There's plenty going on in Dexter this week to keep the children occupied. Head to the homecoming game Friday night or enjoy the sights and sounds of Apple Daze throughout downtown on Saturday. Book Snackers Where/when: Dexter District Library, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Why go? Children in Grades 3-5 are invited to discuss the book Get to Work, Hercules! by Kat McMullan. Registration is required for this event. Call 734-426-4477. Pricing: Free Dexter Athletic Boosters' Tailgate Party Where/when: Al Ritt Field behind Creekside Intermediate School, 5-7 p.m. Friday Why go? Pack up the whole family and…

As the cooler weather begins to settle in, take time this weekend to enjoy the fun fall activities going on around Dexter and the surrounding areas. Junior varsity/freshman football versus Lincoln When/where: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, Al Ritt Field at Creekside Intermediate School. Freshmen play at 4:30 p.m., junior varsity team plays at 7 p.m.  Why go? Fall is football season. Support our local athletes and enjoy some quality time with the whole family. Pricing: $5 Webster Fall Festival When/where: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at 5484 Webster Church Rd. Why go? Enjoy games, activities, crafting …

School is back in session, and the children need a break from hitting the books. Here are some of our top picks for weekend events near Dexter. Dexter High School varsity and junior varsity field hockey Where/when: Dexter High School, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday. Varsity plays at 4:30 p.m., junior varsity plays at 6 p.m. at the high school. Why go? Help support our local athletes as they take on Dearborn. Pricing: Free Movie and Snacks Where/when: Dexter District Library, 11 a.m. Friday. Why go? This activity is for toddlers and preschoolers. Come enjoy Disney's The Lion King and some great …

1. Dexter vs. Huron football Where/When: Al Ritt Field, 2615 Baker Rd., on Thursday. Freshmen play at 4:30 p.m., junior varsity play at 7 p.m. Why go?: Come help usher in the new fall season of Dexter football. Pricing: $5 per person. 2. Fun on the Farm Where/When: Kensington Farm Center, Kensington Metropark, Thursday at 10 a.m. Why go?: Children can participate in crafts, activities, have a snack and learn all about hens and their eggs. Children will have the opportunity to help collect eggs. Call 248-685-1561 for more information. Pricing: $3 per person. 3. Astronomy on the Beach Where/…

Celebrate the end of summer by spending the weekend with your family at one of several events happening around the area this week. 1. Free Dinosaur Tour Where/When: University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History, Saturday at 2 p.m. Why go?: Come enjoy a free 30-minute tour of the dinosaur exhibits. Pricing: Free 2. Planetarium Show: Larry Cat in Space Where/When: University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History, weekdays and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Why go?: This is a great program for kids in kindergarten through third grade but can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Join an …

Whether you are a classic car aficionado or in the market for prize-winning livestock, check out Dexter Patch's weekend family picks. Stucchi’s Cruise Night Where/when: Stucchi’s of Dexter, 6-9 p.m. Wednesday. Why go? Whether you’re a car aficionado or a novice, an evening spent at Stucchi’s Cruise Night promises to be fun for the whole family. Enjoy beautiful cars, music and vote for your favorite car. Pricing: Free Chelsea Community Fair Where/when: Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 Old U.S. 12 in Chelsea. The fair is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. through Saturday. Why go? This annual event …

There's plenty of family fun going on around Dexter this weekend for both the young and young at heart. Fun on the Farm Where/When?: Kensington Metropark Farm Center, Thursday at 10 a.m. Why go?: Children ages 6 and up will do crafts, have story time and even help groom horses before enjoying a hayride. Call 248-684-8632 for more information.  Cost: $3 per child. Howell 51st Annual Melon Festival Where/When?: Throughout downtown Howell, Thursday through Sunday. Why go?: This great summer tradition is presented by the Howell Downtown Development Authority. The festival is packed with lots of …

There's plenty of family fun going on around Dexter this weekend for both the young and young at heart. 39th Annual Dexter Daze Festival Where/when: Downtown Dexter, all day Friday and Saturday.  Why go?: Join all of the fun and excitement of two action-packed family-friendly days of live music, entertainment, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and more.  Pricing:  Free to attend Dexter Daze Used Book Sale Where/when: The Dexter District Library, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday. Why go?: Come support the Friends of the Dexter District Library and purchase used books and media for cheap. Pricing: …

This weekend marks the first weekend in August. Where has the summer gone? Here are our best bets for your family this weekend, in and around Dexter. Thursday Night Live Where/when: Dexter United Methodist Church, 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Meet outside at the picnic area near the playground. Why go? This is a fun way to catch up with folks you haven’t seen in a while, get to know new people and check out Dexter United Methodist Church. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:15 p.m. and a half-hour fireside service at 7 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass. Pricing: Free. Michigan Roots Jamboree Where/when…

Are you looking for fun ways to entertain the children this week? Check out Dexter Patch's Grab & Go Kids Planner. We have plenty of fun suggestions for families. Super Science Day Where/when: Dexter District Library, 2-3 p.m. Thursday. Why go? The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is coming to the library. All children 10 and older are encouraged to come to this free program. Registration is required; call 734-426-4477. Pricing: Free Dinosaur Day Where/when: Dexter District Library, 11 a.m. Friday.  Why go? PaleoJoe is coming to the library to share prehistoric adventures with children of all ages. …

Are you looking for a fun way to entertain the children this weekend? Check out Dexter Patch's Grab & Go planner. Blueberry Picking Where/when: Dexter Blueberry Farm opens today. The farm’s hours are 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Why go? Get out and enjoy the hot summer days picking your own blueberries. Pricing: $1.60 per pound Birds of Prey! Where/when: Dexter District Library, 11 a.m. Friday. Why go?: The Howell Nature Center will be bringing live raptors and even a Bald Eagle to the library. No registration is required for this free event. Pricing: Free Jiffy…

Are you looking to entertain the children without breaking the bank this weekend? Check out our weekly Grab & Go Planner. Magic Carpet Theater Where/when: Dexter District Library, 11 a.m. Friday Why go? Enjoy some live theater and refreshments. This event is open to children of all ages. Pricing: Free Doll Making Workshop Where/when: Dexter District Library, 2 p.m. Friday Why go? Learn how to make your own Guatemalan worry doll. This program is open to children in Grade 5 and older. Pricing: Free Bug Hunting Where/when: Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 11 a.m. Saturday Why go? Join an …

With temperatures peaking at around 90 degrees this week, try cooling off at some of the family-fun activities in the Dexter area. 1. Ice Cream Social Where/when?: Dexter Farmers’ Market next to the Dexter District Library, Wednesday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Why go?: The weather is hot, the ice cream is cold. Show your library card and get a cone for free. There are also drop-in crafts for kids of all ages. Pricing: Free. 2. Manchester Community Fair Where/when: 220 E. Vernon St. in Manchester, today through Saturday. Why go?: The Manchester Community Fair promises to be a week packed with …

Dexter Patch has picked out the best locales for family-friendly fun this week. Enjoy a day at the beach or head out to Hudson Mills Metropark for a Fourth of July celebration! “Super Stories” and “Book Snackers” Book Clubs Where/when?: Dexter District Library, Wednesday. “Super Stories” begins at 11 a.m. and “Book Snackers” begins at 1 p.m. Why go?: “Super Stories” is a fun book-themed club for kindergartners through second-graders. “Book Snackers” is for kids in third through fifth grade. Registration is required. Contact the library at 734-426-4477 to register or obtain more information. …

Are you looking for ways to entertain your children this summer? Check out our weekly Grab & Go Kids Planner. ‘No Child Left Inside’ Camp Where/when: Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Friday. Why go? Children will have the opportunity to get outside and explore nature through a variety of activities and outdoor games, including a balloon toss and scavenger hunt. They will also get to make ice cream. Children will get a close-up look at aquatic life, reptiles, bugs and a variety of other wildlife. Call 734-426-8211 for more information and to register. Pricing: $…

It’s finally here—the three months that kids wait for all year.  No school and plenty of sun, friends and freedom. Plus, of course, there's the inevitable words that always comes around sooner than you would think: "I’m bored.” Keep everyone active with movies, crafts and community events this summer. Take the family out for a fun activity this weekend to celebrate the end to another school year. The Princess Bride Where/when: Come watch a screening of the classic film The Princess Bride for free in Chelsea at the Clocktower Commons, 310 N. Main St., beginning at 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Why go?: …

Are you looking for a fun way to entertain the kids outdoors this weekend? Check out Dexter Patch's Grab and Go planner. 1. Community Picnic and National Register Ceremony Where/when:  Chelsea District Library in Chelsea, Saturday at 11 a.m. Why go?: Take the whole family to an old-time family fun and lunch at the Chelsea Area Historical Museum, where residents will celebrate the grand opening of Chelsea’s historical museum with a chicken broil, kid games, live musical entertainment, vintage baseball game, homemade pie sale, quilt raffle, Model-T car display and tours of the museum.  Visit …

Whether you’re into tractors, art or the outdoors, we’ve stocked up on ideas to keep your calendar full this week. Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build it with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you! 1. Gas Engine and Tractor Show Where/when:  Hudson Mills Metropark, Friday beginning at 6 p.m. and Saturday all day beginning at 11 a.m. Why go?:  This two-day event, sponsored by the metropark and the Hudson Mills Old Power Club, will be fun for the entire family.  The …

With area schools on holiday for Memorial Day weekend, Dexter Patch has your guide to fun family-friendly activities in the area. Crafts and Movies Where/when:  Dexter District Library, Friday 10 a.m. to noon Why go?:  School is out so take some time to enjoy the library.  Kids can enjoy a movie and drop-in crafts.  Craft is from 10 a.m. to noon.  The movie, Karate Kid will begin at 11 a.m.  No registration is required.  Call the library at 734-426-4477 for more information. Cost:  Free Trout Fishing Where/when:  Spring Valley Trout Farm, 12190 Island Lake Rd., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Why …

As the school year begins to wind down, students inevitably will be looking for fun things to do on the weekend. Here is a list of some happenings in and around Dexter this weekend. Dexter Dreadnaught Baseball Where/when:  The Dexter High School junior varsity team meets Tecumseh at home at 4 p.m. Thursday and Hartland at home at 3 p.m. Saturday. Why go? This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with the family and spend an afternoon supporting Dexter sports. Cost: Free Parents’ Night Out Where/when: Champion Gymnastics, 6-9 p.m. Saturday. Why go? The children will have a great time …