The Calendar - Family and Kids' Stuff

Zingermans, Learn to bake bread cakes and pies.

Shepherd Montessori School Pre-K – Kindergarten

This Week's Events

Family and Kids' Stuff
Ann Arbor is a family town, and the area provides a host of activities for kids of all ages. Let The Calendar help plan an after-school or weekend excursion.

Highlights this week:

Country Fair: Wiard's Orchards.

"Playgroups for Babies": Ann Arbor District Library.

Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.

Monday
October, 2008

10:30-11:30 a.m.
"Playgroups for Babies": Ann Arbor District Library. Every Mon. through Oct. 13. Play group for kids up to 24 months, accompanied by an adult. No older siblings. Note: Play days are also offered (through the week of Oct. 13) at the Malletts Creek (Tues., 10-11 a.m., & Thurs., 6:30-7:30 p.m.), Pittsfield (Tues., 6:30-7:30 p.m.), and Traverwood (Fri., 10:30-11:30 a.m.) branches. AADL, 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301 (main library), 327-4200 (branches).

Tuesday
October, 2008

10-10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library. Every Tues. through Oct. 14. Stories and songs for kids age 2 & up (accompanied by an adult). Note: These storytimes are also offered (through the week of Oct. 13) at the Malletts Creek (Wed., 10-10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Wed., 6-6:30 p.m., and Thurs., 10-10:30 & 11-11:30 a.m.), and Pittsfield (Thurs., 7-7:30 p.m., and Fri., 10-10:30 a.m.) branches. AADL youth department story room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301 (main library), 327-4200 (branches).

11 a.m.
Children's Hour: Shaman Drum Bookshop. Every Tues. Shaman Drum staff read picture books for kids ages 2-6. Shaman Drum, 315 S. State. Free. 662-7407.

4:30-5 p.m.
"TweenSpace": Ann Arbor District Library. Every Tues. Different activiparticipants play a wacky version of bowling. AADL Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traver at Huron Pkwy. Free. 327-4200.

Wednesday
October, 2008

11 a.m.
"Storytime with Miss Annette": Arborland Borders. Every Wed. & Fri. Borders staffer "Miss Annette" reads stories and leads a craft project for toddlers. Also, raffle. Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 449-9394.

7-8:30 p.m.
"Twilight Turnout": Ann Arbor District Library. All kids in grades 6-12 invited for a trivia contest (with prizes) and other activities inspired by all 4 novels in Stephenie Meyer's series of horror-romance vampire novels. AADL Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower (between Stone School & Packard). Free. 327-4200.

Thursday
October, 2008

1 & 4 p.m.
"Tea with the Fairies": Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room. Crazy Wisdom staff dress up as magical fairies to sprinkle fairy dust and serve tea, petits fours, and cookies to kids and their families. Also, fairy stories and readings. Bring your own fairy wings and dolls. Crazy Wisdom, 114 S. Main. $10.50 (babies age 18 months & younger, free). Preregistration required. 665-9468.

4 p.m.
"W Is for Waves: An Ocean Alphabet": Barnes & Noble. U-M Museum of Zoology biological illustrator John Megahan is on hand to show and discuss some of his paintings that serve as illustrations for Marie & Roland Smith's new Sleeping Bear Press children's book. Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618

Friday
October, 2008

6-8:30 p.m.
"Revolution Hero": Ann Arbor District Library. All invited to compete in tournaments playing either Dance Dance Revolution, a computer-guided movement game, or Guitar Hero, a music video game. Prizes. AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301.

6-9:30 p.m.
Corn Maze: Talladay Farms. Every Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 2. (See review.) Possibly Washtenaw County's most baffling corn maze, this vegetable labyrinth features over 10 miles of paths that form intricate transportation-themed designs, including a car, a boat, a semi truck, a school bus, and an airplane - all precision-cut with Farm Works software and a GPS unit. Take a flashlight if coming after dark. Adjacent to Wasem's Orchards. 6270 Judd Rd. (left off McCrone/Stoney Creek right off the US-23 Willis Rd. exit). $6 (kids ages 5-11, $5; age 4 & under, free). 439-2313.

6:15-10 p.m.
Parents' Night Out: Ann Arbor YMCA. Parents can drop off their kids ages 2-10 for dinner, games and sports, and (age 5 & older only) a dip in the pool. YMCA, 400 W. Washington. $30 (members, $25). Preregistration required. 661-8012.

6:30-8 p.m.
AXIS Coffeehouse: Ann Arbor District Library. Every Fri. All kids in grades 6-12 invited to perform their own poetry or monologue, or a favorite by another writer, or just to sip a hot drink and listen. The October 31 coffeehouse is a Halloween special edition; participants are encouraged to come in costume and bring ghost stories. AADL Malletts Creek Branch, 3090 E. Eisenhower (between Stone School & Packard). Free. 327-4200.

7-8 p.m.
Crunchfest '08: Ann Arbor District Library. All kids in grades 6-12 invited for an evening of crunchy food and loud eating. Activities include trying to whistle after eating 7 saltines, seeing how many celery stalks you can bite through at once, and more. AADL Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood at Huron Pkwy. Free. 327-4200.

7:30-11 p.m.
"Night Terrors": Wiard's Orchards. Every Fri.-Sun., Sept. 27-Nov. 1, and Oct. 30. Six different scary areas bristling with over 115 live monsters. New this year is an Alien Caged Clown. Also, the Old West Hayride through a haunted village, the revamped Asylum, the loopy Labyrinth, the horrifying Haunted Barn, and the maddening Mined Shaft. Scareoke. Refreshments available. 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti. $14 for access to one area; $35 for all areas. 482-7744.

Saturday
October, 2008

10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Country Fair: Wiard's Orchards. Every Sat. & Sun., Sept. 13-Oct. 31. A carnival atmosphere with a variety of fun family-oriented fall activities on this 6th-generation, 154-year-old family farm. Live music TBA, pony rides, a hay fling, mini golf, the Hippity Hop Holler, pettable llamas, a Noah's Ark obstacle course, an apple cannon, a corn maze, a straw mountain, a bungee run, and more. Wiard's Orchards, 5565 Merritt Rd. (east of Carpenter), Ypsilanti. $10 admission ($7 after 5 p.m.; group rates available). 482-7744.

10-10:45 a.m.
"Toddler Biting and Conflict Resolution": Ann Arbor District Library. Talk by local early childhood consultant Kathy Sims. Parents & caregivers invited to bring their kids age 2 & under to play in the play area during the talk. AADL Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Dr. between Scio Church Rd. and Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Free. 327-4200.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.
"Sciencepalooza": Hands-On Museum. Oct. 18 & 19. A popular monthly exhibit in the concourse area with hands-on experiments and activities. This month's program: "Spooky Science." Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants, free) regular admission. 995-5439.

Noon-5 p.m.
"Super Smash Kart Championship Series": Ann Arbor District Library. All kids in grades 6-12 invited to compete in the 3rd of 6 monthly tournaments for single players and teams of 4-5 players of Mario Kart Double Dash and Super Smash Brothers Melee video games. Prizes. AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301.

1 & 3 p.m.
"Super Science Shows": Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Family Day. Every Sat. & Sun. Museum staff give family-friendly science demos. Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants free) regular museum admission. 995-5439.

1-9:30 p.m.
Corn Maze: Talladay Farms. Every Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 2. (See review.) Possibly Washtenaw County's most baffling corn maze, this vegetable labyrinth features over 10 miles of paths that form intricate transportation-themed designs, including a car, a boat, a semi truck, a school bus, and an airplane - all precision-cut with Farm Works software and a GPS unit. Take a flashlight if coming after dark. Adjacent to Wasem's Orchards. 6270 Judd Rd. (left off McCrone/Stoney Creek right off the US-23 Willis Rd. exit). $6 (kids ages 5-11, $5; age 4 & under, free). 439-2313.

4-9 p.m.
"Applefest 2008": Clonlara School. All invited for musical entertainment, dinner, family-friendly games, a pumpkin contest, and a bake sale. Also, a chance to tour the school and chat with staff. Clonlara, 1289 Jewett. Free. 769-4511.

7:30-11 p.m.
"Night Terrors": Wiard's Orchards. Every Fri.-Sun., Sept. 27-Nov. 1, and Oct. 30. Six different scary areas bristling with over 115 live monsters. New this year is an Alien Caged Clown. Also, the Old West Hayride through a haunted village, the revamped Asylum, the loopy Labyrinth, the horrifying Haunted Barn, and the maddening Mined Shaft. Scareoke. Refreshments available. 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti. $14 for access to one area; $35 for all areas. 482-7744.

Sunday
October, 2008

Noon-4 p.m.
"Sciencepalooza": Hands-On Museum. Oct. 18 & 19. A popular monthly exhibit in the concourse area with hands-on experiments and activities. This month's program: "Spooky Science." Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants, free) regular admission. 995-5439.

1 & 3 p.m.
"Super Science Shows": Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Family Day. Every Sat. & Sun. Museum staff give family-friendly science demos. Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $7 (members & infants free) regular museum admission. 995-5439.

1 p.m.
Children's Storytime: Liberty Borders. Every Sun. Borders staff reads stories for kids. Borders, 612 E. Liberty. Free. 668-7652.

1-6 p.m.
Corn Maze: Talladay Farms. Every Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 2. (See review.) Possibly Washtenaw County's most baffling corn maze, this vegetable labyrinth features over 10 miles of paths that form intricate transportation-themed designs, including a car, a boat, a semi truck, a school bus, and an airplane - all precision-cut with Farm Works software and a GPS unit. Take a flashlight if coming after dark. Adjacent to Wasem's Orchards. 6270 Judd Rd. (left off McCrone/Stoney Creek right off the US-23 Willis Rd. exit). $6 (kids ages 5-11, $5; age 4 & under, free). 439-2313.

1-4 p.m.
PL2: Public Library Pokemon League: Ann Arbor District Library. All kids in grades K-5 invited to bring a Nintendo DS and a copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pearl to compete for prizes. AADL multipurpose room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301.

2-5 p.m.
Open House: Ann Arbor Animal Hospital Kids activities, hospital tours, a stuffed animal clinic, pet photos, games, prizes, food, and more. Also, demos of some animal hospital services, including acupuncture, dentistry, and chemo therapy, and a mock surgery. Ann Arbor Animal Hospital, 2150 W. Liberty at Stadium Blvd. Free. 662-4474.

6-8 p.m.
"Creature Feature": Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Family Day. The museum's annual family day fund-raiser features up-close looks at live animals, including a wildlife safari, an "Organization for Bat Conservation," birds of prey, a beekeeper, and more. Hands-on activities, refreshments, and a silent auction. Hands-On Museum, 219 E. Huron. $7. 995-5439.

7:30-11 p.m.
"Night Terrors": Wiard's Orchards. Every Fri.-Sun., Sept. 27-Nov. 1, and Oct. 30. Six different scary areas bristling with over 115 live monsters. New this year is an Alien Caged Clown. Also, the Old West Hayride through a haunted village, the revamped Asylum, the loopy Labyrinth, the horrifying Haunted Barn, and the maddening Mined Shaft. Scareoke. Refreshments available. 5565 Merritt Rd., Ypsilanti. $14 for access to one area; $35 for all areas. 482-7744.

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