Great Lakes Seasonal Satellite Puzzle
Build the Great Lakes from real satellite images across the seasons and introduce remote sensing along the way.
Open the NOAA activity ↗Coloring + Activity Books
Science-focused activity books covering Earth, aeronautics, technology and space exploration.
Browse NASA books ↗Color the Universe
Puzzles and activities built around how the Chandra X-ray Observatory studies space.
Open the activity ↗USGS Education Resources
Earth science, geology and wildlife learning materials from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Explore USGS resources ↗Build-It Challenge
Give kids cardboard, tape, paper, straws or clean recyclables and 20 minutes to build the tallest tower, strongest bridge or safest egg container.
Find more local STEM opportunities →Michigan-friendly ideas
Nature & Great Lakes
Wildlife Coloring Pages
Wildlife pages with real reference photos, including familiar Michigan species.
Browse USGS wildlife pages ↗Wildlife Activity Books
Free wildlife and conservation activity resources from the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Open the activity book ↗Make a Nature Hunt
Choose a local park or trail and look for five leaf shapes, three kinds of seeds, animal tracks, something red and one bird you can identify.
Find a place to explore →Need a better save for a bored afternoon?
Check back here first. New Mecosta County Kids activities will be added when they’re ready, and the family events page stays connected to the live calendar for things happening around town.