Homeschool & family fun around Detroit, MI

Halloween evening at the zoo. The zoo reopens for the event after regular hours; full zoo access is available until 6 p.m. A separate Zoo Boo ticket is needed for ages 2 and up. Parking is $8 per vehicle (free for members).

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Fri–Sun, Oct 23–25, 2026
• Time: 3–8:30 p.m.
• Price: $21–$25 online ($27 at the gate); members $18.90–$22.50 online
• Ages: All ages (ages 2 and up need a ticket)
• Booking: Not listed on source

A free Halloween festival run by Detroit Parks and Recreation. The city lists a haunted trail, thrill rides, laser tag, face painting, food trucks and candy giveaways. Free shuttles run from four listed parking locations.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 5–10 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Not listed on source
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Includes a haunted trail, which may be too scary for young children.

A free family Halloween celebration in the museum's Streets of Old Detroit, with a scavenger hunt, crafts, coloring, a dance party and a bag of treats. Costumes are welcome, with a few limits (no weapons or costumes promoting illegal activity). Limit 10 tickets per family.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Sun Oct 25, 2026
• Time: 2:30–4:30 p.m.
• Price: Free (ticketed; registration required)
• Ages: Recommended for ages 2–12
• Booking: Reserve free tickets on the Detroit Historical Society page.

⚠️ The museum's hours page lists this event as 1–5 p.m.; the event page says 2:30–4:30 p.m.

The Henry Ford gives its discounted educational rate to homeschool groups who book a field trip: at least 10 students plus one adult for every 10 students. Home educators also get 25% off memberships (Individual through Family Flex plus Rides) with the completed form. Individual families cannot buy general-admission tickets at the group rate; groups under the minimum can still visit, but without the discount.

• When: Year-round by reservation (a representative phones to complete the booking)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Group rate $12 per person for the Museum, $14 for Greenfield Village (+$7 for the train ride), $12 for the Rouge Factory Tour
• Ages: K–12
• Booking: Fill out the home educator form and book by phone. Minimum 10 students.

The zoo's Homeschool Day offers educational displays and interactive exhibits for learners of all ages, with discounted advance-purchase tickets. The 2026 event was Sept. 16 and has passed.

• When: No 2027 date is posted yet
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ No date is posted, so this is not a scheduled event. Check the page for the next Homeschool Day.

The DIA runs special Homeschool Field Trips that combine hands-on artmaking with guided experiences in the galleries. Field trips are open to Pre-K–12 classroom or homeschool groups and are free for schools within Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

• When: By application; see the page for available dates
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for groups in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties (the page lists $5 for schools elsewhere)
• Ages: Pre-K–12
• Booking: Apply for a field trip on the DIA page.

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page does not post specific homeschool field-trip dates or whether a group size minimum applies.

Homeschool groups can book school-day field trips with a minimum of 20 paying people. Pricing is per student: $15 for one 45-minute program, $18 for two, $20 for three and $21 for four. One chaperone is free for every five students; extra adults pay $15.

• When: School year 2026–27, by registration
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $15–$21 per student depending on number of programs
• Ages: K–12
• Booking: Register through the 2026–27 field trip registration page.

The Main Library's Children's Library runs Saturday Storytime & Stay-and-Play, Smiles & Sensory Stories (Fridays, ages 3–8 with caregivers), Thursday Story Time (ages 2–10) and Books for Babies (Mondays, ages 0–18 months).

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Sat, Nov 7, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Sat, Nov 14, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Sat, Nov 21, 2026; Sat, Nov 28, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026; Sat, Dec 12, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026; Sat, Dec 19, 2026

• When: Sat storytime Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19; Thu story time Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3, 10, 17; Smiles & Sensory Stories Fridays Oct 30–Nov 27; Books for Babies Mondays Oct 26–Dec 28
• Time: Saturdays 11 a.m.–noon; Thursdays 11–11:30 a.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Babies to age 10, by program
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Dates shown are the Saturday and Thursday programs; Friday and Monday programs are listed on the library page.

The year-round Saturday Market is open 6 a.m.–4 p.m., including all sheds. Fall 2026 dates on the market's calendar: Oct. 24 and 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Sat, Nov 7, 2026; Sat, Nov 14, 2026; Sat, Nov 21, 2026; Sat, Nov 28, 2026

• When: Saturdays, 6 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: 6 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Price: Free to enter
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The museum is open late with free admission on Thursday, Oct. 29, 5–8 p.m. Regular admission is $15 adults, $12 with ID for seniors, students 13–17, educators and others, and $8 for ages 6–12; under 6 free. Residents of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park can activate a free "Detroiter" membership for unlimited general admission (one adult plus the household's children under 18).

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026

• When: Thu Oct 29, 2026, 5–8 p.m.
• Time: 5–8 p.m.
• Price: Free that evening; usually $8 for ages 6–12
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Free admission for everyone every second Sunday of the month, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. On other days children 5 and under are free and ages 6–17 pay $12.

Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 8, 2026; Sun, Dec 13, 2026

• When: Second Sunday of each month: Nov 8 and Dec 13, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Free on second Sundays; $12 for ages 6–17 other days
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The historic aquarium is open Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation. Driving onto the island needs a Michigan Recreation Passport.

• When: Thu–Sun, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Price: Free (suggested donation $5)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Hours and the suggested donation come from the conservancy's visit page and a news report; confirm before you go.

The nature center is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission and programs are free. Driving onto Belle Isle needs a Michigan Recreation Passport; walkers, cyclists and transit riders do not.

• When: Daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

General admission is always free for members and for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. Show an ID at the front desk. Children under 5 are free for everyone. Others pay $20 adults, $8 youth (6–17). Special exhibitions cost extra (tri-county residents get a discount).

• When: Open Tue–Sun; see the DIA page for hours
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for tri-county residents; $8 youth (6–17) and $20 adults otherwise
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source
• Proof of homeschool: ID showing a Macomb, Oakland or Wayne county address

Open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Winter hours (Jan. 2–Mar. 31) are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Online prices run $14–$24 for adults and $12–$21 for ages 2–12 and seniors; under 2 free. Gate prices are higher.

• When: Daily (see the hours page)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Online from $14 adults, from $12 youth (2–12); under 2 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The museum is open Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 1–5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children; under 6 free. Parking is free with a Michigan Recreation Passport or day pass. Free-admission evenings earlier in 2026 have passed; none is posted yet.

• When: Wed–Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun 1–5 p.m.
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $5; under 6 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

A hands-on DNR center on the Detroit riverfront. Open Wednesday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday noon–4 p.m. (ticket sales end 3:30 p.m.); Tuesday is groups by appointment and Monday is closed. Free admission is offered during sensory-friendly hours on listed Sundays, including Nov. 1, 2026 (until noon).

• When: Wed–Sat 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun noon–4 p.m.
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Not listed on source (free during sensory-friendly hours)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The center's regular ticket prices were not shown on the page we could read.

The $23 Explore Package (ages 3 and up) covers general admission, a theater show of your choice and the newest special exhibition; under 3 free. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Families who show a SNAP EBT or WIC card with ID pay $3 per person for up to four people (in person only). Groups of 20 or more can arrange a group visit.

• When: Tue–Sun, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Price: $23 ages 3+; $3 each with SNAP EBT or WIC card (up to 4 people)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The center's old homeschool program page is no longer online, so no homeschool day is listed.

Open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission is $34–$39 online; youth 5–11 get 25% off and children 4 and under are free.

• When: Daily, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $34–$39 adults online; youth 5–11 25% off; 4 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The 23rd annual free tree lighting brings music from national and local performers, figure-skating shows, food trucks and lighting displays throughout downtown.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 20, 2026

• When: Fri Nov 20, 2026
• Time: 4–9 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The rink is open seven days a week, including holidays. Nov. 21–Jan. 3 hours: Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight, Sun 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (Christmas Day noon–10 p.m.). Skate rentals are $5. The season runs through March 7.

• When: Nov 21, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 (season continues to Mar 7)
• Time: 11 a.m. to evening, varies by day
• Price: Ages 12 and under $10; ages 13–58 $14; rentals $5
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The zoo's illuminated holiday light show runs on 30 select nights: Nov 21–22 and 27–29; Dec 4–6, 10–23 and 26–31; Jan 2–3. Gates open at 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday end at 10:30 p.m., other nights 9 p.m. Closed Dec 24–25 and Jan 1. Parking is $8 per vehicle.

• When: Nov 21, 2026–Jan 3, 2027 (select nights)
• Time: 5–9 p.m. (to 10:30 p.m. Fri–Sat)
• Price: Online from $17 to $25 depending on date; gate $27; members 10% off
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The parade steps off at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward Avenue and Kirby and travels about three miles south on Woodward, ending near Congress and Woodward just after noon. Watching from the curb is free along most of the route; reserved grandstand seats cost $65–$75.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 26, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 26, 2026
• Time: 8:45 a.m. step-off
• Price: Free curbside; grandstand seats $65–$75
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

An after-dark holiday evening in Greenfield Village. Public tickets go on sale Nov. 4 (member presale Oct. 28). Children under 5 are free.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Fri, Dec 4, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026; Fri, Dec 11, 2026; Sat, Dec 12, 2026; Sun, Dec 13, 2026; Thu, Dec 17, 2026; Fri, Dec 18, 2026; Sat, Dec 19, 2026; Sun, Dec 20, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Tue, Dec 22, 2026; Wed, Dec 23, 2026; Sat, Dec 26, 2026; Sun, Dec 27, 2026; Mon, Dec 28, 2026

• When: Dec 3–6, 10–13, 17–23 and 26–28, 2026
• Time: 6:30–10 p.m.
• Price: From $39 general admission (member, senior and youth discounts); under 5 free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source