Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Ann Arbor - Detroit Area - 2022
Top 20 Places to take children in the Ann Arbor - Detroit Area - 2022 survey results
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Detroit Metro Area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas. We have birthday party venues, indoor play centers, classes, summer camps, resources for special needs, seasonal lists, and lots more!
1. Motor City Youth Theatre
At Motor City Youth Theatre our goal is to enrich the lives of youth and facilitate their development of life skills such as problem solving, decision-making and team work through theatre arts. Our programs emphasize team work, respect for differences, and a love for theatre.
2. Heritage Park: Farmington Hills
Heritage Park is the perfect spot to Play, Explore, and Learn! This 211-acre park includes 4.5 miles of trails for hiking and nature study. Other amenities include picnic shelters, a youth playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and in-ground grills. Also located in Heritage Park are the Visitor Center, Day Camp and Nature Center, Stables Art Studio, Amphitheatre, History Center, Splash Pad, and Riley Archery Range. For rental and year-round program information, call (248) 473-1800.
3. Michigan Science Center
With over 220 interactive exhibits, live stage shows, films, lab activities, virtual programs and more, the MiSci experience is designed with you in mind. We’re the place to turn whether you’re seeking a safe and memorable adventure with the ones you love or simply a new perspective on the wonders of our world. We are an accessible community institution and a reliable source for scientific knowledge and education. Whatever you’re seeking, find it at the Michigan Science Center.
4. Maybury Farm
Maybury Farm's mission is to educate children and families in our surrounding communities about the animals and agriculture that are essential to a traditional Michigan-based working farm, through hands-on experiences that are both engaging and educational. We work to create an awareness and appreciation of the animals and land that provide much of the food, fiber, and other resources that are utilized and consumed and expand knowledge and awareness of agriculture and its vast and vital role in our world.
5. Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and has 125 acres of expansive, naturalistic habitats designed to meet the animals’ needs. While at the Zoo, children can see penguins waddle through the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, visit polar bears and sea otters swimming through the Arctic Ring of Life, and get face-to-face with wallabies and kangaroos along the Australian Outback Adventure’s winding walking path. Before they leave, guests can complete their trip with a ride on the hand-carved wooden carousel or see a show in the Zoo’s 4D Theater.
6. Farmington Hills Nature Center
Located in Heritage Park, this 2,325 square foot nature facility offers interpretive exhibits, including a life-sized tree and animal home exhibit, a bird viewing area, native fish aquariums, a library and a hands-on learning station for kids.
8. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Offering more than 250 interactive exhibits, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum attracts over 280,000 visitors of all ages annually who discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. In addition to exhibits and public programming, the Museum offers award-winning distance learning and outreach programming to schools, libraries, and community centers statewide and around the world.
11. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Ann Arbor area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
12. Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad
Need a break from the rush of daily life? Go back to a time when things were a whole lot simpler. Welcome to Crossroads Village. It’s an authentic Great Lakes town from the turn of the last century, with over 34 historic structures and a thriving community to welcome you. Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, catch a show at the Colwell Opera House or learn about a trade from one of our tradespeople. It’s a place out of history where you can make a little history of your own. And it’s just around the corner. At your Genesee County Parks.
The Huckleberry Railroad features the newly rebuilt diesel, Engine #12, pulling the train on Thursdays and Fridays. Engine #152 our coal-fired locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, will pull the train on Saturdays and Sundays. The narrow-gauge railroad’s collection of cars includes 11 original and replica wooden coaches plus a classic red wooden caboose.
13. The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
The Toledo Zoo© is more than just a great value. With a world of animals, from mammoth elephants to tiny toads, it's a trip around the world - from the Arctic to Africa - all in one great day!
14. Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball as a member of the American League Central division.
17. University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History inspires curiosity through hands-on learning and keeps visitors informed about ongoing scientific research. Engage with exhibits that explore the natural world, from molecules to dinosaurs, or discover the distant universe in the Planetarium & Dome Theater. Then conduct your own experiments in the two child-friendly Investigate Labs. The museum is free for families and individuals. Enjoy our virtual Museum@Home content and virtual exhibits content at ummnh.org.
18. Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
An international leader in youth artistic excellence and creative youth development, Mosaic presents dynamic theatre and vocal music that highlight stories of diverse voices and uniquely celebrates teenagers' energy and exuberance.
Mosaic's all teen performances have toured to Africa, Asia, Europe and 25 states and provinces through the U.S. and Canada. Through transformative artistic experiences in music, theater and technical theater Mosaic promotes scholarship and global citizenship by providing a vehicle for youth to apply the skills they learn through mastery in the arts to academic and real-world experiences.
19. The Henry Ford - America's Greatest History Attraction
Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate and inspire more than 1.5 million visitors annually: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford Giant Screen Experience.
20. YMCA
The Ann Arbor YMCA’s mission is to put our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into action through facilities and programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Each day, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the chance to learn, grow and thrive.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Detroit Institute Of Art
An art museum in Detroit with free admission to residents who live in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. The museum houses a collection of over 60,000 works of art and offers a number of programs for families including classes and Family Sundays.
