Homeschool Events in Michigan

Traveling special exhibit at Sloan Museum exploring polar dinosaurs — unique adaptations for cold, dark, and snowy conditions. In the Fun Gallery through May 3, 2026. Pair with the rest of the museum and planetarium for a full day trip from Metro Detroit.

A whole month of discounted aquarium admission for homeschool families with free grade-leveled lesson plans to download. Weekdays only during the Jan 2–30 window.

One-day themed homeschool admission — 2026 theme is “Small Traits, Big Adaptations.” Self-guided scavenger hunt with age-appropriate activity sheets, plus drop-in educator-led activities 10am–noon.

Combo flea + farmers market at the Armada Fairgrounds. Sundays and Tuesdays. Mix of produce vendors, antiques, and household resellers — go early for the best picks.

Earth Day focused event inside the Detroit Zoo. Conservation exhibits, sustainable living education, green vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities. Great excuse to combine a regular zoo visit with a more focused educational angle.

Month-long MSU-run science celebration. The STEAM Expo is the main two-day event with hands-on exhibits covering astronomy, chemistry, engineering, biology, and more. Dozens of satellite events at libraries and community centers statewide throughout April.

Joint homeschool day across both museums — guided and drop-in activities plus self-guided gallery visits. 10 am – 1:30 pm.

Weekly farmers market at Emmett Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — thursdays 2 pm – 7 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Discounted evening waterpark passes every Friday from 4 p.m. to close at Boyne Mountain's 84°F indoor waterpark. Lodging guests get an extra 10% off with confirmation code via the Stay & Save discount.

Annual Earth Day festival run by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center. Organizations from across Washtenaw County set up hands-on activities and exhibits. Good for younger kids — manageable size and very interactive.

One of the oldest bird sanctuaries in the country — run by MSU. Trumpeter swans, bald eagles, owls, and shorebirds in a beautiful natural setting. Strong candidate for a birds or ecology unit. Earth Day free admission makes it a great annual tradition.

Michigan's largest Earth Day celebration, running since 2003. 50+ exhibitor booths across six barns. Highlights: Live Butterfly House with hand-feeding, Huron-Clinton Metroparks Mobile Learning Center (Michigan mammals), Michigan Avian Experience with live birds of prey (Saturday 11am & 1pm), Bugs on Wheels educational program, tractor-pulled trolley rides (Saturday 11am–3:30pm), Wales Historic Village tours, and a Farm Museum. Blue Water Conservation District tree & shrub sale runs alongside it. Saturday features a free Goosechase app scavenger hunt — top 3 win gift cards. Dogs welcome in the park but not inside the barns.

Pet-friendly parade celebrating prevention of cruelty to animals. 2–4 pm. Pets of all ages welcome.

Family-friendly eco celebration run by Auburn Hills Recreation. Fair-style outdoor event with sustainable activities, seed library, and backyard bird education. Shorter than Goodells but convenient for Oakland County families.

Monthly nature program for little ones at Indian Springs. Stories, outdoor exploration, crafts, and activities on a new nature theme each month. 2026 themes: May 1 — Pond Exploration, Sept 4 — Insect Adventure, Oct 2 — Signs of Autumn, Nov 6 — Animals at Night, Dec 4 — Winter Woods. Pre-registration required by 4pm the day before.

Once-monthly Saturday market at Steffens Park. Locally grown produce, flowers, artisan goods, and food trucks.

Downtown St. Clair Shores Sunday market. Held once a month on the 4th Sunday at 9 Mile & Mack. Local vendors and produce.

Mom and daughter glam experience at Playhouse Paradise — lip gloss making, cosmetic bags, snacks, and lemonade. A fun pre-Mother's Day outing for little girls and their moms.

Weekly farmers market at Fort Gratiot Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — saturdays 10 am – 3 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Long-running open-air Saturday market. Vendors include Braeckevelt Farm, Clark Farms, Gass Centennial Farm, Jenuwine Farms, Nowicki Farm & Gardens, and many others — fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, eggs, honey, and seasonal fruit.

Free, family-friendly community celebration run by Bailey Park NDC. Live music from Detroit's Urban Art Orchestra (2–3pm), free food, eco-friendly crafts, community garden seed ball making, local vendor booths, environmental demonstrations, and giveaways.

Get up close to the animals on a working farm and learn the answers to questions like where milk comes from, how a milking machine works, what a goat eats, and how many eggs a chicken lays in a year. Mainly outdoors and in heated barns; planned path is dirt and gravel; 60 minutes long.

Weekly farmers market at New Baltimore Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — sundays 9 am – 2 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Weekly farmers market at Wadhams Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — sundays 10 am – 3 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Miss Kristen reads, sings, and bounces tiny patrons into literacy every Tuesday and Friday morning all summer. Themed alphabet weeks: Monsters, Names, Ocean, Picnic, Quilt, Run, Sing, Tools, Umbrellas, Vacation, Warm, X-ray, You (Bodies), Zen.

Introductory class on rug hooking, wet felting, the art of natural dyeing of wool, and needle felting. Held at Wolcott Mill Metropark, Upper Farm Center Picnic Shelter. Primarily indoors; no prior experience necessary; about 2 hours.

Weekly farmers market at Algonac Waterfront Park. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — fridays 1 pm – 7 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Weekly farmers market at Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — fridays 1 pm – 5 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Two-day artisan and vendor show — live music, local shopping, and a Kids Business Fair. Free parking.

Weekly farmers market at Vantage Point. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — saturdays 8 am – 2 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Weekly farmers market at Lexington Nutrition Parking Lot. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — saturdays 9 am – 2 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Weekly farmers market at The Old Elevator. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — 10 am – 4 pm — wed & sat schedule. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Springtime program at Wolcott Mill Farm Center listed alongside Say Good Night to the Babies and Spring Festival on the Metroparks Springtime at Wolcott Mill page. Click through for current details.

Michigan's 42nd annual statewide homeschool conference, hosted by MiCHN. Sessions, vendor hall with curriculum discounts, children's and teen programs.

Homeschool students ages 9 and up learn about the arts and sciences that are part of a working farm. Topics vary by session (e.g., Milk & Cheese). Mainly outdoors and in unheated barns; planned path is dirt and gravel; 60–90 minutes.

Weekly farmers market at Marysville Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — fridays 9 am – 2 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

6,000-square-foot interactive exhibition exploring dragon mythology across world cultures. Life-size animatronic dragons with realistic movement and sound, fossil digs, scavenger hunts, shadow puppet theatre, and VR flight experiences using HTC Vive headsets. Developed with Stanford historian Adrienne Mayor. Includes general museum admission. Members-only preview Friday May 15, 5–7pm.

Springtime on the farm — walk the grounds, visit the baby animals, watch artisan demonstrations, join children's storytimes, hands-on animal experiences, and educational homestead talks. (Per the chalkboard sign at Wolcott Mill Farm Center.)

Maybury's spring festival — see new baby animals, plant seeds, and family activities. Includes face painting, crafts (wooden robot, popsicle-stick animal, pipe-cleaner caterpillar, piggy cupcake liner), corn hole, inflatable tractor tire roll, stick pony race, climbing net, milking cow, steer roping game, and food vendors.

Weekly Saturday market at the historic Packard Proving Grounds. Produce, baked goods, artisan vendors.

Pick up a wrapped book in the magical book barn, unpack it in the greenhouse, and go on an animal adventure. Hear a story about an animal, then dance over to meet your new furry or feathered friend. Mainly outdoors and in unheated barns; path is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers; about 30 minutes.

Open-skate evenings at Dodge Park. Bring your own roller skates or rollerblades, hit the trail loop with the city, and grab dinner from rotating food trucks. Kicks off May 19, 2026.

Series for adults looking to bring food and products from their own yard to their table. Community conversation and information on getting started with small-scale farming or homesteading. Topics vary by session. Mainly outdoors and in unheated barns; 60 minutes; group discussion encouraged.

Weekly outdoor concert series every Sunday evening at Lake St. Clair Metropark. 2026 lineup includes Gary Greenfelder Orchestra, Big L & Code Blü Band, Tony Karam Trio, Stone Blossoms, Best of Billy & Elton, Motor City Josh & The Big 3, and more. Great lakeside setting.

The largest Memorial Day parade in the Midwest — 85,000+ spectators and extensive military vehicle displays. Starts 1 pm on Harper Ave.

Annual Memorial Day parade celebrating military service and community.

Memorial Day parade honoring service members — proceeds down Gratiot.

Combine learning and hands-on fun with the farm school program for homeschoolers. Start by exploring an agriculturally accurate book or resource, head to the farm for an animal or field experience, then complete the day with a related art project or science experiment. Topics vary by session. (Per the on-site chalkboard at Wolcott Mill Farm Center.)

3-day festival — live Metro Detroit bands, food trucks, craft vendors, bounce houses, petting zoo, carnival, fireworks, beer tent. Free parking and shuttle.

Summer-evening market at Blossom Heath Park along Jefferson. Held once a month June through August.

Weekly farmers market at Riverview Plaza (North End). Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — wednesdays 7 am – 1 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Weekly farmers market — Thursdays 3–8 pm. Local produce, vendors, accepts EBT/SNAP. Summer season.

Sterling Heights' biggest weekly summer thing — free concerts at 7 p.m. + farmers market 3–8 p.m. + food trucks every Thursday from June through September. New for 2026: special author/artist nights (June 18, July 16, Aug 20) and Pride/Juneteenth celebrations.

Weekly farmers market at Veterans Memorial Park / Municipal Lot. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — thursdays 4 pm – 7 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

34th annual classic car show and cruise night — 9 am–9 pm. Pre-registration for entrants.

11 am – 3 pm at the Blue Parking Lot, corner of Pine & New Streets. Kids meet community workers, climb on real trucks, and explore careers. Same day as Mt. Clemens' 34th Annual Car Cruise (Main St 7 am–9 pm), plus a Coloring Contest at the Discovery Center, a Matchbox Car Race Track under the clock tower (Main at New), and an Art Fair at Macomb Place.

Watch feeding time for the nature center animals every Sunday in June and talk with an interpreter about what's on the menu. A quick, low-key educational stop — great to combine with a beach or trail day at Stony Creek.

Wagon rides pulled by the farm's draft horses. (Per the on-site chalkboard at Wolcott Mill Farm Center.)

Classic car cruise along Gratiot — food, vendors, and hot rods rolling down Gratiot on a summer weekend.

Weekly farmers market at Port Huron Township Hall. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — thursdays 4 pm – 7 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Outdoor concerts at Eastwood Beach on Stony Creek Metropark. 2026 lineup: June 12 — Big L & Code Blü Band, June 26 — Best of Billy & Elton, July 10 — Persuasion, July 24 — Taylor Tucky, Aug 7 — Dave Matthews Band Tribute, Aug 21 — Ashley Lynn Experience.

Splash pad opens for the season with bonus crafts, music, and games. Solid summer kick-off and a quick way to wear out the kids.

Two-day statewide DNR event — free entry to all 103 Michigan state parks and 1,300+ DNR boating access sites, free fishing for all species, and free off-road riding. No license or Rec Passport needed.

Family-friendly festival — vendors, crafts, family movie night, and fireworks celebration.

Roseville fireworks display — part of RoseFest weekend.

Learn the basics of fishing on the shores of Kent Lake during Michigan's Free Fishing Weekend. No fishing license required that weekend. Good intro for kids who've never fished.

Weekly farmers market at Knox Field. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — tuesdays 3 pm – 7 pm. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Overnight family campout at Kensington Metropark. Includes guided evening wildlife walk, fire-making basics, Saturday evening entertainment, kayak and canoe access, and vouchers to the Splash 'N' Blast sprayground included for your camping party.

Watch cows being milked at 10am and learn how milk gets from the barn to your refrigerator. The Farm Center is open daily with animal interactions (cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits), horse-drawn wagon rides, greenhouse, and gardens year-round.

Father's Day weekend historic vehicle show in Greenfield Village. More than 600 historic vehicles — classic cars, vintage trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, and bicycles — line the streets and lawns. Special demonstrations, pass-in-review parades, awards, and 1960s-themed live entertainment with dancing on Saturday evening. 2026 features a homage to the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Company's acquisition of Lincoln.

Weekly Sunday market 9 am–2 pm in front of Warren City Hall — fresh local produce and vendors.

Two-day summer festival — kids' activities, live entertainment, Touch-a-Truck, face painting, petting zoo, Macomb Symphony Orchestra.

Family fireworks at 10 pm — tens of thousands of spectators. Bring a blanket and picnic.

Strawberry festival — live entertainment, kids' games, outdoor grill, strawberry desserts, clown, classic car show, bingo, raffles.

Last full weekend of June — live entertainment, street fair, crafts, vendor market, kids' activities, fireworks Saturday night.

Kids' mud play morning — outdoor water and mud activities. 9 am. Bring clothes you don't mind getting filthy.

July 4 festival with carnival, food, entertainment, and fireworks at night. Madison Heights' big summer event.

Listed on the on-site chalkboard at Wolcott Mill Farm Center. The dedicated event page isn't live on metroparks.com — call the farm for current details.

All-summer SCS Library reading program. Anchored by the June 29 5pm Kick-Off, then weekly Book Camps (Muddy Fun Jun 30, Bugging Out Jul 7, Let's Get Planting Jul 14), MakerFun sessions (Jul 1, 8, 15), Sew Your Own Emotional Support Chicken (Jul 6, ages 6+), Teen Taste Test (Jul 13), and Color Run/Walk at Veterans Memorial Park (Jul 21).

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs on the Village Green in front of Town Hall — celebratory orchestral music with selections from films and American popular culture, plus cannon fire and fireworks. The DSO performance is approximately 90 minutes with a short intermission. The Herschell-Spillman Carousel is open and free to all guests during the event.

Independence Day fireworks at Clawson Park — picnic, games, and a big show at dusk.

One of Michigan's longest-running fairs (since 1855) — emphasis on youth and agriculture.

Community fireworks display — pre-show activities 6–8:30 pm, live concert 8:30–10 pm, fireworks at dusk.

Annual since 1909 — livestock shows, tractor pulls, baking competitions.

Ten-station outdoor competition: 40-yard dash, 40-yard hurdles, disc toss, broad jump, long jump, baseball toss. Kids run their bracket, get ribbons. Light, low-pressure intro to organized athletics.

A full week of Christ-centered family camp on Lake Huron's Prentiss Bay, designed for homeschool families. Mornings of teaching with guest speaker Lloyd Hamm, afternoons of swimming, sailing, archery, and trails, evenings of worship and bonfire. Cabins, family cabins, and tent/RV sites available.

Youth-focused county fair — livestock, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment.

Six-day fair run by the Clinton County Agricultural Society since 1948.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand events, agricultural exhibits.

Fair held annually since 1890 — rodeo, demolition derby, livestock shows, and mud volleyball.

10-day grand event — parade, pageant, country entertainment, livestock shows.

Three-day county fair — livestock shows, food and wine tasting, agricultural exhibits.

Three days of acoustic music presented by the Original Dulcimer Players Club: stage shows, 200+ workshops, parking-lot picking, song circles, gospel singing, Irish jams, contra dancing, an open mic, and youth activities. Friday night old-time dance is a tradition. Vendor and instrument sales on site.

Last full week of July — rodeos, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, livestock shows.

Arts, culture, and community along the riverfront — live music, art exhibits, food vendors, fireworks.

Birthday party for Disco the Frog, the Discovery Center's mascot. 11 am – 2 pm at 54 Cherry St. Activities, games, dancing, yummy treats, and a whole lot of fun.

Youth fair — livestock shows, dressage competitions, beekeeping contests, archery.

Youth-focused — tethered balloon rides, drag racing, nighttime demolition derby.

4-H youth fair — livestock shows, youth competitions, agricultural demonstrations.

Joint UP fair — agricultural, industrial, and educational achievements of the Luce-West Mackinac area.

Multi-day summer carnival — rides, games, live entertainment, food trucks, foam party, petting zoo, and fireworks on the final night. Hosted by Fraser Lions.

Major 3-day music festival — chart-topping country/rock acts, kids' art activities, food trucks, vendors, and live entertainment 10am–11pm daily.

Our home-city fireworks show at Steffens Park — food, music, and fireworks at dusk. Verify date on city calendar closer to the date.

Sterling Heights' big fireworks night at Dodge Park — usually late June. Bring a blanket.

UP county fair — livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, family entertainment.

Known for its giant Ferris wheel — draws visitors from across the state.

One of Michigan's longest-running county fairs (since 1839).

140-year county fair — livestock shows, carnival entertainment, grandstand events.

Annual Livingston County celebration — livestock, carnival rides, horse events, family entertainment.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, agricultural exhibits.

Youth-focused — livestock, tractor pulls, AG Olympics, 4-H and FFA exhibits.

Four-day fair — monster trucks, mud runs, rodeo, free admission for kids under 12.

One of Michigan's most popular regional fairs — unlimited carnival rides, petting zoo, grandstand events.

August fair — carnival, demolition derby, entertainment, livestock, and fair foods.

County agriculture and youth fair — livestock, 4-H exhibits, family entertainment.

Community parade through Harrison Township in early August.

County fair celebrating 175+ years of tradition — grandstand shows, livestock exhibitions, fair entertainment.

Carnival rides, live entertainment, special admission days, and agricultural exhibits.

Largest classic car cruise on Gratiot — 100+ businesses involved, food vendors, live music, family activities.

20th annual buy/sell/trade run by kids for kids — gently used toys, video games, books, sports equipment, trading cards. Real entrepreneurship with low stakes.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

Historic county fair — dollar admission Monday, carnival rides, livestock shows.

Youth-focused fair — dressage, needlework, horticulture competitions, livestock shows.

Annual fair operating since 1865 — exotic reptile shows, woodcarving demos, livestock, and grandstand entertainment.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, agricultural exhibits.

County fair with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and community entertainment.

Carnival, animals, horse shows, harness racing, tractor pedal pull, and live music.

Free outdoor family movie night at Macomb Corners Park — bring blankets and lawn chairs.

43rd annual art fair, 10 am–5 pm — 120+ artists, food, live music, kids' crafts, free shuttle, Better Pie Baking Contest.

6th annual pride street fair — live entertainment, local vendors, community resources, family activities.

Second of Cedar Bay's two summer Homeschool Family Camp weeks. Same setting, full Old Mill Point experience, with guest speaker Stan McMahan teaching mornings. A great option if July is already booked.

Traditional county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

Traditional county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand events, and agricultural exhibits.

Animal shows, rodeo, truck mud runs, live entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

Educational experiences — tractor races, animal shows, horticulture competitions.

100+ years of history — carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, arts, crafts, entertainment.

Youth-emphasized — rodeo, demolition derby, tractor pull, grandstand entertainment.

80th annual county fair — livestock, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment. Our Wayne-side fair.

Three-day fair — amusement rides, livestock and equine shows, petting zoo.

Ten days of Jimmy Buffett–inspired beach chaos on Saginaw Bay — live concerts nightly at the amphitheatre, the Parade of Tropical Fools (Wed Aug 19, 5:30pm, draws 70,000+), cardboard boat races, sandcastle contests, and cheeseburgers on every corner. Worth the drive — about 2 hours from metro Detroit.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, agricultural exhibits.

Carnival rides, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, family entertainment.

Long-running Macomb County fair celebrating Michigan's agricultural heritage — livestock shows, midway rides, grandstand entertainment. Our home fair.

4-H county fair — youth exhibits, livestock shows, and agricultural demonstrations. Held at Armada Fairgrounds alongside Armada Fair.

UP's regional state fair — nearly a century of operation. Carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows.

MiCHN's annual Homeschool Leadership Training. A day of equipping, encouragement, and connection for the moms and dads running Michigan's homeschool support groups, co-ops, and ministries.

Two-county fair — livestock shows, horse events, and agricultural exhibits.

Historic fair (since 1850) — monster trucks, rodeos, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits.

Livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment, agricultural exhibits.

Five-day Homeschool Days event framing the park around physics, science, and math. Worth the drive — about 3 hours from metro Detroit.

Annual August fair — motocross, youth talent show, livestock shows, entertainment.

5K fun run, car show, baby beauty pageant, fish grab competition, and entertainment.

Annual celebration — carnival rides, food trucks, live music, Polish Day Parade, foam party, fireworks, and drone show over City Square.

95th annual Labor Day weekend tradition — Peach Parade, live music, craft shows, carnival rides, bed races, beer garden.

Warren's fireworks display — part of the Birthday Bash weekend at City Square.

Annual late-summer fair — live concerts, carnival rides, and livestock shows.

Livestock shows, horse pulls, carnival entertainment, and agricultural exhibits.

Labor Day weekend state fair — butter carving, mobile zoo, nighttime beer festival, grandstand shows. Held at Suburban Collection Showplace.

Huge Labor Day weekend festival — juried fine art, live music, kids' activities, 100+ vendors, diverse food trucks. 300,000+ attend.

Historic county fair operating annually since 1852 — live entertainment, rodeo, demolition derby, livestock shows.

Classic September art festival — 275+ artists from across the country, live music, crafts, and food. Run by Paint Creek Center for the Arts.

Five-day event exploring the Amazon Rainforest — how plants, animals, and people depend on it and what we can do to protect it. 10 am – 4 pm.

56th annual family carnival — huge midway, live entertainment, Touch A Truck, children's area, fireworks Saturday night.

Monthly hands-on lab program for older homeschool kids at Indian Springs Metropark. Each session combines indoor lab work with outdoor exploration on seasonal science topics. 2026 topics: Sept 19 — Adaptation Lab, Oct 17 — Foliage Lab, Nov 21 — Insulation Lab, Dec 19 — Density Lab. Includes ~1 mile of walking on mixed terrain outdoors. Pre-registration required by 4pm the day before.

'The most popular fair on earth' — annually since 1851 — rides, livestock, grandstand shows.

Michigan's annual homeschool freedom rally at the State Capitol — hundreds of homeschool families gather on the Capitol lawn to celebrate the freedom to homeschool, meet with legislators, and tour the Capitol building. Hosted by MiCHN.

MiCHN's signature fundraiser the same morning as Day at the Dome. 5K and 1-mile run/walk on a paved 3-loop course around the Capitol complex. Proceeds support MiCHN's work for Michigan homeschool families.

Halloween at the farm — visit each animal barn and show off costumes while the animals join in with costumes of their own. Evening event, 6–8pm each night. Pre-registration required: online or call 586-752-5932.

Macomb Township's family-friendly Halloween carnival: magic show, vendor-sponsored Trick-or-Treat Trail, haunted house, Monster Studio 54 dance party, Portrait Studio. Capped at 650 attendees and consistently sells out.

Tree lighting 6:30–8:30 pm — caroling, First State Bank fireworks, visits with Santa, live reindeer, crafts, refreshments.

Tree lighting 5:30–8:30 pm — holiday music, caroling, ice sculpture trail, and visits with Santa.

MiCHN's overnight retreat just for homeschool moms — step away, be renewed, and reconnect with other moms walking the same road. Friday evening through Saturday.

Hands-on aerospace & science lessons aligned to Next Gen Science Standards. 1 pm all-ages session, 2:30 pm age-split session.

Free general admission to Cranbrook Institute of Science on the 1st Friday of each month through December 2026, courtesy of the MASCO Corporation.

General admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties — funded by the 2012 tri-county millage. Just show ID at the front desk.

The state history museum is free every Sunday — four floors of Michigan history from prehistory to the automotive era.

Monthly themed program highlighting Michigan wildlife — indoor learning plus guided nature-trail hikes. 10 am – noon. Pre-registration required.

Immersive exhibits on Michigan's outdoors — waterfall, fishing simulator, snowmobile, canoe. Runs periodic Homeschool Hangout programs with hands-on activities and rangers on deck.

Three attractions under one roof at Great Lakes Crossing. Homeschool families get 50% off on their scheduled homeschool days — check the LEGOLAND Michigan calendar for specific dates.

Multi-night homeschool weeks at Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City. Standard Family Suite (sleeps 6) at the homeschool rate plus included waterpark wristbands for every registered guest ($80–$200 in savings), parking, and 15% off sit-down/buffet restaurants. Book just one night to get the discounted rate.

Bank of America and Merrill cardholders get free general admission at participating museums on the first full Saturday + Sunday of each month. Michigan participants include the DIA and Henry Ford Museum (museum only — not Greenfield Village).

Greenfield Village transformed with lights, fires, carolers, and horse-drawn carriages. Not homeschool-specific, but a can't-miss Michigan family event. Tickets release in fall; members go on sale first.

Millions of LED lights transforming the zoo into a winter walk. Not homeschool-only, but a highlight of the MI family calendar — off-peak weeknight tickets are the sweet spot.

Structured year-long homeschool track with monthly 90-minute (ages 5–10) or 2-hour (ages 11–14) sessions. Morning & afternoon slots, Wed–Fri. Ends with a Final Project Fair in May.

Michigan Science Center has previously offered Homeschool Learning Labs (per outside listings) covering topics like astronomy, biology, and geology. The dedicated /homeschool/ page on mi-sci.org currently 301-redirects to their homepage (likely a site restructure), so this link goes to the Families landing page. Call the Mi-Sci education team or email Education@Mi-Sci.org for current homeschool programming.

Underwater-themed indoor playground in Wyoming runs a homeschool day every Tuesday — $10 student admission. Three-story play structure, ball pit, separate toddler area.

Community fair focused on local youth and 4-H — equestrian events, livestock shows, and local crafts.

Youth contests, dressage, barrel racing, livestock fashion show, and family entertainment.

Michigan's longest continually running county fair (since 1848) — livestock, carnival rides, entertainment.

Community free fair — carnival rides, livestock shows, grandstand entertainment, and agricultural displays.

Carnival rides, livestock shows, tractor pulls, horse races, and family entertainment.

Youth and agricultural fair — livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides.

Youth-focused county fair — animal shows, entertainment, educational demonstrations.

County fair — livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment.

UP county fair — livestock shows, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits.

County fair and Great Lakes-Mio Forestry Exposition — livestock, carnival rides.

County fair — livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment.

Youth-focused — motocross, gospel performances, carnival rides, 4-H livestock shows.

Youth-focused agricultural fair — livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, educational demonstrations.

Two-day art festival — 100+ artists, specialty food vendors, local performances, family activities. All mediums of fine art.

Free outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings throughout summer — local musicians at the Civic Center gazebo.

Free outdoor concerts on Friday evenings — soul, rock, pop, and Motown. 7–9 pm.

Free summer concert series on Wednesdays — 'Through the Years' theme, live music across genres.

Celebration of Polish culture — live polka, Polish dance ensembles, authentic food, craft vendors. Free shuttles.

Free family movie nights at 6 Rochester parks — movies at 8:30 pm with pre-show activities (bounce houses, food trucks, free popcorn) at 7:30 pm.

Community-wide lakeshore cleanup along Lake St. Clair — great service-learning tie-in.

Free family event exploring how simple actions support a healthier environment for people, animals, and nature. A good excuse to spend the day on Belle Isle — pair it with the aquarium, conservatory, and a walk along the water.

Not a single event — a season worth building a field trip around. Farms and nature centers across Michigan open their sugarhouses in March and April. Kids can watch sap boiling, tap trees, and follow the full maple syrup process. Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival (Shepherd, MI) runs late April. Chippewa Nature Center in Midland is one of the best.

Drop the kids at Playhouse Paradise while you take an art class next door at The Painthouse Art & Sip. Kids get supervised play, a snack, and juice. All staff are CPR/First Aid certified and background-checked. Book through thepainthouseartsip.com when you register for an adult class.

Weekly themed summer camp for toddlers and preschoolers. New theme each week. 2026 schedule not yet posted — check playhouseparadise.com or call 586-800-1612 for updates.

Free monthly DIY build at Home Depot — kids hammer together a wood project (recent ones: Keepsake Box, Leprechaun Trap, Farm Planter, Penguin Mailbox) and take home the project, an apron, an achievement pin, and a certificate.

Free build-it workshop at Lowe's. Recent kits include the Garden Basket, Birdhouse, and Washing Machine Bank. Each child takes the finished project plus stickers and a Build & Grow patch.

Free craft-a-month inside JCPenney. Kids walk in between 11 and noon, make the project (recent ones: Mother's Day bouquet, frog/bee magnet, flower wreath), and pick up a free collectors' pin. Parents get a 10% off coupon.

Free in-store kids craft session at Michaels — supplies provided. Recent projects include rainbow keychains, yarn paintings, Valentine's cards, terra cotta pots, and stamped flower cards. Kids finish the project in-store and take it home.

Preschool nature class — each month features a theme animal/plant (raccoons, winter tracks, bird bills, hawks, muskrats) with stories, crafts, and a short outdoor walk. Pre-registration required by 4 p.m. the day before.

Indoor + outdoor environmental programs at Burgess-Shadbush, geared toward homeschool groups, co-ops, and study clubs. Naturalists lead a topic-based discussion using the donated specimen collection, then take kids on a related trail walk. Programs run 1.5–2 hours.

Free drop-in nature center with live native animals, exhibits, and trails. Hosts paid programs across the year — recent examples: Build a Mini Greenhouse, hibernation/migration, food webs, butterfly life cycles, rocks & fossils. Homeschool groups can also book a $75/class private field trip.

100-acre Troy nature preserve with classroom space, exhibits, and trails. Junior Naturalist Club runs year-round for preschool–5th grade. Hosts homeschool sessions, scout programs, and seasonal family events.

Detroit Zoo-run nature center on Belle Isle. Programs are free with registration: Nature Tots, Nature Walks, Homeschool Nature Club, Scout programs, Summer Nature Camp. Building & exhibits also free during open hours.

Oakland County Parks naturalist-led monthly homeschool sessions in the 37-acre Friendship Woods preserve. Program runs in two age groups so siblings can attend at their level. Topics rotate (Earth Day, ecology, animal adaptations, etc.).

Oakland County Parks naturalist-led drop-off program for homeschoolers, traditional or pod/virtual. Monthly themed nature lesson with indoor + outdoor portions inside the Independence Oaks preserve. Register by phone (248) 858-0916.

Hundreds of free children's programs each year — story times, early literacy play, STEM/STEAM activities, Fairy Tale STEM, summer reading. STEM-To-Go kits available at the Main Library. Family Place Library certified.

Hands-on STEAM children's museum in historic downtown Mt. Clemens. Saturdays: exhibits, labs, projects and workshops covering science, technology, engineering, arts and math for students of all ages. Sundays: open family play. 11 am – 3 pm both days.

Naturalist-led evening walks for animals you only catch at night — woodcock displays, salamander/frog migration, fireflies, owls. Each program is a separate registration; check the Metroparks event calendar for current dates.

Story time, early literacy, STEM activities, and summer reading at Fraser's branch. Programs are open to anyone — Fraser-card holders and patrons of any Suburban Library Cooperative library can attend. Cards are issued only to Fraser residents/property owners/Fraser-school students, but a CMPL or Macomb-Twp card works just as well.

Two back-to-back Family Storytimes every Wednesday morning — 9:30 and 10:30 — with stories, songs, and movement. No card or registration required to attend programs (cards are restricted to SCS taxpayers / SLC patrons, but storytime is open).

Evening Family Storytime in the City Council Chambers at City Hall — works well for families where one parent gets home from work in time. All ages welcome (older siblings can come).

Open playroom in the Gilstorf Meeting Room — toys laid out, kids meet other kids, parents meet other parents. Drop in whenever it's running.

Recurring lineup includes Roots & Shoots Storytime, Baby Sprouts Storytime, Home Grown for Homeschool Scholars, and seasonal art workshops. Programs themselves are open to all; you don't need a Mt. Clemens card to attend.

On Wednesdays the Atrium opens to local families. The morning starts with parish Mass at 8:10 a.m., followed by an abbreviated guided Holy Hour built around prayer for the youngest. At 9:30 the Atrium itself opens — a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd space where toddlers do hands-on prayerful 'works' (pouring beans, polishing, simple practical tasks) with a catechist while parents observe and have communion in the gathering space outside.

A volunteer reads a story, then leads a craft tied to the story's message. Built specifically as an out-of-the-house outlet for stay-at-home parents and their littles. Open to anyone in the area — you don't have to be Catholic or a parishioner.

Long-running multi-event-per-week playgroup at Holy Cross — infants, toddlers, school-age siblings welcome. Also runs moms' nights out and community outreach events. Open to non-members.

Twice-monthly Thursday gatherings for Catholic homeschool families. Free play time across age groups, monthly faith-building talks for middle/high school kids by the pastor, liturgical-calendar feast day activities and crafts, field trips, and summer park days.

Wide weekly lineup: Baby Lapsit (under 2), Toddler Time (high-energy singing/dancing/crafts at 10:30 & 11:30 — same content twice), Preschool Storytime (3–5, independent listeners), Sensory Friendly Storytime, and Saturday Stories. Programs are open to anyone — you don't need a Sterling Heights card to attend.

Drop-in Storytime with stories, songs, movement, and crafts for toddlers/preschoolers + caregivers — no registration. Plus a separate drop-in social-and-play program for kids 5 and under to play, socialize, and let parents network.

Two free drop-in storytimes back-to-back days at the new Shelby Township Library. Toddler Tales (Wed) and Preschool Pages (Tue). Plus the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program for the under-5 crowd.

Five different storytimes across the week so you can find a slot that fits: Baby-riffic (0–2, Tue), Toddler (2–3, Thu), PJ Storytime (2–9, Wed evenings — wear pajamas), Book Tots (1–3, Fri), and Family Story Time (4–8, Mon evenings).

Mid-morning storytime for toddlers and preschoolers at the Harrison Twp branch — single combined session covering both age groups.

Two-day-a-week in-person classroom + three days at home. Students get ~12 hours of in-person instruction per week with the rest done at home with parent oversight. Christian-aligned. Detroit metro families can partner with Clarkston Community Schools to have tuition funded.

Christian homeschool enrichment program serving families across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Drop-off model with trained on-site staff. Mix and match academic and enrichment classes; pick anywhere from one to four days per week.

Secular homeschool learning pod in Sterling Heights for ages 5–11. Days run Tue/Wed/Thu with maker stations, STEAM activities, experiments, team-building, art, and movement. Standalone enrichment clubs and tutoring also available.

Classical PreK-12 Catholic hybrid: two days a week at the campus center for Socratic instruction, three days at home using the integrated curriculum. Michigan-accredited; students receive a diploma. Catholic faith fully integrated across subjects.

Michigan's oldest and largest homeschool network (founded 1984). Connects families to local support groups by region (Macomb is in Region 7 with H.O.M.E., Chesterfield Christian Homeschoolers, Homeschool Connections, Enrich Co-op), publishes a directory of co-ops, and runs the MICHN annual conference.

Michigan's biggest indoor waterpark (170,000 sq ft, 16 waterslides, wave pool, lazy river, family fun center) opens up homeschool-only pricing for a school week each fall. Half-day passes for $25 and full-day for $35. Group packages available for co-ops.

Monthly homeschool day at Soaring Eagle. One adult gets a free day pass with each $10 child pass. Bonus: snow-day passes ($12/person, kids 3 and under free) when local schools cancel for weather.

Year-round indoor waterpark in Dundee — about 50 min from Macomb. Lazy river, water slides, zero-entry kids' pool, multi-level interactive water play structure. Heavily discounted on weekdays — call (734) 529-5100 to inquire about homeschool group rates.

Two LEGO Club sessions a week explicitly built around homeschool families' daytime schedule. Different builds each session — open free-build plus themed challenges. Register a couple weeks ahead since seats are capped.

Kids read aloud to a certified therapy dog in 15-minute one-on-one slots (5:00, 5:15, 5:30, 5:45). Low-pressure way to build reading confidence — the dog isn't going to correct you.

Three-hour Minecraft session on the library's setup. Bring your account or play locally. Friendly mods, light social structure.

Free family movie night at the library on the last Saturday of each month. Drop-in. Recent picks have skewed family/animated.

Library-run early literacy session for the youngest patrons. Held at the City Hall meeting space (not the main library building) on alternating Wednesdays through summer.

Weekly babies & preschool story time at Mount Clemens. Part of an ongoing series — register a few weeks at a time on the library's events portal.

After-school family/community activity series. Light social structure — board games, themed activities, social hour. Drop in or register on the library's events portal.

Weekly farmers market at Marine City Farmers Market. Local produce, baked goods, and vendors — schedule tba — check facebook before going. Family-friendly stop on a Blue Water / Thumbcoast day.

Summer evening series at the Detroit Zoo — extended hours, live music, and food/beverages. Check detroitzoo.org for the weekly music lineup.

America's largest indoor waterpark resort offers a year-round homeschool deal: $50 off the rate Sunday–Thursday with code HOMESCHOOL. Includes free waterpark access for up to 4 guests on arrival and departure days, no resort fee, and free parking.