LittleGuide Magazine - Winter 2023

Editor's Note

SURVIVAL MODE

We're looking forward to a lot in 2023 - winter festivals, new playgrounds, seeing Bluey Live on stage, this summer's Stroller Roll events and more...but first, we've got a couple of cold months ahead to bear.

Don't get us wrong, we enjoy a fresh layer of snow on the ground, racing down the sledding hills, and finding our feet on the ice - BUT, cabin fever can set in and the darker days can feel pretty long.

That's why we put together this Winter Edition of the LittleGuide Magazine.

To give you a go-to resource for fresh ideas to survive the winter, both indoors and out.

So, here's to a long winter ahead - full of fun, adventures, and a little bit of hibernating!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

KERRY DOMAN & CARRIE BUDZINSKI

P.S. Catch up with US on the last Thursday of each month at 10am for our LittleGuide LIVE series!

There's

Sesame Street LIVE: Jan. 20 - 29

Everyone’s invited to take part in the sunniest and funniest celebration in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic. Fox Theatre, Detroit

Winnie The Pooh: Jan. 20 & 21

Winnie The Pooh and Friends come to life in a puppet performance that will leave your littles in awe. Macomb Center, Clinton Township

Paddington Gets In a Jam: Jan. 28

Watch Britain’s favorite bear in a life-size puppet show and see how Paddington gets in a jam - and gets out. Detroit Music Hall, Detroit

Disney On Ice: Feb. 16 - 18

Mirabel and the Madrigals join your favorites from Arendelle for a can't-miss Disney On Ice experience. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Paw Patrol Live: March 3-5

PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite” follows Ryder and the PAW Patrol pups as they face their greatest challenge yet. Fox Theatre, Detroit

Blippi The Musical: Mar. 5

Blippi The Musical brings the energetic and loveable character, Blippi, off the screen and onto the stage with world-class production, audience engagement and amazing music. Eastern Michigan Center, Ypsilanti

Bluey Live!: April 21 - 23

Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the popular Aussey series. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for families, featuring brilliantly created puppets. Fox Theatre, Detroit

nothing quite like seeing your favorite characters live on stage!

Bowers School Farm (Bloomfield Hills)

Rolling Hills Park (Ypsilanti)

Hawk Island (Lansing)

Echo Valley (Kalamazoo)

Cannonsburg (Belmont/Grand Rapids)

Boyne Mountain (Boyne Falls)

Ostego Resort (Gaylord)

Shanty Creek Resort (Bellaire)

Snow Snake (Harrison)

Hanson Hills (Grayling)

Double JJ (New Era)

Timberlee Hills (Traverse City)

ESCAPE TO GRAND RAPIDS AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF WINTER

The World of Winter is the largest winter festival in the Midwest. With almost 100 FREE events, activities and outdoor installations from January 6th to March 5th, 2023.

Downtown Grand Rapids transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland every January and February, giving you plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy the season.

Find more than 20 large-scale, interactive and Instagram-worthy art installations on display around downtown, that you can easily walk from one to the other. There will also be over 50 ice sculptures and themed window displays spread out over downtown. So, bundle up and get ready for fun. There will be scheduled special events all winter longfrom outdoor shows to snowy contests and games, there's something for everyone.

Best enjoyed at night, make the most of the day trip by visiting one of these three great spots during the day:

Grand Rapids Public Museum: From A (Automobiles) to Z (Zoology), the three story museum is packed with engaging and interactive activities for kids. The museum is open daily and tickets can be purchased same day (Admission ranges from $3-$8).

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: The hands-on museum for kids is especially fun for littles who love to play – from music and Legos, to bubbles and balls - there’s plenty to keep kids busy. Capacity is limited and it’s advisable to reserve your tickets in advance (Admission is $9 per person).

Cannonsburg: Located just outside of Grand Rapids, Cannonsburg offers skiing, snowboarding, and SNOW TUBING! Reservations for snow tubing are required (Costs $18 - $23 per person).

As we wait for the return of warmer weather, break out the bathing suits and splash around in these local indoor pools for a few hours.

Canton Aquatic Center: 6000 Summit Parkway, Canton, MI 48188

Dearborn Ford Center: 15801 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126

The HAWK: 29995 Twelve Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Livonia Recreation Center: 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan 48154

Macomb Township Aquatics Center: 20699 Macomb St., Macomb, MI 48042

Romulus Aquatics Center: 35765 Northline Rd, Romulus, MI 48174

Troy Community Center: 3179 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Warren Community Center: 5460 Arden Ave, Warren, MI 48092

The YMCA: multiple locations (membership required)

At Aqua-Tots Swim School, your kids will learn a valuable life skill, gain confidence, and have fun (in a 90 degree pool that's perfect for the winter weather).

With 7 locations, there's one near you.

BONUS: Try your first class for FREE!

Beverly Park Sledding Hill

On snowy days we found our new go to hill –Beverly Park The hill offers two main sides to sled and two staircases, which makes it easier for everyone to get back up to the top. The hill is big enough to be fun, but not too big for the littles to enjoy. 18801 Beverly Rd, Beverly Hills

Belle Isle Nature Center

TheDetroitZoogavetheBelleIsleNatureCentera seriousface-liftandweLOVEit!Theindoortunnels andinteractiveanimalexhibitswithcolorfulhands-on activitiesmakeittheperfectplacetovisitallyearlong–andadmissionisFREE!

Lawson Park

The Lawson Park playground post was one of our most popular in 2022 and countless LG readers let us know they loved it as much as we do. 1300 Longfellow Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067

Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad

Crossroads has historic homes and buildings to explore with skilled crafting to see. The trip highlight is the 40 minute train ride through Flint.

Blue Heron Splash Park

The hit of the summer was Washtenaw County’s Blue Heron Splash Park The massive enclosed splash pad has space for all ages, a mini-slide with a dump bucket and two large waterslides for kids who want more speed.

Mt. Elliot Splash Park

After a multi-year closure, Mt Elliott Splash Park reopened their pirate themed splash pad, located along the Detroit River - making it the perfect place to take in the city during summer months.

Detroit Auto Show

This year’s Auto Show was nothing like the one we used to know. The new fall activity is a metro Detroit must. In 2022 there were dinosaurs, giant ducks, trial rides and fun inside and out. We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings!

Toledo Zoo

The Toledo Zoo has it all! Unique animal habitats (including elephants), an aquarium, splash pad, Amphitheatre, botanical gardens, Natural History Museum, playgrounds and Aerial Adventure course – all included with admission!

Delta Dental of Michigan building healthy, smart, vibrant communities for all.

Pine Knob (Clarkston): 300ft vertical with 17 runs and 3 terrain parks. The resort offers 2 world-famous Wonder Carpets, 100ft and 300ft, 6 chairlifts and 4 tow ropes.

Alpine Valley (White Lake): 25 picturesque tree-lined slopes, 9 chairlifts, 4 rope tows and a magic carpet. Skiers + snowboards will enjoy terrain for all ability levels.

Mt. Brighton (Brighton): 25 trails and 5 lifts covering 130 acres.

Mt. Holly (Holly): 19 trails ranging from beginner to advanced in difficulty, and 3 Snowboard Parks with an assortment of terrain features.

Airborne (Brighton + Taylor)

Creature Conservancy (Ann Arbor)

Robot Garage (Birmingham / Rochester)

Fairytale Fun Place (Clarkston)

The Friendship Factory (Clinton Twp / Rochester Hills / West Bloomfield)

DEFY Detroit (Commerce)

Kid Chemist (Dearborn)

Athletika Sports (Livonia)

Detroit Selfie Museum (Novi)

iFly (Novi)

Mad Science (Novi)

Fun-ZoneZ (Redford)

Rochester Play (Rochester)

Urban Air (Sterling Heights + Oxford)

Kart 2 Kart (Sterling Heights)

Troy Gymnastics (Troy)

Dream Scene (Troy)

The Reptarium (Utica)

Airtime (Westland)

S.W.A.G. Gym (West Bloomfield)

Rev'd Up Fun (Woodhaven)

WINTER FUN IN WINTER FUN IN

GREATER DETROIT GREATER DETROIT

Looking for ways to keep busy this winter? Here's your guide to kid-friendly fun in SE Michigan!

TOP PICK ANN ARBOR HANDS-ON MUSEUM

Blake Farms

Ski @ Mt. Brighton

Civic Center Sled Hill

Snow Tubing @ Rolling Hills

Ice Skate @ Buhr Park

City Square Ice Rink

Howell Nature Center

County Farm Park (Ann Arbor)

Leslie Nature Center (Ann Arbor)

Imagination Station (Brighton)

Halmich Park (Warren)

Lake St. Clair Metropark

Gene Shepherd Park (Shelby Twp)

Domino Farm (Ann Arbor)

Dodge Park (Sterling Heights)

Wolcott Farm Center (Ray)

Clinton-Macomb Library

Sloan Museum of Discovery

U of M Museum of Natural History Airtime

Whirly Ball (A2 + Clinton Twp)

Dave & Buster's

WINTER FUN IN

IN

WAYNE COUNTY WAYNE COUNTY

Looking

Winter

Eliza Howell Park (Detroit)

Heritage Park (Canton)

Merriman Hollow (Westland)

Heritage Petting Farm (Taylor)

Thron Park (Brownstown)

Kiwanis Park (Southgate)

Blue Line Farm (Livonia)

Plymouth Township Park

Crosswinds Marsh (New Boston) Lower Huron Park (Belleville)

The

Detroit

Kidcadia

Belle

Downpup Yoga Studio

Romulus Aquatic Center

WINTER FUN IN WINTER FUN IN

OAKLAND COUNTY OAKLAND COUNTY

Looking for ways to keep busy this winter? Here's your guide to kid-friendly fun in Oakland County!

W I N T E R A C T I V I T I E S

Mt. Holly

Snowy Ridge Sledding Hill

Riley Park Ice Rink

Alpine Valley

O U T D O O R

Pine Knob

Bloomer Park Sled Hill

Winter Park at Bower Farm

Beverly Hills Sledding Hill

Innovation Hills (Rochester)

Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve

Heritage Park (Farmington Hills)

Lakeshore Park (Novi)

Booth Park (Birmingham)

I N D O O R

Legoland Discovery Center

SEA LIFE Michigan

West Bloomfield Library

Cranbrook institute of Science

Urban Air Adventure Park

The Robot Garage

HAWK Aquatic Center

S.W.A.G. Gym

The Pose Experience

Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)

Shepherd Park (Oak Park)

Kensington Farm Center (Milford)

Hess-Hathaway Park (Waterford)

E.L. Johnson (Bloomfield Hills)

Troy Gym

Rochester Play

Fairytale Fun Place

Peppa Pig World of Play

Nature's Playhouse

Creative Arts Studio

Whirlyball

Troy Aquatics Center

Marvin’s Mechanical Museum

TOP TOP8 8 MICHIGAN MICHIGAN ROADTRIPS ROADTRIPS

Make the most of your winter break or simply escape the hustle + bustle of home with a mini Michigan getaway.

Experience the World of Winter at Grand Rapids. The winter festival runs Jan 6 - Mar 5.

If you want to hop on the snow tubing trend, get your tickets early for Hawk Island in Lansing.

Snow tubing, ice skating, zip line adventures, and more! Find ALL your favorite winter activitiesincluding both indoor and outdoor heated pools at Boyne Mountain Resort.

Learn to luge at the Muskegon Adventure Sports Park and ice skate too!

It's always a good time to go to Frankenmuthand Zehnder's Snowfest is a can't-miss winter tradition.

Make it a weekend getaway with an indoor waterpark - pick your city and make reservations for some splashing fun:

Mt. Pleasant: Soaring Eagle Water Park

Rothbury: Double JJ Resort + Waterpark

Traverse City: Great Wolf Lodge

TRAVELING EXHIBITS THAT ARE TRAVELING EXHIBITS THAT ARE WORTH VISITING THIS WINTER WORTH VISITING THIS WINTER

Our go-to favorites will look a little different this winter - thanks to some amazing temporary, traveling exhibits that are well worth the visit!

S C O O B Y - D O O ! M A N S I O N

O F M A Y H E M

A jewel-thieving ghost has dodged the police and was last seen in this spooky mansion. Can you meddling kids (and grown-ups, too!) help the gang solve the mystery in this immersive exhibit?

The Henry Ford Museum: Feb. 12 - Apr. 9

S U E : T H E T . R E X E X P E R I E N C E

SUE: The T. rex Experience is a journey through the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota - with touchable fossil replicas, scent stations, and a naturalistic soundscape create an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

Cranbrook Institute of Science: Ends Apr. 30

L E V E L U P : T H E S C I E N C E

O F G A M I N G

Level Up is a prototype exhibit designed to demonstrate the acquired skills behind what kids love most – video games – to create an interactive, immersive learning experiences.

Michigan Science Center: Ends June 2023

is April 9, 2023 - so if

looking for the Easter Bunny, make sure to HOP on these tickets - before they sell out!

The Easter Bunny comes in April and 'hop'fully he brings warm weather with him.

MAR