TOP THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS THIS WEEKEND: July 20-22
Take advantage of your weekends and plan something fun for the whole family to enjoy! Explore somewhere different, take a class or enjoy a local festival. Here’s our top picks for what to do and where to go this weekend!
ALL WEEKEND
Thursday, July 19 – Sunday, July 22
@ Downtown Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is one of Michigan’s finest summer traditions and one of the largest outdoor art fairs in the nation. Come experience and enjoy original works of art, street performances, culinary treats and a variety of sidewalk sales.
Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22
@ Shiawassee Park, Farmington
Guests enjoy a long weekend of music, food and fun activities geared for all ages, including the kid’s performance stage featuring kids educational and music entertainment. At night, families will gather for Movies Under the Stars and Light the Night, a spectacular event featuring hot air balloons.
FRIDAY
Friday, July 20 / 11:00 am – 1:00 pm + 4:00pm – 7:00pm
@ Oakland Mall, Troy
The Black Panther will be in center court between 11am – 1pm and then again from 4pm – 7pm. He will be taking brief breaks every 20 – 30 minutes. We do our very best to keep the line moving to be sure everyone gets a chance to meet Black Panther.
Friday, July 20 / 9:30 am – 11:00 am
@ Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Rochester Hills
This popular program is designed to be a special time exploring the great outdoors for preschoolers ages 2-4 and their parent, grandparent or caregiver.
Friday, July 20 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
@ Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit
Join us for a FREE program for children ages 2-4 and their adult caregivers. Enjoy stories, crafts and activities as we use our senses to explore nature together!
READING AND RHYTHM ON THE RIVERFRONT
Friday, July 20 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@ Detroit Riverfront
Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront (R3) is the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy’s unique, interactive early literacy program that includes live children’s entertainment, hear a story read aloud and receive a free book, as well as a ride on the lovely Cullen Family Carousel.
Friday, July 20 / 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
@ Livonia Community Recreation Center
Parents, enjoy a night to yourselves while we provide food and entertainment for your children. Kids will have a blast in the leisure pool, eating pizza & pop, rock climbing, playing board and video games and watching a movie.
Friday, July 20 / 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
@ Montibeller Park, Ann Arbor
Families, bring your competitive spirit! Win prizes for top scores in fun games like a potato sack race, egg race, home run derby, and many more! Light dinner will be served including grilled hot dogs.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – THE EMOJI MOVIE
Friday, July 20 / 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
@ The Village of Rochester Hills
Our second movie of the season, The Emoji Movie was a favorite by many kids this past year. There will be lots of fun activities for the kids (learn more in the conversation below), FREE popcorn, giveaways and even chances to win!
KID’S NIGHT AT THE NATURE CENTER!
Friday, July 20 / 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
@ Farmington Hills Nature Center
Need an evening out without the kids? Drop of the kids for some fun at the Farmington Hills Nature Center. This incredible evening is filled with fun nature activities, outdoor games, night hike, live animals and roasting marshmallows around a campfire!
BIRMINGHAM MOVIE NIGHT – BACK TO THE FUTURE
Friday, July 20 / 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
@ Booth Park, Birmingham
Join us for another season of family-friendly films under the stars!
PREMIERE OF CHANNEL MAGNIFICENT LIVE!
Friday, July 20 / 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
@ Acting Out Kids Community Theatre, Clawson
Please join us for the premiere of our spring episode of Channel Magnificent Live! A reception will immediately follow. This is a free event for kids and families, so please join us for a fun Friday night out and see what we are all about!
SATURDAY
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 – AUTISM SENSORY VIEWING
Saturday, July 21 / 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
@ Emagine Theatre, multiple locations
Come join us for the “Autism Friendly Films” program at Emagine. This Autism & Special Needs friendly program is a partnership between Emagine and Centria Autism to make going to the movies a more enjoyable and accessible experience for families, children, and teens on the Autism spectrum. Autism Friendly means means sensory friendly (lights up a bit, sound down a bit), if your child needs to get up, move, dance, sing, no problem and if your child has food allergies or is a picky eater you’re welcome to bring your own “safe” snack for them.
Saturday, July 21 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
@ Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit
Join us for a FREE program for children ages 2-4 and their adult caregivers. Enjoy stories, crafts and activities as we use our senses to explore nature together!
Saturday, July 21 / 10:30 am – 11:30 am
@ Ann Arbor Hands On Museum
Encourage your child’s natural drive for discovery through our Little Scientist Club. Our youngest visitors will explore their sense of wonder about the world through observation and hands-on activities, science-themed stories, and much more.
Saturday, July 21 / 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
@ Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit
We’ll provide equipment, bait and instruction, including information about Michigan fish and where to catch them. A fishing license is required for anyone age 17 or older. Catch and release only. Only guests of the OAC may participate in this activity.
Saturday, July 21 / 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
@ N’Namdi Movement Center, Detroit
“Art & Movement” is a combo creative movement and art class, introducing lil dumplins to movement and music dynamics, improvisation and visual art methods, encouraging self-confidence, body awareness and focus.
Saturday, July 21 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@ BohoModern Studio, Detroit
Experience Incredible India! We’ll create jar terrariums featuring important cultural artifacts and landmarks, get henna tattoos, practice yoga, and enjoy an authentic Indian drink and snack! This event is designed for children ages 4-12 years old.
THE KITCHEN CREW COOKING CLASS – SUMMER CARNIVAL FARE
Saturday, July 21 / 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
@ Brightmoor Artisans Collective, Detroit
Everyone loves a carnival…especially the food! This class will feature food typically found at a carnival, but made our way.
Saturday, July 21 / 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Rouge Park
Open Streets Detroit is a free, safe and inclusive event that brings Detroiters together in the streets by providing opportunities for fitness, recreation and community building along city streets. Open Streets Detroit includes complementary programming at locations along the route featuring a wide variety of organizations.
Saturday, July 21 / 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
@ Rochester Hills Public Library
Dress your little one up in swimwear and come enjoy some water play, a book, and some songs in small pools outside the library.
Saturday, July 21 / 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
@ The Robot Garage, Rochester Hills
Register to bring your kids to The Robot Garage for a Kid’s Night Out and they will LOVE that you’re leaving them behind for a night to yourself. Our amazing staff will lead LEGO and robotic activities for ages K-8.
SUNDAY
Sunday, July 22 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@ BohoModern Studio, Detroit
Join for Kids Open Studio, every Sunday from 11am to 2pm. Kids and parents will have access to paper, scraps, markers, crayons, glue, and other art supplies to freely create! Kids of all ages welcome.
FREE DAY AT THE FLINT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Sunday, July 22 / 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Flint Children’s Museum
Sunday, July 22 is a FREE DAY! Admission is FREE for EVERYONE from 12-5pm.
DETROIT TIGERS V BOSTON RED SOX
Sunday, July 22 / 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Comerica Park, Detroit
Sunday is Family Day at Comerica Park! Kids 14 and under can ride the carousel and Ferris wheel for free! Kids are also able get in on the action and run the bases. There’s no additional cost, all you have to do is line up under the scoreboard in left field.
Sunday, July 22 / 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Sundays equal Family Fun Days at Beacon Park! This wildly popular program offers four hours of free, themed activities for all ages. From putt putt golf and face painting, to inflatables and crafts, the options are endless.
Sunday, July 22 / 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
@ Greenfield Village, Dearborn
Take your peanuts and Cracker Jack to 1867 as the Greenfield Village Lah-De-Dahs play by early base ball rules. No gloves and no Major League contracts. Live music on select days.
Sunday, July 22 / 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
@ Michigan Science Center, Detroit
Slippery, ooey and gooey… Oh My! Visit our Centennial Lab to explore how polymers behave using some common household ingredients. Your slimey creation is yours to keep.
Sunday, July 22 / 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Detroit Institute of Arts
Known for her bold, energetic mixed-media paintings, murals, and wearables, local artist Ellen Rutt invites participants to help her create an installation of shapes and colors.
For MORE EVENTS happening this weekend, please check out our full EVENT CALENDAR!
Summer is HERE! Check out these ideas for how to enjoy the long days and warm nights.
- 5 Beaches the Kids Will Love in Metro Detroit
- Family Guide to Free Outdoor Movies in Metro Detroit
- Guide to Metro Detroit Farmers Markets, Splash Parks + Waterparks
Photo credit: Facebook
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About Chrissy Hartig
Chrissy Hartig is a recent graduate of Wayne State University and contributing writer for Little Guide Detroit. Born in the Metro Detroit suburbs, she moved to Midtown to be closer to the excitement of the city. She loves spending her time outdoors and enjoying nature in places like Belle Isle and the Riverwalk.
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