From July 17-19, downtown Ann Arbor will once again transform into a swirling sea of tents, art and sunburned wanderers during the Ann Arbor Art Fair. This three-day celebration sprawls across 30 city blocks, drawing about half a million visitors to view the work of nearly 1,000 artists from around the country. It’s colorful. It’s chaotic. And yes, it’s hot.
But if you’re a parent wondering whether you can bring your kids along for the ride? The short answer is: Yes, you absolutely can.
The longer answer? With the right expectations, snacks and supplies, you might even enjoy it.
What to expect
It’s July. So, yes, it’s likely to be 90°F with high humidity — or just as likely to rain. And yes, delicate artwork is everywhere. The Art Fair is basically a museum full of fine art without walls — beautiful, breakable and “please don’t touch” at every turn.
But don’t give up yet. Tucked within the tents and crowds are pockets of hands-on joy and kid-friendly creativity.
Kid-friendly activities
- Art Activity Zone
Free crafts all day — painting, clay, bubble wand art, recycled-pin making. Perfect for downtime and messy creativity.
Ingalls Mall, E. Washington between Thayer & Fletcher
- Chalk the Walk with David Zinn
Join a world-renowned street artist using chalk — and yes, you’re invited too.
Liberty & Fifth Ave: Thurs/Sat 1–3 pm; Church St near South U: Fri 4–6pm
- Creative Street Mural
Help fill in a giant mural with chalk — community art that stays till the next rain.
Maynard & William
- Kite Painting
Kids paint their own kite, which becomes part of an aerial installation.
Near Ingalls Mall, daily 10am–6pm
- Interwoven Weaving Project
Big loom, small kits—kids can weave their own pieces into something collective.
Church St, daily 10am–6pm
- Kids Collectors Club
Under-17s can pick out a real piece of art (≤$10), with an artist info card — and send a thank-you.
Church St, daily 10am–6pm - We Rock the Spectrum Sensory Zone
A calm space with headphones and sensory toys — quiet sanctuary from the fair’s buzz.
State Street District Fair
- Live Art Demos
- Glassblowing (Glass Academy & Toledo Museum of Art)
East Washington & Ingalls Mall - Ceramics (Ann Arbor Potters Guild)
Near Hill Auditorium Lawn on North University
- Glassblowing (Glass Academy & Toledo Museum of Art)
RELATED: An Ann Arbor Summer Bucket-List for Families
What to pack
- Collapsible wagon: Hauls tired kids, supplies, art finds and snacks.
- Essential supplies: Sunscreen, hats, water bottles, low-mess snacks, wipes, cooling fans, microfiber towels.
- Scavenger checklist: “Find something shaped like an animal,” “Spot a purple painting,” “Count the sculptures.”
Parent pro tips
Shade, Seats & Sanity Breaks
- Ingalls Mall: Near the fountain and Art Activity Zone, with some tables and shaded areas.
- Liberty Plaza: A tucked-away park with benches, often less crowded than the main thoroughfare.
- The Diag: Just a few blocks away on the University of Michigan campus. A great picnic option with wide-open lawns and lots of shade.
- Gallup Park or County Farm Park (if you need a total reset): Short drives, lots of green space, and playgrounds to run off the fair fatigue.
Bathrooms and water stops
The Fair provides seven portable bathrooms with some accessible options.
- ADA-compliant porta-potties at key intersections (like Maynard & William, or S. University & East U).
- “Throne” restrooms (yes, that’s what they’re called) with upgraded features at Liberty Plaza and E. Washington.
- Water refill stations — check an info booth or fair map for current locations.
Park & Ride Shuttle
Skip the parking nightmare and the eight-block uphill trek with a wagon full of snacks and sweaty kids. The Park & Ride Shuttle service is a gift to parents:
- Five shuttle locations around the city, including Briarwood Mall and Huron High School.
- Kids 5 and under ride free.
- $8 round-trip for adults — worth every penny if it saves your sanity and your feet.
- Drops you right at the heart of the fair, so you start fresh instead of frazzled.
