Storybook walks make the perfect outdoor adventure for kids to engage in literacy and for families to spend time together…
101 Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Detroit this Winter

Don’t let the chilly weather keep you indoors this winter. Bundle up and head downtown for some family fun!
PLAN A DAY DOWNTOWN
- Let it Snow @ Winter Blast: Skate at The Rink, zip line across Woodward, ride the big slide for a weekend of icy fun on February 7th – 9th.
- Watch a movie @ Beacon Park: Every Saturday in February, Beacon Park hosts a FREE family movie in a heated tent.
- February 8 – Toy Story 4
- February 15 – Aquaman
- February 22 – How To Train Your Dragon – Hidden World
- February 29 – Avengers Endgame
- Find Paczkis for Fat Tuesday: Plan a trip to Hamtramck to get a delicious giant donut!
- Catvideo Fest 2020: The cats are taking over the Detroit Film Theatre for 90 minutes of non-stop shenanigans.
- Try for a Turkey @ The Garden Bowl: Take the kids to a 100 year old bowling alley on Woodward.
- Scream Opa! @ Greektown: The lights are always strung and the music is always playing in the lively Greektown district, so head down for a family fun and saganaki!
- Take a Ride on the People Mover: See the city from up high and inside the city’s ‘train’. The 3 mile circular loop takes about 20 minutes and offers little kids LOTS of fun for $0.75.
- Hop on the QLine: Go for a longer ride on the QLine. Hop on in New Center (the iconic Fisher Building) and head downtown for winter fun!
- Taste Test Coneys @ American & Lafayette: Do a taste test and judge for yourself who has the best coney in Detroit.
- Find something new for Family Game Night @ Vault of Midnight: If your littles love superheroes and Pokemon, head to library street for good reads and plenty of unique board games.
- Go Swimming @ Coleman Young Recreation Pool: It only costs $5 for a child to swim at the Detroit Recreation Center ALL year long – $10 for an adult!
- Plan a Staycation @ Foundation Hotel: Spend the night at a former firehouse and wake up steps away from all the action downtown – including one of the best places for brunch – The Apparatus Room down stairs.
- Snap a Selfie @ the Hudson site: The tallest building is Detroit is being built so don’t miss your chance to snap a picture of your little ones in front of the building before it grows from the ground.
- Robolights @ MOCAD: The outdoor light installation isn’t for everyone but the New Age art exhibit is fun if you like funky.
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
- Attend a FREE show @ the DIA: Each weekend in February the DIA offers a special event to celebrate the African American experience. Listen to stories, watch an artist at work or relax for a puppet show.
- Explore the African Bead Museum: Visit 18 outdoor installations as well as the African Bead Gallery, N’kisi House and African Language Wall.
- Join the DPRD Black Heritage Celebrate @ Patton Recreation Center: Celebrate Black Heritage with entertainment, poetry, Art vendors, craft vendors and more.
- Grow Where We Are Planted Event: Join the Detroit Historical Museum for a special day honoring the black urban agriculture movement on February 29th.
- Indulge in Soul Food Favorites (and support black-owned businesses): Have lunch at Kuzzo’s for chicken and waffles and grab dessert at Sweet Potato Sensations.
SPEND TIME OUTSIDE
- Ice Skate @ Campus Martius: Bring your skates or rent them and come slip and slide with the city skyline surrounding you.
- Nature Tots @ Belle Isle Nature Center: Bring your 2 to 4 year old out for a FREE class with stories, crafts and outdoor activities.
- Hit the Hills on a Snow Day: Bundle up and head to Balduck Park or the Detroit Riverfront for sledding fun.
- Walk the Dequindre Cut: Let the kids safely race down the 2-mile greenway connecting the Detroit River and Eastern Market
INDOOR ADVENTURES
- Learn to Play Chess @ The Detroit Institute of Arts: The museum is open late on Friday nights. Explore the art exhibits and join the Detroit City Chess Club for a drop-in play session and/or lessons.
- See the stars @ Wayne State Planetarium: FREE kid shows are offered the 2nd Saturday of each month.
- Stroll, Walk Or Ride @ The Lexus Velodrome: Let the kids run around (literally) or ride their bikes during the winter while you catch up with a friend and push the stroller.
- Visit the Fish @ Belle Isle Aquarium: This historic aquarium recently reopened to the public, with lots of exhibits and events to celebrate it’s revival.
- Enjoy Nature @ Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory: Warm up in the greenhouse! The conservatory is undergoing upgrades this winter but will remain open to the public.
- Bowl & Play Football @ Fowling Warehouse: For those with kids 10+, come on down for a sport that is unique to Detroit – football meets bowling. Kids 10+ are allowed to play on the weekends from noon to 6pm.
- Have an ‘Outdoor Adventure’ Inside: The Michigan DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Center allows you to experience the joys of the Mitten’s recreational fun without the coat, gloves and mittens.
- Go to a Reading @ Detroit Public Library: Wander the halls or stop in for storytime at Detroit’s Public Library.
- Battle It Out @ Detroit Dart Club: Fight off the winter blues with a friendly Nerf competition.
IT’S SHOWTIME! GET TICKETS NOW
- Detroit Opera House
- Charlie and The Chocolate Factory: February 18 – March 1
- The Very Last Green Thing: April 25
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Kids Programming
- Jazz, Wiggle and Giggle – February 15
- Musical Heroes – February 15
- Gemini – April 25
- Gershwin’s Magical Key – April 25
- Fisher Theatre
- Wild Kratts Live – May 20
- Ford Field
- Monster Jam– March 14 & 15
- Supercross – March 21
- Fox Theatre
- Seasame Street Live! Let’s Party – January 22 to February 2
- Nick Jr. Live – March 6 – 8
- Masterchef Junior Live – March 19
- Little Caesars Arena
- Cirque du Soleil Axel – January 2-5
- Disney On Ice Road Trip Adventure – Feb. 13-16
- WWE Smackdown – March 13
DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW AT THE MUSEUM
- Detroit Institute of Arts: The DIA is FREE for Wayne, Macomb and Oakland county residents. Explore the galleries, drop-in for a craft or stay for a show.
- Belle Isle Nature Center: Get an up-close view of Michigan wildlife inside and outside at the nature center.
- Charles H Wright Museum: Learn about the history of African Americans from the colonial era to present day.
- Michigan Science Center: Let your littles enjoy hands-on fun at the Science Center. See the stars at the planetarium, burn some energy on the STEM playground and visit Kids Town.
- Motown Museum: Dance in the street and sing like the Temptations at the former home of Berry Gordy and original studio of Motown Records.
- Detroit Historical Museum: Walk the streets of old Woodward, see what life was like when Detroit was the arsenal of Democracy and make music in Kid Rock’s Music Lab.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum: Head to Detroit’s island, Belle Isle, and hop aboard some old ships at the Great Lakes Museum.
FAMILY MEAL & FOODIE TREATS
- Find Fresh Produce @ Eastern Market: Eastern Market isn’t just a summer time destination. The ‘outdoor’ market (some of the sheds are fully enclosed) is still open every Saturday morning, rain or shine, sleet or snow!
- Grab a Dutch Girl Donut: Dutch Girl does not disappoint! Get a melt in your mouth donut anytime of day!
- Eat Authentic Mexican @ Mexicantown: Head to Bagley Street in Southwest Detroit and take your pick of amazing Mexican restaurants!
- Play Arcade Games & Eat Pizza @ POP + Offworld: Take your kids downtown and back to the 80s and at this retro second floor pizza arcade.
- Have a Party @ Punch Bowl Social: No reservations needed – bowl, sing karaoke or play table games before or after dinner.
- Play a Boardgame and Have a Beer @ Eastern Market Brewing Company: Detroit has a great beer scene and EMBC is fun because you can bring your own food, grab a game and indulge in a grown-up drink in a family-friendly environment.
- Sip Hot Cocoa @ New Order Coffee: Have a quiet morning together with a hot chocolate – giant marshmallow is a must.
- Plan a Pizza Night: Detroit has A LOT of pizza places to choose from. Try some unique toppings or got with a Detroit original.
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2020
- Put on Green and White for Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Parade – March 15: Come down to the oldest neighborhood in Detroit and enjoy Corktown hospitality and fun!
- Come Out To See the Nain – March 22: New Orleans has Mardi Gras and Detroit has the Marche Du Nain Rouge, bring your littles down to experience the Cass Corridor tradition.
- Show Your Motor City Pride @ The Auto Show – June 13 to 20: From muscle cars to electric minis and full-size trucks – little ones will love to see all the autos on display.
- Kick-off Summer @ The Ford Fireworks – June 22: Find a seat on the Riverfront and take in an amazing fireworks display.
Photo credit:Bedrock Winter Blast
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About Carrie Budzinski
Carrie Budzinski is the Vice President of LittleGuide Detroit. She grew up in Livonia and Detroit and continues to live life in both cities. Carrie loves exploring the city and finding hidden gems in the suburbs..
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