Are you looking for affordable (or FREE) ways to keep the kids busy now that school is out for the summer? The Children’s Center has put together a list of local, kid-friendly activities that are fun and will help prevent summer brain drain! Lucky for you, they also prevent wallet drain!
Check out our fab finds!
Michigan Activity Pass (MAP)
The Michigan Activity Pass is presented by The Library Network project and is supported in part by the Library of Michigan. The program began its second year on May 24, 2014 and is provided by Michigan’s nearly 400 public libraries and 70+ arts and cultural organizations. It gives free or discounted access to cultural events and venues throughout Michigan — including many in metro Detroit. Library users with a valid library card can print a pass, either from home or at the library, to one of the participating cultural institutions. You can visit the MAP Web site for more information and a list of participating institutions and locations.
Summer Food Service Program
The City of Detroit’s Summer Food Service Program provides free nutritious breakfasts and lunches at sites throughout the city. Meals are provided to children up to age 18. Families of low to moderate income who are least 50% eligible for free and reduced meals during the school year are eligible for the Summer Food Service Program. The program runs mid-June through the end of August, Monday through Friday. Breakfast is from 9-10 a.m. and lunch is served noon until 2 p.m. Meals are served at community sites through parks recreation program centers, school partnerships and through social or community agencies. Visit The City of Detroit for more information.
Detroit Public Library
The Detroit Library is a great resource for free programs and activities for children including story times and concerts. The Hubbard Branch provides a free summer lunch program for children up to age 17 weekdays all summer. Immediately following lunch, children ages 6-17 are invited to stay for camp programs provided by Motor City Summer Camp. Activities include arts & crafts, reading, table activities, movies, computer activities, etiquette training, self-esteem, motivation, cooking classes, chess and more. Call 313-588-4645 for more information.
Kids Bowl Free
Your child can bowl two games a day for free every day all summer several lanes in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties – and beyond! The Kids Bowl Free summer program is a safe and fun way to spend the summer. Check out the list of participating Michigan bowling alleys here.
Children’s Summer Education Experience
Children’s Summer Education Experience is a free program for children in grades 1-5 at St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center in Detroit. The program offers individualized summer education, reading and math skill building and summer field trips weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July through August. Each day’s activities are 1-4 p.m.
Do you know of any great free programs for children in and around Detroit that you can recommend? Please share them here in the comments! For more great information on parenting and building strong families, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest.
