There’s always so many fun things to do with kids in southeast Michigan, so how is a busy parent supposed to keep track of it all? With our list of the best things to do this month, of course!
This February we’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including Black History Month events and Valentine’s Day events along with some winter fun like indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks and sledding hills. Here is our curated list of the can’t-miss activities for metro Detroit and Ann Arbor in February 2023.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our list and start the advance prep for your next family outing.
Don’t see an event you love? Check out our online calendar for even more events and fun things to do.
Macomb
Valentine Cards & Crafts (All Ages) at Shelby Township Library
Feb. 4, 2023
- Address: 52610 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Cost: Free
All ages are welcome to come to the Library Legacy Room to decorate a card for residents of a local assisted living facility.
Take & Make for Kids: Valentine’s Day Magnets! at Harrison Township Public Library
Feb. 10, 2023
- Address: 38255 L’Anse Creuse St., Harrison Township
- Cost: Free
Drop by the library to grab a magnet craft to take home. Available while supplies last. Limit is one per child.
Superhero Marvel vs. DC: Valentine’s Day Party! at Harrison Township Public Library
Feb. 11, 2023
- Address: 38255 L’Anse Creuse St., Harrison Township
- Cost: Free
Enjoy a Valentine’s Day party with a superhero theme. There may even be a couple special guests attending the party. Registration required.
Oakland
Black History Mysteries at Southfield Public Library
Feb. 1-28, 2023
- Address: 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield
- Cost: Free
Families can visit 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.
Bowers Farm Winter Park 2023 at Bowers School Farm
Feb. 1-26, 2023 (Wednesdays-Sundays)
- Address: 1219 East Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Township
- Cost: $5/general admission, $17/general admission w/tubing, $8/skate rental
Celebrate winter through tubing, skating and concessions at Bowers Farm. There will be entertainment every Saturday.
Bloomfield Players Presents Seussical at the Performing Arts Center of Bloomfield Hills High School
Feb. 3-5, 10-12, 2023
- Address: 4200 Andover Road, Bloomfield Hills
- Cost: $15/adults, $12/students and seniors
The play features Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters, such as the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and more.
Love is Lit: Valentine’s Day Circuits (Teen) at Royal Oak Public Library
Feb. 8, 2023
- Address: 222 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free
Teens can come out to the Royal Oak Public Library to use circuits to electrify conversation hearts. Registration required.
Love is Lit: Valentine’s Day Circuits (Tween) at Royal Oak Public Library
Feb. 8, 2023
- Address: 222 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free
Tweens can come out to the Royal Oak Public Library to use circuits to electrify conversation hearts. Registration required.
Giant Bubble Workshop at Orion Recreation Center
Feb. 9, 2023
- Address: 1335 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion
- Cost: $60/resident, $62/non-resident
Ages 5 and up can make their own bubble wand and giant bubble mix to take home at this workshop.
Rock Around The Hawk at The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center
Feb. 9, 2023
- Address: 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: Free
Ages 18 months to 5 years can join for a morning of music, activities and fun in the Blackbox Theater. February’s theme is Bonbonaroo.
Valentine Sensory Play: Birth to 3 years at Royal Oak Public Library
Feb. 11, 2023
- Address: 222 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free
Babies and toddlers can enjoy sensory play for Valentine’s Day. They will explore with various toys, textures in the room and sensory activities. Registration required.
Winter Wonderland Magic Show with Gordon the Magician at Gilham Recreation Center
Feb. 11, 2023
- Address: 26325 Scotia, Huntington Woods
- Cost: Free
See magician, Gordon Russ at his Winter Wonderland Magic Show at Gilham Recreation Center. He will be with his trusty sidekick, George the Raccoon. Don’t forget to make and bring a “PICK ME” sign to the show.
Galentine’s Day at Royal Oak Public Library
Feb. 16, 2023
- Address: 222 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: Free
Teens can enjoy a non-gendered celebration of platonic love and friendship in the Youth Activity Room. There will be snacks, crafts and more.
Nature Makerspace – FOR KIDS! at Farmington Hills Nature Center
Feb. 16, 2023
- Address: 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $3/person
Ages 5-12 can design, create and make using nature as the inspiration to solve real-world challenges. February’s theme is circuits. No registration necessary.
Winter Blast in Downtown Royal Oak
Feb. 17-19, 2023
- Address: Downtown Royal Oak area
- Cost: Free
Enjoy free skating, live music, ice sculptures, a snow slide, zip line, food trucks and more. The family zone will consist of arts and crafts and live entertainment for kids.
Black History Month Celebration at Pontiac Public Library
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: 60 E. Pike St., Pontiac
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Black History Month with the library and hear from African American authors who will presents their books, vendors, speakers and more. Refreshments provided.
Ferndale Daddy Daughter Dance at Ferndale High School Commons Area
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: 881 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale
- Cost: $15-$20/person
This year’s dance will feature a special visit from a Wakanda Warrior, live DJ, finger food, treats, photos and more. Every girl will receive a goodie bag and a carnation. Pre-registration required.
Princess Day in the O’rena at Oakland University
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: 569 Pioneer Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $10/general admission
Families can come out to the O’rena for Princess Day at the women’s basketball game where you might be able to meet some Frozen friends.
Cottage & Lakefront Living Show-Detroit at Suburban Collection Showplace
Feb. 23-26, 2023
- Address: 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
- Cost: $12/ages 15 and up, $5/ages 6-14, free/ages 5 and under
Features include The Beach, Cottage Living Seminars Stage, Cottage Art Show, Lakefront Marketplace and the Water & Woods Photo Contest. Exhibits focus on spring, summer and year-round cottage and lakefront living.
Black Expo at the Orchard Mall
Feb. 25, 2023
- Address: 6445 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
- Cost: Free admission
Families can celebrate Black History Month with demos and displays, Black-owned businesses, live music and more featured.
Toddler Explorations: Valentine’s Day Theme at Northville District Library
Feb. 25, 2023
- Address: 212 W. Cady St., Northville
- Cost: Free
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.
SUE: The T. rex Experience at Cranbrook Institute of Science
Through April 30, 2023
- Address: 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills
- Cost: $10/non-member adults, $9/members, $8/non-member children ages 2-12 and seniors, free/enhanced members and children under 2. (Non-members must pay general admission, too)
This traveling exhibit comes from the Field Museum in Chicago and features an exact cast of SUE’s skeleton, measuring in at 40 feet from snout to tail and 13 feet tall at the hip.
Washtenaw
Chocolate Extravaganza in Downtown Chelsea
Feb. 11, 2023
- Address: Downtown Chelsea area
- Cost: Free admission
Shop Chelsea’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza and get treats and goodies, just in time for Valentine’s Day. There will be events for kids, too.
ARK Animal Encounters at Eddy Discovery Center
Feb. 12, 2023
- Address: 17030 Bush Road, Chelsea
- Cost: $2/person, $5/family
Enjoy a special hands-on experience with each of these creatures while learning about their lifestyles, characteristics and personalities. Advanced registration required.
The Ark’s 36th Annual Storytelling Festival – Family Show at The Ark
Feb. 26, 2023
- Address: 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: $15
Come out to the Ark for Sunday’s Matinee, which brings storytellers Bill Harley, Sheila Arnold and Steve Daut.
Wayne
Beetlejuice at the Detroit Opera House
Feb. 1-5, 7-12, 2023
- Address: 1526 Broadway St., Detroit
- Cost: $29-plus
Based on Tim Burton’s beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice.
Alice in Wonderland at Garden City High School
Feb. 2-4, 2023
- Address: 6500 Middlebelt Road, Garden City
- Cost: $7/advanced ticket, $10/at the door ticket
See this hour-long live production of Alice in Wonderland brought to you by Plymouth-Canton AAUM.
Story Time with Mr. Jim at Caroline Kennedy Library
Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2023
- Address: 24590 George St., Dearborn Heights
- Cost: Free
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.
Plymouth Ice Festival in Downtown Plymouth
Feb. 3-5, 2023
- Address: Downtown Plymouth area
- Cost: Free
Explore downtown Plymouth, with sidewalks lined with ice carvings.
Black History Culture Celebration at Grand Epicurean
Feb. 4, 2023
- Address: 22347 Ecorse Road, Taylor
- Cost: $5
Come out to the first annual Black History Month event that features art, vendors, raffles, dance, food, music and more.
New York International Children’s Film Festival – Celebrating Black Stories at Detroit Film Theatre
Feb. 4, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/general admission; Free/residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties
Families can enjoy short films, which were audience winners at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Recommended for ages 9 and up.
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks at Detroit Film Theatre
Feb. 4, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/general admission; Free/residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties
Join the Detroit Film Theatre for a screening of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, followed by a conversation with the film’s executive producer, journalist Soledad O’Brien and the film’s directors Johanna Hamilton and Yoruba Richen.
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience at Lighthouse ArtSpace Detroit
Opens Feb. 9, 2023
- Address: 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.
Let the Good Times Roll at Detroit Institute of Arts
Feb. 9, 11, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Let the Good Times Roll illuminates the joys and complexity of growing up and is a musical revue that reminds us of the beauty of the present and the future.
Scooby-Doo! Mansion Mayhem at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn
Opens Feb. 12, 2023
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Free w/museum admission and for members
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.
Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at Little Caesars Arena
Feb. 16-19, 2023
- Address: 2645 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $20-plus
Enjoy seeing Mirabel, her sisters, Isabela and Luisa, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven and more.
Detroit Book City African-American Family Book Expo 2023 at Historic People’s Community Church
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: 8601 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free/admission, fees apply for items on sale
This 7th annual expo features book discussions, kids’ activities, meet-and-greets with Black authors and more. First 100 adults receive a swag bag. Bring the kids to meet “Brodie,” Detroit Book City’s dog mascot and get free Black history coloring sheets, bookmarks, crayons and other goodies! Registration required.
Winter Wonderland at Elizabeth Park
Feb. 18, 2023
- Address: 4461 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton
- Cost: Free
This winter event features ice carving demos, rock climbing, hikes, hayrides, crafts, bonfire, outdoor dance party, Elsa/Anna characters, indoor nature presentations and more. No registration required.
Detroit Autorama at Huntington Place
Feb. 24-26, 2023
- Address: 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit
- Cost: $23-$25/general admission, $9-$10/ages 6-12, free/ages 5 and under
Enjoy a weekend full of fun with customs, hot rods, trucks, motorcycles and more. Keep an eye out for featured exhibits and special guest updates closer to the event.
“Level Up” at the Michigan Science Center
Through June 2023
- Address: 5020 John R St., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/museum admission: $18/adult, $14/ages 2-15, free/under 2
Check out this 8,000-square-foot interactive installation that demonstrates the acquired skills behind video and analog games.
Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Through Nov. 20, 2023
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Free w/museum admission and for members
See the museum’s extensive collection of nearly 7,000 Hallmark ornaments made between 1973 and 2009. This is a permanent exhibit.
Rosa Parks Bus at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Through Dec. 31, 2023
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Free w/museum admission and for members
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.
This post is updated monthly.