It’s the month of LOVE. But mostly, it’s a month of some kick butt things for families around Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing. I’m pretty stoked to check out some of this fun. Plan an adventure today
{Or, if you are in need of a date night instead, be sure to check out my BIG list of ideas here, too!}
Through February 16 — Sesame Street Live presents “Make A New Friend” {Detroit} — Visit the Fox Theatre for this can’t miss show. Check out my recent post for tips, information and a discount code.
February 1 — “Kerry Tales: Buckle Your Shoe with Mother Goose” {Ann Arbor} — Storyteller Trudy Bulkley entertains as Mother Goose with rhymes and stories. 1/2 hour program for young and old alike. 2 p.m., Kerrytown Market and Shops in Hollander’s. FREE.
February 2 — Groundhog Day with Michigan’s Official Groundhog, Woody, at the Howell Nature Center {Howell} — Get your spring forecast straight from Woody, Michigan’s Official Groundhog! The Howell Conference & Nature Center will host a special celebration starting at 7:45 a.m., with the long-awaited prediction coming at 8:15 a.m. sharp.
February 3 — Winnie The Pooh Character Lunch at Castaway Play {Howell} — Visit Castaway for lunch at 11:45 a.m. and our special pal will be visiting from 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch includes one slice of pizza and a 12 oz. drink. $8.50/person.
February 4 — Young Explorer Days at the Michigan Science Center {Detroit} — Kids ages 2-5 hear the story It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw and play with a milk-like substance (dairy-free) they can shape to look like clouds in this science-themed activity. $10/adult {+1 child}, $5 for additional children.
February 4-5 — Macomb Center for the Performing Arts presents Schoolhouse Rock {Clinton Township} — The animated musical TV educational series that generations of kids grew up watching hits the stage. $6 for the 10 a.m. show, otherwise $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
February 5-7 — AAUW of Michigan presents Wizard of Oz {Garden City} — Join Dorothy and munchkins for one of the most popular plays of all time, showing at Garden City High School. Tickets are $6 each.
February 6 — FREE admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science After 5 p.m. {Bloomfield Hills} — Free admission courtesy of the MASCO Corporation Foundation, The Café and Observatory are open, and planetarium and bat shows are offered at an additional charge.
February 6-8 — Meridian Winter Blast {Detroit} — Visit Campus Martius Park for ice sculptures, a 200-foot snow slide, 50+ musical acts, dog-sledding and ice-skating demonstrations, snow shoeing, marshmallow roasting and more! Entry cost: 3 canned food items, 1 children’s book, or $2 to be donated to Matrix Human Services to help those in need.
February 7 — Chocolate Extravaganza {Chelsea} — The family-friendly event offers chocolate and Valentine-themed treats and activities in more than 30 local shops, restaurants, galleries and cafes. The stores each have their own distinct atmosphere and carry a sweeping variety of goods, which makes shopping a fun experience. FREE to attend.
February 7 — Wild Winter African Adventure at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — This family event has music, zookeeper talks, games and crafts, plus an African drum lesson and stories by Kenyan naturalist David Gakure. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free with zoo admission, which is $14/adults, $10/kids 2-14 and seniors, free for kids under 2. $6/parking.
February 7 — Community Snow Day {Milford} — Family activities will include ice skating {with your own skates}, winter crafts and games, snow shoeing, snow kayaking, a bonfire, cocoa, cookies, s’mores and more. 3-5 p.m. FREE.
February 7 — Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot {Nationwide} – Make a heart box for FREE at Home Depot. Hands-on workshops are designed for children ages 5 – 12 and take place between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Advance registration encouraged {link above}.
February 7 — Tiny Tots Concert with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra — Get ready to sing, dance and even beat box with Brooklyn-based PROJECT Trio. The ensemble features Greg Pattillo on Flute, Peter Seymour on bass and Eric Stephenson on cello. The Tiny Tots concerts are geared toward children ages 2-6 and take place at Music Hall at 10 a.m. Tickets are $12 for both adults and children.
February 8 — Family-Friendly Film at the Michigan Theater – Charlie Chaplin Short Films + Live Organ {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.
February 8 — FREE admission to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History {Detroit} — Enter for FREE thanks to Ford Motor Company. {Perfect for teaching about African-American History Month!}
February 9 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford {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. February’s theme is “Drive your imagination.” FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon.
February 10 — $2 Tuesdays at Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} – General admission to the museum is just $2! {We adore this place!!!}
February 12-14 — Under The African Sky at the Wild Swan Theater {Ann Arbor} — A delightful collection of African tales performed through storytelling, acting, dancing, and drumming. Colorful costumes, masks, and traditional music will delight and teach our littlest fans, with lots of opportunities for audience participation! $8/children/seniors and $12 for adults.
February 13-15 — Ice Festival and Fireworks {Utica} — Ice sculptures, children’s activities, carriage rides, and more. See the entire schedule at the link above. FREE.
February 14 — Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Make a sweetheart picture holder for Valentine’s Day! Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.
February 14 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Warren} – 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 $19.50 for both adults and children.
February 14 — Ice Queen Lunch at King’s Court Castle {Lake Orion} — Singing, dancing, story time and lunch with the Ice Queen. 11 a.m. $17/person.
February 14 — Fire & Ice with Spice {Clawson} — Visit downtown Clawson to see fire eaters, performers, ice carving competitors, and a chili cook-off. Families can also roast a few marshmallows or visit face painters. FREE.
February 19 — Fairy Tea at Crazy Wisdom Book Store {Ann Arbor} — Children, ages 2-8, and their families are welcome for tea and cookies served by real fairies! Celebrate with enchanting fairies as they serve tea, treats, and magic. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. events. Registration is required. $11/person. {Babies 18 months and younger are free.}
February 20 — Charlotte’s Web with the Flint Youth Theatre {Flint} — Charlotte’s Web tells the classic children’s story of a rambunctious pig named Wilbur who is desperately trying to avoid the butcher and a friendly spider named Charlotte who uses her web and creative thinking to save him. Show is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10/person. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
February 21 — Long Lost Stories featuring the Madcap Puppet Theatre at The Wharton Center {East Lansing} — In the corner of a forbidden attic sits a long forgotten trunk filled with mysteries and magical stories lost to the world for many years. Join two young explorers as they discover the trunk and are immediately captured by its secrets and the Long Lost Stories inside. Madcap Puppet Theatre brings big ideas and creativity to audiences of all ages with their amusingly eccentric vision. Tickets are $9/person. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
February 21 — Lunar New Year Festival {Howell} — This event will celebrate the Lunar New Year and will feature Asian cuisine, culture, art and games and a Dragon 5K, all while promoting local businesses. Most activities are FREE.
February 28 — Guy Louis at Meadow Brook Theatre {Rochester} — Back by popular demand, join Guy Louis on a Family Fun Musical Adventure! Everyone will be delighted with the many instruments, songs and more…you may even get to dance on stage! A show for all ages. Tickets are $10/person.
Note: There are daddy/daughter and mother/son dances in nearly every community but obviously couldn’t list them all. Search for one in your community and make a fun memory together
What do you have planned for the month? Drop ideas and I will do my best to add them!
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