Family Fun Guide

September 2026

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HINTS, TIPS, & AT HOME ACTIVITIES

TALKING IS TEACHING - 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.

For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING

KINDERGARTEN READINESS:

Use a fork and spoon
Initiates the sharing of materials in the classroom and outdoors
Follows directions of two or more steps (ex. put your food in the trash and rinse off your plate)
Identifies 2 and 3 dimensional shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and describes them (round, has four sides, has 3 corners, etc.)
Explores drama through actions and language
Toilet Trained

HELP ME GROW

Understanding feelings is key! Teaching 3- to 5-year-olds how to express and manage emotions helps them build strong relationships. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional regulation, call Help Me Grow.

For more information visit helpmegrow-mi.org/counties or call 844-464-0005.

EARLY ON

Sensory play (like exploring leaves in the fall) promotes brain development by integrating multiple senses. For kids with sensory processing challenges, early intervention tailors activities to build tolerance.

If you have concerns or questions about your child's development please contact Amy Vallad, BAISD Early On Coordinator at vallada@baisd.net or (989) 262-4182

Learn more about EARLY ON.

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!

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

FAMILY RESOURCES

FOOD RESOURCES

CLOTHING & DIAPERS

CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY

ARENAC COUNTY CHILD PROTECTION COUNCIL

TEN16 RECOVERY BAY CITY

PARENT CLASSES

PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES

MSU EXTENSION - FREE ONLINE PARENTING CLASSES

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'S PARENT CAFES

Upcoming Cafes:

Bay County Health Departments - Wednesdays: September 2 at 11 AM - 1 PM.

FREE 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

FARMER'S MARKETS:

Thursdays (till October 1) at 2-7 PM: PERE MARQUETTE PARKING PLAZA FARMER'S MARKET, Bay City

Fridays (till September 11) at 2-6 PM: STANDISH DEPOT FARMER'S MARKET, Standish

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS:

September 1 at 4:30 - 5:30 PM: DISCO SNAILS (ages 6-12) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 2 at 9 - 11 AM: BUSY BEES PLAYGROUP @ Bay City State Park, Bay City

September 2 at 5:30 - 6 PM: BABY BOOK CLUB (ages 0-3) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 2 & 9 at 6:30 PM: WEDNESDAYS IN THE PARK @ Wenonah Park, Bay City

September 3, 10, 17, & 24 at 10 AM - 12 PM: GREAT LAKES BAY MOMS CAFE @ Monitor Township Park, Bay City

September 3, 10, 17, & 24 at 10:30 AM: MOVE & GROOVE (ages 0-5) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 3 at 5 - 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC & MOVIES ON THE STREET - SUPER MARIO BROTHERS @ Old City Hall, Bay City

September 3 at 5:30 PM: MAKE YOUR MARK (ages 0-12) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 3 at 6-7 PM: BACK TO HOGWARTS PARTY! (ages 0-12) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 4 & 18 at 10 AM: PLAYDATE (Ages 0-4) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City

September 4 at 3:30 PM: QUIET CLUB: PEACE & PUZZLES (ages 5-12) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 5 at 9 AM: KIDS WORKSHOP @ Home Depot, Bay City

September 5 at 7 PM: MUSIC FROM THE MARSH @ Bay City State Park, Bay City

September 8 at 9:30 AM: WALKING CLUB @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 8 at 4:30 PM: BEAN THERE, ART THAT @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 8 at 5 PM: LEGO BRIDGE CHALLENGE @ Alice and Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 9 & 23 at 10:30 AM: SENSORY PLAY (ages 4-9) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City

September 9 at 10:30 AM: STORYTIME (ages 0-12) @ Flowers From the Heart, Auburn

September 9 at 3:30 PM: WET LAND WONDERS WITH SHIAWASSEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE@ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 10 & 24 at 3:30 PM: GAMER CLUB JR @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 10 at 6 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 11 at 10:30 AM: ROCKET-BY BABIES & TODDLERS (ages 0-5) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 12 at 10 AM - 3 PM: FAMILY SUMMER END FUN FEST/ TOUCH A TRUCK @ Bay City State Park, Bay City

September 12 at 11 AM - 3 PM: ICE CREAM SOCIAL @ Trombley House, Bay City

September 12 & 13 at 12-4 PM: 9-1-1 MEMORIAL SERVICE & OPEN HOUSE @ Antique Toy and Firehouse Museum, Bay City

September 10 at 5 - 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC & MOVIES ON THE STREET - SHREK @ Old City Hall, Bay City

September 11 & 25 at 11 AM: TODDLER TIME! (ages 0-5) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 16 at 5:30 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 17 at 5 - 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC & MOVIES ON THE STREET - GOONIES @ Old City Hall, Bay City

September 17 at 5:30 PM: FAMILY READ ALOUD BOOK CLUB: IMAGINARY FRIENDS @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 17 at 6 PM: SALTWATER PROCESS ART FOR LITTLES (ages 0-5) @ Pinconning Branch Library

September 18 at 10:30 AM: LITTLE WIGGLERS (ages 0-5) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 18 at 10:30 AM: A IS FOR ART: TRINKET BOX(ages 6-12) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 19 at 2 - 3 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 19 at 3 PM: SUSTAINABILITY SATURDAY - DIY REUSABLE CANVAS TOTES (ages 5-12) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 22 at 4:30 M: SEW CREATIVE: PASTA PILLOWS (ages 6-12) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 23 at 6:30 PM: FAMILY PUZZLE COMPETITION @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 24 at 5 - 10 PM: LIVE MUSIC & MOVIES ON THE STREET - TOY STORY @ Old City Hall, Bay City

September 24 at 6 PM: MAKE YOUR MARK (ages 0-12) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Bay City

September 25 at 10:30 AM: SCIENCE CLUB JR.: STARS AND SOLAR SYSTEMS (ages 2-5) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 25 at 10:30 AM: YOUNG SCIENTISTS: NATURE WALK (ages 2-5) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 26 at 10 AM - 2 PM: PUMPKIN FESTIVAL @ Doc Letchfield Park Pavillion, Pinconning

September 26 at 11 AM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 26 at 2 - 10 PM: RECOVERY BY THE BAY @ Wenonah Park, Bay City

September 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, & 9 at 10:30 AM: FAMILY STORYTIME (ages 0-6) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, & 10 at 10 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, & 10 at 11 AM: BABY STORYTIME (ages 0-2) @ Sage Branch Library, Bay City

September 29 at 5:30 PM: POKEMON TRAINER NIGHT (ages 2-12) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 29 at 6:30 PM: MAKE YOUR MARK @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11 at 10:15 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11 at 10:30 AM: FAMILY STORYTIME (ages 0-6) @ Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning

September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11 at 10:30 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 30 at 11 AM: BAISD PLAYGROUP (ages 0-5) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11 at 11:30 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11 at 6:30 PM: FAMILY STORYTIME (ages 0-6) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, & 12 at 10:15 AM: BABY STORYTIME (ages 0-2) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, & 12 at 10:30 AM: BABY STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Alice & Jack Wirt Library, Bay City

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, & 12 at 11:15 AM: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (ages 2-5) @ Auburn Branch Library, Auburn

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

September 26 at 10 AM - 2 PM: PUMPKIN FESTIVAL @ Doc Letchfield Park Pavillion, Pinconning

October 10 at 12 - 4 PM: TRACTOR TREAT @ Hartwick Land & Cattle, Sterling

October 16 at 5 PM: TRUNK OR TREAT @ River's Edge Learning Tree, Bay City

October 17 at 9:30 AM: RUN FOR THE WELL OF IT LITTLE SKELTON RUN @ AuGres City Camp Ground, AuGres

October 17 at 11 AM - 2 PM: OPEN HOUSE & TRUNK OR TREAT @ Bangor Township Fire Department Station 7, Bay City

October 17 at 2 - 5 PM: HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK @ City Park, AuGres

October 24 at 1 - 4 PM: TRUNK OR TREAT @ North Pine Urgent and Family Care (839 N. Pine Rd.) Essexville

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