Things To Do In Southeast Michigan in September 2025

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 2025 below. Make it a great month!

Things To Do in Southeast Michigan in September 2025

September 1

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.
• 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

• Time for a pumpkin spice latte! Grab one while out or make something at home.
• Walk the incredible gardens at the Cranbrook House in Bloomfield Hills and then take in the sights at Cranbrook Institute of Science.

September 3

Shop for some fleece and make a no-sew blanket for fall. {This is my teen’s favorite seasonal thing to do!}

September 4

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 5

Head to downtown Rochester for the annual Art & Apples Festival or to Brighton for their Smokin’ Jazz & Blues Festival, both FREE to attend.

September 6

• Make a crop duster at The Home Depot FREE Kids’ Workshop. Workshop runs from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Go to the Story Festival at Ford House in Grosse Pointe from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. $7/adults; $5/kids.
• 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 thanks to Huntington. We love this gem!

September 7

• Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Packers at 4:25 p.m.
• Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor. It’s FREE!

September 8

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 9

Visit a cat cafe for some furry fun with kitty friends!

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

Check out Troy Daze for rides, animals, carnival food, a free touch-a-truck, and more.

September 13

Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is a football tic tac toe board. FREE.

September 14

• Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Bears at 1 p.m.
• Visit Holly Grove for the Michigan Renaissance Festival and experience a time warp. Tickets are $18.95 for children and $27.95 for adults. Dress up if you’re feeling it!
• Head to 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 15

Head apple picking at a local u-pick farm. Or, get a few varieties of apples and have a Michigan apples taste test!

September 16

Grab some snacks and see if you can find some geocaches near your house! Here’s how to get started.

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

Road Trip Idea: Visit ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, which runs through October 4.

September 19

• 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.
• 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.

September 20

• Have a Gilmore Girls fan in the house? Head to downtown Brighton for the Destination Stars Hollow event.
• Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE foot ball spirit board. Register here.

September 21

• Soak up the final weeks of fresh produce and visit a local farmers market.
• Take a drive to Hell, Michigan to play putt-putt and get ice cream from Screams or send a postcard to someone from Hell to gear up for spooky season fun. {It’s actually beautiful!}

September 22

• Happy Equinox! Celebrate autumn by creating a fall bucket list of activity ideas with your family.
• Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Ravens at 8:15 p.m.

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

• Bake something delicious for fall such as apple crisp or pumpkin muffins.
• Visit The Putting Edge in Novi for glow-in-the-dark golf or try a family-friendly room at Escape Room Novi.

September 25

• Glenlore Trails in Commerce Township opens their newest walk — “Witching Hour” on this weekend. Learn more and grab tickets here. Ages 13+ is $25, ages 4-12 is $15 and seniors are $19. Babies, ages 0-3, are free.
• 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 26

Plan a FREE scavenger hunt in your town. Easy and fun to do with multiple families, especially as the temps cool.

September 27

• Check out the South Lyon Pumpkin Fest for live entertainment, food, and of course, pumpkins! FREE to attend.
• Head to Cultura in downtown Howell for music, art and food from 12-9 p.m. FREE admission.
• Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. $17.85/person.

September 28

• Watch the Detroit Lions take on the Browns at 1 p.m.
• Check out the Finding Neverland room at Escape Room Novi for some family fun.

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 TikTok, so be sure to check there for some inspiration too!

What’s on your radar to do this month?