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.
Mid-Winter Break Camp at Select YMCA Locations
Mid-February, 2020
- Address: Locations in Birmingham, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Milford, Mount Clemens, Royal Oak, Southgate and St. Clair Shores,
- Schedule: Call your local branch for details
- Costs: 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.
Celebrate Black History at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn
Feb. 1-2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-23 and 26-29, 2020
- Address: Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Phone: 313-982-6001
- Times: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Cost: Free admission with museum ticket: $25/general, $22.50/seniors, $75/ages 5-11; $6/parking
Visit this local spot to learn about different aspects of African-American history in the form of hands-on activities, performances, music, African-American inspired food and more.
Black History Month at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Feb. 1-29, 2020
- Address: Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-833-7900
- Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (closed Mondays)
- Cost: Free/Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county residents; others: $14/adults, $9/seniors, $8/college students with ID, $6/ages 6-17, free/kids 5 and under
The DIA’s renowned African art collection is yours to explore during all open hours; plus tons of family-friendly drop-in workshops, guided tours, artist discussions and demonstrations.
Black History Month at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit
Feb. 1-29, 2020
- Address: Charles H. Wright Museum of
African American History, 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit - Phone: 313-494-5800
- Times: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday,
1-5 p.m. Sunday - Cost: $5-$8/person, free/kids 3 and
under
This educational hub offers special
extended hours in February; plus live presentations, guest speakers, family
activities and much more, which are all focused on African and African American
history and culture.
Lunar New Year Lantern Festival at the Association of Chinese Americans Chinese Community Center
Feb. 8, 2020
- Address: 32585 Concord Drive, Madison Heights
- Phone: 248-585-9343
- Schedule: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Experience Chinese culture through food, music, live performances, art and more.
Mid-Winter Break Intensive Art Camp at Heritage Park in Farmington
Feb. 17-18, 2020
- Address:Heritage Park, 24915
Farmington Road, Farmington - Phone: 248-473-1800
- Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Cost: $40-$80
Sign up for one or both days. On Monday, create something inspired by Harry Potter. On Tuesday, projects are inspired by favorite video games, such as Minecraft or Fortnite.
School’s Out Camp’s In! at the Beverly Hills Club
Feb. 17-21, 2020
- Address: 31555 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills
- Phone: 248-642-8500
- Schedule: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Costs: $68-$230/full day, $55-$192/half day
Kids ages five and up can swim, do crafts and play a variety of sports including basketball and tennis. Pre- and post-care available.
Fun and Games Camp at Franklin Athletic Club
Feb. 17-21, 2020
- Address: 29350 Northwestern Highway, Southfield
- Phone: 248-352-8000
- Schedule: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8-9 a.m. pre-care, 4-6 p.m. post-care offered
- Costs: $85/day for nonmembers, $75/day for members, $280-$330/week; $12/hour for extended care for nonmembers, free/members
Kids will enjoy their break from school playing games and swimming during this day camp.
Wild Winter Farm Camp at Tollgate Farm
Feb. 17-21, 2020
- Address: MSU Tollgate Farm, 28115
Meadowbrook Road, Novi - Phone: 248-347-0269
- Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Cost: $150-$310
Options for a 2-day camp or a 5-day
camp, aftercare offered 4-6 p.m. Part of 4-H programs.
Break Week Camps at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse in Shelby Township
Feb. 17-21, 2020
- Address: 45300 Mound Road, Shelby
Township - Phone: 586-731-3080
- Times: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Cost: $138
Register for the volleyball camp
(6th-9th grade), basketball camp (1st-8th grade), or the sports adventure camp
(7-13 years old). Lunch provided for all campers.
Mid Winter Break Matinees at The New Rink in Shelby Township
Feb. 17-21, 2020
- Address: 50625 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Phone: 586-731-5006
- Schedule: 6-8 p.m.
- Cost: $8/person
Skate your mid-winter break away during these special discounted skating sessions. Bounce Zone included with price of admission.
Under the African Sky at the Towsley Auditorum
Feb. 20-22, 2020
- Address: Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-995-0530
- Times: 10 a.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday
- Cost: $10-$15/general, $3/lap pass
This performance showcases a collection of African tales it artistic mediums like storytelling, acting, dancing, drumming and more.
Storytelling Festival at the Ark in Ann Arbor
Feb. 22, 2020
- Address: The Ark, 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
- Phone: 734-761-1451
- Times: 7 p.m.
- Cost: $25
Got a teen? This 33rd annual festival is a good way to spend one of their mid-winter break days. Catch spoken word performances in Ann Arbor.
African-American History Day at Detroit Historical Museum
Feb. 29, 2020
- Address: Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-833-1805
- Times: Noon-5 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual family-friendly event features make-and-take crafts, story readings, games, and live performances, all in celebration of Black History Month.
Winter Fest at the Southfield Pavilion
March 1, 2020
- Address: 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield
- Phone: 248-796-4620
- Schedule: 2-4:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This fest offers outdoor winter fun like snow tubing and ice skating; plus indoor games, crafts and inflatables.
This post was originally published in 2018 and is updated regularly.