Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor are always jam-packed with fun things to do with kids, but the events that are great for older kids might not be as popular with babies and toddlers.
And that’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best events in our area that are geared toward your youngest family members. Check out what’s coming to your area this month. Plus, fun things to do at home or around town, too!
Don’t see an event your child will love? Check out our online calendar for even more family fun things to do this weekend and beyond.
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.
Music & Me
July 5-Aug. 30, 2023 (Wednesdays)
- Address: The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills
- Cost: Free
Families can bring their little one to Music and Me at The Village of Rochester Hill for a free music and me program on select Wednesdays. Bring a blanket. For ages 0-5.
Bugs on Wheels
July 11, 25; Aug. 8, 22, 2023
- Address: The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to The Village of Rochester Hills to see Bugs on Wheels throughout the summer. It will feature free visits with bug experts during two sessions. Attendees will be educated and entertained as they see, touch and hold bugs. Little Donut Factory will be on-site selling donuts.
Give Me S’more Summer Resource and Activity Fair
Aug. 17, 2023
- Address: Oakland Park, 500 E. Montcalm St., Pontiac
- Cost: Free
All ages can enjoy this end of the summer celebration which features fun children’s activities, resource tables, music, s’mores and more.
Little Paws Story Time
Aug. 31; Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2023 (Thursdays)
- Address: Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor
- Cost: $5/child, free/adults and children under 1
Bring your little ones aged 2-5 to the Humane Society of Huron Valley to for a story time, which features stories, crafts, finger plays and animal interactions. Pre-registration is required.
Dueling Pianos
Aug. 26, 2023
- Address: The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills
- Cost: Free
Dueling Pianos will be on-site in Festival Park with a free high-energy, interactive rock n roll, comedy show. Bring your own chair or blanket.
Touch-A-Truck
Aug. 26, 2023
- Address: Greenmead Historical Park, 20501 Newburgh Road, Livonia
- Cost: $5/suggested donation
Families can explore vehicles of all types and kids can blast sirens, crawl inside the vehicles and learn how all of these trucks.
BRICKLIVE
Through Sept. 4, 2023
- Address: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $5/person. A general admission ticket or zoo membership is required for all guests ages 3 and older
Come out to the Detroit Zoo to see more than 70 life-sized Lego animals that will be on display as part of the zoo’s latest installation, BRICKLIVE.
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience
Through Sept. 9, 2023
- Address: Lighthouse ArtSpace Detroit, 311 E. Grand River, Detroit
- Cost: $27.99-plus
Sing along and experience your favorite Disney songs and movies in an all-new immersive experience.
Tiny Tails Story Time
Sept. 13, 27, 2023
- Address: Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center, 5245 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor
- Cost: $7/child, free/adults and children under 1
Come to Tiny Lions on Wednesday mornings for a story time designed for toddlers ages 2-5 with stories, crafts, finger plays and animal interactions. Due to space limitations, pre-registration is required and adults are limited to two per child.
Story Festival: Let’s Go on an Adventure!
Sept. 16, 2023
- Address: Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: $5/ages 6 and older, free/under 6
At this festival, young bookworms can enjoy hearing stories, meeting authors, hearing children’s music and playing with friends. Recommended for ages 7 and under.
Disney on Ice Presents Find Your Hero
Sept. 21-24, 2023
- Address: Little Caesars Arena, 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $25-plus
See Mirabel, Moana, Maui, Anna, Elsa and more as they perform in this ice skating show, hosted by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Michigan Fall Festival
Sept. 23-24, 2023
- Address: Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $5/advanced tickets, $10/at the door tickets, $5/parking
This family-friendly event features cider and donuts from Yates Cider Mill, fall-focused children’s games, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, petting zoo, food selections and live music. There will also be costume contests for kids and dogs.
Super Bounce Days
Sept. 24; Nov. 5, 26; Dec. 30, 2023
- Address: The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $5
Head to The Hawk on Super Bounce Days and jump around. Once a month on special mornings and afternoons their staff members will set up the inflatable bouncers in the gym to make an arena of fun! Kids will enjoy the big bouncer, bouncer obstacle course and giant inflatable slide.
The Great Fall Festival
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023
- Address: Maybury Farm, 50165 Eight Mile Road, Northville
- Cost: $13-$16/person, free/2 and under and must be seated on lap on wagon ride; additional costs for activities
This fest is filled with lots of activities for everyone. It offers tractor drawn wagon rides, live music, farm animals, games, pumpkin decorating, corn maze, face painting, slime making and more.
Halloween Stroll
Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29, 2023
- Address: Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion
- Cost: $14.99/person, $5/parking
Stroll through Canterbury Village in costume and see encounters with characters and themed exhibits, such as a haunted pet cemetery and a creepy circus. There’s plenty of photo opportunities along that way.
Meadow Brook Hall-oween
Oct. 22, 2023
- Address: Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $15/person, free/under 3
Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the historic mansion and outdoors on the grounds of the estate. Cider and donuts will be provided. Advanced registration required.
Little Goblins
Oct. 28, 2023
- Address: Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: $15/child for members, $5/adult for members, $20/child for non-members, $8/adult for non-members, free/2 and under who are not trick-or-treating
Bring your little goblins to Ford House for this annual day of Halloween entertainment filled with spooky yet kid-friendly fun. There will be trick-or-treating stops, photo ops and a haunt-free wagon ride. Advanced registration required.
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.
This post is updated regularly.
Follow Metro Parent on Instagram.
