Kids Calendar
(age 12 & under)
May 2026
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
★ May 1–4 (various times and locations): “KinderConcerts”: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. A2SO arts educator Jaxon Williams hosts a program for kids age 5 & under (accompanied by an adult) that includes participatory dancing and singing to live music by A2SO pianist Melissa Coppola and percussionist John Dorsey. Participants also learn about the instruments. May 1 (10–10:30 & 11–11:30 a.m.): AADL Downtown. May 2 (10:30–11 a.m.): Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main, Chelsea. May 2 (12:15–12:45 p.m.): Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple, Saline. May 4 (10–10:30 & 11–11:30 a.m.): Ypsilanti District Library Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsi. Free. (734) 994–4801, a2so.org/kinderconcerts.
★ 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., except May 25), 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., except May 25), Traverwood (Tues. 11 a.m.), Westgate & Pittsfield (Wed. 10:30 a.m.), and Downtown (Fri. 10:30 a.m.).
May 1 (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].
★ May 2 (11:15 a.m.–noon): “Read and Look”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Kelsey staff read Robin Heighway-Bury and Meredith Hooper’s picture book Who Built the Pyramid?. 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.
★ May 2 (4–5 p.m.): BenJammin: AADL Downtown. This West Michigan children’s entertainer performs a family-friendly interactive music show for kids grades preK–5.
★ May 2 (4–5 p.m.): Kids & Family Open Mic and Comedy Hour: Oz’s Music Environment. Kids ages 6–12 and family members invited to play a song or share a story or joke. Oz’s Music Environment, 1922 Packard. Free; donations accepted. (734) 662–8283.
★ May 3 (11–11:45 a.m. & noon–12:45 p.m.): “Kids Move!”: AADL Pittsfield. Local fitness 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.
May 3 (Noon–1:30 p.m.): “The Mad Hatter’s Tea”: Ballet Chelsea. Kids of all ages and their parents invited to meet Wonderland characters like the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and Cheshire Cat ahead of the company’s performance of Alice in Wonderland (see 2 Saturday Events listing). Also, treats, tea, games, & crafts. Chelsea High School, 740 N. Freer, Chelsea. Tickets $30, in advance only at ballet-chelsea.org/tickets.
★ May 4 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Little Play Date”: AADL Westgate. Open playtime for babies & preschoolers (with caregiver).
★ Every Tues. (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Outside Story Time”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 2–5 invited, with caregiver, for stories, play, and crafts on a theme. Dress for the weather and bring snacks. May 5: Butterflies (Gallup Park, 3175 Gallup Park Rd.). May 12: Beetles (Virginia Park, 500 Virginia). May 19: Bees (Windemere Park, 3725 Windemere). May 26: Spiders (Creal Park, 1500 Creal Crescent). Meet at the playground in each park. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
★ May 5 (1–2 p.m.): Tools for Kids, Hands-On: AADL Downtown. Kids grades K–5 invited to work with a variety of kid-friendly household tools.
★ May 5 (1–2 p.m.): Mermaid Crafts: AADL Westgate. A chance for kids grades K–5 to make a mermaid crown and wand.
★ May 5 (1–3 p.m.): Kids Game Afternoon: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K–5 invited to play board games and put together puzzles.
★ May 5 (1–2:30 p.m.): “K–5 Wildflower Walk”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Environmental Education. City environmental educator Eleva Potter leads a 1-mile walk for K–5 students, accompanied by an adult, to look for wildflowers and other signs of spring. Dress for the weather and for mud. Marybeth Doyle Park, disc golf parking lot, 3191 Chelsea Cir. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
May 6 & 20 (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 Thurs. (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Little Paws Toddler Time”: HSHV. Stories, crafts, & fingerplays. Also, a chance to interact with adoptable cats & dogs and 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].
May 8 (6:30–8 p.m.): “Huntrix: For the Fans Fest”: Stone Chalet. Kids ages 2–12 with adult accompaniment invited to an interactive performance by 3 character impersonators from the movie KPop Demon Hunters that includes group games, a dance lesson, and live performance of 2 songs from the film. Stone Chalet, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. Tickets $25 per kid (adults, $20) only in advance at enchantedinnandevents.com. starbrightentertainmenta2.com.
May 9 & 30 (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].
May 9 & 10 (10 a.m.–noon & 2–4 p.m.): “Crafty Chaos: A-May-Zine Book Making”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Kids of all ages invited to design and create a zine using a variety of paper craft techniques. 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
\May 9 (11 a.m.): Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players: the Ark. Family concert by this acclaimed ensemble led by Roberts, a Minneapolis indie rock singer-songwriter turned Montessori preschool teacher who the Los Angeles Times calls “among the best craftsmen of sweet and silly kid tunes out there, making irresistible music out of small, well-observed moments from the lives of children and parents.” The Ark, 316 S. Main. Tickets $24 (kids, $18) in advance at mutotix.umich.edu, theark.org, & at the door. (734) 761–1451.
★ May 9 (2–3 p.m.): “Unicorn Flower Pots”: AADL Westgate. Kids grades K–5 invited to make a little unicorn-themed flower pot, then add a live succulent.
★ May 10 (noon–1 p.m.): “DIY Stamps”: AADL Malletts Creek. A chance for kids grades preK–5 to use foam shapes to make their own rubber stamps.
★ May 10 (noon–1 p.m.): “Paper Weaving Rainbow Fish: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K–5 invited to weave different colored strips together to make a paper fish.
May 11 (9–10:30 a.m.): “Princess Belle Storytime & Open Play”: Hide & Seek. Toddlers & preschoolers with adult accompaniment invited to listen to stories, play games, take a dance lesson, and enjoy songs from a costumed Belle performer. Ticket includes an hour in the playroom. Hide & Seek, 1954 South Industrial, ste. A. Tickets $22 per child, only in advance at hideandseekannarbor.com. starbrightentertainmenta2.com.
★ May 11, 13, & 14 (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).
★ May 11, 18, & 26 (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. May 11: Blooming Flowers (Virginia Park, 500 Virginia). May 18: Birds (Windermere Park, 3725 Windemere). May 26: Butterflies (Creal Park, 1500 Creal Crescent). Meet at the playground in each park. Free, preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
★ May 13 & 27 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): “Kid Move & Grove”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Infants–kids age 5 invited, with caregiver, for guided outdoor movement to recorded music. May 13 (Virginia Park, 500 Virginia). May 27 (Creal Park, 1500 Creal Crescent). Meet at the playground in each park. Free. [email protected], tinyurl.com/a2parksrec.
★ May 14 (1–2:30 p.m.): “K–5 Pond Dipping”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Environmental Education. City environmental educator Eleva Potter leads an expedition for K–5 students with adult accompaniment to look for critters in Olson Pond, including ducks, turtles, frogs, and (using nets) macroinvertebrates. Dress for the weather and for mud. Olson Park, 1515 Dhu Varren Rd. Free, preregistration required (space limited) at tinyurl.com/a2parksrec. [email protected].
★ May 14 (3–4 p.m.): “Muppet Paper Bag Puppet”: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to make a Muppet-style puppet out of a paper bag.
★ May 14 (3–4 p.m.): “Paper Bug Garden”: AADL Traverwood. Kids grades preK–5 invited to make a colony of colorful bug critters with egg cartons, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, and construction paper.
★ May 17 (11 a.m.–noon): “Mo Willems Celebration”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades preK–3 invited to hear AADL storytellers read Willems’ stories featuring Elephant and Piggie and the Pigeon. Also, crafts featuring favorite characters.
★ May 17 (11 a.m.–noon): “Pop-Up Monsters”: AADL Downtown. A chance for kids grades K–5 to create paper monsters with moving mouths.
May 20 (10–11 a.m.): “Kids on the Farm”: Domino’s Petting Farm. Program for kids ages 1–6 and their adult guardian includes stories, visits with the animals, songs, and activities based on this month’s theme “Spring Babies on the Farm.” Meets rain or shine; dress for the weather. 3001 Earhart. $32 (members, $27), includes one adult and one child admission to the farm & a tractor ride (2 kids, $55). Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/37ak3cbu. pettingfarm.com
★ May 21 (1–1:45 p.m.): “Young Scientists”: AADL Traverwood. Science-themed stories and simple science experiments for preschoolers accompanied by a caregiver.
May 22 (5:30–7:30 p.m.): “Rapunzel Pajama Party”: Hide & Seek. Kids 12 & under with adult accompaniment invited to play movement games, dance along with a costumed Rapunzel performer, spend time in the Hide & Seek playroom, and more. Pizza & beverage available for purchase. Costumes or PJs encouraged. Hide & Seek, 1954 South Industrial, ste. A. Tickets $20 only in advance at hideandseekannarbor.com. starbrightentertainmenta2.com.
★ May 23 (noon–1:30 p.m.): Papercut Horses: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to learn about the Chinese Zodiac, then use simple tools to create a paper horse. Led by local artist Lyla Wang.
★ May 24 (11–11:30 a.m.): “Ojibway Storytime”: AADL Pittsfield. Indigenous storyteller Ariel Ojibway tells traditional Anishinaabe stories for babies and preschoolers.
★ May 24 & 31 (11–11:45 a.m.): “Dancing Babies”: AADL Downtown (May 24) & Traverwood (May 31). Local music teachers lead kids age 5 & under (accompanied by an adult) in a 45-minute program of music and movement.
★ May 29 (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.
May 29 (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].
★ May 30 (9 a.m.-noon): Fishin’ with a Cop: City of Ann Arbor. Kids ages 7–15, accompanied by an adult, invited to join local police officers for a morning of fishing. Equipment provided, but bring bait or tackle if you have it. Free donuts, juice, and coffee. 9 a.m.–noon, Gallup Park, East shelter, 3000 Fuller Rd. Free. Preregistration required (space limited) at url.a2gov.org/fishinwithacop. More info at tinyurl.com/a2k9-5-16-26.
May 30 (noon–1 p.m.): “Black Men Read Story Time & Activity”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. A chance for kids grades preK–5 to listen to volunteers read stories of the African diaspora, then do related activities. 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
★ May 30 (3–4:30 p.m.): “HEXBUG Adventures”: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids grades K–5 invited to play with the library’s robotic HEXBUGs in an interactive obstacle course.
★ May 31 (1–2 p.m.): Tiny Window Greenhouse: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids ages preK–5 invited to make a small greenhouse out of paper and a Ziplock bag to tape on a window and watch seedlings grow.
★ May 31 (1–2 p.m.): Paper Fortune Cookies: AADL Westgate. Kids grades 3 & up invited to make origami fortune cookies.
May 31 (3–5 p.m.): 12th Annual Kid Fest: First Steps Benefit. Family concert (4 p.m.), with sing-alongs, by Joe Reilly, a local singer-songwriter whose playful songs draw on blues, Native American, and other traditional American idioms and address ecological and spiritual themes. The program begins with kids activities TBA. Silent auction of kid-friendly items. Bring snacks & blankets to sit on. Food trucks. Leslie Science & Nature Center, 1831 Traver. $10 (kids ages 2–17, $5; family of 8, $35) in advance at tinyurl.com/a2kidfest2026 & (if available) at the gate.