Now that summer has arrived, and the little ones are no longer in school,
there's time to plan some family adventures for the wee folk's edification
and enjoyment.  Since parents don't usually usually get the summer off, I've
tried to come up with some ideas that don't go too far afield.

1) The Hands-on Museum (219 East Huron) hands on science for the younger
set--everything is touchable for even the youngest kids, and most of it's
pretty interesting to Mom and Dad, too.

2) UM Art Museum (535 South State)  In addition to regular viewing hours,
the Art Museum has scheduled programs for kids.  They do need pre-registration,
so call 764-0395 for more information.  Ask about the CHAMPs (Children's
Art Museum Program) scedule.  Membership is only $10, and then programs are
free.

2) UM Exibit Museum (called "The Dinosaur Museum" by many generations of young
Ann Arborites) (1109 Geddes) In addition to dinosaurs, they have scientific
exhibits, dioramas, and oodles of good stuff.

3) The Ruthven Planetarium (upstairs in the Exibit Museum) has daily "star
shows" for the school age set for a modest $3.  

4) The ArtVentures Studio (run by the Ann Arbor Art Association) is a drop
in arts aactivity center.  You provide the child, ArtVentures provides
the materials, instructions, and any assistance you need.  You can participate,
if you like, or slink over to a bookstore or coffee shop for a guily pleasure
or two.  ;)

5) Cobblestone farm (2181 Packard) has candlemaking demos, shaering, spinning
and waeving demos, and many other historical crafts.  They offer classes where
kids are welcome, too.

6) The Leslie Science Center (1831 Traver) more fun with science...call for 
schedules and prices.  (662-7802)

7) Matthei Botanical Gardens (1800 Dixboro) a treasure trove of fascinating
plants for the older family members (ever wondered what a banana tree
looked like?  How about a peppar tree?) and the biggest, tamest goldfish
you ever saw are sure to get the toddlers attention!  There's a $2
suggested donation for the indoors gardens, which are beautiful--and no
charge at all for the use of the nature trails.  There are 3 to choose from
ranging from the very short (15 min at a casual stroll) to the afternoon
adventure (45 minutes).  You can walk the trails over the bridge to the island,
too--very quick and likely to turn up a bunny or two.

8) The Couny Recreation Center (4133 Wastenaw) has a swimming pooland more
hiking trails.  As usual, the trails are free.  The pools has a $2.50
charge for adults and a $1.25 fee for kids.  That's an all day fee, so you
can arrange to go off for lunch and come back for the evening open swim.

8) Canoeing the Huron River is great fun...you can rent a conoe from the
Argo Canoe livery (1055 Long Shore).

9) Rent a bike and bike the paths at Gallup Park--there're no hills so
even the youngest biker can handle 'em.

10) Feed the ducks at Island Park (1450 Island Park Drive)

11) have a picnic at the UM Arboretum! (1827 Geddes) and have a mini-
botany lesson with the tree and wildfowers along the trails.

12) Volunteer for an afternoon at the community Farm of Ann Arbor and learn
something about Biodymanic agriculture.

Call ahead for an appt first, though.  (313) 994-9136) any day but Sunday.

13) Volunteer at the Wildflour Bakery (208 North Fourth) for a couple of
hours and bring home a fresh loaf of bread.  (Not suitable for the
youngest kids).  Call ahead to arrange a time (994-0601)

14) A trip the Ann Arbor Public Libraries is always a winner!

15) Both Border's Books and Little Professor have a huge selection of
wonderful kids books.

Veterans Park (2150 Jackson road) has a pool with a great Water Slide!!

The Kelsey Museum of Archeology (434 South State) is interesting for the 
older kids

19) The Kemp Center for Local History (312 Division) has tours by appointment
only--fascinating for adults and older kids.  (996-3008)

20) There is play equipment at these local parks: call the County Parls and
Rec.for directions:

                Allmendinger park
                Belize Park
                Buhr
                Burns
                Churchill Downs park
                Clinton Park
                Creal park
                Ellsworth Park
                Esch Park
                Frisinger Park
                Gallup Park
                Garden Homes Park
                Glacier Highlands Park
                Greenbrier Park
                Hunt Park
                Huron Highlands North
                Huron Highlands South
                Island park
                Lansdowne Park
                Las Vegas Park
                Leslie park
                Longshoer Park
                Maryfield and Wildwood Park
                Mixtwood Pomona park
                Mushroom park
                North Campus Heights park
                North Fifth Ave Park
                North Main Park
                Northside Park
                Packard Arch Park
                Pilgrim Park
                Plymouth parkway Park
                Postman's Rest Park
                Riverside park
                Rose and White Park
                Scheffler Park
                South Maple Park
                South University Park
                Stoneybrook Park
                Sugarbush Park
                Summit Park
                Sylvan park
                Veternas park
                Virginia Park
                Waterworks park
                Wellington Park
                West Park
                Winchell Park
                Winewood Thaler park
                Woodbury park
                Wurster park

21) How about a trip to the Farmer's market?  Wed. and Saturday mornings.

22) Take in a show at the Young People's Theatre--996-3888 to see what's
playing when.

23) Did you know that Ann Arbor has it's own:
        Ballet? (668-8066)
        Chamber Orchestra? (996-0066)
        Symphony Orchestra (994-4801)
        Comic Opera Guild? (973-3264)
        Gilbert and Sullivan Society? (761-7855)
an evening out at one of the above is an experience for all ages!

24) Although they're only available for a short time, these are "not to
be missed" for the whole family:

                The AnnArbor Summer Festival and Top of the Park
                        free movies near the Power Center, see a poster
                        near you)

                The Ann Arbor Street Art fairs--July.
                        3-4 days of incredible art and people watching.

                The Ypsi Heritage Festival -- August

25) Pick your own at Wiards Orchard!  (5565 Merrit) Both fruit and veggies,
whatever's in season.

26) The Scrap Box (521 State Circle) remnants, samples, discontinues items,
surplus and donations available for your crafts projects! (994-4420 for hours)

27) Chelsea Milling Company has guided tours by appointment.  See the home
and World headquarters of jiffy Mix!  (201 North Street, Chelsea) (475-1361)

28) The antique cars, trucks, and gas pumps museum at the old Ypsi fire house.
(110 West Cross, Ypsi) (483-0042)

Bored?  Who has time to be bored?       ;)

2 responses total.

Wow!  That's a very complete list.  There *is* a lot to do with kids in
this neck of the woods.

And there's lots more if you don't mind a bit of travel: try the petting
farm at Kensington (my kids  ((2 & 3 yrs old) would live there if they
could).  Also, down North Territorial almost to Dexter is a metropark 
(hudson mills?) that has a great kid's "tot lot".

The detroit zoo and/or the toledo zoo are also winners.
So is the Henry Ford museum, but is much too expensive.

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