Welcome to the end of February! This weekend (Feb 28th & Mar 1st) is packed with free family fun, including the annual Ice Carving Festival and several creative workshops at the AADL branches. Don't miss the chance to catch Yasu Ishida's unique performance or start crafting for FoolMoon.
See our top picks
2026 Ice Carving Festival at County Farm Park
County Farm Park
Watch huge blocks of ice magically transform on Saturday afternoon.
U-M Medical History Exhibit
Museum on Main Street
Explore vintage medical gear indoors on Saturday or Sunday.
Critter House Open Hours
Leslie Science & Nature Center
Free Saturday access to see the animals at Leslie Science Center.
· February 28
5FREE : Head out to County Farm Park for their annual Ice Carving Festival! This is a classic Ann Arbor winter event where you can watch talented carvers transform huge blocks of ice. It's a great outdoor activity, especially since it's free to attend.This is the annual signature winter outdoor event happening only on Saturday.
FREE : Catch Japanese American entertainer Yasu Ishida for a fun performance combining magic, storytelling, and origami. This is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon indoors.A specific, high-quality children's performer scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
FREE : Head slightly north to Kensington Metropark for Maple's Sweet Story event. This sounds like a great little farm activity, and it's free to attend on Saturday.Free, unique farm-based event happening Saturday.
FREE : Catch a free planetarium show celebrating the Lunar New Year at the U-M Natural History Museum. This is a great educational bonus if you’re already attending the Ice Carving Festival nearby!A specific, timely cultural and science-based event available Saturday.
: Catch a matinee performance of Frozen Jr. on Saturday afternoon! If your family loves Broadway-style shows, check the source for ticketing info before heading to Pinckney.A performance opportunity available Saturday afternoon.
· March 1
3FREE : If your kids love building with blocks, head over to Skyline High School for Brick Bash on Sunday! This free event is huge and typically caters well to both younger builders and older tween/teen enthusiasts.A large-scale, free building event available on Sunday.
FREE : The Westgate AADL branch is hosting Kids Move specifically for 'Big Kids' on Sunday afternoon. Get out some energy with structured play before the afternoon winds down.Specific Sunday programming geared toward older children at the library.
ORIGAMI JUMPING FROGFREE : Make a classic origami jumping frog at the Pittsfield Library branch this Sunday afternoon. This is a great, focused craft activity that the kids can take home and play with.A specific, fun craft available Sunday afternoon at the library.
Also On· anytime this weekend
3FREE : Celebrate the Medical School's 175th anniversary by exploring cool medical artifacts from the 1800s and 1900s. It's educational and free, making it a perfect casual visit for curious kids.A free, indoor museum experience available both days of the weekend.
: Get a jump start on creativity by volunteering at the FestiFools studio this Saturday! All ages are welcome to help with papier-mâché or building drums—great for community-minded families.It’s a fun, hands-on way for the whole family to contribute to a major local festival.
FREE : Spend a couple of hours viewing the animals in the Critter House at Leslie Science Center. It’s a free Saturday afternoon activity that’s always a hit with younger children.Free, reliable animal viewing opportunity on Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Ann Arbor this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28-01) there are several free options! Highlights include the Ice Carving Festival on Saturday, the U-M Medical History Exhibit running both days, and several free craft workshops at the AADL branches.
Are there any outdoor activities planned for Saturday?
Yes, the biggest outdoor draw is the Ice Carving Festival at County Farm Park running from 12 PM to 4 PM. You can also visit the animals at Leslie Science & Nature Center during their open hours.
What can we do on Sunday?
Sunday features the FoolMoon Luminary Making Workshop at Hathaway's Hideaway, a Brick Bash at Skyline High School, and performances of Frozen Jr. in Pinckney.
