Butterfly Festival

Next Saturday, May 19, the entire family can enjoy the Butterfly Festival at The University of Michigan Natural History Museum (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor). From 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. visit with live Monarch butterflies in each stage of their life cycle.

The kids will get a chance to use microscopes to see what butterfly and moth wings are really made of, and metamorphose into a butterfly when making their very own butterfly wings to take home! After you explore, families can get a chance to get dirty by helping the museum plant new perennials in the butterfly garden.

Free Bird & Wildflower Programs

Sunday, May 6 would be a fabulous day to get into nature with the family, and Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation is offering two free programs that day to help you out.

Want to explore birds? Then head to West Lake Preserve (Dexter) for a Sunday Morning Bird Walk at 8:00 a.m. Get some early morning fresh air and commune with your feathered friends as they come out to play. This would be the perfect opportunity to introduce the kids to birding too, as beginning birders are welcome. Bring binoculars if you can and be ready to go for a walk.

If looking for wildflowers is your thing, then grab a guide book and head to Park Lyndon (Lydon Township) for a 2:00 p.m. hike into Embury Woods. Hunt for a variety of spring wild flowers and ferns that are growing throughout the area. Meet in the north parking lot at 2:00 p.m.to carpool to the woods.

Both free events would be a great opportunity to get your tots, kids or teens into nature!

Free Events: May Mother's Day Crafts

I really do love many of the free craft programs available to my children at Michael's (3655 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor) and during May there are several available. The kids will have a great time making mom a special Mother's Day craft for grandma, mom or any other special woman in their life. The events are typically for kids over the age of three and while they are free, many of them require a small purchase. The rest of the materials for the project, and the guidelines are free however. So keep the mess out of the home and make sure to head to your local Michael's for a craftastic day!

Take the "mess" and the kids elsewhere as they get crafty for Mother's Day.
Free events at Michael's is the way to go!

• May 4 Mother's Day Frame 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Free Make-It-Take-It with the purchase of a frame. 
• May 5 Mother's Day Card 1:00-3:00 p.m. - Make your own Butterfly Card for Mom for free. 
• May 9 Mother's Day Mug 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Make Mom her own special mug when purchasing your own mug. 
• May 11 Mother Day Card 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Purchase a flower clip and turn it into a unique Mother's Day Card.
• May 12 Mother's Day Apron 10:00 a.m. - noon - Purchase a t-shirt or apron and decorate it special for that someone special. Then from noon-2:00 p.m. stay to create a free Mother's Day button. 

Free Building Clinics in May

The free kids building clinics are a great way for your child
to get a sense of accomplishment!

Ahhhh, spring is springing and the April showers bring May flowers...  Theoretically that is. With teh unpredictable weather though, May is still a great time to take the kids to one of the free kid's building clinics available at Home Depot or Lowes.

This May there are three opportunities to get the kids in on the action too. The events are mostly geared for kids 5-12.

• On Saturday May 5, 9:00 a.m. - noon, your child can make their own planter box for mom during the Home Depot Kids Building Workshop (3300 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti). Your child will get their own apron, and a certificate for attending.
• On Saturday May 12, at 10:00 a.m. sign your kids up to attend the Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic (5900 Jackson Rd. and 3900 Carpenter Rd., Ann Arbor) to make a Picture Frame Planter Box. Then later in the month, on May 26, sing them up to make their own ice cream truck! In addition to the item your child builds, they can also get their own mini-Lowe's apron and a patch for attending.

May Brings Birds & Flowers Through The Month

The Hudson Mills Metropark (4800 Dexter Pinckney Rd., Dexter) is offering several wonderful programs to families throughout May. Families can enjoy guided hikes, searching for wildflowers and even birdwatching and then stay to explore the great outdoors in over 1,549 user-friendly acres.

Guided nature programs are some of the best ways to
teach the kids about the outdoors!

Stay for a family picnic, bring the bikes, hike in the woods or simply sit and soak in all that life has to offer. All of the events do require pre-registration 734-426-8211, however they only cost $3 plus the vehicle entry fee for the park. Buy the yearly Metropark Pass though if you are considering several visits!

May Nature Programs at Hudson Mills:

May 12: Bird Hike. - 7:30 a.m.
Bring the family and bring your binoculars to observe bird species seen in the park. The group will record dates, locations, and trends from year to year to see what has changed. It might be a good idea to bring any field guides you have available as well. Wear appropriate clothing too, as you will explore a variety of habitats throughout the park.

May 13: Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike - 1:00 p.m.
Bring mom flowers in a different way by taking her on this beautiful hike. Join an interpreter for this  guided hike to discover what spring wildflowers are blooming. This is a free event for mom.

May 19:  Birding By Ear - 8:00 a.m.
Explore the way the many bird species sound  as an interpreter helps you and the family to explore bird songs for beginners. This program will be indoors and outdoors, so dress appropriately.

May 26: Birding for Beginners - 7:30 a.m.
Bring the kids to explore a bird’s physical aspects, and use the field marks as an easier way to identify your feathered friends. This program will be indoors and outdoors so dress appropriately.