Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Ann Arbor - Detroit Area - 2022 work
Top 20 Places to take children in the Ann Arbor - Detroit Area - 2022 survey results
The Metro Detroit / Ann Arbor area is rich in fun events and exciting places. It was hard for our readers to select their favorites from the hundreds of choices! The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in Metro Detroit. 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 1,800 animals and has 125 acres of expansive, naturalistic habitats designed to meet the animals’ needs. Kids’ favorites include seeing polar bears and sea otters in the Arctic Ring of Life, five different species of penguins waddle and swim in the Polk Penguin Conservation Center and kangaroos or wallabies face-to-face on a winding path through the Australian Outback Adventure. No Zoo trip is complete without a ride on the carousel!
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.
7. Detroit Historical Museum
The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Avenue in the city's Cultural Center Historic District in Midtown Detroit. It chronicles the history of the Detroit area from cobblestone streets, 19th century stores, the auto assembly line, toy trains, fur trading from the 18th century, and much more.
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.
9. Erwin Orchards & Cider Mill
Erwin Orchards Inc. is a third generation family farm located in South Lyon, Michigan, celebrating our 101st year and still growing. James N. Erwin planted his first tree in 1920. His grandson Bill has carried on his ideals. Bill and wife Linda, along with partner Bill Emery, are now managing the 200 acres of fruit with state of the art technology. “Pick Your Own” apples, sweet cherries, raspberries, pumpkins, asparagus, and Saskatoon berries.
10. Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
MOCAD is where adventurous minds encounter the best in contemporary visual, literary, music, and performing arts. A responsive center for diverse audiences, MOCAD presents art that contextualizes, interprets, educates and expands culture, pushing us to the edges of contemporary experience.
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.
15. Michigan's Adventure
Over 60 rides, slides and attractions, including seven roller coasters. Your family adventure begins at Camp Snoopy, featuring kids attractions for thrill-seeking guests. Continue your journey at WildWater Adventure, home to Funnel of Fear, three wave pools, slides of all kinds, and Half Pint Paradise.
From the time you arrive, you’ll see that Michigan’s Adventure is the perfect place for your family fun! Are you ready to start your adventure?
16. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Take a stroll through mechanical history! Enjoy over 5000 square feet of vintage coin-operated machines, macabre, oddities, unusual nostalgia, and the newest video game crazes. Admission is ALWAYS FREE. The experience is fun and unforgettable for ALL ages. Model airplanes, ceiling fans, movie posters, collector’s items and neon signs along with other amazing antique memorabilia cover the tall walls and ceiling.
Sit back, have a snack, and let the kids play and explore as long as they want. For your convenience, Marvin’s has a cafe with free WiFi.
17. University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
The U-M Museum of Natural History inspires curiosity with exhibits that explore the natural world from molecules to dinosaurs, a planetarium to discover the Universe, science demonstrations, and U-M scientists discussing their research.
Admission for individuals and families is free.
18. Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit empowers young people to maximize their potential through professional performing arts training and the creation of theatrical and musical art that engages, transforms, and inspires.
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 YMCA is a charitable association of adults and children joined by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of children and teens, promoting healthy living, and supporting our neighbors. Each day, we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the chance to learn, grow and thrive.
21. Michigan Jaguars
Michigan Jaguars FC was founded in 1989 in Southeast Michigan. We focus on training our players to become quality players while gaining lifelong lessons and experiences. We are committed to developing strong relationships with our players, families, and community businesses and organizations. Our mission is to create the best possible soccer experience for every player, regardless of skill level.
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
The DIA is more than a museum, it’s a classroom. Each year, more than 70,000 students visit the DIA on a field trip. For students and educators, we serve as a critical resource to build connections between the world’s history and today’s educational outcomes. We look forward to working with you and your students, helping them find personal meaning in the artwork they experience and developing creative and critical thinking skills.
Top Sports Educator: Champion Gymnastics Center
We offer a family-friendly atmosphere with competitve team and recreational programs. We strive to ensure that our athletes grow in self confidence, mental and physical strength all while having fun!
Top STEM Educator: Cranbrook Institute of Science
More than 200,000 visitors come to Cranbrook Institute of Science each year, making it one of the region’s best known museums of natural history. The Institute offers rentals and party packages including fun, hands-on science experiments, a trip through the stars in the planetarium, and more. Bring your group to Cranbrook for a field trip and take advantage of all the museum has to offer.
