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 2024 below. Make it a great month!
Things To Do in Southeast Michigan in September 2024
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.
- Head out to Novi for the Michigan State Fair and see animals, experience rides, enjoy food and more.
- 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!
September 2
Happy Labor Day! If you don’t have plans with family on this day, decorate the house for fall 😉
- Visit one of the 30 southeast Michigan Salvation Army Thrift Stores to receive 50% off all men’s, women’s 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.
- Head to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit for FREE on this day, from 1-5 p.m.
September 3
Visit The Henry Ford for the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit before it closes on September 8!
September 4
Walk the incredible gardens at the Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills and then take in the sights at Cranbrook Institute of Science.
September 5
Visit several local cider mills and rate then to decide which one has the tastiest donuts. Here’s how we did this a few years ago.
September 6
Head to downtown Rochester for the annual Art & Apples Festival or to Brighton for their Smokin’ Jazz & Blues Festival, both FREE to attend.
September 7
- Make a field goal game at The Home Depot FREE Kids’ Workshop. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 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!
- Visit the MSU Broad Art Museum in East Lansing for a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration encouraged.
September 8
Happy Grandparent’s Day! Make sure to wear your Lions gear because today is their first game versus the Rams!
- Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor. It’s FREE!
- Check out the Detroit Historical Museum for FREE thanks to the Kresge Foundation.
- Head to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit for FREE on this day, from 1-5 p.m.
September 9
- 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 10
Check out the SCRAP Box in Ann Arbor for some amazing things to create with.
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.
September 12
Troy Daze kicks off on this day. Visit for rides, animals, carnival food, a free touch-a-truck, and more.
September 13
Road Trip Idea: Visit ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, which runs through September 28.
September 14
- 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!
- Head to the Detroit Zoo for their Ton of Trucks event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. $22/adults; $19/kids. {Tickets must be purchased in advance.}
- Go to the Story Festival at Ford House in Grosse Pointe from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. $7/adults; $5/kids.
- Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is a sloth door hanger. FREE.
September 15
- Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Check out weekend open hours at The Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor. Definitely a must for animal-loving kids!
September 16
The Barbie: You Can Be Anything exhibit is now open at Impression 5 in Lansing. Go check it out! Adults and children ages 2 and up are $12, seniors and military are $10.50 and babies 2 and under are free.
September 17
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 18
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party starts today at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit and runs through Sept. 22. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here.
September 19
Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day! Celebrate with a pirate craft or a scavenger hunt.
- Head apple picking at a local u-pick farm. Or, get a few varieties of apples and have a Michigan apples taste test!
September 20
Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day. Celebrate with making pizza at home or ordering out!
- 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.
- Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township opens their newest walk — “Enchanted” on this weekend. Learn more and grab tickets here. Ages 13+ is $24, ages 4-12 is $14 and seniors are $19. Babies, ages 0-3, are free.
September 21
- Head to Romulus for the annual Pumpkin Fest, which kicks off with a lighted night parade. FREE.
- 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.
- Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE harvest hayride toy. Register here.
- Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. $15/person.
September 22
Happy Equinox! Celebrate autumn by creating a fall bucket list of activity ideas with your family.
September 23
Have littles ages 0-8? Visit the new Stemville locations in Howell or Detroit {or the OG in Northville}. $20/child entry
September 24
Visit The Putting Edge in Novi for glow-in-the-dark golf or try a family-friendly room at Escape Room Novi.
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! Enjoy an easy dinner tonight.
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 27
Check out the South Lyon Pumpkin Fest for live entertainment, food, and of course, pumpkins! FREE to attend.
September 28
- Visit Choice Farms in Webberville for some fall fun, including going through a Detroit Lions-themed corn maze. Lots to do on this newer farm in our area!
- Head to Cultura in downtown Howell for music, art and food from 12-9 p.m. FREE admission.
September 29
Halloween is just around the corner! Gear up by making a DIY bleach T-shirt.
September 30
Make plans to visit a local haunted attraction {this post is continuously updated, but please let me know what I have missed!}.
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?
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