There’s no shortage of things to do with kids across metro Detroit this weekend, April 10-12. From glowing lantern parades and raptor festivals to hands-on cooking classes and free museum experiences, families across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Washtenaw counties have a full lineup to choose from. Here’s a look at what’s happening near you.
Don’t miss these standout events happening this weekend:
Spring Stroll at Downtown Birmingham (April 11): Families can stroll through downtown Birmingham’s local shops and collect free goodies from participating retailers, with an optional activity sheet available for little ones along the way. Registration is required ahead of time — once registered, attendees receive check-in instructions and a complimentary swag bag to fill with freebies from downtown businesses.
Community Appreciation Day at Ford House (April 11): Ford House opens its historic estate to the community for free, with gardens and grounds to explore, the main residence open for tours and kid-friendly spaces like Josephine’s Playhouse available throughout the day. Advance registration is recommended to help organizers plan for a smooth visit.
Raptor Festival at Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center (April 11): Kids and families can enjoy free crafts, activities and a guided hike to spot resident raptors through spotting scopes at the Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center in Harrison Township. No pre-registration is required for general admission, but those interested in the live birds presentation by Michigan Avian Experience must register and pay a separate program fee — space is limited.
Check out even more things to do with your kids around metro Detroit during the weekend of April 10-12.
Read more: Find More Weekend Fun in Our Family Events Calendar
What are the best things to do with kids in Metro Detroit this weekend (April 10-12)?
Oakland County:
Mom 2 Mom Sale at American Legion 63 Clarkston
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 10; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Families can shop gently used kids’ and baby items at this four-day consignment event at American Legion #63 in Clarkston, with everything organized neatly by category and size for easy browsing. Kids get in free, strollers are welcome and debit and credit cards are accepted at checkout.
- Address: 8047 Ortonville Road, Clarkston
- Cost: $1 general admission; kids free; $5 early bird admission Wednesday 9 a.m.-noon
- Age fit: All ages; items available from newborn through teen sizes
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
- Parking: On-site parking available at American Legion #63
- Accessibility: The event’s website does not list specific accessibility or sensory accommodation details; contact Growing in Style via Facebook for more information
Baby and Toddler Paint Party at Westacres Activity Center
10:30-11:45 a.m. Friday, April 10
Babies and toddlers ages birth through 24 months can explore mostly mess-free painting alongside their caregivers at this hands-on art event at the Westacres Branch of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library. Registration is required and a West Bloomfield Library card is needed to register — plan to dress little ones in clothes that can get dirty.
- Address: 7321 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield
- Cost: Free with registration; West Bloomfield Library card required
- Age fit: Birth through 24 months; accompanying adult required
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
- Parking: On-site parking available at the Westacres Branch
- Accessibility: The event’s website does not list specific accessibility details for this event; contact the Westacres Branch at (248) 363-4022 or [email protected] for more information
See more Oakland County family events here.
Macomb County:
Sensory Friendly Storytime at Shelby Township Library
4 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Children of all abilities can enjoy an inclusive storytime in a smaller group setting at the Shelby Township Library, with visual supports, fidgets and a simple activity following the story. Registration is required for each child attending — siblings and non-residents are welcome, and registration opens one week before the event.
- Address: 52610 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
- Cost: Free
- Age fit: Preschool through early elementary; siblings welcome
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
- Parking: On-site parking available at the library
- Accessibility: This event is specifically designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities, with visual supports and sensory tools provided; contact the library at (586) 739-7414 for additional accommodation needs
Kids Can Cook Spring Veggie Fritters at CMPL North Branch
3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Kids ages 6-12 can practice reading a recipe and safely cutting vegetables to make savory spring veggie fritters at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s North Branch in Macomb Township. Registration is limited to one per family and an adult must be present — all ingredients and age-appropriate tools are provided, and the fritters are vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
- Address: 54100 Broughton Road, Macomb
- Cost: Free
- Age fit: Ages 6-12; adult supervision required
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
- Parking: On-site parking available at the North Branch
- Accessibility: The event’s website does not list specific accessibility or sensory accommodation details; contact the North Branch at (586) 226-5080 for more information
See more Macomb County family events here.
Wayne County:
Drawing in the Galleries at Detroit Institute of Arts
6-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 10; noon-4 p.m. Sunday, April 12
Families can slow down and sketch directly from artwork on view in the Islamic World Galleries at the Detroit Institute of Arts, with all pencil supplies provided and no experience needed. The experience is free with general admission — Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County residents get in free with a valid ID.
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free with general admission; free for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County residents with ID; capacity is limited
- Age fit: Ages 6 and up; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
- Stroller-friendly: Yes; strollers are welcome in the museum and permanent galleries
- Parking: Museum parking lot behind the building on John R Street, $7 per day; accessible metered parking at the Farnsworth entrance; additional accessible spaces in the southwest corner of the lot (disability placard required); nearby Wayne State University parking structures also available
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible via Farnsworth Street and John R Street entrances; free wheelchairs and scooters available on-site; elevators throughout the building; accessible restroom stalls on all three levels; assistive listening devices available; ASL interpretation and real-time captioning available by request
OAK Amazing Race at Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center
1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Kids ages 8-12 tackle team challenges and problem-solving activities along the trails at Oakwoods Metropark in New Boston in this two-hour outdoor adventure program. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before — register online or call (734) 782-3956 for help; dress for the weather and expect dirt and gravel trails.
- Address: 32970 Willow Road, New Boston
- Cost: $5 per child; vehicle entry fee of $10 per day (or free with a Metroparks Motor Vehicle Pass)
- Age fit: Ages 8-12
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor; trails are mostly flat dirt and gravel with some potentially uneven terrain
- Parking: On-site parking at the Nature Center; barrier-free parking spaces available; van-accessible spaces with striped access aisles
- Accessibility: Paved accessible pathways from parking to the Nature Center building; sensory-friendly backpacks available for checkout at the Nature Center front desk; contact the park at (734) 782-3956 for specific accommodation needs
See more Wayne County family events here.
Washtenaw County:
Nerf Wars at Saline Recreation Center
5:30-6:45 p.m. Friday, April 10
Kids ages 6-12 can bring their Nerf blasters for a supervised evening of friendly team battles at the Saline Recreation Center gymnasium — all darts are provided, so first-timers are welcome to jump right in. Advance registration is required; register online or call (734) 429-3502.
- Address: 1866 Woodland Drive, Saline
- Cost: $16 residents / $20 non-residents
- Age fit: Ages 6-12
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor (gymnasium)
- Parking: On-site parking available with more than 200 spaces; four reserved handicap spots in the adjacent Tefft Park lot
- Accessibility: The facility is listed as accessible; contact Saline Recreation at (734) 429-3502 for specific accommodation needs
FoolMoon at Main Street Ann Arbor
7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, April 10
Families can watch — or join — a glowing procession of homemade luminary sculptures winding through downtown Ann Arbor as part of this year’s FoolMoon, themed “Fools of a Feather.” No registration is required to watch; participants with their own luminaries can gather at one of three constellation stations starting at 8 p.m., with live music and dancing on Washington Street continuing until midnight.
- Address: Main Street and Liberty, Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
- Age fit: All ages; preschool through teens
- Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
- Parking: Downtown Ann Arbor street and structure parking available; plan to arrive early as the event draws large crowds
- Accessibility: The event takes place along downtown Ann Arbor streets; the event’s website does not list specific accessibility or sensory accommodation details; contact the organizers at (734) 763-7550 or [email protected] for more information
See more Washtenaw County family events here.
