Playdates

Great Start Livingston Playdates

About Our Playdates

The Great Start Family Coalition hosts free community playdates twice a year—in winter and summer. These casual gatherings are designed for families with young children in Livingston County to connect, explore, and have fun!

Winter playdates are best for children ages 0–5 and are typically held indoors.
Summer playdates expand to include school-age siblings, welcoming families with children ages 0–8 to enjoy local parks and outdoor fun.

Our playdates are intentionally unstructured to allow for relaxed play and natural connection between parents and caregivers. When space allows, we also enjoy group read-alouds, simple activities, or visits from local partners.

Many of our most cherished events started because parents asked for more ways to connect—these playdates are a direct result of that feedback!

What to Expect at Each Playdate

Every Great Start Livingston playdate includes:

📚 A Free Book
Each Livingston County child who attends receives a free children’s book (while supplies last) to promote early literacy and learning at home.

🍎 A Free Snack
We offer snacks for each child—sometimes even a popsicle on hot summer days!

🤝 Local Resources & Support
Our check-in table includes helpful info about free or low-cost services available for families in Livingston County. If you’re looking for something specific, just ask—we’re here to help.

💬 Connection Opportunities
Meet other parents, caregivers, and community partners. Learn more about our Family Coalition, events, and how to stay in touch through our newsletter and email list.

Thank you to our Community Partners!

🤝 Community Partners Welcome

Our playdates are even more meaningful when community partners join us! Libraries, nonprofits, service providers, and other organizations often attend to connect with families and share valuable resources in a fun, relaxed setting.

For Families:
Community partners bring exciting extras to our playdates—like read-alouds, crafts, giveaways, and info about upcoming programs. It’s a great way to learn what’s available in Livingston County and connect face-to-face with people who support families like yours.

For Community Organizations:
Want to join us at an upcoming playdate? We’d love to collaborate! Partners typically bring something simple and engaging, like:

A book to read aloud
A craft or indoor game
Help with check-in or welcome table
Swag, flyers, or info about upcoming programs
Support early learning, health, or literacy
Offer a fine motor, gross motor, STEAM, or parent support station
Help families with ASQ-3 / ASQ:SE-2 developmental screening

Our winter playdates often welcome 50–100 children and their caregivers—and you’ll have a chance to build relationships with families in a casual, joyful setting. We’re also open to your creative ideas!

👉 Interested in partnering with us?
Let’s connect! Contact Us to learn more or sign up for a future playdate.

Together, we’re building stronger connections for families with young children across Livingston County

GSL Playdates Winter 2026 Flyer by Account, GSL

2026 Winter Playdates

Come play, connect, and explore with us! All events run from 10:00–11:30 AM and are free—no RSVP required. Just come as you are!

Date	Location	Address
Thursday, January 15 (10-11:30)	Oceola Community Center	1661 N. Latson Rd., Howell, MI 48843
Tuesday, February 10 (10-11:30)	Legacy Center Fieldhouse	9299 Goble Dr., Brighton, MI 48116
Friday, March 6 (10-11:30)	2\|42 Community Center Field	7526 Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116
Tuesday, April 14 (10:-11:00)	Hartland Community Education	9525 E. Highland Rd., Howell, MI 48843 Enter at Door 10 on the west side of the building by the tennis courts.

📸 Follow our Facebook page for updates, weather announcements, and event photos!

Want to Get Involved?

We’re always open to new ideas! If you’re a parent or community partner interested in hosting or supporting a future playdate, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep building family connections in Livingston County.