Who is excited that March 20th brings the first day of SPRING? We have never felt so ready in our lives. This winter has been pure torture with kiddos!

With that said, it means things are starting to heat up with family fun in March 2014 in Southeast Michigan. Check out the events I found around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing and be sure to chime in if I’ve missed any great ones. I’ll also keep adding them as I find them, so check back often 😀

First of all, did you know Michigan is celebrating Maple Syrup this March during select weekends? There are TONS of farms across Michigan celebrating with FREE events for families.

Join the Michigan Maple Syrup Association in getting a firsthand look at Michigan maple syrup farms in your community. Enjoy maple syrup samples and recipes and the chance to meet local maple syrup producers. Additionally:

• Watch maple trees being tapped
• See sap gathered and syrup being made
• Try samples of maple candy, maple cream, maple sugar and more
• Buy local maple products
• Meet local syrup makers

Check to see if there’s an event near you here for some delicious fun! I’ve also listed a few additional events I found below 😀

Throughout March — Flick’s Family Festival at Celebration Cinemas {Various Michigan Cities} — Features FREE movies for kids 12 and under and just $4 for adults. Showtimes are available on the Tuesday evenings the week the movie starts. Upcoming movies include: Despicable Me 2, Smurfs 2, Cloudy 2, Free Birds, and Walking With The Dinosaurs.

Throughout March — Goodrich Quality Theaters Free Spring Movies — {Various Michigan Cities} — See nine weeks of previously released, kid-friendly films for FREE every Saturday and Sunday at 9 and 10 a.m. March films include: Barnyard, Chicken Run, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar and Monsters Vs. Aliens.

March 1 — Monster Jam at Ford Field {Detroit} — Monster trucks invade the Motor City! Ticket prices range from $30-$67. {Kids two and under are free.}

March 1 — Dr. Seuss Birthday Party at the Northfield Township Library {Whitmore Lake} — Visit the library to celebrate the works of Dr. Seuss! There are two parties at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Call (734) 449-0066 to register your family. FREE.

*Note: There are TONS of Seuss-themed events in most cities. Be sure to check your local library 🙂

March 1 – The LEGO® Movie Building Event at Select Barnes & Noble Stores {Nationwide} — Check to see if your local Barnes & Noble stores is hosting this special event to build a scene from the movie. For ages 4 and up. FREE, but space is limited, so register in advance.

March 1 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Visit Home Depot to build a trojan horse bank from the new animated film, Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. Kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a pin. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE. Register here.

March 2 — Family-Friendly Film at the Michigan Theater – How To Train Your Dragon {Ann Arbor} – Part of the Toyota Family-Friendly Film Series. 1:30 p.m. Adults – $10, seniors/children 13+ – $8. Free for kids 12 and under.

March 4 — IHOP National Pancake Day {Nationwide} — Stop into IHOP for FREE pancakes! Guests are encouraged to make a contribution to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and if you make a $5 donation, you will receive a coupon good for $5 off your next visit. {This is an annual tradition for us! I think it’s like 40 cents to add chocolate chips, too — so worth it!}

March 7, 14 and 21 — Enchanted Spring and Fairy Fun at Matthaei Botanical Garden {Ann Arbor} — A tiny tea party, spring guided hikes, fairy dish gardens and more! How cute does that sound? Check out the flyer linked above for details. Costs vary.

March 8 — The Big 400 Maple Festival {Various locations throughout Chelsea and Dexter} — The communities of The Big 400 are teaming up to celebrate maple syruping in southern Michigan with a festival, including pancake breakfasts, tours of tapping areas and the syruping process and the release of a local maple wine – YUM! Costs vary with each event.

March 8 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Spring is right around the corner, right? Bring your kids to Lowe’s and they can build the bird house below {how fun is that?!}. Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.

March 8-9 — Wild Winter Safari Social at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — Escape the winter “blahs” with hot drinks and cool treats at Wild Winter Safari Social. Animal arts and crafts, face painting, animal enrichment activities, talks by the Zoo’s expert keepers and a winter safari scavenger hunt add to the fun. All activities are free with Zoo admission and take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ford Education Center. Admission range: Free for 2 and under; $10-$14 for others.

March 8-9 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Port Huron} – The Enchanted Princess Ball is a theatrical performance that transports little princesses into a magical fairytale world! Classic stories are retold as favorite characters are brought to life from the pages of favorite books to the stage. Awaiting your arrival will be: Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Tinkerbell, and more. Tickets are $19 for both adults and children.

March 9 — The Teacher From The Black Lagoon & Other Stories at The Wharton {Lansing} — This musical revue features a constantly changing variety of tales. Teacher From the Black Lagoon follows Hubie’s imagination as he faces his comically horrific fears. Don’t miss these delightful takes on children’s contemporary story books. Recommended for ages 4+. Tickets are $9.

March 10 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} — Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. March’s theme is “Go Green for Earth Day,” and kids will get the chance to make their own shamrock hat and also learn about the importance of recycling through a scavenger hunt inside the museum. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon! {Enter to win tickets here too!}

March 11 — $2 admission to the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} – Visit this adorable and educational museum perfect for the younger crowd for just $2 this day!

March 14 — Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party {Lansing} — Visit the Lansing City Market from 1-5 p.m. for tons of Seuss-filled fun featuring 4 different Seuss books read by a guest celebrity, plus activities. There will even be a special appearance by the Cat in the Hat himself and birthday cake. FREE.

March 15 — Monster Energy Supercross at Ford Field {Detroit} — Monster Energy Supercross is the world’s premier indoor motocross series, consisting of seventeen rounds of heart-stopping action in some of the largest venues in North America. Tickets range from $15-$55. {Save $5  on the $20-$25 seats by visiting the link above.}

Select weekends, March 15 – April 6 — Children’s Spring Festival at MJR Digital Cinemas {Various locations throughout SE Michigan} – FREE movies for children, ages 12 and under, and just $1 for adults! Keep an eye on Facebook for the exact showtimes, to be announced throughout the month.

March 19-23 — Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate {Auburn Hills} — Disney On Ice is skaing into The Palace of Auburn Hills for a party on the ice! Join Mickey, Minnie and the whole crew for the ultimate, adorable adventure. Ticket prices range from $22-$76.

March 20 — HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!

March 20 — FREE Cone Day at Select Dairy Queen Locations — Nab a FREE cone! No catch, but a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network, which benefits benefit hospitalized kids at Beaumont Children’s Hospital. Talk about a great cause and fab reason for ice cream! See the link above for participating locations in SE Michigan.

March 21 — Cirque Mechanics at The Whiting {Flint} — Witness a contortionist perform on a turntable powered by unicyclists, a high-flying trapeze artist sail through the air and a trampoline wall artist seemingly defy the laws of physics — all while laughing at the antics of the comedic characters. Tickets range from $25-$52. {Would recommend this for ages 12+. Students discounts available.}

March 22-23 — LEGO® Palooza at Impression 5 Museum {Lansing} — There will be activities and challenges galore—all involving the beloved LEGO®, including: a free-build area, car run, jewelry station, 3-D building wall, build-a-bridge challenge, and more! Space is limited, so reserve your spot online or call (517) 485-8116, ext. 132.

March 25-30 — Disney’s Beauty & The Beast at The Fisher Theatre {Detroit} — See the enchanting musical stage show version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, complete with the classic characters and the award-winning music from the film – plus additional songs! Note: This show is not recommended for children 5 and younger. Tickets range from $39-$99.

March 27-30 — Shrine Circus {Hazel Park} — It’s unlike any show on earth: European circus meets a great American tradition that began in Detroit: The Moslem Shrine Circus. In addition to the Wallenda Wire Walkers, majestic tigers, and more, the circus will feature rides on circus animals and a petting zoo. Tickets range from $6-$25.

March 30 – The Frog Bride at Wharton Center for Performing Arts {Lansing} — The Frog Bride is a hip adaptation of the classic Russian tale told by consummate storyteller David Gonzalez. Musicians weave one of Prokofiev’s classics with an original jazz-funk score, as David performs every role against a backdrop of video projections and images. Recommended for ages 4 and up. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. performances. Tickets are $14.50.

March 31 – TIGER’S OPENING DAY! Need I say more?! Go Tigs! {FYI – Kid’s Opening Day is April 6, so mark your calendar!}

What have I missed? Drop me a note and I’ll add your event! What are you most looking forward to this March?