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. Check out these 31 things to do with kids in October and plan some adventures!
{More Halloween-specific events coming soon!}
31 Things To Do With Kids in October 2022 in Southeast Michigan
October 1
Visit Dexter for its annual Dexter Days Festival to enjoy bounce houses, kid games, live music, pinewood derby racing, a classic car show, hay rides to the Dexter Cider Mill and pumpkin bowling. FREE.
Celebrate National Escape Room Day by hunting for Escape Room balloons around Novi with some free escape room vouchers inside. Learn more here.
Or, enjoy a FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art thanks to Huntington. {also October 8, 15, 22, 29}
October 2
Head to Detroit for the Harvestfest & Food Truck Rally on the Dequindre Cut from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5/adults and free for anyone 17 or under.
After, visit the newly renovated Belle Isle Nature Center. It looks incredible for kids! FREE with a recreation passport.
October 3
Visit Cranbrook Institute of Science to see SUE: The T. rex, one of the largest specimens ever found, on display. This special exhibit will be at the museum through April 30, 2023. Learn more here.
October 4
It’s the ultimate Taco Tuesday…It’s National Taco Day! Easy peasy dinner at home, or out.
October 5
If your family hasn’t made a fall bucket list, check out these ideas for some inspiration.
October 6
Head to Rollerama in Brighton from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. to celebrate its 50th anniversary! Admission will be the same as it was 50 years ago, $1.25 and 50 cents for skate rental. Or guests can make a donation of supplies or monetary donation to the Livingston County Humane Society. Learn more.
Additionally, moms can hit the town in Milford for its Ladies Night Out event. Visit from 5-9 p.m. and spend an evening enjoying all that downtown Milford has to offer. There will be complimentary snacks and beverages available and plenty of storewide sales.
October 7
Go PINK! Head to Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit from 4-7 p.m. for the Dancing with the Survivors, an event to raise awareness for breast cancer. The party is put on by The Pink Fund, a local non-profit that assists with the financial burdens brought on by cancer. The FREE event will feature live performances from Ben Sharkey and his Septet and DJ Invisible. Walk-in mammograms are available earlier in the day, too, in Cadillac Square. Such a fantastic cause!
October 8
Pick pumpkins and get donuts at a local farm. Two of our favorite spots are right by each other — Markillie Orchard and Fawcett Farms. Support your local farmers this season!
October 9 {and all October weekends}
Check out the Halloween Ghosts & Goodies at Crossroads Village in Flint. $20/vehicle and each person in the vehicle will receive a complimentary Ghost & Goodies treat bag! {also available as a non drive-thru event on weekends for $24/person.}
October 10
The MSU Bug House is having a FREE open house today. These are such fun events for kids who are curious and dig bugs! Time is 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Learn more here. Advance registration required.
October 11
Head to your library and pick up Halloween themed books for the season. {I absolutely LOVE these book lists from The Read-Aloud Revival!}
October 12
Make some festive super simple bleach shirts to get ready for Halloween. Find the tutorial here.
October 13
This week many fire stations are celebrating Fire Safety Week. Check to see if your fire station is holding an open house. These are so fun to attend! It’s also a great time to discuss a family plan in case of a fire.
October 14
Dress up an head to Detroit for the Motor City Comic Con. Tickets start at $10 for kids.
October 15
Happy Sweetest Day! I know it’s a Hallmark holiday, but it sounds like a great excuse to plan a date night 😉 {Check out these ideas!}
October 16
Head to a local u-pick farm to pick apples. There are still a lot of varieties to choose from! {The newer apple, Evercrisp, is one of our family favorites!}
October 17
Let the kids climb rocks and explore and take a short hike at Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve in Southfield. This place is perfect in fall!
October 18
Take a road trip to Dow Gardens in Midland to check out everything in full fall color.
October 19
Go on a fall walking color tour at The Ledges of Grand Ledge.
October 20
Visit the Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township for a haunted forest experience. Tickets range from $15-$25.
October 21
It’s Reptile Day! Plan a visit to The Reptarium in Utica for some hands-on learn about reptiles.
October 22
Visit the Howell Historic Theater for a FREE viewing of Hocus Pocus 1 and 2! See information here.
Or take some time to “Boo” your neighbors or friends. Fun ideas can be found here.
October 23
Visit the UofM Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor from 1-4 p.m. for their special event, The Buzz on Sweet Foods. Join museum staff and University of Michigan researchers to discover how sugar and the senses affect our brains through a variety of hands-on experiments and activities. FREE to attend. Geared toward children ages 5-12 with their adult caregivers.
October 24
Cooler weather is the perfect time to visit a museum. Have you checked out the new Sloan Museum in Flint? It is well worth a drive for a day trip! While there, check out the Ooky Spooky light show at the Longway Planetarium.
October 25
Take a drive out to Hell, Michigan, and get ice cream from Screams or send a postcard to someone from Hell. {This is one of the most beautiful fall drives in lower Michigan in my opinion!}
October 26
Check out a local art studio and make something festive for the season. {We love The Ceramic Studio Etc. here in Howell!}
October 27
From vampires to pumpkins, get inspired to make some Halloween art for the fridge with Art Hub for Kids.
October 28
Find a new trail and take a hike or have a bonfire. Nothing beats the sound of leaves crunching under your feet!
October 29
Check out what’s new on your streaming service and have a Halloween themed family movie night.
October 30
Check out HalloGlow Nights at TreeRunner Adventure Park locations. {This sounds amazing!} $28-$54/person. Runs Fridays – Sundays throughout October.
October 31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Enjoy the festivities today!
How do you plan to make the most of the month ahead?
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