No Planning Required: Quick Summer Fun

Hey families! Need fresh ideas to beat the midsummer blahs? If you have free time on your hands and the kids are getting restless, we've got you. Here are some great suggestions to keep the fun going strong through Labor Day for the whole family.

The Fun Starts Here in Canton

• Canton Public Library kicks off our 62 Days of Summer program in mid-June and runs through mid-August. Our calendar is filled with activities, programs and events for everyone. There’s a fun, free outdoor celebration at the end for all ages.
• Canton Liberty Fest kicks off the start of summer with a bang. Fun carnival rides, midway games, food trucks and live entertainment for everyone.
• The Summer Concert Series in Heritage Park features Tuesdays Are Terrific and Thursday Night Live concerts, both great ways to enjoy free, live music day and night. Just bring your own picnic blanket and snacks. Soak in the sounds of summer at Jazz in the Park, where you’ll hear live jazz music every Wednesday night in July at Preservation Park. These events are for all ages.
• Stop by the Canton Farmers Market to enjoy some live music, cooking demos and fresh foods from your local farmers for your summer menu. Bring the kids and enjoy the library’s Storytime series on certain Sundays at Preservation Park. See our Programs page for days and times.
• Check out The Village Arts Factory for a variety of seasonal events for the entire family. For an immersive and inclusive experience, browse their Fine Art Gallery space featuring local artists' artwork and exhibitions.
• Get outdoors and enjoy Canton’s parks, trails and nature areas. Go for a walk or a bike ride on one of the scenic trails, and then maybe stop for a picnic lunch at a park or enjoy the Heritage Park Story Trail and read a picture book while taking a stroll around the pond. You’ll find the hammocks are the perfect place for relaxing with a good book.
• Enjoy the renovated Splash Playground to cool off during a hot summer day. It’s free and located at the northwest corner of Canton Center Road and Summit Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy sprinkler-style water features or hang out under a canopy for some cool shade.
• See a show at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill. This local community gem is the perfect way to expand your horizons. Live performances, shows and concerts provide artistic and multicultural entertainment for all ages. Check the box office for tickets.
• Looking for a fun learning experience close to home? Check out the Canton Parks, Recreation and Community Services to register for fun-filled summer opportunities for everyone. Browse the Discover online guide for more information.

Summer Learning Experiences around SE Michigan

• Did you know, the DIA is free for residents in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties? Many other museums offer discounted entry passes through the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) program.
• If you want to avoid the crowds at an outdoor art fair, visit one of the dozens of museums in Southeast Michigan. Many are within a 30-minute drive, and it’s a great way to cool off while learning something new.
• Visit the Detroit Zoo. There are over 2,000 animals representing over 200 species that call the Detroit Zoo home. A male polar bear named Kali joined the Arctic Ring of Life in February 2026. Also, the Zoo's newest exhibit, The Erb Discovery Trails, where visitors of all ages will have an immersive experience with new animal habitats, opens this year in May. Check out our blog for discounted tickets.
• Travel back in time and discover America's fascinating heritage and amazing inventions at The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village. Enjoy a ride in a Model-T car or come aboard on the Weiser Railroad, being pulled by the country's oldest steam engine. Go for a nostalgic amusement ride on the 1913 Herschell-Spillman carousel featuring a menagerie of hand-carved animals.
• Discover over 50 acres of nature trails and learn about conservation and environmental stewardship at The Leslie Nature Center. It is handicapped accessible with playscapes, buildings and pathways specifically designed for visitors of all physical abilities. Check MAP for discounts on weekday passes. 
• About an hour's drive away, you'll find the Michigan Avian Experience in Brooklyn, MI. Their summer open houses are free and open to the public. Learn about owls, hawks, falcons and other birds of prey. Check the website for days and times.
• Michigan is known for its Great Lakes. But did you know it has 103 state parks? Before you head to the great outdoors, check our blog, Camping for Everyone. You’ll find helpful tips and resources for beginner campers and hikers. The closest state park to CPL is the Huron-Clinton Metro Parks. You can visit all 13 beautiful park systems across Southeast Michigan with just one park pass.
• Explore a scenic stroll at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. Wander through the 11 outdoor and biodiverse gardens or venture into the indoor Conservatory. Check the website to plan your visit. 

Going on a Road Trip? We've Got You.

Planning a road trip but need activities to keep the kids engaged and entertained? The library has options to help you fill the time when you’re on the road to your summer vacation destination.

• Check out some puppets, a storytime kit, or Tonies for a late-night puppet show or a storytime under the stars.
• Help kids deepen their understanding of nature with a STEAM activity kit.
• Stop by Secondhand Prose to purchase some puzzles for those rainy days at the cottage.
• Avoid the summer slide with some super fun online resources like ABCya, Bookflix, Britannica Fundamentals and more on our Research & Learn page under Educational Resources K-12.

Don’t forget our e-media services: Libby, Kanopy, Comics Plus, Alexander Street Press and Hoopla are always available even when the library is closed.

Happy Summer!