Things To Do in July 2024 in Southeast Michigan

I can’t believe I’m saying that it’s JULY! This month is always an interesting mix of busybusybusy and the ultimate boredom for my kids.

For those days you need a little something to get an idea brewing, this edition of 31+ Things To Do With Kids In July 2024 In Southeast Michigan aims to inspire your family to adventure together, whether it’s near or far. And remember, you don’t need to drive far or spend a ton to make fantastic memories 😉

July 1

Get ready for the Fourth of July by doing tie-dye, making a firework craft or testing a new red, white, and blue recipe. We also love updating our art wall with festive art from Art for Kids Hub.

July 2

• Pick blueberries at Hazens Blueberry Farm in Howell. {Note: Blueberries are much less tedious to pick than strawberries, so are perfect for little ones! Do not skip the ice cream at Hazens either!}
• Check out a U-pick lavender farm. Such beautiful places to spend some time outside.

July 3

• Enjoy fireworks in Whitmore Lake. FREE.
• Make a “Michigan Cooler” with Vernor’s or Faygo and Hudsonville vanilla ice cream.

July 4

Happy Fourth! Enjoy some fun in one of these cities:

• Ann Arbor for the annual Jaycees parade at 10 a.m.
• Brighton: Parade at 10 a.m.
• Clawson: Parade at 9 a.m. and fireworks around 10 p.m.
• Flint: Visit Crossroads Village for an Independence Day celebration and special events
• Fowlerville: 7 p.m. parade followed by fireworks
• Milford: Parade at 11 a.m.
• Northville: Parade at 10 a.m.
• Find more fireworks displays here.

July 5

• Take a drive to Hell, Michigan to play putt-putt and get ice cream from Screams or send a postcard to someone from Hell. {It’s actually beautiful there!}
• Hit up the Oakland County Fair in Davisburg {July 5-14} to check out the animals, rides and shows. This is by far one of our family favorites. {Make sure to taste the amazing farm fresh 50 cent chocolate milk!}

July 6

• Check out a FREE Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot. This month’s project is a flower planter. 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 road trip to a zoo you haven’t visited before. {We love the Saginaw Children’s Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run.}
• 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.

July 7

Have a YES day. {Learn how to make it happen here}

July 8

Road trip to Charlotte for the Eaton County Fair, happening through July 15.

July 9

• Go to Silver Lake in Fenton for a free show from the Silver Lake Ski Club every Tuesday at 6 p.m. These are so fun to attend! Pack a picnic and enjoy the show. {$5 park entrance fee}
• Enjoy Zoo Days July 9-10 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing and get entry for just $2/person.

July 10

Visit Heritage Park in Farmington Hills for the FREE splash pad, nature trail, loose parts play and more.

July 11

Take the kids out disc golfing…even if you only play one hole!

July 12

• Head to downtown Plymouth for Art in the Park fair to enjoy art, food, music and more.
• Celebrate the 41st Annual African World Festival, which is three days full of entertainment, live demonstrations, community resources and information, vendors and more in Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. $15/adults, $10/seniors, free for ages 13 and under.
• Visit Blake’s in Armada for their annual Lavender Festival. Stroll through the fields of lavender, shop at the artisan market and enjoy lavender inspired treats at this fest. $10/person, free/ages 10 and under.

July 13

• Take advantage of Kids Bowl Free if you haven’t yet. We love this program for some discounted fun at our local alley.
• Visit Michael’s Stores to make a craft stick airplane with Kids Club from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. All supplies are FREE.
• Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is making a pair of flamingo or parrot glasses. FREE.

July 14

• Head to Belle Isle in Detroit for the Kite Festival in Detroit, which is FREE to attend if you have a Michigan Recreation Passport.
• Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

July 15

• Grab some snacks and see if you can find some geocaches near your house! Here’s how to get started.
• Visit The Henry Ford for the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit.

July 16

On this day, the Concert of Colors kicks off in Detroit. This popular Detroit event features ethnic tunes, food, arts, crafts and family fun at multiple Midtown Detroit venues. FREE.

July 17

Play at the Imagination Station playground in Brighton and cool off with ice cream afterwards. Or, visit a new-to-you local playground and have your kiddo rate their experience {see how we did this here}.

July 18

• Plan a day to road trip to Michigan’s Adventure for rollercoasters and waterslides. Such a fun spot!
• Cool off at Lily Pad Springs splash pad in West Bloomfield or at the Argo Cascades in Ann Arbor.
• Visit the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which features 400 exhibiting artist booths, live entertainment in partnership with The Ark, art activities for kids and more. FREE to visit.
• Head to the Farmington Founders Festival, which is a weekend-long celebration of crafts, music and community and features lots of events for kids as well. FREE.
• Head to the MSU Children’s Garden for a Water Day event from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. $5/child. Register here.

July 19

• Head to Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights for Festa Italiana for 3 days of Italian fun, including live music, fireworks, and even a cannoli eating contest! FREE to attend; parking is $10.
• It’s also National Ice Cream Day! Go ahead and let the kids have sundaes for lunch or dinner 😉

July 20

• Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE kinetic sandbox. Register here.
• Check out Willow Run Airport for the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show. Kids under 15 are free; adult tickets are $68/person and parking is $55.
• 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.

July 21

• Head to Novi for the Festival of Chariots, an Indian cultural fest. There will be a parade, live music, free food, Yoga, kid’s activities and more. Admission is FREE.
• Visit the University of Michigan Natural History Museum in Ann Arbor to see their new dinosaur exhibit. FREE.
• The weather is perfect for raising butterflies at home. Grab an at-home science kit and watch metamorphosis happen right before your eyes.

July 22

• Have you ever tried FootGolf? Think golfing, but with soccer balls! It’s so fun. We enjoy The Falcon in Lansing. More courses can be found here.
• Wander the beautiful and FREE Cranbrook Gardens in Bloomfield Hills. While there, make sure to check out Cranbrook Art Museum’s art-inspired putt-putt course.
• Check out farm animals and enjoy the carnival at the Fowlerville Family Fair.

July 23

• It’s Tuesday! Hit up Emagine Theatres for one of their $3 children’s movies, and don’t forget the FREE popcorn if you are a rewards member.
• Grab quarters and escape the heat by visit Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. We love this odd spot!

July 24

Check out the amazing nature-inspired Alexandria’s Playscape at the Howell Nature Center. Just fair warning, bring a change of clothes in case kids get wet 😉 {Make sure to grab a Michigan Activity Pass for free entry too!}

July 25

• Head to a local ice skating or roller skating rink for open skate.
• Visit the MSU Children’s Garden for a Bug Day event from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. $5/child. Register here.

July 26

• Plan a visit to The Reptarium in Utica to learn all about reptiles.
• Keep up with summer reading by seeing what challenges your library offers, checking out a local StoryWalk trail, or visiting a Little Free Library for some new reads.

July 27

• Head to German Park in Ann Arbor for one of their summer picnics, from 4-11 p.m. $10 entry fee.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts — it’s FREE every Saturday.
• Visit Michael’s Stores to make a air-dry clay rings with Kids Club from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. All supplies are FREE.

July 28

• Let the kids stay up and look for fireflies. {Better yet, make a firefly jar beforehand with a condiment jar with small holes in the lid!}
• Plan a scavenger hunt in your own town.
• Visit Upland Hills Farm in Oxford for Summer Sundays to enjoy all of the farm animals. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $9/person. 2 and under are free. $2 pony rides available as well.

July 29

Today is National Chili Dog Day. Nobody knows this day better than Detroit! Hit up the city to take the coney dog challenge and decide which is better — American or Lafayette Coney Island.

July 30

• Hit up the bike trails and pump track at Settlers Park in Hartland.
• Visit a cat cafe for some furry fun with kitty friends!

July 31

• Visit The Putting Edge in Novi for glow-in-the-dark golf.
• Paint kindness rocks and hide them around your town.

What’s on your family’s radar for July?