LG Magazine - Winter Edition

YOUR "LITTLE" GUIDE TO FAMILY ADVENTURES IN METRO DETROIT

2022 WINTER FUN

Photo Credit: Jeff Dunn

SNOW TUBING + SLEDDING

WINTER FESTIVALS + ROAD TRIPS

INDOOR PLAY + ACTIVITIES

JANUARY 2022 WINTER ISSUE

BETTER TOGETHER Editor's Note It's been a tough few years...and 2022 is already off to a challenging start. With COVID on the rise again and temperatures in the teens (at best), it's hard to find ways to get out of the house, keep the kids occupied, and maintain our sanity.

That's where we hope LittleGuide can be of help!

We want to make it easy for you to find new ideas + daily inspiration for family fun - whether that's a road trip to see ice castles, or escaping the cold to a local indoor pool - we have nearly 40 pages of winter activities, destinations, and festivals for you to enjoy (not to mention daily articles on littleguidedetroit.com)!

Because ultimately, we're in the same boat. We're in this together!

We're just two Moms doing our best to navigate COVID closures, kids at home, full time work, drinking enough water, working out, laundry, oh...and what's for dinner?!

SO HERE'S TO A FUN WINTER AHEAD, KERRY DOMAN & CARRIE BUDZINSKI

| 02

WINTER 2022

WINTER 2022

CONTENTS 4 Top Indoor Play Places in Metro Detroit

16 Best Michigan Road Trips

31 SPOTLIGHT: YMCA's Y170 Challenge

6 Best Sledding Hills 10 Winter Festivals 12 Winter Shows Coming To Town From Elmo and Elsa, to Poppy and Branch - see your favorites live on stage this winter 18-21 Best Places To Party + Play Day trips and birthday party inspiration for all ages and interests 26 Metro Detroit Ski Resorts Learn how your kids can ski for FREE! 33 Local Indoor Water Parks Find the best splashing fun + swim lessons in town 35 All Things Easter Popular Events + Easter Basket Ideas

8 Escape To Great Lakes Crossing LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Michigan and Rainforest Cafe - plan the best staycation in metro Detroit.

36 Mark Your Calendar 2022 activities and events you don't want to miss

OUR 20 FAVORITE INDOOR PLAY PLACES When you need to get out of the house, here are the best places to play.

Legoland Discovery Center (Auburn Hills) Peppa Pig World of Play (Auburn Hills) Airborne (Brighton + Taylor) SkyZone (Canton) Chelsea Treehouse (Chelsea) Fiarytale Fun Place (Clarkston) Jungle Java (Clinton Twp + Farmington) DEFY Detroit (Commerce) Kidcadia (Dearborn) Dinoland (Dearborn Heights) Castaway Play (Howell) Stemville (Northville) Launch (Novi) Fun-Zonez (Redford) Rochester Play (Rochester) Urban Air (Sterling Heights + Oxford) Troy Gymnastics (Troy) Airtime (Westland) Yoyo's Fun Center (Westland) Pump It Up (Wixom) Rev'd Up Fun (Woodhaven)

Click for a full review of each

3 WAYS TO CELEBRATE MLK DAY Monday, January 17, 2022 is a day of remembrance AND service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrate his legacy and the accomplishments of black leaders throughout our country’s history with these kid-friendly activities.

Take A Family Field Trip Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum, located in Midtown Explore the Liberty and Justice for All Exhibit at The Henry Ford Experience the African continent through art at the Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

Plan An Act of Service MLK Day is a National Day of Service. Find a cause that means something to you or give back to your community in a special way. A few ideas: have pizzas delivered to local hospital ER staff, bring donuts to first responders, or deliver essential goods to a local shelter.

Find A Good Book Stop by your local library and teach your kids about Dr. King. A few favorites are: Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport Be A King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson

BEST SLEDDING HILLS

01

01 02 03 04 05 06

04

10 11

Beverly Hills Village Park (Beverly Hills) Snowy Ridge Sledding Hill (Commerce) Valade Park (Detroit) Heritage Park (Farmington Hills) Civic Center Park (Madison Heights) Kensington Metropark (Milford)

03 07 08 09 10 11 12

Cass Benton Park (Northville) Decker Park Sled Hill (Orion Twp) Bloomer Park (Rochester) Marshbank Park (West Bloomfield) Hines Drive Sledding Hill (Westland) Rolling Hills Park (Ypsilanti)

ESCAPE TO GREAT LAKES CROSSING THIS WINTER LEGOLAND Discovery Center + SEA LIFE Michigan are must-visits for families in metro Detroit.

When you need to get out of the house for a full day of fun, you don't have to travel far.

Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn

Hills is home to indoor amusement that your littles will LOVE! LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan is

the ultimate indoor LEGO playground. Your little builders can create their own structures, build cars to race, or enjoy the 4D-movie theatre and indoor playscape.

Afterwards, you can hop aboard a chariot to rescue the princess on the Kingdom Quest amusement ride and later take to the sky on Merlin’s Apprentice Ride.

After they’ve run and raced around LEGOLAND, walk over to SEA LIFE Michigan for an underwater exploration that will leave the whole family in awe.

The aquarium is home to over 250 species, including sharks, rays, seahorses and even two rescued sea turtles Benson and Carr!

Escape into a 180-degree underwater tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles, touch a sticky anemone, and explore more than 10 breathtaking exhibits.

No flippers required.

Our favorite exhibit was definitely the underwater ocean tunnel! It's completely mesmerizing for kids and adults alike.

Other Attractions at Great Lakes Crossing: Peppa Pig World of Play Rainforest Cafe The Princess Party Spa

DON'T MISS OUT ON GREAT SAVINGS! LittleGuide viewers receive 20% off tickets!

Click for Tickets

winter festivals Bundle up and spend time at a local winter festival.

JANUARY 14-16 14-15 16 22 22 22 30

Fire & Ice Festival (Detroit) SnowGlow (Rochester) Winterfest (Oak Park) Ice Festival (Dexter) Winter Fest (Shelby Township) Cold Rush (Warren) Blizzard Blast (Royal Oak)

FEBRUARY Ice Carving Festival (Ann Arbor) Winter Carnival (White Lake) Ice Festival (Plymouth) Winter Blast (Royal Oak) Winter Fest (Southfield)

5 5 11-13 18-20 27

ROAD TRIP READY Take a trip to Frankenmuth for Zehnder's Snowfest (January 26th 30th) or Grand Rapids' World of Winter (January 7th to March 6th).

IGLOO DINING IN METRO DETROIT Need a 'cool' place for family dinner?

Reserve an igloo and enjoy a unique private dining experience.

Blake's Backyard (Armada) East Eats (Detroit) Lumen (Detroit) Detroit Fleat (Ferndale) Lake Inn (Lapeer) Four Star Grille (Marysville) Deadwood Bar & Grill (Northville) Watermark Bar & Grille (St. Clair Shores) Honcho (Clarkston) Moose Preserve (Bloomfield Hills)

WINTER SHOWS COMING TO METRO DETROIT There's nothing quite like seeing your favorite characters live on stage!

Sesame Street LIVE: Jan. 20 - 30

Blippi The Musical: Feb. 26

Everyone’s invited to take part in the sunniest and funniest street celebration in Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! Fox Theatre, Detroit

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.

Fisher Theatre, Detroit

Disney's The Lion King: Jan. 27 - Feb. 6 Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Detroit Opera House, Detroit

Disney On Ice: Feb. 17 - 20 Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell. Along the way they'll come across favorites from Frozen, Toy Story, Moana, Beauty & the Beast and more.

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Trolls Live!: March 4-6 Get ready for another hair-raising adventure with Poppy, Branch and all their Trolls friends.

This show is jam-packed with epic music, humor and happiness, Trolls LIVE!. Fox Theatre, Detroit

Madagascar The Musical: April 30 Join your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends as they escape from their home in Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey in Madagascar. Fox Theatre, Detroit

WINTER FUN IN WAYNE COUNTY

TOP PICK ELIZA HOWELL PARK

Looking for ways to keep busy this winter?

Here's your guide to kid-friendly fun in Wayne County!

WINTER ACTIVITIES Winter @ Valade Park

USA Hockey

Hines Drive Sledding Hill

Monroe Street Drive-In

Plymouth Ice Festival

Ice Skate @ The Rink

OUTDOOR Eliza Howell Park (Detroit)

Kiwanis Park (Southgate)

Heritage Park (Canton)

Blue Line Farm (Livonia)

Merriman Hollow (Westland)

Plymouth Township Park

Heritage Petting Farm (Taylor)

Crosswinds Marsh (New Boston)

Thron Park (Brownstown)

Lower Huron Park (Belleville)

INDOOR Detroit Institute of Arts

Rev'd Up Fun

The Henry Ford

AirTime

Detroit Historical Museum

Kirksey Aquatic Center

Kidcadia

DYNO Detroit

Belle Isle Nature Center

Redford District Library

Downpup Yoga Studio

Stemville

Romulus Aquatic Center

DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

Yoyo Fun Center

Artic Edge

Fowling Warehouse

Dinoland

WINTER FUN IN OAKLAND COUNTY

TOP PICK

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER

Looking for ways to keep busy this winter?

Here's your guide to kid-friendly fun in Oakland County!

WINTER ACTIVITIES Mt. Holly

Pine Knob

Snowy Ridge Sledding Hill

Bloomer Park Sled Hill

Riley Park Ice Rink

Winter Park at Bower Farm

Alpine Valley

Beverly Hills Sledding Hill

OUTDOOR Innovation Hills (Rochester)

Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)

Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve

Shepherd Park (Oak Park)

Heritage Park (Farmington Hills)

Kensington Farm Center (Milford)

Lakeshore Park (Novi)

Hess-Hathaway Park (Waterford)

Booth Park (Birmingham)

E.L. Johnson (Bloomfield Hills)

INDOOR Legoland Discovery Center

Troy Gym

SEA LIFE Michigan

Rochester Play

West Bloomfield Library

Fairytale Fun Place

Cranbrook institute of Science

Peppa Pig World of Play

Urban Air Adventure Park

Nature's Playhouse

The Robot Garage

Creative Arts Studio

HAWK Aquatic Center

Whirlyball

S.W.A.G. Gym

Troy Aquatics Center

The Pose Experience

Marvin’s Mechanical Museum

WINTER FUN IN GREATER DETROIT

TOP PICK

ANN ARBOR HANDS-ON MUSEUM

Looking for ways to keep busy this winter?

Here's your guide to kid-friendly fun in SE Michigan!

WINTER ACTIVITIES Blake Farms

Snow Tubing @ Rolling Hills

Ski @ Mt. Brighton

Ice Skate @ Buhr Park

Civic Center Sled Hill

City Square Ice Rink

OUTDOOR Howell Nature Center

Lake St. Clair Metropark

County Farm Park (Ann Arbor)

Gene Shepherd Park (Shelby Twp)

Leslie Nature Center (Ann Arbor)

Domino Farm (Ann Arbor)

Imagination Station (Brighton)

Dodge Park (Sterling Heights)

Halmich Park (Warren)

Wolcott Farm Center (Ray)

INDOOR Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

Clinton-Macomb Library

Michigan Firehouse Museum

Sterling Heights Nature Center

The Creature Conservancy

Chelsea Treehouse

CJ Barrymore's

Castaway Play

Longway Planetarium

Flint Children's Museum

Urban Air (Oxford & Flint)

U of M Museum of Natural History

Extreme Kart Racing

Airtime

Revolution

The Reptarium

SkyZone

Whirly Ball (A2 + Clinton Twp)

The Great Skate

Dave & Buster's

TOP 8 MICHIGAN ROAD TRIPS Make the most out of your winter break or simply escape the hustle and bustle of home with a mini Michigan getaway.

Experience the World of Winter at Grand Rapids.

The winter festival is January 7th to March 6th, 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, horseback riding and more! Find ALL your favorite winter activities - including both indoor and outdoor heated pools - at Boyne Mountain Resort.

Learn to luge at the Muskegon Adventure Sports Park and get ready for the Winter Olympics (they're Feb. 4 - 20 in 2022).

It's always a good time to go to Frankenmuth - and 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: Mt. Pleasant: Soaring Eagle Water Park Rothbury: Double JJ Resort + Waterpark Traverse City: Great Wolf Lodge

Start planning your getaway

BEST PLACES TO PARTY + PLAY Whether it's a weekend outing or a special reason to celebrate, here are our favorite themed activities + venues to fit every occasion.

It doesn't take much to make kids happy, but it sure is fun to spark joy with their favorite hobbies and interests. From birthday parties to after-school outings, here is some inspiration for ways to surprise your little princess or paleontologist, future conductor, speed racer, or resident farmer.

CALLING ALL PRINCESS FANS Get pampered at The Princess Party Spa at Great Lakes Crossing.

Enjoy a magical playdate at Kidcadia (Dearborn) or Fairy Fun Place (Auburn Hills).

Plan a virtual or in-person visit with someone special at Laurel's Princess Parties.

Have a party at Dream Scene (Troy) or The Friendship Factory (Rochester).

A 'ROARING' GOOD TIME Find pre-historic friends at Cranbrook Institute or Science (Bloomfield) or the UofM Museum of Natural History (Ann Arbor).

Party at Dinoland (Deaborn Heights) or Fun ZoneZ (Redford).

Spend time outside and climb the dinosaurs at Dooley Park (Livonia) or Wolley Park (Ann Arbor)

ALL ABOARD FOR TRAIN ADVENTURES Thomas rolls into Greenfield Village this May and tickets will sell out quickly.

Let them be conductors at the train play structures at Shepherd Park (Oak Park) or Kiwanis Park (Southgate).

Watch the model trains at The Henry Ford or Detroit Historical Museum.

MOTOR CITY MADNESS

BY CARLIE SMITH

Check out classic cars for FREE at Roush Museum (Livonia) or Stahls Museum (Chesterfield).

Party at Rev'd Up Fun (Woodhaven).

Take the Rouge Factory Tour.

Get behind the wheel and drive on the track at K1 (Oxford) or Full Throttle (Novi/Sterling Hts).

GO WILD WITH ANIMALS Favorite farms: Kensington Farm Center (Milford), Domino Farms (Ann Arbor), Heritage Petting Farm (Taylor) and Wolcott Farm Center (Ray).

Exotic Animals: The Creature Conservancy (Ann Abor) and The Reptarium (Utica).

All-stars: Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak) and SEA LIFE Aquarium (Auburn Hills).

Barnyard Playgrounds: Halmich Park (Warren) and County Farm Park.

FREE APPS & WEBSITES TO KEEP KIDS LEARNING There's no shame in screentime. When you need a break or to supplement classroom learning at home, here are FREE education websites that the Detroit Public Schools Community District recommends to families.

Kahn Academy (Pre-K to 12th grade)

PBS Kids (Pre-K to 4th grade)

Practice math, science, computing, history, art history, economics, and more. They can even prep for tests like the SAT and AP. Younger kids will enjoy Kahn Academy Kids.

Students can play games to learn about science from their favorite PBS Kids characters. Build a station for the Dino Train, explore sounds with the Cat in the Hat, and more!

myON (K to 12th grade)

Farmer's Almanac For Kids

Access more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. myON helps match student’s interests, grade, and Lexile® reading level.

A treasure trove of fun facts, awesome activities, and stellar stories that will keep kids of all ages entertained every day of the year!

Storyline Online (K to 4th grade)

iReady (K to 8th grade)

Watch videos of books being read aloud by famous actors and actresses. Listening to readalouds can improve reading, writing and communication skills.

Keep up momentum with literacy and math instruction designed just for your student.

Completing 45 minutes of iReady each week is ideal!

BEST PLACES TO MAKE MAPLE SUGAR Get ready for some 'Pure Michigan' fun, as you learn how to tap and make pure maple syrup (and even taste test some) in the final weeks of February through March.

1

KENSINGTON METROPARK (MILFORD)

2

MAYBURY FARM (NORTHVILLE)

3

STAGE NATURE CENTER (TROY)

4

DINOSAUR HILL NATURE PRESERVE (ROCHESTER)

5

MSU TOLLGATE FARM (NOVI)

*Most Huron-Clinton Metroparks host maple sugaring events

Let the tapping begin!

6 WAYS TO HYGGE @ HOME THIS WINTER Cozy. Homey. Comforting. These are some of the English words used to describe the Danish term, hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). The popular Scandinavian philosophy centers around enjoying the simple things in life.

As we start the new year, here are some ways to find comfort in the cold.

revisit your childhood favorites with your kids

Play boardgames, puzzles & cards

pick up cocoa bombs and keep warm with a hot drink

practice your favorite family recipes

bundle up and soak up the sun on family walks

Get

ive t a cre

Ski Resorts In Metro Detroit You don't necessarily have to drive Up North for winter fun - this winter, hit these local slopes for some snowy fun + lessons!

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.

Kids Ski FREE! If you have 4th and/or 5th graders at home anxious to ski, we have good news – the Cold is Cool Passport from Michigan Snowsports Industries Association gives kids up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 29 participating ski areas, including Mt. Brighton, Alpine Valley and Mt. Holly.

8 BEST WALKING TRAILS TO EXPLORE Beat cabin fever as you bundle up and soak in the sunshine on a nature trail.

Don't forget to track your time in the Y170 Challenge app for FREE prizes from YMCA!

1

HERITAGE PARK (FARMINGTON HILLS)

2

MAYBURY STATE PARK (NORTHVILLE)

3

DETROIT RIVER INT'L WILDLIFE REFUGE (TRENTON)

4

WEST BLOOMFIELD NATURE PRESERVE

5

PAINT CREEK TRAIL (ROCHESTER)

6

DETROIT RIVERFRONT

7

LESLIE NATURE CENTER (ANN ARBOR)

8

ROUGE TRAILHEAD (DEARBORN)

New Year’s Resolution:

Become an Effective Leader in 2022 Sometimes as professional women it can be difficult to take time to focus on our own needs and priorities.

I'm a mother of three children. I work full-time and my husband also works full-time. As a family, we understand the importance of education, so quitting my job to focus on my education was not an option.

Not long ago, I was an HR Specialist with a desire to do more. I became a manager. I started to develop my skills. And at that time, I decided to pursue the Broad Executive MBA program. I needed a program that had a little bit more flexibility. I found that the Executive MBA program integrates well with people who have families and for people who live busy lives.

The flexibility of the program, meeting every other weekend, made it perfect for me. It was completely worth it. 20 months after the program ended, the week leading into my graduation, I was offered a position with my current employer that advanced my career.

I'm the Senior Director of Human Resources for Dayco. My responsibilities have increased. I'm managing a much larger team, so I'm able to utilize the leadership skills that I developed throughout the program and apply them in my day-to-day position.

Set your expectations up front. You'll find a schedule that works for you. For me, it was waking up early before work, before the kids are awake on the weekends. It's about pushing yourself and pushing through those boundaries that you didn't even know existed.

And that's what being a leader is all about, overcoming obstacles, finding solutions, and delivering results. I invite you to explore how a weekend investment can turn into lifelong returns in this new year.

4 BEST LIBRARIES TO VISIT IN METRO DETROIT The library is our favorite place to go. They offer access to books, entertainment, and programs all for FREE. Visit your local library AND one of these stand out locations in metro Detroit!

CLINTON-MACOMB The Clinton-Macomb library is easily our top pick. To begin, you’re greeted by Thomas the Train who runs on an overhead track when you push a button. The entire section is designed as a play land and you can ride a firetruck, bus, airplane, train, boat and horse drawn wagon! There’s a theatre for puppet shows, STEAM toys for imaginative play, and a dedicated tablet area with kid-friendly games for those who want to play.

WEST

BLOOMFIELD

Not only is this library a treasure trove of books, there are also multiple play stations that allow your littles to put their imagination to work. Babies can climb through a mini indoor playground, older kids can play house or pirate ship, and families can pick an activity from the STEM cart for quality time together.

SOUTHFIELD This beautiful library features 3 fireplaces, including one in the Children’s Department, where you can browse a magazine while your kids read inside an indoor tree house. They can also visit a castle and peak in on a sleeping dragon before sitting on an over-sized throne to read in the castle.

FARMINGTON We were told to be quiet in the library when we were kids, but not anymore! The Farmington library has a soundproof room with musical instruments to let your littles shake, rattle and bang till their heart’s content. We also love the play stage and life-size Lincoln Logs that allow our kids to fulfill our childhood fantasies. You can also craft in the make and take station, join in on a storytime and have fun with some touch screens.

Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can b one way or round trip.

Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movement

GET FIT AND FEEL GOOD WITH THE Y170 CHALLENGE The YMCA is celebrating 170 years of service in our community with a fitness challenge (and prizes) for EVERYONE! Log 170 minutes of movement a week on the easy to use Y170 Challenge Fitness app (available in the App Store and Google Play) and be entered to win monthly giveaways. You do not need to be a member to participate, but The YMCA is a great place to get fit, have fun, and spend quality family time together.

There are 7 locations in southeast Michigan (Birmingham, Detroit, Farmington, Milford, Mount Clemens, Royal Oak and Southgate) that have a full service workout space for strength and cardio, swimming pools, basketball courts and FREE Child Watch - making it that much easier to fit in a workout.

BONUS: Members of the YMCA get a discount on Summer Camp!

LOCAL MOM GROUPS IN METRO DETROIT If you’re in need of a little socialization for both you and your littles, or are just looking for an excuse to get out of the house, here are some amazing local mom groups to help you find your #MomSquad.

1

MOMS CLUB (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS)

2

HONEY. A SPACE FOR MOMS (FERNDALE)

3

HIKE IT BABY METRO DETROIT

4

GREATER OAKLAND MOTHERS OF MULTIPLES

5

MOPS (MULTIPLE LOCATIONS)

6

FREE FOREST SCHOOL (WAYNE + OAKLAND)

Hungry Howie’s appreciates Moms and joins LittleGuide Detroit in spotlighting a local Mom each week in our #MomLife series. Check it out and nominate your favorite mom too!

Make A Splash @ Local Waterparks As we wait for the return of warmer weather, break out the bathing suits and splash around in these local 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)

Aqua-Tots Swim School 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!

TOP PICK

23

MARSHMALLOW DROPS

KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY.... AND LITTLEGUIDE As an alternative to the Easter Egg Hunts, marshmallow drops have been providing family fun for decades. Although they have been cancelled for a couple of years, we're hoping they make a comeback in 2022. Follow LittleGuide for updates and keep these cities on your radar.

Wayne County Parks (Westland & Trenton) Oakland County Parks (Royal Oak) Grosse Pointe Parks HYPE Recreation Center (Dearborn Heights)

SAVE THE DATES

03.01

03.17

Find your favorite Paczki and celebrate Fat Tuesday Detroit style.

Don't forget to wear green for St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, March 17th.

04.17 The Easter Bunny comes late this year and that means more time to celebrate.

SHOP LOCAL FOR EASTER BASKET GOODIES Toyology

Bloomfield Hills/Royal Oak/West Bloomfield

With 3 locations, it's easy to find something all ages will love.

Modern Natural Baby

Little Dotte Wyandotte

Unicorn Feed & Supply Shoppe Ypsilanti

Find curated toys designed to spark joy, imagination and creativity.

City Bird Detroit

The perfect shop to fill your baskets with fun, whimsical items of all types.

Vault of Midnight Ann Arbor/Detroit

Ferndale

This store isn't just for babies. Get gifts for all ages - and all your Montessori musts.

Find unique toys, books, clothes and accessories for kids of all ages.

Comics, cards, games and toys - find it all for your superhero, cartoon and Manga fans.

5 MOST POPULAR EASTER EVENTS Tickets sell out fast for these annual favorites - mark your calendars and keep an eye on these locations: The Art Attic (Plymouth) Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores) Canterbury Village (Orion Township) Maybury Farm (Northville) Heritage Park Petting Farm (Taylor)

mark your calendars There are so many exciting family events happening in Detroit all year long!

MAR Paczki Day 03/01 St. Patrick's Day Parade 03/13 Marche du Nain Rouge 3/20 MAY Flower Day 05/15 MOVEMENT 05/28-05/30

JUN Detroit Grand Prix 06/03-06/05 Ford Fireworks 06/27 Log Cabin Day AUG Belle Isle Art Fair 08/06-08/07 Detroit Hydrofest Sidewalk Festival SEPT North American International Auto

Show 09/17 - 9/25

OCT Detroit Free Press Marathon 10/15 Cider In The City Harvest Fest NOV Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony America's Thanksgiving Day Parade