Need advice: fun stuff to do in AA with my kid this weekend
I've successfully been away for a few months, but I'm back for this post at least to ask for some help. This weekend we're driving up to Michigan from Virginia to visit my parents in Flint. My fiance and her kids are coming with me. My parents have done this thing with all their grandkids that on their 10th birthday they take them somewhere special of their choice.
So, our daughter's 10th birthday is coming up and my parents and fiance are going to take her to Splash Village in Frankenmuth for a night. This means that I'll have about 24 hours of guy time with our 6 year old.
I'd like to take him to Trillium in Grand Blanc and see some movies that we haven't been able to see yet, and I was hoping to be able to catch a Tigers game but they're on the road right now. So instead I'd like to take the opportunity to do something fun in Ann Arbor and get some good old-fashioned brainwashing in with him.
My problem is that I'm from Flint and not very familiar with AA, have only been there a few times, and have no idea what's going on right now that a 6 year old boy might enjoy. So I need some help coming up with some things to do that might be fun and a nice consolation to him since he's still got 4 years before he gets to have his special day with the grandparents.
They'll be in Frankenmuth from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon. I can go to the movies whenever, so suggestions can be anything that's during that time. I'd be particularly interested in sporting events, tours of stadiums/arenas, or even cool kid places around town. I do think I might take him to BD's because I love BD's myself and I think he'd have fun with that. But I'm open to food suggestions as well. Keep in mind that I'm not rolling in money so that's a factor as well.
Thanks!
April 18th, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^
Why not just go with them to Splash Village? That place is a 6 year olds dream come true. You could really have a completely seperate experience there and give your daughter her day while still having a blast with your son.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
It's just how we do things. My parents want it to be a special time for the one kid for their birthday. They've done it for 7 other grandkids so far. They just have to wait their turn.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
sense, and will be nice for your daugther to have some solo time. We are taking my son there for his 10th this year but unfortunately for him, his two year old brother will certainly be crashing that party.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^
Right. Harder for the little guys to keep up with the older ones. Difficult to focus on having too much fun when you have a tail that whines a bunch. He'll get his time. And I suspect he'll enjoy it more having that to himself as well when his time comes.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^
#18 Michigan Baseball vs Indiana this weekend at Ray Fisher Stadium.
Tickets are $6-$8.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
So my follow-up question would be is that something that I can walk up and buy a ticket or given that we're doing well should I not risk it?
April 18th, 2017 at 11:43 AM ^
There shouldn't be any problem getting tickets. There will still be walk-ups available (but it's easy enough to get the "print at home" tickets online). And yes, the "kids 12 & under can stand on the field with the players for the National Anthem" is something they do at every game.
Friday, 6 pm
Saturday, 2 pm
Sunday, noon
The Friday and Saturday games will have a "Kid's Zone" with a bouncy-house and other 'fun' activities for kids. There are givaways and contests between innings, too, so you might want to ask a Michigan event staff person about those. The game is also cheap enough that you won't feel guilty if you don't want to stay the whole 3 hours. The Saturday game will have post-game autographs, and also the running-the-bases thing that was mentioned above.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 10:52 AM ^
Especially for a six year old. That's like the perfect age for the Hands on Museum.
Or you could just go bar hopping. Kids like that too.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^
My two 5 yr olds love it, and my 12 yr old still finds it fun too.
Came here to recommend this also. My kids are all grown now, but we had annual passes (a great option for locals) and spent countless hours visting the AAHOM over the years. Good times and the visits sparked numerous conversations. I definitely learned things there too!
If you belong to a similar institution elsewhere, that might even get you in free....
April 18th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
April 18th, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^
I actually LOLed at this
April 18th, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
Not sure if it's open Saturdays, but it's got some dinosaur skeletons, among other things.
Maybe explore the Arb?
Possibly rent a canoe at Gallup Park.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:50 AM ^
The Natural History Museum...
....not to mention the planetarium on the top floor.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
Fun stuff across the whole spectrum. Kids stay amused for 2-3 hours, learn stuff, experience it. Pleanty of room to walk around - relaxed and stimulating.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
Go on an adventure in the arb. Or go hunting for fairy doors in downtown. Make a scavenger hunt out of the city.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
YOU'RE ON THE INTERNET. LOOK IT UP!
Why do you expect other people to do the minimal amount of work for you?
April 18th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
I trust mgoblog more than I trust the rest of the internet.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
Then have lunch with WD. I'm sure your kids will be thrilled.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
Now THIS is an idea. WD, you wanna have lunch with me and my kid?
WD is now offering guided tours of the Superguide. Fun for children of all ages!
April 18th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
No snark since you have been away. But there was a similar thread a few days ago that was asking the same thing and had some pretty good suggestions.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
Wow, that's kind of crazy. I did do a search first and didn't see that post. And it's not on the front page anymore. Most of the stuff in the search was either during football season or more adult-centered. Thanks for linking me to that.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
Of course! Have a great time this weekend.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
Check it out:
A terrific place to take young children........fun and educational
Whoops............duplication........I apologize for not reading all of the responses.
But I suspect that confirms this as a neat adventure.
Now I'm getting fired up and may just stop by the next time that I am downtown.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
the hands on museum in the morning followed by UM baseball game in the afternoon.
Fill the little dude up on hot dogs and pop at the game, no need for dinner. That way, you're free to smash whatever for food/drinks for yourself later.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
Father of 7 here... oldest is 12, youngest is 3, 5 boys, and 2 girls. I would recommend the hands on museum over the natural history museum for a 6 year old. The hands on museum costs money but has a lot more of interest for someone that age. FWIW, the natural history museum was more interesting to my older kids... Also, in my experience and depending on the kid, ~2 hour sporting events can be hard on a 6 year old's attention span. Honestly, exploring the campus and letting him pick where to eat could be fun... at least it would be for my kids but that's probably because they rarely get to decide anything. Ultimately, a day with dad focused on him is awesome regardless of what you end up doing. Have fun!
April 18th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
I agree on the sporting event thing. His attention span is.....not long. We've taken him to a couple of different things. He fell asleep at the UVA/Richmond game last year (which, most people in the stadium did I suppose). But it might be different if it's just him and I instead of a bigger group. Especially at a baseball game you can always walk around and such when they get tired. That's why I wanted to go to Comerica... an MLB park is a dreamland for young kids.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
Agreed, bummer they are away. The Domino's Petting Farm is also an option that my kids have enjoyed.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
Sporting events aren't bad for kids that age if you accept that they won't be plugged into the game. When my older kids were younger I would take them to something but make it about the experience--they watch the game a bit, hear a band if it's there, eat popcorn, explore the concourse. That kind of thing. It worked well.
But I had to be ok with taking my daughter to her first Michigan football game and have her remember the lunch at Five Guys in dinktown and the bag of popcorn as much as the game itself.
same number, same split, and 7 yrs ago, almost identical on ages.
April 18th, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^
These tours are available only on weekdays, so it may not fit with your schedule. But it's worth a look, at least for future reference. It's not cheap, however ($100 minimum).
http://facilityrentals.ath.umich.edu/index.php/facility-tours/
*Edit: Whoops, I just noticed you also have to book a tour a couple of weeks in advance. I guess that won't help you at all for this weekend. Sorry about that, but perhaps it's something to keep in mind for a future visit.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^
My kids are almost 11 and 10, but they still occasionally - for now - like the odd trip to the petting zoo at Domino's Farms or th Leslie Center if it's open. They've always liked those places. As others suggested, taking in a baseball game on campus is a great option too.
The Hands-On Museum is a must. I have more fun in that place than my kids sometimes, I think.
April 18th, 2017 at 12:32 PM ^
Check out Flying Dutchman's post here, too. I think it was for this upcoming weekend as well.
Check out www.a2kids.com for a nice summary of events for kids around Ann Arbor every weekend. Here is last week's post as an example: http://www.a2kids.com/weekend-adventures-april-14-16/
Thank you everyone for your great suggestions. Sorry I didn't notice the post about this not that long ago...didn't see it on the search.
I think I'm leaning towards the Hands On Museum at 10 and the baseball game at 2. Will run it by the fiance later tonight to see how that works schedule-wise but I think we should be good to go. Now to find parking for the day.....
very pretty.
"Keep in mind that I'm not rolling in money so that's a factor as well."
Well, I was going to suggest hookers and blow, but I guess that would be cost prohibitive.