Top things to do with KIDS this weekend: August 2-4

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The countdown is on! Make the most of summer vacation and hit the town this weekend!

ALL WEEKEND

SUMMER OF SCIENCE

Every day (except Monday)

@ Michigan Science Center, Detroit

Enjoy Summer of Science & DEPTH with FREE general admission to the Michigan Science Center June 8th – August 17th.

SIDEWALK FESTIVAL

August 1-3

@ Artist Village, Detroit

This year we are exploring the theme: PEACE. POWER. UTOPIA. Presenting over 40 local and national artists, imagining what a Detroit utopia would look like. As usual, we don’t use any traditional stages – all work will take place in alleys, storefronts, sidewalks, parking lots, the roofless warehouses of Artist Village and the street itself.

DEARBORN HOMECOMING

August 2-4

@ Ford Field Park, Dearborn

Homecoming offers free stage entertainment, free family activities, carnival rides, lots of food, corn hole tournament, 5K and family fun run, and two nights of outstanding fireworks.

FRANKENMUTH FLOWER FESTIVAL

August 2-3

@ Downtown Frankenmuth

Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the town’s displays along with a list of events including a Sunflower U-Pick, Sunflower Fun Color Run at Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, a Garden Tour kicking off at the Frankenmuth Farmers Market, ‘Flour’ Bake Sale at Frankenmuth Historical Museum, the Michigan Honey Festival and free entertainment on the sidewalks Friday night downtown!

ALLEN PARK STREET FAIR

August 2 & 3

@ Downtown Allen Park

This event provides fun for all ages from exploring the talent, local entertainment, and kid zone. Kid Zone includes Thomas the Train ride, bounce houses, a chance to try dance, theater, and karate classes, dunk tank, art area. Admission to fair is FREE.

BUY MICHIGAN NOW FESTIVAL

August 2-4

@ Downtown Northville

Encounter creativity everywhere you look, from robotics and animatronics to flaming carnival games, marshmallow shooters, mechanical wizardry and more. DIYers, engineers and artists — meet your tribes through demonstrations, hands-on workshops and spontaneous spectacles. Don’t forget to wear your thinking caps!

BELLE ISLE ART FAIR

August 3 & 4

@ Belle Isle State Park, Detroit

A juried fine art fair next to the fountain on Belle Isle in Detroit. Paintings, sculpture, prints, functional & decorative art. Artists from 20 states.

ST. RAFKA CHURCH FESTIVAL

August 3 & 4

@ Saint Rafka Catholic Church, Livonia

Celebrate the beautiful aspects of Middle-Eastern and American culture together in one place. Enjoy Arabic dancing, premium bar, henna tattoos, face painting, giant inflatables, children’s games, kiddie train, raffles, gift shop and delicious homemade Middle Eastern food made by our own parishioners!

THE FROG PRINCE + PUSS IN BOOTS

August 3 & 4

@ Little Door Theatre, Warren

This Summer, Little Door Theatre will be offering two shows as a part of our Summer 2019 Theatre for Young Audiences Series! These shows will be for kids of all ages, and will include pre-show activities, interactive theatrical experiences, and post show meet and greets with the characters!

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER: NINJAGO DAYS

July 20 – September 2

@ Legoland, Auburn Hills

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan wants families to discover their radical powers at NINJAGO Event Days Saturday, July 20 to Monday, Sept. 2. Based on The LEGO NINJAGO Movie, the event days will have several activities for kids and parents to hone their skills to become a master NINJAGO warrior.

DOOM OF THE DINOSAURS

March 15 – September 1

@ Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills

The temporary Doom of the Dinosaurs exhibition allows visitors to view the impressive fossil casts of the last known dinosaurs to roam Earth, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Edmontosaurus.

FRIDAY

SUMMER DISCOVERY CRUISES

Friday, August 2

@ Lake Erie Metropark, Brownstown

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers and history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration and wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme.

MAMA AND ME YOGA

Friday, August 2 / 11:00am – 12:00pm

@ Detroit Mama Hub, Detroit

This class is all about connection and having fun! Mamas will be lead through a restorative yoga flow while the littles look on, play, or participate. Each class will include a 30-minute yoga practice and end with a short song/storytime for the kids.

READING AND RHYTHM ON THE RIVERFRONT

Friday, August 2 / 11:00am – 2:00pm

@ Detroit Riverfront

Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront provides children from southeast Michigan an opportunity to see live children’s entertainment, hear a story read by a local community leader and receive a free book, as well as a ride on the lovely Cullen Family Carousel. The 2019 program will run with sessions taking place on Thursdays and Fridays at 11 AM, 12:00 PM, and 1:15 PM.

STEGGY REVEAL

Friday, August 2 / 5:00pm – 10:00pm

@ Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills

To celebrate the improved Steggy, an ice cream cart will be parked outside the museum and guests will have the opportunity to take selfies with Steggy after the big reveal at 7:00pm. Guests are also invited to experience the Institute of Science, as well as the Doom of the Dinosaurs: Are We Next? exhibit for FREE from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

FRIDAY NIGHT GLOW BOUNCE

Friday, August 2 / 6:00pm – 9:00pm

@ Garden City Civic Arena

The rink will be decked out from end-to-end in bounce-houses, inflatables, games and more! Open to children ages 12 years and under.

CARDBOARD BOAT RACES

Friday, August 2 / 6:00pm – 8:30pm

@ Summit Canton

Build your custom vessel using nothing but cardboard, duct tape and paint. Line up your crew and register today! Awards will be given for the Most Creative and Fastest Boats as well as for the best Titanic. Any materials involving cardboard, including cardboard tubing, may be used.

MOVIE IN THE PARK: SPIDERMAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

Friday, August 2 / 8:00pm – 10:00pm

@ New Center Park, Detroit

Grab your favorite picnic blankets and chairs to enjoy this fun family movie under the stars. Doors open one hour prior to film start time. Films start at dusk. Sunset scheduled for: 9:04PM.

CAMPFIRE – MAGIC + MARSHNALLOWS

Friday, August 2 / 8:30pm – 9:30pm

@ Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Rochester Hills

Join us for a special campfire where we will perform a little magic show, teach you how to do a magic trick of your own, and amaze you with our balloon animal prowess!

SATURDAY

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

Saturday, August 3 / 9:00am – 3:30pm

@ Nankin Mills, Westland

Six miles of Hines Drive (from Outer Drive to Ann Arbor Trail) will be closed to traffic every Saturday for the public of all ages to run, walk, skate, or cycle safely. Parking is available at the Helms Haven and Nankin Mills picnic areas.

DARING DAY FOR BOYS

Saturday, August 3 / 10:00am – 2:00pm

@ Kensington Metro Park, Milford

Are you daring enough to spend the day learning to survive in the woods? Build a survival hut, make natural noise-makers, learn how to survive a bear attack, how to identify poisonous plants and venomous snakes, and more! Boys will have fun learning real wilderness survival skills. Please bring a lunch and a water bottle. Ages 8+

DARING DAY FOR GIRLS

Saturday, August 3 / 10:00am – 2:00pm

@ Kensington Metro Park, Milford

TONS OF TRUCKS

Saturday, August 3 / 10:00am – 1:00pm

@ Clintonwood Park, Clarkston

Tons of trucks and other vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be on display for you to admire, sit in and climb on. Price includes rides, activities, bounce houses, and complimentary Spray Park entrance!

FIRST SATURDAY HIKES

Saturday, August 3 / 11:00am – 1:00pm

@ Mattheaei Bontanical Gardens, Ann Arbor

Join us for a walk on the grounds at Matthaei. This location offers tranquility and joy with it’s colorful gardens, extensive wooded trails, and gorgeous conservatory.

KID TO KID SALE

Saturday, August 3 / 12:00pm – 2:00pm

@ Shelby Township Senior Center

Attention all kids! Now is your chance to do something with those old toys or video games that are collecting dust. How does the idea of getting some new toys, sports equipment, or video games sound? If you are between the ages of 4 and 16, you can buy, sell, or trade items at the Kid to Kid Sale.

POLLINATOR PALOOZA

Saturday, August 3 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm

@ The Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores

Drop in and explore with hands-on artmaking in the Art Lab! Explore architecture and design with our supersize Lego tubs! Teaching artists will be on hand to provide instruction and materials.

FAMILY NIGHT AT TROY AQUATIC CENTER

Saturday, August 3 / 5:00pm – 7:30pm

@ Troy Family Aquatic Center, Troy

Bring the whole family to this outdoor music festival on the front lawn of the Southfield Municipal Complex. There will be vendors, music, and food trucks!

JOJO SIWA DREAM TOUR

Saturday, August 3 / 6:00pm – 9:00pm

@ Masonic Temple, Detroit

Nickelodeon superstar JoJo Siwa is a YouTube personality, singer, dancer, entrepreneur, social media influencer, New York Times bestselling author and star on Nickelodeon’s Lip Sync Battle Shorties.

LUAU ON THE SHORE

Saturday, August 3 / 6:00pm – 9:00pm

@ Pavillion Shore, Novi

Enjoy live music, dancing, food and the beautiful views of Pavilion Shore Park at our second annual Luau on the Shore! This is a free event for the community and all ages are invited. We will provide fun activities and even Michigan Moana will be there to meet the kids. Seating is limited so feel free to bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the show from Polynesian Dancers of Michigan.

DIVE IN MOVIE – LEGO MOVIE 2

Saturday, August 3 / 8:30pm – 10:30pm

@ Fuller Park Pool, Ann Arbor

Bring your own inner tube and float in the pool as you enjoy a family friendly movie. Tonight’s feature film is Lego Movie 2. Rated PG

SUNDAY

GRATIOT CRUISE

Sunday, August 4 / 8:00am – 5:00pm

@ Clinton Township

The Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise is the biggest and best event on Gratiot Avenue. This summertime tradition is an opportunity to showcase our community to neighboring residents, and visitors from across the State and Midwest. With almost 250,000 in attendance the cruise has continually increased each year in attendance, classic cars, family activities, and business involvement year after year.

LITTLE WALK IN THE PRAIRIE

Sunday, August 4 / 10:00am – 2:00pm

@ Lake Erie Marshlands Museum, Brownstown

Let’s take a short hike out to our modified tallgrass prairie to discover plants like Big Bluestem, Tall Coreopsis and more. Learn what makes prairie plants so unique, how fire plays an important role in keeping it healthy, and the history of prairies in southeast Michigan.

TROY TRAFFIC JAM CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Sunday, August 4 / 10:00pm – 3:00pm

@ Columbia Center, Troy

The Troy Traffic Jam Classic Car Show is a free, fun, and family-friendly event. See over 250 classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and specialty vehicles. Bring the family to enjoy children’s crafts, music, and plenty of great food will be available for purchase.

DETROIT FIREMEN’S FUND FIELD DAY

Sunday, August 4 / 11:00am – 4:00pm

@ Historic Ford Wayne, Detroit

Buckets of family fun, including your picture with a firefighter, Detroit Fire Department Honor Guard. 50/50 raffle, food and refreshments and field day T-shirts. Other entertainment includes DFD Clown Team, Thrill Team, Detroit Fire Department Band, Bouncers, Face Painting, Giant Slide, and more!

SUNDAY TRAIN RIDES

Sunday, August 4 / 1:00pm – 4:00pm

@Joy Blvd. Park, Clinton Township

Take a train ride with the Michigan Transit Museum.

BEACON PARK FAMILY FUN DAYS

Sunday, August 4 / 1:00pm – 5:00pm

@ Beacon Park, Detroit

Think make/take activities, lawn games, inflatables, face painting, crafts and much more! There will be food trucks available and Lumen Detroit will be open during the event for food and drink too!

BUTTERFLY WALK

Sunday, August 4 / 2:00pm – 3:30pm

@ Rouge Park, Detroit

Join the Friends of Rouge Park on a walk through Rouge Park’s restored tallgrass prairie and search for butterflies.

GO TO A BALL GAME

For MORE EVENTS happening this weekend, please check out our full EVENT CALENDAR!

Find Summer Favorites HERE! Check out these ideas for more fun:

Photo credit: Facebook

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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