Looking for free Livingston County playdates? Great Start Livingston and Help Me Grow Livingston invite families with children ages birth to 5 to enjoy play-based learning, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with other families and community resources.
Our playdates take place throughout Livingston County, including Brighton, Howell, and Hartland. Each event offers activities for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, with a special baby play space for our youngest learners. Siblings are welcome!
Explore our upcoming playdate schedule, meet participating community partners, and find resources to help your child grow, learn, and thrive.
Join us for four FREE indoor playdates between December 2026 and March 2027!
Come meet other local families, explore activities, connect with community partners, and enjoy some winter fun together. All playdates are free and open to the public.
Winter Weather Updates: In the event of severe weather, please check our Facebook page and this website for playdate updates or cancellations before heading out.
Bringing a baby? You're in the right place!
Help Me Grow Livingston and Great Start Livingston are continuing our special focus on infants ages 0–12 months during the Winter Playdate Series.
Our dedicated baby play space provides opportunities to explore tummy time, reaching, rolling, visual tracking, early movement, and social interaction.
Learn simple ways to support your baby's development through everyday play.
We're collaborating with Early On to connect families with developmental information and support throughout the series.
Little learners are welcome!
Play, explore, and connect together! Every Winter Playdate is designed to be welcoming, engaging, and free.
One free book per child, while supplies last.
One snack per child, while supplies last.
Connect with community organizations and discover local resources.
Play for little ones and meaningful connections for parents and caregivers.
We want every child and family to feel welcome at our playdates!
Our Winter Indoor Playdate Social Story and communication board help families learn what to expect, prepare for activities, and support communication during play.
Every child can participate in their own way. Whether your child enjoys exploring activities, watching before joining in, or taking a break with their grown-up, they are welcome!
Our Winter Playdates take place at four different indoor locations. The spaces and activities may look a little different at each event.
December 2026 – March 2027
10:00–11:30 a.m. | All Playdates Are FREE!
For babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers.
| Date | Location | City |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 11, 2026 | Legacy Center Sports Complex | Brighton |
| Thursday, January 14, 2027 | Oceola Community Center | Howell |
| Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | 2|42 Community Center | Brighton |
| Wednesday, March 24, 2027 | Hartland Community Education | Hartland |
Watch this page for participating community partners, activities, and additional event details.
Every child develops at their own pace! Help Me Grow Livingston connects families with information, developmental screening opportunities, and resources to support their child's growth.
The Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) help parents and caregivers learn more about developmental milestones in areas such as communication, movement, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills.
Learn More About Help Me Grow LivingstonWith Support From
We're grateful to Livingston County United Way for investing in Great Start Livingston and Help Me Grow Livingston's work to connect young children and families with early childhood resources, learning opportunities, and community support.
Livingston County United Way brings together organizations, community leaders, and resources to help address local needs and strengthen our community.
Learn More About Livingston County United WayIt takes a community to help little ones grow!
Meet some of the local organizations joining Great Start Livingston and Help Me Grow Livingston at our Winter Playdates! Our community partners share their expertise, activities, and resources to support the children and families attending.
Learn more about these organizations, the services they provide throughout Livingston County, and what they plan to share with families at our events.
Each partner attends selected playdates. Activities and resources vary by date and location.
Supporting your child's development from birth to age 3
Early On partners with families to support the growth and development of infants and toddlers. The early years are an important time for learning, exploration, and building new skills.
Developmental activities and resources that support tummy time, movement, fine motor skills, communication, and social interaction for infants and toddlers.
Helping Michigan families create healthier, safer environments
The Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) works to protect public health by identifying and addressing environmental hazards.
Using the best available science, the bureau works to reduce, eliminate, or prevent health risks associated with environmental, chemical, and physical hazards. Its work helps families and communities better understand environmental health and safety.
The MDHHS Environmental Health Bureau plans to share environmental health education and informational materials with parents and caregivers.
Families can connect with the team, learn more about environmental health, and discover resources that support healthy and safe environments for young children.
Language accessibility: Spanish-language support is available through the participating team.
Joining us at all four Winter Playdates:
Friday, December 11, 2026 —
Legacy Center Sports Complex, Brighton
Thursday, January 14, 2027 —
Oceola Community Center, Howell
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 —
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 —
Hartland Community Education, Hartland
Inspiring curiosity, creativity, and learning through play
Brighton District Library is a community resource where children and families can discover books, explore learning opportunities, and build connections through reading, creativity, and enrichment.
Get ready for some dinosaur-sized building fun! Brighton District Library plans to bring large foam dinosaur bone blocks for children to explore, connect, stack, and build.
This playful, hands-on activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, movement, and early STEAM learning. It's especially geared toward preschoolers ages 3–5.
Joining us:
Friday, December 11, 2026 —
Legacy Center Sports Complex, Brighton
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 —
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
Free preschool opportunities throughout Livingston County
Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) offers free, high-quality early childhood and preschool programs throughout Livingston County for children ages 18 months through 5 years.
Through play, exploration, and caring relationships, children have opportunities to develop important early learning and social skills in supportive environments.
LESA Early Childhood Programs help families explore preschool opportunities and learn about the programs available for young children in their communities.
The LESA Early Childhood team plans to bring a hands-on activity for parents and children to enjoy together.
Families can also connect with team members, learn about free early childhood and preschool programs throughout Livingston County, and take home information about available opportunities.
Activities may include opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, early literacy, or STEAM learning. Specific activities will vary by event.
Joining us at all four Winter Playdates:
Friday, December 11, 2026 —
Legacy Center Sports Complex, Brighton
Thursday, January 14, 2027 —
Oceola Community Center, Howell
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 —
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 —
Hartland Community Education, Hartland
Helping keep local families safe
Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority provides fire protection, emergency response services, and community safety education to local residents.
Fire safety information and opportunities for children and families to connect with local fire safety professionals.
Joining us: March 24, 2027, in Hartland.
Supporting new and expectant families
Healthy Families Livingston is a free program for new and expectant parents and caregivers. Through regular in-home support, home visitors help families build confidence in parenting and connect with helpful resources.
Information about family support services, safe sleep education, and resources for new and expectant parents. The team also plans to offer sleep sacks and safe sleep onesies, while supplies last, along with a baby- or toddler-friendly activity.
Building a community where everyone belongs
The Arc Livingston provides free advocacy, resources, and inclusive programs that empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to live full, meaningful lives in our community.
Information about inclusive opportunities, disability advocacy, and family resources. The Arc Livingston may also help with activities or event support, depending on staffing and the needs of each playdate.
A welcoming space for families to play, learn, and connect
The 2|42 Community Center in Brighton is open to the public and offers spaces where families can gather, play, and connect with their community.
The facility features a two-story indoor play structure, Stateside Deli, School for the Arts, TIG strength and conditioning gym, a turf field, and meeting rooms. Free and open community areas provide opportunities for families to spend time together.
The 2|42 team plans to bring a coloring or hands-on craft activity for toddlers and preschoolers ages 1–5.
Creative activities give children opportunities to explore colors, express themselves, and practice early art and STEAM skills while having fun.
Joining us:
Friday, December 11, 2026 —
Legacy Center Sports Complex, Brighton
Wednesday, February 10, 2027 —
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 —
Hartland Community Education, Hartland
Connect with the Community Center: Find 2|42 Community Center Brighton on Facebook and Instagram at @242communitycenterbrighton.
Learning, movement, and enrichment for children and families
Hartland Community Education offers youth enrichment and sports opportunities at two locations, along with child care programs for local families.
Its Early Learning Center in downtown Hartland serves children ages 1–12, while the latchkey program at Lakes Elementary supports students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Hartland Community Education plans to bring movement and fun to our Winter Playdate!
Children can explore a karate lesson with Sensei Sam and a dance/gymnastics movement lesson with Miss Teresa. Families can also learn about Hartland Community Education's enrichment, sports, and child care programs.
Joining us: Wednesday, March 24, 2027, at Hartland Community Education.
Good to know: The karate and dance activities may include music and louder sounds. Children are welcome to participate at their own comfort level.
Learn More About Hartland Community Education
Creating Community Through People, Parks and Programming
SELCRA helps bring people together through recreation, sports, and leisure programs for individuals and families of all ages in the Brighton area.
Through recreational opportunities, community programming, and support for local parks and facilities, SELCRA encourages active lifestyles and meaningful community connections.
Get ready to move and play! SELCRA plans to bring games and activities designed especially for preschoolers ages 3–5.
These playful experiences will encourage movement, gross motor development, and opportunities for children to have fun through active play.
Joining us:
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
A place where children can learn, play, grow, and shine
Little Glad Early Childhood Center serves children ages 18 months through 12 years in a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where little learners grow and friendships blossom.
Little Glad offers tuition-based preschool, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), before- and after-school care, and summer programming with full-time and part-time options.
Little Glad Early Childhood plans to share sensory bags for preschool-aged children to explore.
Sensory materials can support hands-on learning, curiosity, and playful exploration while encouraging early sensory and STEAM experiences.
Joining us:
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
2|42 Community Center, Brighton
Supporting emotional well-being through the journey of parenthood
The Mother Adjustment provides therapy and emotional support for parents navigating the adjustment to parenthood, including fertility challenges, pregnancy, birth, postpartum adjustment, birth trauma, grief and loss, and anxiety.
Information and resources supporting parents' emotional well-being during pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and the early parenting years.
Joining us: December 11, 2026, in Brighton.
Our Winter Playdate partner list is growing! We expect even more community organizations to join us at each playdate, bringing hands-on activities, helpful resources, and opportunities for families to connect.
Every playdate will offer something a little different! Be sure to check back as we announce additional partners and activities for each location.
Want to stay in the loop? Sign up for our email updates and follow Great Start Livingston on social media for partner announcements, event reminders, and weather-related updates.
We welcome organizations that support Livingston County children ages 0–5 and their families.
Join us for one or more playdates by sharing hands-on activities, developmental resources, family support information, or other meaningful opportunities for children and caregivers to connect.
Become a Winter Playdate PartnerRegister by November 23, 2026, for inclusion in promotional materials.
Organizations may still inquire about participating after this date, as space and activities allow.
