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!

• Detroit Red Wings
• Detroit Pistons
• Detroit Roller Derby
• Detroit City Football Club

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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