Kids Calendar

Kids Calendar

(age 12 & under)

April 2025

Key to Locations

AADL: Ann Arbor District Library 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. 

HSHV: Humane Society of Huron Valley, 661–3575, humaneed@hshv.org. 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. Events also hosted at Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center (5245 Jackson Rd., ste. A1). hshv.org.

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. & Thurs. 11 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 (Wed. 10:30 a.m.), and Downtown (Fri. 10:30 a.m.). 

Every Thurs. (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Little Paws Toddler Time”: HSHV. Stories, crafts, fingerplays, and interaction with adoptable cats and dogs. Also, a chance to make a toy or treat for the animals. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. HSHV. $5 (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar (limited space), humaneed@hshv.org, (734) 661–3575.

Apr. 4–19 (various times): Easter Bunny: Briarwood Mall. A chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny. Pet photos with the bunny (Apr. 13, 6:30–8 p.m.); pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Also, “Caring Bunny” (Apr. 6, 9:30–11:30 a.m.) offers a sensory-friendly environment for kids with special needs. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (Mon.–Fri.), 11 a.m.–9 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. 4 (4:30–5:30 p.m.): “Forest Friday: Winged Migration”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Environmental Education. K-5 students, accompanied by an adult, invited to join a city environmental educator on a one-mile hike and learn how to identify local water birds. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Gallup Park Boat Launch at the Canada goose statue, 3000 Fuller Rd. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. epotter@a2gov.org.  

Apr. 4 (5:30–8:30 p.m.): “Pets and Pajamas Movie Night”: HSHV. All 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 and pillow. Call for movie selection. HSHV. $35 per child. Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar, humaneed@hshv.org, (734) 661–3564. [2x] 

Apr. 5 (11–11:45 a.m. & noon–12:45 p.m.): “Kids Move!”: AADL Westgate. Local teachers Jesse Deucher & Sarah Kairis lead kids preK & under (11 a.m.) and K–5 (noon) in a sensory-friendly program of music and movement. 

Apr. 5 (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.): “Sun Moon Secret”: Detroit Puppet Company (University Musical Society Ypsilanti Freighthouse Residency). Detroit Puppet Company members perform a shadow puppet play based on a children’s book by Shazia Omar about twin sisters who harness magical powers to save their village from drought. Then they lead kids ages 3–18 and their families in an interactive workshop on how to make and use shadow puppets. Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Pl., Ypsilanti. Free, but preregistration required at ums.org/season. 

Apr. 5 (11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.): “Temple Cat”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Read and Look. A reading of Andrew Clements’s picture book for kids ages 4–7 (accompanied by an adult). It’s about an ancient Egyptian cat, worshiped as a god with servants to coddle him, who nonetheless yearns for the freedom to live as a normal feline. Followed by a chance to explore the museum’s collection to find items pictured in the book. Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304. 

Apr. 5 (2–3 p.m.): “Betye Saar Art Boxes”: AADL Traverwood. Kids ages 3 & up invited to make assemblage art boxes in the style of this Black folk artist. 

Apr. 5 (2–3 p.m.): “Minecraft Coloring”: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids grades preK–5 invited to color scenes in celebration of the upcoming Minecraft movie. 

Apr. 6 (10–11:30 a.m.): “Spring Fireside Story Time”:  Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Kids ages 3–8, accompanied by an adult, invited to hear bird stories from a storyteller TBA. Followed by the chance to learn about different bird species and a wooden egg hunt. Refreshments. Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings, Beach Center Pavilion, Whitmore Lake. $15 per household (up to 5 people), plus $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee. Preregistration required (capacity limited) at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org, registration #IL431311. (734) 449–4437. 

Apr. 6 (1, 2, & 3 p.m.): Jewish Storytime: AADL Malletts Creek. Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor storytellers lead a 45-minute program of stories and activities in English (1 & 3 p.m.) and Hebrew (2 p.m.) for kids ages 5–7 (1 p.m.), ages 3–7 (2 p.m.), & ages 2–4 (3 p.m.). 

Apr. 6 (1–2 p.m.): Bug Stories and Crafts: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids ages 2–5 (accompanied by a caregiver) to listen to stories about bugs, then do bug-themed crafts. 

Apr. 6 (3–4 p.m.): Paper Plate Jellyfish: AADL Westgate. Kids grades K–5 invited to combine everyday objects and glittering craft supplies to make a jellyfish that can move. 

Apr. 7, 9, & 10 (10:30–11 a.m., different branch locations): “Preschool ArtStart”: AADL. AADL staff lead children ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult, in arts and crafts, with an emphasis on fun. Traverwood (Mon.), Pittsfield (Wed.), & Malletts Creek (Thurs.). 

Apr. 9 & 23 (9:30–10:30 a.m.): “Tiny Tails Toddler Time”: Tiny Lions. Stories, crafts, finger plays, and interaction with adoptable cats. For kids ages 2–5, accompanied by an adult. Tiny Lions. $10 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar, humaneed@hshv.org, (734) 661–3575. 

Apr. 11 (11–11:45 a.m.): Preschool Dance Party: AADL Traverwood. Kids ages 2–5 (accompanied by a caregiver) invited to join in guided dancing, followed by a free dance to upbeat music, and ending with a quiet song to calm down.

Apr. 11 & 12 (different times): “The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus”: EMU Theatre Department. Olivia Allen directs EMU drama students in Eric Coble’s 2022 play about an 8-year-old New Mexico girl who, with her friends, creates a fabulous desert fort made out of junk. The fort gets the attention of a mystical coyote who leads the children on an adventure as they learn about the impact humans have on desert environments. Recommended for ages 5 & up. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) and 2 p.m. (Sat.), EMU Sponberg Theatre, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., 1030 E. Circle Dr., Ypsilanti. Tickets $6 in advance at emich.ludus.com & at the box office (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) and (if available) at the door. (734) 487–2282. 

Apr. 12 (10 a.m.–noon): Easter Eggstravaganza: Westside United Methodist Church. All kids invited to hunt for Easter eggs. Also, a craft table, bouncy house, and treats. Westside United Methodist Church, 900 S. Seventh St. Free. (734) 663-4164. 

Apr. 12 (2 p.m.): “Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical”: Theater Works U.S.A. (Michigan Theater Foundation Not Just For Kids Series). This professional touring children’s theater company presents Keelay Gipson & Sam Salmond’s musical adaptation of Peter H. Reynolds’ award-winning children’s picture books celebrating self-expression: The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. The plot concerns the efforts of three child artists to break free from self-criticism and let their imaginations soar. Recommended for kids ages 5-10. Michigan Theater. Tickets $27. marquee-arts.org/calendar, (734) 668–8397. 

Apr. 16 (1–1:45 p.m.): “Young Scientists”: AADL Pittsfield. Science-themed stories and simple science experiments for preschoolers accompanied by a caregiver. 

Apr. 17 (10:30–11:15 a.m.): “Sensation Stations”: AADL Malletts Creek. Babies and infants age 2 and under, accompanied by an adult, invited to engage their senses by scooping, pouring, shaking, and sorting a variety of materials while exploring colors, shapes, textures, and sounds. 

Apr. 18 (1–2 p.m.): Pipe Cleaner Bee Puppets: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to make bee puppets out of pipe cleaners. 

Apr. 19 (10–11 a.m.): “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 Rd. $7 (residents, $5). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. (734) 822–2120. 

Apr. 19 (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. LSNC, 1831 Traver Rd. Preregistration requested at lesliesnc.org. $7/person (under age 2, free). 

Apr. 19 (11:30 a.m.-noon): “Spring Fest”: Saline Parks and Recreation. All ages 5–14 invited to bring a basket, hunt for eggs, and go home with candy. Rain, snow, or shine; dress for the weather. Also, $12 pizza lunch with the Easter Bunny (noon-1 p.m., separate registration required). Saline Recreation Center & Tefft Park, 1866 Woodland Dr. E., Saline. $15 per child; preregistration required at tinyurl.com/salineparks or (734) 429–3502.  

Apr. 19 (1–2 p.m.): “Easter Egg Hunt”: Dancer’s Edge Fundraiser. Kids ages 3–8 invited to join this annual indoor hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy, stickers, and temporary tattoos. Dancer’s Edge, 3115 Broad St., Dexter. $5 suggested donation in advance at dextersdancersedge.com, $7 at the door, 424–2626.  

Apr. 19 (1–2 p.m.): “Pom-Pom Friends”: AADL Westgate. Kids grade 3 & up invited to make a cute & fuzzy pom-pom friend with googly eyes and pipe cleaner feet. 

Apr. 19 (2–3 p.m.): “DIY Stamps”: AADL Malletts Creek. A chance for kids grades preK–5 to use foam shapes to make their own rubber stamps. 

Apr. 20. (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, and live bunnies. Stone Chalet, 1917 Washtenaw. $10 per kid; adults, $5 in advance only at enchantedinnandevents.com. 

Apr. 23 (2–3:30 p.m.): “Watercolor a Water Bird”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Environmental Education. K–5 students, accompanied by an adult, invited to join a city environmental educator on a one-mile hike to learn how to identify local water birds, then paint pictures of them. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Gallup Park Meeting Room, 3000 Fuller Rd. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. epotter@a2gov.org. 

Apr. 23 (2–3 p.m.): “Felt Friends”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K–5 invited to create colorful figures out of felt. 

Apr. 23 (2–3 p.m.): “HEXBUG Adventures”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades K–5 to play with the library’s robotic HEXBUGs in an interactive obstacle course. 

Apr. 25 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Spring Sensory Bottles”: AADL Traverwood. Kids ages 3–5 invited to make spring-themed sensory bottles using colorful water beads. 

Apr. 25 (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. Tiny Lions. $20. Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar, humaneed@hshv.org, (734) 661–3575. 

Apr. 26 (noon–1 p.m.): “SCRAPpy Bug Kits”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K–5 invited to create bugs using craft kits provided by SCRAP Creative Reuse. 

Apr. 27 (11–11:45 a.m.): “Dancing Babies”: AADL Downtown. Local music teacher Robin Robinson leads kids age 5 & under (accompanied by an adult) in a 45-minute program of music and movement. 

Apr. 27 (2–3 p.m.): “Slime Time”: AADL Westgate. Kids grades K–5 invited to play with the library’s slime. 

Apr. 27 (2–3 p.m.): Paper Bag Monsters: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K–5 invited to make a monster friend out of paper bags, pipe cleaners, and a variety of precut paper shapes.