By Laura Nowak
Children enjoy visiting the Rochester or Utica area because they can choose from several fun activities. They can learn about gardening or kite-making at a museum, or visit a petting zoo while drinking fresh cider. Others may prefer attending a weekly story hour and learning how to read. Families and children can explore a variety of outdoor activities at Stony Creek Metro Park.
Rochester Hills Museum at VanHoosen Farms
Fun Fridays at the Museum
This museum hosts a variety of special events throughout the summer and the school year. During the summer, the museum hosts Wonderful Wednesdays in the Children's Garden, where preschoolers can listen to classic stories and build crafts, and older children learn the beginning elements of gardening. Every Friday afternoon in July, families may enjoy entertainment, firetrucks, sprinklers and Slip-n-Slides for $2 a person. During the school year, teachers often take field trips to the museum as the children pretend to be detectives and guess what old gadgets were used for in the past. Children may also enjoy the kite-making class, where they learn the history of kite-making and are taught how to build their very own kite.
Rochester Hills Museum at VanHoosen Farms
1005 Van Hoosen Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48306
(248) 656-4663
www.rochesterhills.org/city_services/museum/programs_and_events.asp
Yates Cider Mill
Yates Cider Mill
Children enjoy going to this Rochester cider mill because it is loaded with fun and attractions. Besides enjoying freshly baked doughnuts and cider, children can feed the sheep in the petting zoo, or ride the ponies on weekends in the fall. Families and children often walk the half-mile trail across the river, admiring the fall colors while eating their doughnuts, or licking a hand-dipped ice cream cone. Many schools take children to Yates on a tour so they can watch the cider being pressed in the mill, and taste it when it has just been prepared.
Yates Cider Mill
1990 E. Avon Road
Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 651-8300
www.yatescidermill.com/index.php
Borders Books and Music
Mother's Day in the children's section.
Most children enjoy selecting new books, but every Friday morning young children are treated to a special story from Miss Cathy, and afterward they construct a craft related to the story. The Utica store also allows children to decorate a stone to commemorate the first book they read. They also host themed parties, such as a space camp with trivia, games, and entertainment to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. Younger children may enjoy celebrating cartoon characters, such as Sponge Bob, with art projects, stories and games to bring laughter and fun.
Borders Books and Music
45290 Utica Park Boulevard
Utica, MI 48315
(586) 726-8555
www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_53
Stony Creek Metro Park
Stony Creek
Families and children love spending the day at Stony Creek because there are so many things to do. Children may enjoy swimming in Baypoint or Eastwood beach, or they may prefer taking a paddle boat out in the water. They can also explore the nature center and see exhibits of snakes, reptiles and fish. Families often enjoy grilling and picnicking in the park while throwing a Frisbee or a ball. In the winter, children may go sledding and tobogganing on the hills near the West Branch picnic area, or they may ice skate on Stony Creek Lake, near the boat launch.
Stony Creek Metro Park
4300 Main Park Road
Shelby Township, MI 48316-4907
(586) 781-4242
www.metroparks.com/parks/pk_stony_creek.php#
Resources
About the Author:
Laura Nowak is a freelance writer who combines her love of travel and research to write travel articles. She has been published in various print and online publications, including the "Western Herald," where she wrote arts and entertainment articles. Nowak earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in practical writing from Western Michigan University.
