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

October truly is one of the best months of the year, right? I am so pumped to get outside and take photos of my kids playing in the leaves!

Here are some ideas for family fun in southeast Michigan in October 2015. Please note if you are looking for Halloween-specific events, check out this BIG LIST. Additionally, make sure to check out Page’s Pages for TONS of local and FREE Fire Department Open Houses. There are so many, I could only list a handful!

Weekends, through Oct. 25 — Children’s Fall 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.

October 2 — FREE Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science After 5 p.m. {Bloomfield Hills} — Thanks to the MASCO Corporation Foundation.

October 2 — Farmington Hills Fire Department Open House {Farmington Hills} — Visit the station from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Visit Page’s Pages for the scoop!

Weekends, October 3-31 {Saturdays and Sundays} — Halloween Madness at the Marquis Theatre {Northville} – See Halloween brought to life on stage! $9/ticket. {No children under age 3}

Weekends, through October 4 – Michigan Renaissance Festival – Visit Holly Grove where music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era all wonderfully on display. 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 on day-of: $21.95; child general admission: $12.95.

October 3 — Dog Loves Books at Michigan Theater {Ann Arbor} — Louise Yates’ New York Times Best Seller comes to life in ArtsPower’s newest musical about the irresistible Dog who loves books SO much that he decides to open up his bookstore. This delightful musical celebrates the power of the imagination and the satisfaction that comes when you share books with others. Ideal for grades K-2. Shows at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10.

October 3 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s for the Great Pumpkin event! Kids and adults can make a silly monster or a mummy pumpkin. Buy a 9″ craft pumpkin by Ashland® and the supplies are FREE! 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Ages 3 and up.

October 3 — 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 harvest mobile.

October 3 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a firetruck at this event. This hands-on workshop is 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.

October 3 — LOTS of Fire Department Open Houses! — Visit stations in Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Waterford, Utica, Owosso, Bruce Township, Canton, Dearborn and more. Visit Page’s Pages for the scoop!

October 3 — 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 thanks to Farm Bureau.

October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank.

October 4 — LOTS of Fire Department Open Houses! — Visit stations in Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Macomb Township, Washington Township, Armada, Grosse Pointe Woods, Troy, Commerce Township, West Bloomfield, Rochester Hills and more. Visit Page’s Pages for the scoop!

October 10 — 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 Perler Frankenstein.

October 10 — Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your child to Lowe’s to make a haunted birdhouse. Register online in advance. FREE.

October 11 — FREE admission to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History {Detroit} – The Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History opens its doors for FREE, thanks to Charter One Bank.

October 12 — 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. October’s theme is Fall Harvest and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

October 15-18 — Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove {Auburn Hills} — Celebrate Disney magic live on ice at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets start at $20.

October 17 — 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 Halloween tic-tac-toe.

October 17 — Family-Friendly Film at the Michigan Theater – E.T. {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.

October 17 — Canton Public Library Family MusicFest {Canton} — Visit Canton Public Library for a day’s worth of fantastic, energetic, diverse musical acts. This program is designed for families and patrons of all ages. FREE.

October 20 — Stories for Sprouts and Seedlings at MSU Children’s Gardens {East Lansing} — This program is for young children, ages 2-4, to experience the wonders of gardening through stories and hands-on projects. Each month a different book is featured with an accompanying gardening activity. FREE. Parking is metered and runs $1.80/hour.

October 24 — Freaky Froggy Storytime & Crafts with Cowboy ALEX {Royal Oak} — Listen to Cowboy Alex read froggy stories, joke with his puppet pals and do silly magic tricks at the Royal Oak Community Center. Plus, kids and parents will make an awesome froggy craft! Good for kids ages 3 – 7 years old. 11 a.m. – noon. $5 per child. Register online at: www.royaloakrec.com.

October 24 — 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 pet spider.

October 24-25 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Fenton} — Dress-up your little one and enjoy a show by Disney-inspired princesses! $22.50/person. Advance tickets required.

Again, make sure to visit this BIG LIST for all the local Halloween happenings!

What did I miss? Feel free to drop me a note or add in the comments:)