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Baby and Toddler Events in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor

Looking for something fun to do with your baby or toddler this weekend? Check out these upcoming events in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

By Metro Parent Editorial
Photo credit: iStock/Weekend Images Inc.

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

baby-and-toddler-events-last-week-of-october-istock
Photo credit: iStock

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. 

Story Time with Mr. Jim

Jan. 12-April 27, 2023 (Thursdays)

Caroline Kennedy Library offers simple stories, music, crafts, bubbles and fun for little ones and their caregivers every Thursday. Recommended for ages 2-3, but all ages are welcome.

Black History Mysteries

Feb. 1-28, 2023

Families can come out to the library each week in the month of February for a new mystery to solve. Turn in your clue sheet for a prize and be entered into the drawing to receive a year-long family membership to the Detroit Zoo.

Disney Animation: Immersive Experience

Feb. 1-28, 2023

Sing along and experience your favorite Disney songs and movies in an all-new immersive experience.

Scooby-Doo! Mansion Mayhem

Feb. 12-April 9, 2023

Families can solve the mystery in this immersive exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Join Daphne as she combs the Hall of Portraits, find the details in the music room and library, check the Kitchen and the Villain’s Tinkering Workshop for clues and take a selfie with the whole gang when the case is closed.

Little Paws Story Time

Feb. 16-May 25, 2023 (Thursdays)

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.

Toddler Time

Feb. 19-March 26, 2023 (Sundays)

Toddlers and their parent or guardian can enjoy children’s music throughout the park, a special appearance by Joey the Kangaroo and a jump time just for their age.

Mid Winter Break Matinees

Feb. 20-24, 2023

Skate your mid-winter break away during these special discounted skating sessions. Bounce Zone included with price of admission.

Bowers Farm Winter Park 2023

Feb. 22-26, 2023

Celebrate winter through tubing, skating and concessions at Bowers Farm. There will also be entertainment every Saturday.

Black Expo

Feb. 25, 2023

Families can celebrate Black History Month with an expo with demos and displays, Black-owned businesses, live music and more.

Cameron Zvara – Comedy Magician & Entertainer

Feb. 25, 2023

Families can head to the newly opened, Mount Clemens Public Library to see Comedy Magician & Entertainer, Cameron Zvara. The show is filled with mind blowing magic, comedy, juggling, music and audience participation. There will be prizes and giveaways all day long and you can enter to win one of two children’s bikes!

Journey to the Sugar Bush

Feb. 25-March 18, 2023

Learn the history behind the area’s maple syrup-making by heading out and tapping a tree and melting the sap down into syrup. Pre-order pancake meals to go ahead of time. Pre-registration required.

Toddler Explorations: Valentine’s Day Theme

Feb. 25, 2023

Ages 1-3 can come to the library for an open interactive engagement program that uses play and exploration to develop motor and social skills. Registration required.

Maple’s Sweet Story

Feb. 26-March 26, 2023 (Saturdays-Sundays)

Take a guided walk out to the sugar bush to learn how to pick the perfect maple tree to tap. Then watch how the trees are tapped and visit the sugar shack to watch the sap being turned into syrup. Real maple sugar products will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is required.

Sensory Story Time

Feb. 28, March 21, 2023

It is just like their regular story time, but a welcoming space for those with sensory sensitivities. All ages are welcome, but it’s designed for ages 2-5. Advanced registration is required.

Liam the Leprechaun Hide and Seek

March 1-17, 2023

Kids can come out to Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy, Inc. to find Liam the Leprechaun. Tell the cashier when you find him and you will receive a prize.

Paw Patrol Live! Heroes Unite

March 3-5, 2023

This brand-new production is an interactive live show with all your favorite pups. Members of the audience get to help solve puzzles and become heroes themselves.

Maple Sugaring

March 4-25, 2023 (Saturdays)

Learn how to identify maple trees and the history of sugar making. Afterwards, head to the bonfire and see how maple syrup is made. For all ages. Pre-registration required.

Maple Sugaring Through the Ages

March 4, 11, 2023 

Find out how that sweet sticky stuff in syrup has been collected through the years and the process folks used to use to make it delicious. For all ages. Pre-registration required.

Esther’s Totally Rad Purim

March 6, 2023 

Celebrate Purim with Queen Esther as she has gone to the 80’s for this Totally Rad Purim event at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. The Carnival will include games, popcorn, hamantaschen, drinks and more.

Tiny Tails Story Time

March 8, 22, April 5, 19, 2023

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.

Leprechaun Days

March 11-12, 2023

  • Address: Canterbury Village, 2369 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
  • Cost: $5/entry, free/children under 2, military and veterans, $5/parking (must purchase in advance)

The leprechauns have scattered coins all around the village for children to find. They’ll roam throughout the village collecting the hidden coins and taking them to the shops where they can exchange the coins for prizes and goodies. There will be a petting zoo, kid’s DJ, fire pits for s’mores and free pictures with Leprechauns in the Leprechaun Barn.

Making Maple Syrup Tours

March 11-April 2, 2023 (Saturdays-Sundays)

The maple tour begins with a wagon ride to the forested area of Maybury Farm. There, you’ll learn the amazing way sugar maple trees produce sap, why sap flows, how to tap and collect sap from the tree. Purchase tickets in person.

Maplefest 2023

March 11-12, 2023

Enjoy a wagon ride out to the Sugar Bush where you will learn maple tapping, taste test maple sap and syrup, tour the sugar shack and explore fun maple-themed activities.  All-you-can eat pancakes with sausage and pure maple syrup will be served.Make sure to dress for the weather. Pre-registration required.

Old-Time Maple Sugar Festival

March 11, 2023

Take a guided walk to see various methods of collecting sap, and learn how to boil it down to make syrup at this annual festival. There will be maple products available for purchase.

Rainbow Saturday Storytime

March 11, 2023

Children ages 0-5 can join Miss Alex to hear a few St. Patrick’s themed stories and make a rainbow chair craft afterwards. Registration required.

St. Paddy’s in the Park

March 11, 2023

Families can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live entertainment food truck and a beer area at Blossom Heath Park.

St. Patrick’s Parade in Corktown, Detroit

March 12, 2023

The D welcomes back this annual, which comes with a procession filled with leprechauns, shamrock floats and other Irish swag.

The Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade Private Family Fun Zone

March 12, 2023

Bring your family out to the best viewing area of the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There will be Irish Step Dancing lessons, Irish entertainment, inflatables, donuts and coffee. Also, heated grandstand view of the parade and private restrooms.

Choco Town: An Immersive Journey Into a Sweet Town

March 16-April 23, 2023 (Thursdays-Sundays)

  • Address: Oakland Mall, 412 W. 14 Mile Road, Troy
  • Cost: $25-plus/ages 13-plus, $18-plus/ages 4-12, $20-plus/family or group bundle and for students and seniors, free/ages 3 and under

Take a trip to Choco Town to try some tasty treats, play games, solve riddles and discover your chocolate personality. Take photos against the chocolate backdrops and shop goodies at the gift shop. 

Rock Around The Hawk

March 16, April 6, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, 2023

Rock Around the Hawk is a free drop-in program for little ones, ages eighteen months to five years, with a caregiver. This event offers sensory-friendly components. Each month, they’ll celebrate a different famous music festival from all around the world. Join them for a morning of music, activities and fun in their Blackbox Theater.

St. Patrick’s Day Party for Kids!

March 18, 2023

Children can enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day party which includes a story time, crafts and snacks. Registration required.

Super Bounce Days

March 19, April 23, 2023

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.

Movie Night

March 20, April 17, May, 15, 2023

Spend the evening at the library and enjoy a family-friendly movie and snacks. Recommended for children up to 10, but all ages are welcome.

Maple Sweetness Pancake Breakfast

March 25-26, 2023

Celebrate maple syrup season with an “all you can eat” pancake breakfast served by Chris Cakes. Breakfast will be served outside, so dress for the weather. For all ages. Pre-registration required.

Egg Hunt Extravaganza

April 2, 2023

Hop on down the Bunny Trail to hunt for eggs and gather goodies at the various treat stations. Enjoy egg painting in the barn and get your photo taken with the Bunny. Dress for the weather. Registration required for children only.

Eggstravaganza

April 15, 2023

Kids ages 2-11 can enjoy an egg hunt, live animals, seed planting, face painting, crafts and more. Prize bags are limited to the first 800 children ages 2-plus.

Bluey’s Big Play

April 21-23, 2023

Fans of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli as the Heelers embark on their very first live theater show. It will feature live actors, puppetry and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm.

Sensory Story Time

April 25, 2023

It is just like their regular story time, but a welcoming space for those with sensory sensitivities. All ages are welcome, but it’s designed for ages 2-5. Advanced registration is required.

Macomb Ballet Company Presents The Little Mermaid

April 28-30, 2023

Follow The Little Mermaid on her magical journey under the sea and delight in colorful fish, slithering eels, majestic jellyfish, an evil Sea Witch and a tale of true love. For all ages. The show runs for 90 minutes and includes an intermission. Meet and greet after all four performances.

Motor City Comic Con

May 19-21, 2023

  • Address: Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
  • Cost: $30-$40/Friday adult pass, $40-$50/Saturday adult pass, $35-$45/Sunday adult pass, $85-$95/Weekend adult pass, $249-$259/VIP fan pass (very limited and might not be available at the door), $10-$20/Friday and Saturday child pass, $20-$30/Weekend child pass Free/Sunday child pass, Free/ages 5 and under; Special event packages are available

Cosplay your favorite comic characters, meet-and-greet with graphic novel big wigs, check out movie screenings, character Q&As and more.

Ann Arbor Water Lantern Festival

June 3, 2023

  • Address: Martindale Beach, 4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford
  • Cost:$32.95-plus/adults, $18.93-plus/ages 8-14, free/ages 0-7 no lantern kit, $19.99/additional lanterns

Enjoy music, food trucks and an incredible sight as thousands of floating lanterns reflect unique messages of love, hope and happiness. Other festival merchandise is available to purchase.

Things to do at home or around town 

baby-toddler-events-first-week-march-istock
Photo credit: iStock

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.

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