Weekend: Free Events in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Chelsea for the Whole Family

You know that the seasons are changing when there are so many great family events in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and surrounding areas, that creating a list of events creates a book!

What kid wouldn't enjoy spending a day viewing butterflies at the
Butterfly Festival at University of Michigan
Exhibit Museum of Natural History? 

So get out and enjoy the many great free events happening this weekend:

Friday, May 20:

Start your weekend off right by exercising your lungs. Do you like to sing? What about singing doo-wop? In honor of Michigan week, families can perform Motown karaoke music with your singing buddies at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) 3:00-5:30 p.m. Two mikes will be available so everyone can participate; parents can sing with their kids, teens can sing with their friends, bring your best doo-wop buddy and we’ll entertain each other.

Saturday, May 21:

Learning to fly is in the air as families join in on International Learn-to-Fly Day at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (801 Airport Dr., Ann Arbor) 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Find free open house events that include toys on hand for kids, planes on display, and a lunchtime cookout - with the best burgers on the field. Elsewhere at the airport will be an ice cream truck, and presentations on the history of aviation.

International Learn-To-Fly Day promises to be great
fun for the entire family, not just those
interested in aviation!

The weather is going to be perfect for butterfly viewing at the Butterfly Festival at University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This free event lets the family explore the beautiful and fascinating world of butterflies in the butterfly sanctuary enjoying their full life cycles! The kids can even use microscopes to see what butterfly and moth wings are really made of! Then head over to Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) to create a customized Winged Wonders from 1:00-3:00 p.m. all you need to do is fold a bit here, twist a bit there, and voilá, you have a gorgeous butterfly to hang around the house or in your child’s room! This free craft is best for the budding butterfly enthusiasts ages 4 and up.
Maybe you just want to cool down before the day even begins? Then I suggest you take the kidd-o’s to the Kids Jazz Jam at Chelsea District Library (221 S. Main St., Chelsea) at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. to enjoy a jazz story, songs and improvisation in this lively workshop with Chelsea Center for the Arts’ music instructor Tara Vesprini. This is a free event however there is a limit of 20 children (ages 3-6)per session, so please pre-register online through the Chelsea District Library website.

Everyone wants a healthier lifestyle for the family, so bring them to the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day at Ypsilanti High School (2095 Packard Rd., Ypsilanti) from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The free event encourages kids and their parents to get active with activities such as a fun run, Zumba for kids, sports games, healthy snacks, family yoga and a soccer clinic with the University of Michigan’s Women’s Soccer Team at 11:00 a.m.

Stop by the Touch-A-Truck event at the Briarwood Mall
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - noon

Do you have a budding chef in your midst? Then by all means let them participate in the Cook Michigan Cooking Contest at Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti). Your child or teen age 6 and older can drop off their drop off their dish (Made with Michigan grown or Made in Michigan ingredients) at any YDL location by 1:00 p.m. to be entered into the contest. For information and a full list of the rules, visit the Ypsilanti District Library website.

Sunday, May 22:

This free event is really for mom and dad, however they can create a fun end-of-the-school-year memory for a child at the “Make-It Take-It” event at Michael’s Crafts (3655 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor). Have a blast making a 3D customized keepsake while taking a short break from the kids 1:00-3:00 p.m.