School’s out for a week and with low temps outside, it’s easy to fall into the boring trap of staying indoors. Keeping that in mind, we here at Metro Parent rounded up a sampling of mid-winter break activities in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Asking yourself what to do in southeast Michigan during mid-winter break? Check out these cool activities and events taking place the third week in February in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
Winter at Valade along the Detroit Riverfront
Now-Feb. 27, 2022
- Address: Detroit Riverfront, 588 Jefferson Ct., Detroit
- Times: 4-9 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
Each weekend has a different theme. Visitors can warm up by oversized, outdoor fires, enjoy hot drinks, make s’mores, grab a sled from the Sled Shed, play synthetic ice curling and more.
Rosa Parks Bus at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn
Now-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Times: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Cost: Free admission with museum ticket: $27/general, $24.25/seniors, $20.25/ages 5-11; $9/parking
Located in the “With Liberty and Justice for All” section of the museum. See the infamous bus where Rosa Parks took a stand in the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat to a white man.
Mid-Winter Break Camp at Select YMCA Locations
Mid-February, 2022
- Address: Locations in Birmingham, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Milford, Mount Clemens, Royal Oak, Southgate and St. Clair Shores,
- Times: Call your local branch for details
- Cost: Call for details
Children ages 4 to 12 can play games, do arts and crafts, and stay active. Camps run during the weeks schools in the area hold their breaks. Call your local YMCA location for more information.
Black History Month at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
Feb. 1-28, 2022
- Address: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit
- Times: Varies by event
- Cost: $25/adults, $19/ages 3-12 and seniors, free/kids under 3
This educational hub offers in-person and online programming that are all focused on African and African-American history and culture.
Black History Month at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Select days Feb. 3-28, 2022
- Address: Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Times: Varies by day
- Cost: Free
This year’s Black History Month event takes place virtually and in-person. See tours, historical films, art talks, demonstrations and much more.
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party at Little Caesars Arena
Feb. 17-20, 2022
- Address: Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Times: 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: $20-plus
See Moana, Maui, Miguel, Elsa, Anna and more discover the bravery, strength and kindness on the ice.
School Break Camp at Franklin Athletic Club
Feb. 18, 21-22, 2022
- Address: Franklin Athletic Club, 29350 Northwestern Highway, Southfield
- Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7:30-9 a.m. pre-care, 4-6 p.m. post-care offered
- Cost: $85/day for nonmembers, $75/day for members, $6/pizza lunch, $8/extended care for members, $15/extended care for non-members
Kids can go swimming and play games at this cool and interactive wintertime day camp. Pre- and post- camp care available.
Winter Blast in downtown Royal Oak
Feb. 18-20, 2022
- Address: Downtown Royal Oak area
- Times: 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sunday
- Cost: Free
The annual event found its new home in Royal Oak this year. Enjoy free skating, an ice garden, live music, zip line, food trucks and more. The family zone will consist of arts and crafts and live entertainment.
Dearborn Heights Parks & Recreation 2022 Fire & Ice Festival
Feb. 19, 2022
- Address: Warren Valley Golf Course, 26116 W. Warren St., Dearborn Heights
- Times: Noon-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
There will be live music, a hot air balloon show, carriage rides, ice sculptures, s’mores and more.
Detroit Book City African-American Family Book Expo
Feb. 19, 2022
- Address: Detroit Book City, 27204 W. Eight Mile Road, Southfield
- Times: 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Cost: Free/admission, fee apply for items on sale
This sixth annual expo features book discussions, kids’ activities, meet-and-greets with Black authors and more. First 100 adults receive a swag bag. Registration required.
School’s Out, Camp’s In at Beverly Hills Club
Feb. 21-25, 2022
- Address: Beverly Hills Club, 31555 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills
- Times: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Cost: Three days: $159/member, $192/non-member; five days: $225/member, $265/non-member
The camp hosts its own Winter Olympics featuring games, sports, swimming and crafts. For ages 5-12.
Mid Winter Break Matinees at The New Rink in Shelby Township
Feb. 21-25, 2022
- Address: The New Rink, 50625 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Times: 1-4 p.m.
- Cost: $10/person
Skate your mid-winter break away during these special discounted skating sessions. Bounce Zone included with price of admission.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 22, 2022
- Address: Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
- Times: 9:30 a.m. and noon
- Cost: $6/ticket
Academic subjects will never seem boring again when presented through mega-hits like “Conjunction Junction,” “Just a Bill,” “Interplanet Janet” or “Three is a Magic Number.”
Black History Month Family Trivia Night
Feb. 22, 2022
- Address: Romulus Public Library, 11121 Wayne Road, Romulus
- Times: 6-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
A fun event for the whole family. Check the library website for full details.
Storytelling Festival at the Ark in Ann Arbor
Feb. 26, 2022
- Address: The Ark, 316 S Main St, Ann Arbor
- Times: 7:30-11 p.m.
- Cost: $20-$27
Got a teen? This 35th annual festival is a good way to spend one of their mid-winter break days. Catch spoken word performances in Ann Arbor at the Ark or virtually from home.
This post was originally published in 2018 and is updated regularly.
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