Kids might come with big energy (and sometimes big expenses), but making memories doesn’t have to break the bank! This May, enjoy FREE family fun all around Metro Detroit — from festivals and museum days to outdoor adventures and special events. Mark your calendars and get ready to play without paying!
Summer Kick-Off @ Troy Historic Village: Tuesday, June 2
Kick off the season at the Summer Kick-Off Open House on Tuesday, June 2 from 5–8 PM with FREE admission (donations appreciated). Enjoy an evening at the village with live music, games, food for purchase, and family-friendly activities, plus learn about all the fun happening around Troy this summer.
Cranbrook Institute of Science: Friday, June 5
Enjoy a fun night out at Cranbrook Institute of Science with FREE admission on Friday, June 5 from 6–10 PM. Explore hands-on exhibits, interactive science displays, and engaging experiences the whole family will enjoy after hours.
FREE Outdoor Movie (SMURFS) @ Booth Park, Birmingham: Friday, June 5
Enjoy a summer evening under the stars at Outdoor Movie Night at Booth Park on Friday, June 5, from 6:30–9 PM. Families can enjoy pre-show entertainment starting at 6:30 PM followed by a showing of Smurfs (2025) at 7:30 PM—making it a perfect, relaxing night out in Downtown Birmingham.
FREE Pewabic House & Garden Show @ Pewabic Pottery (Detroit): June 5 – 7
Explore art, history, and hands-on fun at the FREE Pewabic House & Garden Show at Pewabic Pottery from June 5–7. Families can enjoy live pottery demos, artist showcases, music, food trucks, and a courtyard biergarten while discovering over 120 years of Detroit ceramic tradition.
FREE Family Fun Days @ Flint Cultural Center Campus: June 5 – 7
The Mott Foundation will host Family Fun Days, a free, three-day community event on the Flint Cultural Center campus, from June 5-7. The weekend will bring together residents of all ages for live performances, hands-on art and science activities, a community lunch, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament — all at no cost to attendees.
Home Depot Kid Workshops: Saturday, June 6
Build something fun together at The Home Depot Kid Workshops on Saturday, June 6, with FREE hands-on projects for kids from 9 AM–12 PM. These popular monthly events let kids create, learn basic skills, and take home their finished project.
FREE Community Park Day @ Howell Nature Center: Sunday, June 7
Celebrate community at Free Community Park Day at Howell Nature Center with FREE admission for the entire day. Families can explore the Wildlife Park, Raptor Center, trails, and nature play areas—plus stop by the gift shop to support local wildlife care.
FREE Family Nights @ Sloan Museum of Discovery: Thursday, June 11
Enjoy FREE Family Nights at Sloan Museum of Discovery, held on select Thursdays, with hands-on seasonal activities designed especially for young children. Families can explore exhibits, participate in interactive play, receive book giveaways, and even enjoy dinner—making it a fun and easy evening outing for kids ages 0–5 (older siblings welcome).
Kids Komotion Concert Series @ Marshbank Park, West Bloomfield: Thursday, June 11
Enjoy music, play, and family fun at Kids Komotion Concerts at Marshbank Park, featuring interactive kids’ entertainment, FREE inflatables, and special character visits throughout the summer. Families can dance along, meet favorites like Peppa Pig, and enjoy a lively, easy morning or evening outdoors.
*FREE* LittleGuide SAFETY DAY: Saturday, June 13 (9am – 11am)
Join LittleGuide and Children’s Hospital of Michigan for a FREE Safety Day event packed with hands-on learning and family fun. Kids can explore interactive safety stations, meet local heroes, and enjoy inflatables, character visits, touch-a-trucks, FREE helmets (while supplies last), ice cream, and more—all while learning important safety skills.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Detroit (MOCAD): Saturday, June 13
Family Day activates the exhibitions for kids, youth, teens, and their grownups. All ages enjoy free admission and explore the galleries with opportunities to connect through hands-on art making, gallery chats, and activity guides! This event occurs on the second Saturday of every month, 11am-3pm.
DIY-U by Lowe’s: Saturday, June 13
Join DIY-U for a magical experience where mini builders will craft their own recycling truck. This workshop runs from 9am – 1pm
Cranbrook Art Museum: Friday, June 19, 2026 – Juneteenth
Celebrate Juneteenth with a visit to Cranbrook Art Museum, where families can enjoy FREE gallery admission on Friday, June 19, 2026. It’s a great opportunity to explore inspiring exhibitions together while honoring the significance of the day.
Michigan History Museum: Sundays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28
Beginning with Michigan’s first people’s, the Anishinaabe, and ending in the mid-20th century, take a 3-story tour through time at the Michigan History Center in Lansing. The museum’s hands-on exhibits look at the life and industry in interactive ways that give kids a chance to stroll from the wilderness to the copper mines and into the classroom. The Michigan History Center is open on Mondays thru Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 6 to 17 and children ages 5 and under are free. The Center is open on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm and admission is FREE!
FREE TOUCH-A-TRUCKS
- Touch-A-Truck @ Northville High School Parking Lot: Saturday, June 6, 2026 (10am – 12pm)
- FREE Safety Day @ Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Troy: Saturday, June 13 (9am – 11am)
- Tons O’ Trucks @ Seneca Middle School (Macomb): Saturday, June 13, 2026 (10am)
- Shelby Township Summerfest: Friday, June 26, 2026 (4pm – 11pm)
- Touch-A-Truck @ Lowe’s (New Hudson): June 24, 2026 (11am – 2pm)
TOP FREE EVENTS
- Free Kids Art Class: Paint Creek Center for the Arts (Must register)
- Summerfest @ Downtown Auburn Hills – Friday, June 19
- Park it Tour Outdoor Movie @ InglenookPark, Southfield – Monday, June 22
- Ford Fireworks @ Detroit Riverfront – Monday, June 22
- Music on the Grand @ Inspiration Park, Lyon Twp – Wednesday, June 24
- Festival of the Hills @ Borden Park, Rochester – Wednesday, June 24
- Music in the Park & Ice Cream Social @ Clawson City Park – Wednesday, June 24
- Music in the Park @ MACOMB CORNERS PARK – Thursday, June 25
- Spongebob Movie in the Park @ Hunter Park, Brownstown – Friday, June 26
- Trenton Summer Festival – Friday, June 26
- Clark Park Culture and Arts Festival – Saturday, June 27
- Log Cabin Day & Ice Cream Social @ Palmer Park – Sunday, June 28
- Free Mini Train Rides – Southgate – June 20 & 21
FREE FIREWORKS IN JUNE
From riverfront spectaculars to hometown festival finales, June is packed with some of the best family-friendly fireworks shows in Metro Detroit—the perfect way to light up your summer nights.
- Ford Fireworks – Detroit (June 22 | Fireworks) – One of the country’s largest and most spectacular fireworks displays over the Detroit River.
- Wixom Lite the Night (June 25 | Fireworks) – A community celebration with live music and a festive fireworks show.
- Fireworks at Stony Creek Metropark – Shelby Township (June 26 | Fireworks) – A scenic fireworks show over the water, perfect for a family evening.
- Kensington Metropark Fireworks – Milford (June 27 | Fireworks) – A classic summer fireworks display in a beautiful park setting.
- Willow Metropark Fireworks – New Boston (June 28 | Fireworks) – End the weekend with a relaxing evening and a fireworks show.
FREE SPLASH PADS
- Oxford Park (Berkley)
- Heritage Park Splash Playground (Canton)
- Mt. Elliot Splash Park (Detroit)
- Dearborn Splash Pads
- Heritage Park Splash Pad (Farmington Hills)
- Martin Road Park (Ferndale)
- Jessica’s Splash Pad (Novi)
- Seymour Lake Township Park (Oxford)
- The Sprayscape (Plymouth Township)
- Handy Park Splash Pad (Redford)
- Normandy Oaks Splash Pad (Royal Oak)
- Civic Center Park (Woodhaven)
Always FREE!
- Museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor): open daily
- Farmington Hills Nature Center (Farmington Hills): open daily
- MSU Museum (East Lansing): open Tuesdays – Sundays
- Belle Isle Aquarium (Detroit): Free admission with State Park Pass (available through MAP)
- Belle Isle Nature Center (Detroit): Free admission with State Park Pass (available through MAP)
- Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit): Free admission for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties
- Sloan Museum of Discovery (Flint): Free admission for residents of Genesee County residents
- Roush Museum (Livonia): open Monday – Friday
Indoor Fun For Kids
- 2/42 Community Church (Ann Arbor)
- Great Lakes Crossing (Auburn Hills)
- 2/42 Community Church (Brighton)Ward Church (Northville)
- Oak Pointe Church Playscape (Novi)
- Baxter’s Cafe (Riverview)
- Museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Farmington Hills Nature Center (Farmington Hills)
