Survival Guide
Take a look at the lists below for some great kid-friendly activities!
You can also follow this link for Discover Atlanta’s awesome family fun guide (published summer 2021): https://discoveratlanta.com/events/family/
Story Times
***Check out websites for current story time times at the following locations:
East Atlanta Library
Kirkwood Library
Little Shop of Stories (Downtown Decatur)
The Press Shop (Summerhill)
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Center for Puppetry Arts
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Staying Cool
D.H. Stanton Park Splash Pad: Martin St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315; open 10 am to 8 pm
Centennial Olympic Park Splash Pad: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Old Fourth Ward Park Splash Pad: 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308; open 10 am to 8 pm
Zoo Atlanta Splash Pad
Piedmont Park Splash Pad : Legacy Fountain – https://piedmontpark.org/things-to-do/pool-and-splash-pad/
Grant Park Pool: the schedule is controlled by the City of Atlanta and can change from year to year, but the usual schedule can be found on the Conservancy’s page here: http://www.gpconservancy.org/pool/
Piedmont Park Pool: open Mon – Fri 10 – 5; Sat – Sun 12 – 5; $1 for children 5 and under; $2 for children 6 – 16; $4 for adults – https://piedmontpark.org/things-to-do/pool-and-splash-pad/
Admission Required
Atlanta Botanical Gardens – the children’s garden includes interactive play exhibits and a splash pad; they offer several programs that are free with admission or membership: Garden Playtime Tuesdays at 10:30 am, Garden Grooves Thursdays at 10:30, Amphitheater Performances Saturdays at 10:30 am – https://atlantabg.org/
Fernbank Museum of Natural History – there’s a big room on the top floor where kids can play, climb, and see some science, and their new Wildwoods outdoor area offers lots of opportunities for running, climbing, and exploring. http://www.fernbankmuseum.org
Children’s Museum of Atlanta – a wide selection of hands-on activities includes a tiny grocery store and diner, a building area, painting wall, fishing pond, and a baby/toddler zone. They also have shows throughout the day. ** tip – parking can be tricky but it’s not too far from the Atlanta Streetcar or the Georgia Dome Marta Station, which are fun adventures in their own right. http://childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Georgia Aquarium – Plenty for kids to see and explore. ** tip – all Georgia residents get free admission on their birthdays. Also see tip above on transit options. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Center for Puppetry Arts – Shows daily over the summer; ticket includes puppet-making workshop and admission to puppet museum. Admission to museum can be purchased without show tickets. http://www.puppet.org/
Zoo Atlanta – awesome animal exhibits (indoor and outdoor), splash pad, two playgrounds, and lots of fun events annually like Boo at the Zoo (Halloween) and Brew at the Zoo (adults only)! https://zooatlanta.org/
Alliance Theatre – “The 53rd season will feature eight productions including four world premieres, two musicals, and an elaborate new staging of its annual production, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. We’ll also produce five productions for the Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young.” Check out all the productions and get your tickets here: https://alliancetheatre.org/productions?season_status=current
Indoor Playgrounds
Catch Air (Marietta) – https://catchairparty.com/location/?location=Marietta,%20GA
Hippo Hopp (Brookhaven area) – https://hippohopp.com/locations/atlanta-ga/
Finding Fresh Air
Farmer Red’s Urban Farm at the dead-end of Mercer St. in Ormewood Park – lots of space to run around, a small creek, and an old tractor
Kirkwood Urban Forest at the dead-end of Rogers Street in Kirkwood
Mulberry Fields in Candler Park – community garden with goats and chickens
Lake Claire Land Trust – has a resident emu! http://lcclt.org/
Hawk Hollow – in Kirkwood – http://wyldecenter.org/hawk-hollow-garden/
Southern Belle Farms (McDonough) – berry picking, petting zoo, activities – http://southernbellefarm.com
Whitley Farms (Sharpsburg) – berry picking – https://www.facebook.com/Whitley-Farms-198627383500385/
Arabia Mountain (Lithonia) – hiking – http://arabiaalliance.org/explore/trails/
Hikes on the Chattahoochee River – http://www.atlantatrails.com/chattahoochee-river-trails-atlanta-top-10/
Did we miss something good? Please email marketing@grantparkparents.org to tell us about it!