31+ Things To Do in May 2024 in Southeast Michigan

Can you believe we are almost to the halfway point in the year? School is winding down here and we are certainly getting excited for some summer fun.

In the meantime, I’ve collected 31+ things to do with kids in May 2024 across southeast Michigan and beyond. Have fun planning some adventures!

31+ Things To Do in May 2024 in Southeast Michigan

May 1

Take some time as a family to discuss what the month will look like. This month tends to be a busy one for families, especially with kids in school. Taking this time to talk about expectations and upcoming events can be so helpful for kids.

May 2

It’s Harry Potter Day! For all the Potterheads of the world, this could be a great day to make a fun Potter-inspired meal.

May 3

Head out for U-Pick asparagus! This is offered at Erwin Orchards in South Lyon, Slow Farm in Ann Arbor and Long Family Farm in Commerce.

May 4

• May the 4th…be with you! Celebrate Star Wars Day by making these neat LEGO mosaics or using these fun patterns for Perler beads.
• Check out a FREE Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot. This month’s project is a blooming picture frame. Learn more and register here.
• Visit the MSU Broad Art Museum in East Lansing for a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration encouraged.
• Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. There are multiple Saturdays available. $14/person.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts — it’s FREE every Saturday.
• It’s National Comic Book Day! Find a participating retailer here.
• Head to Greenfield Village for Day Out With Thomas, taking place during May 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. Tickets for kids start at $17 and go up to $52 for adults. {I do recommend this event once during your child’s life — it’s great for littles!}
• Visit Domino Farms for their “Saturdays at the Farm” event featuring games, story time and more. $8/person, ages 2 and under are free.
• Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE butterfly biome. Register here.
• The artist designed mini golf course at Cranbrook Art Museum opens on this day. {We loved this activity last year!}

May 5

• Happy Cinco de Mayo! There are tons of great kid’s recipe and craft ideas to celebrate this holiday on Pinterest. Or use it as a great excuse to support your favorite local Mexican restaurant {not that most of us need an excuse}!
• It’s the return of farmers market season in many cities, so buy local and fresh. Such a great opportunity for kids to ask farmers questions, too….or maybe barter with their cute faces 😉
• Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Head to Michaels Stores for a FREE Make Break workshop to make an abstract painting from 2-4 p.m. Purchase a canvas; all other supplies are included. Learn more here.
• Check out Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority’s FREE safety event with loads of family fun and education from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Head to a Lansing Lugnuts game {or another minor league game with inexpensive tickets!}. Every Sunday is a Capital City Market Kids Day, with inflatables, face-painting, and Kids Run the Bases followed by ice cream and music with Big Lug at Capital City Market following the game.

May 6 

This week brings Teacher Appreciation Week! Have the kids draft a nice letter of appreciation or draw a special picture for their teachers. {And if you’d like to purchase a gift, gift cards were the number one request from teachers I have polled!}

May 7

Visit the UofM Natural History Museum to see their new dinosaur exhibit. FREE.

May 8

If you have an EBT or WIC card, you can visit the Flint Children’s Museum for FREE through May. Learn more here. {Definitely one of my personal favorites for little ones!}

May 9

Head out geocaching in your town as a family. Make sure pack a pen and some small goodies, such as stickers, you could leave behind.

May 10

Visit Bower’s School Farm in Bloomfield Hills for Open Barn from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. $10/person for ages 2 and up.

May 11

• This day is National Stamp Out Hunger Day! Leave any non-perishables you’d like to donate to local food banks in or near your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up. This is great, easy way to teach children about the importance of giving back.
• Visit Tanger Outlets in Howell for a FREE touch-a-truck event from 9 a.m. {sensory hour} to 2 p.m. {Please come say hi if you see me handing out books with Great Start Livingston!}
• Head to MSU for their annual FREE Teddy Bear Health Fair in East Lansing. There will be crafts, games, therapy dogs and more. Bring your favorite stuffed friend for a special check-up from medical students too!
• Check out Michaels Stores to make a FREE Mother’s Day Card with Kids Club from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is making a Mother’s Day trinket box. FREE.
• If you’d like a great adult Mother’s Day outing, check out the Livingston County Women’s Chorus 25th Anniversary Spring Concert event at Mount Brighton.

May 12

Happy Mother’s Day! Take the day OFF, mamas. Or, at least refuse to do laundry or cooking 😉

• Potter Park Zoo in Lansing is FREE for moms on this day.
• Howell Nature Center is FREE for moms and grandmas on this day.

• Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for FREE thanks to the Second Sundays program.

May 13

Head to MSU’s Bug House for a FREE open house from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. where you can see, touch or even hold some real creepy crawlers.

May 14

The air *should* be starting to warm up. Now is a great time to nab an at-home science kit to grow caterpillars into butterflies or to hunt for morel mushrooms!

May 15 

• Have you signed up for Kids Bowl Free yet? Such a great way to keep kids ages 12 and under busy this summer.

May 16

Head to one of our favorite spots in Michigan — Sloan Museum of Discovery. After, catch a show at the Longway Planetarium. Grab combo tickets here.

May 17 

• This weekend brings Motor City Comic Con. Visit Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi for a weekend of fun, including plenty of kid’s activities inside the Kid’s Den.
• Today is National Endangered Species Day. Sounds like a great day to discuss the importance of wildlife conservation with the kids. Check out the most recent list of threatened species and see if there are steps your family can do to help.

May 18

• Visit the East Lansing Art Festival.
• Plan a scavenger hunt around your city! Here is a post with ideas on how to make it happen.

May 19

• Today is Flower Day at Eastern Market in Detroit. Visit for fantastic deals and beautiful plants.
• Check out Open Cockpit Days at Yankee Air Museum in Belleville. Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, children and military. {Michigan Activity Pass participant too!}
• Visit Michaels from 2-4 p.m. for a Make Break event to tie-dye. Purchase a shirt; other supplies are FREE.

May 20 

With Memorial Day and 4th of July just around the corner, try your hand at some red, white, and blue tie-dye. It’s easy and fun to do. My favorite brand of kits can be found here. {affiliate link}

May 21 

Head to a state park for a hike. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful ones! Get ideas here. {We love using the iNaturalist app to identify plants and animals}

May 22

Plant flowers as a family, even if it’s just filling a few pots for your porch. Such a great skill for kids to know, and great sensory play for little ones.

May 23

Challenge the kids to get creative and make a homemade boat and see how long it will float. Get inspiration here.

May 24

• Go garage sailing! Tis the season to start keeping an eye out. Download the Little Free Library app and find some fun books along the way, too.
• Grab combo tickets for both Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium for an entire day of fun on the beautiful Flint Cultural Campus.

May 25

• Head to Rochester for their FREE annual Heritage Days celebration.
• Check out Michaels Stores to make a FREE friendship bracelets with Kids Club from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

May 26 

Enjoy the holiday weekend with a bonfire and one of these bonfire dinner ideas to make it extra fun.

May 27 

Happy Memorial Day! Many communities are having a Memorial Day parade. Check your local city website to see if your community is hosting something special.

May 28

If you are in need of an adventure, check out a local disc golfing course. Perfect to do as an inexpensive date night or with kids.

May 29

Let’s go to the zoo! A few smaller, unique ones worth checking out include Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Saginaw Children’s Zoo and the Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run.

May 30

Make some fun personalized DIY tie-dye towels. Super fun and easy! Learn how here.

May 31 

Time to sit down as a family and write that summer bucket list! This is one of our family’s favorite traditions. {Can’t wait to share our 2024 version soon!}

Happy May, friends! What’s on your family’s radar?