Independence Day Weekend Events: July 3-7

What are your plans for this extended holiday weekend? If you are in town, there is still lots to do - Indoors and out. Of course you could head to the Drive-InTheatre in Canton, there are several great family-friendly movies to be seen including Despicable Me 2. If the weather cooperates there is always Rolling Hills, Independence Lake or the free spray park in Canton, and of course you could rent a canoe or paddle boat on the Huron River too! I love that the Ann Arbor area offers so much to families! Don't forget this is the last weekend for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival too, but there is still plenty to do.

So what are your plans? Check out the extended weekend events calendar for your family's weekend planning - Hopefully it is your go-to-guide for events and activities in and around Ann Arbor. Have an event to add? Simply comment below or send me a message!

What are your weekend plans with the family? Besides parades, fireworks
and cook-outs, there is still plenty to do!

Wednesday, July 3

Today has a few events families will enjoy including several storytime programs 11:00 a.m. (AADL (Pittsfield - 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor) or (AADL Main - 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor) and 6:00 p.m. (AADL Traverwood - 3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor). In the evening be sure to check out the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, especially the KidZone Tent after 5:00 p.m. to catch a glimpse of the natural world by visiting one of the Leslie Science & Nature Center Critter House snakes, turtles, tarantulas, or scorpions. Kids will also be able to make playful owl masks and apply temporary tattoos. A few other noteworthy events happening:

• Planetarium Shows at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Teen art zone at the YDL (Michigan) at 2:00 p.m. - Each week teens will participate in a new art project.
• Star Spangled Crafts at the AADL (Pittsfield - 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor) at 3:00 p.m. for preschooler aged children through 5th grade.
• Wacky Widget Wednesday's at the YDL (Whittaker) at 3:00 p.m. where kids will make their own faux stained glass window.
• Ann Arbor Civic Band's Tribute to the U.S.A. at West Park (215 Chapin St., Ann Arbor) Band Shell at 8:00 p.m. where families will enjoy a patriotic free performance.

Thursday, July 4

Of course Independence Day always offers the 3 F's - fireworks families and fun. Enjoy your BBQ but not until you see one of the many area parades. After 5:00 p.m. be sure to check the Ann Arbor Summer Festival's KidZone Tent at Top of the Park as Apple Playschools helps celebrate Hispanic culture through music and bilingual yoga for kids. Kids can also collaborate on a Reggio inspired art project or hear talking flowers tell surrealist, Wonderland-like stories, play hilarious games with alien robots, or check out Spontaneous Art. Performances by the Capitol Steps at 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. are also great ways to cap off your July 4!


Friday, July 5

The holiday may have kept you hopping but that shouldn't mean your family should ignore the fun KidsZone sponsorship at Top of the park. On Friday, kids can discover their inner athlete as they team up with family and friends and try out new sports with the staff of the U-M School of Kinesiology’s KidSport Camp. Families will find hands-on activities and cool camp activities that support team building, social, and athletic skills! There are a few other activities I wanted to feature for Friday too including:

• Bubble Fun at the AADL Main (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor). Let your kids (Grades K-5) explore making homemade bubbles during this free event at 2:00 p.m.
• Preschool Storytime at Ann Arbor District Library (Pittsfield - 3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor) from 10:00-10:30 a.m.
• Drop-In Craft Extravaganza at Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter) Free event for kids and teens of all ages.
• Planetarium shows at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 
• Film Friday's at the Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave.) where kids can see The Muppets at 2:00 p.m. 

Saturday, July 6

Here's another fun KidZone Tentevent at Top of the Park. See LEGO robot lions roar, LEGO bayblades compete, and LEGO sumo robots battle to be king of the mountain when Rocks and Robots takes over.If that's not enough, then how about any of these fun events:

• The Critter House at the Leslie Science and Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor) is free and open to the public from 10:00a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
• Family Storytime at the YDL (Whittaker) at 10:30 a.m.
• Roller Coaster Program at 10:30 a.m. at YDL (Michigan) and 1:00 p.m. (Whittaker). Stop by to visit with the staff from the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum as they demonstrate what makes roller coasters go, then work in small groups to build your own roller coaster. This free program is only available to YDL cardholders. Call the library to register.
• Weekly Story Time at Nicola's Books (2513 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor) from 11:00 a.m. - noon.
• Hands-On cow-eye dissection at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave. Ann Arbor) at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Learn the parts of the eye and how they work together. The 20-30 minute interactive program takes place on the 2nd floor and includes a brief presentation and engaging hands-on activities. This free event is suitable for adults and kids and teens (Ages 5+). 
• Planetarium shows at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 11:30, 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.
• Open Studio Drop-in art session at the FLY Children's Art Center (40 N. Huron, Ypsilanti) at noon-1:00 p.m. For just $5/class your kids can get creative in the studio without the at-home mess. Parents can chill in the parent's lounge while their children "work". No registration is required for this event.
• Raptor Feeding at the Leslie Science and Nature Center from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Eggcellent Engineering for kids and teens (Grades 4-8) at the AADL Main at 2:00-3:00 p.m. Put your brain in gear to design and build a vehicle that will protect an egg from a big, big drop.
• Altered Tee Workshop at the FLY Studio 2:00 p.m. For $10/student kids and teens (Ages 6+) will join fabric artist Allida Traleda and learn to cut and alter a baggy old tee-shirt into a cool, wearable work of art - no sewing required!
• Free dinosaur tours 2:00 p.m. 

Sunday, July 7

In the afternoon, kids can build a Spacecraft on Top of the Earth at Ann Arbor District Library (July 7-13) - See what happens when many people work together to build a spaceship on top of the world! This collaboration will be built out of provided materials upon the map in the Youth area. Come work on it all week, whenever the Library is open! Then after 5:00 p.m. check out the KidZone tent sponsored by the Conceptual Development Lab at the University of Michigan. Kids can make their own bubble wand and blow bubbles. My kids have participated in many of their studies, the kids like "getting paid" while helping with important developmental research! After that stay for the closing movie - Grease at 10:00 p.m. Sing along to your hearts content too! If that's not enough how about this?

• Free dinosaur tours 2:00 p.m.
• Hands-On cow-eye dissection at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave. Ann Arbor) at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Planetarium shows at University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor) at 1:30and 2:30 p.m.
• Kids and teens (grades 6+) can make a JunkBot Buggies at 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the AADL Downtown. Learn about electronics as you build a JunkBot out of scrap parts and electrical circuits.