Celebrate Ghostbusters Day with us at the Cherry Bowl Drive in! See Ectomobiles, Ghostbusters, other geeky cars and movie characters and so much more. Donations and food collection to benefit Benzie Area Christian Neighbors food pantries.

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Join the Great Start Collaborative and Mindful and Musical for FREE fun-filled events for kids 0-5, featuring music, movement, and joyful moments!

Upcoming Dates:

April 18 – Lake Ann UMC | 10 AM

April 25 – Kalkaska Trout Fest | 2 PM

April 30 – Children’s Museum | 10 AM

June 5 – Herman Park | 10 AM

June 6 – Grass River Natural Area | 12 PM

Let’s celebrate childhood together! Tag a friend & join the fun!

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Join the Great Start Collaborative and Mindful and Musical for FREE fun-filled events for kids 0-5, featuring music, movement, and joyful moments!

Upcoming Dates:

April 18 – Lake Ann UMC | 10 AM

April 25 – Kalkaska Trout Fest | 2 PM

April 30 – Children’s Museum | 10 AM

June 5 – Herman Park | 10 AM

June 6 – Grass River Natural Area | 12 PM

Let’s celebrate childhood together! Tag a friend & join the fun!

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Build a magical fairy house inspired by homes from around the world—igloos, pagodas, tipis, pueblos, yurts, chalets, and more. Create a cozy space that fairies from far and wide would love to visit on the Traverse City Fairy Trails!

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Youth aged 7-16 are invited to register for this FREE hands-on program. Kids must be accompanied by an adult, whether they are a parent, adult sibling, or friend. By learning together, we hope that the youth will continue fishing into the future.

Throughout the program, youth rotate through hands-on learning stations including casting, knot tying, macroinvertebrate study, and fish identification. After these learning stations, participants practice their new skills, with the support of staff and volunteers, by fishing from the pier.

All fishing gear will be provided.

This program takes place at Discovery Pier, a barrier-free public space on Grand Traverse Bay.

Ages: 7 - 16 (must be accompanied by and adult)
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Time: 9 - 11 am
Cost: FREE (but must pre-register)

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The Music House Museum is holding a Family Fun Day on SUNDAY, MAY 4, from noon to 4:00 p.m.

There will be one hour tours, snacks and punch, a DIY craft table for kids, and a take home gift bag with musically related activities for each child! The cost is $25.00 per family, payable at the door.

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Experiment with textures and ink with monoprinting at the Boardman River Nature Center! Whether you're a seasoned printmaker or a curious beginner, you’ll create something completely unique.

Participants will have the opportunity to create and take home a framed piece of artwork and charming greeting cards.

This workshop is recommended for ages 10+.

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Join Grand Traverse Conservation District for the second Family & Children Geology Hike featuring the Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club Pebble Pups - Journey Into the World of Fossils! Embark on a hike that invites you to step back in time and explore the geological wonders of our planet. This program will guide hikers through a landscape rich in ancient echoes, where fossilized remnants tell the tales of prehistoric life. Led by seasoned experts in paleontology, this event combines a scenic hike with hands-on fossil discovery, offering participants the chance to learn about ancient creatures. Meet at the Meadows Pavilion on the Natural Education Reserve.

This program is geared towards an audience of children and families.

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A morning of music, movement, and fun awaits at the Children’s Museum with Miriam Pico. Her lively performance will have little ones singing, dancing, and celebrating the joy of childhood.

Date: Tuesday, April 30
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Location: Children's Museum

Can't make this date? More chances to see Miriam Pico:

June 5 – Hermann Park with Parenting Communities (10:00 AM)
June 6 – Grass River Natural Area during Fen Fest (12:00 PM)

Enjoy a free musical adventure designed for kids 0-5 and their families! Let’s make magical memories together.

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Join us for an afternoon of music, movement, and joy as we bring Miriam Pico to Trout Fest! Sing, clap, and dance along to her engaging performance, perfect for young children and families.

Date: Thursday, April 25
Time: 2:00–3:00 PM
Location: Kalkaska Senior Center (During Trout Fest)

In case of rain, we will move inside the Senior Center!

Can't make this date? Catch Miriam at one of these upcoming performances:

April 30 – Children’s Museum (10:00–11:30 AM)
June 5 – Hermann Park with Parenting Communities (10:00 AM)
June 6 – Grass River Natural Area during Fen Fest (12:00 PM)

Come for the music, stay for the fun—and celebrate the young child with us! Free for families with kids 0-5.

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Description: Grab your shovels and give back to nature this Earth Day! Join us at the Boardman River Nature Center for native planting along the Natural Education Reserve's Bottomlands. Help repopulate the watershed with native seedlings and trees!

When: Tuesday, April 22nd from 10:00am - 2:00pm

Where: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

Registration: Free. Registration is required.

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Make and Take Citronella Plants

Join The Botanic Garden for a hands-on workshop for children learning how to propagate new plants from cuttings. Appropriate for children ages 5-10 years old.

Join Janet Hickman and her grandson Leo as they share and demonstrate how to start new plants from cuttings. Children will learn some basic botany in the process while they have fun preparing their own potted Citronella cuttings to take home. This would make a great gift for Mom or Grandmother for Mothers’ Day.

There is no charge for the event but must register. Participation will be limited to 20 registered children and parents are welcome to observe/assist.

Sponsored by the Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City in partnership with the Botanic Gardens for the Children’s Sensory Garden.

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This is a superhero-themed race, coordinated by NMC's Professional Communications class! Please come wearing your favorite superhero costume. This event will sponsor College for Kids scholarships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan Littles.

10th Annual Big Little Hero Race   Saturday, April 19 

9:00 AM – Kickoff @ Northwestern Michigan College

FREE Costumed Fun Run (featuring Captain Hawk Owl!)

5K & 10K Run/Walk - Prizes for best costume and speed

Carnival Games

Hero Egg Hunt (1,000 eggs!)

Award Ceremony

Sensory Room

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Kick off the Celebration of the Young Child with a joyful morning of music and fun featuring the amazing Miriam Pico. Kids will love singing, dancing, and moving along with her interactive performance.

Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Location: Lake Ann United Methodist Church’s Community Center

Can't make this date? Join Miriam at one of her other performances:

April 25 – Kalkaska Trout Fest at the Senior Center (2:00–3:00 PM)
April 30 – Children’s Museum (10:00–11:30 AM)
June 5 – Hermann Park with Parenting Communities (10:00 AM)
June 6 – Grass River Natural Area during Fen Fest (12:00 PM)

This free event is perfect for little ones 0-5 and their families. Don’t miss out on the fun!

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Join the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center at Kingsley Branch Library for a Body Safety Storytime in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This engaging 30-minute session aims to empower young children and their caregivers with essential body safety knowledge in a fun, age-appropriate, manner through read-alouds and consent practice activities.

TBCAC's facility dog, Henry, will be present to assist in activities and provide participants with an added sense of comfort.
Attendees will leave with a body safety toolkit that includes a coloring book for kids and additional resources for adults!

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STEAM Girlz is a fantastic opportunity for young girls to explore technology and science in ways that resonate with them. This program encourages creativity and hands-on learning, allowing girls to engage with STEAM concepts in a supportive and inspiring environment. Through various activities and projects, participants will build confidence, develop skills, and discover the exciting possibilities within STEAM fields. Join us to empower the next generation of female innovators and leaders! Thank you to the Friends of IPL for providing the food and snacks.

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Join the Great Start Family Coalition for a weekend afternoon Family Adventure at the North Street Trail in Central Lake. No cost to attend!

Meet Family Coalition parent leaders Bridgette and Sarah at the trail head on the west side of North Street in downtown Central Lake (there is no physical address) to hop on the trail and go on a family walk around the one mile loop. There will be a rest stop for story time, light snack and a chance to complete a unique and accessible scavenger hunt. Bring water bottles, we are hoping for some great spring weather!

You can walk or bring strollers, but know that this is a hilly trail in places.

This Family Adventure is an opportunity for children to get outside, get some energy out, and make new friends! It is also a chance for parents to connect to each other, learn more about resources in our community and find out ways to be more involved.

This FREE event is geared toward families with children 0-12 with no registration required. However, if you could click "going" or "interested" and share the event, that will help spread the word!

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Join GLMA for the one day a year our beautiful training ship, the State of Michigan, is open to the public. Visitors will be able to talk with current cadets as the cadets direct them through the ship.

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An annual Free Family Fun Event, featuring appearances by some of our local American Heroes, Complimentary Lunch, Live Music & DJ, the Easter Bunny, an Egg Scramble, Sara Lee Plant Tour and tons of activities.

12:00PM - 4:00PM (Additional Timing Details to be announced, Please keep an eye out for updates to this page)

Hometown Heroes - Live Demonstrations and Meet & Greet,
Complimentary Lunch, Food Trucks (for purchase), Music & Pie
Live Music & DJ, Guided Sara Lee Plant Tours: 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM

Opening Ceremony, Color Guard, Flag Raising: 12:00 PM

Winner of Pie Smash Contest Announced/
Kids Pie Eating Contest: 1:30 PM

Egg Scramble/Hunt: 2:30 PM

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The registration for this event closes on March 29, 2025

Did you build a cool Pinewood Derby car this year?
Is it Fast? Does it look Cool, Sporty, Funny, or Fast? Is it a work of Art?

Cub Scouts: Bring your fast, creative, or cool cars and have fun at the District Derby at the coolest location EVER!

All Cub Scouts and their families are welcome from all districts surrounding Scenic Trails District.

When: April 12, 2025

Who: All Cub Scouts who built a car this year.

Where: US Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, 1175 Airport Access Road, Traverse City MI 49686

Registration and Check-In is staggered by age groups:

Webelos (4th & 5th Graders) Check-In at 8:30 AM and their Race will begin at 9:00 AM
Bears (3rd Graders) Check-In at 9:30 AM and their Race will begin at 10:00 AM
Wolves (2nd Graders) Check-In at 10:30 AM and their Race will begin at 11:00 AM
Tigers (1st Graders) Check-In at 11:30 AM and their Race will begin at 12:00 PM
Lions (Kindergartens) Check-In at 12:30 PM and their Race will begin at 1:00 PM
Grand Champion Race will follow the conclusion of all Den races.
Please register all attending Racers, Parents, Siblings, and all family members joining you for the Scouts race. The Coast Guard requires us to have an accurate list of those visiting the Station. All adults will have to present their photo ID upon entering the station gate.

Registered racers will be provided lunch. Concessions also will be available for purchasing snacks or lunch while you are at the race.

INTENT – The purpose of this event is for the Cub Scouts to race a wooden car, promoting craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition, and to have FUN! The Scout should do as much of the work as is appropriate for their age, each year they should do more than the previous year. Buying premade parts is not the goal of this event! Each scout is expected to build a new car each year.

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Drop by the library for Family Fun with Worms!
No pre-registration needed. All ages welcome!
Learn about earthworms and composting with Green Suttons Bay and participate in fun worm-themed activities and crafts.
A snack will be provided.

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Join Northern Michigan Climate Families for an afternoon of Art and Play.

RSVP here for exact location!

Join Michigan Northwest Ballet Theater for their for performance of this wonderful ballet! With Tchaikovsky's beautiful, beloved score, choreography and staging by Thomas Morrell and Marleigh Bucenell (after Marius Petipa) and original costuming created by Donna Hood, this is a must see production! Our dancers have been working on this for months and are so excited to share it with you! Also, we are grateful for the Forest Nymph and Noble costumes that are on loan from Interlochen Center for the Arts.

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Join Michigan Northwest Ballet Theater for their for performance of this wonderful ballet! With Tchaikovsky's beautiful, beloved score, choreography and staging by Thomas Morrell and Marleigh Bucenell (after Marius Petipa) and original costuming created by Donna Hood, this is a must see production! Our dancers have been working on this for months and are so excited to share it with you! Also, we are grateful for the Forest Nymph and Noble costumes that are on loan from Interlochen Center for the Arts.

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Join GTRLC for a tour of the buildings and grounds at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Preserve. This tour will include an inside look at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s new conservation hub and office space, including the McMullen Family Conservation Center, the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop, and the native plant greenhouse and goat barn. Come out to experience this incredible new infrastructure that will help to conserve our region’s natural resources for now and generations to come.

Join the East Bay Branch Library and Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center for a Body Safety Storytime in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This engaging 30-minute session aims to empower young children and their caregivers with essential body safety knowledge in a fun, age-appropriate, manner through read-alouds and consent practice activities. TBCAC's facility dog, Henry, will be present to assist in activities and provide participants with an added sense of comfort.

Attendees will leave with a body safety toolkit that includes a coloring book for kids and additional resources for adults!

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Drop in craft session for kids weekly. New craft every week, all kids welcome. Enjoy the planned craft or use the craft cart materials to make their own!

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Join the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center at Peninsula Community Library for a Body Safety Storytime in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This engaging 30-minute session aims to empower young children and their caregivers with essential body safety knowledge in a fun, age-appropriate, manner through read-alouds and consent practice activities.

TBCAC's facility dog, Henry, will be present to assist in activities and provide participants with an added sense of comfort.
Attendees will leave with a body safety toolkit that includes a coloring book for kids and additional resources for adults!

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Bring your creativity! We will have bins and bins of Lego for your build and a variety of books to help spark ideas!

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Join Leap of Faith Gymnastics for a free gymnastics event on March 29th! Limited spots available, reserve your spot today!

1 Hour Slots

8:30am-9:30am
9:30am-10:30am
10:30am-11:30am

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