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Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Looking for affordable Halloween fun in Metro Detroit? Try these 5 picks.

By  October 29, 2025   No comments

Halloween fun doesn’t have to come with a scary price tag. Across Metro Detroit, families can find free and low-cost ways to celebrate, from lantern-lit strolls and decorated neighborhoods to trick-or-treat trails and even a pup-friendly party. Here are five budget-friendly activities that promise festive fun without breaking the bank.

Updated September 2025

Cheap Halloween activities in Metro Detroit

Halloween neighborhood decorations detroit
Photo credit: Terror on Tillson Street

Tour neighborhood Halloween displays

Times and dates vary
Take the kids on a Halloween yard display tour through Clinton Township neighborhoods. Families can enjoy creative and spooky decorations during the full tour night, with additional “lights-on” viewing on select dates. No registration required.

  • Address: Various neighborhood homes, Clinton Township
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: Macomb County
  • Age fit: All ages
  • Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
  • Stroller-friendly options: Streets and sidewalks; may vary by neighborhood
  • Parking: Street parking available; check local signage

Enjoy free trick-or-treating 

Times and dates vary throughout October 2025

Metro Detroit families can enjoy affordable Halloween fun at community trick-or-treat trails, fall festivals and kid-friendly celebrations across Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Many events feature candy stations, hayrides, crafts and games at little or no cost. Registration is often required, so check event pages before heading out.

  • Address: Various locations across Metro Detroit
  • Cost: Many events free or low-cost ($5–$20 range); some offer free pumpkins, food drives or member discounts
  • Area: Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties
  • Age fit: All ages; best for toddlers through early teens
  • Indoor/outdoor: Mix of indoor and outdoor venues, depending on event
  • Stroller-friendly options: Parks and trails generally stroller-friendly; hayrides and inflatables may not be
  • Parking: Most events offer free on-site or nearby lot parking; fees may apply at select venues
  • Accessibility: Varies by location; some list ADA pathways or sensory-friendly spaces, others provide no details. Parents should confirm directly with organizers.

Step into lantern-lit Halloween fun at Greenfield Village

6–10 p.m. Oct. 2–5, 9–12, 16–19, 23–26, 2025

Step into lantern-lit streets, glowing jack-o’-lantern paths and historic homes during Michigan’s most popular Halloween celebration. Families can meet costumed characters, ride the train and carousel, and enjoy live music and seasonal treats. Tickets are required; early 5:30 p.m. entry available for Hallowe’en Express ticketholders.

  • Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
  • Cost: $27–$38 public; $23–$32.50 members; discounts for seniors and youth; free for kids under 2; parking $9 public/free for members
  • Area: Wayne County
  • Age fit: Toddlers through teens; family-friendly
  • Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor historic village with some indoor access to select buildings
  • Stroller-friendly options: Paths are stroller-friendly; some historic homes may be difficult to access with strollers
  • Parking: On-site lot; $9 fee for public, free for members
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible with ramps and paved paths; no sensory-specific hours listed

Bring the family dog to Pumpkins and Pups in Canton

11 a.m.–1 p.m. Oct. 12, 2025

Bring the family and your pup for a free Halloween outing with live entertainment, giveaways, pet vendors and a dog costume contest. No registration is required. Non-dog park members must show proof of current rabies and DHLPP vaccinations.

  • Address: Canton Dog Park, 46425 Heather Lane, Canton
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: Wayne County
  • Age fit: All ages; family-friendly with activities for kids and pets
  • Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor event at the dog park
  • Stroller-friendly options: Park pathways are stroller-friendly
  • Parking: On-site parking lot available; no fee details listed
  • Accessibility: Accessibility details not listed on the event page; parents should contact organizers for ADA accommodations

Take the kids to the Halloween stroll at Village Arts Factory

4–8 p.m. Oct. 25, 2025 (sensory-friendly from 4–4:30 p.m., timed slots every 30 minutes)

Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween stroll with trick-or-treat stations, music, games, art activities and festive decorations that are not scary. A sensory-friendly time slot is available, and costumes are encouraged. Adults do not need to register unless collecting treats.

  • Address: Village Arts Factory, 50755 Cherry Hill Road, Canton
  • Cost: $5 per child
  • Area: Wayne County
  • Age fit: Toddlers through tweens; recommended for ages 12 and under
  • Indoor/outdoor: Indoor trick-or-treat stations and activities
  • Stroller-friendly options: Building appears stroller-friendly; no explicit details listed
  • Parking: On-site parking lot available; no fee details listed
  • Accessibility: Sensory-friendly session available; additional ADA details not listed — parents should confirm with organizers

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Celebrate the season at these pumpkin patches in metro Detroit

By  October 29, 2025   No comments

As the fall season rolls in, I’m ready to find a perfect pumpkin patch near me. Opt for a hands-on farm adventure instead of settling for store-bought! Visit one of our recommended farms across Metro Detroit to pick your own pumpkins and bask in the autumn ambiance.

These local pumpkin patches also offer plenty of fall activities, including apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and even haunted houses, making each visit a memorable fall experience.

Note: Dress for the weather. Call ahead for inclement weather to see if the locations are open and call ahead for pricing as many go by pound. Many of them also don’t start selling pumpkins until late September-October. 

This article was recently updated on Aug. 3, 2025, by Metro Parent writer Sarah Knieff. The update included her adding the latest information on pumpkin patches in metro Detroit. Questions? Please reach out to editor@metroparent.com.

MAP: Find a pumpkin patch near you 

Best Pumpkin patches in metro Detroit

Alber Orchard and Cider Mill  

  • Address: 13011 Bethel Church Road, Manchester

Alber Orchard has plenty of pumpkins in the patch starting at the end of September, plus enjoy the cider mill and 100 varieties of apples. The orchard prides itself on heirloom apples and award-winning cider.

Apple Charlie’s 

  • Address: 38035 S. Huron Road, New Boston

This cider mill and farm has u-pick home-grown apples beginning at the beginning of September. The pumpkins will be ready to pick at the beginning of October. Doughnuts and apple cider are available, too.

Big Red Orchard

  • Address: 4900 32 Mile Road, Washington

Stock up on cider, doughnuts and apples while you also hunt for your prized pumpkin. Enjoy some free family fun including cornhole, straw mountain, petting zoo and more.

Bird’s Big Pumpkins  

  • Address: 16750 Hannan Road, Romulus

A family-owned spot with fall decorations, pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and more. Cash only. Pumpkins are available until they are all gone. 

Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill

Head into the fields to pick your own apples, pumpkins, flowers or other fruits and vegetables. You can also select pre-picked apples and other products in the market.

Bonadeo Farms 

  • Address: 1215 White Lake Road, Highland

This spot has pumpkins, a corn maze, cider, doughnuts, hayrides, haunted corn field, haunted house, kids play area and more.

Coleman’s Farm 

  • Address: 12758 Jordan Road, Saline

Pick your own apples and pumpkins at this farm in Washtenaw County. Also, try cider and doughnuts too.

Cook’s Farm Dairy 

Cook’s has been serving the metro Detroit area since 1933, and in October families can enjoy hayrides on the weekends to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkins. Then, stay for a doughnut or try seasonal ice cream flavors like pumpkin crunch in the fall and peppermint stick in the winter.

CornFun Corn Maze Adventure and Pumpkin Patch 

  • Address: 9391 Lindsey Lane, Casco

Choose your pumpkin from three different patches. Also, enjoy the petting zoo, corn maze, tire climb, wagon rides, haybale pyramid and other fall fun.

DeBuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

pumpkin patches in metro detroit
Photo credit: Debuck’s Family Farm

With 20 acres of pumpkins in varying colors and shapes, there’s plenty to choose from at DeBuck’s. Admission includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch, plus access to the corn mazes and family fun areas. This year, they offer a “Pumpkin Town,” which will be a great backdrop for photos.

Denny’s U-Pick Pumpkins

  • Address: 4260 Gotfredson Road, Plymouth

Take pictures in the pumpkin patch and go home with your own to carve.

Diehl’s Orchard and Cider Mill 

  • Address: 1479 Ranch Road, Holly

Bring the whole family (leashed dogs included). There’s also a pumpkin patch, cider, doughnuts, hayrides and corn maze. The Corn Maze opens in early September.

Hy’s Cider Mill

  • Address: 6350 37 Mile Road, Romeo

Pick up a pumpkin in this great spot to spend a day. Also pick apples and drink fresh cider from the working mill. 

Jenny’s Farm Stand and Cider Mill 

  • Address: 8366 Island Lake Road, Dexter

Check out the free straw maze or petting farm, and pick out your own apples or pumpkins. Enjoy pony or hayrides and shop the store for apple cider, doughnuts, mums, canned pickles, jams and salsas. 

Kackleberry Farm

  • Address: 6421 N. Stoney Creek Road, Monroe

Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch at Kackleberry Farm with your family. The patch has the perfect background for your fall photos and offers a variety of pumpkins to choose from. Make sure to check out the 7-acre corn maze, which has a game inside the maze and clues to help navigate your way through.

Long Family Orchard, Farm & Cider Mill 

  • Address: 1540 E. Commerce Road, Commerce Township

Pick your own apples and pumpkins and take a relaxing wagon ride and check out the Corn Maze. Pick up some honey, apple butter, preserves and breads, too.

Nixon Farms

Take the family to pick the perfect pumpkin in the patch or buy an already-picked pumpkin near the admission barn. Test out your skills in the 14-acre corn maze, see the farm animals, photo ops and more. 

Puma’s Pumpkin Patch

  • Address: 53773 Foss Road, Macomb

A family-owned and operated pumpkin patch that offers pumpkins of all sizes. Cider and doughnuts, too. 

Spicer Orchards 

  • Address: 10411 Clyde Road, Fenton

This family-run farm offers a huge corn maze, hay wagon rides, pick your own apples and pumpkins and more.

The Pumpkin Factory 

  • Address: 48651 Harris Road, Belleville

This business is celebrating its 47th year and will open for the season in October. They have a pumpkin patch, doughnuts, a gift shop and more.

Three Cedars Farm

  • Address: 7897 Six Mile Road, Northville

Take the family to pick the perfect pumpkin in this u-pick farm spanning five acres. Kids will love the Barn Yard Playland, train rides, hayrides and corn maze.

Trabbic Family Pumpkin Farm 

  • Address: 1560 E. Sterns Road, Erie

This working farm has more than 40 acres of pumpkins to choose from along with a 4-acre maze for adults, teens and families. Take the pumpkin train to the patch. Also, cider and doughnuts, animals and rides. Cash only.

Wasem Fruit Farm

  • Address: 6580 Judd Road, Milan

Cider and doughnuts are lures in addition to more than a dozen varieties of apples. Guests can pick pumpkins of all shapes and sizes this year.

Wells Pumpkin Farm

  • Address: 3801 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor

This farm sells gathered pumpkins, gourds and other fall decorations. Cash only.

Westview Orchard and Adventure Farm 

  • Address: 65075 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township

Pick up a pumpkin, see the farm animals and enjoy some cider and doughnuts at this farm. Also, straw bale maze, tire mountain, three-acre playground, wagon ride and more.

Wiard’s Orchards & Country Fair

  • Address: 5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti

Families can enjoy picking apples or pumpkins. The cost of admission includes the corn maze, the family play areas, wagon rides, mega triple slide, wagon rides and more. County Fair tickets are only available online. 

Do you know of other great pumpkin patches in metro Detroit? Tell us about them in the comments.

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Tuesday, 28 October 2025

The 20 best things to do with metro Detroit kids this November

By  October 28, 2025   No comments

This November, we’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including holiday lights and holiday train rides for you to check out with your kids. I can’t wait to take my son, Jordan, to Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo  and Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre this month.

We start celebrating the holidays in November, and there are so many great holiday events to check out together!

Keep on scrolling to see our other top picks of November family events in metro Detroit. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @metroparentmag if you check any of them out!

This article was recently updated in October 2025 by Metro Parent staff.

Best November family events Macomb County

Holiday Extravaganza at Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill
Photo credit: Blake Farms

With several events across November, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Find even more Macomb County events in November on our calendar.

Pumpkin Roll Down at Clinton Township Sledding Hill

Nov. 1, 2025

  •     Address: 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township
  •     Cost: Free

Families can roll pumpkins down the hill, have a chance to win cool prizes and enjoy free cider and donuts (while supplies last).

Annual Macomb Reads Carnival at Macomb Intermediate School District

Nov. 8, 2025

  •     Address: 44001 Garfield Road, Clinton Township
  •     Cost: Free

This annual event celebrates learning and literacy. It features free children’s books, cider and donuts. Also, face painting, games, STEM and art activities, story times, a DJ and more. Registration required.

Holiday Market at the Anton Art Center

Nov. 18-Dec 21, 2025

  • Address: 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens
  • Cost: Free; donations welcomed and appreciated

Shop a variety of unique gifts and décor at the Anton Art Center, crafted by Michigan artists.

Holiday Extravaganza at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill

Nov. 22-30, 28-30, 2025

  • Address: 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada
  • Cost: Free

This extravaganza features live music, an artisan market, free children’s crafts and face painting and an annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. Nov. 22. For additional fees, enjoy festival food and drink specials, u-cut and pre-cut Christmas trees, evergreen decor and Igloo Dining. RSVP required.

Best November family events Oakland County

HollyDazzle
Photo credit: HollyDazzle

This month, I recommend going to Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre and Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo. I’m also excited to check out HollyDazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Find even more Oakland County events in November on our calendar.

Enchanted Glenlore Trails

Through Nov. 2, 2025

  •     Address: 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Township
  •     Cost: $25/general admission, $15/ages 4-12, free/3 and under

Enjoy an immersive night walk that’s great for all ages. It will feature interactive activations, fog bubbles, luminous lights and more.

RARA Holiday Craft and Vendor Show

Nov. 8, 2025

  • Address: 500 E 2nd St., Rochester
  • Cost: Free admission

With over 40 vendors, shop around this holiday market and pick up the perfect gift for you and your loved ones.

Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition at the Royal Oak Farmers Market

Nov. 13-14, 2025

  • Address: 316 E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak
  • Cost: Free

Check out artwork displayed by 60 artists along with live music, food, adult beverages and more at this annual event.

Motor City Comic Con at the Suburban Collection Showplace

Nov. 14-16, 2025

  • Address: 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi
  • Cost: $30-$40/Friday adult pass, $45-$55/Saturday adult pass, $40-$50/Sunday adult pass, $90-$100/Weekend adult pass, $249-$259/VIP fan pass (very limited and might not be available at the door), $10-$20/Friday and Saturday child pass, $20-$30/Weekend child pass, Free/Sunday child pass, Free/ages 5 and under; Special event packages are available

Cosplay your favorite comic characters, meet-and-greet with graphic novel bigwigs, check out movie screenings, character Q&As and more.

Magic of Lights at Pine Knob Music Theatre

Nov. 21, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026

  • Address: 33 Bob Seger Drive, Clarkston
  • Cost: $23/standard vehicle advanced ticket, $30/standard vehicle on weekdays, $35/standard vehicle on weekends

Enjoy a holiday-themed light experience from the inside of your vehicle. You’ll see different characters and themes using the latest LED technology and digital animations.

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo

Nov. 22, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026

  • Address: 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
  • Cost: $17-$26/advanced online pricing, free/2 and under, $8/parking

Encounter enchanting animal-themed light sculptures that bring a whimsical touch to the festive season and create a magical experience for all ages.

HollyDazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival

Nov. 28-Dec. 31, 2025

  • Address: 12600 Dixie Highway, Holly
  • Cost: $21.95/ages 13-plus, $21.95/one adult and one child bundle, $8.95/ages 5-12, free/ages 4 and under; free/parking

Stroll through the winter wonderland at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, which features over a dozen mesmerizing Christmas scenes. Visit with Santa Claus, experience a Polar Pub Crawl, join the Holiday Token Hunt and much more.

Best November family events Wayne County

a christmas story the musical at the fox theatre in detroit
Photo: A Christmas Story, the Musical at Fox Theatre Detroit

This month, there are so many great holiday celebrations to take part in from Día de los Muertos to Thanksgiving parades. Find even more November events in Wayne County on our calendar.

Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Through Nov. 2, 2025

  • Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
  • Cost: Free w/general admission and for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties

Check out the ofrenda altars, or offerings, created by community members for Día de Muertos.

Día de los Muertos Celebration at Robert C. Valade Park

Nov. 1, 2025

  • Address: 2670 Atwater St., Detroit
  • Cost: Free admission

This family-friendly Día de los Muertos event features live music, children’s activities, Ballet Folklórico Moyocoyani Izel, food trucks and more.

A Christmas Story, The Musical at Fox Theatre

Nov. 14-16, 2025

  • Address: 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit
  • Cost: $49+

In this holiday classic, watch Ralphie Parker take the stage in this hilarious musical performance.

Wayne County Lightfest at the Merriman Hollow Park Area

Nov. 20-Dec. 24, 2025

  • Address: 7651 Merriman Road, Westland
  • Cost: $5/car (cash only)

This annual holiday favorite is a five-mile stretch of Hines Park that displays nearly 50 animated-themed displays and more than 100,000 lights.

America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nov. 27, 2025

  • Address: Woodward Avenue from Kirby to Congress, Detroit
  • Cost: Free

This 98th annual parade has all of your favorite floats, balloons, marching bands and entertainment.

Best November family events Washtenaw County

Sandhill Cranes
Photo credit: Waterloo Recreation Area

Washtenaw County has plenty for kids to do this month, including The Great Pumpkin Roll in Saline and Riverside Holiday Art Fair in Ypsilanti. Find even more November events in Washtenaw County on our calendar.

The Great Pumpkin Roll at Mill Pond Park

Nov. 1, 2025

  • Address: 1866 Woodland Drive, Saline
  • Cost: Free

Bring your Jack-O-Lantern to Mill Pond Park to roll your pumpkin down the hills as fast as you can in a competition. Winners will receive a fun mystery prize. There will also be donuts, hot cider and a pumpkin launcher.

Sandhill Crane Tour at Eddy Discovery Center

Nov. 3, 2025

  • Address: 17030 Bush Road, Chelsea
  • Cost: $2/person, $5/family

Hear from local crane enthusiast Bill Wells at the Discovery Center with a short discussion of Sandhill Cranes. Afterward, he will lead a driving tour to view cranes in the fields around the Waterloo Recreation Area. Bring binoculars and cameras. Registration required.

2025 A2 Community Bookfest at Ann Arbor District Library

Nov. 9, 2025

  • Address: 343 S. 5th Ave., Ann Arbor
  • Cost: Free admission

This fest features activities for all ages, story times, discussion groups, keynote author talks and more.

Riverside Holiday Art Fair

Nov. 22-23, 2025

  • Address: 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti
  • Cost: $1/suggested donation

This holiday art fair focuses on handmade art, vintage goods and self-care products and features over 60 vendors.

Ypsi Artisan Holiday Market at Ypsilanti Freight House

Nov. 29-30, 2025

  • Address: 100 Market Place, Ypsilanti
  • Cost: Free admission

This fifth annual market features over 40 crafters, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, food vendors, live entertainment and more.

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Will Utica Schools change how grade levels are organized?

By  October 28, 2025   No comments

Parents in Utica Community Schools in Macomb County may soon see new school boundaries and building assignments as the district explores moving to a kindergarten through grade five, grade six through eight, and grade nine through 12 grade model to align with Michigan’s curriculum standards and recent facility upgrades.

Utica may change how grade levels are organized

Utica Community Schools is weighing a possible change to how its grade levels are structured, Superintendent Robert Monroe announced in his latest Monroe Memo.

Currently, UCS operates with elementary schools serving kindergarten through sixth grade, junior high schools covering seventh through ninth, and high schools serving 10th through 12th grades. The district is now exploring a more traditional setup — kindergarten through grade five elementary schools, grade six through eight middle schools, and grade nine through 12 high schools — aligning with most other Michigan districts.

Monroe said the district’s Safety and Success Bond, approved in 2023, has expanded building capacity enough to consider this change. The timing also connects with the district’s Enrollment Distribution Advisory Committee (EDAC), which is studying long-term attendance boundaries and classroom use.

“This change would better align our schools to successfully meet curriculum and assessment expectations, and provide more opportunities for sixth and ninth grade students,” Monroe wrote, according to Utica Community Schools.

If approved, the shift would allow UCS to expand middle school programs, strengthen transitions to high school and give students earlier access to electives and co-curricular activities. The district plans to collect parent feedback and publish FAQs and fact sheets as part of a transparent review process.

UCS parents with elementary and middle schoolers could see building changes as early as the 2026–27 school year if the plan moves forward.

Families can submit questions directly to the superintendent’s office through the district website.

State awards clean bus grants to three Macomb districts

Three Macomb County districts — Chippewa Valley Schools, Anchor Bay School District and New Haven Community Schools — will receive new funding to upgrade their bus fleets through the Clean Bus Energy Grant Program, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The grants are part of a $35.9 million statewide investment aimed at reducing emissions and improving student health.

  • Chippewa Valley Schools will receive $3.48 million for 10 electric buses.
  • Anchor Bay School District will receive $984,738 for three electric buses.
  • New Haven Community Schools will receive $78,927 for two propane buses.

State officials said the new buses will improve air quality, reduce maintenance costs and give students a quieter, cleaner ride, according to EGLE’s Oct. 13 press release.

This round of funding brings Michigan’s total number of clean-powered school buses to nearly 900 statewide, with a final round of grant applications due by Dec. 18, 2025.

Bus upgrades will benefit students across kindergarten through grade 12 beginning next school year.



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Monday, 27 October 2025

Can you guess which candy Michigan loves most on Halloween?

By  October 27, 2025   No comments
This story was produced by Instacart and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

These days, Halloween doesn’t wait for October — the season seems to sneak up sooner and sooner. From candy corn to cobwebs, consumers dive into the festivities well before pumpkins take over porches and store aisles. From sweet treats to spooky décor, Instacart data shows that October is one of the most festive times of the year in Michigan, and candy takes center stage.

Candy’s Biggest Day of the Year

Halloween is, unsurprisingly, a big day for candy purchases. On Oct. 31, 2024, the share of orders with candy was 100% higher than the yearly average. Now that’s a sugar high!

Candy hotspots: How does Michigan rank?

Who loads up on candy the most? Since Utah’s first full year on the Instacart platform, Utah has once again decisively claimed the crown, buying candy 50% more often than the national average in October 2024.
The Mountain West and Midwest dominated the leaderboard, with Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho and Nebraska rounding out the top five.
On the flip side, states like Hawai’i, Florida, and California purchased candy at rates well below the national average — proof that America’s sweet tooth isn’t evenly shared.


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Can Detroit’s bike giveaway program help more students show up to class?

By  October 27, 2025   No comments

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy.

Some days, it takes Elyazar Holiday two hours and four buses to travel the 20 miles from his home on the far west side of Detroit to his school on the edge of the east side of the city.

The Detroit school district has limited yellow bus service, and none for most high school students. Like many students in the city, the 17-year-old’s family doesn’t have access to a working car. Riding city buses to Davis Aerospace Technical High School is Holiday’s only option, but – with delays and missed buses – it often proves unreliable.

Last year, Holiday received a gift from his school that made the trek easier: a bicycle.

Principal Michelle Davis gave every student at the school a bike as part of a holistic approach to reducing chronic absenteeism. The bikes were funded through community donations.

Many of the nearly 100 students at Davis Aerospace last year said the bicycles helped them safely get to school by reducing the amount of time they had to walk to school or wait for buses. Others said the bikes gave them a new sense of independence, allowing them to travel around the city with their friends, get to after-school activities or jobs and get exercise.

While Davis believes the bicycles improved attendance during good weather in the fall and spring, she said it’s only one measure the school is taking to get kids to class.

“Giving the students bikes is just one problem that we’ve solved for,” Davis told Chalkbeat. “What we do intentionally is solve for all of the problems that the kids have, because that has to be our major responsibility.”

Principal Michelle Davis poses in front of her “Big Ideas” board. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)

The principal wanted her students to feel the same sense of independence she did as a teen when her mother bought her a pink Huffy.

So, Davis wrote “bikes” at the top of a white board next to her desk that lists her “big ideas.” And soon the vision came to fruition.

Other high schools in the district may also soon give bikes to their students. Last school year, the district surveyed high school students who were chronically absent about why they missed too much school. Some of the students said having a bike would help improve their attendance.

After the district’s school board heard the feedback at a July meeting, some members said they wanted the superintendent to follow up on whether a stock of “dozens” of bicycles in a storage warehouse could be used for that purpose.

Can bikes reduce chronic absenteeism in Detroit?

Chronic absenteeism, defined for Michigan students as missing 10% of the school year, has long been a problem in DPSCD. Issues such as high rates of poverty, health concerns, parents’ work schedules and unsafe routes to school keep many children from missing crucial instructional time.

Students at Davis Aerospace say the bikes have helped address some of those barriers.

A poster tracking attendance for each grade is one of the first things students see as they enter their school building. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)

Holiday, for example, said his bike allows him to get to bus stops more quickly.

The first bus Holiday usually rides is regularly late by 20 minutes to an hour, he said.

If that bus doesn’t come in time, the teen has to decide whether he’ll go to another stop to try and catch a bus on a different route.

“I might miss those if I walk too slow, or I might be tired from trying to run to make it there,” he said.

Now, if the bus that runs on Plymouth Road doesn’t arrive, the teen can ride his bike to another stop. Or if Holiday isn’t able to catch a transfer due to delays, he can ride his bike the rest of the way to school.

“With the bike, I can still make up the distance or go to a different street to get on a different bus and still make it there on time,” he said.

His bike also makes him feel safer.

While violent crime rates have declined in Detroit in recent years, many young people fear being attacked on their way to school. Their sense of safety is shaped by many factors, including news reports of peers killed in gun violence.

“A bike in itself is protection,” said Holiday. “You can use that to get away from the situation. You can use that as a barrier between you and something coming at you in the heat of the moment. You can even throw it.”

The bikes also help students left without a ride because their parents have to get younger kids to school earlier in the morning.

Myron Dean, a senior at Davis Aerospace, said while his parents take his five younger siblings to their schools, he has to get to school on his own.

With a bike, Dean can get to school in about seven minutes.

Dean is also using the bike to get to driver’s education classes so he can eventually drive himself and his siblings anywhere they need to go.

Junior Tryve Roberts said when no one in his family was able to give him a ride, he used to have to walk to school. It took about an hour, which would make him tardy.

Now, since he can get to school on the bike in about 16 minutes, he’s showing up on time more often.

Some research and anecdotal evidence in other parts of the country suggest bicycles alone may reduce chronic absenteeism. Those who support the idea say using bikes to get to school gives more students access to transportation they otherwise wouldn’t have, can improve their health and well-being and adds motivation for kids to improve attendance.

However, the successful examples proponents cite are in parts of the country with warmer climates, such as Florida, Tennessee and Arizona.

At Davis Aerospace, the students are taught bike safety and instructed to not ride to school in poor weather conditions or during the winter.

There are nearly 165 miles of bike lanes in the city, according to advocacy groups, but not every neighborhood in the city has access to continuous dedicated bike paths.

Creating a culture of good attendance

DPSCD has made strides in reducing chronic absenteeism in recent years. Several schools in the district have outpaced all others in the state in reducing absenteeism.

At Davis Aerospace, the chronic absenteeism rate dropped by more than 14 percentage points last school year compared to 2023-24. Since 2018-19, the chronic absenteeism rate at the school fell by nearly 23 percentage points.

Even with that progress, more than 42% of Davis Aerospace students missed too many days of school last year. And the problem is more persistent in the district’s neighborhood schools.

For example, Denby High School, which is also on the east side of the city, had a chronic absenteeism rate of nearly 80% last year.

Some of Davis Aerospace’s progress may be due in part to the bikes, but the school had already been making steady progress in reducing absenteeism before that program.

“What we know is that there’s not just one thing that’s going to decrease absenteeism,” said Davis. “Every kid that has a barrier for attendance, we talk to those students. We see what the barriers are, and we solve for the student and their challenge to getting to school.”

Students can pick out any items they want from the school’s free boutique. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)

At the school, which requires an application for students to attend, reducing absenteeism is ingrained in the culture.

A poster hanging on a brick wall by the school entrance tracks the daily attendance rate of each grade. Students who miss two days or fewer in the class with the highest attendance each month get rewards like cookies, nachos, or a movie day.

A room on the first floor of the school looks like a clothing boutique, except the clothes “for sale” are all marked “100% free.” Kids can grab the things they need to show up to school, like winter coats, gloves, and new shoes.

In another space, kids can get the hygiene products they need to show up ready to learn. There’s also a washer and dryer in the school where students can clean their clothes.

Davis said there are discussions around creating a parent carpool for kids who live near each other.

‘A form of freedom’

The gift of the bikes was not simply a pragmatic attempt to reduce absenteeism, said Davis. It was an act of love.

“When you’re a teenager, bikes are your first form of transportation, right?” Davis said. “It gives you a form of freedom. You explore the world with your bike.”

Students Elyazar Holiday, Savannah Robinson, Ciana Carter, and Myron Dean pose with bikes in front of Davis Aerospace. (Hannah Dellinger / Chalkbeat)

Junior Roderic Pippen said his bike helped him find a new hobby.

“I like to adventure on the bike – find new places to be at,” he said. “My bike trips are more fun than just sitting in the car, scrolling on the internet.”

Holiday will use his bike this year to attend biweekly events by the Midnight Golf Program, a mentorship and college readiness nonprofit.

Before they got bikes, seniors Savannah Robinson and Ciana Carter felt stuck at home during summer breaks because their parents were busy with work.

Last summer, the girls had the freedom to ride to meet up and go to places like the beauty supply store and restaurants.

“Anytime she had a bad day over summer, I’d be like, come on, girl, let’s go ride our bikes and get fresh air,” said Robinson. “So it’s really helpful for both of us.”

Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.



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Friday, 24 October 2025

The best spots dads can make LEGOs with their kids in metro Detroit

By  October 24, 2025   No comments

Dads looking for a fun activity with their kids can find a variety of unique LEGO building opportunities they can do together across metro Detroit.

There are year-round options — from club nights to indoor LEGO playgrounds — where building together is encouraged.

Here’s a roundup of some of the opportunities you might be interested in:

Public library LEGO nights

One reliable place to build LEGOs is at Detroit Public Library branches. For example, the Chase branch hosts a “Lego Day” event for all ages from 7-10 p.m. on select Mondays, according to the Detroit Public Library.

Another library location is Hubbard, which runs a Lego Club on Mondays, offering space to build and share creations with other families, according to Eventbrite.

The Macomb Library for the Blind and Print Disabled in Clinton Township also offers a creative LEGO experience with its Lego Braille Bricks program. These tactile bricks help kids and adults learn braille through play, offering an inclusive way to build, learn, and connect. Families can stop by to explore accessible games and hands-on activities that make building fun for everyone.

These nights often provide bricks, tables and a casual atmosphere, so dads don’t have to haul their entire collection.

Indoor LEGO playground

If you want a destination built around LEGO culture, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan (in Auburn Hills) is a standout option. It’s described as Michigan’s only indoor LEGO® playground and features Miniland models, build/play zones and classes.

This venue often requires tickets, but it offers immersive experiences that go beyond just building on a table.

A STEAM approach: Bricks 4 Kidz

Another option is Bricks 4 Kidz Michigan Metro Detroit, which combines LEGO building with science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), according to KidsOutAndAbout Ann Arbor–Detroit.

During their classes or drop-in sessions, kids build models, code vehicles or follow themed challenges. Dads get to join in or cheer from nearby.

How to choose the right spot

  • Start by asking your kid what they like: free-form builds or guided challenges? If they prefer exploring sets, the library nights give freedom. If they enjoy structure or themed builds, events or LEGO labs may be better.
  • Check schedules ahead of time. Many clubs meet weekly or monthly, not daily.
  • Consider ticket cost and travel time. Indoor centers or events might cost more and require driving, while library events are often free or low cost.
  • Think about crowds and siblings. Spaces like Brick Fest are fun but can be busy. Smaller library nights may feel more relaxed for hands-on time with just your child.

What this does for dad and child

Making LEGO time a regular outing gives dads a built-in connection point. You’re not just watching TV together, you’re creating, solving and laughing. Over time, your kid’s skills improve and your shared projects tell stories. LEGO nights can be simple or epic, what matters is the time you spend.

Plan it

  • Locations: Detroit Public Library branches; LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan (Auburn Hills); Bricks 4 Kidz (metro Detroit)
  • Cost: Free-$35 per child depending on event or location. For a family of four, tickets to Brick Fest Live typically total around $100 before parking and food.
  • Parking: Free at libraries; paid at showplace and mall lots
  • Accessibility: Indoor, stroller-friendly spaces; some LEGO events feature loud sounds or bright lights, which may not suit sensory-sensitive kids
  • Best for: Ages 5–12

Updated October 2025



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