- Zoom out: Stemville is a metro Detroit indoor play space built around STEM learning and open-ended exploration for kids ages 2–8.
- Zoom in: Play stations are organized around four ideas — imagine, explore, design and create — and are designed to build curiosity, problem-solving and confidence.
- Why you should check it out: Parents looking for screen-free, purposeful activities for young kids don’t always have a lot of options. Stemville fills that gap by making hands-on STEM learning feel like play, so kids are engaged and parents feel good about how their kids are spending their time.
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Stemville
- Address: 141 N Center St, Suite 201, Northville
- Contact: (248) 938-4182
- Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday,
- Address: 4286 E Grand River Ave
- Contact: (248) 915-1829
- Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. -6 p.m. Sunday
Founded by two Northville moms who wanted a play space that was both genuinely fun and educationally grounded, Stemville has grown from its original downtown Northville location to now include a second spot in Howell.
The concept is simple and effective: give kids ages 2-8 access to high-quality STEM toys and open-ended materials, then let them explore at their own pace.
What makes it stand out is how well it balances structured learning potential with the freedom of true play.
What kids can do here
Stemville’s play stations are organized around four ideas: imagine, explore, design, and create. The stations are designed and tested with the goal of sparking curiosity, building confidence and strengthening problem-solving through hands-on activity.
Imagine: Stemville’s imagine stations get kids thinking creatively through STEM-inspired activities designed to stretch their minds in open-ended directions.
Explore: Play stations in this area invite children to ask questions, test theories and engage with the world around them through hands-on experimentation.
Design: Kids practice engineering and design through hands-on building such as constructing marble runs, towers and mini cityscapes as they develop confidence and spatial reasoning.
Create: Stemville’s create stations provide the tools and inspiration for kids to express themselves and take pride in something they made themselves.
What groups can do here
Stemville is set up to host birthday parties at both locations, with each one offering its own approach to the celebration.
The Gold Package is a private event. The location is reserved exclusively for the birthday child and their guests. It includes 1.5 hours of open play followed by 30 minutes for food and celebration, and accommodates up to 20 party guests in addition to the birthday child. Tablecloths, balloons, plates, napkins, and utensils are provided, along with themed décor of your choice. The package also includes a group science experiment, with families choosing between a lava lamp, a volcano, or a slime bar.
At Northville, parties are hosted on Sundays and the entire location is reserved for your group. Booking requires a $150 non-refundable deposit plus a $75 cleaning fee and a signed contract. Outside food and decorations are not permitted, with the exception of cake or cupcakes. At Howell, parties are available on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Beyond birthday parties, Stemville Howell hosts a week-long Summer of STEAM Camp each summer, and welcomes preschool field trips for classes of up to 25 children ages 3-5.
What to know before you go
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Food and drink
Outside food and drinks are not permitted at either location. The one exception at Northville is cake or cupcakes for birthday parties. For children with dietary needs, it’s worth inquiring at the time of booking.
Admission and policies
Admission is $20 per child for anyone 1 year old and older, with one adult included in that price. Children under 1 enter free when accompanied by a sibling. Each session runs two hours.
Stemville is designed for kids ages 3 and older, following the age guidelines for most of its STEM toys and play stations. The space is entirely shoe-free, socks are required for everyone and grip socks are recommended for extra traction. Guests must be accompanied by a child to enter, adult supervision is required at all times and a signed waiver is required for all children before they participate. Capacity is limited and reservations are required for all guests.
Tips for visiting
- Reservations must be made at least one hour before your session, and because sessions are kept intentionally small to give kids real space to focus, they can fill up quickly. Booking in advance is strongly recommended.
- General admission cancellations must be made more than 24 hours in advance to receive an e-gift card.
- Same-day cancellations are non-refundable, and members are subject to a $10 no-show fee.
- If you’re considering a membership, note that it is offered on a per-location basis. The recurring membership requires a three-month minimum commitment and runs $39.99 per month for one child, $59.99 for two and $89.99 for three or more. The one-month membership is $49.99 for one child, $99.99 for two and $149.99 for three or more.
- Members receive unlimited visits, a monthly buddy pass, no fees for additional adults and discounts on private party bookings.
Why it’s a great fit
What makes Stemville work is the specificity of its intentions. The play stations are built around a clear framework and tested with real kids in mind, resulting in a space where children can genuinely follow their curiosity rather than just burn energy.
Parents appreciate how much is available under one roof: open play, coffee, WiFi and the flexibility to deepen engagement through memberships, birthday parties, summer camps or field trips. It’s one of the more thoughtfully designed indoor play destinations in the Michigan area, and one that takes both the kids and the adults bringing them seriously.
What local parents are saying:
“Such a great spot in Downtown Northville for little kids to burn off some energy. This location has so many fun activities and toys for kids of all ages and it is so clean.” – Rin. G via Yelp Reviews
“We had a great time at Stemville. It was clean. Kids enjoyed all the toys there. Great place to keep the brilliant minds engaged.” – Sonaly T. via Yelp Reviews
“Everything here was educational, interesting and not something you’d see at most play places. It’s a little on the expensive side, it you get 2 hours of playtime which seems like a pretty decent deal. We will definitely be back.” – Michelle H. via Yelp Reviews
Frequently asked questions
What ages is Stemville designed for? Stemville is designed for kids ages 2–8, following the age guidelines for most of its STEM toys and play stations.
How much does admission cost? Admission is $20 per child for anyone one year and older, with one adult included in that price. Each session runs two hours.
Do I need a reservation? Yes — reservations are required for all guests and must be made at least one hour before your session.
What are the rules about food and drinks? Outside food and drinks are not permitted at either location, with the exception of cake or cupcakes for birthday parties. Families with children who have dietary needs should inquire at the time of booking.
Is there a membership option? Yes. Memberships are offered on a per-location basis and require a three-month minimum commitment.
What should we wear? The space is entirely shoe-free — socks are required for everyone, and grip socks are recommended for extra traction.
Does Stemville offer anything beyond open play? Yes. The Howell location hosts a week-long Summer of STEAM Camp each summer and welcomes preschool field trips for classes of up to 25 children ages 3–5.
