Week 10 - Weekend Events Round-up: March 8-10

Do you ever feel like you are fighting that up-hill battle? Weekends never get any easier do they? Parents run around town finding great things to do with the kids or with the entire family, then the week starts all over again. It's the same for us. Tonight I'm taking the kids to the Detroit opera House to see The Lion King. Then tomorrow my son will be busy with his Communion class while my daughter cheers for Upward then heads out to sell Girl Scout cookies with her Daisy Troop. It seemed we might have gotten a break on Sunday until I remembered that the Washtenaw Science Olympiad Team I am coaching (Water bottle rockets) is meeting at my home. So just like that, our weekend filled with many activities!

We're even losing an hour this weekend, but with that hour is plenty of sunshine and spring warmth. Especially when you consider that this weekend's weather is looking to be a couple of sunshine filled days. To my family that's an added bonus, as we are hoping our maple taps run and fill our buckets so that we can make some maple syrup!


I suppose the warmth and sunshine is one reason that I hope all of my Ann Arbor families get outdoors some. Hit the Big 400 Maple Festival at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center & Waterloo Recreation Area happening this weekend or take a little hike in the woods.

What are your weekend plans? Found any activities to keep the kids busy? The Ann Arbor Mom always has ideas for fun, free (or cheap) activities or Ann Arbor events to fill your weekend event planner!


Saturday, March 9

It's a great weekend to check out Ann Arbor Maple Syrup festivals.
Learning to make maple syrup is a lot of fun, and the
sunshine this weekend should make the sap run!

If you are going to be indoors, you might as well take advantage of seeing a free movie! This weekend Ann Arbor families can see Ice Age 4 at area Goodrich Theaters or Hotel Transylvania at local MJR Cinemas. 

I used to love Bill Nye the Science Guy, submitting experiments to the science fair or visiting the Detroit Science Center I suppose that's why I really love that my kids really like science and doing experiments! I get such a charge out of those light-bulb moment my kids have when playing with science. I like it even more when my kitchen table is not their laboratory. This weekend there are a couple of great science activities your kids and teens can participate in starting with the family reading science workshop at the Ypsilanti District Library at 10:00 a.m. (5577 Whittaker Road Ypsilanti ) or 3:00 p.m. (229 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti). The free event helps kids understand the universal language of music through making and exploring instruments and their sounds. This program is being presented by the University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History.

Of course there are great events happening at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave. Ann Arbor) too including free dinosaur tours as well as a hands-on demo called DNA and Race. At 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. kids ages 5 and up can participate in a free 20-30 minute interactive program where they will explore DNA and learn to better understand how it makes up the cells that make our bodies. They will even get the chance to extract and look at their own DNA through a process of chemical extraction.

Maybe free kids crafts are your thing. Like with science experiments I love making messes elsewhere - Sweeping glitter and scraping glue are not what I look forward to before each meal! The Ann Arbor District Library (3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor) can help your kids get "knotty" as they make Knot Your Average Bracelet to wear at home or trade with a friend. If you want to shop or just let someone else have the mess, Michael's Crafts will allow your kids to explore their creativity for only $2/child. On March 9, 10:00-11:30 a.m. your kids can male a paper Easter Basket. You can reserve a spot for your child ever half hour. Of course there is always the free Lowe's Build and Grow clinics. This weekend the kids are building a Monster Jam truck - You just need to be registered!

 

Think your teen needs something to do? The weekend has sever great teen events including a free program s for teens in grade 6+ at the Ann Arbor District Library (343 S 5th Ave, Ann Arbor) called 3D Printing With All Hands Active. There is something exciting about using Google SketchUp to create 3D images that can later be printed out into real 3-dimensional objects!The program runs from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Objects created can be printed and picked up at a later date. Also on Saturday, your teen can create a windsock during a free Windsock Workshop. This project is rather involved, so plan on staying for the entire event 2:00-4:00 p.m. All materials are provided. 

For those wanting a little extra exercise consider taking your kids to Jump City (2825 Boardwalk Dr., Ann Arbor) for an extra bounce time 6:30-8:30 p.m., or take the kids ice skating during one of the many open skate sessions at one of the many local Ann Arbor ice rinks!

Sunday, March 10


Your kids can still have a great experience at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History for free dinosaur tours and the hands-on DNA demo at 3:00 p.m. as well as catch a free movie on Sunday as too.

Who would consider that math and crafts go hand in hand, however the Ann Arbor District Library (2359 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor) is bound to prove you wrong as they present Math & Mobiles at 2:00 p.m. Your kids will get to explore platonic solids and create their own mobile!

Don't forget I told you that getting outside this weekend is a must. If you aren't heading down to the Shamrocks & Shenanigans race with the kids then consider a free educational program and hike with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation. Explore the Green Things in Late Winter at 2:00 p.m. at the Scio Woods Preserve during a 2-hour hike.

Finally one of my other favorite things is theater, and this weekend Ann Arbor families can see  Martha Speaks at the Michigan Theater (603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor) at 1:30 p.m. One lucky Ann Arbor family even won tickets to the show by being an Ann Arbor Mom Facebook Fan. If you are attending, be sure to get your discount Michigan Theater tickets too. I blogged about teat the other day!