31 Things To Do In January 2024 in Southeast Michigan

Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2024 ends up being a fantastic year filled with many family adventures.

January is one of our favorite months for movie nights in, checking out local museums, heading to the theatre for shows, and snow days {if the snow ever finds us here!}. With that said, always double check to ensure events are ON, as lots can change with weather this time of year.

I love including loads of FREE or low-cost ideas during this month since December tends to be a spending spree 😉 Have fun planning!

31 Things To Do In January 2024 in Southeast Michigan

January 1

• Set your family goals for the year! Maybe it’s a new chore chart, or a reading or hiking goal.
• Today is First Day Hikes across America. Perfect day to get out and explore a new trail.
• If you need clothing, check out Salvation Army thrift stores in SE Michigan for 50% off clothes!

January 2

• Head to Kensington Metropark to feed the birds. It’s so beautiful in winter. Or, make some homemade bird feeders using an empty toilet paper roll, peanut butter, bird seed and string.
• Do you have a fourth or fifth grader? Learn how they can sign-up to ski for free here.

January 3

Going stir crazy? Head to 2|42 in Brighton or Ann Arbor to let kids run around and burn energy. {Check their Facebook page before going for hours.}

January 4

Head to Little Caesar’s Arena for Cirque du Soleil: Crystal, happening through January 7. Tickets start at $67.50 and can be purchased here.

January 5

• Take a night hike at Independence County Park in Whitmore Lake. Learn more and check out other lantern hikes at this post.
• Check out an Owl Prowl from 6-8 p.m. at Howell Nature Center. Learn about owls up-close and then go on an “owl prowl” through the woods to call for wild owls. $15/person; $12/members. Learn more and register here. {There is an event on 1/21 as well.}

January 6

• Enjoy a FREE day at the Flint Institute of Art every Saturday, thanks to Huntington. {January 6, 13, 20, 27}
• Visit the Broad Museum in Lansing for Family Day: LIFT from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.
• Head to Home Depot for a FREE kids’ workshop. It’s a Home Depot truck on this day!

January 7

• Check out the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. {Also 1/14, 1/21 and 1/28.}
• Head to Michaels Stores for a Make Break to make a vision board for FREE from 2-4 p.m. Learn more and see if your store is participating here. All supplies are included.

January 8

Visit Belle Isle to check out the nature center, playgrounds and the amazing Dossin Great Lakes Museum. {Grab a pass for one free admission with the Michigan Activity Pass!}

January 9

Believe it or not, now is the time to think of summer vacations! Make sure to plan where you’d like to stay or camp in Michigan now, or else you’ll be left with little to choose from. {I love this list of campgrounds from GRKids.}

January 10

Celebrate the season and decorate with paper snowflakes! {These ones from 5-Minute Crafts are amazing.}

January 11

Head to Longway Planetarium in Flint for a Taylor Swift Light Show! Laser Taylor Swift takes her biggest hits and brings them to life in dazzling laser light. If you can’t score tickets to her concert, Laser Taylor Swift is the next best thing 😉 Recommended for ages 12+. Events are at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays, through March 30. Tickets are $6 for children and $8 for adults.

January 12

• We are in the final days for the Real Bodies Exhibition at Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint, so go check it out! Learn more about what to expect at this post about Sloan Museum.
• The new re-imagined version of Mean Girls comes out on this day. Fetch! {You know this millennial is going to see this!}

January 13

• Take a FREE tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. {1/6, 1/13, 1/20 and 1/27 dates available too.}
• Visit Grosse Pointe Farms for Winterfest at Pier Park from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. for a petting farm, ice carving demonstrations, ice skating, food trucks, putt putt golf and more. FREE.

January 14

• Today is Rubber Ducky Day! Take an extravagant “fun” bath. My kids love face masks, bath bombs, glow toys and glow sticks. It’s the perfect thing to do on a long winter day.
• Head to Michaels Stores for a Make Break to make an organization jar for FREE from 2-4 p.m. Learn more and see if your store is participating here. All supplies are included.

January 15

• Happy MLK Day! Find a volunteer opportunity near you, try these inexpensive random acts of kindness, or hit up the library. There are so many amazing books and events highlighting Dr. King’s work and it’s important history for all children to understand why we celebrate this day.
• Check out FREE entry to Cranbrook Institute of Science – make sure to register ahead!

January 16

MAMA MIA! the ultimate Greek wedding, will be making its way to the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing through 1/21. Tickets start at $39/person and can be purchased here.

January 17

Bundle up and head out to geocache as a family. It’s easy to start and FREE to do! Learn how here.

January 18

Create a jar full of dinnertime table discussions to promote family togetherness. These ideas can get you started.

January 19

• Head to 242 Community Center in Brighton for a FREE concert with award-winning musician Jim Gill just for ages 0-5. Show starts at 6 p.m. Learn more and pre-register here.
• No babysitter? No problem! Plan a special date night IN with one of these ideas.

January 20

• Visit Lowe’s for a DIY Workshop just for kids! The project of the day is a “My First Toolbox.” Register ahead to reserve a spot.
• Check out Movement Under The Microscope, a FREE family day at UofM’s Museum of Natural History to learn how cells move. Meet U-M scientists and learn about their research. Learn what makes up a protein, get crafty with origami, and attend a screening of “Movement under the Microscope,” a cell-ebratory performance featuring U-M students. From 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Head to Cromaine Library in Hartland for a cozy “Hygee” afternoon of crafts and activities, perfect for all ages. There will be stations to make sock gnomes, create beeswax candles, have a special meet-and-greet with snow queen, Elsa, and more. FREE.
• Take a FREE lantern-lit hike at Island Lake State Recreation in Brighton. See more info and other winter hikes here.

January 21

If you have a little one, the Flint Children’s Museum is one of our favorites for little learners!

January 22

Go ice skating at a local rink. Riley Park Ice Rink in Farmington has FREE rentals and it’s free to visit too!

January 23

If there is enough snow near you, head to Huron Meadows Metropark for some cross-country skiing.

January 24

Take a mini road trip to Frankenmuth to check out the ice sculptures at Zehnder’s Snowfest, happening January 24-28.

January 25

• Check out your local community pool for open swim hours. This is such a great way to pretend like it’s summer again 😉
• Visit Oceola Community Center in Howell for a FREE playdate for little ones. {This is through my job and I’d love to meet you if you’re local to me!}

January 26

• The family-friendly show, Air Play, will be at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. In this show, umbrellas fly, fabrics soar over the audience, balloons swallow people, and snow swirls, filling the stage. At just 55 minutes, this show is perfect for kids! Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.
• On this day in 1837, Michigan became an official state. Our family loves to celebrate with birthday cake! If you’d like to learn more about our state’s history, we love the Michigan History Center in Lansing, which is FREE every Sunday. Find other cool spots to learn about Michigan’s history at this post.

January 27

Visit Howell Nature Center for a Snowshoe Treasure Hunt. Like geocaching, families will search for hidden treasures guided by GPS devices while traversing HNC’s beautiful grounds by snowshoes. $15/person; $10/person for members. Learn more and register here. {There is an additional event on 1/28 as well.}

January 28

Head to Michaels Stores for a Make Break to make a pom-pom penguin for FREE from 2-4 p.m. Learn more and see if your store is participating here. All supplies are included.

January 29

Enjoy a movie night together. Here are some ideas to get you started — or create your own movie bucket list for the year as a family.

January 30

If the weather outside is frightful, create an obstacle course in your house for a little exercise. Or, try a card game for exercise for both you and the kids!

January 31

Plan a local adventure of snow tubing at Bowers Farm School in Bloomfield Hills or at Hawk Island Park in Lansing.

What events are you looking forward to this month? 

Looking for some extra fun? Make sure to check out this list of