An engaging blend of activities and stories designed to help prepare preschoolers for school success, from scissor skills to STEM.
YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
MONDAY, July 1
Prepare for the upcoming Comic Contest by working on your comic and sharing it with other kids.
Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library, 2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor
Mythical Creatures Scavenger Hunt
All month long look for the mythical creatures hidden throughout Pittsfield Parks!
TUESDAY, July 2
Craft headbands with felt animal ears, felt flowers, or both!
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
WEDNESDAY, July 3
Celebrate Frida Kahlo’s birthday with a fun craft.Â
Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Classical Music for Kids with Center Stage Strings
Center Stage Strings puts on an interactive concert to show kids what different stringed instruments can sound like, and how we can evoke different feelings and storytelling through music.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
THURSDAY, July 4
Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade
Celebrate Independence Day and the Ann Arbor bicentennial at the annual Jaycees parade.Â
Downtown Ann Arbor, Washington and Main St.
State Street District Spray Park
Firefighters will be spraying water from fire trucks for children to run through and cool off.
City Of Ann Arbor Fire Department, 331 Maynard St., Ann Arbor
95th Annual 4th of July Parade
Be a part of Michigan’s longest-running 4th of July parade in its 95th year!
Cross St., Ypsilanti
FRIDAY, July 5
Ann Arbor 200: Collaborative Paper Quilt
Make “quilt” squares out of paper to celebrate Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial. All squares will be combined at the end of the event series and placed on display in the Library.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Seasonal reads and fun educational opportunities at Briarwood Mall.
Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor
SATURDAY, July 6
Animal Paper Craft: Fantastic Fireflies
Cut, paste, and decorate some truly fantastic fireflies!
Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
Read a book about the ancient world together and find related artifacts and art on display.
The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, 434 S. State St., Ann Arbor
SUNDAY, July 7
Dancing Babies with Momo Kajiwara
Join local music teacher Momo Kajiwara for a program of music and motion.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
Comics Jam events are intended for young patrons to learn some basic drawing concepts through two fun cartoon “warm-ups,” then apply what they’ve learned using their creativity.
Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
MONDAY, July 8
Parent & Child Drawing Workshop
Michigan children’s book author-illustrator Amy Nielander will coach families on how to draw fun characters using her CREATE A CHARACTER Activity sheet.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
TUESDAY, July 9
Great Start Livingston Playdates
The playdates are a great way for parents & families in Livingston County to meet other parents & families with young children in the same stage of life.
Genoa Twp. Park, 2911 Dorr Rd., Brighton
Magic Show with Jeff Wawrzaszek
Be amazed and dazzled at an exciting magic show performance by local entertainer Jeff Wawrzaszek.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
WEDNESDAY, July 10
Make sand art by pouring and layering different colored sand.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
K-5 Nature Crafts: Build a Fish
Explore what lives in the Huron River (from dry land) and create your own local fish! Registration is required.
Bandemer Park, 1352 Lake Shore Dr., Ann Arbor
THURSDAY, July 11
Use household ingredients to make various types of slime to take home.
YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
FRIDAY, July 12
Drop in for an afternoon of maker-related kids crafts.
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
K-5 Forest Fridays: Turtle Time
Learn about Michigan turtles, what they’re doing during the summer, and take a one-mile hike on and off-trail to try to spot some. Registration is required.
Gallup Park Boat Launch, 3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor
Mini-Naturalist: Cooking with Fire
Nothing says Michigan Summer like a campfire at sundown. Naturalist Shawn Severance will teach the secrets to building a foolproof campfire and all will have a chance to practice the perfect s’more.
County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor
SATURDAY, July 13
Splatoon 3: Salmon Run Summit!
repel the hordes of salmonids taking over the library for laughs and XP in a lead-up to the next Splatoon 3 Hyper Local Splatfest.
Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor
The event is free for all ages and includes guest speakers, performers, community resources, local vendors and food.
Heritage Park, 1150 S Canton Center, Canton
MONDAY, July 15
Make an ocean themed glitter bottle.
Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
Kids will create your very own survival wristband by tying up nearly six feet of paracord to be ready for their next adventure!
Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor
TUESDAY, July 16
Slime Time
Dive into the squishy, gushy world of slime.
2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor District Library Downtown
343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
WEDNESDAY, July 17
Young children can engage their senses by scooping, pouring, shaking, and sorting various materials, and will explore colors, shapes, textures, and sounds.
Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
Have fun with a variety of outdoor activities including inflatables, a foam party, crafts, putt putt golf, hikes and music.
Nankin Mills, 33275 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland
Prepare for the upcoming Comic Contest by working on your comic and sharing it with other kids.
Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor
THURSDAY, July 18
Play with the physics and engineering principles behind spinning tops.
YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
THURSDAY, July 18 – SUNDAY, July 21
Tecumseh Bicentennial Celebration
Live music, entertainment and learning opportunities.
Downtown Tecumseh, Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh
MONDAY, July 22
Great Start Livingston Playdates
The playdates are a great way for parents & families in Livingston County to meet other parents & families with young children in the same stage of life.
Pinckney Town Square Park, E. Main St., Pinckney
TUESDAY, July 23
Kids ages 6-12, learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math with weekly programs. This week will feature a nature scavenger hunt.Â
YDL-Superior, 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti
THURSDAY, July 25
Learn how chocolate is made with Mindo Chocolate Makers–from the fruit on a tree to chocolate treats, and explore taste science as you experience chocolates that range from bitter to sweet.
YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti
SUNDAY, July 28
Free all-ages event featuring content such as a bug hunt, scavenger hunts, wing-making craft, living hive, birds of prey, and more!
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor
