Weekend Events Round-Up: July 27-29

The weekend is here, and even though it looks like the Ann Arbor area may have rain today (possibly foiling some outdoor plans) there is plenty to do for the kids. I personally am hoping the rain holds off just a wee bit (or finishes by 5:00-ish) so that we can sleep in a tent tonight without getting wet - Yes it's a family camping weekend! 

For those of you looking for Ann Arbor events, there are many including free dinosaur tours, story time programs, free tours at the Rentschler Farm, a weekend festival in Chelsea, and Maker Fair at the Henry Ford. So get your weekend planner out, grab a pencil and add a few fun events to your weekend plans!

The Kids Zone at the Chelsea Sounds & Sights Festival
should have lots of fun for the entire family!
Check out all the fun, free activities offered.

This weekend, area families can enjoy Chelsea's Sounds & Sights 3-day festival in Downtown Chelsea (M-52/Main St.). Most of the festival is free fun, with a $5.00 cover for the festival social tent, so there should be lots to see and do. Festival goers will find an art market and demonstrations, children’s entertainment and activities, a classic car show and an open-air art market. Times for this festival are Thursday: 6:00-11:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon-11:00 p.m.

Friday, July 27

Check out our amazing universe at the Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter)during a free kids program. Your kids will learn about and explore the mysteries of outer space, planets and stars!  11:00 a.m. free admission for ages 5+.

Your kids won't even know they are learning as they sharpen their math skills during a free educational program sponsored by Mathnasium of Ann Arbor. Stop by the Ann Arbor District Library (Traverwood Branch) at 1:30-2:30 p.m. for this free program for kids in grades K-3.

Mathnasium coaches present math games and strategies that improve math skills, understanding of concepts, and overall school performance while building confidence and forging a positive attitude toward the subject. 

If the rain doesn't let up, your teen might get a kick out of this event for teens age 15+. AT 2:30 p.m. teens can stop by the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti ) to watch The Lord of the Rings :The Return of the King. Enjoy  J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy saga, eat some popcorn and stay for a lively group discussion.

Need to shake it a little after a hectic week? Then the entire family will likely enjoy the Just Dance! Dance Off! at Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) at 6:00-8:30 p.m. The free event, geared for teens in grades 6+ (and adults!)will allow everyone to cut a rug on the Wii for prizes. Awards will be handed to the participants with the flyest threads, most swagger on the dance floor and of course the winners of the dance- off. 

Take the entire family to a drop in art session at the FLY Children's Art Center at 6:00 p.m. for amazing duct tape art. The program cost is only $10 per participant and helps the center provide classes for youth in need. Register at info@flyartcenter.org.  Kids can make a stylish purse that looks like vinyl, a cute and functional rose that uses a pen as the stem, a duct-tape wallet, or a cool piece of unique wall art, the choice is yours. The class is best suited to students ages 8 and up.

Maker Fair Detroit always has such wonderfully creative sites -
The kids will have a ball checking it all out!

Photo: Flickr user CaZaTo Ma

 Saturday, July 28

Take your Jr. Maker to the Grange Junior Makers program at the Pittsfield Grange (3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor) at 10:00 a.m. then head to Maker Fair Detroit for a bigger display of creativity! Your kids will be glad to check everything out, and who knows it might get theirs AND your brains working OT.

Is racing around the track your idea of fun (virtual racing that is!)? The the Ann Arbor District Library Smash Kart: Summer Season Round 2 (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) is the place to be! Teens (grades 6+) can participate in a fun free event with prizes awarded for Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart Double Dash team and single player events AND new prizes for trivia, outrageous outfits and more! 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Beat the heat by taking the family to enjoy Summer Splash Days at Veterans Memorial Pool (2150 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor) from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Kids ages 6-12 can join in the fun with water balloon events, water baseball, raft races and a hula hoop relay. Regular pool admission prices apply.

Check out the stars during a planetarium show at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 12:30 p.m. For only $5 see the night sky with complete clarity including viewing all of the phases of the moon. 

Participate in some fun art classes at the FLY Children's Art Center this weekend.

Sunday, July 29:

The Kerrytown Market & Shops (407 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) have a courtyard concert featuring Drummunity at 1:00 p.m. This free concert is a great way to start your Sunday together. Kinds even get the chance to play on a collection of hand drums and percussion toys. 

Feeling crafty? Then take kids ages 3 and up to Michael's Crafts for a free craft project. From 1:00-4:00 p.m. kids will explore India during their Passport to Imagination event!

Want to know more about amigurumi? Then be sure to join Amigurumi Crochet Happy Fun

at Ann Arbor District Library (3090 E. Eisenhower Pky, Ann Arbor) at 2:00-5:00 p.m.In this program, teens and adults learn to make small crocheted (or knit) toys. The library will provide the supplies and show participants how to make amigurumi (using our "crochet cam"). Plan on attending the entire program to complete your project. 

Learn about the Art of the Stereoscope at the FLY Children's Art Center (Dansen Bldg - 32 N. Washington, Suite 5, Ypsilanti). Learn the history of the stereoscope, and build and decorate your own stereoscope camera and viewer in this unique 2:00 p.m. workshop. Pre-registration is required, the class size will be limited, and tuition is $30 per student. Contact info@flyartcenter.org for more info, or to sign up!

Check out the stars during a planetarium show at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 2:30 p.m. For only $5 see the night sky with complete clarity including viewing all of the phases of the moon.