Free Event: Fall Fest

Here's another fun fall program for this weekend. Nature's Garden Center in Saline (6400 East Michigan Ave.) is hosting a fall festival on September 30 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Family Fall Fest features family fun where you will create a 'pumpkin witch', try your hand at the creepy mystery game, do you best in guessing contests and so much more.

Pumpkinfest in South Lyon

Travel 20 minutes to the North of Ann Arbor this weekend to South Lyon for one of the early harvest celebrations in the area. The 28th Annual Pumpkinfest in South Lyon, September 29-30 has plenty of  family fun planned. From the parade to craft shows, a pancake breakfast, entertainment and plenty of kids activities. I'm sure your family is bound to find a few pumpkins and wonderful fall decorations too!

For a full list of events, be sure to check the South Lyon Pumpkinfest website, however here are some of the highlighted family-friendly events for the weekend!

Saturday Events:
10:00 a.m. - Fun Run and Pumpkinfest Parade
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Craft Show
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Inflatable Bounce Houses
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Kids Game booths supporting non-profits
Noon - 5:00 p.m. Lord of the Gourd
11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Family Stage and Activity Tent
Noon - 11:00 p.m. - Pumpkin Garten food and beverage tent open
Noon - 11:00 p.m. - Main stage entertainment.
7:00 p.m. - Movie Night at the Lyon Theater

Sunday Events:
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Craft Show
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Kids Game booths supporting non-profits 
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Inflatable Bounce Houses
11:00 - 4:00 p.m. Lord of the Gourd
11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Family Stage and Activity Tent
Noon - 5:00 p.m. - Pumpkin Garten food and beverage tent open
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Main stage entertainment
4:00 p.m. - Movie Night at the Lyon Theater

Webster Fall Festival

Tomorrow is the 31st annual Webster Fall Festival (5484 Webster Church Rd., Dexter, MI) where families will find plenty to do from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The free event, features a country store rummage sale, an auction, a tea room, antique cars and farm equipment on display, a blacksmith shop and tours of the Podunk School, a one-room schoolhouse and the original Webster Township Hall. If that's not enough, there is a horseshoe pitching contest, arts & crafts and homemade baked goods.

Hanging around town this weekend? Check out the Webster Fall Festival - one reader
tells me she goes every year and LOVES the free event!

 Events for the kids include pony rides, hayrides, games and plenty of crafts. There will even be a children's zoo!

Stay all day, then experience the famous Webster Pig Roast from 5:00-7:00 p.m. or the the earlier luncheon featuring delicious homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts.

Sounds like a great home-town event for anyone in and around Webster Township, Dexter and beyond. For more information, please visit the Webster Fall Festival website or on Facebook!

Thanks to my Facebook reader Amanda for the heads up on this event, if you would like your event highlighted on the Ann Arbor Mom blog,drop me a line or post it on the Ann Arbor Mom Facebook page!

Weekend Events Round-up: Sept 21-23

What will you do on the first day of autumn? There's lots to do in and
around Ann Arbor with kids this weekend !

Brrr....  The weather sure did take a turn towards fall this week. But of course we should have expected that with the official first day of autumn this weekend! Looks like the weekend will be full of several seasonal activities and events, a few craft programs, nature programs and more. Get out there and enjoy while you can!

For us it's the opening day of the soccer season plus we're hoping to hit the Ren Fest! Bust, busy for everyone. What's on your weekend events planner?

Friday, September 21:

• Fall is Fabulous at Leslie Science and Nature Center - 10:00-11:30 a.m. Stories, pumpkin crafts, leaf collecting, and apple cider. $7/child. Registration required 734-997-1553.

Saturday, September 22:

• Free fall movies at the Quality 16 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, this week is Rio.
• 31st Annual Webster Fall Festival - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• 3-D Printing With All Hands Active at the AADL (343 S. Fifth Ave.) - 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Sketching the Human Head at the AADL (343 S. Fifth Ave.) - 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Tick Tock Kids at Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave.) - 1:30-3:00 p.m.
• Swirled Fall Leaves at Ypsilanti District Library (Superior) - 2:00-3:30 p.m.
• Teen Event: Collage Self-Portraits at  Ypsilanti District Library (Whittaker) - 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Teen Event: Hip Hop with Tiffanny at Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave.) - 2:30 p.m.
• Teen Event: Cooking with Sonia at Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave.) - 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 23:

• Free fall movies at the Quality 16 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, this week is Rio.
• LEGO Connection at Ann Arbor District Library (Pittsfield Branch) - 1:00-2:30 p.m.
• Free event: Pittsfield Township Harvest Fest - 2:00-5:00 p.m.
• Crepuscular Critters and Their Friends at Gerald Eddy Discovery Center & Waterloo Recreation Area - 2:00–3:00 p.m. $2/person plus vehicle entry fee
• Teen Art Zone at Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave.) - 7:00 p.m.

Register Today for The Mathnasium TriMathalon

Does your child like Math? Maybe even just a little? Or maybe you just want to gently nudge them in that direction, but regardless there is a great event for kids where math is in the spotlight - The Mathnasium TriMathalon!

Register your student today for the Mathnasium TriMathalon!

Let your child join kids from across the country as they participate in Mathnasium's 2nd Annual National TriMathlon during the weekend of September 29th-30th, 2012. But hurry, because the deadline to register your child for the event is TOMORROW! The free event is for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students and every participant will receive a goodie bag. Medals and prizes will also be awarded to local winners, and more than $10,000 in awards are awarded to national winners.


Register your student today for this free competition at Mathnasium of Ann Arbor.

Weekend Event Round-Up: Sept 14-16

Anyone else already tired of running ragged? And it's only the second week of school! Naw, it's not that bad, just lots of things start in September for our family. Both kids play fall soccer, and both are in scouts. Go figure I'm a scout leader for both and coach soccer for the youngest. I suppose no one wants to hear me blabber about my inability to say no to commitments, though, so time to talk free events and activities for you and your family this weekend.

As always there are free dinosaur tours happen at the UM Natural History Museum at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, there are still discount Michigan Renaissance festival tickets available, and a local R/C Airplane club will be buzzing around town throughout the weekend as well!  Just a few cool ideas for your family, right? What events are on your weekend planner?

Check out some cool remote-control airplanes with the kids this weekend!

Friday, September 14:

• BOUNCING: Family Jump Time at Canton Pump It Up - 5:30-7:00 p.m. or Jump City Family Bounce 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 15:

• Free Movies: See Journey2 at  9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. 
• Flying Pilgrims Radio Control Club model airplane event 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the NW corner of Geddes and Ridge roads. The event cost is $5/vehicle to park.
• Meet Corduroy the bear at Nicola's Books (2513 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor) 11:30 a.m. 
• Check out the A-MAZE-ing Instrument Petting Zoo noon-2:00 p.m. 
• Teen Event: Locker Makeover at the Ann Arbor District Library (Traverwood Branch) at 2:00 p.m. (Grades 6-12)
• Teen event: Rock the Block Party in Downtown Ypsilanti (Washington Street between Michigan Avenue and Pearl) 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
• Free Dinosaur Tours at UM Natural History Museum 2:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
• Life: How Do We Find It?: A free hands-on demonstration at the UM Museum of Natural History 3:00 p.m. Ages 5+
• "Calling All Owls" at Hudson Mills Metropark (8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter) 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5 per adult/$3 per child plus the vehicle entry permit. Preregistration required 734-426-8211. 

Sunday, September 16:

• Free Movies: See Madagascar 3 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. 
• Flying Pilgrims Radio Control Club model airplane event 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the NW corner of Geddes and Ridge roads. The event cost is $5/vehicle to park.
• Free Dinosaur Tours at UM Natural History Museum 2:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
• Chesstastic at Ann Arbor District Library (Traverwood Branch) at 1:00-4:00 p.m. Appropriate for kids in Kindergarten and up.
• Incredible Edibles weed walk at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center & Waterloo Recreation Area. 
• Cost: $2/person or $5/family with the State Recreation Passport. Pre-registration required at 734-475-3170. 
• Life: How Do We Find It?: A free hands-on demonstration at the UM Museum of Natural History 3:00 p.m. Ages 5+

Lowe's Build & Grow Kids Building Clinics: Sept-Dec 2012

Lowe's Kids Building Clinics Fall 2012

I have often written about the Kids Building Clinics, we love to attend, find some of the projects to be a lot of fun, and generally find that it is a great way to spend quality time with the kids for free. From September through December, Lowe's has some fun projects planned. They are worth checking out, just be sure to register your child in advance for the session they may like to attend since the Build and Grow Clinics often fill up quickly!

September 8 - Chuck E Roller
September 22 - Fire Truck
October 13 - School Bus
October 27 - Creepy Keeper
November 17 - North's Sleigh
December 1 - Sandman's Plane
December 8 - Gingerbread House

Weekend Events Round-Up: Sept 7-9

Sure enough, these past few weeks have been a wild ride at our home, back-to-school, vacation, AND the tiniest pinprick leak from the water line into the refrigerator that was likely going for 2-3 weeks. Guess what? It destroyed the flooring in the kitchen and leading into the living room! Most unhappy to have my household tore up 2 days before leaving on vacation AND to come back to the mess! *sigh*

Needless to say, coming back to the chaos and getting the school week started has caused a lack of sleep, and I'm fairly certain the loss of a few brain cells - or at least I feel that way! Good intentions are one thing, but I just didn't get the weekend events round-up written and posted yesterday like I had planned. But fear not. It's here!!! Even if it is an abbreviated version. ;)

An abbreviated weekend events round-up is better than none at all right? What are you doing this weekend in Ann Arbor with kids in tow?

Looks to be a busy weekend, even if it looks like there will be a good chance of rain today and tomorrow. My daughter and I will be spending the weekend at the Michigan International Speedway for an amazing Girl Scout Jamboree and Pow Wow. What events are on your weekend planner?

Friday, September 7:

• BOUNCING: Family Jump Time at Canton Pump It Up - 5:30-7:00 p.m. or Jump City Family Bounce 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• (Free) Fun Friday Night at the Museum at the UM Museum of Natural History until 9:00 p.m. 

Saturday, September 8:

• Free Movies: See Madagascar 3 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. 
• Tree Tales at the Leslie Science and Nature Center 10:00 a.m.
• Parent Toddler Fall Open House at the Lamaze Family Center at Lamaze Family Center 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Free Craft Event: Make a Grandparents Day Frame at Michael's at 10:00 a.m.
• Free Parent/Infant Sign Language Workshop at the Ann Arbor District Library (3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor) 10:30 a.m.
• Free Dinosaur Tours at UM Natural History Museum2:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
• Late Summer Birding Hike 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Independence Lake Park, meet in main parking lot 
• Sixth Annual Rolling Hills Dog Swim 12:00-3:15 p.m. Pre-register and pay $5 - (734) 484-9676. 
• Fall “Walk and Gather” for families (ages 6+) at County Farm Park - Platt Road entrance. 1:00-3:00 p.m. Pre-registration (734) 971-6337 ext 334.
• Free Parker Mill (1:00-5:00 p.m.) and Sharon Mills Tours (1:00-4:00 p.m.)
• Bubble wrap painting at the Ypsilanti District Library (Superior Twp.) Ages 7-18. 2:00-3:30 p.m.
• Eco-Craft Batik Paper creation at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whittaker) 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• Free dance class - Hip Hop With Tiffany - at the Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan) at 2:30 p.m.
• Back to school giveaway at the perry Child Development Center. Free backpacks and school supplies will be given away to children in the area at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 9:

• Free Movies: See Madagascar 3 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. 
• Free Dinosaur Tours at UM Natural History Museum2:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
• Time for a Critter Quest nature program at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center & Waterloo Recreation Area at 2:00-3:30 p.m. $2/pp or $5/family.

USA Demolition Derby State Finals in Saline

What family hasn't been to the demolition derby at least once in their lifetime? I mean c'mon, kids LOVE watching cars crash right? Well this Saturday your entire family will have the chance to watch the 2012 USA Demolition Derby State Finals at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds (5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., Ann Arbor) at 7:00 p.m.

Admission for this fun event is only $12/ages 6+ with kids 5 and under receiving free admission.Be sure to get there early though for the best seats!