Things To Do in July 2026 in Southeast Michigan

I can’t believe I’m saying that it’s JULY! This month is always an interesting mix of busy-busy-busy and the ultimate boredom for my kids.

For those days you need a little something to get an idea brewing, this edition of 31+ Things To Do With Kids In July 2026 In Southeast Michigan aims to inspire your family to adventure together, whether it’s near or far. And remember, you don’t need to drive far or spend a ton to make fantastic memories 😉

July 1

Get ready for the Fourth of July by doing tie-dye, making a firework craft or testing a new red, white, and blue recipe. We also love updating our art wall with festive art from Art for Kids Hub.

July 2

Check out a U-pick lavender farm. Such beautiful places to spend some time outside.

July 3

• Enjoy fireworks in Whitmore Lake. FREE.
• 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.

July 4

Happy Fourth! Enjoy some fun in one of these cities:

• Ann Arbor for the annual Jaycees parade at 10 a.m.
• Brighton: Parade at 10 a.m.
• Clawson: Parade at 9 a.m. and fireworks around 10 p.m.
• Milford: Parade at 11 a.m.
• Northville: Parade at 10 a.m.
• Howell: Fireworks at dusk at Howell High School
• Find more fireworks displays here.
• Check out a FREE Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot. This month’s project is a go kart. Learn more and register here.

July 5

• Fowlerville: 7 p.m. parade followed by fireworks
• Take a drive to Hell, Michigan to play putt-putt and get ice cream from Screams or send a postcard to someone from Hell. {It’s actually beautiful to walk around there!}

July 6

• Make a “Michigan Cooler” with Vernor’s or Faygo and Hudsonville vanilla ice cream.
• Take a road trip to a zoo you haven’t visited before. {We love the Saginaw Children’s Zoo and Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run.}

July 7

• Go to Silver Lake in Fenton for a free show from the Silver Lake Ski Club every Tuesday at 6 p.m. These are so fun to attend! Pack a picnic and enjoy the show. {$7 park entrance fee}
• Enjoy Zoo Days July 7-8 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing and get entry for just $2/person!

July 8

It’s opening day for Hazens Blueberry Farm in Howell. {Note: Blueberries are much less tedious to pick than strawberries, so are perfect for little ones! Do NOT skip the ice cream and other treats at Hazens either!}

July 9

• Have a YES day. {Learn how to make it happen with some boundaries here}
• Check out Teso Life {aka what we call Asian Target} in Novi and grab some fun viral snacks to try.

July 10

• Head to downtown Plymouth from July 10-12 for Art in the Park fair to enjoy art, food, music and more.
• Hit up the Oakland County Fair in Davisburg {July 10-19} to check out the animals, rides and shows. This is by far one of our family favorites. {Make sure to taste the amazing farm fresh 50 cent chocolate milk!}
• Visit Blake’s in Armada for their annual Lavender Festival, July 10-12 and July 17-19. Stroll through the fields of lavender, shop at the artisan market and enjoy lavender inspired treats at this fest. $12/person during the week, $14/person on Saturdays and Sundays, free/ages 10 and under.
• Celebrate the 43rd Annual African World Festival July 10-12, for entertainment, live demonstrations, community resources and information, vendors and more in Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Tickets start at $25/adults, $20/seniors, $15 for ages 6-17.

July 11

• Visit Heritage Park in Farmington Hills for the FREE splash pad, nature trail, loose parts play and more. Such a fantastic park worth visiting!
• Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is making a safari animal magnet. FREE.

July 12

• Take the kids out disc golfing…even if you only play one hole!
• Visit the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

July 13

Road trip to Charlotte for the Eaton County Fair, happening July 13-18.

July 14

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

July 15

• On this day, the Concert of Colors kicks off in Detroit. This popular Detroit event features ethnic tunes, food, arts, crafts and family fun at multiple Midtown Detroit venues. FREE.
• Plan a day to road trip to Michigan’s Adventure for rollercoasters and waterslides. Such a fun spot!

July 16

• Visit the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, which features 400 exhibiting artist booths, live entertainment in partnership with The Ark, art activities for kids and more. FREE to visit.
• Take advantage of Kids Bowl Free if you haven’t yet. We love this program for some discounted fun at our local alley {up to age 12}.

July 17

• Head to Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights for Festa Italiana July 17-19 for Italian fun, including live music, fireworks, and even a cannoli eating contest! FREE to attend; parking is $10.
• Check out Willow Run Airport for the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show. Parking is $225 so load up with as many people as you can 😉

July 18

• Cool off at Lily Pad Springs splash pad in West Bloomfield or at the Argo Cascades in Ann Arbor.
• Play at the Imagination Station playground in Brighton and cool off with ice cream afterwards. Or, visit a new-to-you local playground and have your kiddo rate their experience {see how we did this here}.

July 19

• It’s National Ice Cream Day! Go ahead and let the kids have sundaes for lunch or dinner 😉
• Head to Novi for the Festival of Chariots, an Indian cultural fest. There will be a parade, live music, free food, Yoga, kid’s activities and more. Admission is FREE.

July 20

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.

July 21

The weather is perfect for raising butterflies at home. Grab an at-home science kit and watch metamorphosis happen right before your eyes.

July 22

Have you ever tried FootGolf? Think golfing, but with soccer balls! It’s so fun. We enjoy The Falcon in Lansing. More courses can be found here.

July 23

Wander the beautiful and FREE Cranbrook Gardens in Bloomfield Hills. While there, make sure to check out Cranbrook Art Museum’s art-inspired putt-putt course.

July 24

Check out the amazing nature-inspired Alexandria’s Playscape at the Howell Nature Center. Just fair warning, bring a change of clothes in case kids get wet 😉 {Make sure to grab a Michigan Activity Pass for free entry too!}

July 25

• Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE MrBeast Swarm Jet. Register here.
• Head to German Park in Ann Arbor for one of their summer picnics, from 4-11 p.m. $10 entry fee.
• Head to a local ice skating or roller skating rink for open skate.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts — it’s FREE every Saturday.

July 26

Visit Upland Hills Farm in Oxford for Summer Sundays to enjoy all of the farm animals. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $9/person. 2 and under are free. $2 pony rides available as well.

July 27

• Check out farm animals, enjoy the carnival and grandstand events at the Fowlerville Family Fair, happening July 27 – August 1.
• Let the kids stay up and look for fireflies. {Better yet, make a firefly jar beforehand with a condiment jar with small holes in the lid!}

July 28

• Plan a scavenger hunt in your own town.
• Keep up with summer reading by seeing what challenges your library offers, checking out a local StoryWalk trail, or visiting a Little Free Library for some new reads.

July 29

• Visit The Putting Edge in Novi for glow-in-the-dark golf.
• Paint kindness rocks and hide them around your town.

July 30

• Hit up the bike trails and pump track at Settlers Park in Hartland.
• Today is National Chili Dog Day. Nobody knows this day better than Detroit! Hit up the city to take the coney dog challenge and decide which is better — American or Lafayette Coney Island.

July 31

• Cool off at Escape Room Novi. Candy Factory is a great family-friendly room.
• Visit a cat cafe for some furry fun with kitty friends!

What’s on your family’s radar for July?