The Best Kids Events This Week Near Ann Arbor

Are you wondering what to do this week in Ann Arbor with kids? Arbor Annie has you covered with her picks for the week! If you’re looking for Arbor Annie’s Weekend Highlights, find them here

August is here. It’s definitely a slow time around town. I know this has traditionally been a week that we were on vacation since summer sports (swim teams, Rec & Ed softball) were done and fall high school activities hadn’t started.

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Arbor Annie's Highlights of Children's Events Near You This Week
Find All the Ann Arbor Children's Events

Arbor Annie’s Highlights of Children’s Events Near You This Week

Tuesday night Pittsfield Township is hosting a National Night Out event at Montibeller. Wednesday, head to Washtenaw County Health Department in Ypsi for Summer Health Day, then Ypsi High School for Touch a Truck.

Where to See Vehicles Near Ann Arbor - 3 panes: Girl in cockpit of small plane, girl looks at back of firetruck, girl in car

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: For Ann Arbor Kids who Love Vehicles

Planes, trucks, trains, and cars…most kids are fascinated by them at some point. The good news is there are so many options for kids to get up close with vehicles near Ann Arbor.Where to See them AnytimeMuseumsIn the immediate area there are three great museums that feature vehicles.The Michigan Firehouse Museum is a great place for k…

In concerts, start the week with Summer Carillon Series on Monday. Thursday is Sonic Lunch. The Ann Arbor Civic Band and Chelsea Sounds & Sights concerts are done for the 2026 season.

Harmony in the Park: Ann Arbor’s 2026 Free Summer Concerts

Are you looking for free, outdoor summer concerts near me? We’ve got the details on the Ann Arbor Free Summer Concert Series 2026.Free Summer Concerts Near YouAre you looking for a list of Free Summer Concerts Near Me? If you’re in the Ann Arbor area, we’ve got you covered.Ann Arbor Concerts 2026Most of the series listed below are…

Horizon Performing Arts kicks off their August show – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Thursday night.

On Stage - Family Performances near Ann Arbor - group of children on stage in costume in front of a greenish backgdrop with a silhouette of a castle - perhaps emerald city

Encore, Encore! Live Theater & Concerts for Ann Arbor Families

The Ann Arbor theatre scene is lively. Several groups produce Ann Arbor theater shows for kids and families – or starring them.I love taking my daughter to see live theater and concerts. The local productions are so much less expensive than the touring productions so we can see more performances. There are lots of options for family-friendly af…

The local libraries are hopping all summer long! Between the AADL Summer Game and lots of activities, YDL’s activities (and free lunches twice a week), and other libraries, there’s almost too much to list (check the lists below). Monday attend Rock On! Digging Into Earth’s Hidden Treasures at AADL- Pittsfield. Tuesday enjoy An Afternoon with The Creature Conservancy. Wednesday make Light-Up Paper Helicopters at AADL – Downtown or make Anything Goes Crafts on Thursday.

Head out for some nature fun this week with Nature Play PopUp – Gravity Play at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on Tuesday or Wednesday. Then join Ann Arbor Parks for Nature Play on Thursday

This week is forecast to be in the mid80s most of the week. That makes it a good week for the pool.

Farms continue to be active late in summer. If you’re interested in raspberries or blueberries, we recommend checking the status as summer berries are nearing the end and we’re not quite to fall raspberries. But, sunflowers & wild flowers are in season with several locations opening this weekend.

Check out August’s Flight Plan for Arbor Annie’s suggestions beyond the calendar.

August Flight Plan with Arbor Annie - faded photo of Michigan theater & surrounding areas. circle insets connected by dotted lines representing the month's activities -kayaker, carnival, sunflowers, UMMNH Puma, kid reading at pool, petting goat

Drift Through August with Arbor Annie’s Flight Plan

From the top of the treetops, Arbor Annie has scouted out the must-do themes for August as we drift through the end of summer.Arbor Annie’s Flight Plan is a new feature for 2026. Each month, it will give an overview of the full month. It will generally have less of a focus on events, and more on general activities.Fun in the SunIt’s the l…

Now Playing

Spiderman: Brand New Day opened this weekend. We saw it on Saturday and definitely enjoyed it

Spiderman: Brand New Day – PG-13
Moana – PG
Minions & Monsters – PG
Toy Story 5 – PG
Hadestown – NR

Emagine’s summer movie is The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants through August 6. Then it switches to The LEGO Movie. The Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse has Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie this week (Wednesday & Thursday, August 5 & 6)

Upcoming Movies

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

August 14 – PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie

Summer Bash Open House - The Future Innovators Academy Explore Our Classrooms - Meet Our Instructors - Have Fun with STEM - Aug9 1-3p - Ready, Set Build - join us - 3 kids with a tablet and a motorized lego set.

Summer Bash Open House at Future Innovators Academy

August 9 1-3p

Kids Events Near Ann Arbor on Monday, August 3

💙 10:30am-11:30am Little Play Date at Westgate Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 11:00am-12:00pm Fire Pit Fries at Hunt Park 🆓
💙 11:30am The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline
💙 1:00pm-2:00pm Rock On! Digging Into Earth's Hidden Treasures at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 2:30pm-3:30pm Rock On! Digging Into Earth's Hidden Treasures at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 3:00pm-3:30pm Puppet Show! at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 4:00pm-6:00pm Noise Permit Summer Workshop Series at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 4:30pm-5:30pm LEGO Club at Dexter District Library 🆓
💙 6:00pm-7:30pm Sewing Lab | French Seams at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 6:30pm-7:30pm Tween & Teen Beaded Jewelry Workshop at Saline District Library 🆓
💙 7:00pm-9:00pm Summer Carillon Series at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Tower 🆓

Find All Events on Monday, August 3

Kids Events Near Ann Arbor on Tuesday, August 4

💙 10:00am-11:30am Nature Play PopUp - Gravity Play at Matthaei Botanical Gardens 🆓
💙 10:30am-11:30am Nature Storytime: Mushrooms at Hunt Park 🆓
💙 11:30am The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline
💙 12:00pm-1:00pm Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries! at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior 🆓
💙 12:00pm-1:00pm Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries! at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 2:00pm-2:45pm An Afternoon with The Creature Conservancy at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Drop-In Makerspace at Dexter District Library 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Mermaid Sparkle Wands at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 2:30pm-3:30pm Drummunity Family Program at Saline District Library 🆓
💙 3:15pm-4:00pm An Afternoon with The Creature Conservancy at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 3:30pm-5:30pm Summer Reading Wrap Party: Touch-a-Truck and Ice Cream Social at Saline District Library 🆓
💙 6:00pm-8:00pm National Night Out at Montibeller Park 🆓
💙 6:30pm-7:30pm Freedom for Who: Indigenous Nations and the American Revolution at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓

Find All Events on Tuesday, August 4

Kids Events Near Ann Arbor on Wednesday, August 5

💙 9:30am-11:00am Summer Art Class with The Artful Acre at The Artful Acre
💙 10:00am Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Movie Theater
💙 11:30am The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline
💙 1:30pm-3:00pm The STEAM Scene at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Summer STEM at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior 🆓
💙 3:00pm-4:00pm Light-Up Paper Helicopters at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 3:00pm-4:00pm Map Envelopes at Traverwood Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 3:00pm-6:00pm Summer Health Day at Washtenaw County Health Department 🆓
💙 4:00pm-6:00pm Noise Permit Summer Workshop Series at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 5:30pm-7:00pm Nature Play PopUp - Gravity Play at Matthaei Botanical Gardens 🆓
💙 6:00pm-7:30pm Folk Song Jam Along at Westgate Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 6:00pm-8:00pm Touch a Truck at Ypsilanti High School 🆓
💙 7:00pm-7:30pm Pajama Jam Storytime! at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓

Find All Events on Wednesday, August 5

Kids Events Near Ann Arbor on Thursday, August 6

💙 10:00am-11:00am Fun on the Farm at Kensington Metropark
💙 10:00am-2:00pm Fun on the Farm at Kensington Metropark
💙 10:00am Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Movie Theater
💙 10:30am-12:00pm Library Playdate: Open Play for ages 0-10 at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 10:30am-11:30am Nature Play at Fuller Park 🆓
💙 10:30am-11:00am Preschool Art Start at Malletts Creek Branch Library 🆓
💙 11:30am-12:30pm Sonic Lunch at Liberty Plaza 🆓
💙 11:30am The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline
💙 12:00pm-1:00pm Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries! at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior 🆓
💙 12:00pm-1:00pm Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries! at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 1:00pm-1:45pm Young Scientists! at Traverwood Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Anything Goes Crafts at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:15pm Inhabitants & Architects: The Homes of Indian Village with Dale Carlson at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Thursday Summer Art at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior 🆓
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Letters at Westgate Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 5:30pm-7:30pm Making A Way Presents Kicks & Laughs at Ypsilanti District Library – Superior 🆓
💙 5:30pm-7:30pm Open Lab: Silhouette Cutting Machines, Die Cutters, Embossers, Button Makers at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 6:00pm-7:30pm Finding Gobi Author Event at Saline District Library 🆓
💙 6:30pm-7:30pm Lady Gaga Studies at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 6:30pm-7:30pm Tween Book Club at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 7:00pm The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre

Find All Events on Thursday, August 6

Kids Events Near Ann Arbor on Friday, August 7

💙 8:30am-4:00pm Aerospace Day at Willow Run Airport 🆓
💙 10:00am-11:00pm Dexter Summer Festival at Monument Park 🆓
💙 11:00am-7:00pm Foodie Fridays at County Farm Park
💙 11:00am-12:00pm Outdoor Sensory Play at Ypsilanti District Library – Whittaker Rd 🆓
💙 11:30am The LEGO Movie - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline
💙 12:00pm-1:30pm Robots are STEAM-Tastic! at Pittsfield Branch Library 🆓
💙 12:00pm-1:00pm Roll A Monster at Traverwood Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 1:00pm-7:00pm Splash Day at Veterans Pool
💙 2:00pm-3:00pm STEAM Exploration at Saline District Library 🆓
💙 3:00pm-4:00pm Chow Time at the Farm at Kensington Metropark Farm Center
💙 4:00pm-10:00am Family Campout at Rolling Hills County Park
💙 4:00pm-10:00pm First Friday Ypsilanti at Downtown Ypsilanti 🆓
💙 4:00pm-7:00pm House Party at Corner Health Center 🆓
💙 5:00pm-6:30pm Family Friday: Aquarium Water Globes at Ann Arbor Art Center
💙 5:00pm-6:30pm FREE Youth Outdoor Skills Class at West Park 🆓
💙 5:30pm-8:00pm Live from Tolan Square at Tolan Square 🆓
💙 6:00pm-7:30pm Finding Gobi: The Inspirational, Heartwarming, & True Story of a Man and His Best Friend at Downtown Branch of AADL 🆓
💙 6:00pm-8:00pm Teen Noise Permit Concert at Ypsilanti District Library – Michigan Ave Branch 🆓
💙 6:30pm Cat Video Fest 2026 at Michigan Theater
💙 6:30pm-9:00pm Dexter Summer Music Series at Monument Park 🆓
💙 6:30pm-11:00pm Movie in the Park: Zootopia 2 at Henne Field 🆓
💙 7:00pm-9:00pm John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series at Ford Lake Park 🆓
💙 7:00pm The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre

Find All Events on Friday, August 7

Find All the Ann Arbor Children’s Events

But, there are so many more great events in Ann Arbor that don’t make our highlights. Be sure to check out the full events calendar for the best events today and through the week.