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 and witness my back yard transform into nature’s most beautiful colors.
Here are some ideas for family fun in southeast Michigan: October 2017. 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!
Family Fun in Southeast Michigan: October 2017
Through December 30 — Visit Clifford at Sloan Museum {Flint} — Visit this Flint gem for an adorable exhibit all about everyone’s favorite Big Red Dog. 
October 1 — Fire Department Open Houses {Various Locations} — Visit Commerce Township, Washington Township, Bloomfield Township, Harrison Township, Oxford and more for a fire department open house. FREE.
October 3-4 — FREE LEGO® Mini Model Build {Nationwide} — Visit your local LEGO Store to learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! October’s project is a LEGO robot. Quantities are limited. Event is open to children ages 6-14 only. FREE.
October 4 — Let’s Get Crafty at American Girl {Novi} — Join American Girl on the first Wednesday of each month for a fun and free craft! On this day, make a Melody pennant craft from 6-8 p.m.
October 6 — FREE Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science After 5 p.m. {Bloomfield Hills} — Thanks to the MASCO Corporation Foundation.
October 6 — Fire Department Open Houses {Various Locations} — Visit White Lake or Rochester Hills for a fire department open house. FREE.
October 7, 14, 21, 28 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington.
October 7 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a fire truck coin bank 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 7 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for hands-on activities. FREE thanks to Farm Bureau.
October 7 — 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 Sprout canvas.
October 7 — Fire Department Open Houses {Various Locations} — Visit Highland Township, Troy, Madison Heights, Walled Lake, Southgate and more for a fire department open house. FREE.
October 7 — Secretary of State LIVE {Waterford} — Visit Waterford Mott High School for a family expo. The day will feature games and demonstrations, Secretary of State services and interactive activities for all ages. Nab a free lunch by bringing five, unexpired nonperishable food items for Gleaners Community Food Bank. FREE.
Weekends starting October 7 {Saturdays and Sundays} — Halloween Surprise at The Marquis Theatre {Northville} – See Halloween brought to life on stage! $9/ticket. {No children under age 3; costumes welcome}
October 8 — Sensory Friendly Sunday at Arab American National Museum {Ann Arbor} — The Arab American National Museum will open from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. exclusively for a Autism Spectrum Disorders-friendly program allowing families to enjoy art in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Families will have access to special hands-on activities. FREE.
October 8 — National Fossil Day at MSU Museum {East Lansing} — Visit the museum from 1-4 p.m. for a day promoting fossils! Experience a fossil dig & sift, scavenger hunt, fossil molds to make and take, face painting, fossil ID competition with prizes, Michigan Geological Survey CoreKids program, and more. FREE.
October 8 — 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 from 1-5 p.m. for FREE, thanks to the DTE Energy Foundation.
October 8 — Fire Department Open Houses {Various Locations} — Visit Allen Park, Fenton, Utica, West Bloomfield, Clinton Township, St. Clair Shores, Romulus and more for a fire department open house. FREE.
October 9 — MSU Bug House Open House {East Lansing} — If your child loves all things creepy crawly, the MSU Bug House is a fun place to visit. Check out the details for this event here. FREE.
October 12-15 — Disney On Ice presents Reach for the Stars {Detroit} — Celebrate Disney magic live on ice at Little Ceasar’s Arena. Tickets range from $10-$70.
October 14 — Fall Fest {West Bloomfield} — Visit Marshbank Park for the annual Fall Fest. Activities include games, crafts, live music, hay rides, face painting, a petting farm and more. FREE entry, some activities have a fee.
October 14 — 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 Vampirina Web of Friendship.
October 14-15 — Apple Butter Festival at Fenner Nature Center {Lansing} — Visit Fenner and travel back in time to the days of the pioneers and help stir the apple butter, cooked the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle over the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. There will be a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving contest, pioneer games, blacksmithing demonstrations, cross-cut sawing, wagon rides and more. This festival is FREE to the public. Parking is a $5 suggested donation at the gate.
October 15 — Fire Department Open Houses {Various Locations} — Visit Howell, Brighton, Clawson, Rochester, Chelsea, Hazel Park, Milford and more for a fire department open house. FREE. 
October 21 — 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 Vampirina Friendship Bracelets.
October 21-22 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Fenton} — Dress-up your little one and enjoy a show by Disney-inspired princesses! $22.50/person. Advance tickets required.
October 25 — Wild Over Wednesday at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center {Detroit} — Visit the OAC The last Wednesday of each month for free admission from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be story time, hands-on experiences, games and more. FREE.
October 26 — Witchypoo Revue at The Oakland Mall {Troy} — Visit Witchypoo Revue 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.
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!
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