We know…kids are expensive, so we’ve put together the top FREE events to enjoy as a family this month!

MASCO FREE FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, January 4

@ Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills

Stop by and explore the Cranbrook Institute of Science for FREE after 5pm on the first Friday of the month.

WINTER WONDERLAND FAMILY CRAFT DAY

Friday, January 4

@ Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dearborn

Get into the winter spirit by joining us for our Winter Wonderland Family Craft Day at The Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spend some time in our lobby making holiday crafts.

PLYMOUTH ICE FESTIVAL

January 11 – 13

@ Downtown Plymouth

The Plymouth Ice Festival is a world-class event in beautiful downtown Plymouth that is exciting and fun for the whole family. Sculptures are available for viewing 24 hours a day and will remain standing after the event – weather permitting.

FAMILY ART STUDIO

Saturday, January 12

@ University of Michigan Art Museum

Create a 3D sculpture inspired by the artist Louise Nevelson who was known to make work using everyday objects and materials she found on the street. We will explore the UMMA exhibition, Abstraction, Color, and Politics in the Early 1970s, which features a large-scale work by Nevelson, as well as other well known abstract expressionists, followed by a hands-on workshop with local artists Susan Clinthorne and Nora Venturelli.

MOTHER DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB

Monday, January 14

@ Grosse Pointe Public Library

The Mother Daughter Book Club is open to girls in 4th and 5th grade and their adult female mentors.  We will discuss books, play games, have snacks, make new friends and have lots of fun!

MAD SCIENCE’S FIRE & ICE

Wednesday, January 16

@ Northville District Library

Foggy dry ice storms, giant beach balls floating in the air and even a special Mad Science “burp” potion will amaze kids as they learn about chemical reactions, air pressure and the states of matter.

NATURE TALES

Thursday, January 17

@ Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center

Our Nature Tales series has been so popular; we are extending it to include two daily sessions during the fall and winter, so that youngsters can attend even if they spend half of the day at school! Wee ones are delighted as they listen to an assortment of seasonal stories sure to please the littlest of listeners. This is an entertaining 1-hour nature adventure with a story, snack, and craft or outing. Suitable for ages 3-5 (must be accompanied by an adult).

FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL

January 18-20

@ Downtown Rochester

The 12th Annual Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back for another year of family fun and festivities. Enjoy the ice sculptures along Main Street, tube sledding hill, ice skating rink, dog sled rides, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, fireworks, food trucks and tent and so much more!

WINTER BLAST

January 19-21

@ Campus Martius, Detroit

Experience winter in Detroit like never before during Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends! The traditional Winter Blast event has expanded to four festival weekends at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit! Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends features winter activities, live entertainment, and delicious local restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.

CARDS, COCOA, AND MLK DAY OF SERVICE

Saturday, January 19

@ Palmer Park, Detroit

Join Exploration Saturdays at The DEN in Palmer Park! All activities are free and open to the public!

MLK, JR. “BRING THE DREAM TO LIFE”

Monday, January 21

@ Detroit Historical Museum

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day with “Bring the Dream to Life” on Monday, January 21 at the Detroit Historical Museum. The program hosted by the Black Historic Sites Committee will feature children’s activities including making your own Martin Luther King Jr. coloring and activity book, performances as well as cupcakes to celebrate to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

MLK DAY – FREE ADMISSION

Monday, January 21

@ The Henry Ford

Explore The Henry Ford for FREE! Admission includes free parking, activities and dramatic presentations. Sit in the Rosa Parks Bus, and hear the story of Mrs. Parks’ courageous act. Participate in and be captivated by the highly praised 30-minute show “Minds on Freedom,” which celebrates the contributions of Dr. King, Mrs. Parks and other civil rights champions such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Gloria Rackley and the Freedom Riders. Sing, carry a protest sign and interact with the performers. You, too, can make history.

MLK DAY FAMILY FUN

Monday, January 21

@ Detroit Institute of Arts

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, come to the studio to create pamphlet stitch notebooks, to donate to a local school, and one for yourself. Families can also play games and activities in the African American galleries. Older children can see the life of Martin Luther King Jr. on the big screen at the Detroit Film Theatre’s showing of “King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis”. Admission is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents.

WINTER BLAST

January 25-27

@ Campus Martius, Detroit

Experience winter in Detroit like never before during Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends! The traditional Winter Blast event has expanded to four festival weekends at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit! Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends features winter activities, live entertainment, and delicious local restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.

WINTER CARNIVAL

Saturday, January 26

@ Paint Creek Cider Mill, Rochester

Enjoy an afternoon at Bear Creek Nature Park for ice carving demonstrations, nature crafts, snow games, archery, ice skating (limited number skates for loan), winter scavenger hunt and sledding for kids 6 and under (with a limited number of sleds for loan). Don’t miss Magic Joe at 12:15pm and 2:15pm or Michigan Stilt Walter Balloon Show at 1:15pm and 3:15pm.

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUM

Saturday, January 26

@ University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor

Storytime at the Museum promotes art enjoyment for our youngest patrons. We read a story in the galleries and include a fun, age-appropriate, hands-on activity related it. Children ages three to six are invited to join Storytime. Parents must accompany children. Siblings are welcome to join the group. Meet in front of the UMMA Store.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS WINTERFEST

Saturday, January 26

@ Ghesquiere Park, Grosse Pointe Woods

The 2019 Winterfest will be held at Ghesquiere Park located behind Grosse Pointe Woods City Hall and will feature family-friendly activities including a petting zoo, ice skating, outdoor games, historic school house tours, heated tents and best of all, celebrate winter with your favorite snow princesses, ANNA & ELSA and enjoy a special performance in the community center at 12:30pm or say hello as they walk around the festival.

WINTER FEST

Sunday, January 27

@ Oak Park Community Center

Join us for Winter Fest 2019! Horse and carriage, Smores, open skate at Oak Park Ice Arena and more!

WINTER BLAST

January 25-27

@ Campus Martius, Detroit

Experience winter in Detroit like never before during Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends! The traditional Winter Blast event has expanded to four festival weekends at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit! Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekends features winter activities, live entertainment, and delicious local restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.

Photo credit: Facebook

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