Are you a new parent looking for something fun to do with your young one? Maybe you want to find something educational to keep their mind stimulated. Or you want to make some new mom friends now that you can actually get out into the world. We’ve got you covered.
This article was recently updated on June 22, 2024 by Metro Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding Metro Detroit events for babies and toddlers to the MetroParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events in metro Detroit this weekend, aligning Metro Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metroparent.com.
Local events
Keep your tots entertained at these theater shows, festivals and other events that are either geared specifically toward babies and younger kids, or that offer activities they’ll love.
Storytime: How to Find a Fox at Ford House
June 25, 2024
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: Free
Ages 7 and under can enjoy the story, “How to Find a Fox” by Nilah Magruder. Follow the playful fox’s escapades as we explore its clever hiding spots. Registration required.
Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights in Downtown Chelsea
June 27-July 25, 2024 (Thursdays)
- Address: 222 South Main St., Chelsea
- Cost: Free
Arts, entertainment and musical acts are performed at various and separate stages throughout historical downtown Chelsea every Thursday evening. For kids, there will be magicians, jugglers, face painters, balloon artists, circus acts, ‘How to Chalk’ themed art stage and more.
CoComelon Party Time at Fort Pontchartrain a Wyndham Hotel
June 28-30, 2024
- Address: 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit
- Cost: $35, Free/under 1
Families with CoComelon lovers can enjoy an immersive experience that allows kids to explore their way through a variety of interactive party experiences. Activities at this event include dancing, coloring, playing games and more.
Great Lakes Live Steamers at Starr Jaycee Park
July 6-7, Aug. 3-4, Sept. 7-8, Oct. 5-6, 2024
- Address: 1321 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free; donations are accepted and appreciated. Donations are used to help maintain the trains and tracks
Little ones can go on a miniature train ride through Starr Jaycee Park in Royal Oak. It is run by volunteer club, Great Lakes Live Steamers.
Tuesdays are Terrific Concert Series at Heritage Park
July 9-Aug. 6, 2024
- Address: 1150 S. Canton Center, Canton
- Cost: Free
Kids are invited to enjoy music, food and fun at Heritage Park. Bring your own blankets or folding chairs while you relax and enjoy the music on the Amphitheater lawn.
Blake’s Lavender Festival at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
July 12-14, 19-21, 2024
- Address: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
- Cost: $12/Friday ticket, $14/Saturday or Sunday ticket, free/ages 2 and under; free/parking
Shop from over 200 artisans, sip on lavender lemonade, enjoy lavender-themed treats, a children’s tent with lots of activities, DIY workshops, free train ride to the lavender field and more
Outdoor Games: Bubbles and Chalk at Outdoor Adventure Center
July 13, 2024
- Address: 1801 Atwater St., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Celebrate summertime outside of the Outdoor Adventure Center. Enjou family-friendly lawn games, bubbles and sidewalk chalk.
Monthly Story Time at The Mall at Partridge Creek
July 16, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 15, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, 2024
- Address: 17420 Hall Road, Clinton Township
- Cost: Free
Families can stop by The Mall at Partridge Creek for a monthly story time with the Clinton Township Library. July’s theme is Beach. August’s theme is Things That Go. September’s theme is Fall. October’s theme is Spooky. November’s theme is Bears. December’s theme is Santa. Reservations are required through the library.
Canterbury Kids Fest at Canterbury Village
July 20-21, 2024
- Address: 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: Ticket prices coming soon
This two-day festival features a petting zoo, lawn games, bubbles, bounce houses, magic shows, circus acts, fun characters and more.
Great Lakes Live Steamers at Southgate Train Park
July 20-21, Aug. 17-18, Sept. 21-22, 2024
- Address: 13901 Leroy St., Southgate
- Cost: Free; donations are accepted and appreciated. Donations are used to help maintain the trains and tracks.
Little ones can go on a miniature train ride through Southgate Train Park in Southgate. It is run by volunteer club, Great Lakes Live Steamers.
Music & Moves for Kids at Hudson Mills Metropark
Aug. 3, 2024
- Address: 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter
- Cost: Free/concert, $10/parking pass
Families can come out to the park for an afternoon of music, dancing, music by DJ Cisco Kid, Magician Anthony Grupido, inflatables, face painting, yard games, food vendors and more.
Saline’s Summerfest in Downtown Saline
Aug. 9-10, 2024
- Address: Downtown Saline area
- Cost: Free
The streets of downtown Saline fill with hot rods, arts and crafts, live music and more for families during this summertime soiree.
Blake’s Sunflower Festival at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill
Aug. 9-11, 16-18, 2024
- Address: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
- Cost: $10/early bird discount ticket, $12/Friday ticket, $14/Saturday or Sunday ticket, free/ages 2 and under; free/parking
Shop from over 200 artisans, cut your own sunflowers, a children’s tent with lots of activities, DIY make and take workshops and more.
Kids Komotion Concert Series at Marshbank Park
Aug. 22, 2024
- Address: 2805 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield
- Cost: $5, $2 residents; preregistration required
Join Marshbank Park for some free, musical fun at Kids Komotion Concerts, which feature interactive children’s entertainment and inflatables. There will be snacks and refreshments available to purchase. Guy Louis Sferlazza is on Aug. 22
Dinosauria at the Detroit Zoo
Through Sept. 8, 2024
- Address: 8450 W. Ten Mile Road
- Cost: $6/person in addition to zoo admission
The zoo brings you an immersive walk-through experience that will take you back in time to the prehistoric era. Here, you will see 34 life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a towering, 65-foot-long Brachiosaurus! There will also be a new, T-Rex photo opp this year.
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party at Little Caesars Arena
Sept. 19-21, 2024
- Address: 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $20-plus
Join Mickey Mouse and friends on a Disney On Ice adventure, using Captain Hook’s treasure map to rescue Tinker Bell.
Things to do at home or around town
Not up for a big event right now? Keep your younger kiddos entertained at home with these at-home activities. Plus, fun guides and things to do with babies around town.
- Let your kids get colorful and creative with fun and free coloring pages from the Detroit Tigers, Disney on Ice, The Detroit Zoo and much more.
- Watch some of your kiddo’s favorite flicks and embrace the lessons of the movies with the activities we found in our Watch This, Do That series.
- Discover the whimsy of fairies with your kids by exploring the fairy doors around Ann Arbor. Not sure where they’re at? Our guide can help you find them.
- Kiddos bouncing off the walls? Let them blow off some steam at a toddler play place in Metro Detroit or Ann Arbor.
- Try a themed Ford Fun Day activity. Each month, Metro Parent and Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers pick a theme and offer up fun things to do around town that align with the theme.
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