October has quite a wonderful reputation here in southeast Michigan…Between apples, pumpkins, and cool nights, the leaves are also about to show us how beautiful it is to let things go. It’s the perfect season for hiking and getting outside and seeing the immense changes in nature. It’s also a great month to start thinking about things to do and museums to visit during the cold months!
To inspire your family to plan an adventure this month, check out these 31+ things to do with kids in October.
31 Things To Do With Kids in October 2023 in Southeast Michigan
October 1
Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break for a Halloween pumpkin fest on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
October 2
If your family hasn’t made a fall bucket list, check out these ideas for some inspiration.
October 3
Pick pumpkins and get donuts at a local farm. Two of our favorite spots are right by each other — Markillie Orchard and Fawcett Farms in Howell. Support your local farmers this season!
October 4
It’s National Taco Day! Celebrate with an easy peasy dinner at home, or out.
October 5
Weekend Weekends kick-off at Emagine Theatres on this day. Catch a family-friendly Halloween movie for just $3. Find details here.
October 6
- Check out Hotel Transylvania for FREE during NCG Cinema’s Fall Family Festival.
October 7
- Make a rescue floatplane at The Home Depot FREE Kids’ Workshop. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Visit downtown Howell for Cultura, a day-long festival featuring artists, music and food from around the world. FREE to attend.
- 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.
- Check out the Halloween Ghosts & Goodies at Crossroads Village in Flint all weekends in October. $15-$20/person.
- Enjoy a FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art thanks to Huntington. {also October 7, 14, 21, 28}
- Visit the Detroit Zoo for the Zoo Boo to enjoy festive pumpkin displays, strolling entertainment and trick-or-treating spots scattered throughout the Zoo. Prices start at $22/person.
October 8
- Visit the University of Michigan Natural History Museum for ID Day from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bring in your own collected objects for identification by experts, and take a look at some of their treasures, too! Experts will join us from the fields of paleontology, anthropology, archaeology, botany, zoology, and geology. They will help you identify: Shells, rocks and minerals, fossils, arrowheads and other stone tools, shards of pottery, vertebrate bone, insects, skulls, seeds, leaves, twigs, fish, and mushrooms. FREE.
- Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make friendship bracelets on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
- Check out Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor. Recommended for grades 1-5. Tickets are $25 each.
- 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 9
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 10
Head to your library and pick up Halloween themed books for the season — adults included 😉
October 11
Make some festive super simple bleach shirts to get ready for Halloween. Find the tutorial here.
October 12
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 13
Visit several local cider mills and rate then to decide which one has the tastiest donuts. Here’s how we did this last year.
October 14
- Head to Lowe’s for a Kids’ DIY Workshop. This month’s FREE project is a heroic fire truck. Register here.
- 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.
- Check out Design & Build Day at Impression 5 in Lansing and explore the science of skilled trades and home building. Experience hands-on, interactive activities led by professional plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and roofing contractors. Included with general admission.
October 15
- 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 a hat box ghost on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
October 16
- Find a new trail and take a hike or have a bonfire. Nothing beats the sound of leaves crunching under your feet!
- Visit Choice Farms in Webberville for their Fall Festival. Lots to do on this newer farm in our area!
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!
- Visit downtown Northville to hunt for skeletons dressed up for The Skeletons Are Alive project. {Fun and free!}
October 18
Make plans to visit a local haunted attraction. {We visited the haunted trail, Ghostly Grove, at Schell Farm last year with my tween and it was so fun!}
October 19
Visit the Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township for a haunted forest experience. Tickets range from $15-$25.
October 20
Check out HalloGlow Nights at TreeRunner Adventure Park locations. {This sounds amazing!} Starts at $29/person. Runs Fridays – Sundays throughout October.
October 21
- 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!}
- It’s Reptile Day! Plan a visit to The Reptarium in Utica for some hands-on learn about reptiles.
October 22
- Visit Fenner Nature Center in Lansing for the Apple Butter Festival. FREE, but $5 parking fee suggested.
- Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make a witch silhouette painting on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
October 23
Take some time to “Boo” your neighbors or friends. Fun ideas can be found here.
October 24
Cooler weather is the perfect time to visit a museum. Have you checked out the new Sloan Museum in Flint and the Bodies Exhibit {for older kids}? 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 a coffin at 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
Take a FREE tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit.
October 29
Head to Michael’s Stores’ Make Break to make pumpkin mandala art on this day from 2-4 p.m. FREE.
October 30
Check out what’s new on your streaming service and have a Halloween themed family movie night.
October 31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Enjoy the festivities today!
How do you plan to make the most of the month ahead?
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