Mid-Winter Break Activities & Events

What do your kids do when they are off school for mid-winter break? For many families this will be a very popular question next week. Schools from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti to Milan are off for some or all of the week. Looking for something to do? The kids can enjoy skating, crafts, free movies and even many educational opportunities throughout the week.

Events and activities will be added as they are discovered, so check back for daily and weekly activities for mid-winter break in Ann Arbor!

There are man free movies for the family to enjoy this week.
Check out what's available that your kids would enjoy!

Free Movies:

There are so many opportunities for the kids to enjoy free movies when out of school. Here is a list of the movies, show times and locations.

2/20 at 1:00 p.m. - Open Season 3 at the Dexter District Library
2/20 at 2:00 p.m. - Coraline at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/20 at 7:00 p.m. - Teen Movie - I Am Number Four at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/21 at 2:00 p.m. - Zookeeper at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/22 at 2:00 p.m. - Rango at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/23 at 2:00 p.m. - Tangled at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.
2/24 at 2:00 p.m. - Despicable Me at the Ypsilanti District Library Mich Ave.

Builders of Tomorrow:

If your kids are into Lego’s, and what kid isn’t, then maybe they’d enjoy the Library Lego League: Problem Solving at Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) on Monday and Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Kids will explore the fundamentals of logic, programming and robotics design in this LEGO NXT competition! Kids will get a chance to build and test their robot then compete against other robots being built!

 

Book Groups for Kids:

A few weeks back, I mentioned the many great book groups for kids of all ages. Just because the kids are on break, it shouldn't mean they stop learning entirely. Check out one of the groups, who knows, maybe your son or daughter will get hooked on a new hobby of reading!

For the Skaters in Your Family:

There are many ice rinks in the area for skating, however this week, several have extended hours to allow the kids to enjoy ice skating longer. Buhr Park has added hours from 12:00-2:00 p.m. each day when the kids are off school. For those of you that would like to stay a bit warmer, the Skatin Station II (8611 Rhonda Dr., Canton) also has added extra hours. Kids can skate from 1:00-4:00 p.m. throughout the week and also from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday.


Daily Highlighted Events:

Throughout town there are many great activities for mid-winter break that I wanted to highlight. Below is are some, listed each day, that should not be missed!

Monday, February 20:

9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – KinderConcert by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) where tots ages 2-6 can dance and enjoy the music.

10:00 a.m. - Kids can learn a few basic artistic techniques to capture the wonder of nature during Sketchbook Detectives at Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). Admission of $5.00 per child includes activities and materials. Preregister at 734-647-7600.

Tuesday, February 21:
10:00 a.m. – Kids will listen to a folktale and then create their own legend story collage, complete with items found in nature at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). $5.00 per child admission includes activities and materials. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

2:00 p.m. – Celebrate Mardi Gras with crafts at the  Ann Arbor District Library (3090 E. Eisenhower Pky, Ann Arbor). Make masks, beads and noisemakers to celebrate Mardi Gras 2012!


Wednesday, February 22:

10:00 a.m. - Enjoy a breath of fresh air and a trek outdoors searching for signs of animals in winter at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). This is a free event.

4:00 p.m. – Tweens and teens in grades 5-8 will have fun experimenting with cool science during the Mythbusters program at the Ypsilanti District (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti). Snacks will be served during this free program.

7:00 p.m. – Teens in grades 6 and up can meet animals from The Creature Conservancy at Ann Arbor District Library, (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor). Here's your chance to see and learn about some truly unique creatures and get your questions answered.

Thursday, February 23:

10:00 a.m. - Kids and their parents will enjoy learning about papermaking and nature journals at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). $5.00 per child admission includes activities and materials. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

1:00 and 4:00 p.m. – Take your little princess to enjoy Tea with the Fairies at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room (114 S. Main St., Ann Arbor). Tickets are $11 and include tea and petit fours served by real fairies! There will also be story time with books available from Crazy Wisdom Bookstore.

2:00 p.m. - Celebrate Black History Month with a concert from the Gratitude Steel Band at the Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor). The audience will enjoy different musical adventures with fun, action, and audience participation! This event is perfect to children in elementary school.

4:00 p.m. – Come to the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti) for an open studio craft session with the FLY Children’s Art Center.

During mid-winter break, have tea with a fairy or find out
about the many faries at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens!

Friday, February 24:

10:00 a.m. - Kids and their parents invited to welcome fairies and trolls by helping construct fairie dwellings for the Conservatory and the Gaffield Children's Garden at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor). The $5.00 admission includes activities and allws children to build their own fairie gardens or troll houses to take home. Pre-register at 734-647-7600.

2:00 p.m. – Teens can learn beginning Chinese writings, sample food, hear about Chinese culture, and learn a few basic phrases during the free event at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti).