Planning a Staycation? Spend Spring Break in the Metroparks

Schools across Macomb Township will soon be out for spring break and that means planning a slew of activities to keep the kids busy during the week.

If you're planning to stay in the area for spring break, you'll find dozens of kid-centered events planned at Lake St. Clair (formerly Metro Beach), Stony Creek and Wolcott Mill metroparks.

Here's a look at what's on the calendar:

Lake St. Clair (formerly Metro Beach) Metropark

Natural Egg Dyeing

• When: Tuesday, April 3, 1 p.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Dye your Easter eggs using natural materials. Participants are required to bring no more than two hard-boiled eggs per person.
• Age: 6 and up
• Fee: $3 per person
• Preregistration is required. Call 586-463-4332.

Family Nature Club - Who’s Lost in the Woods?

• When: Thursday, April 5, 1 p.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Listen to the story “Lost in the Woods,” and learn what to do or what not to do if you find an animal that appears injured or abandoned.
• Age: All
• Fee: $3 per person
• Preregistration required. Call 586-463-4332.

Stony Creek Metropark

Spring Break Special: Wise Up on Owls

• When: Monday, April 2, 11 a.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Children will learn about owls, see a live owl, hear their calls and take apart an owl pellet to see what they eat.
• Age: None specified.
• Fee: $4 per child
• Preregistration required. Call 586-781-9113.

Spring Break Special: Eggsperiments

• When: Tuesday, April 3, 11 a.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Enjoy eggciting eggsperiments, eggzibit and an egg craft.
• Fee: $4 per child
• Age: None specified.
• Preregistration required. Call 586-781-9113.

Spring Break Special: Nature Songs & Hot Dogs

• When: Wednesday, April 4, 11 a.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Gather around a campfire to sing songs about spring. A hot dog roast will follow, complete with carrots, apples and a beverages (program will be held indoors in case of rain).
• Age: None specified.
• Fee: $4 per child.
• Preregistration required. Call 586-781-9113.

Spring Break Special: Make a Hiking Staff

• When: Thursday, April 5, 11 a.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Make and decorate your own hiking staff, then take a nature walk and put it to the test.
• Age: None specified.
• Fee: $10 per person.
• Preregistration required. This program is limited to 25 participants. Call 586-781-9113.

Spring Break Special: Spring Pond Personalities

• When: Friday, April 6, 11 a.m.
• Where: Nature Center
• What: Hike out to one of the ponds in the nature study area and use a net to catch aquatic critters. Then figure out what’s been caught and bring it back to the nature center to put on display in the pond exhibit.
• Age: None specified.
• Fee: $4 per child.
• Preregistration required. Call 586-781-9113.

Wolcott Mill Metropark

Pioneer Week - Chores

• When: Tuesday, April 3, 1 p.m.
• Where: Historic Center
• What: Children will explore what life was like for early Michigan settlers during “Pioneer Week.” During “chores” participants will experience what children of the 1830s would help with (i.e. making candles and rope, and doing laundry).
• Age: 6 and up; a parent must attend.
• Fee: $7 per child
• Preregistration and prepayment required. Call 586-749-5997.

Pioneer Week - Making Dinner

• When: Wednesday, April 4, 1 p.m.
• Where: Historic Center
• What: Children will explore what life was like for early Michigan settlers during “Pioneer Week.” During “making dinner” children will experience how it was done in the 1840s, with bread and butter making, flour grinding or popping corn.
• Age: 6 and up; a parent must attend.
• Fee: $7 per child
• Preregistration and prepayment required. Call 586-749-5997.

Pioneer Week - Cabins & Fun

• When: Thursday, April 5, 1 p.m.
• Where: Historic Center
• What: Children will explore what life was like for early Michigan settlers during “Pioneer Week.” During “cabins and fun” children will discover how cabins were put together by assembling their own model, trying early toys and playing games.
• Age: 6 and up; a parent must attend.
• Fee: $7 per child.
• Preregistration and prepayment required. Call 586-749-5997.

Babies, Babies, Everywhere (Ongoing) 

• When: Tuesday, April 3 through Sunday, April 15, 10 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Where: Farm Center
• What: Visit each barn to pet, take pictures and learn about the baby farm animals.
• Age: None specified.
• Fee: $3 per person. Wagon rides are $5 per adult, and $3 per child. 
• No preregistration required.

A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark, which is $25 annually for regular admission, $15 annually for seniors, or $5 daily. General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.