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 January we’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including New Year’s Eve 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 January 2023.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our list and start 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 this weekend.
Macomb
Disney’s Winnie the Pooh at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 20-21, 2023
- Address: 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
- Cost: $33-plus
See a musical stage adaptation of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh with all of the iconic characters of the Hundred Acre Woods.
Oakland
Bowers Farm Winter Park 2023 at Bowers School Farm
Jan. 6-Feb. 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.
Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak
Through Jan. 8, 2023 (select days)
- Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $17-$24/advanced online pricing, free/2 and under, $8/parking
The Detroit Zoo is aglow with millions of LED lights on the zoo’s trees, buildings and more.
Rock Around The Hawk at The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center
Jan. 12, 2023
- Address: 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: Free
Rock Around the Hawk is a free drop-in program for little ones, ages 18 months to 5 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. January’s theme is Snowfort Jazz Festival.
Bubble Basics Workshop at Orion Recreation Center
Jan. 19, 2023
- Address: 1335 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion
- Cost: $40/resident, $45/non-resident
Use some cool tools to make bubbles and bubble toys to take home at this make and take workshop. For ages 5-plus.
Nature Makerspace – FOR KIDS! at Farmington Hills Nature Center
Jan. 19, 2023
- Address: 24915 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $40/resident, $45/non-resident
Ages 5-12 can design, create and make using nature as the inspiration to solve real-world challenges at this event. January’s theme is wildlife.
Harlem Globetrotters at Athletics Center O’Rena
Jan. 21, 2023
- Address: 569 Pioneer Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $20-plus
Watch the Harlem Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals in an exciting, trick-filled basketball game.
The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester
Through Jan. 21, 2023
- Address: Downtown Rochester area
- Cost: Free
Downtown Rochester is decked in 1.5 million lights, brightening up buildings every evening.
Super Bounce Days at The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center
Jan. 22, 2023
- Address: 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Cost: $5
Once a month staff members set up the inflatable bouncers in the gym to make an arena of fun! Kids can enjoy the big bouncer, bouncer obstacle course and giant inflatable slide.
The Novi Home Show 2023 at Suburban Collection Showplace
Jan. 22, 2023
- Address: 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
- Cost: $7/advanced ticket, $10/at the door ticket
It’s an opportunity to talk to professionals from local companies and meet experts that will help you design and build your dream home.
Snapology: Combat Robots Workshop at The Community House
Jan. 28, 2023
- Address: 380 S. Bates St., Birmingham
- Cost: $71
Your child will discover basic strategies for building sturdy structures and then apply that knowledge to build a robot for friendly competition all using Lego bricks. For ages 10-14.
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
Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium and at the Ark
Jan. 27-28, 2023
- Address: 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor and 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: $45-plus/Friday night, $47.50-plus/Saturday night
The 46th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival benefits The Ark, a nonprofit for folk music. This two-night event features well-known and up-and-coming artists.
Wayne
Dragons and Mythical Beasts at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 7, 2023
- Address: 350 Madison St., Detroit
- Cost: $24.50-plus
Ages 3 and up can enjoy a magical world of myths and legends at this family-friendly show at Music Hall for the Performing Arts.
Story Time with Mr. Jim at Caroline Kennedy Library
Jan. 12, 19, 26, 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.
Light Up Beacon Park
Through Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: 1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
Children of all ages can enjoy this annual event as it transforms Beacon Park into a winter wonderland. It features a light display with more than 125,000 LED lights, holiday music and more.
Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic at Fox Theatre
Jan. 20-29, 2023
- Address: 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $20-plus
Families with little ones can bring them to Fox Theatre to see Elmo learn how to do magic with magician extraordinaire Justin. Also, sign up for meet and greets with Elmo.
Van Gogh in America at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Through Jan. 22, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $7-$29, free/members
Van Gogh in America is the first exhibition dedicated to the introduction and early reception of Vincent van Gogh’s art in the United States. The exhibition displays 68 works by van Gogh.
Paddington Gets Into a Jam at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 28, 2023
- Address: 350 Madison St., Detroit
- Cost: $24.50-plus
Watch Paddington as he takes to the stage in this fun-filled comedy at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts.
Van Gogh’s Artistic Roots: The Hague School and French Realism at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Through Jan. 30, 2023
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/admission
The exhibit is in conjunction with Van Gogh in America. This installation presents a selection of paintings and works on paper by Dutch and French realist artists, all of whom were contemporaries of Vincent van Gogh.
“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.
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