TOP THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS THIS WEEKEND: MARCH 16-18

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!

SHOWS

CINDERELLA
March 13 – 18
@ Fisher Theatre, Detroit
This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists!

STOMP
March 16 & 17
@ Fox Theatre, Detroit
Stomp, the international percussion sensation, from its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, Stomp has grown into an international sensation over the past 20 years.

VELVETEEN RABBIT MUSICAL
Saturday, March 17 / 2:30pm – 4:00pm
@ Northville Marquis Theatre
Hop on in to the Marquis Theatre and enjoy the musical version of Velveteen Rabbit, a classic tale of how toys become real.

PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Saturday, March 17 / 7:30pm – 9:30pm
@ Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Frederic has vowed to devote his life to the extermination of piracy – until a ludicrous leap year snag threatens to keep him apprenticed to the pirates for life!

HANNA AND THE MOONLIT DRESS
Sunday, March 18 / 12:00pm – 3:30pm
@ Berman Center for Performing Arts, Bloomfield Township
Hanna and the Moonlit Dress is based on the beloved Israeli book Hanna’s Sabbath Dress by Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi’el and is adapted for the stage by Ronit Muszkatblit and Yoav Gal. Hanna is a fantastical, interactive musical for children about the magic of a good deed.

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
Sunday, March 18 & Monday, March 19
@ Music Hall, Detroit
In this live production, the eager Little Nutbrown Hare and his story comes to life before your eyes!

FRIDAY

NATURE TOTS
Friday, March 16 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ 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!

DROP-IN PLAY
Friday, March 16 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ Nature’s Playhouse, Ferndale
Children and Parents are invited to experience Nature’s Playhouse at a relaxed and unstructured paced. At Nature’s Playhouse we take pride in hosting only hand-crafted toys and play elements made exclusively from natural wood or cloth products.

KID’S NIGHT OUT
Friday, March 16 / 6:00pm – 8:30pm
@ The Robot Garage: Birmingham, Grosse Pointe & Rochester locations
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.

AMERICAN GIRL SLUMBER PARTY
Friday, March 16 / 6:00pm – 8:00pm
@ William Costick Activities Center, Farmington Hills
Bring your favorite doll and join in on an American Girl Luau Party based on Nanea Mitchell, the new American Girl. You will craft grass skirts for you and your doll and dance the night away. Luau themed snacks and a drink will be provided. This is a drop off event, kids only.

PATRICK’S DAY FAMILY NIGHT OUT
Friday, March 16 / 6:30pm – 8:00pm
@ Goldfish Swim School, Birmingham
Come enjoy their member (and potential member) appreciation family night with pizza, giveaways, and of course, lots of swimming!

SATURDAY

TEENS COOKING CLASS (AGES 13-17)
Saturday, March 17 / 10:00am – 11:30am
@ Eastern Market, Detroit
Create a St. Patrick’s Day spread, as you learn from Chef Joe Cosenza of Henry Ford College, how to make some Irish favorites. Best part, you get to sample what you make!

FREE MJR MOVIE – PADDINGTON 2
Saturday, March 17 & Sunday, March 18
@ MJR Digital Cinemas: Sterling Heights, Troy, Westland, Adrian and Allen Park
MJR Digital Cinemas announced they will offer their Free Spring Children’s Film Festival every Saturday and Sunday beginning Saturday March 3^rdand running every Sat. and Sun. through Sunday, March 25^th.

YOUNG EGGSPLORERS
Saturday, March 17 / 10:30am – 11:30am
@ Michigan Science Center, Detroit
Join for a monthly play date in Kids Town just for children ages 2 – 5. On March 7 and 17, they’ll perform egg-speriments to learn about one of nature’s marvels – the egg.

NATURE JOURNALING – TRY IT
Saturday, March 17 / 10:30am – 2:30pm
@ Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit
Our staff will provide the materials to make your very own nature journal, and guide you through writing and drawing prompts. The class is one hour long, and is included with the price of admission. Class times: 10:30am & 1:30pm.

FAMILY MOVIE SATURDAYS: COCO
Saturday, March 17 / 12:00pm – 1:30pm
@ Madison Heights Library
Join at the library on various Saturdays to watch family-friendly films. While you are there, check out the books that the films are based on or that are similar.

PATRICK’S DAY FAMILY FUN
Saturday, March 17 / 1:00pm – 5:00pm
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Grab your little leprechauns and head over to our 10,000 sq. ft. heated tent for a FREE afternoon of Irish dancing, face painting, crafts and more.

DROP-IN NINJA TRAINING
Saturday, March 17 / 1:00pm – 2:00pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
NWTG is specifically designed for kids. The focus is developing motor skills through mobility, balance, power, strength and endurance.

PUPPET THEATRE: THE STINKY CHEESE MAN
Saturday, March 17 / 2:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Detroit Institute of Arts
Have fun with Jack, the narrator, who takes you through the twists and turns of this wacky tale adapted from the popular book that contains zany versions of classic tales.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT: CRITTERS THAT SQUIRM IN THE NIGHT
Saturday, March 17 / 5:00pm – 10:00pm
@ Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor
It’s a night out for grown-ups while the kids enjoy an exciting evening at LSNC. Get down and dirty with the tiny world of insects, worms, and spiders as you play games, complete challenges, and more.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Saturday, March 17 / 7:00pm – 10:00pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Kids can tumble, jump & play while their parents are away! Shop, dine, or catch a movie while your child is supervised in a safe environment and meeting new friends! Ages 4-8.

SUNDAY

DROP-IN WORKSHOP: INITIAL TILES
Sunday, March 18 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm
@ Detroit Institute of Arts
While at the DIA, enjoy a free opportunity for arts and crafts at their drop-in workshops. This week, use your own initials and some colorful art materials to create a unique work of art to take home.

MICHIGAN FIREHOUSE MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, March 18 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm
@ Michigan Firehouse Museum, Ypsilanti
The large, modern addition offers 25 changing exhibits of antique fire trucks and early fire rigs, multiple displays of historic artifacts including tools, equipment, memorabilia and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country.

FAMILY FUNDAY FILMS: SMURFS THE LOST VILLAGE
Sunday, March 18 / 1:30pm – 3:00pm
@ Detroit Public Library, Main
Detroit Public Library’s Main Library is now offering free family friendly films! They will have a new film each week for the entire family to enjoy. Movies will be shown on the big screen at 1:30pm on Sunday afternoons through May!

PUPPET THEATRE: THE STINKY CHEESE MAN
Sunday, March 18 / 2:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Detroit Institute of Arts
Have fun with Jack, the narrator, who takes you through the twists and turns of this wacky tale adapted from the popular book that contains zany versions of classic tales.

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
Sunday, March 18 / 4:00pm – 5:30pm
@ Music Hall, Detroit
In this live production, the eager Little Nutbrown Hare and his story comes to life before your eyes!

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

Photo Credit: The Robot Garage

About Kerry Doman

Kerry Doman is the founder and CEO of LittleGuide Detroit and After 5 Detroit. She has lived downtown Detroit for 10+ years and still calls the city home with her husband and son. As a relatively new mom, she’s excited to explore downtown with her family and hopes you’ll enjoy doing the same!