Portage With Kids
9 stops · about 5 hours · Updated October 6, 2026
Build a day with kids in Portage, MI around indoor play, kid-friendly hikes, lunch and an ice cream stop. Jungle Joe's Family Fun Center brings climbing, bouncing, sliding and jumping under one roof, with an 18-hole adventure mini golf course and redemption games adding more ways to play. HTN Playcenter pairs its indoor slides and swings with Vietnamese food, a French bakery, coffee and boba milk tea.
For time outside, South Westnedge Dog Park has kid-friendly hikes, picnic space, a baseball field and a skateboard area alongside its designated dog park. Bishop's Bog Preserve offers another hiking stop that welcomes children and dogs.
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Choose lunch by format: pizzas, sandwiches and a children's menu at Franco's Italian Pizzeria (Sub Station); large, made-to-order subs at Jersey Giant SUBS!; or thin-crust pizza and American comfort food at Jac's Cekola's Pizza, which provides high chairs and changing tables. Finish with coffee, tea and desserts at Chocolatea, where outdoor seating welcomes dogs, or ice cream at Bella Creamery, which welcomes children and groups and offers takeout.
Something to do
morning
Run around outside
afternoon
Stop 3
South Westnedge Dog Park
4.8(161)Portage
Kid-friendly hikes, picnic space, a baseball field and a skateboard area give this dog-welcoming park a place beyond canine recreation.
Stop 4
Bishop's Bog Preserve
4.8(69)Portage
Bishop's Bog Preserve earns its outdoor stop with kid-friendly hikes, a welcome for dogs and children, and wheelchair-accessible parking.
Lunch
midday
Stop 5
Franco's Italian Pizzeria (Sub Station)
4.6(493)Portage
Franco's serves pizzas, sandwiches and Italian fare with a children's menu, vegetarian options, and indoor and outdoor seating for lunch.
Stop 6
Jersey Giant SUBS!
4.6(210)Portage
Large, made-to-order submarine sandwiches anchor this child-welcoming lunch stop, with casual counter service and options to dine in or take out.
Stop 7
Jac's Cekola's Pizza - Portage
4.4(1423)Portage
Treat
afternoon
Stop 8
Chocolatea
4.7(1062)Portage
Chocolatea offers coffee, tea and desserts with dine-in and outdoor seating, plus high chairs and a welcome for dogs outside.
Stop 9
Bella Creamery
4.7(257)Portage
Bella Creamery provides an ice cream stop that welcomes children and groups, with onsite service, takeout and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
