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.

Learn more about the parks we are visiting this summer!

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 outdoor game
📝 Help with check-in or welcome table
🎁 Swag, flyers, or info about upcoming programs

Our summer 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

2025 Summer Playdate Flyer by Account, GSL

🎉 2025 Summer Playdates

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

Date	Location	Address
June 10	Oceola Township Park (Oceola Soccer Complex)	1661 N. Latson Rd., Howell, MI 48843
June 26	Pinckney Town Square (Unity Park)	E. Main St., Pinckney, MI 48169
July 17	SELCRA Meijer Park	333 Charles H Orndorf Dr., Brighton, MI 48116
July 30	Genoa Township Park (with StoryWalk!)	2911 Dorr Rd., Brighton, MI 48114
August 12	Manly W. Bennett Memorial Park East	10405 Merrill Rd., Whitmore Lake, MI 48189

📸 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.