Frances Meadows Splash Zone

This new aquatic center in Gainesville is getting a lot of buzz - and for good reason! It's very cool. The outdoor splash zone has two pools. One is a foot and a half deep and contains the huge play structure pictured above, as well as some other fun fountains and misters. The other pool has a zero depth entry, a lazy river, and, most impressively, two water-park quality waterslides.

Frances Meadows has lots of lifeguards who are constantly blowing the whistle - no surprise given how busy it is. In fact, visiting after dinner would be a great plan - you'll have lots more room and won't wait in line for the slides as long.

You can't bring food or drinks in, but the concession stand sells everything from water to snow cones to meals at moderate (not great, not outrageous) prices. Showers and bathrooms are clean and convenient.

It's a new facility, and there are a few kinks to work out. When we were there, the electricity shut off and everyone had to get off the stairs for the slide. Fortunately, no one was stuck in the middle of a water slide! Also, even though signs and rules require little ones to wear swim diapers (with helpful pictures of Little Swimmers!), someone let a child wear a regular diaper in the kiddie pool. It exploded and the pool had to be closed temporarily for cleaning. That's the second time I've seen that happen at a pool this summer: do people not know what happens to a regular diaper when it's immersed in water?

If you want to check out the Splash Zone, go soon: after school starts (August 10), it will only be open on weekends until September 27.

Good to know: You can find Frances Meadows easily off 985; get off on Jesse Jewel Parkway. The cost is free to children 2 and under; $4 for ages 3-54; and $2 for ages 55 and over for Hall County residents. The website says that non-Hall County residents will pay $6 and $3, respectively.

DeKalb Peachtree Airport

Believe it or not, PDK is a great place to take your kids! It's easy to get to, and you can watch planes land and take off all day. The airport has a playground (pictured above) which has airplane-themed play structures. Just beyond the park (over the chain-link fence) are the airplanes - some parked, some taxiing, and some taking off. You can get a closer view from an observation deck just past the playground.

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We went for our second visit with some friends, and the children played for over three hours (including lunch). They had lots of fun pretending to fly planes while watching the real ones fly off into the sky. There is a metal gazebo with picnic tables (and more picnic tables under some trees) and bathrooms behind the park, so it's a great free outing. If you don't want to pack a lunch, you can eat at the Downwind Restaurant overlooking the runway. It's a bit pricey ($5.00 for kids meals, not including a drink), but the food is decent.

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You really can't go watch planes at Hartsfield anymore, unless you want to go to the top of the parking garage. But DeKalb Peachtree Airport has plenty of planes to see - go check it out!

Gainesville Sprayground

Laurel Park is Gainesville is a huge. lovely park that, in addition to ball fields, playgrounds, and lake views, also has a water playground for kids. It only costs $1.00, and it's very well designed. The variety of sprinklers and water sprayers will keep children playing for hours. The outer edge of the fenced-in sprayground has benches and picnic tables, and the floor slopes in toward the center, so you don't have to get wet if you don't want to!

It may be a bit of a drive, but it's worth it!

Dress Like A Cow Day

Update: We did it! The boys were excited to dress up, and I talked Jeff into going (we weren't in cow costumes, though). It was lots of fun and about half the people in the restaurant were dressed as cows. I think we'll all do it next year - they had the cow mascots playing around with customers and gave free ice cream to the kids, too.

If you read frugal bloggers, you probably already know this, but today (July 10) is Cow Appreciation Day. Chick-fil-A will give you a free combo meal if you come to the restaurant dressed as a cow from head to toe. If you can only manage a cow-related accessory, you'll still get a free entree. Read more about the promotion here, and download a free printable costume here.

So, how about it? Will you herd the family to Chick-fil-A for free food tomorrow?

Gwinnett Place Mall - Moms and Tots Program

For three more weeks during the month of July, head to Gwinnett Place Mall on Wednesdays for their Moms and Tots Summer Program. From 11:00-12:30 in the Belk wing, there will be songs, games, stories, crafts, and prizes for kids 4 and under. Here's the schedule for the rest of the month:

July 8 Arts and Crafts
July 15 Cookie Monster
July 22 Fashion Show and Party

Have a Sundae on Monday!

All this summer, get a free sundae at Ben and Jerry's when you buy one of equal or lesser value. This week doesn't look like it will be as hot as the past few, but don't let that stop you from taking the family for free (or at least cheap!) ice cream!

Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shops are located in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Dacula, Columbus, Douglasville, Suwanee, and Athens. You can also click on the link above to search by zip code.

Flag Cake - Make it with Your Kids

If your 4th of July plans include a barbecue at home, here's an easy, fun, and delicious way to involve the children in attendance. Check out my recipe blog for the details!

Have a Fabulous Fourth!

The Fourth of July is on a Saturday this year, so it should be a fun holiday weekend! So many great events are planned that you can celebrate for three days straight if you want.

Local Events: Most towns have celebrations with fireworks and parades, but be sure to check the date - the fireworks are often on July 3rd. Check out Cumming, Alpharetta, Roswell, Decatur, Marietta, Acworth, Conyers, and Dunwoody.


Fantastic Fourth Celebration - Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain has lots of unusual events planned for the 4th, from a ropes course to a 4D showing of Journey to the Center of the Earth. From July 3-5th, you can see a great laser/music/fireworks show on Memorial Lawn. Be sure to check the website for details, because there are some parking restrictions.

USA Today says Stone Mountain's fireworks show is a must-see!

Lenox Square's Legendary 4th

Be part of the largest celebration in the Southeast! Starting at 4:00 p.m. on July 4th, concessions and Kids Zone (inflatables) will be open. Hear live bands, and finish the evening with fireworks at 9:00 p.m. Marta would be a good choice for transportation; if not, parking after 6:00 p.m. costs $10.

Centennial Park

The 4th of July celebration at Centennial Park will be packed - another good time to consider Marta. In addition to live music and food, kids can have fun splashing in the Olympic Rings or enjoying arts and crafts, face painting, performances, inflatables, and stilt walkers at the south end of the park, near the Rings. Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. Activities are free, except for parking.

Six Flags

If you can stand the heat, head to Six Flags for food, fun, and fireworks. In addition to the ticket price, pay $14.99 for adults and $8.99 for kids and enjoy a picnic buffet and the chance to pose for pictures with park characters. End the day with fireworks.

Mall of Georgia

Visit the Southeast's largest mall for a fun 4th celebration. Starting at noon, enjoy food, prizes, rides, inflatables, music, and a car show. The evening ends with fireworks and more music.

Lake Lanier Islands

It's going to be hot on the 4th, so why not head to the waterpark? There will be live entertainment all day and fireworks at night. If you come after 3:00, the price is $14.99 per person. After 7:00, the price is $8.00 per car and $10 per person.

Atlantic Station

If 9:00 is too late to stay out with your kids, consider the Radio Disney event at Atlantic Station. There won't be fireworks, but there will be games, contents, music, prizes, balloons, clowns, face painting, caricatures, a cake walk, and old fashioned relay races from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

The National Museum of Patriotism

Did you know Atlanta had a museum dedicated to patriotism? On the 4th, they will have activities for kids from 11:00-3:00, a ceremonial Liberty Bell ringing, and a reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Tanglewood Farms

The whole month of July highlights "Americana" at the petting zoo in Canton. Celebrate the spirit of our great nation all month long with patriotic pony rides, bluegrass music and a hayride through Tanglewood's all-American Wild West Town. Take a pony ride and see, pet and feed more than 100 miniature farm animals that call Tanglewood their home. The farm will be open on July 4th from 10:00-5:00.

To read more about Tangelwood Farms, go here.

INK

The Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville has special July 4th crafts for $1 more than admission price on July 1 - 3, 2009.

To read more about INK, go here.