Top things to do with KIDS this weekend: September 28-30

Young kids carving Halloween jack-o'-lanterns

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

SOUTH LYON PUMPKIN FEST

Friday, September 28 – Sunday, September 30

@ Downtown South Lyon

Pumpkinfest takes over downtown South Lyon this weekend. The annual Pumpkinfest Parade is Saturday morning and there will be food, music, inflatables and more!

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 29 – Sunday, September 30

@ Erie Orchards & Cider Mill

The pumpkin fields are open for picking. Come and get the biggest and best. Apple picking is great this weekend. There will be entertainment, a corn maze, pony and hayrides and crafters on site for the whole family to enjoy.

STAR WARS AND THE POWER OF COSTUME

Tuesday, September 25 – Sunday, September 30

@ Detroit Institute of Arts

Don’t miss a chance to show your little ones the world’s most recognized cinematic costumes, including Queen Amidala, Chewbacca, X-wing pilots, Rey, and droids, including C-3PO and R2-D2.

FALL FLAVOR WEEKENDS

Saturday, September 29 & Sunday, September 30

@ Greenfield Village, Dearborn

Knowing about food is one of the most deeply rooted ways of understanding American history. In Greenfield Village, they share countless food stories, from the sowing of seeds to the setting of tables. Learn to make seasonal recipes from simple, freshly harvested ingredients prepared in the kitchen of our historic homes and farms.

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS

Thursday, September 6 – Sunday, September 30

@ Chene Park, Detroit

A spectacle of global proportions, the extra special 25th Anniversary edition of everybody’s favorite circus will take you on an unforgettable journey of electrifying, edge-of-your-seat performances!

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Friday, September 28 – Sunday, September 30

@ Michigan Renaissance Festival Grounds, Holly

Take a time-travel adventure into the 16th century at the annual Michigan Renaissance Festival! Inside the turreted gates, visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of a 17-acre village, complete with building reproductions of Renaissance shops, taverns and a magnificent castle.

FALL FUN FEST

Friday, September 28 – Sunday, September 30

@ Deneweth’s Garden Center, Macomb

It’s opening weekend for Fall Fun Fest at Deneweth’s Garden Center. Enjoy all the fun fest activities – Rain or Shine: Pumpkin painting, Spooky hay ride through the decorated barn, indoor activities including, Inflatable haunted house, pumpkin pitch, mini straw maze, picture scenes, bean bag tosses and more!

FRIDAY

MEET SPLASH AND BUBBLES

Friday, September 28 / 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
@ Sea Life Michigan Aquarium, Auburn Hills

Join us for an epic quest to discover fascinating creatures & become a Reeftown Ranger! Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet your favorite fishy friends, Splash and Bubbles!

MAYBURY FARM CORN MAZE

Friday, September 28 / 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

@ Maybury Farm, Northville

Enjoy Maybury Farm’s corn maze and help support the Farm! The funds raised from the maze are used to help support the work of the Farm and our mission of connecting the community to animals and agriculture.

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS

Friday, September 28 / 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak

Each Family Fun Night will include a hike through the Zoo, hands-on-activities, a snack, and an opportunity to meet Zoo staff. These experiences will be suitable for all those older than 5 years of age. Programs run from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Registration is required.

ACTING, IMPROV AND BROADWAY BASICS WORKSHOP

Friday, September 28 / 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@ Hunter Community Center, Clawson

Kids will learn acting and improv through a variety of games, activities and skits. Kids will also learn a song and dance from a popular Broadway show. We offer a fun, friendly, casual, and noncompetitive environment. Ages 7-18

SATURDAY

AUTUMN ADVENTURE HAYRIDES

Saturday, September 29 / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

@ Oakwoods Metropark, New Boston

Enjoy a leisurely hayride as they point out some of the awesome autumn happenings within the park. Best part, they’ll be making a pit-stop for cider and donuts.

TON OF TRUCKS

Saturday, September 29 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ Kensington Metropark, Milford

Construction, Farm, Maintenance, Police, Fire, Educational and many more vehicles on display for the entire family. Food vendors and kids activities too! Come on out and climb on the vehicles, honk a horn and see these big trucks up close and personal.

ENGLISH-ARABIC STORYTIME

Saturday, September 29 / 10:30 am – 11:30 am

@ Arab American National Museum, Dearborn

Children ages 2-6 and their parents are invited to attend storytime in the Library at AANM. A storyteller will read picture books in both English and Arabic, teaching a few Arabic words and phrases. Following the story, there will be time for free play, crafts or games in the Library.

COMERICA BANK PARK PARTY

Saturday, September 29 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@ Comerica Park

Fans of all ages are invited to Comerica Park’s Park Perks Season-Finale Celebration. Admission will include complimentary carousel and Ferris wheel rides, access to speed pitch booths and batting cages, photo opportunities, meet and greet with PAWS, a behind-the-scene tour of Comerica Park, Tigers alumni appearances and access to complementary face painters and sketch artists.

STORYTIME AT THE MUSEUM

Saturday, September 29 / 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

@ University o Michigan Museum of Art

Storytime at the Museum promotes art enjoyment for their youngest patrons. There will be a fun, age-appropriate hands-on activity related to the story. Children ages three to six are invited to join Storytime.

FALL LEAF HIKE & T-SHIRT STAMPING

Saturday, September 29 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Indian Springs Metropark

Fall fun for the whole family. Hike through the crunchy leaves, enjoy the autumn colors, and collect a leaf from each type of tree you encounter. Then paint a beautiful t-shirt to take home. Bring a white or light-colored t-shirt to paint. Ages 3 and older. Please preregister

PRINCESSES & PUMPKINS

Saturday, September 29 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Kackleberry Farm, Monroe

It’s a royal event for the youngsters (limited tickets) — a private Princess party hosted by Nana! Meet the Disney Princesses in person … what a thrill (bring cameras)! Enjoy crafts, refreshments and more. Get a mini pumpkin to take home! Party ticket required for each child & includes farm admission. Accompanying adults must purchase regular admission.

CANVAS KIDS: PAINTING PARTY

Saturday, September 29 / 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

@ RaRa Recreation Complex, Rochester

Drop your young artist off with Miss Amy for a fun night of their own! They will start off the evening by creating a canvas keepsake to take home. Afterwards, they will have a yummy snack and spend some time in the new playscape. Please wear/bring socks and a paint smock if desired. Sign up soon, space is limited. Ages 5-9

FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Saturday, September 29 / 5:00 pm – 7:45 pm

@ Troy Community Center

An inexpensive and fun night out for families! Spend quality time together and enjoy basketball, swimming, parachutes, inflatable castle, and more.

KIDS NIGHT OUT

Saturday, September 29 / 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

@ 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!

SUNDAY

FATHER & SON BOW DAY

Sunday, September 30 / 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

@ Detroit Archers, Bloomfield

Fathers and sons can let their inner Robin Hood or Hawkeye fly. Both first time archers and experienced archers are welcome. Equipment, snacks, an archery-themed craft will be provided!

THE “ALICE IN WONDERLAND” INSPIRED TEA

Sunday, September 30 / 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

@ The Townsend, Birmingham

Join “Alice” for an afternoon tea with dancing, singing, food and fun! Our Children’s Princess Teas are Interactive for the First 45 Minutes with Singing and Dancing. We Will Have Food Stations and Fun for All Throughout….And Yes, Boys and Men love to Attend.

FARMINGTON HILLS CITY-WIDE OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, September 30 / 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

@ Farmington Hills City Fire

Learn about the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Division of Public Works, the Special Services Department, and other City programs and services.

FRANKLIN ATHLETIC CLUB INDOOR POOL GRAND OPENING

Sunday, September 30 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@ Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield

Come celebrate the grand opening of Franklin Athletic Club’s newly “refreshed” pool! A live mermaid show, free swim lessons, bounce houses, face painting and more!

KIDS’ LAB: THE RAINBOW CONNECTION

Sunday, September 30 / 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

@ Michigan Science Center, Detroit

Is black ink really just made of black dye? Can you create a rainbow just by adding water? Visitors will grab some markers and filter paper and explore the magic behind a colorful chemical process in our Centennial Lab.

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.