Overnight Frankenmuth, MI Itinerary for Families with Small Children

If you are heading to Frankenmuth. MI overnight with a toddler in tow, you might wonder if there is anything that he or she would be interested in. My 3-year-old daughter loves Frankenmuth, and we have learned how to make the trip as enjoyable for her as it is for us. There are tons of activities to participate in when travelling to Frankenmuth other than simply eating and shopping.

Where to Stay

I suggest staying at the Drury Inn if you have a toddler. A full breakfast and dinner are free with your stay and have a number of items that even the most finicky toddler will like. Remember, these meals save you money. They also have a decent pool and a glass-side elevator. My daughter loved the rides up and down.

First Afternoon/Evening

This is when you need to hit the stores on the strip. Many of the stores have toys, so your toddler can take a look at these while you shop. Make sure that you hit the area outside of Zehnder's around dinner time, even if you are not eating there. Children love getting their picture with the Zehnder's Chickenman. Then, head across the street to the park for music in the evening.

Morning

This is the time to head to Bronner's as the World's Largest Christmas Store is a ghost town early in the morning. The congestion of later in the day can set off some small children. When you are done, head over to Grandpa Tiny's Farm across the street. The entire tour of the farm and petting zoo takes about a half an hour and only costs $5 per person. If you want your family to have the chicken dinner, go downstairs in Zehnder's to their buffet. You can feed your family lunch for half the price down here.

What Not to Do

Many families take their toddlers to the Frankenmuth Splash Village. I never suggest this as older kids can sometimes play very rough. If they are unsupervised, your toddler might get in the way and get hurt. Also, for a full day pass, you are looking at about $85 for a family of three.