31 Things To Do In January 2025 in Southeast Michigan

Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2025 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 {fingers crossed!}. 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 2025 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 on their FREE play structures. {Check their Facebook page before going for hours.}

January 4

• Enjoy a FREE day at the Flint Institute of Art every Saturday, thanks to Huntington. {January 4, 11, 18, 25} This is one of our favorite wintertime things to do!
• Visit the Broad Museum in East Lansing for Family Day: BELONG from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. FREE.
• Head to Home Depot for a FREE kids’ workshop. It’s a piggy bank on this day.
• Visit Lowe’s for a DIY Workshop just for kids! The project of the day is a construction hat. Register ahead to reserve a spot.

January 5

Check out the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

January 6

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 7

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

January 8

Have a family game night in. Beforehand, set-up a hot cocoa bar with fun toppings.

January 9

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. Recommended for ages 12+. Events are at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays, through May 10. Tickets are $6 for children and $8 for adults.

January 10

• Head to 2|42 Community Center in Brighton for a FREE playdate with Great Start Livingston for ages 0-5 from 10-11:30 a.m. {This is through my job and I’d love to meet you if you’re local to me!}
• 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, otherwise it’s $5/person.}

January 11

• Check out “Wild About Owls” 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.}
• Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. $15/person.
• Take a FREE lantern-lit hike at Island Lake State Recreation in Brighton.

January 12

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

January 13

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.

January 14

Plan for and bake a treat together as a family {or several}. So many great life skills can be learned from cooking together!

January 15

Head to your local library to pick up movies and books to keep you busy during the dark, cold evenings.

January 16

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

January 17

Fridays during winter are always perfect for a movie night in. Make a list of classics you’d like to watch as a family, or check out our list to get inspired.

January 18

• Visit Lowe’s for a DIY Workshop just for kids from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.! The project of the day is a toy snowplow. Register ahead to reserve a spot.
• Check out a Discovery Demo: All About Owls at the free-to-visit University of Michigan Natural History Museum. Programs at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

January 19

No babysitter? No problem! Plan a special date night IN with one of these ideas.

January 20

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.

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 is FREE to visit. {Check Facebook for ice conditions first.}

January 23

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

January 24

Make Valentine’s for a local nursing home. They will love them!

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 😉

January 26

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

Do a science experiment at home as a family. Snow slime is a lot of fun to make; here are some ideas to get you started.

January 28

If you haven’t already, start a family memory jar for 2025. Make sure to add memories from the month!

January 29

Take a mini road trip to Frankenmuth to check out the ice sculptures at Zehnder’s Snowfest, happening January 29 through February 2.

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