Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in August 2014

Oh man…It’s just about AUGUST! How crazy is that? This summer has flown. Hope you all are getting out and having fun before school starts back up! Here’s some ideas for family friendly things to do around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and the surrounding areas in the month ahead. Mark your calendar and be sure to comment with anything fab I have missed!

Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in August 2014:

August 1 – Big Rig Gig {Orion Township} – From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., children can see dozens of trucks, tractors, diggers, bulldozers, bucket and back loader trucks at the Big Rig Gig at the park at the corner of Baldwin and Clarkston roads. Concessions will be available and the movie, Despicable Me 2 will be shown at 8:30 p.m., so bring a lawn chair. The event costs $5 per vehicle. {Thanks to reader Dave for sharing this with me!}

August 1-2 – Bath Days Festival {Bath} – Visit downtown Bath outside of Lansing for a parade, bath tub races, live music, kids events and more. FREE.

August 1-10 – Tarzan at the Warren Civic Theatre {Warren} – Based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure, Tarzan features music by rock legend Phil Collins and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. High-flying excitement and musical hits make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience. Performances are Friday, August 1 & 8 at 7pm; Saturday, August 2 & 9 at 7pm; and Sunday, August 3 & 10 at 3pm. Reserved seating is $5-$12. {Find a community theatre near you with this list!}

August 1-2 – Family Camp Out {Brighton} – SELCRA is hosting a family camp out at Brighton State Recreation Area. Campers will be able to swim, canoe, kayak, paddle board, fish, enjoy nature hikes and more. Additionally, a movie will be shown at night by a campfire. Cost is $25/camping site.

August 1-2 – Milan Summer Fest {Milan} – This two-day family fun festival features events like a corn hole tournament, pancake breakfast, arts and crafts vendors, Backstreet Cruizers car show, bingo, live music, and much more. FREE.

August 1-3 – Buy Michigan Now Fest {Northville} – This festival is a weekend celebration of Michigan-made businesses and products. The family friendly event includes tasty treats, street vendors, live music, and children’ activities. Adults may also partake in local beers and wines in the Michigan Beer Garden. Admission and parking are FREE.

August 2 – Family Day at the Broad Art Museum {East Lansing} – Visit the museum for Family Day, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Scavenger hunts, hands-on projects, and live music by St. Martha Strings Ensemble — plus a special family tour at 1 p.m. FREE.

August 2 – Manchester Street Festival {Manchester} – Visit Manchester for a fun-filled day including a fun run, art fair, live music, fireman’s challenge, Kids Korner with bounce houses, bed races, and more. FREE.

August 2 – Home Depot Kid’s Workshop: Build A Mini-Crate Pencil Holder {Nationwide} – Build a pencil crate, perfect for back-to-school at this hands-on workshop, designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.

August 2-3 – Railfans Weekend at Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} – All aboard! This weekend is dedicated to trains and train lovers! Celebrate Huckleberry Railroad with shop tours, demonstrations, model trains and a special photo run. Train/Crossroads Village combo pricing is as follows: Adult {13+}: $13, Senior {60yrs +}: $12, Child {25mos.-12yrs}: $10, 24 mos. & under are free.

August 2-3 – Arab and Chaldean Festival {Detroit} – The festival, which takes place in Hart Plaza, is the largest Arab Chaldean American cultural event in North Amrica and features a variety of Arab and Chaldean food, ethnic cultural gallery and an impressive entertainment program which will include a fashion show and a “Meijer Kids Zone.” {Unsure of an admission fee, but plan to bring money to park.}

August 6-10 – Walking With Dinosaurs {Palace of Auburn Hills} – Dinosaurs once again roam the earth when Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series, comes to The Palace of Auburn Hills. Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution with almost cinematic realism. The show has scenes of the interactions between dinosaurs, how carnivorous dinosaurs evolved to walk on two legs, and how the herbivores fended off their more agile predators. Tickets range from $19.50-$59.50.

August 8-9 – Saline Summerfest {Saline} – Summerfest features food, music, and fun, along with a juried art show, trolley tour of Saline’s most intriguing historical sites, a 5K run/walk event, a youth fishing contest, and more. FREE.

August 8-10 – Milford Memories {Milford} – Visit beautiful downtown Milford for this super fun annual fest, which features arts and crafts, plenty of food, live music, kids activities and more. See here for the entire schedule. FREE entry.

August 8-10 – St. Johns Mint Festival {St. Johns} – Celebrate more than 100 years of mint farming in Clinton County with arts & crafts, a flea market, food concessions, a parade, mint farm tours, free entertainment and more. A highlight of the festival is activities for kids including Kids World all weekend long and Kids Day on Sunday with exotic animals, games & contest—all for 25 cents each.

August 9 – Air Fair at Groveland Oaks County Park {Holly} – Make it a weekend of camping or come into he park for the day and enjoy the windjammer professional kite team, a hot air balloon glow, face painting, hay rides, live music and more! Free for Oakland County Parks permit holders or $5/day for Oakland County residents, $4/car for seniors and active military and $10/car for others.

August 9 – Dinosaur Train Discovery Day at the Saginaw Zoo {Saginaw} – Participate in an exciting day of Dinosaur Train activities including Nature Tracker stations, Dinosaur Train story time in the Amphitheater, rides on the Train, and digging for hidden dinosaur bones in the Fossil Find! Don’t miss your chance to meet Buddy the T-Rex who will be will be appearing for special photo opportunities. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission into the zoo is $7 per person. Train and carousel rides are $2 per person, per ride.

August 9 – Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic: Monsters vs. Aliens Trolley {Nationwide} – Bring your child to Lowe’s to build a trolley inspired by the film Monsters vs. Aliens. Register online in advance. FREE.

August 9 – Family Fun Nights at Green Oak {Brighton} – From 7-11 p.m., allow your kids the opportunity to get close to some really big trucks! A fire engine, police car, bulldozer, dump truck and more. Then, stick around for the movie Despicable Me 2. Bring chairs and blankets. Free popcorn and punch, too! Candy available for purchase. FREE.

August 9 – Touch-A-Truck {Lansing – Sharp Park} – Get the scoop on this FREE family fun event over at A Mitten Full of Savings!

August 10 – 10th Birthday Celebration at Bounce {Hartland} – Celebrate 10 years and Bounce as the #1 Gymnastics Center in Livingston County with open gym, games and prizes, inflatables, face/hair painting, cupcakes and more. From 2-4 p.m. FREE.

August 11  – 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. August’s theme is All Aboard! and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

August 11-17 – Armada Fair {Armada} – Check out the Armada Fair for a demolition derby, monster truck shootout, tractor and truck pulls, children’s activities, 4H entries and more. Pricing: Adults {13+}: $8, Kids {9-12}: $2, Kids {8 and under}: FREE. Daily parking: $5.

August 15– Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show {Ferndale}  This event is in its 14th year and is the perfect opportunity for kids young and old to get up-close to emergency vehicles. From 1 p.m. – 8 p.m., with the Lights & Sirens show at 5:30 p.m. FREE.

August 15-17 – Melon Festival {Howell} – Visit Grand River in downtown Howell for festival staples like melons, melon-flavored ice cream and wine, and also enjoy the Melon Run, a free outdoor movie, free live music, the kids Melon Patch, inflatables, food court, train rides, Ultimate Air Dogs, a carnival, street vendors and more.

August 15-17 – Ypsilanti Heritage Festival {Ypsilanti} – This community festival features local and national arts and crafts, live music, local craft beer, entertainment and activities for kids and teens, and more. FREE.

August 15-17 and 22-24 – Day Out With Thomas at Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} – Day Out With Thomas™ offers an opportunity for children and their families to take a 40 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, the Controller of the Railway. Every event has a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station with Thomas-themed activities including stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts, and a Thomas storytelling and video viewing area. The activities on site at Day Out With Thomas™ are for you and your children to enjoy for several hours, please plan to arrive at least one hour before your train time. The Village will be open from 9 am to 5 p.m. on these six days. Train rides run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $21/person. Children 2 and under are free.

August 15-16 – Woodward Dream Cruise {Various cities along Woodward in metro Detroit} – There’s something for everyone at the Dream Cruise. Cool cars, plenty of live music, and even various kid-friendly activities like a Family Fun Zone at Pioneer Park in Royal Oak.

August 16 – Mason Aviation Day {Mason} – Stop into the airport for aviation fun! Check out airplanes and enjoy airplane and helicopter rides. FREE admission.

August 17-23 – Chelsea Community Fair {Chelsea} – Head to Chelsea for their annual Community Fair. Enjoy tractor pulls, horse shows, rides, auctions, parades and much more. FREE.

August 19 – Teddy Bear Clinic at the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum {Ann Arbor} – This popular program is part of the Healing Through Hands-On Science partnership with University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Learn about how your body works, explore various healthcare professions, and see the science behind medical procedures as you work through a Teddy Bear Clinic. The clinic is included with admission to the museum.

August 23 – Wildlife Adventure Day with SELCRA {Brighton} – Join SELCRA for a day full of adventure at the Millpond. Participants will enjoy kayaking, canoeing, a bounce house, catch and release fishing, and at 1 p.m., and wildlife safari show at the gazebo. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

August 23 – Fire Truck Muster at the Michigan Firehouse Museum {Ypsilanti} – A gathering of fire trucks, owners and enthusiasts who have fun displaying their fire engines, and sharing their experiences and expertise with others. The diverse collection of fire rigs will range in era from the 1920′s through the late 1970’s. Some of them are in original running condition and others have been beautifully restored. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.

August 24 – Birmingham Bike Festival {Birmingham} – Witness thrilling bike racing fly through the streets of downtown Birmingham at the fourth Annual Birmingham Bike Festival. See professional cyclists from around the country compete for the Michigan State Criterium Championship. Interested in racing yourself? There are races for juniors, amateurs, semi-pros, and even a FREE kids race! Don’t forget to check out the games, prizes, and bounce house at the kids fair, too. Casually ride your bike to the event and park it at the free bike valet, enjoy the shopping downtown, local vendors in Shain Park, and live entertainment.

August 28 – September 1 – Michigan Peach Festival {Romeo} – This popular fest includes parades, sports, carnival rides, craft show, food and lots of fun activities for kiddos! 

August 29 – September 1 – Arts, Beats & Eats {Royal Oak} – AB&E is Oakland County’s premier entertainment festival featuring more than 200 juried art exhibitors, 50 restaurants and 200 performances on 10 stages downtown Royal Oak. There also is a special day for families with autism {love!} and a kid’s zone as well. Festival admission is $3 until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & Monday and $5 after 5 p.m. everyday.  FREE to enter until 5 p.m. on Friday only.

August 29 – September 1 – Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair {Novi} – This year’s State Fair will include an expanded Midway, live entertainment, racing pigs, livestock and home arts exhibits, the state of Michigan Butter Cow, special performances by the Detroit Shrine Circus, Made in Michigan Pavilion, tasty carnival treats, and more. Customized pricing, depending on what you want to do — prices range from $5-$30. Children 2 and under are free.

What are you most looking forward to this August? Drop a comment and let me know!