Celebrate National Daughters Day & National Sons Day in Macomb County 💕💙

Our kids don't need another toy to know they're loved — sometimes the best gift we can give them is our time.

National Daughters Day is September 25, and National Sons Day is widely celebrated September 28, putting these two special days just a few days apart. Whether you're celebrating a daughter, a son, or all of your kids together, use the occasion as an excuse for some extra one-on-one family time. From cider and donuts to bowling, ice cream, nature walks, pizza dates and letting the kids completely plan the adventure, we've rounded up plenty of ways to celebrate right here in the Macaroni KID Macomb area.

🍎 Have a Cider Mill Date

It doesn't get much more Michigan than celebrating with cider, donuts and a fall afternoon together.

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill — Armada

Make a whole day of it at Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill. Families can enjoy seasonal U-pick, the cider mill, farm market and bakery, and Funland activities.

Make it special: Let your child choose three things they want to do while you're there — and don't forget the cider and donuts!

Blake's Big Apple — Armada

Another Armada option is Blake's Big Apple. Families can find the farm store and bakery, U-pick opportunities and Funland with more than 25 activities. For kids who like something a little spooky, September also brings seasonal Halloween activities.

Make it special: Challenge each other to find the best pumpkin or apple and take plenty of silly fall pictures.

Westview Orchards & Winery — Washington Township

Westview is packed with options for a fall parent-and-kid date. Fall activities include a playground, giant slide, Straw Mountain, Tire Mountain, Rope Mountain, corn maze, straw bale maze, animals, wagon rides and barnyard basketball. Apple picking is another fun way to turn your outing into an experience instead of simply buying something for your child.

Make it special: Pick apples together and use them to bake something when you get home.

🎳 Go Bowling

A little parent-vs.-kid competition can make for a great Daughters or Sons Day.

Strikers Entertainment Center — Richmond

Head to Strikers for bowling and food all in one stop.

Create your own family competition with awards for:

• Highest score
• First strike
• Best victory dance
• Funniest bowling technique
• Biggest comeback
• Best sportsmanship

Shelby Lanes — Shelby Township

Turn the celebration into a bowling date and let your child pick where you go for dessert afterward.

Premier Lanes — Chesterfield

Bowling, food and arcade-style entertainment make this another option when your child would rather do something than sit through a traditional dinner.

🕹️ Pick an Indoor Adventure

Weather not cooperating? Head inside.

Sky Zone — Shelby Township

Have a kid who would choose jumping over a fancy dinner every time? Turn Daughters or Sons Day into an active date at Sky Zone. Bonus points if Mom or Dad actually participates!

Kids Empire — Chesterfield

For younger kids, an indoor play date gives them plenty of room to climb, slide and burn off some energy.

Paradise Playhouse — Chesterfield

Another option for younger children who would much rather play than go out for dinner.

Pump It Up — Shelby Township

Check available open-jump opportunities and special events for an active celebration.

The New Rink — Shelby Township

Go roller skating together — and yes, parents have to skate, too!

Sparks Pinball Museum — Chesterfield

Challenge your child to some old-school pinball and see whether Mom or Dad can still hold their own.

Dave & Buster's — Utica

For older kids and teens, an arcade date can be a winner. Give everyone the same number of game credits and see who can earn the most tickets.

🐍 Celebrate With an Animal Adventure

The Reptarium and LegaSea Aquarium — Utica

Have a kid fascinated by reptiles? Skip the traditional celebration and plan something they'll actually be excited about. Explore an underwater world together and let your child choose their favorite creature.

Make it special: Before you leave, each person has to pick their favorite animal and one new thing they learned.

🌳 Get Outside Together

Some of the best parent-and-kid dates are completely free — or close to it.

Stony Creek Metropark — Shelby Township

With trails, water and plenty of outdoor space, Stony Creek gives families lots of options. Go for a walk, bike together, have a picnic, toss a football, take pictures or simply find somewhere pretty to sit and talk.

Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center — Shelby Township

Pair a visit to the nature center with some time exploring the surrounding trails.

Armada Village Park — Armada

Pack snacks, visit the playground, shoot some hoops or hop onto the Macomb Orchard Trail for a walk together.

Macomb Orchard Trail

Instead of sitting across from each other at a restaurant, walk or bike together and talk along the way.

New Baltimore Waterfront

Take a walk near the water, visit a park, explore downtown and finish the outing with ice cream.

Downtown Romeo

Walk around downtown, explore the shops, take pictures and grab a meal or treat together.

Downtown Richmond

Turn it into a small-town adventure. Walk around, grab something to eat and finish with a parent-and-kid challenge at Strikers.

Downtown Armada

Pair a walk around downtown Armada with lunch or dinner and an ice cream stop.

Downtown Utica

Grab a meal, explore downtown and add another activity nearby.

🍦 Go on an Ice Cream Date

Sometimes the simplest dates are the ones kids remember.

The Creamery on Main — Armada

Right in downtown Armada, The Creamery on Main makes an easy treat date. Choose your favorite ice cream or go big with one of the specialty desserts.

Make it special: Order something you've never tried before and share it.

Scoop & Twist of Macomb — Macomb Township

Grab ice cream and use the outing as a chance to actually sit down and talk.

House of Ice Cream & More — New Baltimore

Pair ice cream with a walk around downtown New Baltimore or along the waterfront.

Custard Spot — Shelby Township/Utica Area

Go for frozen custard, cones, sundaes or another favorite treat.

Try this: Let your child order whatever dessert they want — within reason! — instead of choosing for them.

🥞 Have a Breakfast or Brunch Date

Who says celebrating has to happen after school?

Surprise your child with breakfast before school or plan a weekend brunch date.

Peaches Brunch House — Romeo

Have a breakfast or brunch date and then spend some time walking around downtown Romeo.

Papa's Restaurant — Armada

Start your celebration with breakfast in downtown Armada and add a stop at The Creamery later.

Ken's Country Kitchen — Richmond

Go for a classic small-town breakfast or casual meal before exploring Richmond together.

Paulee's — Macomb Township

Breakfast is a big part of the menu, making this another option for a breakfast date.

Savory Grill — Utica

Turn breakfast into the main event before heading off on another Utica adventure.

🍕 Let Them Pick Dinner

This may be one of the easiest Daughters or Sons Day traditions to start:

Your child gets complete control over where you eat.

No complaining about their choice!

A few local possibilities include:

Armada Bar & Grille — Armada

Pair dinner with a walk through downtown and an ice cream stop at The Creamery on Main.

Buon Appetito Italian Cuisine — Romeo

Make it an Italian dinner date followed by a walk around downtown Romeo.

Bad Brad's BBQ — New Baltimore

Grab barbecue and then head toward downtown New Baltimore and the waterfront.

Tivoli's Wood Brick-Oven Pizzeria — Utica

Pizza is always a kid-friendly way to celebrate. Follow dinner with a downtown walk or dessert.

Testa Barra Kitchen & Cocktails — Macomb Township

For an older child or teen who would enjoy a slightly more special dinner out, make reservations and dress up a little.

Khom Fai Thai Dining Experience — Macomb Township

Have an adventurous eater? Let your child choose something new for both of you to try.

Regale Craft Food & Drink — Macomb Township

Another possibility for an older kid or teen when you want the celebration to feel more like a special dinner date.

Tavern at Tina's Country House — Macomb Township

A casual option when the goal is simply spending time together over a meal.

Host Utica — Utica

Pair a meal in downtown Utica with a walk around town.

⚾ Celebrate Your Sports Kid

If your son or daughter would choose sports over just about anything else, build the day around that.

Jimmy John's Field — Utica

When games or events are scheduled, a trip to the ballpark makes a great parent-and-kid experience.

All Star Sports Center — New Baltimore

Check available activities and turn the celebration into an active outing.

Premier Sports Center — Shelby Township

Look for available activities or events that fit your sports-loving kid. Bring gloves to a local baseball field and play catch. Shoot hoops together. Kick a soccer ball around. Play HORSE. Throw a football. Set up a backyard home run derby. Let your child teach you their sport.

🛍️ Give Them a Small Shopping Budget

Give your child $10, $20 or whatever fits your budget and head into Romeo, Armada, Richmond, New Baltimore or Utica. The money is theirs to spend. The catch? They have to stay within budget. It's fun and sneaks in a little money-management practice.

📸 Take a Hometown Photo Adventure

Choose three or four spots around your town and take pictures together.

Try:

Downtown Romeo

Downtown Richmond

Downtown Armada

Downtown New Baltimore

Stony Creek Metropark

A local cider mill

A favorite baseball field

A favorite park

The place where you always get ice cream

Even better — recreate an old picture from when your child was younger.

💵 Try the $20 Date Challenge

Give yourselves $20 total and see how much fun you can have.

Maybe it's:

Two ice creams + a park.

A pizza + a walk.

Dollar-store snacks + movie night.

Cider and donuts + pictures.

A small shopping challenge.

Fast food + a sunset.

The goal isn't spending the money. It's seeing how creative you can be with it.

🎲 Have a "This or That" Day

Let your child make every decision by choosing between two options.

Breakfast or lunch?

Bowling or arcade?

Cider mill or park?

Pizza or burgers?

Ice cream or donuts?

Romeo or New Baltimore?

Movie or video games?

Keep going until you've created your entire day.

🚗 Take a Yes Day Drive

Get in the car without telling your child where you're going.

At every major decision, they choose:

Left or right?

After 20 or 30 minutes, find something nearby to do.

Or reverse it — let your child navigate you to three favorite places.

🍕 Let Them Create the Perfect Meal

Each person gets to choose one part:

Child chooses dinner.

Parent chooses the activity.

Child chooses dessert.

Parent chooses the music.

Or let the child choose everything for one night.

🎬 Have an At-Home Movie Premiere

Let your child select the movie and make it feel like an actual event. Create movie tickets. Set up a snack bar. Turn off the lights. Put phones away. Pile blankets and pillows on the floor. Let them choose movie-theater candy. And no checking emails halfway through!

🎮 Enter Their World for an Hour

This one costs absolutely nothing.

Ask your child:

"What do you love doing that you wish I would do with you?"

Then do it.

Play Fortnite. Build LEGO. Throw a baseball. Make bracelets. Play Roblox. Watch their favorite YouTuber. Learn a TikTok dance. Draw. Play Pokémon. Listen to their favorite music. Let them be the expert and teach you.

💌 Write Them a Letter

Instead of buying a card, write your child a letter.

Tell them: What you're proud of. Something about them that makes you laugh. A favorite memory. Something they've overcome. What you admire about them. Something you hope you always do together. What you love about the person they're becoming. Put it somewhere they can keep it.

📱 Have a Phone-Free Hour

This may be more meaningful than an expensive outing. Parent puts away their phone. Kid puts away theirs. No notifications. No scrolling. No pictures until the end.Just one hour together.

🧡 Start an Annual Tradition

Make Daughters Day or Sons Day something your child expects every year.

It could be:

The same ice cream shop.

A yearly picture.

Breakfast together.

Cider and donuts.

A handwritten letter.

Bowling.

A parent-and-kid selfie.

Letting them choose dinner.

A "This or That" day.

A $20 adventure.

Or asking the same five questions every year and saving their answers.

💕 It's Not About How Much You Spend

Your National Daughters Day or National Sons Day celebration doesn't have to be expensive, elaborate or social-media worthy.

Your child probably won't remember whether you spent $10 or $100.

They may remember that you let them choose the restaurant.

They may remember beating you at bowling.

They may remember the ridiculous ice cream you ordered in Armada.

They may remember walking around New Baltimore while talking about school.

They may remember getting lost in a corn maze at Westview.

They may remember picking apples at Blake's.

Or they may remember sitting in the car eating French fries while they controlled the playlist and had your undivided attention.

That's really what these days can be about.

Let them choose. Put the phone away. Ask questions. Take a picture together. And enjoy your kid.

Happy National Daughters Day and National Sons Day, Macomb County! 💕💙

Hours, admission prices, seasonal activities and availability can change. Always check directly with each business before heading out.