30+ Things To Do In Southeast Michigan in September 2023

September is such a lovely month, right? Cool mornings followed by warm days, the leaves starting to change, apple picking, and perhaps every parent’s favorite reason — back to a routine!

I’ve outlined more than 30+ things to do with kids in September below. Make it a great month!

Things To Do in Southeast Michigan in September 2023

September 1

New month, new goals! I like to take time on the first of the month to get organized and think ahead for meal planning, adventures I want to take with the kids, and how I am going to prioritize my spouse and friends.

September 2

• Make a microscope at The Home Depot FREE Kids’ Workshop. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Head out to Novi for the Michigan State Fair and see animals, experience rides, enjoy food and more.
• Walk the incredible gardens at the Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills and then take in the sights at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Bonus: Make sure to visit Cranbook Art Museum’s mini golf before it closes tomorrow!
• Take a FREE tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit.

September 3

• Check out Arts, Beats & Eats in downtown Royal Oak for live music and fun food. Admission is $10/person before 3 p.m. and $12/person after. Make sure to check out the kids’ stage!
• Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make fall painted rocks on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.

September 4

Happy Labor Day! If you don’t have plans with family on this day, decorate the house for fall 😉

Additionally, visit one of the 30 southeast Michigan Salvation Army Thrift Stores to receive 50 percent off all men, women and children’s clothing. This is a great way to stock up for fall! Most stores are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 5

Check out the Real Bodies exhibit at Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint. {Note: This exhibit is recommended for ages 12+.}

September 6

Visit several local cider mills and rate then to decide which one has the tastiest donuts. Here’s how we did this last year.

September 7

Have a park hopping day where you travel to several different local parks and then vote for your favorite. {We’ve done this in Birmingham and Livingston County and it was so fun!}

September 8

Head to downtown Rochester for the annual Art & Apples Festival or to Brighton for their Smokin’ Jazz & Blues Festival, both FREE to attend.

September 9

• Visit Bower’s School Farm in Bloomfield Hills for open barn from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $10/person for ages 2 and up.
• Don’t forget the Flint Institute of Arts is FREE every Saturday too thanks to Huntington. We love this gem!

September 10

• Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make fall pom pom trees on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
• Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor for a free tour from 1-1:30 p.m. Along with learning about the past, this tour will take a step into the future and explore cutting-edge research being done in the Biological Sciences Building.

September 11

• Remember this important day in U.S. history with your children. Lots of great ideas and book suggestions here. We love this graphic novel for upper elementary kids.
• Visit the MSU Bug House in East Lansing to get the chance to hold and learn about creepy crawlies up close! This event is FREE and takes place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

September 12

Check out the SCRAP Box in Ann Arbor for some amazing things to create with.

September 13

Plan a visit to a local Cat Cafe.

September 14

Road Trip Idea: Visit ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, which runs through October 1.

September 15

• With temperatures cooling, Fridays are perfect movie nights. Make a movie list of ones to watch together. Get inspired at this post of 100 family movie ideas.
• Visit Howell Nature Center for their Owl Festival and see some of these awesome night-time predators getting fed while walking through our park with one of our wildlife educators. There will be crafts as well. $12/adult, $10/child. {Discounted for members.}
• Head to Romulus for the annual Pumpkin Fest, which kicks off with a lighted night parade. FREE.

September 16

• Head to Lowe’s for a Kids’ DIY Workshop. This month’s FREE project is a football card holder. Register here.
• Visit Holly Grove for the Michigan Renaissance Festival and experience a time warp. Tickets are $12.95 for children and $22.95 for adults. Dress up if you’re feeling it!
• Check out weekend open hours at The Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor. Definitely a must for animal-loving kids!

September 17

• Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make leaf art on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.

September 18

Head apple picking at a local u-pick farm. Or, get a few varieties of apples and have a Michigan apples taste test!

September 19

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day! Celebrate with a pirate craft or a scavenger hunt.

September 20

• If you are in need of clothes, I cannot recommend the Just Between Friends sale in Ann Arbor enough! This pop-up resale shop is worth a visit if you have kid clothing and toys needs. {They usually have a great selection of new stuff too — think Christmas!}
• Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day. Celebrate with making pizza at home or ordering out! {Like any of us need this excuse! Make sure to check if your local pizza joint is celebrating.}

September 21

Hike the 1.9 mile Wildwing trail at Kensington Metropark in Milford and feed the birds. As the temps cool, this is the perfect, woodsy hike. Or check out this list for more family-friendly loop trails around SE Michigan.

September 22

Visit Ferndale for their annual DIY Street Fair all weekend. There will be artists and makers, live music, food trucks and more. FREE to attend.

September 23

• Happy Equinox! Celebrate autumn by creating a fall bucket list of activity ideas with your family.
• Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township opens their newest walk — “CarnEvil” a haunted forest, on this weekend. Learn more and grab tickets here. Ages 13+ is $25, ages 4-12 is $15 and seniors are $20.
• Visit Choice Farms in Webberville for their Fall Festival. Lots to do on this newer farm in our area!

September 24

• Head to the historic Mill Race Village in Northville for a Victorian Festival. There will be refreshments, Victorian children’s games, children’s crafts, live music, and the Annual Northville Duck Race. FREE to attend.
• Visit the Historic Howell Theatre for a FREE showing of The Muppet Movie. Seating is first come, first served.
• Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make a decorative pumpkin on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE to attend; supplies will need to be purchased.

September 25

Plan a FREE scavenger hunt in your town. Easy and fun to do with multiple families, especially as the temps cool.

September 26

Happy National Pancake Day! Have you see the pancake charcuterie boards on Pinterest? Have some fun creating one with the kids for a fun themed dinner.

September 27

Visit a Little Free Library. Donate some books, and pick up some new ones too.

September 28

Girls Night Out Idea: Plan a girls night out by grabbing a hat and broom and visiting downtown Howell for their annual Witches Night Out.

September 29

Check out the South Lyon Pumpkin Fest for live entertainment, food, and of course, pumpkins! FREE to attend.

September 30

Make plans to visit a local haunted attraction.

I often add fun to my Facebook page and share about our adventures on Instagram, so make sure to check there, too!

What’s on your radar to do this month?