KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Ann Arbor / Detroit Metro Area |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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-Maybury Farm offers outdoor party packages for birthdays, family events, and group gatherings with covered pavilion seating, picnic tables, and a tractor wagon ride through trails. Summer packages (April–Sept) and Fall packages (Sept–Nov with corn maze access) come in small, medium, and large options for 25–75 guests, with extra guests per fee. Events run in 3-hour time blocks on weekends. Full payment and online booking are required and non-refundable. Guests should dress for weather; the farm operates rain or shine unless unsafe. Outside food trucks, alcohol, entertainment, grills, smoking, and electricity are not allowed. Set-up and cleanup are required there.
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Ann Arbor Summer Camps That Actually Keep Kids Engaged (9–5 Full Day) Looking for a summer camp your child will actually love and that solves your day? iCode Ann Arbor offers hands-on tech camps where kids build games, explore robotics, and create with AI—not just play on screens. Camps run 9–5 with small groups, guided instruction, and real projects kids are proud of. Designed for ages 6–15, from beginners to advanced learners. Spots are limited, and families are already enrolling. Right now, save $150 with our Grand Opening offer. View camps and reserve your spot: https://icodeschool.com/ann-arbor-mi/camps/
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Join PYTMI’s Summer Camps for 10 weeks of creativity, confidence, and fun! From musical theatre and improv to storytelling, dance, and design, campers ages 4–18 explore the arts in a welcoming, high-energy environment. Each week ends with a live performance, giving every student a chance to shine. Whether your child is brand new or already loves the stage, PYTMI offers an inspiring space to learn, grow, and make lasting friendships.
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Join us this year for another exciting year of Spark! Camps at the Michigan Science Center. Campers will explore Mi-Sci’s 220+ interactive exhibits, engage in immersive theater experiences, and investigate fascinating science phenomena through hands-on activities and experiments.
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Join Rumi, Zoey, and Mira from Kpop Demon Hunters for an unforgettable night of live song performances, dancing, crafts, glitter tattoos, and more! You’ll even get a chance to personally meet the band!
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Children ages 3-6 can enjoy some nature fun as they increase their love of the outdoors. A naturalist will engage children with a story, nature talk and a related activity. Each kid will make a craft to take home. This series meets on the second Friday of each month.
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Experience color, form, and luminosity in an entirely new way at CHIHULY at Meijer Gardens, where vibrant glass installations transform the Gardens — plus an optional indoor gallery experience as well as a guided tour.
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This annual fair showcases young artists in Grades 2 - 12 selling their artwork and handmade crafts. Visitors shop for unique gifts, chat with the artists, and enjoy musical performances and youth art exhibits. The young artists, who learn about presenting, pricing, and selling their artwork to the public at the Northville Art House, keep 100% of their sales. Admission proceeds benefit next year’s program.
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Our popular, Mother’s Day weekend tea party is back with new, enchanting performances from the dancers of the Northville Ballet Theatre. The whole family will delight in the best-of-the-ballet while enjoying a selection of fine teas and ballet-themed delicacies.
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Come one, come all to the Indigo Lavender Fairy Festival! Enjoy live music, vendors, food, kids crafts and more! Our annual Fairy Festival is May 9, 2026 from 10am - 5pm. Being Mother's Day Weekend, this event is very popular with families. Indigo Lavender Farms will have plants for sale as well as other seasonal sales, music and kids events.
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Enjoy an outing with your family at the special Kensington Mother’s Day weekend walk. We’ll take an hour-long guided stroll through the Kensington Nature Area while discovering the budding spring wildflowers, the chattering birds, and the other changes of the season. Share the beauty and the stories behind spring’s new life with the people dear to you!
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Let your creativity shine while you make a card for the special women in your life. No registration required. Held in the Story & Craft Room.
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The Guild of Artists & Artisans (The Guild) and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC) are proud to announce the annual return of Art Birmingham. Now in its 45th year, the event will once again be held on Mother’s Day Weekend, May 9th & 10th, in Downtown Birmingham’s lovely Shain Park. This fine art fair will feature jury-selected artists, kids art activities, food vendors, and adult beverage offerings including wine from Babylonstoren and local Michigan beer, from M4 LLC. This free-admission event is within walking distance to convenient parking as well as close to the many unique stores and fabulous restaurants of downtown Birmingham.
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Come and celebrate your beautiful mother by treating her to a gourmet buffet at our annual Mother’s Day Buffet on May 10! Seating times for the Buffet are from 11 am-4 pm in various banquet & dining rooms. Reservations are required‼ Please give us a call at 888.775.6343 to book your spot today!
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Royal Oak in Bloom (May 10, 2026) Presented by Genisys Credit Union: This annual flower and garden sale, held annually on Mother's Day for the past 32 years, draws residents and visitors downtown Royal Oak to shop for flowers, plants, landscaping items, and decorative elements for their lawns. Vendors offering everything from perennials to copper sprinklers, annuals to trees, tomato plants to wind chimes, porch swings to etched stones. Designed to help Royal Oak homeowners beautify their property, Royal Oak in Bloom is a Mother's Day tradition for many.
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Moms receive free general admission on Mother's Day! Spend the day exploring, learning, and making memories with the whole family.
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Enjoy a full hour of play in the beautiful Hide & Seek playroom. Then join Princess Belle for live song performances, a mini dance lesson, movement games, and stories! Perfect for toddler and preschooler princess fans!
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Detroit - Ann Arbor - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, 05/09/2026 - 05/10/2026, See link for times
- Drop-in Mother's Day Cards at Troy Public Library - Troy Public Library, 100 2nd Street, Troy, NY 12180, United States, 05/09/2026, 2:00pm–4:00pm
- Mother's Day Free Admission at Cranbrook Science Museum - Cranbrook Institute of Science Parking Garage, Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA, 05/10/2026, 12pm - 4pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Ann Arbor - Detroit area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool,
& more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your…
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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