Spring Break Activities for Kids: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti

There may be some questions on Phil's "spring" prediction however,
your kids and teens still have plenty of Spring Break activities!

Many schools in the area are having spring break after Easter. Unfortunately the list of activities and events seems to be a bit short this year. Below is an events listing, day-by-day, to keep your kids and teens happy and busy throughout spring break and their week off school.

Events that happen all week include Spring Break events at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and daily activities at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

If more activities are found, they will be added to the post. Have you heard about something fun to do on spring break? Be sure to comment below!

Monday, April 6:
10:00 a.m.: Is it spring yet? The Matthaei Botanical Gardens wants you to figure that out. Kids can grab their parents and an activity backpack to go on a self-guided hunt for signs of spring. Scavenger hunt sheets, magnifying lenses, and twig and bud detective guides will help children investigate signs of spring.  This is a free event!

2:00 p.m.: Spring Break Fun (YDL-Michigan) Kids can stop in everyday for a fun craft or activity. K-5 Activity.

2:00 p.m.: Secret Agent Training Center at the AADL. This free event is intended for grades K - 8. Find out what it takes to be a spy at Super Secret Spy School. Kids will learn techniques and strategies employed by the sneakiest of spies for carrying secrets, mastering disguises, and writing in code.

6:00 p.m.: Spring Break Matinees at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whitaker Rd.) - Free movies.  All ages are welcome and there will be free popcorn! Movies:  Sleeping Beauty

6:30 p.m.: Spring Break @ the Library (YDL Michigan Branch) Celebrate National Poetry month! Bring your rhymes to the Teen Zone and add your lyrics to the beat. Hosted by ADB. Free teen event.

7:00 p.m.: Felt Ball Fun Teen Event and youth (grade K and up). Spend time with local crafter Beth Battey as she leads a hands-on workshop to make a felt ball. Start with colorful wool roving, add warm water, a little soap and some patience, and you get a fun felt ball! Felt balls can be toys for kids and pets, jewelry, a garland or a fun decoration!

Tuesday, April 7:
10:00 a.m.: The Power of Nature - A Make Way for Spring program for kids at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Children and their parents invited to celebrate World Health Day with self-guided activities that tap into the power of nature. Free; self-guided.

11:00 a.m.: Spring Break @ the Library (YDL Michigan Branch) Put your creativity to work over Spring Break and make a graphic novel with Casey Dixon. Brainstorm a story, layout your ideas on storyboard, get tips and improve your drawing. This program runs Tuesday-Thursday. Free teen event.

1:00 p.m.: 3-D Flower Art at the AADL. Kids will make gorgeous 3-D flowers to decorate your space or give as gifts.

2:00 p.m.: Spring Break Fun (YDL-Michigan) Kids can stop in everyday for a fun craft or activity.

6:00 p.m.: Spring Break Matinees at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whitaker Rd.) - Free movies. All ages are welcome and there will be free popcorn! Movies:  Maleficent

7:00 p.m.: Polymer Clay Pinwheel Earrings Teen Event (grades 6+). Head to the Library and make a pair of fun, one-of-a-kind earrings.

Wednesday, April 8:
10:00 a.m.: Eco-Kids - A Make Way for Spring program at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Children accompanied by a parent will learn how to turn table scraps into soil through composting and make paper from recycled newsprint.  $5.00/child includes activities and materials. A Make Way for Spring school break activity.

2:00 p.m.: Spring Break Fun (YDL-Michigan) Kids can stop in everyday for a fun craft or activity.

2:00 p.m.: Pokemon Showdown at AADL. This free event is intended for grades 6 - 12. Are you walking around with a head full of Pokemon knowledge? Pokemon Showdown is the ultimate Pokemon battle simulator - and there's no need to catch 'em all!

2:00 p.m.: Caped Crusaders. Kids (grades K-5) will make a one-of-a-kind super hero cape. We’ll show you how.

6:00 p.m.: Spring Break @ the Library (YDL Michigan Branch) Teens can make a glass bead wind chime. Free teen event.

6:00 p.m.: Spring Break Matinees at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whitaker Rd.) - Free movies. All ages are welcome and there will be free popcorn! Movies:  Big Hero 6


Thursday, April 9:
10:00 a.m. Native Beauties - A Make Way for Spring program at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Children accompanied by a parent will learn what makes a plant native and how it can be used in the garden  $5.00/child includes activities and materials. A Make Way for Spring school break program.

1:00 p.m.: Make a pencil crossbow at the AADL. Kids (grades K-5) will use household materials to learn a little about how crossbows work.

2:00 p.m.: Spring Break Fun (YDL-Michigan) Kids can stop in everyday for a fun craft or activity.

6:00 p.m.: Spring Break Matinees at the Ypsilanti District Library (Whitaker Rd.) - Free movies. All ages are welcome and there will be free popcorn! Movies:  Boxtrolls

7:00 p.m.: Teen Event - Make Studded Cuff Bracelets at the AADL. Teens in grades (6+) will make something shiney for their wrist - studded cuff bracelets!


Friday, April 10:

10:00 a.m.: Conservation Station - A Make Way for Spring program at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. On a guided tour children accompanied by a parent will explore the trails and wetlands at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and discover ways to become stewards of the land. (Rainy day alternative: Michigan ecosystems games.)  $8.00/child includes materials and activities. A Make Way for Spring school break program.

1:00 p.m.: Button Bonanza at the AADL. Kids in grades K-5 will make fun button crafts including button flower rings.

2:00 p.m.: Spring Break Fun (YDL-Michigan) Kids can stop in everyday for a fun craft or activity.