Free Kid-Friendly Events in Metro Detroit

Searching for free things to do in southeast Michigan? Find great budget-friendly family fun at these events.

Want to try some events in metro Detroit that won’t cost you a fortune? Every activity listed here will cost you absolutely nothing for admission. Zilch. Maybe you’ll have to splurge a few bucks for parking and a little for some activities within the event. But that’s it!

Don’t see an event that fits your fam? Check out our online calendar for more fun events. 

Free events in Macomb county

Celebrate MLK Day at Clinton-Macomb Public Library – North Branch

Jan. 15, 2024

Ages 3-12 are invited to North Branch to hear a story and make a craft to celebrate the life and contributions of MLK Jr.

Celebrate MLK Day at Clinton-Macomb Public Library – South Branch

Jan. 15, 2024

Ages 3-12 are invited to South Branch to hear a story and make a craft to celebrate the life and contributions of MLK Jr.

Teen Heart Wreaths at MacDonald Public Library

Feb. 6, 2024

Teens come can out to the library to create paper heat wreaths, using pomp oms and card stock. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Valentine Crafts at Romeo District Library – Graubner

Feb. 7, 2024 

Families can drop in at the library to make Valentine’s crafts. This event is for all ages. No registration required.

Kids Take & Make Craft: Valentine’s Snail at Harrison Township Public Library

Feb. 9, 2024 

Drop by the library to grab a paper snail craft to take home with you. Available while supplies last.

Valentine Cards & Crafts (All Ages) at Shelby Township Library 

Feb. 10, 2024

All ages are welcome to come to the Library Legacy Room to decorate a card for residents of a local assisted living facility.

Valentine Wreaths at Romeo District Library – Kezar Library

Feb. 10, 2024

Ages 4-12 can come by the library to create a Valentine Wreath for a gift to someone or to keep for yourself for Valentine’s Day. Registration required.

Take & Make Craft – DIY Valentine’s Card at Utica Public Library

Feb. 12, 2024

Kids of all ages can drop into the library all day long to pick up a DIY Valentine’s Card, while supplies last. Only one card per child.

Teen Valentine Suncatchers at MacDonald Public Library 

Feb. 13, 2024

Teens come can out to the library to create sun catchers using different colored glass gems and glue. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Free events in Oakland county

United We Walk at West Bloomfield Middle School

Jan. 14, 2024

Participants celebrate MLK Jr.’s birthday at the 30th annual walk at West Bloomfield Middle School. This year’s theme is, “The King in Me: We Walk in Unity, Equality and Community.”

MLK Day Ceremony and Candlelight Walk at The Roeper School

Jan. 15, 2024 

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with workshops, treats, entertainment, candlelight walk and a ceremony.

MLK Peace Walk & Ceremony at Hope United Methodist Church 

Jan. 15, 2024

This 39th annual commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme will be “Peace and Justice for the Next Generation.”

Frost Festival in Downtown Rochester

Jan. 19-20, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Rochester

See downtown Rochester transformed into a frosty wonderland. There will be Under the Sea themed ice sculptures, a shopping and dining BINGO game, marshmallow roasting, competitions and more.

Pontiac Winter Festival at City Hall

Jan. 20, 2024

Enjoy tons of winter fun at this festival including ice skating, Polar Express ride, food, hot chocolate, shopping and more.

The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester 

Through Jan. 21, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Rochester

Downtown Rochester is decked in 1.5 million lights, brightening up buildings every evening.

BRRmingham Blast in Downtown Birmingham

Jan. 27, 2024

  • Address: South Old Woodward Ave. from Maple Road to Brown St., Birmingham

Families can enjoy a brand new winter event in downtown Birmingham that will feature marshmallow roasting, zip lining, food trucks, entertainment and more.

Drop-In Craft: Heart Edition at Royal Oak Public Library

Feb. 1, 2024

All ages are welcome to come out to do a heart craft for Valentine’s Day. This is a drop-in activity.

Winter Blast in Downtown Royal Oak

Feb. 2-4, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Royal Oak

Enjoy free skating, live music, ice sculptures, learn to ski/snowboard experience, zip line, food trucks, kids adventure center and more.

Love is Lit: Valentine’s Day Circuits: Ages 10+ at Royal Oak Public Library

Feb. 6, 2024

Ages 10 and up can come out to the Royal Oak Public Library to use circuits to electrify conversation hearts. There will be two projects with different difficulty levels. Registration required.

Valentine Sensory Play: Birth to 3 years at Royal Oak Public Library

Feb. 10, 2024 

Babies and toddlers can enjoy a sensory play for Valentine’s Day. They will explore with various toys, textures in the room and sensory activities. Registration required.

#StrongerTogether Ice Fest in Downtown Lake Orion and Oxford

Feb. 11, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Lake Orion and Oxford

Families can see all the of the beautiful ice sculptures and live ice carvings located in downtown Oxford and Lake Orion.

Mystery Valentine’s Day Rom-Com at Royal Oak Public Library

Feb. 14, 2024

Teens can stop by the Royal Oak Public Library to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a rom-com movie.

Free events in Washtenaw county

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Ypsilanti District Library-Superior

Jan. 15, 2024 

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a performance by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit at Ypsilanti District Library-Superior.

Valentine’s Day Sensory Bottles at Ann Arbor Public Library – Traverwood Branch

Feb. 3, 2024

Kids in grades preschool-third grade can come out to Traverwood Branch to create a glittering sensory bottle for Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate Extravaganza in Downtown Chelsea

Feb. 10, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Chelsea

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.

Ladybug Valentine’s Cards at Ann Arbor Public Library – Westgate Branch

Feb. 10, 2024 

Grades K-5 can come out to Westgate Branch to create a Valentine’s card in the shape of a ladybug with a special Valentine’s message written inside.

Family Maker Night: Resist Art at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker

Feb. 14, 2024

Families can come out to the library to create a patchwork heart resist art for Valentine’s Day using oil pastels and watercolors to create patterns. All supplies will be provided.

Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Feb. 17-Sept. 15, 2024

See a full-size cast skeleton leg of a Tyrannosaurus rex, two life-size models of Protoceratops—one skeleton, the other fully fleshed out, a life-size three-horned Triceratops skull and more.

Free events in Wayne county

21st Annual Detroit MLK Day Rally & March at St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church

Jan. 15, 2024

Join the Detroit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Committee for the 21st Annual March and Rally. The event will feature speakers and artists active in the movements.

Northern Lights at Beacon Park

Through Jan. 16, 2024

Children of all ages can enjoy this annual as it transforms Beacon Park into a winter wonderland. It will feature a light display with more than 125,000 LED lights, holiday music and more.

Plymouth Ice Festival in Downtown Plymouth

Feb. 2-4, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Plymouth

The Plymouth Ice Festival invites families to explore downtown Plymouth, with sidewalks lined with ice carvings. Also, tubing is back.

Winter Wonderland at Elizabeth Park

Feb. 3, 2024

Enjoy some winter fun including ice carving demos, rock climbing, hikes, hayrides, crafts, bonfire, outdoor dance party, snowman building (weather permitting) and much more. 

LEGO Printed Valentine’s Cards at Romulus Public Library 

Feb. 6, 2024 

Families can use LEGOs at the library to build a printing press and print original Valentine’s Day card designs! This event is first come, first serve. 

Hearts & Crafts at Detroit Public Library, Parkman Branch 

Feb. 10, 2024

Join Parkman Branch for fun Valentine’s Day activities and crafts. For all ages.

Winter LoveFest at Palmer Park

Feb. 10, 2024 

Families can enjoy a pre-Valentine’s Day even that celebrates love and Black History in and around the historic Palmer Log Cabin. There will be live music, African dancing and drumming, art-making, hot cocoa, treats, games and prizes.

Love is Love: Heart Canvas at Detroit Public Library, Lincoln Branch

Feb. 12, 2024

Join Lincoln Branch to celebrate Valentine’s Day and paint your own heart mini canvas, using abstract painting techniques. Registration required.

HYPE Teen Valentine’s Day Card Making at Detroit Public Library, Main Branch

Feb. 13, 2024

Ages 13-18 can join the HYPE Center to make a card or two for someone special for Valentine’s Day. Registration required. 

HYPE Valentine’s Day Cupcake Decorating Contest at Detroit Public Library, Main Branch

Feb. 14, 2024

Ages 13-18 can join the HYPE Center to test their cupcake decorating skills and win a prize for the most creative. Decorate a cupcake or two for someone special for Valentine’s Day. Registration required. 

Valentine’s Day Stamping Art at Jefferson Branch

Feb. 14, 2024 

Families can stop by Detroit Public Library – Jefferson Branch to use rubber stamps to create cards and a room ornament.

This post is updated regularly. 


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Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano is a mom of one and Metro Parent's Audience Development Coordinator. She tracks down the best events every week and shares the inside scoop with families in print and online. She enjoys reading, traveling and exploring metro Detroit with her son.

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