Daily Picks for Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor Families At Home: April 20-24

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 20

Photo from Zingerman’s Cornman Farms

At-Home Activities

• Make a homemade Oreo Cookie: This recipe from Zingerman’s Cornman Farms is deliciously fun.
• Listen to a kid-friendly podcast: From nighttime exploration to stories written by kids, these podcasts have you covered.
• Try a board game: You don’t need a screen to have fun and these board games prove it.

To Read

• Try a pick from the teachers at Macomb Intermediate School District.

Tuesday, April 21

Image one from Frozen courtesy of Disney. Image two kids making snowflake art

At-Home Activities

• Help out your community: Building a community food pantry, fostering a pet or donating blood are great places to start.
• Watch Frozen: And then try some fun at-home activities inspired by the hit flick.
• Brighten your day with a spring craft: Clothespins, a bit of fabric and some glue are all you need to craft some colorful spring crafts.

To Read

• Madison Miles and Friends was created by a Metro Detroit mom and features young girls of color.

Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)

At-Home Activities

• Celebrate Earth Day: Give Mother Earth a big hug with some of these fun and green at-home activities.
• Try some Sloppy Josephines: Reduce your footprint and go meatless for a day with this vegetarian recipe.
• Get Outside: Enjoy all our planet has to offer by going on a walk or taking a bike ride. Pro tip: try some local hiking or biking trails (just make sure you’re practicing proper social distancing).

To Read

• Teach your kids about diversity with one of these 20 books suggested by kid blogger, Elena Reads.

Thursday, April 23

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

At-Home Activities

• Plant a garden: Get some seeds from veggies in your home and start planting your own food. It’s fun and benefits kids, too.
• Enjoy a story with your favorite celebs: Mo Willems, Dolly Parton and many others are reading to kids.
• Make your own flubber: It’s not as messy as slime but it’s just as fun.

To Read

• KonMari for Families: Tidying Tips for Your Home

Friday, April 24

At-Home Activities

• Do an at-home workout: YouTube is filled with workouts for all ages. Take a look at our family picks and get to moving.
• Have a date night: We know you need one, mom and dad. Put the kids to bed early and embrace these ideas.
• Make a restaurant-inspired meal: Missing your favorite eateries? Make a copycat recipe from the Cheesecake Factory, Panera and more.
• Check out the Metro Parent calendar: It’s full of virtual events to help you plan next week!

To Read

• The Hunger Games. The books that inspired the blockbuster series is banned in some schools.

Weekend Picks: April 25-26

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