Things To Do in June 2016 in Southeast Michigan {Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing}

I may be a little bias since it’s the month of my birth, but June is the best month. Not too hot, not too cold; not too rainy. Everything is in bloom and beautiful. Also? There is TONS to do. Lots of live music, the start of carnivals, farmers markets, and plenty of FREE kid fun.

Check out this month’s round-up of fun things to do in June 2016 in Southeast Michigan and plan a great adventure today!

June 3 – Free Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science {Bloomfield Hills} — Visit after 5 p.m. the first Friday of every month, courtesy of the MASCO Corporation, for FREE.

June 3-4 – Hudson Mills Old Power Club Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show {Fowlerville} – Kid’s pedal pull, kiddie train, flea market, mini-horses, tractor pulls and more. FREE to attend.

June 3-5 – Lyon Township Kite Festival {New Hudson} – Visit James Atchinson Park for kite demos, live entertainment, crafts, bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting and more. FREE.

June 4 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Come learn how to build a Father’s Day smartphone holder! FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. All kid get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance.

June 4 — Milford Township Parks & Rec Spring Picnic {Milford} — Pony rides, face painting, canoeing and more in Central Park from 4-7 p.m. FREE.

June 4 – Kaleidoscope FREE Family Fun Day at Crossroads Village {Flint} – Gather your whole family for free fun, including fun with dogs, crafts, and more from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tickets for a ride on the Huckleberry Railroad will be a special one-day price of $4.75 per person.

June 4 – Critters, Crafts and Story Time at Sloan Museum {Flint} – Bring your little explorer for a fun morning of bug-themed activities. Listen to a story about bugs and make a bug craft to take home. Then visit the giant bugs in A Bug’s World exhibit! Pre-register in advance. $5 per person.

June 4  — Michael’s 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 chalk butterfly.

June 4 – Touch-A-Truck {Fenton} – Explore fire trucks, police cars and other vehicles. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE.

June 4 — Chalk of the Town {Lansing} — Get ready for a day of vibrant art and fun in the streets of Old Town. Beginning at 9 a.m., artists will take to the streets creating masterpieces on their assigned piece of sidewalk, using only chalk. Visitors to this event will be allowed to vote for the People’s Choice winner and winners will be announced at 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 2p.m. FREE.

June 4 — Be A Tourist In Your Own Town {Lansing} – Created by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, this day allows event participants to visit more than 70 local attractions and one-day only special tours at places such as Impression 5 Science Center, Potter Park Zoo, the State Capitol Building, the Michigan Historical Museum and more. Participants can purchase a “passport” for $1 at various locations throughout the community. This passport allows the participants into participating attractions throughout the day.

June 4 — Tons O Trucks & Wheeled Wonders {Macomb} — See and interact with more than 50 vehicles at this popular event. FREE.

June 4 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.

June 4-5 — Pinckney’s Art in the Park {Pinckney} — This iconic event brings over 15,000 spectators into Putnam Township Square for two days of art, entertainment, food and more. FREE.

June 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 — FREE Dinosaur Tours at the University of Michigan Natural History Museum {Ann Arbor} — Visit the museum at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for a free, 30-minute docent-led tour of the dinosaur exhibits. Sign up on the day of the tour. Limited to 15 people. Sponsored by U-M Credit Union.

June 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 — Family Tour at the Detroit Institute of Arts {Detroit} — Visit the museum on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m. for a guided tour of select galleries or explore family and kid-friendly galleries. Free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, otherwise $12.50 for adults, $6 for youth {ages 6-12} and 5 and under are free.

June 4, 11, 18, 25 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank.

June 9-12 — Northville Summer Carnival {Northville} – Fun, food, and exciting carnival rides in the Northville Downs parking lot. Popular thrill rides for all ages and kiddie rides for the younger crowd. Purchase ride all day passes for $20, or single tickets for $1.

June 10 — FREE Movies Under The Stars: Aladdin {Howell} — Visit Howell City Park for FREE Movies Under the Stars at Howell City Park. Watch the exciting tale of one boy’s adventure in the land of Agrabah in this treasured Disney movie. Movie begins at dusk. Concessions available. Park admission is waived for the movie. FREE.

June 10 – July 3 — Ann Arbor Summer Festival {Ann Arbor} — More than 140 live performances, a kid’s zone and more. Costs vary, depending on the act.

June 11 — Brighton Optimist Club Fishing Derby {Brighton} — Visit the Millpond in downtown Brighton for a fun fishing event! Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the derby runs from 8-11 a.m. The first 150 kids get free T-shirts. Pizza and awards at 11:15 a.m. FREE.

June 11 — Flip-N Flop Fishing Tournament {Howell} — Fresh air, fishing poles, family, and pancakes! Bring your pole and we’ll provide the bait and breakfast! This is a catch and release event. Prizes awarded to kids ages 2-15 for the biggest fish caught that morning. T-shirts will be given to all registrants who sign up before June 1. 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. $10 per child {$7 for tournament, $3 for breakfast} $3 for non-participant breakfast.

June 11  — 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 “You’re my hero” card — perfect for Father’s Day.

June 11 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s to build Captain America! Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.

June 11-12 — See if your area is participating in the FREE fishing weekend by the Michigan DNR. Anybody can go fishing without needing a license {all other regulations still apply}. Free Fishing Weekend events are a great opportunity for new anglers to experience the fun of fishing Michigan’s lakes, rivers and streams.

June 11-12 — Marion Township Heritage Days {Howell} — Visit the Marion Township offices for a day loaded with fun! Events include steam engines and old tractors with plowing demos, chain saw carvers, animal displays, kid’s activities, a peddler’s market, food vendors and entertainment. FREE.

June 13 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at Greenfield Village {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. June’s theme is “Liberty Craftworks,” and the event will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids, adults will need tickets.

June 15-18 — Hamburg Family Fun Fest {Hamburg} – Attractions include amusement rides, food, a petting zoo, bounce houses, a children’s craft tent, magic shows, a dinosaur adventure and tons more. Parking is $5.

June 16 — Hamburg Family Fun Fest Touch-A-Truck {Hamburg} — This hands-on family event provides a unique opportunity for children and adults alike to explore vehicles of all types including public service, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation, and delivery – all in one place! FREE.

June 17 — Michelangelo from TMNT at The Oakland Mall {Troy} — Visit Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles during a meet and greet as part of The Oakland Mall’s Giggle Gang. Limited tickets available in advance on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, at the Information Center. Arrive early! FREE for Giggle Gang members; $3 for others.

June 17-19 — The Belleville National Strawberry Festival {Belleville} – Two Midways, a beer tent, music and concerts, bingo, crafters, magnificent food, strawberry treats, a children’s area and parade with more than 150 floats are some of the highlights. FREE entry.

June 18-19 — Flint Air Fair {Flint} – Browse and shop from more than 150 artists and craftspeople featuring original art, pottery, jewelry, clothing and more. Also, enjoy live music, food and children activities. FREE to attend.

June 21 — Rosco Picnic Palooza Series {Macomb} — Visit Macomb for oodles of fun with Rosco the clown, including live entertainment, Kidzone games and inflatables for all ages. Bring a picnic or buy pizza. FREE.

June 21-25 — Manchester Community Fair {Manchester} – Entertainment at this annual community fair includes midway rides, tractor pulls, animal exhibits, live music, a parade and more. Entry is $5 Tuesday – Saturday until 4 p.m., $8 Thursday and Friday after 4 p.m. Children 8 years and under are FREE.

June 21-26 – Livonia Spree {Livonia} – Livonia Spree has something for everyone: delicious food; great live music; a family carnival; and fireworks on Sunday night. FREE to attend, costs for rides and food.

June 24-26 – Michigan Challenge Balloonfest {Howell} – Mass launches of 40+ hot air balloons, including a nighttime glow, a midway carnival, craft booths and more. FREE to attend; parking fees.

June 24-26 – Detroit River Days {Detroit} – Tall ships, riverboat tours, musical performances, sand sculptures and more. FREE.

June 25 – Family Fun at the Farm {Westphalia} – This event is northwest of Lansing, but worth a mention! This is a one-day event designed to highlight agriculture. Visit to view cows, tractors and farm life and enjoy plenty of free treats along the way, too. FREE.

June 25 — Kid’s Day at White Lotus Farms {Ann Arbor} — Come get a taste of farm life and meet the animals who give us delicious eggs and cheese. Goat milking demonstrations, baby goats, music, and face painting fill the day with fun.  Our farm cart fills the day with our delicious food: fresh organic produce, artisanal breads and cheeses, pastries, coffee, farm-made pizza and more. 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE.

June 25 — Livingston County Airshow {Howell} — Watch aerobatics in the sky, see helicopters up close, grab food and more. FREE entry; $10 for parking.

June 25-26 — Sloan Museum Auto Fair {Flint} — For two days, the Flint Cultural Center Campus becomes home to more than 600 of the best looking cars, trucks and motorcycles with plenty of music, entertainment, swap meets, children activities, vendors and more. FREE to attend.

June 26 — Summer Sundays at Upland Hills Farm {Oxford} — Enjoy all of the farm animals, a farmer will be in the barn to help the brave ones milk a cow, hayrides will be going out regularly, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the concession, and pony rides are available. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $8/person.

June 26 – Fenton River Fest {Fenton} – A new music festival fundraiser being presented by the “Keepers of the Shiawassee,” at Bush Park from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Rubber ducky race, food, crafts, and more. FREE.

June 27 – Ford Fireworks {Detroit} – One of the largest International Fireworks displays, right on the Detroit Riverfront. FREE to attend.

June 27 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s to build Captain America’s Motorcycle! Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.

June 27 — Music and Movement Concert with Miss Carissa {Troy} — Visit the Troy Public Library for a concert with Miss Carissa. {She rocks you guys!} Shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. FREE.

June 28 — Mad Hatter Tea Party {East Lansing} — Visit the 4-H Children’s Gardens for a spot of tea and cake in the garden. Fancy hats and costumes encouraged. Garden hats and tea will be projects to take home too! Registration required. $5/child; metered parking fees.

June 30 – July 3 – Stars and Stripes Festival {Sterling Heights} – Visit Freedom Hill for live entertainment, food, art exhibits, carnival rides, fireworks and more. FREE entry.

If you’re looking for something fun to do, make sure to visit the A Bug’s World Exhibit at Sloan Museum in Flint, too! Additionally, I often add fun events to my Facebook page, so make sure to subscribe there too.

What events are you most looking forward to this month?