Kids Calendar
(age 12 & under)
October 2025
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.
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., except Oct. 13), 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. & Sept. 15, 7 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 Oct. 13), Traverwood (Tues. 11 a.m.), Westgate & Pittsfield (Wed. 10:30 a.m.), and Downtown (Fri. 10:30 a.m.).
Oct. 2 (11 a.m.–noon): “Little Play Date”: AADL Westgate. Open playtime for babies & preschoolers (with caregiver).
Every Thurs. (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, accompanied by an adult. HSHV. $5 (babies under age 1, free). Space limited; preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
Oct. 3 (4:30–5:30 p.m.): “K–5 Forest Fridays: Hibernation Homes”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 4–12, accompanied by an adult, invited to learn what animals are doing to prepare for winter. Dress for the weather. Olson Park shelter, 1515 Dhu Varren. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-k5. Free. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 3 (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. (734) 661–3564, [email protected].
Every Sat. (10:15–11:15 a.m.): “Wee-Write with 826 Michigan”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids ages 5–8 invited to work in small groups with adult volunteers to create stories and play creative games.
Oct. 4 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.): “Trek or Treat”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Families with kids over the age of 1 invited to enjoy the sights, frights, and fun along a Halloween-themed decorated stretch of 1.5 miles of trail and collect goodies along the way. Costumes encouraged. Last trail entry 2:30 p.m. Rolling Hills Park, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti. $5/family, preregistration required at washtenaw.org/registerparks (#RH721304).
Oct. 4 (11:15 a.m.–noon): “Read and Look”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. Kelsey staff read the children’s book Egyptian Lullaby, an ode to the history and culture of Cairo. Followed by a chance for kids ages 4–7 (accompanied by an adult) to explore the museum’s Roman and Egyptian collections to find items pictured in the book. Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
Oct. 4 (noon–1 p.m.): “LEGO Connection”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids ages 5–10 to play with the library’s LEGO blocks.
Oct. 4 (4–5 p.m.): Kids & Family Open Mic and Comedy Hour: Oz’s Music Environment. Kids ages 6–12 and their family members invited to play a song, or share a story or joke. Oz’s Music Environment, 1922 Packard. Free; donation accepted. (734) 662–8283.
Oct. 5 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.): “Archaeology and Technology”: U-M Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Family Day. Kid-friendly activities and docent-led tours, along with robotics demonstrations by U-M archaeology faculty. Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State. Free. (734) 764–9304.
Oct. 5 (11–11:45 a.m. & noon–12:45 p.m.): “Kids Move!”: AADL Malletts Creek. 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.
Oct. 5 (2–3 p.m.): Fairy Fun Storytime and Craft: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades preK–3 invited to listen to fairy stories and make fairy-themed crafts.
Oct. 6, 8, & 9 (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. AADL Traverwood (Mon.), AADL Downtown (Wed.), & AADL Malletts Creek (Thurs.).
Oct. 6 & 22 (10:30–11:15 a.m.): “Sensation Stations”: AADL Downtown (Oct. 6) & AADL Traverwood (Oct. 22). 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.
Oct. 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. Tiny Lions. $10 per kid (babies under age 1, free). Preregistration required at hshv.org/event-calendar. (734) 661–3575, [email protected].
Oct. 8 (10-10:45 a.m.): “Pumpkinpalooza”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation. Preschool-age kids, accompanied by an adult, invited to paint pumpkins, make fall-themed crafts, and have snacks. Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd. $15 each child, (Pittsfield residents, $10). Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. (734) 822–2120.
Oct. 10 (noon–1 p.m. & 1:30–2:30 p.m.): “Creatures That Go Bump in the Night”: AADL Downtown. Leslie Science & Nature Center staff show live nocturnal animals TBA and discuss why they live in the dark and how they are adapted for life at night.
Oct. 10 (2–3:30 p.m.): “K-5 Nature Crafts: Outfit an Owl”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 4–11, accompanied by an adult, invited to learn about local owls and make one to take home using provided materials. Dress for the weather. Island Park Shelter B (the 2nd & largest), 1420 Island Dr. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-k5-owl-2025. Free. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 11 (10–11:30 a.m.): “Rescue Reading”: HSHV. Kids ages 6–11 invited to read to adoptable animals to work on their reading skills, 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].
Oct. 11 (10:30–11:45): “How to Be Brave” Storytime: Cluster. Kids age 6 and under invited, with their caretakers, for crafts and stories about courage told by storyteller and retired AADL children’s librarian Laura Raynor at this new artists’ and writers’ space. Cluster, 307 N. Main St. Free, but preregistration required at clustermuseum.org/events.
Oct. 11 (10:30–11:30 a.m.): Book Party with Black Men Read: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades preK–5 to listen to volunteers read stories of the African diaspora, then do related activities.
Oct. 11 (1–4 p.m.): Meri Lou Murray Fall Festival: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Family-oriented festival with a story trail, a petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and other crafts. Also, food trucks, heirloom apple tasting, and a craft fair. County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd. Free. (734) 971–6337, [email protected].
Oct. 11 (2–4 p.m.): “Art in the Park”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 4–11, accompanied by an adult, invited to create art from natural materials and take it home. Wheeler Park, 200 Depot St. Free. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-k5-parkart-2025. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 12 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): “PlayLab: Moving Through Heightened Language”: Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC). Kids ages 7–12, accompanied by an adult, invited to participate in guided physical improvisational storytelling. A2AC, 117 W. Liberty. Free, but preregistration required at annarborartcenter.org.
Oct. 12 (1–2 p.m.): Story Fest with the Ann Arbor Storyteller’s Guild: AADL Pittsfield. Guild members tell stories for kids grades preK–5.
Oct. 13 (2–3:30 p.m.): “K–5 Nature Crafts: Build a Bat”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 4–11, accompanied by an adult, invited to learn about local bats and make one to take home out of provided crafting materials. Dress for the weather. Olson Park shelter, 1515 Dhu Varren. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-k5-bat-2025. Free. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 14 (7–7:30 p.m.): “Not-So-Scary Monster Tales”: AADL Pittsfield. AADL storytellers read stories for kids grades preK–2 featuring some (not very) scary monsters.
Oct. 15 (4:30–6 p.m.): “Kids in the Kitchen: Veggie Pizza”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 10–15, accompanied by an adult, invited to make pizza topped with local produce. Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Free. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-pizza-2025. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 18 (1–2 p.m.): “Mini Naturalist: Signs of Fall”: Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Kids ages 3–6, accompanied by a caretaker, invited to join naturalist Kelsey Dehring in using their 5 senses to explore the changing seasons. Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings, Beach Center Pavilion, Dexter. Free, but $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee. Preregistration required (space limited) at washtenaw.org/registerparks (#811002). (734) 971–6337, [email protected].
Oct. 18 (2–3 p.m.): “Hanging Bat Paper Garlands”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades preK–5 invited to trace, cut, and fold paper to make colonies of bats hanging from a string garland.
Oct. 18 (2–3 p.m.): “Spooktacular Refrigerator Magnets”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids grades K–5 to decorate Halloween-themed refrigerator magnets with colorful paper and googly eyes.
Oct. 18, 25, & 26 (5–6:30 p.m.): “‘Spooky Species for Families”: The Creature Conservancy. Kids ages 6 and up, with accompanying adults, invited to check out and learn about animals associated with the season (possibly a Eurasian eagle owl, a black vulture, ravens, snakes, tarantulas, and rats), and hear Halloween legends tailored to families. Cider and donuts. Creature Conservancy, 4950 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd. $20 per kid (adults, $30), preregistration required at thecreatureconservancy.org. (734) 929–9324.
Oct. 18 (5:45–8 p.m.): “Muttster Mash”: Humane Society of Huron Valley. Family-friendly games designed for kids ages 4-10, along with crafts and other activities, including trick-or-treating throughout the shelter and interacting with adoptable pets. Costumes and trick-or-treat bags encouraged. This event usually sells out. Limit of 2 adults per kid. Entries timed to prevent congestion, but people can stay as long as they like. Tickets $12 per kid (babies under age 1, free) in advance only at hshv.org/event-calendar.
Oct. 19 (noon–1:30 p.m.): “Wire Sculptures Inspired by Louise Bourgeois”: AADL Downtown. A chance for kids grade 3 & up to make wire sculptures in the style of this French-American artist who used spiders as a central motif in the later part of her career.
Oct. 19 (2–3 p.m.): Fall Painting: AADL Westgate. Kids grades preK–3 invited to use outlines to create a colorful fall-themed painting.
Oct. 21 (6:30–7:30 p.m.): “Doggy Tales with Therapaws”: AADL Downtown. Library staff read silly puppy stories for kids ages 2–5. Followed by a chance to meet therapy dogs from Therapaws.
Oct. 24 (1–2 p.m.): “Pony Bead Ghost Keychain”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids in grade 3 & up invited to use pony beads to make a keychain in the shape of a ghost.
Oct. 24 (5:30 & 6:30 p.m.): “Creatures of the Night”: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation. A hayride, pumpkin decoration, a visit with creatures TBA from Leslie Science Center, and a stroll along the trail to look for nocturnal animals. Followed by trick-or-treating from decorated cars. For kids ages 1–12, with their families. Bring your own flashlight. Costumes encouraged. 2 time slots. Lillie Park South, 4365 Platt Rd. $15 (Pittsfield residents, $10) per child; adults free. Preregistration required at recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov. (734) 822–2120.
Oct. 25 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): “Fuzzy Caterpillar Storytime”: Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. Storyteller Rowena Conahan tells stories from her book Fuzzy Caterpillar: Stories and Activities to kids ages 3–6, with their siblings and caregivers. Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main, upstairs. Free. (734) 665–2757, crazywisdom.net.
Oct. 25 (11 a.m.–noon): Spooky Skeleton Wall Decorations: AADL Malletts Creek. Kids grades K–5 invited to create a paper skeleton with arms and legs that move.
Oct. 25 (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.): “Create Your Own Mini Haunted House”: AADL Traverwood. A chance for kids age 6 & up to paint and decorate a mini birdhouse to transform it into a spooky haunted house.
Oct. 25 (3–4 p.m.): “Magic Show with Ming the Magician”: AADL Downtown. Chinese-born magician Ming Louie puts on an all-ages magic show that combines music, dance, and illusions.
Oct. 25 (4–6 p.m.): “Thrills at the Mills”: Hudson Mills Metropark. All kids, accompanied by a caretaker, invited to trunk-or-treat at official park vehicles, including a dump truck, police car, and tractor. Car owners also invited to sign up and participate with a decorated car trunk and treats to hand out. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter. Free. Preregistration required for trunks and trunk-or-treaters at tinyurl.com/hudsonmills-10-2025. $10 vehicle entrance fee. (734) 426–8211.
Oct. 25 (4–6 p.m. & 6–8:30 p.m.): “Animal Haunts”: Leslie Science & Nature Center. Guided “mystery hikes” through woodlands to meet a variety of sensationally costumed swamp animals who perform entertaining educational skits and songs. Also, interactive science activities led by Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff, live animal show-and-tell, and seasonal crafts. Costumes encouraged. Candy-free. Geared towards families with kids age 12 & under, but all ages welcome. LSNC, 1831 Traver Rd. $10/person (members, $8; under age 2, free). Preregistration required at lesliesnc.org.
Oct. 26 (11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.): “Halloween Trick-or-Treating”: Main Street Area Association. All costumed kids, accompanied by a caregiver, are invited to join a costume parade (line up begins at 11:30 a.m.) led by AADL staff from William down Main to Washington St. Followed by trick or treating (12:15–1:30 p.m.) at businesses displaying black & orange balloons. Also, dancing, games, crafts, and facepainting (1:30–3 p.m.). Corner of Main & William. Free. mainstreetannarbor.org.
Oct. 26 (noon–3 p.m.): “Critters Up Close!”: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Leslie Science & Nature Center staff show live animals TBA. Also, animal-oriented hands-on activities for all ages. AAHOM, 220 E. Ann. $16 museum admission (babies under 2, free). (734) 995–9439, discoverscienceandnature.org/aahom.
Oct. 26 (1–4 p.m.): “Fairytale Trick or Treat”: Ballet Chelsea. Costumed kids, accompanied by a caretaker, invited to walk through the studios, decorated with a variety of fairytale themes including The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, populated with costumed dancers. Games, treats, dancing, and surprises. Ballet Chelsea Studio, 1050 S. Main St., Chelsea. Free. [email protected].
Oct. 26 (2–3 p.m.): Pumpkin Carving Party: Hudson Mills Metropark. All kids, accompanied by an adult, invited to carve a pumpkin. Pumpkins and tools provided. Cider and donuts. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd., Dexter. Preregistration required by 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at tinyurl.com/hudsonmills-10-2025. $6 (kids 3 and under, free), plus $10 vehicle entrance fee. (734) 426–8211.
Oct. 26 (5–7 p.m.): “Trunk or Treat”: West Side United Methodist Church. All kids in costume invited to trick-or-treat at church members’ decorated cars in the parking lot. Westside United Methodist Church, 900 S. Seventh St. Free. (734) 663–4164.
Oct. 30 (4, 5, & 6 p.m.): “Haunted Trick-or-Treat Tour”: Stone Chalet. Hour-long family-friendly trick-or-treat sessions around the historic Stone Chalet mansion. Features multiple outdoor scenes with animatronics and child-friendly decor while characters in costumes pass out candy and treats. Ends inside with activities, dancing, and games in the Queen’s Ballroom. Stone Chalet, 1917 Washtenaw. $12 per child (adults, $10; kids age 2 & under, free) in advance at stonechalet.com & at the door. (866) 382–6542.
Oct. 30 (6–7 p.m.): “Comics Jam!”: AADL Pittsfield. Kids grades K-5 invited to draw 2 simple cartoons to use in their own comics. No prior experience necessary. Those interested in submitting work to the Kids Comic Contest can find out more at aadl.org/kidscomiccontest.
Oct. 31 (10:30–11 a.m., & 11:30 a.m.–noon): “The Halloween Show!”: AADL Downtown. Kids grades preK–3 and their caretakers invited to join AADL storytellers for a fun Halloween-themed show with stories, puppets, songs, & rhymes. Wear costumes and gather treats afterward.
Oct. 31 (2–3:30 p.m.): “K–5 Nature Crafts: Mammal Masks”: Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation. Kids ages 4–11, accompanied by an adult, invited to learn about local mammals and make a mask using provided materials to take home. Dress for the weather. Gallup Park, meeting rm., 3000 Fuller. Free. Preregistration required at tinyurl.com/a2pr-k5-mask-2025. (734) 476–7612, [email protected].
Oct. 31 (3–4 p.m.): “Custom Monster Paper Dolls”: AADL Pittsfield. A chance for kids grades K–5 to make articulated paper doll monsters.