Free November Fun in Ann Arbor

Friday, 1

Toddler Movement with Joy Dance Company

Explore movement through play and imagination using shakers, scarves and stuffed animals to move, groove, and get those wiggles out.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Saturday, 2

The Great Pumpkin Roll

Bring your old Jack-O-Lantern to Mill Pond Park for a little fall fun. The goal is to roll your pumpkin down the hill as fast as you can. Registration is required.

Mill Pond Park, 565 W Bennett St., Saline

Toy & Game Swap

Swap out your old children’s toys and games for something new to you! You do not need to bring a toy or game to pick one up.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Sipping Self-Care: Homemade Herbal Teas – Ages 12-18

Make and take home your own tea bags with the Growing Hope Teen Leadership Team. 

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Owl Prowl

Learn about local owls, how they nest & hunt, followed by a hike into the preserve to listen for owl calls.

Cherry Hill Nature Preserve, 6255 Cherry Hill Rd., Ypsilanti

Sunday, 3

Robotics Workshop

An exciting, free robotics workshop designed for kids aged 7-14. Registration is required. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Ypsilanti, 515 James L Hart Pkwy, Ypsilanti

2024 A2 Community Book Fair

Various activities for all ages, such as keynote author talks, hands-on crafts for kids and adults, storytimes and discussion groups, will take place throughout the day.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Seed Collection Nature Walk

Collect wild seeds and learn about the work Washtenaw County Parks does to re-establish this globally rare habitat while you walk at Rolling Hills Park.

Rolling Hills County Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti

Nature Play Pop-Up

This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

Bike-Light-Giveaway Family Ride

Take a slow, family-paced ride with cider and donuts before and after. There will be a give away of lights and reflective gear to all participants.

HEH Human Electric Hybrids, 320 Miller Ave., Ann Arbor

Monday, 4

Draw with Kam

Local comic book artist Kamron Reynolds will show you the fundamentals of cartooning and comic book/manga drawing.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Tuesday, 5

K-5 Nature: Build an Owl at Mary Beth Doyle Park

Learn about these brilliant birds, take a short hike in the woods of Mary Beth Doyle Park and use found natural materials to craft one of your own. Registration is required.

Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor

Wednesday, 6

Wonder Walk: Native Seed Collecting

Join Native Plant specialist, Calla Butler, as you explore the beauty and role of native plants and the process of collecting and preparing local native seeds for planting.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

Thursday, 7

Rainbow Sensory Bottles

Make a rainbow sensory bottle using colorful water beads!

Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor

After School STEM Urban Planning and Design

Explore what makes a sustainable, inclusive city with reliable transportation, green spaces and thriving neighborhoods through various hands-on activities each week. Also on November 14 and 21. 

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Friday, 8

Silent Feathered Friends

Let your imaginations take flight as we spin an owl tale, learn about these amazing birds and get to see a real live owl.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

K-5 Nature: Forest Fridays – Hibernation Homes

Explore Dolph Nature Area and learn about hibernation, hibernacula and more at this after-school program. Registration is required. 

Dolph Nature Area, 375 Parklake Ave., Ann Arbor

Saturday, 9

Sensation Stations

Young children can engage their senses by scooping, pouring, shaking and sorting a variety of materials, and will explore colors, shapes, textures and sounds.

Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor

Storytime with Great Lakes Taiko Drumming

Join a special storytime accompanied by Larry An and Eileen Ho from Great Lakes Taiko Drumming.

YDL-Superior, 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti

STEMfest

Cayman Chemical scientists and Huron Valley ACS members will offer hands-on science demonstrations including some you can take home.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Sunday, 10

Arts & Crafts Supply Swap

Are you a crafter with too many supplies on your hands? Do you want to try a new hobby, but don’t want to buy even more material? Join AADL for an art supply swap!

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Wonder Walk: Warm Winter Spices

Why do we crave pumpkin spice, spiced cider and cinnamon in the winter months? Learn about the use of spices from around the world and taste flavor-filled spiced teas. Also on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

The Art and Sounds of Australia: Didgeridoo and You

Learn about the daily lives of the first Australians: what they eat, where and how they live, their art and music and then make, paint and learn to play your very own didgeridoo.

Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor

Friday, 15

Sensory Stations

Explore different themed sensory and art stations each session to help your child develop fine motor skills and learn about the world through play.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Saturday, 16

Bicentennial Thrill of the Mills

Explore historic and present mills along the Huron River as the three bicentennial communities wind down their year with a combined event.

Dexter Cider Mill, 3684 Central St., Dexter

Junior Naturalist: All About Beavers

Join naturalist Elle Bogle for a morning hike to look for beaver signs and learn all about this industrious keystone species of rodents. Registration is required. 

Draper Houston Preserve, 578 Mooreville Rd., Milan

Ann Arbor Orchid Society Show

The Ann Arbor Orchid Society is holding a family-friendly show and sale. Also on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

Alma Thomas Rainbow Art

Craft cool geometric rainbow art in the style of painter Alma Thomas.

Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor

Sunday, 17

Neurodivergent Kids Move!

Join Jesse Deucher and Sarah Kairis, teachers at Ann Arbor Open and the creators of PandaFit. This program is specifically designed for autistic and other neurodivergent kids, but all are welcome!

Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor

Movie Day at the Library: The Lego Movie

Enjoy a movie at the downtown library. This 100-minute film is rated PG.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Nature Play Pop-Up

This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor

Monday, 18

Young Scientists!

Stories and a simple exploration of science for young children.

Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor


Go to our extended calendar for more great events


Wednesday, 20

Homework Help

Students in grades K-12 can get homework help at AADL, provided by volunteers from the University of Michigan chapter of Circle K.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Wrapped in Love Boobie Club – Breastfeeding Support

Get lactation support, share about your journey, and meet other parents.

YDL-Superior, 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti

Saturday, 23

Diorama-rama

Create an extra-fun 3D landscape out of cardboard boxes, tiny toy animals, colorful paper and a huge selection of decorative items!

Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library, 2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor

Thanksgiving Wire Leaf Placeholders

Make wire placeholders for your Thanksgiving gathering.

YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti

Silent Disco Dance Party

Put on some headphones and start dancing at the silent disco! Wireless headphones are provided and local musician Ki5 provides the music.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

Sunday, 24

AADL Welcomes: Jewish Storytime and Activities

AADL Welcomes: Hebrew Storytime and Activities

Stories and activities with storytellers from the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and PJ Library.

Westgate Branch Library, 2503 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor

Friday, 29

K-5 Nature: #OptOutside Fire-Building at Bandemer

#OptOutside this Black Friday and join Natural Area Preservation to learn how to safely build a fire with local materials. Registration is required. 

Bandemer Park, 1352 Lakeshore Dr., Ann Arbor

Saturday, 30

Movie Day at the Library: Elemental

This 101-minute film is rated PG.

Ann Arbor District Library Downtown, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor

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