31+ Things To Do in May 2026 in Southeast Michigan

Can you believe we are almost to the halfway point in the year? The countdown for the last day of school is on and we are getting excited for some summer fun…and (hopefully) nicer weather this month!

In the meantime, I’ve collected 31+ things to do with kids in May 2026 across southeast Michigan and beyond. Have fun planning some adventures!

31+ Things To Do in May 2026 in Southeast Michigan

May 1

• Take some time as a family to discuss what the month will look like. This month tends to be a busy one for families, especially with kids in school {we call it May-Cray in our house}. Taking this time to talk about expectations and upcoming events can be so helpful for kids.
• Register to attend Cranbrook Institute of Science’s FREE First Friday, and get admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Must register if you’re visiting after 5 p.m.

TEACHERS: Get FREE entry to Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores all month long! Learn more here.

May 2

• Check out a FREE Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month’s project is a keepsake box. Learn more and register here.
• Visit Bower’s School Farm in Bloomfield Hills for open barn from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. $10/person for ages 2 and up.
• Check out 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 tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. There are multiple Saturdays available. $17.85/person.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts — it’s FREE every Saturday.
• It’s National Comic Book Day! Find a participating retailer here.
• The artist designed mini golf course at Cranbrook Art Museum opens on this day. {This is super cool to see!}
• Visit Domino Farms in Ann Arbor for their “Saturdays at the Farm” event. $8/person, ages 2 and under are free.
• Don’t forget to watch the Kentucky Derby! Sounds like a great excuse for a hat and a mint julep 😉

May 3

• Head to Southwest Detroit for the 60th annual Cinco de Mayo parade from 12-3 p.m.
• It’s the return of farmers market season in many cities. Buy local and fresh!
• Head to a Lansing Lugnuts game {or another minor league game with inexpensive tickets!}. Every Sunday is a Kids Day, with inflatables and more.
• Visit Michael’s for a Mother’s Day Event! Celebrate mom with a Vinyl decorated mug or tumbler. Just buy the base and all the supplies to make the project and the vinyl design are free. More info.
• Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

May 4

• May the 4th…be with you! Celebrate Star Wars Day by making these neat LEGO mosaics or using these fun patterns for Perler beads.
• This week brings Teacher Appreciation Week! Have the kids draft a nice letter of appreciation or draw a special picture for their teachers. {And if you’d like to purchase a gift, gift cards were the number one request from teachers I have polled!}

May 5

Happy Cinco de Mayo {and Taco Tuesday}! There are tons of great kid’s recipe and craft ideas to celebrate this holiday on Pinterest. Or use it as a great excuse to support your favorite local Mexican restaurant {not that most of us need an excuse}!

May 6 

Head to Ann Arbor for a visit to the amazing and FREE University of Michigan Natural History Museum.

May 7

Head to a state park for a hike. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful ones! Get ideas here. {We love using the iNaturalist app to identify plants and animals}

May 8

Head out geocaching in your town as a family. Make sure pack a pen and some small goodies, such as stickers, you could leave behind.

May 9

• Head to Kensington Valley Outlets in Howell for the FREE Howell Recreation Touch-a-Truck from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. {Sensory-friendly or quiet hour from 9 am to 10 am.}
• Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is making a Mother’s Day craft flower bouquet. FREE.
• Visit Michaels crafts in-store to make a free Mother’s Day thumbprint necklace from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with the Kid’s Club.
• This day is National Stamp Out Hunger Day! Leave any non-perishables you’d like to donate to local food banks in or near your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up. This is great, easy way to teach children about the importance of giving back.

May 10

Happy Mother’s Day! Take the day OFF, mamas. Or, at least refuse to do laundry or cooking 😉

• Potter Park Zoo in Lansing is FREE for moms on this day.
• Howell Nature Center is FREE for moms and grandmas on this day.
• Emagine Theatres are giving all moms a free flower as they enjoy the day at the movies.
• Moms/guardians can golf for FREE at the Cranbrook art-inspired mini golf course. Must purchase tickets onsite.

May 11

Have you signed up for Kids Bowl Free yet? Such a great way to keep kids ages 12 and under busy this summer.

May 12

Encourage your children to fill your driveway or public sidewalks with words of encouragement.

May 13

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.

May 14

The air *should* be starting to warm up. Now is a great time to nab an at-home science kit to grow caterpillars into butterflies or to hunt for morel mushrooms!

May 15 

• Today is National Endangered Species Day. Sounds like a great day to discuss the importance of wildlife conservation with the kids. Check out the most recent list of threatened species and see if there are steps your family can do to help.
• This weekend brings Motor City Comic Con. Visit Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi for a weekend of fun, including plenty of kid’s activities inside the Kid’s Den.

May 16

• Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE garden basket. Register here.
• Visit the East Lansing Art Festival.
• Visit Deerfield Township Fire Department in Hartland for the CHASE a FREE community health and safety event from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. {Come visit me if you have littles as I will be there for work!}

May 17 

• Happy 517 Day! From Howell to Lansing, celebrate what makes this area beautiful. Lots of special events happening.
• Today is Flower Day at Eastern Market in Detroit. Visit for fantastic deals and beautiful plants.

May 18

Grab timed tickets for Legasea Aquarium in Utica. $24.99/person and so much fun!

May 19

Plan a scavenger hunt around your city! Here is a post with ideas on how to make it happen.

May 20 

With Memorial Day and 4th of July just around the corner, try your hand at some red, white, and blue tie-dye. It’s easy and fun to do. My favorite brand of kits can be found here. {affiliate link}

May 21 

Challenge the kids to get creative and make a homemade boat and see how long it will float. Get inspiration here.

May 22

Plant flowers as a family, even if it’s just filling a few pots for your porch. Such a great skill for kids to know, and great sensory play for little ones.

May 23

Visit Michaels crafts in-store to make a free bookmark for summer from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with the Kid’s Club.

May 24

• Go garage sailing! Tis the season to start keeping an eye out. Download the Little Free Library app and find some fun books along the way, too.
• Enjoy the holiday weekend with a bonfire and one of these bonfire dinner ideas to make it extra fun.

May 25

Happy Memorial Day! Many communities are having a Memorial Day parade. Check your local city website to see if your community is hosting something special.

May 26 

Cuddle with kittens at a Cat Cafe right here in Michigan. These are so fun for feline lovers!

May 27 

• If it has been awhile, check out the Michigan Activity Pass program at your local library to see what’s new or plan some places to visit for free/discounted this summer.
• Attract local birds by making simple feeders with pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed. We love the Merlin Bird ID app for identifying bird sounds near us. {We also love feeding the birds at Kensington Metropark!}

May 28

• Today is National Flip Flop Day! Wear your flip flops and get a FREE 12 oz. Sunrise Sunset smoothie at Tropical Smoothie locations from 2-7 p.m.
• If you are in need of an adventure, check out a local disc golfing course. Perfect to do as an inexpensive date night or with kids.

May 29

• Let’s go to the zoo! A few smaller, unique ones worth checking out include Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Saginaw Children’s Zoo and the Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run.
• Take a Friday Tour for $5 at Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor. Super fun to do if you love art and its process.

May 30

Make some fun personalized DIY tie-dye towels. Super fun and easy! Learn how here.

May 31 

• Visit Upland Hills Farm for their Summer Sundays program, which includes day access to the farm, hayrides, milking a cow, visiting all the animals, and playground access. $10/person; ages 2 and under are free.
• Time to sit down as a family and write that summer bucket list! This is one of our family’s favorite traditions. {Can’t wait to share our 2026 version soon!}

Happy May, friends! What’s on your family’s radar?