FAMILY FUN GUIDE

Family resources & events in Saginaw County.

September 2026

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UPCOMING EVENT

LET’S TALK ABOUT SPORTS!

Let’s talk about SPORTS! Build healthy habits as a family by spending time playing together outdoors. Use any ball at home and let your child make up the rules. Fun outdoor activities like this provide opportunities for your child to boost their creative thinking! It’s also a wonderful way to bond and spend quality time together as a family.

Learn more about TALKING IS TEACHING.

TIPS & RESOURCES

KINDERGARTEN READINESS

Dress and undress, brush teeth, and take care of other personal needs without much help
Suggests solutions to social problems
Uses complete 4-6 word sentences
Compares and orders a small set of objects according to size, length, weight; knows usual sequence of basic daily events
Demonstrates knowledge of characteristics of living things (pretends to feed a baby doll or animal, puts baby doll to sleep, etc.)
Toilet Trained

COOKING AT HOME

BANANA PUDDING IN A BAG

Cooking Matters

15 Minutes 4 Servings

Ingredients

½ cup low-fat granola

3 medium bananas

½ cup applesauce, unsweetened

½ cup nonfat vanilla yogurt

Instructions:

In a large zip-top plastic bag, add granola. Squeeze any air out of bag and seal. Lightly crush granola using a can or the bottom of a measuring cup.
Peel bananas. Use your fingers to break them up into the bag of crushed granola.
Add applesauce and yogurt to banana mixture in bag.
Press out any extra air before sealing bag again.
Use your fingers to squish and mash ingredients together until well blended.
Chill pudding inside sealed bag in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

View full recipe: BANANA PUDDING IN A BAG

FOOD DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

Friday, September 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 12 - 2 PM: Radiant Church of God, Saginaw

Saturday, September 5, 12, 19, & 26 at 10 AM – 12 PM: Old Town Christian Outreach, Saginaw - Food & Clothing

Friday, September 11 at 3 - 4:30 PM: DC House of Blessings, Saginaw

Saturday, September 12 at 10 AM - 12 PM: Saginaw Pop Up Pantry at Faith Lutheran Church, Saginaw

Friday, September 18 at 9-10:30 AM: East Side Soup Kitchen, Saginaw

Saturday, September 18 at 10 AM - 12 PM: Caring Closet, Saginaw

Friday, September 18 at 10 - 11:30 AM: First Ward Community Service, Saginaw

Tuesday, September 22 at 11:30 AM - 1 PM: New Covenant Christian Center, Saginaw

View full FOOD DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR.

UNPLUG & PLAY GREAT LAKES BAY

Maggie Dwan

Back-to-school season is a great time to reset family routines. For young children, predictable mornings, mealtimes, playtimes, and bedtimes can help them feel secure and ready for the day.

Try keeping routines simple and consistent, building in time for reading and connection, and setting regular times for screens so there is still plenty of room for sleep, movement, and play.

A great routine to get in the habit of is putting screens down and turning screens off during mealtimes. This is a time to connect, unwind, and share as a family.

Small routines can make a big difference as families settle into the new school year.

Visit GREAT LAKES BAY PARENTS to learn more about screen time balance and boundaries in your routines!

INFANT SAFE SLEEP

Safer Sleep Guidelines

Learn more about Infant Safe Sleep by visiting: MICHIGAN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGES & STAGES DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING

Families with children between the ages of two and five months residing in Saginaw County can complete a FREE Ages and Stages developmental screening or a social-emotional screening. Screenings take ten minutes to complete, and the results are back within a week. Results tell parents what to expect at each stage of development. Often times, early diagnosis can help give a child the best opportunity to reach their potential.

Learn more: AGES & STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES

CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY

PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES

PARENT LEADERS & FAMILIES

PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS

MSU EXTENSION

Extension Extras Parenting Hour

Tuesdays at 7:30 - 9:30 PM

September 1: Screen Time for Young Children

September 8: Introduction to Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACES)

September 15: Working Together to Develop Early Literacy Skills

September 22: Back to the Basics: Skills in Infant and Toddler Care

September 29: Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers

RSVP

Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting

Wednesdays: September 2, & 9 at 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

RSVP

Building Early Emotional Skills

Tuesdays: September 1, 8, 15, 22 at 11:30 AM - 1 PM

RSVP

Extension Extras for Professionals: Early Childhood Professional Development Classes

Thriving Together: Parenting and Family Relationships When a Family Member has a Disability - Thursday, September 17 at 7 - 8:30 PM RSVP

RELAX – Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers - Friday, September 25 at 1 - 2:30 PM RSVP

Online Self-Paced Classes

Positive Discipline RSVP

Infant Safety RSVP

MI Parenting Resource. RSVP

CAN COUNCIL

Upcoming Cafes:

New Covenant Christian Center -

Thursdays @ 11 AM - 1 PM: September 10 - October 1

COMMUNITY EVENTS

COMMUNITY CALENDARS

There are always family-friendly events happening throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. The following Community Calendars are wonderful resources to help you find a fun outing for your family.

GO GREAT LAKES BAY

GREAT LAKES BAY PARENTS

BOOK MOBILE STOPS

Bring your Public Libraries of Saginaw Library card or sign up for a new card (ID with current address needed), then browse our mobile library to find the perfect books to check out!

You can also check out a Chromebook and get help with digital services.

Learn More: BOOK MOBILE STOP

September 1, 9:30-10:30 AM: Friendship Senior Center

September 1, 3:30-4:30 PM: Edgewood Assisted Living

August 5, 2-3 PM: Maplewood Manor

September 8, 10-11 AM: Pinewood Manor

September 8, 12AM - 1 PM: South Colony Senior Center

September 10, 3-4 PM: YMCA

September 15, 10-11 AM: Davenport Manor

September 17, 10-11 AM: Rosien Towers

September 21, 1:30-2:30 PM: Independence Village (Wescourt)

September 24, 3-4 PM: Wellspring Assisted Living

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS:

September 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 4 PM: LEGO CLUB @ Hoyt Main Library, Saginaw

September 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 11 AM: STORYTIME (ages 2-4) @ Family Literacy Center, Saginaw

September 2 at 6:30 PM: CRAFTY KIDS HOUR @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 6-9 PM: FRIDAY FUN NIGHTS @ Downtown Frankenmuth

September 4 & 26 at 12 PM: LAKE STURGEON RELEASE @ Shiawasee River at Cole Park, Chesaning

September 4 & 26 at 2:30 PM: LAKE STURGEON RELEASE @ Cass River's Bunzenhausen Walkway, Frankenmuth

September 5 at 10 AM: KIDS WORKSHOP @ Home Depot, Saginaw

September 5, 12, 19, & 26 at 12-5 PM: FREE ADMISSION @ Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw

September 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 10:30 AM: TODDLER STORYTIME @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 2 - 3 PM: HOMESCHOOL HANGOUT TIME! @ Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw

September 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 6 PM: STORY HOUR (ages 5-8) @ River Rapids District Library, Chesaning

September 9 at 6-7 PM: STEM NIGHT @ Butman-Fish Branch Library, Saginaw

September 10, 17, & 24 at 10:30 AM: MS BETH'S BOOMBOX @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 11, 18, & 25 at 10:30 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME @ Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw

September 12 at 10 AM: KIDS WORKSHOP @ Lowes, Saginaw

September 12, 19, & 26 at 10:30 AM: FAMILY STORYTIME @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 12 at 11 AM: NEEDLE ARTS CLUB @ Hoyt Public Library Saginaw

September 12 at 1 - 4 PM: MUSEUM & LOG CABIN OPEN HOUSE @ St. Lorenz Lutheran Church Museum, Frankenmuth

September 12 at 12:15 PM: STUDIO STORY TIME @ Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw

September 12 at 1-4 PM: OPEN STUDIO (ages 2-5) @ Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw

September 13 at 1 - 4 PM: JAPAN FESTIVAL @ Japanese Cultural Center, Saginaw

September 14 at 5:30 PM: STEAM DISCOVERY LAB (ages 6+) @ Hoyt Public Library, Saginaw

September 14 at 4:30 - 6 PM: MOBILE MONDAY @ George Olson Recreation Complex, Saginaw

September 15 at 10 AM - 1 PM: OBSESSED WITH STORY TIME KICK-OFF PARTY @ Wickson District Library, Frankenmuth

September 15, 22, & 29 at 10:30: STORY HOUR (ages 3-4) @ River Rapids District Library, Chesaning

September 18-20: HEMLOCK SAWDUST DAYS @ Richland Township Park, Hemlock

September 19 at 10 AM - 3 PM: TOUCH A TRUCK @ Mid-Michigan Children's Museum, Saginaw

September 19 at 11 AM - 2 PM: FIRE PREVENTION OPEN HOUSE @ Tittabawassee Police and Fire Department, Freeland

September 19 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM: READ TO A THERAPY DOG @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 19 at 2 - 3 PM: MICHIGAN ROCKS & FOSSILS @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 21 at 6:30-7:30 PM: POKEMON CLUB @ Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw

September 26 at 9:30 AM: BE WELL: 3K TURTLES & HARES RACE @ Saginaw YMCA

September 26 at 11 AM - 6 PM: COMIC COM @ SVRC Marketplace, Saginaw

TRUNK OR TREATS EVENTS:

October 11 at 1-3 PM: TRUNK OR TREAT @ Hayes Park, Freeland

October 23 at 5-6:30 PM: HALLOWEEN AT THE MARKET @ SVRC Marketplace, Saginaw

October 24 at 12 - 4 PM: TRUCKS, TRUNKS, & TREATS @ Birch Run Speedway, Birch Run

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