20 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids In Atlanta

Are you considering taking your kids on a family vacation? Are you wondering how to keep your little ones busy and entertained? Are you looking for things to do with your kids in Atlanta? Look no further than the fascinating city of Atlanta, Georgia. With over 42 million people visiting each year, this vibrant city has a lot to offer for all visitors.

Atlanta has something to offer to every family with kids from toddlers to teenagers. This is your ultimate fun guide to beautiful memories that will let you peek through some of the beautiful things that you can do with your kids in Atlanta. So prepare yourself for an incredible journey into the dynamic city of Atlanta. Pack your luggage, gather your family, and travel there!

From beautiful playgrounds to exhilarating outdoor excursions, we will look at some of the must-see sites in Atlanta that will make your family’s trip memorable and leave your kids craving for more family time. Let’s go!

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Things To Do With Your Kids In Atlanta:

1. Buford Highway – The cultural hub

If your kids love to explore new places, cultures, and traditions and try new cuisine, then the Buford Highway can be your go-to heaven for holidays. This cultural hub is home to the largest foreign population in the country leading to its diversity.

Route:
It Can be reached by Marta bus route 39 and is a block away from Doraville MARTA metro rail station.

The must-visit kids’ favorite corners:

Farmers Market: Don’t let the name fool you. The Farmers Market of Buford Highway is not only known for its fresh produce but also serves the best Columbian Burgers, Lamb Roganjosh, Barbecued Ribs, Hot Dogs, Tofu, Chicken Potato Lamb, Cuban Braised Pork, and many packaged food as well.
The market is within walking distance from Doraville MARTA station.

Plaza Fiesta: This part shopping plaza, part food court is known for its cowboy boots and mid-60s gown. If you wish to see your child dress up like a cute cowboy or a beautiful lady, this place is for you. Apart from the shopping craze, the coffee of the Ethiopian cafe facing Clairmont Road will make turn you into a coffee addict.
Plaza Fiesta is within a 10 min walking distance from Lenox Square.

Atlanta Chinatown: This onside market is easy on the eyes garden courtyard where you can just walk hand in hand with your kids and enjoy the beauty of flowers and small beetles around them. Although Chinatown is a beautiful sight to behold, people visit the place for its mouthwatering food rather than its beauty.
Atlanta Chinatown can be easily accessed through MARTA and is almost at the same place as Chamblee station.

2. Georgia Aquarium – The Undersea Magic World

A visit to Atlanta’s famed Georgia Aquarium is a must for families traveling there. Located in downtown Atlanta, it hosts over 100,000 aquatic creatures. It was first opened in 2005 and was the biggest aquarium in the world until 2012. Now, it remains the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.

Route:
It is a 15 min walk from CNN Center Station(green line) and Peachtree Center( Gold Line).

What can your family do at this beautiful destination? Let’s see!

Dolphin Celebration: Marvel at the playful antics and incredible acrobatics of dolphins. Watch as they perform in a live show that is sure to mesmerize all your senses.

Ocean Voyager: Walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by breathtaking sharks. Featuring amazing rays, and other mesmerizing sea creatures.

Tropical Diver: Explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter exotic fish from around the world.

Penguin Point: Get up close and personal with adorable penguins. Gaze as they waddle and swim in their icy habitat. Check the aquarium’s website for showtimes and special activities before your visit. Make sure to plan it out beforehand. Your children will be in awe of the ocean’s beauty after this totally immersive encounter.

3. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This is not your general closed-door boring museum. Fernbank Museum is one of the few outdoor museums with explicit theatre with plenty of exhibits that will surely capture your child’s imagination and invoke their curiosity about the natural world. These exhibits include some major wonders such as the World of Shells, Dinosaur Plaza, Fernbank NatureQuest, and many more. The museum is divided into three sections namely museum, forest, and 3D Theatre.

Route:
44 min walk from Decatur Station. You can easily opt for local vehicles.
4727 yards away from Inman Park-Reynoldstown Station.

Here are some of the wonders that you can explore:

Giants of the Mesozoic: This open-door exhibition highlights the lifespan of some of the largest dinosaurs such as Argentinosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Anhanguera, and Pterodaustro that roamed Earth at that time.

NatureQuest: Let your kids unleash their inner explorers in this hands-on exhibit. Here, they can crawl through underground tunnels, investigate animal tracks and discover the wonders of nature.

Reflections of Culture: Experience the great array of civilizations from all around the world through fascinating exhibitions that highlight artifacts, traditions, and culture.

Fernbank Activities for Children:

• Storytime[12:30 PM — 12:45 PM]: Allow your kids to extend their imagination from an early age. Suitable for kids aged 1 to 6.
• Critter Corner [2:30 PM — 1:00 PM]: For children of every age group who are interested to see the classic animal fossil collection must visit this event.
• Dino Talk: It provides an opportunity for children to learn and discover all the glorious stories about dinosaurs. Recommended for 6+ kids.

4. Zoo Atlanta – Home to Wild Adventure

Ready for an animal-filled adventure? Look no further than Zoo Atlanta, a sprawling wildlife park located in Grant Park. With its wide array of animals and interactive experiences, this zoo promises an unforgettable day for your family.

Route:
Take the Red or Gold line from West End Station till the last stop and then change to Route 832 bus.

Here’s what you can expect:

Gorilla Habitat: Witness the awe-inspiring strength and grace of the magnificent gorillas in their expansive habitat.

African Plains: Encounter giraffes, zebras, and elephants as you explore the African savannah.
Reptile and Amphibian Complex. View amazing reptiles and amphibians up close from different parts of the world.

The Petting Zoo: Let your kids get hands-on with friendly goats, sheep, and other farm animals. Zoo Atlanta offers educational shows, keeper talks, and behind-the-scenes experiences. These allow your kids to deepen their understanding and appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Artist Market: This market is a gift from Atlanta’s art community featuring a variety of jewelry, accessories, house decoratives, handmade toys, and much more.

5. Atlanta Botanical Garden – A Child’s Paradise

Escape city life by visiting the Botanical Garden and taking in its natural splendor. Spanning over 30 acres, this urban oasis offers a serene environment. Families can reconnect with nature and find peace within themselves.

This urban oasis owns over 30 acres of beautiful and naturally grown outdoor gardens, all of which are unique within themselves. But the main attraction is the award-winning Lou Glenn Children’s Garden which offers a variety of fun activities for your children varying from Garden Playtime, Drop-In Gardening Activities to Garden Grooving and Fairy Tale Fridays. Kindly note that all these activities are seasonal and scheduled. Visit the official website before planning a visit.

Route:
It is around three miles from downtown Atlanta. So if you are not traveling by car, you can take the line 809 bus.

Here are some highlights of the Atlanta Botanical Garden:

The Canopy Walk: An elevated pathway that takes you through the treetops. It provides a unique perspective of the garden’s diverse flora.

The Fuqua Orchid Center: Here is where you and your children can marvel at a stunning collection of orchids from around the world. This is a popular vacation spot for families looking for peace and natural beauty.

6. Callaway Resort & Gardens

This award-winning natural heaven is spread across 2,500 acres of land filled with all types of activities for children as well as adults. The children are sure to enjoy the Birds of Prey exhibit, Butterfly House, and Robin Lake Beach scenery whereas adults can indulge in shopping, outdoor pools, spa facilities, golf facilities, fishing, boating, and other activities.

Route:
It is 60 min southwest of Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and 30 min drive north of Columbus.

Here are some highlights of the Callaway Resort & Gardens:

Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl: The home to 3,000 hybrid azaleas, this Garden lets you explore the depths of nature.

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center: Let your kids experience the beauty of 1000 butterflies together in this butterfly conservation center.

Mega Bugs: This outdoor adventure studio features 73 real-looking and larger-than-life statues of insects that will let your child expand their imagination.

There are many other must-visit places such as Meadowlark Garden, Pioneer Log Cabin, Overlook Azalea Garden, Thornhill Hydrangea Garden, Discovery Amphitheater, and Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. But many of the attractions are opened seasonally. So visit the site before planning your trip.

7. Piedmont Park – The serene Picnic Spot

If you are looking for a simple day off with your family and nature without much drama or hi-fi activities, then Piedmont Park is your go-to destination. This 185-acre park is known for its serenity and peaceful picnic spots with two major playgrounds, especially for kids: Mayor’s Grove Playground and Noguchi Playscape.

The park offers a variety of fun activities such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Weekly Walking Club, Blood Drive, BeltLine After Dark, Sketching in the Garden, Naturalist Hour at Mayor’s Grove, Liver Life Walk Atlanta, Inner G Fest Wellness Festival and many more activities. You can either participate in these activities or just enjoy witnessing others participate.

Route:
From the mid-town station, move to Piedmont Avenue and walk two blocks toward 10th Street.

Here are some of the wonders that you can explore:

Storytime at Mayor’s Grove: Let your kids mix up with other children to create some beautiful stories while you relax in the calming environment of the park.

Garden Mixology: You can definitely join this new initiative 1-hour class if you and your child want to bond over food and beverages. The program focuses on creating non-alcoholic drinks and beverages with seasonal herbs and plants.

Bike Club and Book Buddies: You can even enroll your kid in yearly book clubs to allow them to learn the art of socializing and get a habit of reading.

8. CNN Studio Tours

Let’s be honest, looking for entertaining spots for your 13-15-year-old is much more difficult than searching for a preschooler. So we here present the perfect solution for you in the form of CNN Studio Tours. Enroll your kids on this 50 min tour to CNN Studio and witness behind the scenes of the biggest news channel.

The tours are available from Monday to Saturday but if you really want to make this experience larger than life, we will advise booking tickets for Thursday.

Thursday Special includes:

• Behind the scenes of HLN’s morning show
• Morning Express with Robin Meade
• Tour to HLN Control Room with a peek at the live show

Route:
It is located at the corner of Marietta Street in downtown Atlanta.

9. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands – Perfect Summer Paradise

Looking for a summer paradise to melt all the heat away? Look no further. Margaritaville can be your perfect summer getaway with a variety of fun activities to indulge in. This 1500-acre resort is known for its lakefront beaches and theme parks such as LandShark Landing Beach, Wild Waves, and many zipline activities.

The family-friendly place offers fun-filled outdoor activities apart from beaches and water parks You can choose the fun activities for your kids without the tension of their safety as the park provides life jackets as well lifeguards are available at every step.

Route:
From Atlanta take I-85-North and exit to Exit 8 Lanier Islands Pkwy which will lead you to Lanier Islands after a left turn from ramp-off.

Some of the Lake Lanier Water Park Events:

Parakeet Springs: An artificial beach-like setting, with water sprinkles, sand castles, mini water waves, and much more to keep your kids entertained.

Raging River: A fun mini-water ride to fill your kids with a sense of thrill and excitement handled with full safety and care.

Foam Parties with Wild Waves Pool: Leave your kids in awe of the beautiful and colorful Soapy form that can be washed with an easy dive in Wild Waves pool.

Twister: A full 360° rotator and twister that will make your world spin before a nerve-wracking launch in the water. The event is available for kids as well as adults. The speed of the twister varies accordingly.

Intimidator & Triple Threat: If you are wondering if it’s just a child-theme water park, then you got it all wrong. Lake Lanier has got it all for the adults too. You can experience Intimidator and Tripple Threat aquatic rides which are sure to give your adrenaline a rush.

10. Center for Puppetry Arts

This might be the most unique attraction on our list. The Center for Puppetry Arts is one of the largest organizations in the world dedicated to the form of puppetry. The events are categorized into three forms including museum purpose, entertainment, and educational purpose. This could be a nice opportunity for your kid to see something unique.

If we talk about the best feature of the puppetry center, it would surely be the online alternative puppet shows and workshops. Yes, you heard it right. You don’t need to travel miles for the puppet show or workshops. You can simply book the ticket online and surprise your kids with a wonderful gift.

Route:
It is located just on the opposite side of Atlantic Station and is next door to The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum on 18th Street.

Must watch exhibitions and shows:

Screen and Stage Show: The exhibition is a dedication to the various adaptations of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are”. Get a peek in behind the scenes of the production house and live their journey through puppets.

Hungry Garden Creation: Experience the colorful puppets dancing with Pablo Del Hierro and Efran Del Hierro in this joyful celebration of life and happiness. It has two separate versions available for kids and grown-ups.

Fun Bilingual Mexican Folktale: This Rod and Tabletop Puppetry is a colorful hilarious adaptation of various Mexican Folktales adapted in English and Spanish too.

Schedule for June 2023:

7th June-11th June: Avanti Da Vinci Puppet Show
14th June-25th June: Captain Healthy & Safety Dog Puppet Show

11. Centennial Olympic Park – Atlanta’s Legacy

If you are currently tight on your pocket and are looking for a free destination to just relax with your family, then Centennial Olympic Park is the perfect solution for you. This 22-acre public park serving as a legacy for the 1996 Olympic Games is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It is known for various sculpture pieces such as SkyView Atlanta, Water Feature Park, Gateway of Dreams, and much more.

Now we know that this option might not be very attractive for kids. So here are some tips to make this trip fun for your little ones.

• While in between of choosing attractions, you can always pick a calm picnic spot to spend time with your family and have a peaceful lunch.
• SkyView Ferris wheel is a must-visit and gives a beautiful sky view of the entire Olympic Park.
• You can always entertain kids with free wifi available near the park’s Visitor Center.

Route:
It is 8 min walk from Rialto Center/Aderhold, 3 min walk from Marietta St Park, and 8 min walk from Williams St at Baker St.

The experience of Centennial Olympic Park includes:

Highlight Trolley Tour: The 1.5-hour tour lets you see the main attractions of Atlanta on a trolley including Martin Luther King’s house, Old 4th Ward, and much more.

Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park Free Tour: The tour will start from the very start and will have a look at some of the most fabulous tourist attractions of Atlanta including The World of Coca-Cola, the National Civil Rights Museum, Skyview, the Tabernacle, Walton Spring Park, Waffle House, Westin Peachtree Hotel and much more.

12. Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta

There is no such person who hasn’t played Legos in their childhood. So why not pass that same legacy to your children and remember your childhood too? Legoland Center is a fun and highly interactive indoor mini-land perfect for families with children of 3-10 years. Legoland will let your child experience various interactive activities such as play areas, 4D cinema, LEGO rides, Master Model Builder classes, Kingdom Quest, and MiniLand exhibitions to reflect iconic buildings and the skyline of Atlanta.

Route:
From 85 South, move to Cheshire Bridge and exit at 88 and move to 2.5 miles ahead in the same of Phipps Plaza.

Reasons to visit the legendary LEGO land:

The 4D Cinema: The team releases movies with almost real sound and visual effects to help learn the kids alongside with experiencing fun.

The Great LEGO Race: This virtual reality race attracts many kids towards the science part when they race LEGO-built vehicles.

Lego-themed Rides: What can be more fun for a kid than enjoying unique and fun rides?

13. Stone Mountain Park – The heart of the City

No visit to Atlanta is complete without visiting the heart of the city. Stone Mountain Park is one of the most visited tourist spots that have options for anyone and everyone that visit it. If you are planning to go with your partner then do not miss the highest top of the mountain that can be reached only through hiking. If you visit with your parents then the luxurious golf course set is a must-visit. If you are looking for something to keep your kids entertained, then camping, lodging, special events, safe miniature rides, and activities might just do the trick for you.

Route:
It is 15 miles from downtown Atlanta. Take 10th St NE following US- 78 E taking an exit at gate 8.

The must-visit Stone Mountain Park Attractions:

Summit Skyride: Travel to the top of the gorgeous Stone Mountain and capture the beautiful skyline of Atlanta by traveling 825 feet above the ground by a Swiss cable.

Stone Mountain Museum: The museum showcases the sentiments of people who stayed and shaped Stone Mountain Park for over 12,000 years.

Scenic Railroad: Experience the beauty of the entire Park in locomotive and uniquely designed open-air railway carts that travel through five miles.

Dinosaur Explore: Let your kids explore our ancient history on their own with a huge larger-than-life faux of the 20 largest dinosaurs to exist on this planet.

Camp Highland Outpost: The camp will let you bond with your kids over food, fun outdoor activities, a campfire, sky hiking, rock wall climbs, and many more activities.

14. The World of Coca-Cola – A Sugary Paradise

Explore the World of Coca-Cola and take a dive back to your childhood memories. This can be your ready-to-go option if you wish to have a day off from your daily boring life. The House of Coca-Cola offers a self-guided tour to let you explore this wonderful sweetness on your own.

You will get to know the story behind Coca-Cola and have a peek at the manufacturing of this sugary exciting drink. You can also look at the safe that stores the secret recipe of Coca-Cola and capture all these in photographs.

Route:
It is right next to Georgia Aquarium. Visit Point No. 2 for directions.

The attractions of the Coca-Cola House:

Taste it: Enter the room to taste around 100s of variations of Coca-Cola from all around the world and give your taste buds some new flavor to savor. You might find your new favorite Coca-Cola version.

Scent Discovery: Now this might be the most fun part of your tour. The activity starts with a member explaining the basic recognition techniques of 5 human scents which is later put to test when you enter a new room and try to recognize a Cola drink by its scent. Now this is something that you don’t usually do in day-to-day life.

Polar Bear: There won’t be a single person not aware of the famous Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Come and capture the memories of the trip with the beloved Cola Polar Bear.

The Loft: The loft presents an opportunity for you to witness the artifacts that represent the history and evolution of Coca-Cola from all over the world.

The Coca‑Cola Theater: The company does not promote itself in the theater. It shows the 6 minutes of happiness and life-changing moments experienced by people from all around the world.

15. Six Flags Over Georgia – Thrill Capital of the South

Filled with rides, fun activities, shows, and much more, Six Flags Over Georgia is sure to strike your heart rate for good. The amusement park offers a variety of activities and has especially 2 sections provided for kids. Here your child can experience rides with high-tech 4-D graphics, drop towers, a junior Ferris Wheel(for toddlers), water sports, interactive playgrounds, and much more.

The rides in Six Flags can easily be categorized by Family Section, Kids Section, Thrill Section, and Water Park Rides.
Rides for Family include Catwoman Whip, Dahlonega Mine Train, DC Heo-Villian Swing, Gold Town Racer Go-Karts, and many more. For thrill-seekers, they have adventurous rides including Acrophobia, Blue Hawk, Dare Devil Dive, and Georgia Scorcher. And then comes everyone’s favorite water rides such as Calypso Bay Wave Pool, Bonzai Pipelines, Paradise Island, and many more.

The must visit Rides for Kids:

ACME Trucking: Let your little drivers take control from behind the wheel and race. Don’t worry about safety. The speed of mini trucks and cars is set to low.

Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters: Experience fun water battles with other families on the Daffy Duck. Yes, you read it right. You will be involved in this activity too.

Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster: Engage in a roller coaster race with your kids or experience them enjoying the race against other kids in a healthy battle. The choice is all yours.

Looney Tunes Adventure Camp: Allow your kid to enroll in this adventure camp on their own and make friends, climb things, and have the best time of their childhood. The camp has no Adults allowed Policy.

Rockin’ Tug: Experience the tug boat with your little adventurers filled with cartoon graphics, colorful lights, and decorations, and let them seek the safe thrill they desire.

Route:
Travel to Georgia on I-85 then change for I-285 North and then for I-20 West. Take an exit to 46A.

16. Porsche Experience Center

Now this one is for your little racers. Your kid must be 16+ and hold a driving license to visit the activities of the Porsche Experience Center. The kids get to experience driving in Porsche under the supervision of a professional driver.

Other activities in Porsche Experience Center:

Paint to Sample: Under the guidance of a professional, the drivers learn about the ways and techniques to choose a suitable color palette for their car.

Lights-Camera-Traction: 53 acres of tracks test the young drivers and help build their driving skills and make them learn from their mistakes.

Location is everything: This is basically a tour of the entire Porsche Experience Center from tracks to meeting rooms, to the nearby scenery and food counters.

17. Sloomoo Institute – Atlanta

Entertain your kids with slime and a safe environment. Sloomoo offers a wonderful paradise for kids, teenagers as well as grown-ups where you can dive into the wonders of slime, create new and innovative slimes, and much more.

You can also surprise your kids with a day in Sloomoo and inform the staff. The rest will be taken care of by the staff, They provide 2 complimentary cakes, 1 real for cake cutting and one made of slime to surprise your kid with.

18. Tiny Doors ATL

Looking for a unique once-in-lifetime kind of fun? Look no further. Tiny Doors ATL is the right place for you. Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art initiative that brings big amazement to tiny spaces in Atlanta and beyond and is the artist-in-residence at Atlantic Station. Karen Anderson Singer, a sculpture artist, produced the 7-inch doors in the neighborhood at the institution’s request.

They are created to capture the character, style, and other distinctive features of the neighborhood. What was once a wall or a bridge column becomes an entryway to group creativity and a call to curiosity with the installation of a door. All ages are welcome, and it is always free to visit the numbered doors across Atlanta.

You can go visit Atlantic Green’s Tiny Door #21 at Atlantic Station and have all the fun. These small doors can be the desired opening for your kids opening.

19. Chattahoochee Nature Center

Looking for a relaxing place to spend time with your family and kids? Chattahoochee Nature Center is the right place for you.

Discover the 127-acre River Boardwalk Trail, a wildlife walk with native gardens, hiking pathways, and non-releasable Georgia species along the Chattahoochee River and Watershed. All ages have the chance to connect with nature. Visit the employees of the animal rehabilitation center and take part in weekly guided nature hikes. Relax your body, soul, and mind in the depths of nature.

The experience activities at Chattahoochee Natural Center:

Special Events:
Harvest on the ‘hooch’
Watershed Evening
Sunset Sips

Fun For All Ages:
Back to Nature Holiday Market
Butterfly Festival
Family Fun Days

Seasonal Exhibits:
Butterfly Encounter
Ecotinker
Enchanted Woodland Trail

20. Dunwoody Nature Center

The 22-acre Dunwoody Wildlife Centre is a wildlife park with two miles of hiking trails, play spaces, gardens, a boardwalk through wetlands, picnic sites, and a creek. Visits are ALWAYS FREE.
In addition, the center conducts a variety of activities and events, most of which are family-friendly and cost nothing (a few, however, do). This is a great location for a retreat away from the city.

The nature center is open every day of the week and is completely free to visit. For a list of special events, scroll below.

• Georgia Audubon Society Bird Walks[June 10, 2023]
• Junior Beekeepers[June 10, 2023]
• Plein Air Art Class[June 11, 2023]
• Nature Lovers Book Club[June 19, 2023]
• Yoga In the Park[June 21, 2023]
• Mead Tasting[June 23, 2023]
• Summer Birding[July 8, 2023]
• Paint Like Bob Ross[July 8, 2023]

Summary:

Our list is completed. Atlanta offers many more beautiful attractions that cannot be summed up in a simple list. But we hope that we could narrow down your searches to some reasonable choices.
Remember that whichever destination you choose will be memorable only when your loved ones are with you.