Springing Ahead: Local Destinations and Happenings in April

April is here! With that comes consistently increasing temperatures, landscapes gradually turning green, and rain—sometimes a lot of it.

As Michigan weather can leave you in suspense, it is important to have various indoor and outdoor plans ready. In that spirit, there is an assortment of fun activities to be on the lookout for in our area all month long. Enjoy perusing this blog and finding those activities that bring you joy this spring season. While some of these 2025 events are free, some are not and may require registration, so please plan accordingly.

Family Leisure and Entertainment

• Bunny Hop
  A night of music and dancing with the Easter Bunny will take place at the Summit on the Park Banquet Center on April 3 from 6:00-8:00 PM. For the first hour, there will be a chance to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Pre-registration is required.
• Spring Fever in the Park 2025
  Visit Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth from April 3 to May 5 and see how the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce, nonprofit organizations and community groups transform the space with different spring-themed designs and creations.
• Michigan Panthers Home Games
  Still a little bummed about the Lions playoff loss? We are, too. If you could stand to get some of that bad taste out of your mouth, the good news is spring football happening in Michigan. Tickets are required. Home games are on April 4 at 8:00 PM, April 13 at noon and April 18 at 8:00 PM.
• Detroit City FC Home Games
  Detroit City FC games are a terrific way for your family to experience the atmosphere of a soccer game, letting you and your kids get caught up in the chants of the crowd. Tickets are required. Home games are on April 5, April 19 and April 26 at 4:00 PM.
• KidCreate: Family Plaque Creation
  On April 8 from 10:00-11:00 AM, children aged 1½ to 6 will use air-dry clay to create a family plaque. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Pre-registration is required.
• Michigan Makers 2nd Annual Spring Market
  On April 12 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, more than 400 vendors will display their crafts at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Explore handmade jewelry, soaps, candles, woodworking, home décor and more. Parking is $10, but entry into the show is free.
• Egg Hunt POOLooza
  A fun, unique way for kids to go on an egg hunt. On April 12 from 5:00 -7:00 PM, eggs will be scattered throughout each pool at the Summit on the Park. Following the egg hunt, there will be a rubber ducky race. Pools will also be open for general play during the events. Pre-registration is required.
• Off-Season Farmers Market
  Visit the Village Arts Factory in Cherry Hill Village on April 13 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM to support different local food growers and producers.
• Art in Bloom: Spring Artisan Market
  This family-friendly event at the Village Arts Factory in Cherry Hill Village is free and open to the public on April 26 from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. There will be food trucks, coffee, concessions, live music, face painting, and local vendors will be onsite to sell their art, crafts and food items. As a bonus, the Cherry Hill Potters Guild will host their Spring Pottery Sale that same weekend.

Family Exploration

• Museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan
  Enjoy all three stories of this recently renovated museum, which features life-size fossils, natural life exhibits and a planetarium. There are also hands-on components, such as textures or touch screens. The museum is open every Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Parking is free in Ann Arbor on Sundays, and general admission is always free.
• Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory at Belle Isle
  Did you know this is the oldest conservatory in the country? It boasts quite a collection of exotic and rare plants from around the world—beautiful backgrounds for some family photos. It is divided into five sections: a Palm House, a Tropical House, a Cactus House, a sunken Fernery, and a Show House. The Conservatory is open every Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to drive on Belle Isle. You can park and walk onto the island for free, and admission to the Conservatory is free.
• Belle Isle Aquarium
  This is America’s oldest aquarium and a great place to visit in combination with the Conservatory listed above. The aquarium is open every Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to drive on Belle Isle. Admission is free, but there is an encouraged donation of $5.
• Michigan State University Tollgate Farm 
  Tollgate Farm in Novi has animals but also features trails and ornamental gardens. See the horses, cows, goats and chickens from a distance. A children’s garden also includes an observation area and maze. The farm is open every day from dawn to dusk. Admission is free, but there is an encouraged donation of $5.
• Farmington Hills Nature Center
  Featuring a life-sized animal habitat, a backyard habitat bird viewing area, native fish aquariums, a nature library, an activity table, a hands-on touch table and Discovery Cove, this could be a beautiful place to take the family on Earth Day (April 22). Admission is free every Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and Sundays from noon-4:00 PM.
• Detroit Institute of Arts
  The DIA is a rich resource for history and culture. Drawing in the galleries and drop-in workshops are wonderful ways for children to enjoy free hands-on fun. The museum is open every Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Fridays from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM, and every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Admission is free for Wayne County residents.

Fun for the Sake of Fun

• The Art of Jazz: Art Reception & Live Jazz with Kathy Kosins
  Celebrate the start of Jazz History Month with live jazz music and the opening reception of Kathy’s art gallery exhibit at the Village Arts Factory in Cherry Hill Village on April 4 from 6:15-8:15 PM. The event is free and open to the public.
• Piece-by-Piece Puzzle Party
  Teams of one to four people will race against each other to complete the same 500-piece puzzle in the shortest time. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest three teams. The event is geared towards adults, but participants can be as young as 6. Gather a group of family or friends and have some playful fun engaging your minds. Pre-registration is required. It will be located at the Summit on the Park on April 25, 6:00-9:00 PM.
• Canton Cares Road Rally
  Solve puzzles, riddles, and clues that will take you all around Canton. For adults looking to have fun for a great cause, this is a 2-for-1 opportunity. It is $100 per car, so join in with some friends. Road Rally includes a pizza, salad, and breadstick dinner and begins at the Summit on the Park. The event is on April 26 from 4:45-7:30 PM.
• Outdoor Playgrounds
  There are many playgrounds in the Metro Detroit area, so check out the link above to see the full list of playgrounds, particularly if your family is traveling in the area this April.
• Fly a Kite
  There are bound to be some windy days in April; visit one of the many parks in Canton (included in the link) and enjoy spring with its most classic celebration.