Michigan winters can be absolutely brutal. Snow piles up, making it impossible to take your little ones on walks. Of course, there are amazing winter activities, but most of them are for older kids and adults, such as sledding, skiing, or ice skating. But just because you’re not able to do intense snow day fun doesn’t mean you can’t make amazing memories. There are so many great places in Washtenaw County where you can make incredible memories with your babies.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens are open from sunrise to sunset Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free. Depending on how willing you are to walk in the cold, there are both indoor and outdoor areas. The conservatory is the most weather-friendly area, but the rest of the gardens are easy to trail a stroller through. They even have events like Art Exhibits, Bird Walks with Hot Cocoa, and dance projects if you’re looking for a more lively activity.
Museums
The Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Babies ages 0-23 months are able to attend the museum for free, which is a perk. Not every single activity is perfect for your babies, but there is so much to touch and explore as long as you’re willing to move around some older kids. The best area for your little ones is probably the Preschool Gallery, which is for children ages four and under. They also have fun events such as critters up close.
Two other great museums are the Ypsilanti Firehouse Museum and the Natural History Museum. Both have incredible things to look at, and they are easy to stroll through with your baby. And, as an added benefit, usually museums are quite enjoyable for the parents too. Plus, if you’re looking for a good nap spot, you can sit in the dark planetarium at the Natural History Museum.
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Chelsea Treehouse
The Chelsea Treehouse is a climbing and playing structure that has a specific baby and toddler area for younger children, so that your baby isn’t in the mix with larger kids. There are slides, a huge tree house and over 9,000 feet of playspace. There are also food options and a cafe so that you can enjoy a coffee while your child explores.
Briarwood Mall
It might seem silly to take your baby to the mall, but it’s honestly the perfect baby experience. It’s warm, there are endless places to grab food, and there’s even a play area where your child can get out of the stroller and play around. Of course, it’s great to have baby-centric activities, but a warm walk is just what your baby needs, and it might be a little TLC for you as well.
The Creature Conservancy
The Creature Conservancy is a great place to take your babies this winter. It’s a non-profit wildlife education organization. Since they change featured animals, you can keep coming back and have a completely different experience. They also have specific events you might be interested in, such as Creatures and Cookies. Plus, your child can grow up with a love for animals, and you can keep attending for years to come.
Winter can be isolating, so if none of the above work for you, even a warm coffee shop can give you some adult interaction and a change of pace. Stay warm out there!
