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 in October 2018. Please note if you are looking for Halloween-specific events, check out this BIG LIST.
Also, don’t forget this month is a great one to visit MOD Pizza and eat some delicious pizzas for local causes! Learn more + enter to win a gift card HERE.
Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in October 2018
Through October 14 — NCG Cinemas Free Family Film Festival {Various Mid-Michigan Locations} — Visit the NCG locations in September and October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for a FREE family movie. Visit link for details {also available in a sensory-friendly format}.
October 2-3 — 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 scarecrow witch. Quantities are limited. Event is open to children ages 6-14 only. FREE.
October 5 — FREE Admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science After 5 p.m. {Bloomfield Hills} — Thanks to the MASCO Corporation Foundation.
October 5 — FREE Admission for Manufacturing Day at MiSci {Detroit} — Michigan Science Center will have a full slate of FREE activities to celebrate Manufacturing Day, a national movement meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. FREE to attend. Follow this link to register for an 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. time slot.
October 6, 13, 20, 27 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington.
October 6 — Kids Workshop at The Home Depot {Nationwide} — Build a field goal game at this month’s 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. Learn what to expect at this post.
October 6 — 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 6 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a pumpkin lantern. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
Weekends starting October 6 {Saturdays and Sundays} — Halloween Extravaganza at The Marquis Theatre {Northville} – See Halloween brought to life on stage! $9/ticket. {No children under age 3; costumes welcome}
October 8 — 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. FREE.
October 13 — “Dinosaurs In My Hair” Pop-Up Party {Grosse Pointe Park} — Visit the Great Room at the Farms Pier Park from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to celebrate the launch of the book, “Dinosaurs Living In My Hair!2” Children who attend will decorate dinosaur cookies, enjoy face painting, have books read and signed for them. Register by emailing Dinosaursinmyhair@gmail.com. FREE.
October 13 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a flying bat and pumpkin house. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
October 13 — Design & Build Day at Impression 5 {Lansing} — Explore the science of skilled trades and home building at our newest special event, sponsored by the Home Builders Association. Experience hands-on, interactive activities led by professionals in fields like plumbing, electrical engineering, and carpentry.
October 13 — Family Saturday at Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame {Lansing} — Come dressed as your favorite character, princess, or superhero! All kids are welcome for this fun event. Prizes will be given for best costume and most creative at 2 p.m. Must be present to win. Free to visit; donations encouraged.
October 13 — Pink Power Celebration at Tanger Outlets {Howell} — Visit Suite G210, next to Shopper Services, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. to meet Miss Metro Michigan Heather Silcott, enjoy pink lemonade and pink cupcakes. After purchasing a pink card, guests can enjoy a complimentary round of Tanger Mini Golf. In addition, a few favorite food trucks will be onsite. Event is FREE to attend, the pink card is $10 to purchase.
October 13-14 — 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 13-14 — Enchanted Princess Ball {Fenton} — Dress-up your little one and enjoy a show by Disney-inspired princesses! $24.50/person. Advance tickets required.
October 14 — 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 14 — FREE admission to the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — Visit this Flint gem for FREE on this day, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more about what to expect there at this post.
October 14 — 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 18 & 19 — Hay Ride With A Naturalist {West Bloomfield} — Experience the changing seasons at Marshbank Park while enjoying a tractor-drawn hayride. Guests will learn about Michigan plants and animals during a few special stops along the hayride route. Under the picnic shelter, delight in cider and seasonal treats, plus create a fall nature craft to take home. $8/residents; $13/non-residents. Register in advance.
October 20 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project are spider crafts. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
October 20 — Family Fall Fest {Brighton} — Visit 2|42’s Brighton campus for hay rides, cider and donuts, petting farm, bounce houses, games, and more. FREE.
October 20 — FREE Evening Admission to MiSci {Detroit} — Visit Michigan Science Center for FREE on this evening from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. for ages 5+. Ignite the night as budding scientists of all ages explore the museum, engage in activities like Rocket Reactions and Microwave It!, and see live stage shows including Kaboomistry and Don’t Try This At Home. Grab tickets in advance at this link.
October 20 — Donuts with Dinosaurs {Burton} — Visit the Sloan Museum dinosaur-loving at Courtland Center Mall and meet with a friendly T. Rex to enjoy donuts and milk, and explore the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit! Advance reservations are required. Call 810-237-3427. $12 adults, $11 seniors 60+, $9 youth ages 2-11. Members are free. {Learn more about Dinosaurs Unearthed here!}
October 21 — Fall Family Fest at North Star Reach {Pinckney} — Visit North Star Reach for an afternoon of family-friendly fun at its beautiful camp. There will be food trucks, live entertainment, trick or treating, pumpkin painting, and lots more seasonal camp fun. Tickets are $5 {children 2 and under are free}, and all proceeds help to support their mission of providing life-changing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families, free of charge.
October 27 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project for $2-$5! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a monster bash. Learn what to expect at these events at this post.
October 27 — PhUn Day at Impression 5 {Lansing} — Explore physiology with MSU student groups as the MSU Department of Physiology and Impression 5 team up to present a “PhUn”-filled day of special activities. $8.50 for children 2+ and adults; $7 for seniors and military. Free for children age 1 and younger.
October 28 — 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. FREE.
October 31 — HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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!
Elise Cleary says
So many great places to visit! Donuts with Dinosaurs looks terrific!