Who is excited that March brings the first day of SPRING and Daylight Saving Time? We have never felt so ready in our lives. I love snow, but at this point, I’m just starting to feel over winter.
With that said, it means things are starting to heat up with family fun in March 2015 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 😀
Throughout March — Flick’s Family Festival at Celebration Cinemas {Lansing and other 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: Dolphin Tale 2, Annie, The Box Trolls, The Book of Life and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Throughout March — Goodrich Quality Theaters Free Spring Movies — {Ann Arbor, Canton, Oxford and other 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: The Box Trolls, Dolphin Tale 2, Earth to Echo, The Book of Life and RIO 2.
Throughout March — 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 1 — Belle’s Enchanted Tea Party {Flint} — The Young People’s Ballet Theatre are presenting the timeless story of Beauty and the Beast at the University of Michigan-Flint Theatre. For a special day at the ballet, join the characters from Beauty and the Beast at Blackstone’s Grill for Belle’s Enchanted Tea Party. This event includes tea sandwiches and refreshments, photo opportunities with characters from the ballet, premium seating for the Sunday 2 p.m. show, and a special gift from Belle. Seating is limited, $40 per person.
March 2 — READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY {Nationwide} — Check your local library for great events!
March 3 — 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 — Leslie Science & Nature Center Parent’s Night Out {Ann Arbor} — Parent’s Night Out: Creatures of the Night is designed for kids ages 6-12, and will give parents an evening to enjoy themselves while their children have fun learning about the animals that are awake all night long. Kids will enjoy a night hike, meet an owl up close, and explore how human and animal senses work in the dark. Attendees will also have a pizza dinner and snack provided by LSNC. 5-9 p.m. $25/child.
March 7 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Visit Home Depot to build bookends! 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 7-8 — 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 7 & 9 — Family-Friendly Film at the Michigan Theater – The LEGO Movie in 3D {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 8 — DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!
March 9 — 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.” FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!
March 10 – $2 Tuesday at the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} – General admission to the museum is just $2!
March 13-14 – I Can Hear The Sun at the Wild Swan Theater {Ann Arbor} – Based on award-winning Michigan author Patricia Polacco’s book by the same name, I Can Hear the Sun tells the story of Fondo, a young, homeless boy. Fondo begins to find his place in the world as he tends a group of wild geese in a city park, especially by helping a blind baby goose. This story delivers important messages of compassion, hope, and reaching out to people different from ourselves. Adults: $12, youth/seniors: $8, lap pass for 2 and under: $3.
March 13-14 — St. Patrick’s Day Celebration {Grand Ledge} — This annual celebration is set in historic downtown Grand Ledge and consists of two nights of Irish dance performances, lots of Irish music, a grand parade and more. FREE.
March 13-15 — Wizard of Oz presented by The Hartland Players Encore Youth Theater {Hartland} — Visit the land of Oz in this youth production of Dorothy’s tale. Tickets are $8. Call 810-632-5849 for tickets.
March 14 — Enchanted Spring and Fairy Fun at Matthaei Botanical Garden {Ann Arbor} — Children accompanied by a parent will create fairie gardens from natural materials. Class fills quickly, so pre-registration suggested.$10/child includes activities and materials.
March 14 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s and they can build a Monster Jam monster truck! Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.
March 14 — Michigan Historical Museum Fruit Festival {Lansing} — This Second Saturdays for Families program will encourage children to participate in hands-on activities—including make-and-take crafts surrounding fruit production in Michigan. FREE admission all day.
March 14 — Tiny Tots Concert with the DSO {Detroit} — All aboard the Jazz Express! Trumpeter Kris Johnson will take the entire family on an interactive, musical journey exploring the wonderful world of Jazz. This concert is sure to be a swinging, toe tapping and finger snapping good time! $12/person.
March 14 — Oakland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade {Royal Oak} — Head to Royal Oak for St. Patty’s fun brought by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Listen to bagpipe bands, watch Irish dancers, and more. FREE to attend.
March 16 — FREE Cone Day at Dairy Queen {Nationwide} — Get ready to ring in spring with a FREE small ice cream cone from DQ. Donations to the Children’s Miracle Network appreciated.
March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day fun in Pinckney {Pinckney} — Activities abound on St. Patty’s Day in Pinckney! A parade at noon will feature bagpipe bands, Irish dancers and, of course, more than a few people dressed as leprechauns. Also taking part in the celebration will be The Lakes Grill on S. Howell Street where you will find corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, green beer. FREE to attend.
March 19-22 — 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 20 — HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!
March 21-22 — 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 21 — The Wizard’s Apprentice and The Magic Bookmark at Meadow Brook Hall {Rochester} — Join Harriet Peabody as Willard the Wizard of Wisdom teaches her that the greatest secrets to magic and life are to possess good reading skills and to know how to find the books she needs. This magic spectacular is an audience-participation treat for all. Shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for all ages.
March 20-22 — Community Theatre of Howell presents Honk! Jr. — HONK! JR. is a story of Ugly, an awkward duck whose gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey, he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms. Advance tickets are $8.
March 21 — The Gruffalo’s Child at The Wharton Center {East Lansing} — The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep, dark wood…but one wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist…does he? Tall Stories Theatre Company return with the musical sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child, based on Julia Donaldson MBE and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning picture book. Tickets are $12. Recommended for ages 4 and up. {Discount code SCIENCE will get you $2 off!}
March 21 — Maple Syrup Festival at Fenner Nature Center {Lansing} — This festival offers numerous fun and educational demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Spend the day exploring how sap is collected and turned into sweet treats like syrup, maple crème, and candy. FREE, but $5 donation is suggested for parking.
March 26-28 — The Ugly Duckling at the Wild Swan Theater {Ann Arbor} – Resident playwright Jeff Duncan puts his spin on Hans Christan Andersen’s tale of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who is looked down on by everyone around him until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a swan, the most majestic bird of all. Adults: $12, youth/seniors: $8, lap pass for 2 and under: $3.
March 28 — Preschool Easter Egg Hunt at Bounce Gymnastics {Hartland} — Visit Bounce with your 4 and under child and hunt for eggs! 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $7/child {walkers will be charged, not newborns}.
March 29 – JumpinJazz Kids – A Swingin’ Jungle Tale at The Wharton Center {East Lansing} – The Grammy Award-nominated, Parents Choice GOLD winner, JumpinJazz Kids is an interactive mix of classic storytelling and swinging jazz/pop songs. The show celebrates the incredible, imaginative power of the spoken word and pays tribute to the history and personalities of America’s own music – jazz! $12/person. Recommended for ages 4 and up. {Discount code SCIENCE will get you $2 off!}
What have I missed? Drop me a note and I’ll add your event! What are you most looking forward to this March?
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