Looking for something fun to do this month? There are plenty of snow-centric events happening across Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint and Lansing…and also tons of fun indoors where it’s warm, too.
This was a fun one to put together — enjoy!
Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in January 2020:
January 2-4 — Painting Workshop for Kids {Brighton} — Visit Rustic Pointe Workshop for some painting fun! Wood painting projects start at $5. No appointment necessary. Bring cash to avoid credit card fees. 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day.
January 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.
January 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.
January 4 — Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot {Nationwide} — Make a mini hockey game for FREE at Home Depot. Hands-on workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 and take place between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Advance registration encouraged. Learn what to expect here.
January 4 — Michaels Make Break {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s to make a snowman canvas. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Just purchase a canvas and the supplies are included. Learn more at my post here.
January 4 & 18 — Lantern Hike at Island Lake State Recreation {Brighton} — Visit the state park from 6-9 p.m. for a beautiful hike along part of the Hickory Ridge hiking trail, beginning in the first parking lot of the Kent Lake unit. Hike, snowshoe, or ski as you follow the lanterns for one mile to a warming station, complete with a campfire and hot chocolate. FREE with a Michigan Recreation State passport.
January 4, 11, 18, 25 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is FREE to visit every Saturday thanks to Huntington.
January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 — Pure Detroit Fisher Building Tour {Detroit} — Listen as an expert leads you through Albert Kahn’s 1928 masterpiece where you will see firsthand the exquisite design and ornamentation of the interior arcade, including one-of-a-kind mosaics, painted ceilings, Art Deco chandeliers and the finest craftsmanship in stone, brass and bronze. The tour is approximately 45-60 minutes long and open to the public of all ages. 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. tours available. Register at puredetroit.rezgo.com. FREE.
January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 — Pure Detroit Guardian Building Tour {Detroit} — Visitors will learn the details surrounding the building’s creations, including the banking titans, stone workers, artists, and architects involved. The tour is open to all ages. 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. tours available. Register at puredetroit.rezgo.com. FREE.
January 8 — Food Truck Rally {Royal Oak} — Visit the Royal Oak Farmers Market from 5-9 p.m. for delicious food, entertainment and free crafts for the kids. All trucks are inside where it’s warm! Food costs vary per truck.
January 9 — Family Night at Ceramic Studio, Etc. {Howell} — Visit the studio from 6-9 p.m. and get creative with pottery painting or fused glass. There will also be free pizza and pop. The only cost for this event is the price of the project that you choose. Reservations suggested – call 517-548-5386.
January 10-12 — Plymouth Ice Festival {Plymouth} — The Plymouth Ice Festival features ice sculptures, live entertainment, activities and food. FREE entry.
January 10, 17, 24, 31 — FREE Winter Planetarium Shows at WSU {Detroit} — Visit Wayne State University for a free weekly planetarium shows! Reserve seats at noon on the Sunday prior to a show at wsuplanetarium.eventbrite.com. Reserved seats get claimed quickly! FREE.
January 11 — FREE Day at Michigan Science Center {Detroit} — Visit the science center from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. thanks to Axalta. Pre-registration required. FREE.
January 11 — Downtown Detroit Winter Wonderland Lights Walk {Detroit} — Meet at Roasting Plant for Detroit and head on a magical walk among downtown’s gorgeous parks and public spaces, twinkling with lights. Detroit Experience Factory tour guides will provide facts, figures and fun along the tour. Bonus: a hot cocoa from local favorite Huddle is included with ticket purchase. 7-9 p.m. $12/person
January 11 — Michaels Make Break {Nationwide} — Visit Michael’s to decorate a storage container. Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Just purchase the container and the supplies will be included. Learn more at my post here.
January 11 — Family Day with the Flint Symphony Orchestra {Flint} — Experience the excitement of live classical music at Family Day with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. Pre-concert activities at 1 p.m. and a matinee concert at 2 p.m. Kids will be able to meet FSO musicians, play real orchestra instruments, go backstage during intermission, and more. Special $10 tickets with code FAMILY. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
January 11 — Wild Donuts at Sloan Museum at Courtland Center {Burton} — Start your Saturday with a donut, and then explore the exhibits “Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®!” and “Rock U: The Institute of Rock ‘N’ Roll” before they close January 20. General admission to the family play area and historic automobiles is also included. Advance reservations are required. Reserve tickets at SloanMuseum.org or call 810-237-3427. Learn more about these exhibits at this post. $5 for Genesee residents are $5, non-residents are $11 and youth are $9 {ages 2-11}.
January 12 — Rubber Ducky Day at the Howell Aquatic Center {Howell} — Celebrate National Rubber Ducky Day a day early with this fun-filled event to celebrate the date Rubber Ducks were invented! Prizes for those finding specially marked ducks. $5/person {$18/family of 4}. 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Advance registration required.
January 12-17 — Ann Arbor Restaurant Week {Ann Arbor} — Get discounted meals at a number of fab, high-end restaurants around Ann Arbor. Perfect for a date night or a special night out with older kids.
January 13 — 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. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Campus parking is free after 6 p.m. FREE event.
January 17-19 — Fire & Ice Festival {Rochester} — Celebrating all things winter, the Fire & Ice Festival in downtown Rochester has an ice sculpture show, beer tent, tube sledding run, fireworks, dog sled demos, ice skating, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, carriage rides, and Downtown Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show. FREE entry.
January 18 — Celebrate Chinese Culture Family Event {Novi} — Come enjoy a family celebration of Chinese culture at MSU Tollgate Farm. Includes crafts, storytimes, hikes, and more. Create your own special blend of tea, while supplies last. $10/person.
January 18 & Feb. 1 — Wild Winter Weekends at the Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} — Wild Winter Weekends features arctic-themed arts and crafts, games and entertainment. All activities are free with zoo admission and take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ford Education Center. Admission range: Free for 2 and under, otherwise priced $14-$17 + parking.
January 19 — FREE Ice Skating at UM-Flint University Pavilion Ice Rink {Flint} Visit the rink and skate for FREE any day, but on this day from 5=8 p.m., skate rental is free as well! {Otherwise it’s just $3/person}
January 20 — LIST OF MLK DAY EVENTS COMING SOON!
January 22 – February 2 various dates — Sesame Street Live at The Fox Theatre {Detroit} — Sesame Street Live “Let’s Party” offers a fun-filled, interactive learning experience, including up-close and furry interactions on the audience floor. Tickets prices start at $15 {save on tickets by visiting the box office}.
January 25 — PBS Kids Day at WKAR-TV {East Lansing} — Visit WKAR-TV for the fourth annual PBS Kids Day! Everyone’s favorite big red dog Clifford will be visiting and posing for pictures with all his fans. The event will also feature lots of fun, hands-on activities with community partners and a sensory friendly quiet room with low lighting and comfy furniture. No registration is required. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. FREE.
January 25 — Statehood Day Celebration {Lansing} — Bring the whole family to the Michigan History Center for a celebration of 183 years of Michigan History! Statehood Day 2020 will commemorate the people who created our state — First Peoples, statesmen, townspeople. Save room for a slice of birthday cake to celebrate Michigan’s statehood anniversary and don’t miss the featured activities. FREE.
January 25 — Family Art Studio: Imaginary Places at University of Michigan Museum of Art {Ann Arbor} — Families with children ages six and up are invited to UMMA to look, learn, and create together in this hands-on workshop. Take a tour of abstract paintings and then kids can create an abstract painting of their own. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. FREE, but registration is required.
January 26 — Oak Park Winterfest — Head to Oak Park from 2-5 p.m. for plenty of activities for kids, good food to eat, a s’mores station, horse-drawn carriage rides, free ice skating at the Oak Park Ice Arena, and more! FREE.
Looking for some extra fun? Make sure to check out this list of snow-friendly fun or this list of indoor activities for kids!
What events are you looking forward to this month?
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