Ann Arbor, Michigan, is in Washtenaw County, approximately 35 miles west of Detroit. Parents who live in or plan to visit Ann Arbor can find a variety of activities for their children within the city. Ann Arbor serves as home to a museum that caters especially to kids. In addition, a number of organizations in the city offer programs for children of all ages relating to education, the arts and play.
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is on East Ann Street between North Fourth and Fifth avenues. The museum has served the community of Ann Arbor since 1982 and underwent a major expansion in 1999. The museum features 250 exhibits that allow children to play and interact directly with the displays, encouraging learning through play.
The museum has a special area for preschoolers called the Preschool Gallery, which features water play and a ride-on fire engine. The remainder of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum appeals to children of all ages. Exhibits include a replica of a television news studio, where kids can experience producing, filming and starring in their own segments.
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is open daily. As of 2010, general admission for adults and kids is $9. The nearest parking is in the Ann/Ashley pay garage facility, one block away from the museum.
The Ann Arbor Art Center is on West Liberty Street between South Ashley and South Main streets. The institution opened in 1909, making it the third-oldest arts organization in the state of Michigan.
Each summer, the Ann Arbor Art Center holds a Creativity Camp for kids four to 12 years of age. Students attend for a full or half-day, creating arts projects that the center displays every Friday. Weekly art classes and one-day workshops are held throughout the year for children ages three to 17. These courses typically revolve around a theme like ceramics, comic book art and sculpting with clay. Some classes are for entire families or a child and one parent. The center also has a public gallery with exhibits that change throughout the year.
Schedules for events and classes at the Ann Arbor Art Center vary. Galleries are open daily, year-round. The cost of participation varies from activity to activity. The center has free parking on-site.
The Ann Arbor District Library has five locations throughout the city of Ann Arbor. In addition to its collection of books and media like DVDs, the library hosts a variety of events and programs for children.
For infants and preschoolers, the library offers playgroups and storytimes. These events are available for kids from birth through age five and encourage free play and interaction with peers. Storytimes also include music and other activities related to the featured stories. School-aged children and teens can attend special interest groups, such as the chess club. The library also hosts craft sessions and holiday parties for kids of all ages. Teenagers can participate in movie nights held at area libraries.
Facilities in the Ann Arbor District Library are open daily throughout the year. Schedules of events vary from location to location, and not all programs are offered at each facility. Most events held at the library are free.
