I want to thank Anna Mae Trievel from Ann Arbor with Kids for sharing her favorite things to do with a baby or toddler in Ann Arbor, MI. Anna Mae created her website as a resource when her own daughter was two-years old. Now it spans from birth through the tween years.
When my husband and I first moved to Ann Arbor in 2003, I knew all about the University of Michigan but I had no idea it was such a family-friendly town. After our daughter was born, I began to compile a list of all of the fun family-friendly activities around town; eventually I shared this growing list beyond just my friends and created Ann Arbor with Kids.
Whether you are an Ann Arbor local or are just visiting, here are six fantastic activities to enjoy with your baby or toddler:
Attend an Ann Arbor Library Event
The Ann Arbor District Library is a great resource for activities for babies and toddlers. My daughter and I loved their Baby Playgroups which are offered each weekday (4 morning sessions and one evening session) for babies from birth through 24 months.
They also offer 8 Preschool Storytimes each week on Tuesdays through Fridays for kids ages 2-5. In addition to their weekly programming, the libraries offer special programs for kids such as Dancing Babies, KinderConcerts (in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra), Just Babies, and First Six Months.
Visit an Ann Arbor Museum
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a fun day out for families. Their dedicated Preschool Gallery offers a perfect exploration zone for kids. The newly redesigned water area is incredible (pictured up top). While there are smocks to help keep clothes dry, a spare pair of shoes may be helpful for big splashers.
The University of Michigan also has several museums including the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Art, and Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. The best choice for toddlers is the Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs.
Explore an Ann Arbor Park
Ann Arbor certainly lives up to its Tree Town nickname with the number of parks around town. It seems like there is a park in almost every neighborhood. Gallup Park is located on the banks of the Huron River and offers the chance to walk along the river and also to feed the ducks and geese at the Youth Fishing Pond. However, due to the proximity of the playground to the river, this is not the park to take a “runner.”
My favorite toddler playground is just outside the city limits at Pittsfield Township’s Lillie Park. Their small play structure is just right for little legs and the perfect height for adults to provide a steadying hand.
In addition, the Ann Arbor Parks department operates 3 outdoor pools during the summer months. Each weekday morning one or more of the pools offers a tot splash time for children up to age 7. During Tot Splash, only the tot pool is open while the main pool is used for swim lessons, swim team, or adult lap swim.
Meet Animals in Ann Arbor
Not only does Ann Arbor have a lot of park options, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with animals. Leslie Science & Nature Center offers monthly Tiny Tots (ages 1-3) and Nature Tales (ages 1-5) programs. Their critter house is also open most weekends. They also bring their animals to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum monthly for Critters Up Close.
The Creature Conservancy has open grounds from 10a-6p daily and offers animal greetings indoors on Saturdays.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley brings their animals to a monthly story time at Nicola’s Bookstore.
If you want to see even more animals, the Toledo Zoo and the Detroit Zoo are both about an hour drive from Ann Arbor. The Toledo Zoo offers Nature’s Neighborhood which is a great children’s section that includes a stream that kids can wade in (weather pending), petting animals, and indoor activities.
Play Indoors in Ann Arbor
With snowy and cold winters in Ann Arbor, there are plenty of indoor venues in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. The best venue for kids is My Urban Toddler’s play space in Saline, Michigan. My daughter used to love visiting My Urban Toddler where she could explore different parts of a city with her favorite parts being the market, library, and fire house.
The Briarwood Mall play area is perfect for toddlers and, as a bonus for parents, offers outlets and USB ports for device charging. With the mall’s 2013 renovations, they made the mall more family friendly by adding nursing rooms, family restrooms, and high chairs to the center court.
Attend a Downtown Ann Arbor Event
Throughout the year, there are numerous events in the Main Street area of Ann Arbor that are perfect for families. Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Top of the Park runs from mid June through early July (June 12-July 5 in 2015). With live music, kids activities, and late night outdoor movies, it is a perfect spot for an outdoor dinner or to spend an hour or two after dinner.
Additionally, there are a number of one day events that are held in downtown Ann Arbor. One of the best for babies and toddlers is the Main Street Treat Parade on Halloween (or the previous Friday when Halloween falls on a weekend). Kids are invited to Trick or Treat at the stores and restaurants on Main Street. Other popular downtown festivals (2015 dates listed) with kids include FestiFools (April 12), Rolling Sculpture Car Show (July 10), Taste of Ann Arbor (May 31), and Dancing in the Streets (September 6).
For more events in Ann Arbor beyond UM, be sure to visit the Ann Arbor with Kids Events Calendar; you can also filter the events list to find the best outings for babies or toddlers.
We want to thank Anna for her insider tips to Ann Arbor. Anna Mae Trievel and her husband are the parents of a 9 year old daughter. Anna Mae began compiling a list of Ann Arbor family events in 2008 for her family and friends. In 2011 when her daughter started elementary school, she rebranded the site to Ann Arbor with Kids and expanded the focus of the site to include events for babies through tweens.
[All photos provided by Anna Mae Trievel except the first one by AAHOM, the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum]