Top things to do with KIDS this weekend: May 3-5
Start making plans for the weekend! There are LOTS of fun things to do around town with your littles!
ALL WEEKEND
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. The dinosaur scene includes a dozen dinosaur casts that will leave your littles in awe, while offering hands-on activities to help them learn too.
May 3 – May 12
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Come on out to Beacon Park for an awesome gaming experience! Check out more than a dozen FREE arcade games including Pinball, Ms. Pacman, Giant Space Invanders Frenzy, and more!
April 25 – May 5
@ Bel Air Shopping Center, Detroit
From the happy tunes of the Merry Go Round, the twists and turns of the Cortina Bobs, to the tummy tickles of the Sea Ray, our attractions will please the smallest of patrons to thrill seekers of any age.. Sugary Elephant Ears, Buttery Popcorn and Spicy Sausage are always on the menu.
May 5 – June 9
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Direct from Mexico City, Los Trompos encourages play and enables communities to celebrate its many cultures together. Take a spin on one of eight colorful and vibrant large-scale spinning tops created by award winning artists and designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena.
Thursday, May 2 – Sunday, May 5
@ Wild Swan Theatre, Ann Arbor
“Charlotte’s Web”, possibly the best loved of all American stories for children, is set to perform at the Wild Swan Theatre. Set in the rural Midwest, it tells the touching story of a rare friendship between a little pig, Wilbur, and Charlotte, a most uncommon spider. The magical words that Charlotte spins in her web not only earn Wilbur a county fair blue ribbon and save his life, but inspire all of us to value what we can share with each other.
Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5
@ Epiphany Studios, Pontiac
Join us for this free event, open to the public, families with children welcome! Watch or take part in glassblowing demonstrations, shop in our gallery for one-of-a-kind sculptures, and unique handmade gifts. We will also be showcasing our new line of lighting, La Ruche!
Friday, May 3 & Saturday, May 4
@ Summit Canton
Celebrate Mother’s Day in a special way. Moms, Aunts, Grandmothers and more are welcome for an evening of dancing and memory-making. There will be light refreshments and a popular balloon-drop finale! Souvenir photos will be available for an additional cost at the dance. Make this a tradition with the special little guy in your life! Semi-formal attire is recommended.
Friday, May 3 & Saturday, May 4
@ Comerica Park, Detroit
Head on down to Comerica Park and root on your home team! Cheer on your Detroit Tigers as they are set to take on the Kansas City Royals!
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN PERIOD FURNITURE MAKERS
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5
@ Detroit Institute of Art
Acquire an appreciation for eighteenth-century American furniture as members of the Society of American Furniture Makers demonstrate traditional, hand-powered construction techniques. Enjoy a guided tour of the DIA’s eighteenth-century furniture collection or have your child participate in a tool-box building workshop.
DROP-IN WORKSHOP: SANDPAPER MONOPRINTS
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5
@ Detroit Institute of Art
Come on down to the DIA and make your very own sandpaper monoprint! A monoprint is a single impression of an image made from a reprintable block. Try your hand at this unusual form of printing using sandpaper and crayons.
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5
@ Greenfield Village, Dearborn
Start your little engineer’s Day Out With Thomas™ with a hearty Railroader’s Breakfast in Greenfield Village’s A Taste of History Restaurant. Buttermilk pancakes with a choice of toppings, fresh fruit salad, sausage links and more. It’s a scrumptious early-morning way to prepare for a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™!
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5
@ Greenfield Village, Dearborn
Let the legendary, larger-than-life train take your children for a ride they’ll never forget! Witness the full-steam delight when your little engineer sees a real Thomas the Tank Engine™ chug into our station! Your day will be packed with roundhouse tours of steam locomotives, railroad hobo songs, a railroad turntable feat of strength, and more!
FRIDAY
Friday, May 3 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ Nature’s Playhouse, Ferndale
Come on out to Nature’s Playhouse where they offer a non-toxic yesteryear open playtime experience with our all-natural play environment. Enjoy spending time with other families at a relaxed unstructured pace.
Friday, May 3 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ Urban Air Adventure Park, Oxford
Jumperoo is a special time where the park is open only for children 5 & under! The entire Park is opened just for the little ones and their parents. They can jump, bounce and crawl around safely. The little ones will have access to all attractions where height requirements are met!
Friday, May 3 / 1:00pm – 2:00pm
@ RARA Recreation Center, Rochester
Come to RARA on your child’s half day off school to enjoy a tea party with mom, a female family member, or female role model! At this tea party, we will enjoy delicious tea along with cookies, along with a spring themed craft will be completed at the beginning of the party to take home to remember this great experience together. Come dressed in your best tea party attire – we will provide artist smocks that will help in protecting your clothing from getting messy from the craft.
Friday, May 3 / 5:00pm – 10:00pm
@ Cranbrook Institute of Science
Courtesy of the MASCO Corporation Foundation, the Institute of Science is free after 5pm the first Friday of each month. Join us for a free evening of science fun!
TROY GYMNASTICS PRE-K OPEN GYM
Friday, May 3 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm; 4:30pm – 7:30pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Come on out to Troy Gymnastics for open gym! Kids 12 months through 5 years are invited to come tumble around for a few hours. If it’s your first time going, it’s absolutely free! This event is held in TG2.
Friday, May 3 / 5:00pm – 8:00pm
@ Drake Sports Park, West Bloomfield
Put your imagination “in gear” and join us for our third annual “Touch-A-Truck”!
Kids of all ages will get a firsthand look at police, fire, construction, trash and all the really cool work vehicles we see every day, but don’t get the chance to touch. We will have inflatables available for kids to play on!
TROY GYMNASTICS “REC” OPEN GYM
Friday, May 3 / 6:00pm – 7:30pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Come on out to Troy Gymnastics for open gym! Kids 5 years through 23 years are invited to come tumble around for a few hours. If it’s your first time going, it’s absolutely free! This event is held in TG1.
MOTHER SON DANCE: A NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD
Friday, May 3 / 6:00pm – 8:00pm
@ Troy Community Center
Come dressed for the red carpet and spend an evening celebrating Mother’s Day with your son, grandson, or nephew. Enjoy dancing, enjoying treats, and making memories! Keepsake photo and gift included!
Friday, May 3 / 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
@ Detroit Mama Hub, Detroit
Enjoy a low-key night out with other mamas the first Friday of every month! Build new friendships while enjoying a kid-free evening in a space where you can laugh, unwind, and let your hair down with moms who get it. Wine, refreshments, and light snacks are provided.
SATURDAY
Saturday, May 4 / 7:00am – 12:00pm
@ Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak
The 21st Annual Walk For Wishes – Southeast Michigan is a Make-A-Wish Michigan fundraiser that celebrates the more than 9,500 wishes that have already been granted, while raising funds for future wishes. It’s a family-friendly event powered by wish families, volunteers, donors and friends. A wish experience can truly change a child’s life, and you can help.
Saturday, May 4 / 8:00am – 1:00pm
@ Downtown Rochester
Join us for the Opening Day of the 20th annual Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market! Say hello to all of your favorite farmers and shop the freshest selection of locally-grown produce, garden plants, baked goods, meats, cheeses, and much more!
Saturday, May 4 / 9:00am – 1:00pm
@ Heritage Park, Canton
The Heritage Park ponds will once again be stocked with rainbow trout and hybrid blue gill for this great annual event. No fishing license is required. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy quality leisure time with family, friends and neighbors. Don’t miss out on one of Canton’s family traditions! A limited quantity of worms/bait will be available for purchase. Make sure to bring your own fishing pole!
Saturday, May 4/ 9:00am – 5:00pm
@ Shelby Township Library
Comic book fans of all ages can drop in to the Library any time during the day to pick out a free comic book and draw their own comics. Those who dress up as comic book characters will be entered into a prize drawing!
TINY TOTS: EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY
Saturday, May 4 / 10:00am – 11:00am
@ Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Can you hop like a frog, flap your wings like a turkey vulture, or make a face like a dinosaur? Celebrate spring with Joe Reilly and friends in a program of environmental songs for kids of all ages.
Saturday, May 4 / 10:00am – 12:00pm
@ William Costick Activities Center, Farmington Hills
Bring your little Jedi to William Costick Activities Center for some formal training from the masters. This awesome event includes a light sabre favor, a sweet treat, and a drink. Don’t miss out!
Saturday, May 4 / 10:00am – 11:30am
@ Eastern Market, Detroit
Classes are $15 each, so reserve your tickets early as classes fill up quickly! Recommended ages for the kids classes are 8-12 years old. Attendees will get to eat a sample of what they make. For a safe working kitchen environment, we ask that all cooking class participants wear proper attire including: closed toed shoes (no flip-flops), pants (no shorts) and hair pulled back into a pony tail.
Saturday, May 4 / 10:00am – 10:00pm
@ Vault of Midnight, all locations
Come for the free comics, stay for the trivia & giveaways, live tunes from DJ RX78, local artist alley, and themed noms from Hero or Villain Deli! Arrive in cosplay for an EXTRA free comic book!
Saturday, May 4 / 10:30am – 11:30am
@ Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit
Join the Detroit Zoological Society for monthly hikes on Belle Isle as we explore the natural beauty of the island.
FAMILY DISCOVERY DAYS: A FROG’S LIFE
Saturday, May 4 / 10:30am – 12:00pm
@ Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake
We’ll tune our “Frog Radio” to the eight-different species of frogs and toads found in the park, and then kids will make a frog lifecycle bandana to take home. While our painted bandanas dry, we’ll walk outdoors to look and listen for any active amphibians. Dress for the weather, rain or shine.
Saturday, May 4 / 11:00am – 1:00pm
@ Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Travel to a galaxy far, far away with the DSO! This family-friendly program highlights the music behind favorite characters from the beloved Star Wars film series.
Saturday, May 4 / 11:30am – 12:15pm
@ Detroit Mama Hub
Join us for a bilingual story time featuring tales in Spanish and English from around the world. Babes from 0-4 years are invited to come sing, learn, and play! Siblings may attend as guests, and all children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver — mamas, papas, sitters, and other family members welcome!
REDFORD MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 4 / 12:00am – 4:00pm
@ Redford Model Railroad Club, Inkster
Come on out to the Redford Model Railroad Club for their open house! View various phases of continuous layout construction as well as a variety of locomotives, cars and advertising train and more! This is a FREE event, but donations are always welcomed!
Saturday, May 4 / 12:00pm – 4:00pm
@ Belle Isle Aquarium
Join us at the Belle Isle Aquarium to celebrate the Japanese heritage of our beloved Koi fish with an homage to Japanese culture. The day will include elements of Japan’s Children’s Day (celebrated on May 5th) with a selection of traditional Japanese games, music, martial arts and more! This is a FREE, family friendly event.
FARMINGTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY COMIC CON
Saturday, May 4 / 1:00pm – 5:00pm
@ Farmington Community Library, Farmington Hills
Come geek out with us at our first annual FCL Comic Con. In honor of National Free Comic Book Day, we will be celebrating comics and all things pop culture with games, giveaways, activities, crafts, costume contests, and more!
TROY GYMNASTICS “REC” OPEN GYM
Saturday, May 4 / 1:00pm – 2:30pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Come on out to Troy Gymnastics for open gym! Kids 5 years through 23 years are invited to come tumble around for a few hours. If it’s your first time going, it’s absolutely free! This event is held in TG1.
Saturday, May 4 / 1:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter
After a long grey winter, springtime is here and the colors are blooming. What better way to celebrate than with a blast of the colors of spring in Hudson Mills Metropark! Your color walk will take you along a beautiful one-mile route along the nature trail. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as you find five stations to be doused with color!
Saturday, May 4 / 1:30pm – 2:30pm
@ Farmington Nature Center
Design, create, and make using nature as an inspiration to solve real-world challenges. Makerspace learning is driven by children’s natural curiosity and desire to make things. The Nature Center is becoming a unique hub for young scientists and engineers to dream, plan, invent, and test.
Saturday, May 4 / 3:00pm – 5:00pm
@ Hess-Hathaway Park, Waterford
Dress up in your favorite special gown or outfit for the magical chance to meet a unicorn! Each child will have a unique photo opportunity on top a unicorn and a ride around. There will be a craft, hayride, Hess-Hathaway animal tour and special treat and drink.
Saturday, May 4 / 4:30pm – 8:30pm
@ Blake Farms Orchard, Armada
Back for the 3rd year, Chasing El Chavo is a 5k run on gravel trails around the family-owned 500-acre orchard. This is a fiesta themed race that will include a commemorative pint can glass, t-shirt, can of hard cider and donut! After race Mexican inspired food will be available for purchase in our El Chavo taqueria.
DETROIT ROLLER DERBY HOME GAME
Saturday, May 4 / 5:00pm – 10:00pm
@ Masonic Temple, Detroit
Head on over to the Masonic Temple to see Michigan’s premier roller derby league! Don’t miss the chance to see Detroit Men’s Roller Derby team in action as well as the Motor City Disassembly Line!
KIDS NIGHT OUT RACE TO THE FINISH
Saturday, May 4 / 5:30pm – 10:30pm
@ Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield
Pit stops, challenges, and clues to find…prizes and snacks waiting at the finish line! It’s sure to be a grand night full of swimming, races, challenges and so much more.
TROY GYMNASTICS TEEN NIGHT OUT
Saturday, May 4 / 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Come on out to Troy Gymnastics where the BIG kids take over the BIG Gym! Teens can explore the gym from the floor to the ceiling.
TROY GYMNASTICS KIDS NIGHT OUT
Saturday, May 4 / 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
@ Troy Gymnastics, Troy
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!
Saturday, May 4 / 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
@ Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, Livonia
This Star Wars themed evening will include dinner, a battle between the light and dark side and training from a Jedi Master. Star Wars characters will demonstrate some of the skills seen in the movies and train family members in Jedi maneuvers and techniques. Once guests complete their training, they will be treated to a screening of the first movie in the Star Wars original trilogy, Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace!
SUNDAY
TROY GYMNASTICS ALL AGES OPEN GYM
Sunday, May 5 / 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; 6:00pm – 9:00pm
@ Troy Gymnastics
Come on out to Troy Gymnastics for open gym! Kids 12 months through 23 years are invited to come tumble around for a few hours. If it’s your first time going, it’s absolutely free! If you plan to often, monthly memberships are available at $55 for unlimited open gyms. This event is held in TG3.
BIRMINGHAM FARMERS MARKET OPENING DAY
Sunday, May 5 / 9:00am – 2:00pm
@ Birmingham’s Farmers Market
Come on out for Opening Day of the 17th annual Birmingham Farmers Market! Say hello to all of your favorite farmers and shop among a fresh selection of locally-grown produce, garden plants, baked goods, meat, cheese, and much more!
Sunday, May 5 / 12:00pm – 3:00pm
@ Kensington Metropark, Milford
Not sure what to buy for Mother’s Day? Forget the mall and bring the kids out to Kensington Metropark. Each child will get to craft a one-of-a-kind nature-themed gift moms are sure to love. No preregistration needed, just drop in to the Nature Center to get ready for mom’s special day. Fun for kids of all ages.
Sunday, May 5 / 12:00pm – 7:00pm
@ Clark Park, Detroit
The Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade will begin promptly at noon on Sunday May 5th. from Vernor and CENTRAL and continue to 23rd Street. The fiesta at Clark Park following the parade will have bouncy houses, horse rides, petting zoo, face-painting, clown, train rides, food, community and selling vendors, Mariachi Band, DJ and other entertainment.
Sunday, May 5 / 1:00pm – 4:00pm
@ Comerica Park, Detroit
Sunday is Family Day at Comerica Park! Kids 14 and under can ride the carousel and ferris wheel for free! And, after most games, 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. Head downtown for a home game and watch as your Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals!
Sunday, May 5 / 3:00pm – 7:00pm
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Who’s ready for Cinco de Mayo, Beacon Park Detroit style?! The internationally traveling installation Los Trompos is set to kick off our Cinco de Mayo party, along with live music and performances, taco trucks, drinks and more! Don’t miss Detroit’s traditional “5 de Mayo” parade in Southwest Detroit from noon to 3 p.m. and then head over to Beacon Park Detroit for more fun! The parade is hosted by the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit.
For MORE EVENTS happening this weekend, please check out our full EVENT CALENDAR!
Find Spring Favorites HERE! Check out these ideas for how to enjoy these rainy spring days.
- Metro Detroit Guide To Free Comic Book Day
- Mother’s Day Events in Metro Detroit
- 7 Family Activities For Spring
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About Katie Cramton
Katie Cramton is a recent graduate of University of Michigan-Dearborn and contributing writer for Little Guide Detroit. Born in Flat Rock, she is no stranger to the Metro=Detroit area. She loves spending her time with her friends and family, as well as exploring Downtown Detroit.
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