Researched and written by BG Vance. Last updated October 21, 2026. Hours, ticket prices and seasonal schedules change, so check each attraction’s website before you go.
Southeast Michigan has more kid-friendly things to do within an hour’s drive than almost anywhere in the state: zoos and science museums in Detroit, farms and Metroparks in Oakland and Macomb counties, a hands-on museum in Ann Arbor, and some of the best holiday lights in the Midwest.
This guide sorts them by county so you can group stops that are close together, and covers the practical details that most lists skip, including free admission days, sensory-friendly hours and what to do in each season.
The Best Things to Do in Southeast Michigan With Kids at a Glance
| If you want… | Go to… | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Animals | Detroit Zoo, SEA LIFE Michigan, Maybury Farm | Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Northville |
| A rainy-day museum | Michigan Science Center, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science | Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills |
| Toddlers and preschoolers | Peppa Pig World of Play, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Maybury Farm | Auburn Hills, Ann Arbor, Northville |
| Free or cheap | Detroit Institute of Arts (tri-county residents), Metroparks, Cranbrook’s free first Fridays | Detroit, Bloomfield Hills |
| Fall | Cider mills, Maybury Farm corn maze, Upland Hills Farm | Metro Detroit |
| Winter | Wild Lights, Holiday Nights, Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show | Royal Oak, Dearborn, Rochester |
| Summer | Metropark beaches and splash areas, the Detroit Zoo | Across the region |
How to Save Money on Southeast Michigan Family Outings
- Detroit Institute of Arts: Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and the museum offers free family tours, usually on weekends.
- Cranbrook Institute of Science: Free evening admission on the first Friday of each month in 2026, covering the permanent galleries, outdoor science garden and nature trails.
- Museums for All: Families with a SNAP EBT card can get admission for $3 or less for up to four people at participating museums, including the Michigan Science Center, The Henry Ford and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Benefits vary by museum.
- Detroit Historical Society: A free Detroiter membership is available for residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.
- Huron-Clinton Metroparks: A daily vehicle pass is $10, and annual passes are available if you visit often.
- Michigan Recreation Passport: It covers vehicle entry to Michigan state parks, including Maybury State Park in Northville, and costs $15 in 2026 when added at plate renewal.
Sensory-Friendly and Accessible Options
- Detroit Zoo: Monthly Sensory-Friendly Hours throughout 2026, with lowered noise and adjusted lighting at the zoo and select attractions.
- Maybury State Park (Northville): A state-of-the-art inclusive playground at the trailhead, built in 2019, and a track chair that opens the park’s trails to visitors who use wheelchairs.
Things to Do With Kids in Detroit
See our Detroit destination guide for restaurants, neighborhoods and events.
Michigan Science Center
A Smithsonian-affiliated, hands-on museum in Midtown Detroit with galleries on space, motion and how things are made, plus live science shows, a planetarium and a 4D theater. It is home to the only immersive domed IMAX theater in Michigan. Check the calendar for after-hours family nights. The Detroit Historical Museum is right around the corner.
Detroit Historical Museum
The museum explains how cars built metro Detroit and how Detroit became the Motor City, with recreated old Detroit streets that kids can walk through.
Address: 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 833-1805
Outdoor Adventure Center
Run by the Michigan DNR on the riverfront, the Outdoor Adventure Center brings the state’s outdoors indoors, with hands-on exhibits on fishing, camping and wildlife. It is one of the lesser-known attractions in the city and one of the most fun.
Address: 1801 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: (844) 622-6367
Detroit Institute of Arts
An art museum can work for kids, especially on the free family tours, which usually run on weekends. Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 833-7900
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
A major museum of African American history in Detroit, with interactive displays and family programs. It also offers family memberships.
Belle Isle Nature Center and Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle is a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River with skyline views, picnic spots and beaches. Despite what some older guides say, it no longer has a zoo. The Belle Isle Nature Center, run by the Detroit Zoo, has hands-on exhibits about local plants, animals and habitats, plus an observation beehive. Vehicles need a Michigan Recreation Passport.
Detroit RiverWalk
The RiverWalk follows the Detroit River with skyline views and playful public spaces. It is free, stroller friendly and works at any time of year.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park (winter)
The downtown rink opens with the tree lighting on November 22 in 2026 and runs seven days a week into early March.
Things to Do With Kids in Oakland County
Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak and Huntington Woods)
The Detroit Zoo covers 125 acres and was the first U.S. zoo to use barless exhibits extensively. Highlights for kids are the Arctic Ring of Life, with a tunnel under the polar bear pool, and the Polk Penguin Conservation Center.
- Wild Lights runs November 21 through January 3 in 2026–27, with millions of lights, animal sculptures and a walk-through tunnel. Tickets for Wild Lights start at $17, and peak nights near Christmas sell out.
Address: 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 541-5717
Cranbrook Institute of Science (Bloomfield Hills)
An observatory, a planetarium, a science garden, nature trails and more than ten permanent galleries, set on the Cranbrook campus. Free evening admission on the first Friday of each month in 2026. The Cranbrook Art Museum nearby has hands-on art activities, and sculptures scattered across the grounds make it an easy stop for kids who would rather be outside.
Address: 1 Institute Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Phone: (248) 645-3200
Great Lakes Crossing (Auburn Hills)
Three kid attractions under one roof, which is a strong rainy-day or winter plan. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan is built for ages 3 to 10, with Detroit-area landmarks made from LEGO bricks, two rides and a 4D cinema. SEA LIFE Michigan is the state’s largest aquarium, with a touch pool. Peppa Pig World of Play has about a dozen play areas for ages 6 months to 8 years. Combo tickets can save money.
Hess-Hathaway Farm Park (Waterford)
Run by Waterford Township Parks and Recreation, with farm animals, a historic barn, horseshoes and a giant ball pit.
Bowers School Farm (Bloomfield Hills)
A 93-acre farm with sheep, horses, cattle and goats.
Upland Hills Farm (Oxford)
A farm with a hayride, a playground and picnic spaces. It is open on select Sundays from June through August and every weekend in October.
Kensington Metropark (Milford)
One of the region’s best Metroparks for families, with a beach, trails, playgrounds, a nature center and a Farm Center with a grass maze and old-fashioned farm equipment. There is also a seasonal water play area, Splash ’n’ Blast, that costs extra. A daily vehicle pass is $10.
Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show
Downtown Rochester lights up from November 23, 2026 through January 17, 2027, every evening from 5 p.m. to midnight. It is free, and it is in its 20th year.
Things to Do With Kids in Wayne County and Dearborn
The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (Dearborn)
The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a big, hands-on museum where kids can sit in Rosa Parks’ bus seat and see the Wright brothers’ and Edison’s history up close. Greenfield Village is an outdoor living-history village open April through December. The Ford Rouge Factory Tour is a third option.
- Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village runs December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 28 in 2026, with tickets from about $39. Model T rides, horse-drawn wagons, a carousel and skating are included.
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124
Phone: (313) 982-6001
Maybury State Park and Maybury Farm (Northville)
Maybury Farm is an 80-acre working farm run by the Northville Community Foundation, where kids can meet up to 18 farm animal species, milk a goat and see honeybees up close. Seasonal highlights include maple syrup tours in spring and a corn maze with cider and doughnuts in fall. The adjoining state park has an inclusive playground at the trailhead, a fishing pond and a riding stable.
Address: 49601 Eight Mile W, Northville, MI 48167
Phone: (248) 349-8390
Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill (Plymouth)
An orchard with wagon rides, a children’s animal park and October pumpkin picking. See our guide to the best cider mills and orchards in Michigan for more.
Things to Do With Kids in Macomb County
Lake St. Clair Metropark (Harrison Township)
A beach, a 3-mile paved trail with panoramic water views, a nature center and a boardwalk. A daily vehicle pass costs $10.
Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Center (Ray Township)
A 250-acre working farm where kids can meet and pet cows, goats and horses and learn about food and fiber.
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill (Armada)
Opened in 1946 as Michigan’s first pick-your-own orchard. It has U-pick apples, a farm market, a bakery and a big fall lineup of rides and activities.
Address: 17985 Armada Center Rd, Armada, MI 48005
Phone: (586) 784-5343
Westview Orchards & Winery (Washington Township)
A farm market, orchard and fall-fun destination, with the market open year-round.
Things to Do With Kids in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Four floors with more than 250 interactive exhibits on geology, engineering, math, music and more. Museums for All applies.
Address: 220 E Ann St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 995-5439
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Dinosaurs, wildlife, earth science and human history, with plenty of hands-on displays for younger visitors.
Address: 1105 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: (734) 764-0478
Argo Cascades and Matthaei Botanical Gardens
The Argo Canoe Livery rents tubes, canoes and kayaks on the Huron River in summer. Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are free to enter, with a conservatory that works well in winter.
Wiard’s Orchards & Country Fair (Ypsilanti)
A cider mill, apple and pumpkin U-pick, mini-golf and bounce houses.
Address: 5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 482-7744
Dexter Cider Mill (Dexter)
Michigan’s oldest continuously operating cider mill, on the Huron River, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Southeast Michigan With Kids by Season
Fall
- Cider mills and U-pick orchards, including Blake’s, Yates, Franklin and Dexter
- Corn mazes at Maybury Farm and Upland Hills Farm
- The Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, which runs late summer into early October. The 2026 season ran August 22 through October 4.
Winter
- Detroit Zoo Wild Lights: November 21 through January 3.
- Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village: Select nights from December 3 to 28.
- Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show: November 23 through January 17, free.
- The Rink at Campus Martius: Opens November 22 and runs into early March.
- Holidays at Meadow Brook Hall (Rochester): November 27 through December 30.
- Canterbury Village (Lake Orion): A holiday stroll from November 27 to December 23.
Spring
- Maybury Farm opens for weekend visits in March, with maple sugaring activities later in the month.
- Greenfield Village opens for the season in April.
Summer
- Metropark beaches and splash areas, including Kensington and Lake St. Clair
- The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle
- Argo Cascades tubing in Ann Arbor
Southeast Michigan Itineraries for Families
A rainy-day Detroit museum weekend
Spend Saturday at the Michigan Science Center and the Detroit Historical Museum, which are close together, then take Sunday at the Detroit Institute of Arts or the Outdoor Adventure Center.
A day in Oakland County
Start at the Detroit Zoo in the morning and finish at Cranbrook Institute of Science, or switch to Great Lakes Crossing for LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE if the weather turns.
A Macomb County day
Lake St. Clair Metropark in the morning, Blake’s Orchard in Armada for apple picking and doughnuts in the afternoon in fall, or Wolcott Mill Farm Center in the spring.
A Dearborn day
The Henry Ford Museum in the morning and Greenfield Village in the afternoon in warm months, or Holiday Nights in the evening in December.
An Ann Arbor day
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in the morning, lunch downtown, and the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History or Matthaei Botanical Gardens in the afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Southeast Michigan With Kids
What are the best things to do in Southeast Michigan with kids?
Top picks include the Detroit Zoo, the Michigan Science Center, The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Great Lakes Crossing, Kensington Metropark and Maybury Farm.
What are the best free things to do with kids in Metro Detroit?
The Detroit Institute of Arts is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents, Cranbrook Institute of Science is free on the first Friday evening of each month, Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show is free, and Belle Isle, the Detroit RiverWalk and Matthaei Botanical Gardens are free to enter.
What can I do with kids in Metro Detroit on a rainy day?
The Michigan Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Outdoor Adventure Center, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science, and LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE at Great Lakes Crossing are all indoors.
What is there to do with toddlers in Southeast Michigan?
Peppa Pig World of Play is designed for ages 6 months to 8 years. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Maybury Farm and the farm centers at Kensington and Wolcott Mill also suit little kids.
Are there sensory-friendly options in Metro Detroit?
Yes. The Detroit Zoo offers monthly Sensory-Friendly Hours in 2026, and Maybury State Park has an inclusive playground and a track chair.
What are the best things to do with kids in Southeast Michigan in winter?
Detroit Zoo Wild Lights, Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, Rochester’s Big, Bright Light Show and skating at Campus Martius, plus indoor museums.
When is the best time to visit Southeast Michigan with kids?
Fall is popular for cider mills and farms, and winter has the best holiday events. Summer is best for Metropark beaches and the zoo, though it is also the busiest.
Does Belle Isle have a zoo?
No. Belle Isle is a 982-acre park with a nature center, but its zoo closed long ago. The Detroit Zoo is in Royal Oak.
More Michigan Family Fun
Explore our guides to:
- Michigan With Kids: The Best Family Attractions, Region by Region
- Michigan’s Best Cider Mills and Orchards, Region by Region
- the best amusement parks in Michigan
- the best indoor water parks in Michigan
- Southeast Michigan hub