Indoor Kids Activities Near Ann Arbor - Girl sitting among foam blocks

Unleash the Fun: Indoor Activities for Kids Near Ann Arbor

Are you looking for indoor fun for kids near Ann Arbor? We’ve got you covered whether it is a rainy day, cold wintry day, or super hot summer day. These indoor children’s activities near us are also great for the smoky days with the Canadian wildfires this week.

Our events calendar includes all of the great indoor events near Ann Arbor. Addtitonally, there are plenty of Indoor Family Activities near Ann Arbor that you can enjoy anytime.

Ann Arbor Indoor Activities

Did we miss some of your favorite Ann Arbor Indoor Activities? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to add them to the summary.

Indoor Play Locations

During the long winter months and increasingly hot summers, it is always a great idea to have a plan for indoor play where the kids can still get their energy out.

Where to Play Indoors - 3 kids on colorful slides indoors

There are plenty of fun indoor play spaces near Ann Arbor where kids can jump, climb, run, and explore. Perfect for when the Michigan weather takes a turn – sub-zero temperatures in winter, rainy days, sweltering summer days, or poor air quality days from distant wildfires.From sensory-friendly gyms to trampoline parks and play cafés, there’s so…

Book Sale - Huge Book Sale in Ann Arbor 1,000s of Awesome BOoks, DVDs, CDs, LPs, Puzzles & Games - June 24-27, 2026 9a-8p The Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds - Building A - 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Find important information in event details.

JLC HUGE Book Sale

Wednesday-Saturday, June 24-27

Mud Day - Kids play in a big mud pit

Apple Playschools
Mud Day Celebration & Fundraiser

Saturday, June 27 10a-12:30p

Ann ARbor Jaycees Carnival - June 25-26 Opens at 4p, June 27-28 Opens at noon Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Proceeds Go Back into the Community * 4th of July Parade * Thanksgiving Baskets * School Supplies * & More Learn More at a2jaycees.org/carnival Ferris Wheel, QR Code & Skerbeck Logo

Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival

Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28

Visit a Museum

Visiting a museum is great indoor fun for family near Ann Arbor. There are so many options to choose from. I love that there are also several we can visit for free. The preschool room at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a great place for preschoolers to play indoors!

Our Top 5 Ann Arbor Area Museums for Kids

Museums are a great choice year round. They are a great option for rainy summer days (or really hot days when the air conditioning is a welcome relief). They are also a great option for freezing cold winter days. There are a number of great museums in and around Ann Arbor that are a great […]

We have lots of great museum options in the Ann Arbor Area. Just be careful if it’s Monday. Several of the museums are closed that day.

Indoor Sports

Are you looking for indoor activities near you for teens? Indoor sports are great for teens – and kids of all ages. Check out bowling alleys, fowling, swimming, and skating.

Bowling

Bowling is always a great indoor activity year round. There are several bowling options in the Ann Arbor area.

Score a Strike Bowling at Ann Arbor’s 7 Best Alleys

Get in the fast lane to fun at these Bowling Alleys in Ann Arbor area. Bowling is a great family activity that can appeal to a wide range of ages. With bowling ramps and bumpers, even preschoolers can have fun bowling. Bowling is a great option for cold winter days, hot summer days, or rainy days year round. While […]

Ice Skating

There are several indoor ice rinks in the Ann Arbor area plus the Buhr Park rink which is outdoor but covered. Several operate year round, others are only open in the colder months. Check out our Ice Skating Guide for more details.

Skate Your Heart Out: Unmissable Ice Skating Near Ann Arbor

There are several Ice Skating Rinks Near Ann Arbor. These include both indoor ice rinks available year round or seasonally, and outdoor rinks. As a child, my bus route home from school went past a park where they created a natural rink each winter. I would check the status to see if it was safe […]

Swimming

You can swim all year with indoor pools. Check out our Indoor Swimming Guide.

Swim Year Round at These Indoor Pools Near Ann Arbor

Yes, there are a number of Ann Arbor Indoor Pool where you can swim year round! There’s nothing like a taste of summer on a cold winter day – until you have to go back outside. Find an Indoor Swimming Pools Near You Are you looking for an Indoor Swimming Pool? Check out the map to […]

Other Sports

Gaming Fun

Growing up in the 80s, the arcade was always a hit indoor activity for teens near us. Here in Ann Arbor, we have our own Retro arcade in Pinball Pete’s.

Game On Time! 7 Best Family Fun Arcades Near Ann Arbor

Introduce the kids to retro fun at the 7 best arcades in Ann Arbor to take your kids? Whether you’re planning a fun outing with elementary schoolers or teens, there are a number of arcades to choose from. From retro pinball machines to state-of-the-art arcade games, these spots offer something for every gamer in the […]

Just down the road is the UM Video Game Archive. There you can check out a game on the latest system, or a wide variety of classic systems.

Or, go less tech heavy and check out one of the escape rooms in the area!

Travel Around the World in 80 Days at Decode Ann Arbor

Over Thanksgiving Weekend we visited Decode Detroit’s Ann Arbor location to travel Around the World in 80 Days. Decode Detroit has been voted a top 10 escape room in the USA by the readers of USA Today. About Around the World in 80 Days From Decode Detroit’s description of. the journey: Join your pilot, Milo, […]

Joining the Aurora Society at Decode Ypsilanti

This weekend we visited Decode Ypsilanti for their Aurora Society escape room. Decode has been voted a top 10 escape room in the USA by the readers of USA Today. About Aurora Society The Aurora Society is a magical society in Ypsilanti that gets their power from the Aurora Borealis. Once in the room, you […]

Or check out one of the other escape room locations

Movies

Movies are always a great indoor activity. During summer, there are a number of morning kids series which are perfect for a rainy day.

Now Playing

Toy Story 5 opened June 19. Then, Supergirl opens by Friday June 26,

  • Toy Story 5 – PG
  • Disclosure Day – PG-13
  • Masters of the Universe – PG-13
  • The Mandalorian & Grogu – PG-13
  • The Sheep Detectives – PG
  • Michael – PG-13

Emagine’s summer movies start this week (Friday, June 19) with Paddington in Peru through June. 25. Then, it switches to David. The Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse has Shrek Forever After this week (Wednesday & Thursday, June 24-25)

Upcoming Movies

Check out the list of movies coming soon for kids, teens, and families.

  • June 26 – Supergirl
  • July 1 – Minions & Monsters
  • July 10 – Moana
  • July 17 – The Odyssey
  • July 31 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day
  • August 14 – PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie

Nature Indoors

You can still experience nature indoors.

Check out Matthaei Botanical Gardens – note the linked review covers both the indoor conservatory and outdoor children’s garden.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens – Wednesday Activity Review

This review of Matthaei Botanical Gardens is part of our Summer Series: Wednesday Activity Reviews. While visiting this weekend, my mother-in law suggested visiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. My daughter had just been on a Girl Scout field trip which she loved. She loved her field trip and couldn’t wait to show us everything that […]

Spend a couple hours with the Cats at Tiny Lions Cat Cafe.

Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center

Ann Arbor’s cat café, the Tiny Lions lounge and adoption Center (or “TLC” for short!) is an offshoot of the Humane Society of Huron Valley—a place where kids young and old can visit with kittens and cats in a comfy space. While all the felines there are available for adoption, there are no strings attached!

Indoor Events for Today

Date/TimeEvent
💙🎟
June 21
9:00am-4:30pm
Father's Day Buffet
at Black Rock Bar & Grill, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
10:00am-12:00pm
Make Music Day: Musical Petting Zoo
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
June 21
10:00am-12:00pm
Summer of Discovery
at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor MI
June 21
10:00am-12:00pm
Summer of Discovery
at Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor MI
💙🎟
June 21
11:30am
Paddington in Peru - Summer Kids Series
at Emagine Saline, Saline Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
11:30am-1:00pm
Make Music Day: Chemical Branch
at Tea Haus, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
12:00pm-2:00pm
Collage Making
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙
June 21
12:00pm-3:00pm
Critter House Open Hours
at Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ann Arbor MI
💙🆓
June 21
12:00pm-4:00pm

U-M Medical History Exhibit


at Museum on Main Street, Ann Arbor Michigan
This free exhibit celebrates the Medical School's 175th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of the "Old Main" hospital that was U-M's flagship for more than 60 years. It runs on weekends through August 30. Kids and grownups can explore artifacts including 1800s surgical kits, a 1910s wheelchair, early scientific equipment...Read More
💙🎟
June 21
1:00pm-5:00pm
Fairy Doors (May Edition)
at SCRAP Creative Reuse, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
1:00pm-3:00pm
Make Music Day: Folk Song Jam Along
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
3:00pm-4:30pm
Make Music Day | Intro to Home Recording
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
June 21
4:00pm-5:00pm
Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department
at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
4:30pm-6:00pm
Make Music Day - DJ Workshop
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
June 21
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department
at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 21
7:15pm-10:00pm
Make Music Day: The Arboretum Music Venue
at The Arboretum Music Venue, Saline Michigan

Indoor Events for Tomorrow

Date/TimeEvent
🆓
June 22
10:30am-11:30am
Baby Playgroup
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
June 22
10:30am-11:30am
Jumpstart Storytime
at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti Michigan
🆓
June 22
10:30am-11:00am
Preschool Storytimes
at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🎟
June 22
11:30am
Paddington in Peru - Summer Kids Series
at Emagine Saline, Saline Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
1:00pm-2:00pm
Explore, Design, Create
at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
1:00pm-2:00pm
Map Envelopes
at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
1:00pm-2:00pm
Painted Cardboard Birds
at Westgate Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
🆓
June 22
1:30pm-3:00pm
Chef Camp with FedUp Ministries
at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch, Ypsilanti Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
4:00pm-6:00pm
Noise Permit Summer Workshop Series
at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch, Ypsilanti Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
6:00pm-7:00pm
Faux Stained Glass
at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓
June 22
6:00pm-7:30pm
Sewing Lab | Binding Seams with Bias Tape
at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓🎟
June 22
7:00pm-8:30pm
Family Maker Night: Alcohol Ink Light Switch Covers
at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch, Ypsilanti Michigan
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