How is it already August? Summer is slipping by! We are in the final countdown of family fun before we return to school on August 19th here.
And how awesome that August is actually declared Family Fun Month too? Even better excuse to squeeze in the fun 🙂
Things To Do in August 2026 in Southeast Michigan
August 1
- Visit the Monore County Fair through August 8 or Fowlerville Fair, which ends today.
- Check out a FREE Kids’ Workshop at Home Depot. This month’s project is a rocket game. Learn more and register here.
August 2
- Take advantage of Kids Bowl Free if you haven’t yet. We love this program for some discounted fun at our local alley.
- Pack up bikes and scooters and check out the fun and FREE trails at Settlers Park in Hartland or the Hines Park Pump Track in Westland.
- Try not to smile when visiting a local sunflower field! Find local places to visit here.
August 3
Cool off at Jessica’s Splashpad in Novi. It’s FREE to visit. After, visit Teso Life {aka what we call Asian Target} in Novi and grab some fun viral snacks to try.
August 4
Visit the FREE Carpenter Lake in Southfield to climb rocks and explore the kid-friendly trail. {This recently opened back up!}
August 5
- Did you know Dave & Busters is half off games on Wednesdays? Perfect for escaping the heat!
- Visit The Putting Edge in Novi for glow-in-the-dark golf or try a family-friendly room at Escape Room Novi.
August 6
- Enjoy FREE entry into the Detroit Historical Museum from 5-8 p.m. Additionally, educators and library staff can get free entry all month long!
- Celebrate National Root Beer Float day by making a float at home, or visit A&W for a FREE small float.
August 7
- Head to Milford Memories this weekend for arts and crafts, plenty of food, live music, kids activities and more. FREE entry during the day, $5 cover in evening for music.
- 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.
- Cool off at Lily Pad Springs in West Bloomfield. Pre-register here. $4/residents, $7/non-residents.
August 8
- Visit JCPenney for their Kids Zone activity from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. This month is a color your own pencil pouch. FREE.
- Take a tour of the Fisher Building in Detroit with Pure Detroit. $15/person.
- Cranbrook Gardens in Bloomfield Hills is a great FREE spot to visit and picnic. Have fun exploring the gorgeous property. While there, check out the fun putt-putt.
- Get a FREE airplane ride for kids ages 8-17 at the Mason Jewett Airport in Mason to celebrate Young Eagles Aviation Day.
August 9
- Today is Book Lover’s Day. Visit a local bookstore, your local library or a Little Free Library and cuddle up and read as a family!
- Head to the Michigan History Center in Lansing. It’s FREE every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
August 10
Visit the Wayne County Fair this week for some rides and carnival food. {Through August 15}
August 11
Go to Silver Lake in Fenton for the last free show from the Silver Lake Ski Club at 6 p.m. These are so fun to attend! Pack a picnic and enjoy the show. {$7 park entrance fee}
August 12
Play FootGolf as a family. Think golf but with soccer balls. It’s so fun!
August 13
Visit Howell for the Melon Fest, and don’t skip out on alllll the melon flavored goodies around town!
August 14
Head to Crossroads Village in Flint for Day Out With Thomas. {This was one of our favorite events when my kiddos were younger! See a review here.} Happening next weekend as well. Tickets are $24/person, age 1 and under is free.
August 15
- Visit Lowe’s to make a FREE Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie toy. Register here.
- Check out old cars at the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak on this day.
- Head to the free event, Ready, Set, School at 2|42 in Brighton if you have children ages 0-6 to prepare for the school year.
August 16
Visit the Gaffield’s Children Garden at University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. FREE to visit, just pay for parking.
August 17
- If you’re heading back to school, and ready for some school spirit, tie-dye some shirts in your school colors. {We love the Tulip brand dye!}
- Take time to create a fun and unique back-to-school sign for first day photos.
August 18
- Go out disc golfing! Find spots in SE Michigan here.
- Have littles ages 0-8? Visit the new Stemville locations in Howell or Detroit {or the OG in Northville}. $20/child entry.
August 19
- Visit a new playground. Our favorites in Livingston County are here. We also love County Farm Park and Gallup Park in Ann Arbor.
- Pack and picnic and explore the gorgeous gardens at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester or Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores.
August 20
- Today is National Lemonade Day. Encourage the kids to set up a stand for a little extra cash.
- Squeeze in a water activity and head to the Argo Cascades in Ann Arbor for some tubing.
August 21
- Take a road trip to Dow Gardens and the Whiting Canopy Walk in Midland.
- Visit a zoo you have never been to. Wilderness Trail in Birch Run and the Saginaw Children’s Zoo are great, smaller spots.
- We love bonfire Fridays over here. Try campfire donuts with biscuit dough with a hole made in the center, dipped in cinnamon and sugar.
August 22
- It’s opening weekend for the Renaissance Festival, which runs through the end of September. Visit Holly in 16th Century garb and bite into a giant turkey leg. It’s always a good time with great people watching! Adult tickets {ages 13+} are $28.95, kids {ages 5-12} are $18.95. Ages 4 and under are free. Look for a family 4-pack discount too!
- Visit Greenmead Historical Park in Livonia for a Touch-A-Truck event from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Pack a picnic and spend a summer day at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills, where kids can enjoy the splash pad, nature center, trails, and more for FREE.
August 23
Take a drive to Saginaw to visit the 2nd largest mural in America, the Shine Bright Saginaw silos. {Free to visit; easy parking}
August 24
- As school gets underway, make the most of dinnertime with your kids with these dinner discussion ideas.
August 25
- It’s National Banana Split day. Sounds like a great excuse to have ice cream for dinner!
- Enjoy Open Cockpit Days at the Michigan Flight Museum in Belleville from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Adults are $13, students, senior and military are $10.
August 26
- Cool off at Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center in Belleville. $11/person on weekdays; $12 on weekends.
- Take an adventure to visit the gorgeous rock formation know as The Ledges in Grand Ledge, just outside of Lansing.
August 27
Make plans to visit a Cat Cafe and spend some time loving on kitties looking for homes.
August 28
Find a local school or student in need and make a donation. Or, check in with your child’s teacher to see what their classroom needs are. {It costs the average student $600 to go back-to-school. Help if you are able!}
August 29
- Head to the Flint Institute of Arts — it’s FREE every Saturday.
- Head to German Park in Ann Arbor for polka, dinner, and a taste of Germany.
- Plan a FREE scavenger hunt in your town. Easy and fun to do with multiple families!
- Or, have a YES day! This is one of my kid’s favorite days every summer.
August 30
Visit Upland Hills Farm in Oxford for their Summer Sundays series. Enjoy farm animals, milking a cow, hayrides, and more. Bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the concession stand. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $10/person. Pony rides are $3.
August 31
- Have your child journal about their summer so they can look back and remember all the fun things they were able to do.
- Additionally, it’s National Eat Outside Day. Sounds like a great day to plan a picnic at a nearby park!
Is it too early for cider a donuts?! Nah! Start planning ahead and put together a fall bucket list.
What are you most looking forward to this month?
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