Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Cagles's Dairy Farm is in Hickory Flats, GA - near Canton. It's a real working farm that offers dairy and garden tours. The other dairy tour in Georgia is Mayfield Dairy, which shows the factory side of dairy production. Cagle's shows the more idyllic cows and meadows part.

Dairy tours are 9:30, 10:00, and 11:00 on Tuesdays through Fridays. The dairy tour lasts about 1 1/2 hours. You'll be taken on a hayride to see the cows and the herding border collie. Afterwards, children will have a chance to feed a baby cow and goats. They'll see a cow be milked and learn how milk gets from the cow to the grocery store. At the end of the tour, children will get a 1/2 pint of chocolate milk. The cost is $7.00 for ages 2-92.

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Garden tours in the spring and summer highlight the vegetables grown on the farm. Walk through the gardens and harvest a vegetable or two; go home with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a 1/2 pint of chocolate milk. Cagle's Dairy donates thousands of pounds of food to a local food bank and sells its produce at a Saturday farmer's market. The garden tours are 9:30, 10:00, and 11:00 Tuesdays-Friday, and the cost is $7.00. The suggested age range for this tour is 7-12, but all ages are welcome.

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Good to know: Reservations are required for groups - there is a form on the website. For individuals, it's best to call ahead to make sure a tour is scheduled that you can join: call 770.345.5591.

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Cagle's Dairy is about 8 miles from Tanglewood Farms. If you are taking Hwy 20 to get there, you'll see a Kroger with a McDonald's, Waffle House, and Subway before you get there.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

It's fair and festival season!

Yaraab Shrine Circus and Carnival in Marietta

Kids Helping Kids Carnival in Johns Creek

Inman Park Festival in Atlanta

Friday, April 24, 2009

Today offers several choices of plays and musicals for the family.

Kudzu Sprouts has its last Friday showing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $6.50.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is showing at the Fabulous Fox Theater. Tickets start at $28.00 at the box office

The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta is performing Jeremy and the Lie at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $10.

The Off Broadway Children's Theater in Alpharetta shows Honk! (The Ugly Duckling) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 for kids and $10.00 for adults.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Several ongoing events happen on Thursdays. Don't forget about the after-school classes at Autrey Mill!

Autrey Mill Earth Day Classes 3-4 p.m., all week - for ages 4 and up

Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum of Art 11-3; ages 2-5. Today's project is Folk Art Flags.

Mommy and Me at the Southern Museum 10:00 a.m.; ages 3-5. Today's theme is Owney, One Lucky Dog!

Tanglewood Farms 10:00-2:00 for all ages. Springfest is still going on - see those baby animals!

April 22, 2009

Atlanta Botanical Garden

There are lots of events going on today for Earth Day, but I think the Atlanta Botanical Garden's program is a great idea. Admission is half-price today! Adults are $6; children 3-17 are $4.50; and children under three are free. The hours are 9:00-7:00.

Your child can learn about the animal and plant conservation efforts at the Garden and participate in fun activities and exploration stations. "Mother Nature" will appear in the Children's Garden Amphitheater at 10:30 and 11:30.

I recommend the Atlanta Botanical Garden any time of year. Besides being a lovely natural refuge in the middle of Atlanta, the Garden makes an effort to appeal to families. They have children's programs and storytimes on select days. They also have a children's garden with lots of fun places to explore. If it's a warm day, wear swimsuits under your clothes - there's a small splash fountain area for kids. You can print a scavenger hunt before you go (I wish all museums did this!). Visit the library for a children's section with books and puppets or see the Gardens under Glass for kid-friendly exhibits like poison frogs. Read all about the opportunities for children here.

Good to know: With young children, strollers are very helpful, because you'll walk a lot. You can bring a picnic lunch, and there is also a cafe centrally located. The prices are a little high (not much under $8), but the food is quite good. There are bathrooms right next to the splash garden, so you can change into swimsuits there if you like.

April 21, 2009

Once again, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek is a great choice for Tuesdays. This is a lovely preserve; don't miss seeing it this spring! Try the Preschool Adventures at 11:00 for ages 3-6. The cost is $6. Children will feed ducks, hike through the woods, look for animals and insects, and find a stream. When I took my three-year-old, he was enraptured! The guide/director, Mr. Ben, taught the children how to identify trees by their bark, and my son still hasn't forgotten the hands-on lesson.

Children ages 4 and up can take classes every day this week in honor of Earth Day. The classes are drop-in - no registration required - and cost $5. A parent will need to stay with the children. Here is the list of classes:

Monday, April 20th is REPTILE DAY.Learn about earth's scaly creatures. Live animal demonstration and feeding.

Tuesday, April 21st is BIRD DAY.Learn about earth's feathered friends and how they help our planet. Make pinecone bird feeders.

Wednesday, April 22nd is TREE DAY.Learn about earth's natural skyscrapers, the trees. Take a tree hike on our trails.

Thursday, April 23rd is CREEPY CRAWLY DAY.Explore and upturn logs for some of earth's tiniest inhabitants. Live invertebrate encounter.

Friday, April 24th is WATER DAY.Wear water shoes and hike down to our creek for some water fun and exploration. Children may get wet!

Good to know: Autrey Mill is close to 141, so you won't be far from all kinds of restaurants after your visit!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Go see the Braves - the Gwinnett Braves, that is! With tickets ranging from $5-$16, a night at the ballpark is affordable. The Braves play the Durham Bulls at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.

The Gwinnett Braves are the Atlanta Braves Class AAA minor-league team. They have a brand new stadium, so it's probably a fun place to watch a game.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday's weather may not cooperate for the many festivals that are happening. But there is one great event that is inside: Bach to the Future at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

The website says, "Imagine coming face-to-face with some of history's most fascinating composers - Bach, Mozart, Dvorak, Beethoven! Now you can by flying on the coattails of young Corky as she tries to recreate the musical formula that will bring a happy ending to a time travel experiment gone awry."

Shows are at 1:30 and 3:30. Tickets are listed at $15, but you can buy them for only $10 by clicking on the link above. I searched for an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra promotional code, and I found one that gets you the $10 price: 15906. Always remember to google "promotional code" or "coupon" when shopping online!

If it turns out to be a nice day after all, this post contains information about outdoor festivals. And if you live in Forsyth County, head over to the fairgrounds for the Taste of Forsyth from 12-5:00!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

There's no shortage of fun events all over Atlanta on this beautiful Saturday! The parks will be filled with baseball, softball, and soccer games - we'll be cheering on our son's baseball game. If you aren't already committed to birthday parties or sports, here are some great outings for families.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival - April 17-19 in Piedmont Park. This 70-year-old Atlanta tradition is FREE! Visit the kids' village from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday for art projects, games and activities. There are kids' entertainment shows at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. Plenty of festival food is available to purchase. Be sure to check the website for parking/shuttle details, because you really can't park, um, at the park.

Georgia Renaissance Festival begins (through June 7). It's located in Atlanta - south of the airport; check the website for directions. Early Bird online tickets for opening weekend are a bargain: $16.95 adults; $6.95 children; free five and under.

Lemonade Days - April 16-19. The Dunwoody Preservation Trust's annual fundraiser is free to enter, but you'll purchase tickets for rides, food, etc. Some of the highlights are inflatables, rides, games, petting zoo, food, face painting, and horseback riding. Don't miss the skate park exhibition in the afternoon. Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Earth Day Kids Fest - Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. Hours are 10:00-3:00. Admission is $5.00, and ages 2 and under are free. The CNC is really a beautiful preserve; don't miss it this spring!

Good to know: Be warned: they have a very dangerous gift store. Like most museums, you have to go through it with your kids. Be sure to ask for a scavenger hunt list to take with you as you walk.

The Earth Day event at CNC is full of great stuff for kids: smoothies, interactive booths, animal demonstrations, performances by Laughing Pizza (wow!) and Lil Peppi, puppets, canoes for ages 5 and above. And Captain Planet is flying in from his last gig at Georgia Tech!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Earth Day Celebration - Georgia Tech

Even Georgia Bulldogs fans will enjoy the Earth Day Celebration at Georgia Tech. It runs from 10:00-2:00 on Friday, April 17, and admission is free. Though it's not specifically geared to kids, there is a maze, visits from Captain Planet and Reynard the Fox, a farmers' market, live music, and other events that will appeal to children. Bring a resuable water bottle because cups won't be distributed.

Kudzu Playhouse in Roswell, Georgia

The Kudzu Sprouts performances are for kids ages 3-10, and the actors are usually children. Be prepared: the audience will be noisy! Think of it as a good introduction to theater - it's not completely dark and the stage is level with the audience.

The current play, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, uses audience participation. The show starts at 11:00 a.m., and tickets are $6.50 each, plus tax. Click here for more information, including directions. You can call for tickets, buy online, or purchase at the box office.

Good to know: The theater is located in the Brannon Square Shopping Center on Alpharetta Hwy. one block north of Holcomb Bridge Rd. It's close to all kinds of restaurant options, from Krispy Kreme to fast food to the adorable bistros and cafes of downtown Roswell.

Thursday, April 15, 2009

Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum of Art

On Thursdays, children ages 2-5 can explore a piece of artwork and then create their own masterpiece inspired by the artwork. There is no registration required for the drop-in event that runs from 11:00-3:00 p.m. The program is included in the admission price, which is $18 for adults, $11 for kids 6-17, and free for kids under five.

Here is the description for this week's project:

How does artist David C. Driskell create such wildly
vibrant works of art? Learn about mono-printmaking
today, by using tempera paint on plexi-glass and pulling
several special works of art to share. Express yourself
through color and bring your own wildness to paper!

You can read more about visiting the High Museum with your children here.

Mommy and Me at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History

This museum in Kennesaw is one of the highest rated museums in Georgia, covering both history and trains. On Thursdays they host a Mommy and Me class for ages 3-5. The class is free with museum admission, which is $7.50 for adults, $5.50 for ages 4-12, and free for children under 5. The class starts at 10:00 a.m.

Here is the description of this week's program:

Freight Train, Freight Train...You see those trains chugging down the tracks - what are they carrying so fast and far away? Learn about the different types of cargo, and make your own freight car picture.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Center for Puppetry Arts has a new show starting this week. The Little Pirate Mermaid is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Usually tickets are $16, which includes touring the puppet museum and a puppet workshop after the show. Tomorrow, however, is a preview show, and tickets are only $8! Showtimes are 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. I would recommend buying the tickets online if possible, but call ahead if you want to buy them from the box office.

I hate to say this, but don't you think the person who adapted the show now wishes he chose something other than a pirate, given recent events?

Anyway, we love the shows at CPA. The puppet museum is interesting, with a few caveats. First, when you enter the museum (after paying), you will see a huge garbage can that turns into a phoenix. My children are not timid, but they didn't like the loud noises and general um, yuckiness of the puppet. Also, some of the puppets near the end of the museum are decidedly R-rated. The bottom line is that if you have young children, you shouldn't feel awful about missing the museum. The room directly after the phoenix/garbage can is the best; many of the puppets are animated and move unexpectedly.

Good to know: Parking is free in front of the museum. There is a room with tables where you can bring a lunch to eat.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - Imagine It! Free Second Tuesday

It is probably a bit rainy to enjoy the Preschool Adventures at Autrey Mill, so the best-bet activity for today is the Imagine It! Children's Museum in Atlanta.

On the second Tuesday of each month, Target sponsors free admission at the museum from 1:00-7:00 p.m. This is a great savings, because the usual admission price is $11 each! The museum is open later than usual, which means if you have children in school, you can go in the mid-to-late afternoon. The museum is for ages 8 and under.

Imagine It! is easy to get to - it's in the Centennial Olympic Park section of Atlanta, not far from World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium.

The museum has special exhibits with shows throughout the day; right now the theme is "The Amazing Castle," which will run until May 26. There are shows and storytimes throughout the day. The storyteller at Imagine It! is great; he gets the kids involved in the story and they are mesmerized.

Other learning zones are a water table, puppets in a tree house, a complicated plastic ball rollercoaster that kids can manipulate, a food section, a garden exhibit, painting and Moon Sand, and several other exhibits/play areas. My kids have a good time when we go, but the museum is a bit small. If you've been to children's museum in other cities, you may be surprised. However, the good thing about the small, open set-up is that it's easy to watch your children, even if they are at two separate exhibits!

Good to know: There aren't any restaurants within easy walking distance of the museum, unless you want to walk a few blocks to the CNN center, which has a huge food court. You are welcome to bring food into the museum; they have a large lunch area. There are vending machines and a limited-service Chick-fil-A as well.

You can park in any one of a number of lots or parking garages around the museum. Prices vary, but I've usually paid $10 or under. You can also take Marta.

National Library Week

April 12-18, 2009, is National Library Week. Many libraries have special events to celebrate. For example, Forsyth County Library has storytime for toddlers and preschoolers, game day for the whole family, "Forsyth Reads Together" kick-offs for third graders through adults, and an open-mike poetry night for teens. Check your county's library website to see what special events they've planned. Click here for a list of Atlanta-area library website links.

Your library may have resources beyond books and DVD's. Our library's website has Book Flix (animated story and non-fiction books, read aloud to your child) and TumbleBooks (e-books) online. They also have educational computers, reading programs, book sales, and special events. Even if you have stacks of books at home, it's great to take out books weekly or every other week. The newness keeps books interesting and fosters a love of reading in children.

Good to know: Most libraries will let children get their own library cards, which makes the process even more exciting to them!

What's Happening - Week of 4/13/09

Here's an overview of kids' activities for the week of April 13-19, 2009. Check back daily for more details and helpful hints!

Monday, April 13, 2009
This is National Library Week, so check below for a link to your local library and find out what special activities are planned. Libraries are a great fun, free resource, and kids love them!

Atlanta-Fulton County
Forsyth County
Fayette County
Cobb County
Paulding County
Hall County
Cherokee County
DeKalb County
Gwinnett County

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Preschool Adventures at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek
11-12:00; $6 per child; ages 3-6

Imagine It! Children's Museum in Atlanta
Target Free Second Tuesday
Free admission for children 8 and under from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta) Preview Show - tickets are half price ($8 all ages)
The Little Pirate Mermaid 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Ultimate Playdate - East Cobb Park - playtime and singalong
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.; free


Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mommy and Me at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History in Kennesaw
Freight Train, Freight Train
Designed for ages 3-5; 10:00 a.m.; free with admission: adults 7:50, ages 4-12 5.50, under 4 free

Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum of Art
11:00-3:00 p.m.; ages 2-5; adult admission: $18; under 6: free

Friday, April 17, 2009
Earth Day Celebration at Georgia Tech
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; free; appearances by Reynard the Fox and Captain Planet; maze

Kudzu Playhouse Sprouts Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Roswell
11:00 a.m. - $8 each - ages 3-10

Saturday, April 18, 2009
Georgia Renaissance Festival begins (through June 7) Atlanta - south of the airport
Early Bird online tickets for opening weekend: $16.95 adults; $6.95 children; free five and under

Lemonade Days - Dunwoody Preservation Trust fundraiser - inflatables, rides, games, petting
zoo, food, horseback riding, etc.
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. on Saturday (also running on Thursday night, Friday, and
Sunday); free admission, but pay for rides and food

Earth Day Kids Fest - Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell
10:00- 3:00; $5.00 admission; ages 2 and under are free

Kudzu Playhouse - Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business play - Roswell
2:00 p.m.; $8.00 tickets

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Piedmont Park
Free - 12:00-7:00 p.m.

Bach to the Future - Atlanta Symphony Hall - kids classical concert
1:30 p.m.; $12 ticket

Taste of Forsyth - Cumming Fairgrounds
12:00-5:00; $.50 tasting tickets

Easter Egg Hunts

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Today church lawns and neighborhood cul-de-sacs will be filled with brightly colored plastic eggs and happy children filling up baskets. If your children haven't already acquired a stash of Easter eggs from school or playgroup, you should have no trouble finding a local hunt. Churches open their hunts to the community free of charge as an outreach, so feel free to visit one in your neighborhood.

Another option is the Eggstravaganza at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in the Virginia-Highlands area of Atlanta (pictured above). On their beautiful grounds children can hunt for thousands of eggs, meet the Easter bunny, pet live bunnies, win prizes, and see a performance of "The Pied Piper of Hamlin." The cost is $10 per child (adults are free) and the event runs from 10:00-12:00 noon today, April 11. You can find more information here.

The First Emperor at the High

What's Happening on Friday, April 10, 2009

This week the High Museum of Art has a special Studio Spring Break program. The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army is about to end, so the museum is offering a special craft for all ages. After viewing the exhibit, children can create their own clay warrior with armor and weapons to take home. The air-dry clay project will be dry by the day after you take it home.

The exhibit is a fascinating one. The first emperor of China was buried with an army, weapons, chariots, and entertainers for the afterlife. You can read about the exhibit on the High Museum website before you go - kids will appreciate it more after hearing about the excavation of thousands of 2,000-year-old statues.

The Studio Spring Break project runs from 1:00-4:00 p.m. through April 11th. Admission is $18 for adults, $11 for kids 6-17, and free for kids 5 and under. You can find a coupon for a free admission in the 2009 Entertainment Book. The special exhibit and craft are included in the price.

If you can't make it to the museum this week, there two other weekly programs: Toddler Thursdays from 11:00-3:00 for ages 2-5 and Saturday Studio from 1:00-4:00 for ages 6-12.

The High Museum has a educational play area (Greene Family Learning Gallery) that kids really like. It has a still-life drawing station, a magnetic wall, blocks, enormous cushion puzzles, and more. The museum says the area is meant for ages 5-10, but younger kids will like it as well. Don't miss the play area, but feel free to skip the free Discovery Backpacks; they aren't worth the hassle of hauling around.

Good to Know: The Museum has a cafe and a snack bar inside. You can also have a picnic on the lawn, but you cannot bring food inside. If you want to add some lowbrow cuisine to your highbrow outing, the Varsity is only about five minutes away. Get some onion rings!

High Museum website http://www.high.org/main.taf?p=0

The Varsity website http://www.thevarsity.com/

Go to the Farm!

Make the most of the warm weather and the Easter week with a trip to Tanglewood Farms in Canton, Georgia. Tanglewood Farms is a Western-town themed miniature petting zoo - all the animals are kid-sized and a lot less intimidating than normal size farm animals. Children can pet and feed the animals and take a short pony ride.

All through April Tanglewood is celebrating Springfest with a focus on the adorable baby animals born this Spring. This week they are also celebrating Easter, so bring your Easter basket to collect chocolate eggs.

If you miss today's festivities, you can still make it Friday or Saturday (April 10 and 11). The hours are 10-2 with the last ticket being sold at 1:00 p.m.

Admission is $10 per person. Click below for more information and directions:

http://www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com/specevnt/index.html

Good to know: Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to the farm. There is also a Subway, a Chinese restaurant, a Waffle House, and a McDonald's about 5 minutes from the farm on Hwy 20 (Canton Highway) in the Kroger shopping center. On very hot days, the prospect of running water and air conditioning makes McDonald's indoor play area a good prospect!