Kids Calendar
(age 12 & under)
April 2026
Note: Mar. 30–Apr. 3 is the AAPS & YCS Spring Break.
Key to Locations
AADL: Ann Arbor District Library, (734) 327–4200, aadl.org. Events (all free) offered at Downtown (343 S. Fifth Ave.), Westgate (2503 Jackson Ave.), Traverwood (3333 Traverwood), Malletts Creek (3090 E. Eisenhower), and Pittsfield (2359 Oak Valley) branches, as well as the AADL Warehouse (265 Parkland Plz.).
HSHV: Humane Society of Huron Valley, (734) 661–3575, [email protected]. 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. Events also hosted at Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center (5245 Jackson Rd., ste. A1). hshv.org.
★ Free
Events
★ Every Mon.–Fri. (different times): Preschool Storytimes: AADL. Half-hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Pittsfield (Mon. 10:30 a.m.), Downtown (Tues. 11 a.m.), Malletts Creek (Tues. 11 a.m. & Wed. 10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Thurs. 11 a.m.), and Westgate (Fri. 1 p.m.).
★ Every Mon.–Wed. & Fri. (different times): Playgroups for Babies: AADL. Fifteen minutes of stories, rhymes, and songs led by AADL staffers, followed by a short open playtime. For kids up to 24 months (with caregiver). No older siblings. Malletts Creek (Mon. 10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Tues. 11 a.m.), Westgate & Pittsfield (Wed. 10:30 a.m.), and Downtown (Fri. 10:30 a.m.).
Mar. 30–Apr. 3 (11 a.m.): “Larry Cat in Space”: U-M Museum of Natural History Planetarium & Dome Theater. Cartoon presentation about an inquisitive cat who takes a trip to the moon. Also, the regular planetarium shows (see 3 Friday) screen. 1105 North University. Tickets $8 at the front desk. Limited capacity. (734) 764–0478.
Mar. 19–Apr. 4 (various times): Easter Bunny: Briarwood Mall. A chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Mon.–Fri.), 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Sat.), & 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (Sun.). Photo packages $40–$60. For up-to-date hours and to reserve an appointment see shopbriarwood.com. Free admission. (734) 769–9610.
★ Apr. 1 (11 a.m.–noon): “Octopus in Motion”: AADL Downtown. Kids grades K–5 invited to make a spinning octopus decoration.
★ Apr. 1 (11 a.m.–noon): Cardboard Monkey Puppets: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades K–5 to use cardstock and brads to create a monkey puppet with limbs that move.
★ Apr. 1 (11 a.m.–noon): Wendy and DB: AADL Downtown. This award-winning Chicago-area guitar and ukulele duo performs original songs about science, nature, and animals for kids & their families.
★ Apr. 1 (2–3 p.m.): “Library Program: Family Bird Walk”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Kids ages 4–12, accompanied by an adult, invited to join WCPARC naturalist Kelsey Dehring on a short walk to learn about identifying birds using binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather. Binoculars available, but bring them if you have them. Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple, Saline. Free. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/saline-wcparc-bird-4-1-26.
★ Apr. 2 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Build a Bird Nest”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids grades K–5, with an adult, invited to learn about and look for bird nests, and to make one to take home. Gallup Park meeting rm., 3000 Fuller. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
★ Apr. 2 (3–4 p.m.): Pipe Cleaner Bee Puppets: AADL Westgate. Craft activity for kids grades K–5.
★ Apr. 2 (3–4 p.m.): “Sock Caterpillars”: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids grades K–5 invited to fill a sock with stuffing, then decorate it with buttons, fabric scraps, and yarn.
Apr. 3 (11 a.m.–noon): “Family Hike”: Hudson Mills Metropark. All invited to take a 1-mile naturalist-guided walk to look for signs of spring. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Hudson Mills River Grove Picnic Shelter, 8801 North Territorial, Dexter. $5 (kids, $3; kids age 2 and under, free), preregistration required at tinyurl.com/hudson-hike-4-3-26 by 4 p.m. the day before the program. Metroparks pass or $10 vehicle entry fee required. (734) 426–8211.
★ Apr. 3 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): Animal Ear & Floral Headbands: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to craft felt headbands.
★ Apr. 3 (1–2:30 p.m.): “Animal Tracks”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades K–5 to learn about different animal tracks, then take a guided 1-mile hike through the Stapp Nature Area to look for them. Dress for the weather.
★ Apr. 4 (9–11 a.m.): “Hop, Skip, Spring!”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. All ages invited to bring a basket and travel along a 1-mile path, meeting volunteers dressed as different animals along the way who set a quick task, such as hopping like a bunny or spinning a hula hoop, for a small prize. Also, crafts, photo ops with Hopps the Bunny, visiting with real bunnies, and a bunny-themed story time (10–11 a.m.). Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at url.a2gov.org/hop.
Apr. 4 (10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): “Spring Eggstravaganza”: Leslie Science & Nature Center. All age 17 & under invited to follow animal prints, riddles, and other clues through the woods to find eggs to exchange for a goody bag to take home. Start any time after 10 a.m. and finish by 12:30 p.m. Also, a chance to learn about animals who lay eggs and to participate in crafts and science experiments. 1831 Traver. Preregistration requested at lesliesnc.org. $7/person (under age 2, free).
★ Apr. 4 (10 a.m.–noon): Easter Eggstravaganza: West Side United Methodist Church. All kids invited to hunt for Easter eggs. Also, a petting farm, bouncy house, and coffee. 900 S. Seventh. Free. (734) 663–4164.
★ Apr. 4. (10–11:30 a.m.): “Kid’s Easter Party”: Westminster Presbyterian Church. Kids ages 3–10 with caretakers invited to hunt for candy-filled plastic eggs, do crafts, listen to stories, and pet some animals. 1500 Scio Church Rd. Free. westpresa2.org.
Apr. 4 (11 a.m.–noon): “Egg Hunt & Kids Concert”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation. Kids, grouped by age and accompanied by an adult, invited to hunt for eggs to exchange for a goody bag of treats. Bring a basket or bag. Also, a family concert by local singer-songwriter Kevin Devine and Easter Bunny photo ops. Montibeller Park, new pavilion, 4305 Ellsworth. $7 (residents, $5). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. (734) 822–2120.
★ Apr. 4 (11:15 a.m.–noon): “Read and Look”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Kelsey staff read Stella Caldwell & Eugenia Nobati’s picture book The Magnificent Book of Treasures: Ancient Rome. Followed by a chance for kids ages 4–7 (with caregiver) to explore the museum’s collection to find artifacts pictured in the book. 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
★ Apr. 4 (1–2 p.m.): “Origami for Beginners”: AADL Traverwood. Craft activity for kids grade K & up.
Apr. 5. (11 a.m., 1 p.m., & 3 p.m.): “Easter Egg Hunt”: Stone Chalet. All kids age 1 & up invited to hunt for wooden eggs to trade in for a bag of candy and goodies from local shops. Also, crafts, games, a bouncy house, and live bunnies. Stone Chalet, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. $11 per kid; $6 per adult. In advance only at enchantedinnandevents.com.
★ Every Mon. (4:30–5:30 p.m.): “Nature Crafts”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids grades K–5, with an adult, invited for activities and crafts. Materials provided. Apr. 6: Cloud Identification (Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline). Apr. 13: Natural Dyes (Foxfire North Park, 2405 Hickory Point). Apr. 20: Tree Bark & Buds (Bader Park, 2889 Provincial). Apr. 27: Nature Art (Esch Park, 2705 Esch). Meet at the playground in each park. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
★ Every Tues. (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Outside Story Time”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 2–6 (younger siblings welcome) invited, with caregiver, for stories, play, and crafts on a theme. Apr. 7: Turtles (Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline). Apr. 14: Snakes (Foxfire North Park, 2405 Hickory Point). Apr. 21: Frogs & Toads (Bader Park, 2889 Provincial). Apr. 28: Salamanders (Esch Park, 2705 Esch). Meet at the playground in each park. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
Apr. 8 & 22 (9:30–10:30 a.m.): “Tiny Tails Toddler Time”: Tiny Lions. Stories, crafts, fingerplays, and interaction with adoptable cats. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. $10 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
★ Every Wed., except Apr. 1 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Toddler Move & Grove”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Infants–kids age 5 invited, with caregiver, for guided outdoor movement to recorded music. Apr. 8 (Allmendinger Park, 655 Pauline). Apr. 15 (Foxfire North Park, 2405 Hickory Point). Apr. 22 (Bader Park, 2889 Provincial). Apr. 29 (Esch Park, 2705 Esch). Meet at the playground in each park. Free. [email protected], tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [5x]
Every Thurs., except Apr. 2 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Little Paws Toddler Time”: HSHV. Stories, crafts, & fingerplays. Also, interaction with adoptable cats and dogs and a chance to make a toy or treat for the animals. For kids ages 2–5, with caregiver. HSHV. $5 (babies under age 1, free). Space limited; preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
★ Apr. 9 (11 a.m.–noon): “Little Play Date”: AADL Westgate. Open playtime for babies & preschoolers (with caregiver).
Apr. 10 (5:30–8:30 p.m.): “Pets and Pajamas Movie Night”: HSHV. Kids ages 6–11 invited to watch an animal-themed movie and interact with adoptable pets. Cheese pizza dinner. Wear pajamas and bring a sleeping bag & pillow. Call for movie selection. HSHV. $35 per child. Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3564, [email protected].
Apr. 11 & 25 (10–11:30 a.m.): “Rescue Reading”: HSHV. Kids ages 6–11 invited to work on their reading skills by reading to adoptable animals, using their own or provided books. Also, a group read-aloud and a dog meet-and-greet. No adults. HSHV. $10. Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
★ Apr. 11 & 12 (10 a.m.–11:45 p.m.): “PlayLab: Exploring Dance”: Ann Arbor Art Center. Dancer Marly Spieser-Schneider leads kids ages 3–6 (Apr. 11) and 7–12 (Apr. 12), accompanied by an adult, in exploring the basics of dance—how bodies move through time and space and how they work in relation to others. 117 W. Liberty. Free, but preregistration required at annarborartcenter.org.
Apr. 11 & 12. (10 a.m.–noon & 2–4 p.m.): “Crafty Chaos: Pinwheels in Motion”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Kids of all ages invited to design and build a pinwheel, then watch it whirl in the wind. 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
★ Apr. 11 & 18 (10:15–11:15 a.m.): “Wee Write with 826michigan”: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids ages 5–8 invited to work in small groups with adult volunteers to write stories and play creative games.
★ Apr. 11 & 12 (11 a.m.): “For Families: Arab Music & Dance”: University Musical Society. Interactive performance by oud player Raphique Barakat and Ypsi dancer Chloé Gray focused on the dabke, a traditional Levantine line-and-circle folk dance featuring energetic stomping, jumping, and kicking to rhythmic music. For families with kids ages 3–18. Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl., Ypsi. Free, but preregistration required at ums.org/calendar.
★ Apr. 11 (noon–1 p.m.): “Pom-Pom Baby Birds ”: AADL Westgate. Craft activity for kids grades K–5.
★ Apr. 11 (1–2 p.m.): “Musical Petting Zoo” AADL Downtown. Members of the U-M student ensemble the Michigan Pops Orchestra lead a hands-on workshop to learn about violins, cellos, woodwinds, and other instruments, and perform a short concert of film music.
Apr. 11 (2:30–4:30 p.m.): Family Dance: Pittsfield Union Grange. Drake Meadow calls contras and square dances for children with accompanying adults to live music by Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick, and Donna Baird. 3337 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $15 per family. (734) 274-0773.
★ Apr 12 (11 a.m.–noon): “Elsa Meet & Greet”: Starbright Entertainment. Kids 12 & under with adult accompaniment invited to meet and take photos with this heroine from Frozen. Costumes encouraged. The Little Seedling, 2465 W. Stadium. Free. starbrightentertainmenta2.com.
★ Apr. 12 (2–3 p.m.): “Painting with Pasta!”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades K–5 to make fish skeletons out of spaghetti, macaroni, orecchiette, farfalle, and other pasta shapes.
★ Apr. 13, 15, & 16. (different times & branch locations): “Preschool ArtStart”: AADL. AADL staff lead children ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult, in arts and crafts, with an emphasis on the fun of it. 10:30–11 a.m. (Mon., AADL Traverwood & Thurs., AADL Malletts Creek) and 1:30 p.m. (Wed., AADL Pittsfield).
★ Apr. 18 & 19 (11 a.m.): “For Families: Joe Reilly & Friends Celebrate Earth Day”: University Musical Society. Family concert, with sing-alongs, led by Joe Reilly, a local singer-songwriter whose playful songs draw on blues, Native American, and other American traditions and address ecological and spiritual themes. For families with kids ages 3–18. Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl., Ypsi. Free, but preregistration required at ums.org/calendar.
★ Apr. 18: (3–4:30 p.m.): “HEXBUG Adventures”: AADL Westgate. Kids grades K–5 invited to play with the library’s robotic HEXBUGs in an interactive obstacle course.
Apr. 24 (7:15–8:45 p.m.): “Cats and Kids”: Tiny Lions. Kids ages 6–11 invited to spend time with adoptable cats and kittens at the Tiny Lions Lounge. Also, crafts and games, popcorn, and juice. Kids only. $20. Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
Apr. 24 & 25 (different times): “The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats”: EMU Theatre Department. Olivia Allen directs EMU drama students in an adaptation of stories by this beloved children’s author, using shadow puppetry and light play. Recommended for ages 4 & up. 7 p.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. (Sat.), EMU Sponberg Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., 1030 E. Circle, Ypsi. Tickets $6 at emich.ludus.com. (734) 487–2282.
★ Apr. 25 (11–11:45 a.m.): “Young Scientists”: AADL Pittsfield. Science-themed stories and simple science experiments for preschoolers accompanied by a caregiver.
★ Apr. 25 (11 a.m.–1 p.m.): “Costume Parade”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 2–8, with an adult, invited to break out their Halloween costumes and take a walk around Mary Beth Doyle Park in costume, visiting different stations along the way that hand out treats or invite kids to do things like blow bubbles. No masks or fake weapons. Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow. Free. url.a2gov.org/hop.
★ Apr. 26 (noon–1 p.m.): “DIY Stamps”: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades preK–5 to use foam shapes to make their own rubber stamps.