Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in August 2015 {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing}

August is such a bittersweet month here in Michigan, right? The calm before the storm of school begins and life returns to normal. I hope you all do your best to wrap up summer memories by attending some of the events below. ENJOY!

Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in August 2015

August 1-2 — Buy Michigan Now Fest {Northville} — Michigan vendors, activities and music for the whole family. North Center Street is home to the Kids Zone with magic, games, mascots, and more. FREE to enter.

August 1 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Visit Home Depot to build a chalkboard door hanger. Kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a pin. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE.

August 1  — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a rain stick.

August 1 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 12-4 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE.

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29— FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank,

August 1-2 — 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 {60+}: $12, Child {25 mos. – 12 yrs}: $10, 24 mos. & under are free.

August 2 — Fairy Tale Gathering {Ann Arbor} — This sounds like such a cute event. Get the scoop from Ann Arbor With Kids!

August 2-8 — Monroe County Fair {Monroe} — Food, family activities, entertainment, Grandstand concerts, midway rides {Kids Day on Tuesday}, 4-H exhibits and more.

August 3-8 — Ingham County Fair {Mason} — This fair offers something for everyone including hundreds of exhibits, grandstand events, a large midway full of rides, a petting zoo and more! Free parking.

August 4-8 — Wayne County Fair {Belleville} — A miracle of life barn, 4-H animals, a midway, fair food and more. $5 parking fee.

August 6, 7, 13, 14 — Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront {Detroit} — Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront is the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s unique, interactive early literacy program that provides children from southeast Michigan an opportunity to see live children’s entertainment, hear a story read by a local celebrity reader and receive a free book, as well as a ride on the lovely Cullen Family Carousel. 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. timeslots. FREE.

August 7 — FREE Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science After 5 p.m. {Bloomfield Hills} — Thanks to the MASCO Corporation Foundation.

August 7 — Big Rig Gig {Lake Orion} — Get the scoop at this event listing from Metro Detroit Mommy.

August 7-8 — Bath Days Festival {Bath} — Home of the “International Bath Tub Races,” this family friendly fest includes crafts, a car show, rides, fireworks, a kids play area and of course – bath tub races. FREE entry.

August 7-9 — 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. FREE entry.

August 7-9 — Great Lakes Folk Festival {East Lansing} — The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community. Find music, dance, food and more, including many hands-on activities for children inspired by music, dance, art and culture.

August 7-9 — Dearborn’s Homecoming {Dearborn} — This hometown festival includes lots of food, free family activities, stage performances, carnival rides, and fireworks displays on Saturday and Sunday nights. Admission is free. All activities are at Ford Field Park in Dearborn. $10 for parking.

August 8 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s to build a Hulk’s Tank kit as part of the Marvel’s Avengers Assemble. Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.

August 8 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a duct tape pencil pouch.

August 8 — Touch-A-Truck {Lansing} — Visit Sharp Park from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for a fun touch-a-truck event! 
FREE.

August 8 — All Things Dairy at the Michigan Historical Museum {Lansing} — Learn about the new farm techniques and machines that revolutionized dairy-farming after the Civil War. Then, try your hand at making ice cream the old-fashioned way. This is a Second Saturdays for Families program and is included with museum admission. Adults – $6, seniors {65+} – $4, youth {6-17} – $2, children up to 5 years are free.

August 8 — SummerFest at Kensington Woods High School {Lakeland} — This event is open to the public and features games, bounce houses, arts & crafts, face painting, prizes, music, food and more. FREE.

August 8 — Young Eagles Airplane Rides {Mason} — From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids ages 8-17 can enjoy a FREE airplane ride at the Mason Jewett Airport. A parent/guardian must be present or provide a signed permission slip. Flights are on a first come, first served basis.

August 8-9 — Shelby Township Art Fair {Shelby Township} — This family-friendly event features a variety of art, fine crafts, plus a section designated for Michigan made products. Bring the family for a day filled with activities and entertainment, and bring home a special piece of art, a hand-made item, product, or a souvenir from your visit. Listen to music at the bandshell, make a craft under the Kid’s Corner tent, play on a bouncer, visit with animals and more. Parking and entry is FREE.

August 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. 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 10-15 – Woodward Dream Cruise {Ferndale through Pontiac} – Join spectators watching 40,000 cars cruise through the world’s largest one-day automotive event. Bring a lawn chair and take a seat along the route, which runs from Ferndale to Pontiac on Woodward Avenue. FREE.

August 11 — $2 Tuesday at the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — General admission to the museum is just $2!

August 11-15 — Back To The Bricks {Flint} — Visit Flint and be part of one of the biggest car events featuring a rolling cruise, kick-off party, live entertainment, automotive displays, vendors, food, antique fire trucks and dragster exhibits and more. FREE.

August 13-15 — Renegade Theatre Festival {Lansing} — Visit charming Old Town in Lansing for various theatre performances and kid fun. FREE.

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

August 14-15 — Dexter Daze {Dexter} — The festival includes more than 100 art, business and food booths, multiple music stages, as well as dozens of activities and events for families.

August 14-16 — 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 14-16 — Howell Melon Festival {Howell} — Visit Grand River in downtown Howell for festival staples like melons, melon-flavored ice cream and wine, and enjoy the Melon Run, a free outdoor movie, live music, the kids Melon Patch, inflatables, food court, train rides, a carnival, street vendors and more. FREE.

August 17-23 — Armada Fair {Armada} — The 2015 fair includes a demolition derby, monster truck shootout, tractor and truck pull, children’s activities, 4-H entries and more. Adults – $8, kids {9-12} – $2, under 8 are free. Parking is $5.

August 21-23 and 28-30 — Day Out With Thomas at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} — Get the scoop at this post of mine or purchase tickets here.

August 22 – Sept. 4 — Michigan Renaissance Festival {Holly} — Visit Holly Grove for music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine! Dress in costume for added fun and be sure to check out how the Festival celebrates with themed weekends. Free parking. Adult general admission: $21.95; child general admission: $12.95.

August 22 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s to build Thor’s Chariot as part of the Marvel’s Avengers Assemble. Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.

August 22 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is pencil topper.

August 24-30 — Genesee County Fair {Mt. Morris} — Visit Mt. Morris for seven days of family fun including monster trucks and derby races, entertainment tent, 4-H horse show, Midway Carnival, Grandstand events, food and more. FREE gate admission.

August 25 — Fairy Houses and Gnome Homes {Flushing} — Visit Flushing County Park from 7-8 p.m. dressed in your fairy and gnome best for a story, craft and a building adventure. All ages welcome. FREE.

August 29 — Belle Isle Summer Saturdays {Detroit} — From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., visit Belle Isle for TONS of family fun! Visitors can learn the fundamentals of kayaking and water exploration, rent bicycles, participate in outdoor games, brave the giant slide and explore Belle Isle with self-paced island tours. The Detroit City Chess Club will also be at Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory will be open and, as always, free to visit. FREE.

August 29  — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a bookmark.

August 29-30 — Thunder Over Michigan Air Show {Ypsilanti} — Thunder over Michigan is one of Americas leading air shows and is considered the best warbird show in America. Held at Willow Run Airport, the show features world-class entertainment, including the Blue Angels, and fun for the whole family. Parking is $10 in advance or $20 on site. Admission tickets are $35; kids age 15 and under and free.

What are you most looking forward to this month?