Top things to do with KIDS this weekend: October 19-21

Mother, father and their daughters having fun at home. Happy family celebrating for Halloween. People wearing carnival costumes.

Take advantage of your weekends and plan something fun for the whole family to enjoy! Explore somewhere different, pick out your pumpkins or enjoy a local festival. Here’s our top picks for what to do and where to go this weekend!

ALL WEEKEND

ZOO BOO

Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21

@ Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak

Exhilarating live entertainment awaits your costume-clad little ones at the Detroit Zoo, including dazzling and daring acrobatics, magic acts, jugglers, story tellers, live music and extreme pumpkin carving demonstrations.

HALLOWE’EN FAIRY-TALE FEAST

Friday, October 19 / 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

@ Greenfield Village, Dearborn

Climb aboard a horse-drawn hayride to A Taste of History® Restaurant for a Hallowe’en-themed buffet supper that’s perfect for young children. Decorate your own dessert with a creepy cookie activity, and learn spirited songs from our Hallowe’en singing groups.

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS FROZEN

Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21

@ Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

In Disney On Ice presents Frozen, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take the audience through the magical story based in Arendelle, with special appearances by beloved Disney princesses and favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Storyand Finding Nemo and Disney’s The Lion King, who come together to prove that true love is the greatest power of all.

HALLOWEEN HOOT 2018

Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21

@ Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Rochester Hills

Dust off the box of costumes, grab yourself an orange pumpkin that will hold some candy, and get ready boys and girls, because our favorite fundraiser, The Halloween Hoot, will be creeping onto our trails within the next few full moons.

FRIDAY

KNEE HIGH NATURALISTS – SQUIRRELS

Friday, October 19 / 10:00 am – 11:30 am

@ Stage Nature Center, Troy

Children, ages 2-4, with an adult partner will enjoy this October program that explores squirrels and all they are doing to get ready for winter. Our naturalists will discuss squirrels with the class and take children out to the trails to observe some of their busy activities.

HALLOWEEN HOOPLA

Friday, October 19 / 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

@ Macomb Township Parks & Rec

Everyone is invited to dress-up and join the best Halloween Party in Macomb Township! Families will have the opportunity to take in a magic show, walk the vendor sponsored Trick or Treat Trail, stroll through the haunted house, dance the night away at Monster Studio 54, get your hair and nails done at the Freaky Hair Salon & Spa or make crafts at our “Boo-tique”.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT – ART STUDIO

Friday, October 19 / 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Heritage Park, Farmington

Take a well-deserved break and know your kids are safe and having a blast at the art studio. Themed art activities will keep them entertained for the evening. Bring a snack and dress for a mess!

HAUNTED NATURE CENTER

Friday, October 19 / 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Shelby Township

Visitors are welcomed into our spook-filled nature center to find costumed characters, fun scenes, and even a few trembly tales. Some of our characters will be handing out treats to anyone entering our lair. The entire nature center is orchestrated to evoke a playfully eerie Halloween night for the entire family.

HAYRIDE WITH A NATURALIST

Friday, October 19 / 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

@ Marshbank Park, West Bloomfield

Experience the changing seasons at Marshbank Park while enjoying a tractor-drawn hayride. You will learn all about the Michigan plants and animals during a few special stops along the hayride route. Under the picnic shelter, delight in cider and seasonal treats, plus create a fall nature craft to take home.

SATURDAY

BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY

Saturday, October 20 / 8:30 am – 11:00 am

@ Emagine, Royal Oak

Come see Daniel Tiger and enjoy a free screening of his new movie “Won’t You Be Our Neighbor?” at the Emagine Royal Oak. Doors open at 8:30am. Activities will be available from 9-11am.

MOTHER: THE SUMMIT

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

@ The Madison, Detroit

Calling all Moms! Through engaging keynotes and fireside chats, breakout sessions, this summit provides hands-on experience with the brightest and most inspiring leaders and innovators in our community – all mothers themselves!

TODDLER BOO BASH

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 11:15 am

@ Pleasant Ridge Community Center

Join us for a morning of Halloween FUN! Dress up in your most “Boo-tiful” costumes and celebrate with music. Enjoy spooky snacks with friends, dance and make a Halloween Craft.

EASTPOINTE LIONS CLUB ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

@ East Brook Commons, Eastpointe

The event includes free vision screenings for kids, child identification kits, pumpkin painting, pony rides, petting farm, refreshments, face painting, raffles, a fire truck/safety house (schedule permitting) and free goodie bags for the first 300 children.

DETROIT TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

@ West Riverfront Park, Detroit

Touch-a-Truck is a FREE hands-on family event that will provide children with the opportunity to explore large vehicles of all types, including those used by professionals in construction, public safety, transportation, landscaping and other industries.

STERLING FRIGHTS HALLOWEEN

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

@ Dodge Park, Sterling Heights

Join us in Dodge Park for our annual “Sterling Frights” Halloween event for Sterling Heights children 12 years of age and younger. We will have live music, a straw maze, hay rides, cider & donuts, goodie bags for all participants, inflatable activities for the young participants and a free pumpkin for the first 400 participants.

KIDS MAKE & BAKE PIE MAKING

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

@ Eastern Market, Detroit

Join Grand Traverse Pie Company with the Eastern Market team as they host their first-ever Market Kids’ Make and Bake Pie Making activity. Children 12 and under are invited to participate in any of the pie making sessions: 10 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.; and 11:30 a.m.

FAMILY FALL FEST

Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

@ Community Center, Brighton

You are invited to a fun, family-friendly event centered around all things Fall! Join us for free hay rides, cider and donuts, petting farm, pony rides, bounce houses, games, and more! We’ll also have food trucks and food vendors for purchase.

PUMPKIN PATCH WAGON RIDES & CORN MAZE

Saturday, October 20 / 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

@ Wolcott Mill Farm Center, Ray

Join us for a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out your Halloween pumpkin. On-site pumpkin carving is available. Go through the corn maze. Warm up near the fire and enjoy a cup of cider and a donut.

FALL COLOR WAGON TOURS

Saturday, October 20 / 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township

Enjoy the brilliant colors of Autumn on a wagon ride through the woodlots and fields. Learn signs of the season and history of the area. Afterwards, enjoy cider and donuts at the campfire.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 20 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ CrossWinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve, New Boston

FREE event! Enjoy a beautiful hayride along a forested trail and gather around the bonfire for kid-friendly stories while enjoying cider, hot chocolate and donuts. You can also demonstrate your pumpkin carving skills, try out our fall crafts and games and even participate in a scavenger hunt.

NATURE MAKERSPACE EXPERIENCE

Saturday, October 20 / 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

@ Farmington Nature Center, Farmington Hills

Design, create, and make using nature as the inspiration to solve real-world challenges! Makerspace learning is driven by children’s natural curiosity. The Nature Center is a unique place for young scientists to dream, plan, invent, and test. What will they create?

SOUTHFIELD BOO BASH

Saturday, October 20 / 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

@ Southfield Pavilion

Kids ages 2-12 years old are invited to come in costume and ready to have some Halloween fun! Enjoy creepy crafts, ghoulish games and trick or treating fun throughout the Southfield Pavilion. Don’t forget to take the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin.

FALL FESTIVAL AT THE KEEP GROWING DETROIT FARM

Saturday, October 20 / 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

@ Keep Growing Detroit, Detroit

Join us at the 1st Annual Fall Festival at the *new* Keep Growing Detroit Farm in Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market District. We’ll be hosting farm tours, kids activities, and cooking demonstrations. We will also be pressing apples for cider, making bike-powered green smoothies, and more. This event is free and family friendly!

ORANGE, GOLD & GREEN: A CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN

Saturday, October 20 / 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

@ Eliza Howell Park, Detroit

Celebrate the beautiful colors of the Autumn season with us! Orange, Gold & Green is a creative outdoor experience in Eliza Howell Park, one of Detroit’s most serene and beautiful spaces. This is a celebration of community, arts and of course the fall season!

TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN AND HALLOWEEN MOVIES

Saturday, October 20 / 3:30 pm – 9:30 pm

@ Downtown Rochester

Join us for a fun filled day in Downtown Rochester with Trick-or-Treat, a Costume Parade, Firehouse Fun and a Halloween edition of Movies in the Moonlight!

TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL

Saturday, October 20 / 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@ Recreation Center at Hillside, Northville

Get ready for a spooky, frightful, family friendly, delightful event! Enjoy a trick or treat trail, crafts, entertainment, and a Haunted Hallway! Candy, games, balloons, music and more.

TRICK-OR-TREAT ALONG THE TRAIL

Saturday, October 20 / 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@ Kensington Metro Park, Milford

During this evening program, costume clad little ones will experience entertaining and informative stops along the Nature Trails with a Halloween theme. Upon your return to the Nature Center enjoy cider and donuts and fall activities. Program is geared toward younger children.

HOWL-O-WEEN

Saturday, October 20 / 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

@ Howell Nature Center,

Dress up your little critter and join us for a HOWLing good time! This merry-not-so-scary event features trick-or-treating through the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park, children’s crafts, hayrides, cider and donuts, and more. In our efforts to be eco-friendly, this event is bring-your-own-bag.

HALLOWEEN HAYRIDES AND SPOOK VILLAGE

Saturday, October 20 / 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm

@ Drayton Plains Nature Center, Waterford

The Friends of the Drayton Plains Nature Center are hosting their annual Halloween Hayrides and Spook Village at the DPNC. Hayride includes: Bounce house, scary storytelling and enjoy a bonfire with marshmallows!

KID’S NIGHT OUT

Saturday, October 20 / 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.

KIDS NIGHT OUT – LIVONIA

Saturday, October 20 / 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

@ Livonia Community Recreation Center, Livonia,

Parents, enjoy a night to yourselves while we provide food and entertainment for your children. Your kids will have a blast in the leisure pool, eating pizza & pop, rock climbing, playing board and video games and watching a movie.

HAUNTED NATURE CENTER

Saturday, October 20 / 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Shelby Township

IGNITE: A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Saturday, October 20 / 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

@ Michigan Science Center, Detroit

The Michigan Science Center is hosting its premiere evening event this month that is both family-friendly and FREE! Ignite the night as budding scientists of all ages explore the museum, engage in activities like Rocket Reactions and Microwave It!, and see live stage shows including Kaboomistry and Don’t Try This At Home.

SUNDAY

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN HOUSES

Sunday, October 21 / 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

@ Wolcott Mill, Ray

Get in the Halloween spirit. Watch a Halloween movie and sip on hot chocolate while you decorate a pre-assembled Halloween themed gingerbread house. Frosting, candy and sprinkles are provided; you get to be the artist. Tools, equipment, memorabilia and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country.

PUMPKIN PALOOZA

Sunday, October 21 / 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm

@ Downtown Plymouth

Come and enjoy a safe and haunted Halloween experience. Pumpkin Palooza is a family fun Halloween extravaganza with games, costume contests, dancing, entertainment, petting zoo, and candy.

PUMPKIN PATCH FOR BLESSINGS

Sunday, October 21 / 1:00 pm – 5:00 PM

@ Village of Rochester Hills

Rochester Community Schools, MI (Rochester High School’s Michigan BPA) is hosting a PUMPKIN PATCH for Blessings in a Backpack right in the park at the Village of Rochester Hills.

PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY

Sunday, October 21 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Kensington Metro Park, Milford

Get in the Halloween spirit! Pick out a pumpkin and a design and have fun carving it in our festively-decorated event room. Then enjoy cider and donuts. We’ll party ‘til the pumpkins run out! Fee covers one pumpkin and refreshments.

TRICK OR TREAT AMONG THE TREES

Sunday, October 21 / 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Stage Nature Center, Troy

Halloween doesn’t have to be ghastly and frightening; it can be a fun and friendly outdoor celebration! Put on your costume and come out to hike the woodland pumpkin trail with a SNC guide. Children will learn some secrets of the forest, receive treats, meet costumed characters and some live animals.

PLEASANT RIDGE HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE

Sunday, October 21 / 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

@ Gainsboro Park, Pleasant Ridge

All residents are welcome-no reservations needed! Join in on the family fun with hayrides thru town, “wax hands”, pony rides & petting farm and yummy fall treats! Hayride will stop at Ameriprise for more fun activities. This event is sure to get your family in the Fall mood!

BANANA FOR TURTLE

Sunday, October 21 / 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@ Music Hall Center, Detroit

“Banana for Turtle” is a set of vignettes that involve five animal friends—Monkey, Python, Parrot, Elephant and Turtle. Created in the style of classical marionette, performance speaks humorously to issues of early childhood.

FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Sunday, October 21 / 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

@ Goldfish Swim School, Macomb
Join us for Family Night Out from 6:30-8:00pm! We will have crafts, food, open swim and raffles! Cost: $5 per person or $15 per family Pre-registration is required for this event.

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

Find Fall Favorites HERE! Check out these ideas for how to enjoy these cool autumn days.

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.