Brrrrr…. It’s cold out there! With no end to the winter blast in sight, it can be hard to think of things to do especially with kids cooped up in the house.
Below is a list of 8 great, kid-friendly things to do in Ann Arbor when the snow is swirling and even the university students seem scarce. All are indoors and either free or quite affordable. There are age-appropriate things to do for babies, teens, and adults should have their fair share of fun, too.
8. Go to the Library

The five-star Ann Arbor District Library is one of the best places to enjoy in A² in the winter. There are hundreds of upcoming events & activities planned for 2015 across its five branches for babies to teens to adults. Enjoy organized playgroups, concerts, story time, games, crafts and many other events this winter and throughout the year at the wonderful AADL. Don’t forget to check out some books to take home for you and the kids!
7. Go to a Museum

With over 250 exhibits for kids to explore, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is a great place to visit during a frigid winter day. Open seven days a week with many special events on their calendar, the Hands-On Museum is an Ann Arbor must-do with children!
Take older kids to enjoy the collections and special exhibits of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. A cultural gem in the heart of the city, take advantage of all that the UMMA has to offer! Open Tuesday through Sunday.
6. Go Get a Bagel


Family-friendly Barry’s Bagels in the Westgate Shopping Center off of Jackson & Maple is one of Ann Arbor’s favorite bagel places. Meet up with friends for coffee or lunch as little kids are entertained watching bagels being made through a window towards the back.
Bruger’s Bagels on Ann Arbor-Saline Road also has a bagel-viewing window if you’re closer to the center of town.
5. Go Ice Skating

Photo from Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation

It’s a perfect time of year to brush up on those ice-skating and hockey skills! Get some family exercise while having a blast during Open Skate at Veteran’s Indoor Ice Arena & Pool, U-M’s Yost Arena, or the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Or take advantage of the organized hockey drop-in games for all ages and skill levels. Be sure to check each location’s schedule for these affordable open skate & hockey times.
4. Go Stargazing

The University of Michigan’s Museum of Natural History & Planetarium has some wonderful public indoor stargazing viewing events that are educational, inspiring, and far away from the cold, outside air. Be awed by the solar system alongside your kids from the comfort of your seat. View the planetarium public schedule to see view upcoming monthly events.
3. Go Swimming

Photo from Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation

Fun in the water might not be the first thing you think of for winter fun, but there are several pools in the area that offer open swim time to the public year-round. Have fun on affordable one-day pass with your kids at local recreation centers like the Mack Indoor Pool or the Meri Lou Murray Rec Center. Or access a free one-week pass to the Ann Arbor YMCA by applying here.
2. Go Exploring

Cobblestone Farm & Museum is an Ann Arbor historic location built in 1845. Tours of the farm and museum are available by request and every Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. More information available here.
Or check out the Great Lakes Zoological Society’s A World of Discovery. With educational and fun events for toddlers and older kids, this cool spot fosters a sense of conservation in kids as they view “over 100 animals representing over 70 exotic and Michigan indigenous species.”
1. Go Nuts!

Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor is a fantastic time for both kids and adults! Gather some family and friends, and have a blast zipping around in your WhirlyBug as you try to score against your opponents. Or book a party for kids eight and up, too. May the best whirlers win.
And the kooky fun continues with Zap Zone in Ann Arbor. From laser tag to bumper cars to a classic arcade and even a cannon blaster, how could your kids not expend some pent-up energy here this winter?
So bundle up on your way there, and enjoy your indoor family fun in Ann Arbor this winter.
Click here to visit Brooke Fajardo’s  blog.