Daily Picks for Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor Families At Home: April 13-17

As Michigan is under a “stay-at home order” due to COVID-19 concerns for the foreseeable future, Detroit- and Ann Arbor-area families should stay at home for their safety and practice social distancing.

We understand that this a challenging time for everyone, especially those with young kids, and we want to help by providing families a weekly list of our “daily picks” filled with virtual events, indoor activities and other fun things to do with your kids while at home.

Are you sharing your at-home activities on Instagram? Tag us @MetroParentMag or use our community hashtag #MPMoment.

Monday, April 13

At-Home Activities

• Download a free coloring book: Inside you’ll find nine monsters by dad and illustration Brent Mosser.
• Take a virtual staycation: Explore the mitten state courtesy of Pure Michigan.
• Play an old-school game: Introduce your kids to some of your childhood favorites.

To Read

• Try Frog and Toad or one of the other books on our list of classic kids’ books every child should read.

Tuesday, April 14

At-Home Activities

• Hang up a rainbow: It’s to support all of the health care workers fighting for us now. It’s also a square in our #KindKidChallenge.
• Watch Onward: Now streaming on Disney+, the latest Pixar movie follows two elven brothers on a quest to bring their father back for one day.
• Make a bouncy ball: It’s just one of the nine cool science experiments we love.

To Read

• Try a book written by a Southeast Michigan parent!

Wednesday, April 15

At-Home Activities

• Make plant-based mac and cheese: Your kids won’t believe that there isn’t any cheese in this “cheesy” dish. 
• Try Cosmic Kids Yoga: This educational YouTube channel makes yoga fun by turning it to an adventure.  
• Play Cranium: Or really, pull out any board game that the whole family will love. 

To Read

• Mix it up. Instead of reading, tell your kids a spooky local legend. Note: May be better suited for older kids and teens.

Thursday, April 16

Image one from Monster’s Inc. courtesy of Disney-Pixar. Image two from the Monster Coloring Book by Brent Mosser

At-Home Activities

• Watch Monster’s Inc: And then try some fun activities based on the themes in the movie.
• Make mini lightsabers: Who doesn’t love a little Star Wars science fun? And the experiment includes an exciting craft. 
• Organize a themed dinner party: Have “Breakfast for Dinner” with pancakes, eggs and more of your favorite morning eats. 

To Read

• KonMari for Families: Tidying Tips for Your Home

Friday, April 17

At-Home Activities

• Have an at-home pizza night: It’s Friday, which is the perfect day for a treat. Plus, who doesn’t love spending time in the kitchen together?  
• Teach them how to blow their nose: Blowing your nose does seem simple, but sometimes it’s not.
• Build an indoor obstacle course: All you need are some pillows, painters tape and other toys and items you have around your home.
• Check out the Metro Parent calendar: It’s full of virtual events to help you plan next week!

To Read

• Bridge to Terabithia. Two kids become friends in an imaginary land in this classic tale, which has been banned in some schools.

Weekend Picks: April 18-19

Looking for fun things to do with your kids this weekend? We have plenty of ideas over on our Weekend Picks!