Metro Detroit Youth Day 2026 – Metro Detroit Youth Day, the popular FREE event for kids ages 8-15, has expanded to 6 locations over 5 days for 2026 to celebrate summer days of healthy living, education, fun, sports and camaraderie.
Metro Detroit Youth Day 2026
These events will take place August 11, 12, 14, & 15 at 6 different locations.. The event is in its 42nd year. This is a FREE event for kids ages 8-17. Register for as many days as you would like!
Here’s the link to register for this year’s event
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 9a-3p / Belle Isle – MDYD Festivities – Enjoy Field games, Youth IDOL competition, technology simulations, career exploration, arts & culture.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 9:30a-1:45p / Eastern Market – Healthy Eating – Enjoy Food tasting, cooking demonstrations, Farmers Market exploration + shopping, Zumba, yoga.
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 6p-8:15p / Joe Louis Greenway – Health & Youth Wellness – Enjoy Guided youth yoga + fitness session, wellness + mindfulness activities, light movement + recovery.
Friday, August 14, 2026 from 9a-2p / Michigan Central – Drone Demo Day – Enjoy Hands-on flight training, obstacle courses, aerial mapping education, career exploration.
Friday, August 14, 2026 from 11a-6p / Joe Louis Greenway – Summer Celebration – Family-friendly activities, youth-centered programs, community resources, games, music.
Friday, August 14, 2026 from 5p-8p / Diehl Boys & Girls Club – Summer Finale – Free haircuts, carnival rides, resource vendors, bounce houses, face painting, live performances.
Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 10a-2p / Ralph C Wilson Park – Youth Sports Showcase – Sports sampling, robotics, chess, on-site youth sports physicals, literacy, mental health resources.
Metro Detroit Youth Day 2026 Locations
- Belle Isle
- Eastern Market (2934 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207)
- Joe Louis Green Way (7241 McDonald St, Detroit, MI 48210)
- Michigan Central (2050 15th St, Detroit, 48216)
- Diehl Boys & Girls Club (4242 Collingwood St, Detroit, MI 48204)
- Ralph C Wilson Park (1801 W Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48216)
Metro Detroit Youth Day 2026 Events and Activities
- Games
- Contests
- Sports Clinics
- Lunch for Kids
- Live Entertainment
- Prizes
- Motivational Speakers
- Career Workshops
- and Much More!
All kids must register to take part in MDYD activities, visit their website to download a form to bring to the event. You must be at least 8 years old to register for the event.
ABOUT METRO DETROIT YOUTH DAY
Chaired by Ed Deeb, MDYD was founded in 1981 by Deeb, the late Tom Fox and Jerry Blocker. Metro Detroit Youth Day has established itself as the largest youth-focused event in Michigan. After fatal altercations in 1980 between youth and area retailers in Detroit, Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young directed community leaders to provide resolution. Metro Detroit Youth Day has grown annually from 1,000 attendees the first year to more than 34,000 youth attending. More than 1,600 volunteers, from more than 500 businesses and civic groups, donate their time to supervise the sports clinics, games, contests, luncheon and various other event activities. Metro Detroit Youth Day expanded in 1991 to include youth guidance, mentors, role models, anti-substance abuse activity, motivational speakers, entertainment, awarding of 80 or more scholarships yearly, and honoring outstanding students for academic excellence and community service. MDYD has been awarded the Point of Light Award No. 477 from President George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Foundation, the Michigan Governor’s Award on Physical Fitness as the top youth event along with numerous honors from local and national governmental agencies. More information about Metro Detroit Youth Day can be found at www.metrodetroityouthday.org or on Facebook. Mr Deeb passed away in 2025 and now the event continues and is run by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Detroit.
This page is intended to be used as a guide. Oakland County Moms does not endorse these events. Oakland County Moms is not responsible for changes to event descriptions, event times or details being altered without notice or cancellations.
See our Events / Things To Do tab for more events, activities and things to do in Oakland County and Metro Detroit Michigan.
More information about Metro Detroit Youth Day 2026 can be found at www.metrodetroityouthday.org or on Facebook.
Just a few changes to your great article. The age has been changed to 6-17 years. Sadly Mr. Deeb passed away this past September and the family decided that the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Detroit would be a good fit to continue his legacy.
This year’s event is being run by them.
Thank you Michele, I’ll change the years. I’m glad the event will be able to continue, we’ve been looking forward to updating this article yearly since our inception in 2005.