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 in October 2024.
31 Things To Do With Kids in October 2024 in Southeast Michigan
October 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 check out what’s new on streaming services.
- Also – it’s National Taco Day! Celebrate with an easy peasy dinner at home, or out.
October 2
If your family hasn’t made a fall bucket list, check out these ideas for some inspiration.
October 3
Head to a local u-pick farm to pick apples. There are still a lot of varieties to choose from!
October 4
Visit downtown Northville to hunt for skeletons dressed up for The Skeletons Are Alive project. {Fun and free to do!}
October 5
- Make a fire rescue truck at The Home Depot FREE Kids’ Workshop. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- 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.
- Enjoy a FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art thanks to Huntington. {also October 12, 19, 26}
- Visit the MSU Broad Art Museum in East Lansing for a FREE Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration encouraged.
- 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 6
- Check out the Halloween Ghosts & Goodies at Crossroads Village in Flint all weekends in October. $15-$20/person.
- 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! FREE.
- 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 7
Visit Choice Farms in Webberville for their Detroit Lions corn maze.
October 8
Check out the Barbie: You Can Be Anything exhibit at Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing. Included with museum entry.
October 9
Make some festive super simple bleach shirts to get ready for Halloween. Find the tutorial here.
October 10
Head to your library and pick up Halloween themed books and movies for the season — adults included 😉
October 11
- Check out HalloGlow Nights at TreeRunner Adventure Park locations. Starts at $39/person. Runs Fridays – Sundays throughout October.
- Check out the Hartland Players show The Witches, based on the Roald Dahl story. $12/adults, $10/children.
- 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 $25/person.
October 12
- Head to Lowe’s for a Kids’ DIY Workshop. This month’s FREE project is a fire dog bank. Register here.
- 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.
- Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is a scarecrow or pumpkin noodle decor. FREE.
- Head to Potter Park Zoo for their annual Boo at the Zoo event. $15/adults, $5/child.
October 13
- Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Check out the Detroit Historical Museum for FREE thanks to the Kresge Foundation.
October 14
Visit several local cider mills and rate then to decide which one has the tastiest donuts. Here’s how we did this.
October 15
- Find a new trail and take a hike or have a bonfire. Nothing beats the sound of leaves crunching under your feet!
- After, make one of these fall leaf presses with crayons and wax paper.
October 16
See Wild Kratt’s Live at the Michigan Theatre in downtown Ann Arbor. Tickets start at $45.
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!
October 18
Make plans to visit a local haunted attraction with teens or for a date night. {Note: These are for ages 12+}
October 19
- Visit the Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township for an enchanted forest experience. Tickets range from $16-$26.
- 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!}
- Visit Fenner Nature Center in Lansing for the Apple Butter Festival. FREE, but $5 parking fee suggested.
- Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. $15/person.
October 20
Check out a local art studio and make something festive for the season. {We love The Ceramic Studio Etc. here in Howell!}
October 21
It’s Reptile Day! Book a future visit to The Reptarium {and soon-to-open LegaSea} in Utica for some hands-on learn about reptiles.
October 22
Check out Dog Man: The Musical at the Flint Institute of Music. Tickets start at $25; $18 for Genesee County residents.
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 Sloan Museum in Flint yet? It is well worth a drive! While there, check out the Ooky Spooky light show at the Longway Planetarium.
October 25
Head to The Fox Theatre in Detroit for Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, playing through Oct. 27. Tickets start at $50 and it’s general admission seating.
October 26
It may as well be a national holiday here in Michigan: MSU vs. UofM football! Sounds like a great excuse to get together with family and friends and enjoy some delicious fall foods.
October 27
Visit Canterbury Village for the Halloween Stroll. Tickets start at $17.99/person.
October 28
From vampires to pumpkins, get inspired to make some Halloween art for the fridge with Art Hub for Kids.
October 29
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 30
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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