KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Ann Arbor / Detroit Newsletter |
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Wed, Jul 8: Hometown Heritage: Monroe’s America 250 Celebration
Fri, Jul 10: Blake's Lavender Festival
Sun, Jul 12: Art in the Park 2026
Fri, Jul 17: Sun & Sand in
Tecumseh
Sat, Jul 18: Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad Touch-A-Truck
Sat, Jul 25: Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad Fantastical Fairytale Weekend
Sun, Aug 2: The 79th Annual Monroe County Fair
Fri, Aug 7: Mario Galaxy 2 at Woodland Heights Park
Sat, Aug 15: Northville Art House Art Market
Sat, Aug 22: Little Riders Roundup at Whistle Stop Hobby & Toy, Inc. |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When I was a kid, a giant azalea bush stretched across our backyard, exploding into glorious pink blossoms in early May. In summer, it became something even better: a secret hideout that my sister and I named the Humble Abode. We hollowed out the dead branches behind the bush and dragged in little chairs and treasures and our dollhouse family. The Humble Abode barely qualified as
a fort, and it wasn't even secret; I'm sure my parents knew when we were back there. But it was a great kids-only space. A few weeks ago, I wrote about five summer lenses through which to plan summer: music, motion, making, nature, and food. Making—the lens for this week—reminds kids that they are not merely consumers of the world, but contributors to it. They can push value into existence. They can turn sticks, cardboard, fabric, tape, mud, blocks, gears,
sand, and flour into something that wasn’t there before. Especially for younger kids, making with the hands gives the brain evidence. I did that. I made that. I can make things happen. Summer is perfect for this because summer has time and room for mess. Pull out the science kits, the rocket kits, the LEGO bins, the soap-making sets that arrived at Christmas and then sat politely in the closet. "Upcycle" old boxes, fabric, toys, crayons, paint, buttons.
Let your kids build backyard forts, fairy houses, marble runs, cardboard cities, obstacle courses, blanket tents, museum towers, and whatever else the day and their imagination suggest. Of course, glue will drip. Sand will migrate. The kitchen table may briefly disappear under invention. (If the clutter gets overwhelming, consider a trip or two to your local science museum or maker space to save your sanity.) After all, you can’t make omelets without breaking eggs. And
you can’t make a maker without giving a child some space, some tools, some trust, and permission to begin.
—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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Bank of Ann Arbor presents Music in the Air Friday Night Concerts! Concerts are held for 14 summer Friday nights on our state-of-the-art stage in Kellogg Park at 7PM and are FREE.
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GET READY TO CELEBRATE, OAK PARK! It’s going to be a full day of fun, food, and community at this year’s Independence Day Celebration! Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and come celebrate community, tradition, and summertime fun in Oak Park!
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Fourth of July in Clawson has been a tradition since 1933 with the exception of one year during wartime. Our signature events celebrate a week of activities prior to the parade, fair and fireworks held on the 4th (unless the 4th falls on a Sunday, the parade, fair and fireworks are held on July 5th). The Kiddie parade falls on the Saturday before the rest of the events. Music in the park (sponsored by Clawson parks and rec.), an ice cream social (sponsored by the Lions Club), Free Fun Run and 5K Run are held in June before the grand celebration on the 4th. Arts and crafts and the Carnival featuring Wade Shows Inc. begin at 10 am at the park. The $3 admission fee (cash only please) charged at the fair gates pays for the fabulous fireworks each year. Donations are also accepted to pay for fireworks. Last year a Hot Dog Eating Contest (sponsored by General Dogs) was a success, and along with the traditional dime toss game (sponsored by the Lions Club) is a popular event.
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This Fourth of July, come join us at Crossroads Village for a spectacular Independence Day Celebration filled with family fun, patriotism, and sweet treats! Don’t miss our classic ice cream social—perfect for cooling off and making memories with loved ones. Celebrate the red, white, and blue with a reading of the Declaration of Independence in a place where history comes alive. It’s a Fourth of July celebration you won’t forget!
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Enjoy the annual Good Morning USA parade in downtown Plymouth. This year should be extra special as it is America’s 250th birthday!
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The Clarkston Fourth of July Parade will assemble at St. Daniel Catholic Church parking lot. The parade will begin sharply at 10:00am with a left turn onto Valley Park Drive, crossing over Holcomb Road onto Miller Road and then right turn on Main Street. The First Announcer’s Stage will be at 90 North Main Street where each entry will be introduced as time allows. There will be a 21 Gun Salute by the American Legion Post #63 and the singing of the National Anthem by a student from Clarkston High School. The parade will continue south on Main Street, stopping near Rudy’s Market for the Second Announcer’s Stage.
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Hundreds of parade participants march through Downtown Northville, while thousands of spectators line the streets. The Northville Independence Day Parade features bands, floats, antique cars, and more. Join the community on July 4th, as we celebrate the country from sea to shining sea.
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Buy One, Get One Free on our limited-time American Classics ice cream menu, all day on July 4!
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Emagine Summer Kids Series June 19th - August 21st, 2026 Check your local theater for showtimes.
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Sundays at the market means you will find a bounty of fruit, vegetables, artisanal products, and family fun! Market goers will find a plethora of local seasonal produce, farm eggs, baked goods, honey, jam, artisan cheeses, dog treats, sauces and pastas, hand crafted soap, soy candles, wool mittens and so much more! Take a tour of the Historical Society building filled with displays to get a glimpse of Canton’s farming past and meet with a Master Gardener for tips and tricks for the best garden possible. With cooking demonstrations, rotating food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, and family entertainment, there is something for every member of your family!
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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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Spend your Sunday evening with us at Lake St. Clair Metropark enjoying music from different local bands. Each Sunday starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, the Thomas Welsh Activity Center becomes a concert venue. From rock to country to R&B and oldies, there is a concert for everyone. Lounge in a lawn chair or get on your feet and dance. Concessions will be open during the performances. We invite you to join us this summer!
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Nothing says summer like visiting an amusement park with your family! Ann Arbor / Detroit parents have lots of options for amusement parks: This is KidsOutAndAbout's big list of amusement parks within driving distance of the area.
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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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It's almost time for fruit picking! Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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