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Educational Summer Activities For Kids In Metro Detroit

After the long and grueling winter that held us captive in our freezing homes for months on end, you should have no trouble getting your kids up and out the doors this summer. But just in case, here are some great deals and wonderful activities happening this summer that will be a lot of fun and quite educational for you and your loved ones throughout Metro Detroit.
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Tinker. Hack. Invent. Saturdays
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 982-6001
www.thehenryford.org

Date: Saturdays at 10 a.m.

Every Saturday at The Henry Ford in Dearborn is a celebration of American ingenuity specially centered around the focus and entertainment of young children. It's called "Tinker. Hack. Invent." and each weekend children and their families are encouraged to join in for a great day of some exciting activities on the museum grounds. Each month has a specific theme, with June's theme as "Making Music." On the last Saturday of each month, community leaders from around the metro area will join the groups for some advanced activities, too. Admission to the events are free with paid museum entry and the event is every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Signing Story Time at Peet's Coffee & Tea
17043 Kercheval Ave.
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
(313) 499-9891
www.peets.com/meetpeets

Date: Saturdays (once a month) at 10 a.m.

At the new Peet's Coffee & Tea store in Grosse Pointe, you can stop by on select Saturdays and bring your child for an educational afternoon of stories through signing. The event is free and all ages are welcome to come and experience the fascination of learning a new and useful language. Whether you and your child have already mastered sign language or you're just interested in learning more, please join on Saturday, June 14th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for an interesting experience. Additional Saturday Signing Story Times after the June date can be found here.

Children's Story Time at Literati Bookstore 
124 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 585-5567
www.literatibookstore.com

Date: Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Literati Bookstore in downtown Ann Arbor has been making quite an impression upon local residents and national book friends alike since it opened its doors back in early 2013. This wonderful independent bookstore is popular not only for its eclectic and superb selection of great literature and book-related nick-knacks, but also for its incredible calendar of inspired events. From hosting local Michigan writers to national bestselling authors, Literati Bookstore does it all. Each Saturday, starting at 11 a.m., it hosts its Children's Story Time, where participants can read along with the host from a number of great children's books. The event is free and suggestions for what the children would like to read are always welcome and accepted.

Related:  Best Outdoor Fall Dates In Detroit

Color The Park
16200 Chestnut St.
Roseville, MI 48066
(586) 445-5480
www.metrodetroitmommy.com

Date: June 20, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Looking for something that is not only educational but artistic as well? How about the "Color The Park" event at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Roseville on Friday, June 20th, 2014. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., bring your child or children to the park to help them "brighten" the sidewalks and walkways with chalk and other colors to help celebrate the City of Roseville Fireworks. The Recreation Authority of Roseville will be hosting this special free event and will provide all of the materials needed to have a fantastic and interesting learning experience. No artistic talent is needed!

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Family Sundays at the D.I.A.
5200 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
www.dia.org

Date: Sundays

Every Sunday this summer, the Detroit Institute of Arts opens up to all families and their children for an incredible afternoon of learning and knowledge, all told and experienced in a light and engaging manner. For instance, on Sunday, June 22nd, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the D.I.A. will host a Puppet Performance entitled "Play With Your Food." This show will not only entertain with hilarious anecdotes, but also inform children and adults alike about the injustices in the food and nutrition scene happening around the Detroit area. For additional information about future Family Sunday events at the Detroit Institute of Arts, please visit the website.

Related: Guide To Ann Arbor's Hands-On Children's Museum

Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in Ypsilanti Township. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.
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