Have Fun with Your Kids

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

2011-03-31T22:42:00.001-04:00

Your family can enjoy music at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Home Depot Free Activity for Kids

2011-03-31T22:41:00.001-04:00

Visit Home Depot and make a free craft with your kids.

Save Money at World of Coca-Cola

2011-03-31T22:39:00.001-04:00

Read this article to save money at World of Coke.

Menchie's

2011-03-31T22:38:00.000-04:00

Read my review of Menchie's, a frozen yogurt franchise in Atlanta.

Free Tickets to Zoo Atlanta

2011-03-31T22:34:00.001-04:00

Find the tickets at your local library! Read about it here.

Changes in Georgia Pre-K

2011-03-31T22:32:00.000-04:00

Read about the changes to Georgia Pre-K.

2010 Atlanta Schools of Excellence

2011-03-31T22:31:00.001-04:00

Read about Atlanta-area Schools of Excellence.

HOPE Scholarship News

2011-03-31T22:24:00.002-04:00

Here's a rundown of Governor Deal's proposed changes to the HOPE Scholarship.

Here is a list of the final HOPE scholarship changes.

What happens if a school district loses accreditation?

2011-03-31T22:22:00.000-04:00

Find out here.

What is the name of Zoo Atlanta's new baby panda?

2011-03-31T22:21:00.001-04:00

Hint: it's from a very popular panda movie.

Answer here.

Nature Centers in Atlanta

2011-03-31T22:19:00.001-04:00

Atlanta has many lovely nature centers - probably one near you!

Chattahoochee Nature Center

2011-03-31T22:17:00.000-04:00

Visit Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell.

Egg Harbor Cafe Review - Johns Creek, GA

2011-03-31T22:15:00.004-04:00

Read my review of Egg Harbor Cafe.

Tips for Shopping Consignment Sales in Atlanta

2011-03-31T22:15:00.002-04:00

How to shop consignment sales.

Visit Peachtree/DeKalb Airport With Your Kids

2011-03-31T22:13:00.001-04:00

Have fun at the airport!

Fernbank Museum

2011-03-31T22:12:00.000-04:00

Fernbank - my favorite museum in Atlanta.

Valentine's Day Activities for Families in Atlanta

2011-03-31T22:10:00.001-04:00

Valentine's Day in Atlanta

Weekend Getaway to Helen, GA

2011-03-31T22:07:00.001-04:00

Need to get away? Head up to Helen!

Groundhog Day

2011-03-31T21:50:00.000-04:00

How do you celebrate Groundhog Day in Atlanta?

INK - Interactive Neighborhood for Kids

2011-03-31T21:49:00.001-04:00

Visit INK in Gainesville - a unique children's museum.

Snow Make-Up Days in Atlanta

2011-03-31T21:48:00.002-04:00

Remember Snowmageddon? Here's how Atlanta is making up the missed days.

The Real Chow Baby

2011-03-31T21:39:00.001-04:00

Here's a review of The Real Chow Baby.

Atlanta Birthday Party Ideas

2011-03-31T21:37:00.001-04:00

Check out 11 great birthday party ideas for kids in Atlanta!

About.com

2011-03-31T21:35:00.001-04:00

I'm now writing about Atlanta families on About.com! I'll be posting my articles on this blog. Here's my bio.

Labor Day Festivals

2010-08-31T09:54:00.005-04:00

Here's what's going on during the long weekend in the Atlanta area! It's a weekend of arts and books, and almost everything is free. I'm hoping to go to the Decatur Book Festival on Sunday.

Arts on the Creek Festival. Perimeter Church, Johns Creek. Food, live entertainment, children’s activities, art exhibits featuring over 100 vendors. Sept. 4-5. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. 9500 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek. 678-405-2000. Free.

Love the Lake Festival. Cauble Park, Acworth. Art and craft vendors, parade, food, live entertainment, children’s activities, and a tropical bird show. Sept. 4-5. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. 2293 Beach St., Acworth. 770-423-1330. Free.

Marietta Art in the Park. Glover Park, Marietta. Fine art vendors, children’s activities and demonstration area. Sept. 4-6. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Downtown Marietta. 770-429-1115. Free.

U.S. 10K Classic Family Festival. Cobb Galleria Center. Family festival centered around the 10K road race on Labor Day. Live music, kids’ activities, batting cages, clowns, pony rides and more. Sept. 4-5. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Two Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. Free.

Decatur Book Festival. Downtown Decatur, GA. Book festival for adults and children - famous authors include Jonathan Franzen, Joyce Maynard, and Anna Dewdney, author of the Llama Llama books. Sept. 3-5. Check website for schedule/activities.

Sun Print T-Shirts

2010-08-24T23:05:00.004-04:00

When we went away this summer with our extended family, we had some projects and activities for the boys to do with their cousins - we called it "cousin camp." One thing we did was decorate t-shirts. The instructions are here on the Family Fun website.

You'll need washed t-shirts, flour, water, a squeeze bottle, fabric spray paint, and sun.

Make a mixture of flour and water about the consistency of mustard and stir it until smooth. Put it in the squeeze bottle, and let kids make a design. The four kids had different approaches: a spiral sun, a flower, a turtle, and three monster faces. Try not to make the design too thick or it will be hard to remove.

Dry the t-shirts in the sun until the paste is hardened.

When it's dry, put a piece of paper or a plastic bag inside the shirt so the color doesn't run to the back. Spray the front with fabric spray paint. You can use multiple colors if you like, but don't spray too heavily. One bottle would do two entire shirts. I brought a contrasting fabric marker so the kids could add details; a Sharpie would work fine, too. Let the shirts dry in the sun.

Remove the dried paste - you may need to use a spoon to help you peel it off. This took a while! Once it's gone, you'll see the image in white.

The boys have worn their t-shirts a lot! They chose their designs from Ed Emberley books, and they were surprisingly easy to create with paste and a squeeze bottle.

Movies in the Park - Tonight, August 21, at Polo Club in Cumming

2010-08-21T13:30:00.002-04:00

If it doesn't rain tonight, head over to the Polo Club of Atlanta, 5890 Polo Club Drive, Cumming, GA for Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The movie starts at 8:30, and it's free! Family activities start at 7:00.

Don't forget bug spray!

Fun in Roswell - Puppets and Sprayground

2010-07-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

It's not too late to catch a puppet show at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. This week's show is Rumplestiltskin, and next week's is Sleeping Beauty. The puppet shows are fairly short and quite casual - often the puppeteers will invite the children up to see the puppets after the show.

From the website: "Show times are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m., Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Puppet-making workshops will be offered after the shows Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. only. Cost for children ages 2-12 is $4, $5 for adults and $3 for the workshop, ages 5 and over only."

After the puppet show, take your swimsuits and a picnic lunch and head over to the Riverside Park Sprayground.
It costs $1 to play, and the park has a concession stand, covered picnic areas, and a playground next to the fountain. Note that the fountain is closed for maintenance on Tuesdays.

Atlanta Area Fourth of July Activities

2010-06-30T10:22:00.005-04:00

Atlanta Parent has an overview of the 4th of July celebrations around Atlanta. Click here to see the .pdf. The Unicoi and Vogel State Park festivals sound especially fun - watermelon seed spitting contests, paddle boat races, and live music!

Since the 4th of July falls on a Sunday this year, the activites are spread out over the entire weekend. In Cumming, for example, you can see fireworks on the 2nd; watch the parade on the 3rd; and still have time for your cookout on the 4th.

New Exhibit at Fernbank - Geckos!

2010-06-29T19:20:00.004-04:00

Geckos: Tails to Toepads is Fernbank's latest special exhibit, and it's a great one. There is something so endearing about these big-eyed, harmless reptiles, and you'll see all different kinds at Fernbank. Much of the fun is finding them - many are experts of camouflage. Interspersed among the habitats are hands-on educational kiosks and displays, including a really interesting one about "designer" leopard geckos. You'll exit through the gift store, so be prepared!

Even though Fernbank is a natural history museum, I always like their "life science" exhibitions the best. And their reptile habitats put Zoo Atlanta's Reptile House to shame!

You may want to visit on Saturday, July 10, for Reptile Day. You can meet a variety of live reptiles and make a blue tongued skink hat to take home.

Good to know: The exhibit runs through September 6, and the price is included with admission. Remember that Fernbank's family dual membership is great: for $85, you can take 2 adults and four children, even if they are not part of your family. Just don't include a second name on the membership. You'll get lots of great discounts and a reciprocal program with science museums around the country.

Fernbank has a cafeteria, but you can also bring a lunch bags and leave them in a locker until you are ready to eat.

The IMAX movie through September 30 is Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure. My boys loved this, of course! It was a fascinating overview of bugs in Malaysia's rainforest, with a special focus on a caterpillar and a praying mantis. Very sensitive children might not like it - should be rated PG-13 for mild mating situations and graphic carnivorous violence. Overheard from the preschool teacher behind us: "If that boy beetle defeats the other boy beetle in their wrestling match, then he gets to have the girl beetle as his girlfriend." Overheard from the child sitting next to me: "Wow! That butterfly has two heads!".

Splash Fountains

2010-06-12T17:57:00.003-04:00

This is an updated post from last summer.
There's no question that Atlanta is a hot place to live. Fortunately, most neighborhoods have pools, and many counties have aquatic centers. But one of our favorite ways to cool off in the summer is to visit one of the many splash fountains around town.

Here's a round-up of Atlanta's play fountains. Click on the names for more information!

Big Splash Fountain - Suwanee
Suwanee's Town Center Park hosts this fountain, which is our favorite. It's big and has geysers of varying heights, which means that everyone from one-year-olds to teens can have fun. It also has a great location - surrounded by the restaurants of Town Center Park, the amphitheater, and a large grassy field. You can ride bikes or walk dogs on the trails around the fountain, and there are a couple of good choices for ice cream as well.

Big Splash Fountain is open from 10:30-9:30 daily, from April 1 - October 1. Admission is free.

Duluth Town Green - Duluth
Town Green in Duluth is a lovely place surrounded by grassy terraces and porch swings. They also have an amphitheater and a few restaurants, including an ice cream shop. The splash fountain in the middle is circular with a large center geyser.

Admission is free, and the hours are 9-10 every day.

Village Pavilion Fountain at Mall of Georgia - Buford
This fountain is basically a big circle - but hey, you are at the second largest mall in the southeast, and there's a lot going on. The food court and many other restaurants are close by.

Admission is free, and the hours are 10-9 M-Sa and 12-6 on Sunday.

Sunflower Fountain at Atlanta Botanical Garden - Atlanta
The Botanical Garden is great for kids! You might think it's just a nice place to take your mom, but many exhibits have appeal for children (carnivorous plants, anyone?), and they have a separate children's garden. Furthermore, they realize that people visiting the garden in the summer will be braving the heat, and they provide misters throughout. Best of all, at the entrance to the children's garden, there is a small splash fountain area. It's very charming and sunflower themed. There are bathrooms located conveniently next door.

Admission to the Botanical Garden is $15 for adults and $12 for children 3 and above. They are closed on Mondays.

Centennial Olympic Park Fountain of Rings - Atlanta
The Olympic Park Fountain is undoubtedly the most famous fountain in Atlanta, but I have to admit I haven't been there yet! Plenty of parking surrounds the park, and many musical, film, and family events take place there. You'll also find a children's playground.

Daily music shows at the fountain occur at 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, and 9:00. The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and admission is free.

Laurel Park Sprayground - Gainesville
Laurel Park Sprayground 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!

Open late May - Sept. 1. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; Noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Admission: $1. Recommended for children 11 and younger.

Riverside Sprayground - Roswell
Roswell's Riverside Park has a new sprayground. It costs $1 per child and $1 per accompanying adult. The park's playground is close by.

Monday – Sunday (excludes Tuesdays): 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
May and September: Weekends only 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Free (or Cheap!) Summer Movies

2010-06-04T08:55:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's hot already! If you want to enjoy an air-conditioned theater this summer, there are plenty of ways to do it on the cheap. Even if you aren't from Atlanta, many of these programs are nationwide, so check them out! Note: get there early; these films sell out quickly!

Regal Cinema's Free Family Film Festival shows two different free movies at 10:00 a.m on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Click the link to search for your state; here are the movies showing at the North Point Parkway location.

06/08/2010-06/10/2010 Tale of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

06/15/2010-06/17/2010 Charlotte's Web (G)
Night At The Museum II (PG)

06/22/2010-06/24/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010 Polar Express (G)
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010 Doogal (G)
Planet 51 (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (G)
Imagine That (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010 March Of The Penguins (G)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010 Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010 ARCTIC TALE (G)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

AMC Theaters Summer MovieCamp shows movies for $1.00 on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. with reduced concession prices. All proceeds benefit children's charities.

June 15 Shrek the Third
June 22 Imagine That
June 29 Monsters vs. Aliens
July 6 Madagascar
July 13 Madagascar 2
July 20 Hotel for Dogs
July 27 Kung Fu Panda
August 3 The Spiderwick Chronicles
August 10 Surprise Mystery Movie!

MNM Theaters: This Georgia chain has locations in Cumming (Movies 400), Hiram and Atlanta. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., they show G and PG movies for free. They also offer $1.00 popcorn and $1.00 drinks. If you bring a can of food for a food bank, your popcorn is free! Here's the schedule:

6/8 & 6/10 Princess and the Frog
6/15 & 6/17 Night at the Museum 2
6/22 & 6/24 Fantastic Mr. Fox
6/29 & 7/1 Ice Age 3
7/6 & 7/8 Aliens in the Attic
7/13 & 7/15 Alvin and the Chipmunks 2
7/20 & 7/22 The Tooth Fairy
7/27 & 7/29 Diary of a Wimpy Kid
8/3 & 8/5 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
8/10 & 8/12 Furry Vengeance

Strawberry Picking

2010-05-14T09:22:00.004-04:00

It's time to get your strawberries! We went this week and they were plentiful and delicious. You have until June, but we always go in May. You may not save a ton of money - we paid $12.00 per gallon. I weighed the gallon buckets, and they weighed about 6 lbs. So it works out to roughly $2.00 for 16 oz., which would be a good price at the grocery store.

But these strawberries are so much better than the ones trucked in from California, and it's fun to go with kids. The farms I've been to don't mind when children eat as they pick. I've taken the boys since they were babies. We have a tradition in our family to have strawberry shortcake for dinner the night we pick strawberries - that's definitely something the boys remember from year to year!

I make lots of freezer jam with the rest of the strawberries. I try to make enough to last until the next year, but I haven't quite made it yet.

You can search here to find a strawberry patch near you. We've been to two different farms and like them both.

Dahlonega Vegetable Farm is my favorite. It's the closest one to us. Surrounded by mountains and bordered by a creek, the location is lovely. They don't have a website (!), but here is the address and phone number: 2650 Highway 19
Dahlonega, GA 30533;(706) 867-9794.

Washington Farms
The berries here are more affordable - $10 per gallon. They have a very helpful website that you can reach by clicking the name above. We've always gone to their Loganville location, but they have a smaller farm in Watkinsville as well. They are open 8:00-8:oo and closed on Sundays, but on beautiful days, they may be pretty picked out by early afternoon, so you may want to call first.

Good to know: I have some very important caveats about strawberry picking. 1. Always call first to be sure they have abundant berries. 2. Drought years produce better berries than rainy years. 3. Most farms only take checks or cash. 4. If you don't want to pay $1 for buckets, bring your own or at least bring tupperware to transfer your berries into for the ride home.

Kids Bowl Free - All Summer Long!

2010-04-30T16:16:00.004-04:00

Once again this summer, your kids can bowl free every day! You sign up on the website, and each week you'll be emailed coupons for your children to bowl two free games every day. You can even purchase a family pass for parents or teens.

According to the Kids Bowl Free site, here's how it works:

1.All of the participating bowling centers are listed at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/all_centers.php. Here's the link to Georgia's centers.

2.Select a bowling center near you.

3.Register directly on the bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register and cannot be used at any other bowling center unless otherwise noted.)

4.Once you register, you will have the opportunity to purchase the family pass. The Family Pass was created to allow for adult family members to enjoy bowling throughout the summer as well.

The Family Pass starts from $24.95 and includes 2 GAMES PER PERSON PER DAY. The Family Pass covers up to 4 adult family members. You may have 1, 2, 3, or 4 adults on the family pass.
This low one-time payment covers up to 4 adults for the entire summer and is a tremendous value.

Muffin Tin Lunch

2010-04-28T07:53:00.001-04:00

I saw the idea for serving lunch in a muffin tin on another blog, and it was much cuter (think sandwiches cut with cookie cutters) than what I have here. But I started doing it every now and then for the boys, and they really like it. I don't know what it is about the muffin tin, but Ben will eat just about anything from it!

In this version, I have sliced yellow bell peppers, yogurt with blueberries, roast chicken, pasta with parmesan, ketchup, and a piece of Rolo candy. I put the pan in between the boys for them to eat. I like that it keeps the portions relatively equal, instead of the pasta dominating the plate.

Art Portfolio

2010-04-02T23:31:00.002-04:00

If your children are anything like mine, they end up with a lot of artwork! School, church, rainy afternoons - it can get out of control. I don't save everything, of course, but I want them to be able to save paintings and drawings they really like. I saw this idea on a blog, and I'm really happy with it.

Supplies

2 pieces heavy-duty posterboard (I got mine for $0.75 at WalMart)

coordinating duct tape (WalMart and Target have lots of fun colors)

coordinating grosgrain ribbon

Punch holes about four inches apart, an inch or so from the top of the posterboard in the center. Tape the posterboard together with duct tape on three sides. Tie the ribbon in the holes to make a handle.

I cut out names with my Cricut, but you can use stickers or stencils as well. You won't believe how many papers can fit in this portfolio!

Easter Events

2010-04-01T17:08:00.002-04:00

With the weather we are having, it should be one of the most beautiful Easter weekends in years!

The Atlanta Parent website has a lot of great Easter activities. Here are some of the events planned for this weekend.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. They may be larger than the typical Easter egg, but dino eggs are just as fun to find! Fernbank offers three age-appropriate egg hunts, including a special area just for toddlers. The event also includes a scavEGGer hunt inside the museum, music and games. April 3. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $15; children 3-12, $13; under 2, free.

Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Bring your basket and camera for an Easter egg hunt, live performances, Atlanta Braves games and prizes, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. April 3. 10 a.m.-noon. 980 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta. 404-872-5338. Adults, free; children, $10.

Simon Kidigits Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Mall of Georgia. Hunt for eggs and win fun prizes. Located in The Village. April 3. 9:30-10 a.m. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. Free.

Natural Egg Dyeing. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Drop-in for this interactive class where children decorate eggs using vibrant colors contained in dyes from certain plants. March 27 and April 3. 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $6/child in addition to admission.

Easter Sunrise Service. Stone Mountain Park. Two simultaneous, non-denominational Easter services at the top and base of the mountain, on Memorial Lawn. April 4. 6:15-7 a.m. Park gates open at 4 a.m. Hwy. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. Parking, $10; sky-ride: adults, $9; children 3-11, $7.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Enjoy a reading of “The Story of the Easter Bunny” by Katherine Tegan and create a magic color scratch giant Easter egg. April 3. Noon. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437. Adults and children 2 and up, $12.50.

Eggstrvaganza Egg Hunt. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Bring your basket and camera for an Easter egg hunt, live performances and a chance to meet the Easter bunny. April 3. 10 a.m.-noon. 980 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta. 404-872-5338. Adults, free; children, $10.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. April 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Participate in three age-appropriate egg hunts for kids, ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Each hunt will feature a grand prize dinosaur egg containing a one-year family/dual membership, a set of six IMAX tickets and a Radio Disney prize pack. This fun-filled event will also include a dinosaur egg balancing challenge, a dinosaur memory game and balloon animals. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $15; children 3-12, $13; 2 and under, free.

Giant Easter Egg Hunt. Malibu Grand Prix. Enjoy the giant Easter egg hunt, take photos with the bunny himself, prizes and more. April 3. Kids 5 and younger, 11:15 a.m.; ages 6 and older, 11:45 a.m. Event lasts until 4 p.m. 5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Norcross. 770-416-7630. Free.

Natural Easter Egg Dyeing. Habersham Gardens. Dye your own eggs with teas, spices, fruits and vegetables. April 3. 11 a.m. 2067 Manchester St., Atlanta. 404-873-2484. Free.

Quick Saturday Ideas

2010-03-19T08:40:00.003-04:00

Looking for a fun activity that won't take up your whole Saturday? Here are some ideas!

1. The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History has make-and-take crafts each Saturday. Here's the upcoming schedule:

Mar. 20: Design-A-Quilt; Mar. 27: Drawing With Scissors; April 10: Build a Bridge; April 17: Painting With Dots; May 8: Honoring Mothers.

10 a.m.-noon. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Adults, $7.50; children 4-12; $5.50; 3 and under, free.

2. Lakeshore Learning Store in Marietta has Crafts for Kids. And they're free!

March 20: Bird Feeder; March 27: My Puppet Pal; April 3: Silly Bunny Puppet; April 10: Personalized Door Hanger; April 17: Earth Day Bag; April 24: Spring Picket Fence.

You can check their website to see pictures of the crafts. It's a great store, too!

3. Want to get outside? Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge has guided hikes (10 a.m.) and introductory tree climbing (1 p.m.) on the third Saturday of each month. Both events are for people in good physical condition.

4. Aurora Theater in Lawrenceville has a children's theater series on Saturdays. All performances are at 10 a.m., unless otherwise noted. Tickets are $7.00, but you can buy a 10-show pass for $50.00. Call 678.226.6222 for reservations. Below is a list of the upcoming shows.

Note: Tomorrow's show (3/20) is great - we saw it a couple of years ago, and the kids laughed their heads off.

3/20/2010
The Big Bad, Little Red, Pig Show
That Puppet Guy

3/27/2010
Cinderella
Wendy Bennett

5/15/2010
The Circus King
Storymaker - Sean Driscol

5/22/2010
Quite a Catch
Ron Anglin

Atlanta Fair

2010-03-06T08:28:00.003-05:00

When our kids complain that something isn't fair, we always say, "The fair comes in October," because in our town, it does! But it also comes in March to Turner Field in the form of the Atlanta Fair.

From March 4 - April 4, you can get out and enjoy carnival rides, games, and elephant ears on the midway. It's a bit spendy: $1.00 admission for kids and $5.00 for adults on the weekends, and rides are extra. But if you go Saturday afternoon between 1:00-6:00, an unlimited ride ticket is $20. Click here for more specials - weekdays have unlimited rides, too.

Monday Reviews: Purple Hippo

2010-02-15T06:55:00.000-05:00

The Purple Hippo is funky, cool art studio in Dunwoody. They have camps, birthday parties, and classes, but from 10-6 T-Sa and 12-6 Su they have open studio time. For $13 your child has two hours to paint, color, draw, glue, and create, using the "salad bar" of supplies along the wall.

When we went, it was a rainy day, and we had the place to ourselves. The boys used diecuts, stamps, popsicle sticks, ribbons, paints, markers, glitter, and stickers to make their own creations or copy some great ideas they saw on the wall. They were completely engrossed the entire time, and midway through my youngest son said, "I wish this was my house!". They loved the freedom to make whatever they wanted, using recyclables and art supplies in equal measure. I loved not having to worry about paint on the table!

The owner is a former art teacher; she is personable and warm. The supplies are definitely used, but there is plenty of everything, and if you don't see it, just ask. Whether your kids are artistic or not, I highly recommend open studio at the Purple Hippo!

Good to know: There is a great New York-style deli just around the corner on Chamblee-Dunwoody. It's called Goldberg's Deli and Bagels.

Southeastern Flower Show

2010-02-05T08:09:00.005-05:00

It's looking like another rainy weekend! Remind yourself that spring will eventually come with a visit to the Southeastern Flower Show on Saturday, 2/5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. There's a full day of activities planned for kids, from storytelling to workshops to environmental exhibits by young gardeners.

Here's a list of tomorrow's activities for children:

10:30 Chicken Talk, Kyla Zaro-Moore, D Stage
11:30 Home Depot Activity
12:30 Worm activity, Ruth Kitchen, Greening Youth, Youth Area
1:30 Bees, Youth Area, Jim Quick,
2:30 Home Depot Activity
3:30 Puppet Show, Puppatoons, D Stage
(2-6 ongoing: Monarch life cycle activity with Cindy Wolfe and Youth Area volunteers)

Tickets are $18 for adults; $8 for high school students; $6 for 1st-8th grades; and free for kindergarten and under. It's too late to buy tickets online, but you can buy them at the door.

Repticon - January 30-31

2010-01-30T10:19:00.002-05:00

If you are looking for something to do indoors on a cold and rainy weekend, and your kids like reptiles, head over to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds for Repticon - the Reptile and Exotic Animal Show. You can see demonstrations and even buy your very own yucky pet to take home! There will be a number of shows and demonstrations, from arachnids to local venomous snakes to dart frogs.

Here are the times and prices:

Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm

Admission: $8.00 - Adults $5.00 - Children (5-12) Four and under free

Cheap Dates

2010-01-17T21:16:00.004-05:00

Pay a buck to see a buck! Tomorrow (1/18/10), the Yellow River Game Ranch will charge only $1.00 for admission. A family of 4 would save about $26.00! Tomorrow should be a nice day, so why not head out to the ranch? You can read my review of YRGR here.

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Through 2/28/10, admission to Calloway Gardens is free! Granted, January and February are not peak months for visiting a botanical garden, but if we have a nice day and you don't mind a drive, take advantage of a great savings: admission is usually $15 for adults and $7.50 for kids 6-12.

10 Atlanta Attractions for 2010

2010-01-10T21:33:00.002-05:00

The AJC had an article today about upcoming exhibits at some of the best attractions in Atlanta. The picture above from the Atlanta Botanical Garden's new 600-foot canopy walk that opens in May. You can read the article here, but here are some of the highlights that are kid-friendly:

1. Fernbank Museum of Natural History's new exhibit will be “Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters." Starting February 6, kids can learn about volcanoes, tornadoes, earthquakes and watch an IMAX called "Forces of Nature."

2. In addition to the cool canopy walk, the Atlanta Botanical Garden will add an edible garden and a cascading tropical garden, as well as allowing visitors into the 15 acre hardwood Storza forest.

3. Zoo Atlanta is keeping the pandas! They are also building a new habitat for the leopards and tigers, as well as new sun bears. The habitat should open this summer, with other smaller carnivores making their home at the zoo as well.

4. In November the Georgia Aquarium will open the $110 million dolphin exhibit. It sounds amazing!

Christmas Break Fun

2009-12-29T08:50:00.003-05:00

If the kids are getting stir-crazy, here are a few activities going on this week in and around Atlanta.

Snow Mountain Once again this year Stone Mountain is offering tubing with man-made snow! Children have to be 42 inches tall to tube, and the tickets, which cost $25 for children and adults, are good for 2 hours of tubing. Little ones can play in the snow play areas, and tickets provide unlimited admission to these areas. If you plan to go, check out the FAQ's for more information about discounts, parking, what to wear, when to arrive, etc. You are strongly encouraged to buy tickets online because there are limits to how many people can be on the tubing hill.

This is not an inexpensive event: a family of four will pay $100 if two children tube, because parents have to have tickets, too. But it's rare for Georgia children to get to play in the snow! Snow Mountain is open every day this week (weather permitting) and weekends until March 7th.

Dahlonega Gold Mines Click on the link to read my review of the gold mines. We went in December, and though it was chilly, it wasn't miserable - the temperature underground at Consolidated is in the 50's, and Crisson had space heaters in the panning area. I highly recommend this trip if you have out-of-town visitors; panning for gold is a great Georgia activity!

Yellow River Game Ranch Bundle up and take the one mile walk to see the animals. Many people recycle Christmas trees here to provide food and shelter for the animals. If your kids love animals, this is a fantastic value!

Imagine It! Children's Museum Don't want to go outside? Head downtown to the children's museum - the Curious George exhibit ends in January. The link mentions free admission on the second Tuesday of each month, which won't apply this week, but you'll still find a review of the museum.

Georgia Aquarium - Free Admission to Princesses and Frogs!

2009-11-16T11:31:00.003-05:00

Update: boys can dress as either frogs or princes for free admission.

On Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., children 12 and under can get into the Georgia Aquarium for free with a paying adult if they dress up: girls can be princesses and boys can be frogs. Disney has a new movie coming out called The Princess and the Frog, and the Aquarium is using this day to promote frog conservation. I'm glad they're including boys, but the day seems to be very princess-focused, with parades, arts and crafts, and photo opportunities.

I love that the Aquarium is offering these free admission days, since it is usually an expensive outing for a family. It also makes it a little easier to take that some of the best exhibits are under construction, as I mentioned here.

Georgia Aquarium - Free Admission to Kids in Costume

2009-10-31T09:41:00.003-04:00

It's a rainy Halloween day, unfortunately, and that puts a damper on the last minute pumpkin patch and other fun fall events. So check out the Georgia Aquarium: kids 12 and under in costume get in free today with a paying adult (2 kids per adult). Children can get candy in each of the aquarium sections. This is a huge savings over the regular admission prices.

I do have a couple of caveats, as we went yesterday. First, it is likely to be crazy busy today (though for future reference it wasn't busy at all yesterday afternoon). Second, a number of the best exhibits are closed or under construction, such as the climbing play area, the otters, the penguins, the sea lions, and the beluga whales.

We had a great time, anyway, and if you go, I hope you do, too!

Make Halloween Monstrously Fun!

2009-10-31T09:32:00.003-04:00

Monster Bites

Here's a fun Halloween treat to make with the kids. Follow the instructions for Bakerella's spider bites, but leave off the shoestring licorice legs. Use candy you have around the house to make your monsters - be creative with those Smarties and Mentos!

If you use a brownie mix and Candiquik Chocolate Melt (in the baking aisle), these are fast and fun to make with children.

Happy Halloween!

Read for the Record - October 8, 2009

2009-10-05T15:58:00.005-04:00

It's the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Jumpstart, an early education non-profit, has chosen this childhood classic for its annual "Read for the Record" day. The goal this year is for 1,000,000 children worldwide read this book with a valued adult.

If you want to participate, go to the website and sign up. You can read to one person or to a group. You might even find a local event you can attend for the reading! So far, Atlanta, Duluth, Woodstock, Lawrenceville, Gainesville, and Marietta are hosting events.

You may already have A Very Hungry Caterpillar, but if you don't, go to WalMart: they are donating the proceeds to Jumpstart, and the special edition is on sale.

After you read the book to your child, go back to the site to be counted.

The website has activities and certificate of accomplishment for your children. I like this fun way to make reading a big deal for kids - you could have a caterpillar themed day! Oh, now I have to start looking at cake ideas . . . .

Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour - October 6 - free!

2009-10-04T21:28:00.006-04:00

On November 6, Disney will release A Christmas Carol, a 3-D version of Dickens's classic. It looks similar in design to The Polar Express. To promote the film, a Disney train has been traveling around the country to different train stops offering lots of activities and a sneak peek at the movie - all for free! And Tuesday, October 6, the train will roll into the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth.

From 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., you can check out the train. SRM says that it should take 30-45 minutes to go through. The train is wheelchair accessible, so that means you can bring your stroller, too. Update: apparently this event has been huge in other locations, so be prepared for crowds or go early! Thanks, Debbie!

USA Today gives a preview of what to expect:

"•A digital gallery of the film's characters and their design evolution; each portrait will digitally change and show how they were created.

•Artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, including a first edition of the original novel and some of the author's personal writing paraphernalia.

•A display of performance-capture technology, in which the real actors' movements and expressions are recorded and digitized, then used for animated renderings.

•Interactive games, including a face-morphing photo booth that will blend the visitor's visage with Scrooge's.

The fantasy will extend beyond the train cars, with the holiday spirit re-created with decorations, local carolers and even artificial snow. And in the parking lot: a portable theater to show early footage."

If you live outside between Atlanta and New York, you haven't missed the train yet - click on the link above to see when it's coming to your town!

Hillcrest Apple Orchards

2009-10-02T22:37:00.003-04:00

We are right in the middle of apple season in Georgia, and Hillcrest Orchards in Ellijay is the most fun place to get apples. You can buy them all over Ellijay, but Hillcrest has an Apple Pickin' Festival on September and October weekends. Besides having great apples and products to buy in their store, there are tons of fun things to do while you are there.

You can watch a pig race, go to the petting zoo, pick apples, take a hay ride, play on a playground, walk through the woods to see nursery rhyme recreations, slide down a huge slide built into a hill, and milk a cow. There's a band and lots of festival food like barbecue, turkey legs, hamburgers, and hot dogs.

The store has great apple cider donuts and frozen cider slushes, among other things. Buy some Honeycrisp apples while you're there - they are so sweet and crisp, and much cheaper than the grocery store. Mutsu apples are great for baking.

The cost for the festival is $5.00 per person - the petting zoo is $3.00 extra.

Hillcrest is definitely country, and it is a gorgeous ride up there. Don't forget that you can store fresh apples for months sometimes in cool, dry conditions - it's worth stocking up!

Free Admission to all National Parks - 9/26/09

2009-09-25T14:29:00.003-04:00

Maybe it won't rain tomorrow, and maybe the idea of being outside will sound more appealing than a visit to a museum. In that case, visit a national park - they are all free tomorrow! Look how happy you will be if you go!

Here's a list of Georgia's national parks. If you read this blog from another state, you can search for your location, too. Some parks are hosting special volunteer or educational opportunities as well.

Free Museum Day - 9/26/09

2009-09-25T14:11:00.003-04:00

The torrential rains of the last few weeks shifted us into "fun with kids" triage mode: going outside was impossible, so how do we keep our sanity cooped up in the house? The last few days have been lovely, but Saturday's forecast is showing an ominous 80% chance of rain. What to do?

Just in time, it's the Smithsonian Museum Day - free admission to hundreds of museums around the country for you and a guest! Here's a list for Georgia. The best values I can see are for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, which are usually quite expensive. The Center for Puppetry Arts and Booth Western Art Museum are two other good choices.

Download the free admission card here. Only one per household, unfortunately, but at least two people can go for free - and you can get out of the house.

Free Target Tuesday - Imagine It! Children's Museum

2009-09-07T19:14:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow (9/8) is the second Tuesday of the month, so Imagine It! has free admission from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Click here for more details and a museum overview.

Decatur Book Festival

2009-09-05T08:22:00.003-04:00

Meet Bookzilla, one of the mascots of the Decatur Book Festival! Every Labor Day weekend, Decatur hosts the nation's largest independent book festival. While the festival is not primarily kid-focused, there is lots to do for everyone in the family.

Click here to see the schedule of kids' events, such as a promendade with the author of the Skippyjon Jones series and a free performance of Alice in Wonderland. Teens have their own events, including a take on the debate that's sweeping the nation: Werewolves vs. Vampires!

The schedule for today and tomorrow's events is here. Check it out!

Monday Reviews - Chattahoochee Nature Center

2009-08-24T08:26:00.002-04:00

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a lovely nature preserve in Roswell, easily accessible from GA 400 at exit 6. They have great trails around ponds, through woods, and along the Chattahoochee River boardwalk. You'll enounter turtles, a beaver, and bird of prey like hawks, owls, and even a bald eagle. The Center recently built a visitor's center with some hands-on exhibits and displays, as well as a gift shop (of course!). I love that they have preserved its natural beauty while offering many possibilities for fun and education.

If you visit on your own, you will find plenty to do. Ask for a scavenger hunt list at the front desk, and meet the animals when the handlers feed them or give talks about them. You can bring a picnic lunch to eat outside.

But don't miss the scheduled events. Each year there are festivals: Earth Day, Butterfly, and Halloween. Get out on the Chattahoochee with naturalist-led canoe trips. Little kids can sign up for preschool adventures, storytimes, animal breakfasts or infant walks. Older children can visit Starlab, a portable planetarium, or experience nocturnal animals on night hikes. CNC is also a popular place for birthday parties, and their summer day camp, Camp Kingfisher, is immensely popular.

Good to know: Chattahoochee Nature Center is open from 9:00-5:00 M-Sa and 12:00-5:00 Su, except for Christmas, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving. The cost is $8.00 for adults; $5.00 for ages 3-12; and free for ages 2 and under. A family membership costs $75, which includes 10 guest passes. If you plan to attend many scheduled events or live close by, membership would be well worth it.

Kids Consignment Sales

2009-08-17T05:54:00.000-04:00

Fall and spring are the times of year for consignment sales! If you are new to Atlanta, you may not know how huge consignment sales are. But with the economy being what it is, you should certainly check them out.

Atlanta Parent magazine has a good listing of consignment sales by county. It's too late to sell clothes at most sales for fall, but head out to get some deals and think about selling in the spring.

Tips for Buying

1. Bring cash or checks - most sales do not accept credit or debit cards.

2. Bring something to carry clothes in, like a laundry basket.

3. Many shows will not permit strollers or only permit them at scheduled times.

4. It may be impossible, but don't bring children if you can avoid it - those sales get crowded!

5. Be careful about buying items like cribs - they may have been recalled.

6. Avoid t-shirts. You'll usually pay a couple of dollars, and you can get clean, unfaded, non-pilly new t-shirts at Wal Mart or Target for a dollar more.

7. I like to buy church clothes or nicer items at the sales: usually they've been worn less. You can find boutique brands and good quality name brands at good prices.

8. Look over your kids' clothes before you go so you won't come home with more of the same.

9. Ask around for the "best" sales. In Forsyth County, my favorite is the Cumming First United Methodist Church.

Do you have any more tips or opinions about the best sales? Leave them in the comments!

Pigs and Peaches Festival

2009-08-15T08:14:00.002-04:00

The city of Kennesaw has a great BBQ festival this weekend. Live music and barbecue are the highlights, but you can also enjoy inflatables for the kids, prizes, parachuting daredevils, bowling, games, and prizes.

The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. today (8/16) and is free, except for food and some activities.

What To Do With Your Preschooler - Part Two

2009-08-13T06:45:00.000-04:00

Here are some more ideas for preschooler/parent fun while older siblings are in school!

Cultural

The Atlanta History Center has Magic Mondays one Monday per month. The program is for kids ages 18 months - 5 years from 10:30 -11:30. Click the link for dates and themes. The cost is $5.00 for children and $6.00 for adults.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is showing The Adventures of Little Noodle on Fridays from August 14 - September 11 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. If you can make it today (Thursday, August 13) the preview performance is half price: $8.00. Regular price is $16.00, which includes the museum and puppet-making following the performance (highly recommended!). Besides, you are right down the street from the Varsity for lunch!

Imagine It! Children's Museum is recommended for kids 8 and under, so now might be a good time to visit if you have older kids. Through September 13, the main exhibit is Exploring Trees: Inside and Out.

Nature

Cagle's Dairy has dairy tours and harvest garden tours Tuesdays-Fridays 9:30-11:00 a.m. The cost is $7.00 for ages 2-92.

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve has a couple of preschool programs to choose from that you'd need to register for in advance. They have a nature camp for ages 4-5 on September 1-3 from 10:00-1:00. You can attend any or all of the days, and the cost is $35 per day for non-members. They also offer two four-week preschool classes this fall. Running from 11:00-11:45 on Tuesdays, they meet for the first session Sept. 15-Oct. 6 and the second session from October 20 -November 10.

Sawnee Mountain Visitors Center offers Preschool Explorers classes for ages 3-5 that meet for 6 weeks on Wednesdays or Thursdays at either 10:00 or 1:00. The first session runs from early September to mid-October and the second goes from mid-October to late November. The cost for non-Forsyth County residents is $54.00.

What To Do With Your Preschooler

2009-08-12T09:00:00.002-04:00

If you have a school-aged child as well as a preschooler or two, this time of year is interesting: the older one is in school, but most likely the preschooler doesn't start until after Labor Day. I like to use the opportunity to do things with my preschooler that he will especially enjoy; the one-on-one time is great. It also helps the younger child adjust to having the older sibling gone all day. Many activities are focused on under five's, so it's a good time to try out a class without the older sibling.

Here are some ideas for making the next few weeks fun.

Library or Bookstore Storytimes

Check your local library for times - most of them have multiple times per week. Here's a list of Atlanta area library website links.

Barnes & Noble, Borders, and independent book stores also have storytimes. Check with your local store for times.

Art Classes

Farmhouse in the City in Alpharetta has Mommy and Me art classes at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The cost is $10 per child.

Purple Hippo Art Studio in Dunwoody has a series of Mommy and Me classes from August 18 - October 6. Classes for ages 2-4 are either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 10:00-10:45 and cost $165 for the entire session.

Museums

The Southern Locomotive Museum has Mommy and Me classes at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays for ages 3-5, free with museum admission.

The High Museum of Art has Toddler Thursdays for ages 2-5 from 11:00-3:00, free with museum admission.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has storytime in the garden on Wednesdays at 10:00. They also have a free tour for kids in strollers on Fridays at 10:30.

Kids Eat Free at Ikea - until 8/14/09

2009-08-11T22:05:00.004-04:00

You may not be in the market for cheap Swedish home goods, but if you are, and you have kids, go this week to get your children a free meal! Monday -Friday, kids can choose three kid-sized items such as meatballs, yogurt, mac and cheese, chocolate milk, PB&J, cookies, and more. Better yet, no adult purchase is required.

After their free meal, let the little ones run around Småland while you browse the $.49 dog bowls, $9.99 sheets, and $129 couches!

The next post will not focus on Ikea!

Ikea Småland

2009-08-01T10:21:00.002-04:00

Did you know Ikea has a supervised play area for kids? Potty-trained children, heights 36 - 54 inches, can play in a secure play room while you shop. You check them in, and they can play in a ball pit, watch a movie, color pictures, or play with toys. The check in process is impeccably secure: you'll leave with a pager, an arm band, and a filled-out form that you'll need to retrieve your children. My kids love the chance to play, rather than being dragged through a store!

This arrangement has one unfortunate downfall: the time limit for children in Småland is 45 minutes. And Ikea is a huge place. The policy used to be 90 minutes, but it has recently changed. Unless you know exactly what you want, it's not enough time. I'd recommend either taking your children with you in the store and going to Småland once they are bored, or checking them in immediately and see how far you get. We hid our cart near the checkout line; retrieved the children; and they only had to wait in line with us.

Ikea does try to make things easier for parents. Most showrooms have little play kiosks, and they have hand wipes throughout the store. The Ikea restaurant has unbelievably inexpensive kids' meals, as well as $.99 breakfasts and $.50 hotdogs. Right after the check-out line you can get a vanilla frozen yogurt cone for $.99, a nice way to end a shopping day.

Frances Meadows Splash Zone

2009-07-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

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

2009-07-23T05:59:00.000-04:00

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.

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.

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

2009-07-15T06:08:00.001-04:00

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

2009-07-10T06:41:00.002-04:00

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

2009-07-08T08:29:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-07-06T06:14:00.000-04:00

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

2009-07-03T06:42:00.000-04:00

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!

2009-07-02T09:11:00.001-04:00

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.

Cheap Bowling in Cumming!

2009-06-25T23:53:00.003-04:00

Well, we don't have "Kids Bowl Free" in Cumming, but Stars and Strikes is offering $.97 games between 9-11 a.m. this summer! That's per person, per game and doesn't include shoes. They have locations in Dacula and Dallas, too.

Monday Reviews - Lollipop Toy Shop

2009-06-22T12:25:00.004-04:00

The Lollipop Toy Shop just past the outlets in Dawsonville is a little different from your average toy story. They have lots of their bigger toys out of the package and set up so your child can try them out before you buy. When we got our younger son a Step 2 climbing toy for his first birthday, we took him there first so you we could see what he really liked and what was appropriate for his age and size. It's also a good place to go before Christmas to get an idea of what toys really captivate your children.

You can shop online, but it's really fun to go there - you'll have a hard time getting the kids to leave! Since it's right next to the outlets, you can wind up at Lollipop after you've had time to check out the bargains.

Lollipop also has an inflatables play area right next door called Jumpin' Safari. They host a lot of birthday parties, but they have open play times every week. Check the website for times.

Lollipop Toy Shop

130 Industrial Park Road
Dawsonville, Georgia 30534

706.216.2032

Hours: M-Sa 10:00-6:00
Su: 12:00 - 5:00

Father's Day Poem

2009-06-21T05:38:00.000-04:00

On the Beach at Night - Walt Whitman

ON the beach, at night,

Stands a child, with her father,

Watching the east, the autumn sky.

Up through the darkness,

While ravening clouds, the burial clouds, in black masses spreading,

Lower, sullen and fast, athwart and down the sky,

Amid a transparent clear belt of ether yet left in the east,

Ascends, large and calm, the lord-star Jupiter;

And nigh at hand, only a very little above,

Swim the delicate brothers, the Pleiades.

From the beach, the child, holding the hand of her father,

Those burial-clouds that lower, victorious, soon to devour all,

Watching, silently weeps.

Weep not, child,

Weep not, my darling,

With these kisses let me remove your tears;

The ravening clouds shall not long be victorious,

They shall not long possess the sky—shall devour the stars only in apparition:

Jupiter shall emerge—be patient—watch again another night—the Pleiades shall emerge,

They are immortal—all those stars, both silvery and golden, shall shine out again,

The great stars and the little ones shall shine out again—they endure;

The vast immortal suns, and the long-enduring pensive moons, shall again shine.

Then, dearest child, mournest thou only for Jupiter?

Considerest thou alone the burial of the stars?

Something there is,

(With my lips soothing thee, adding, I whisper,

I give thee the first suggestion, the problem and indirection,)

Something there is more immortal even than the stars,

(Many the burials, many the days and nights, passing away,)

Something that shall endure longer even than lustrous Jupiter,

Longer than sun, or any revolving satellite,

Or the radiant brothers, the Pleiades.

What's Happening: June 19-20, 2009

2009-06-20T05:56:00.001-04:00

What's Dad doing on Saturday, June 19? Getting a free milkshake at Chick-fil-A! Go to any of the Atlanta area locations with your kids and receive a free milkshake. And if you've never had one of Chick-fil-A's shakes, you are going to be pleasantly surprised! They're delicious and very ice-creamy: none of that chemical-filled airy sodium-spiked nonsense that McDonald's serves.

Looking for more fun things to do with Dad? Read this post!

Roswell Storytelling Festival - Children's Hour on June 19

2009-06-19T06:05:00.001-04:00

The Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival runs from Friday, June 19, to Saturday, June 20. The full festival requires registration and features both storytellers from across the country who will spin tall tales, folk tales, and mysteries for the participants.

There is one time slot for children, and it's free! From 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Friday, children can hear stories in the tent at Bulloch Hall. It should be h*o*t, so bring water because you can't buy refreshments at the Hall.

Decatur Beach Party

2009-06-18T07:40:00.004-04:00

Can't get to the beach this summer and miss the feeling of sand between your toes? The city of Decatur, GA (in DeKalb County) has a unique and fun fundraiser for their downtown improvement projects. Every summer they throw a street beach party, trucking in 60 tons of sand. The square downtown turns into a beach for this annual event.

This week's party is June 19 from 5 p.m. to midnight. You can dance in the streets to the beach music from the live band and eat beach food. Activities include children's boardwalk games, face painting, wading pools in the sand, and more. Adults $6.50 in advance (click on logo above); $10 at the gate; children 12 and under, free (limit two children per paying adult). No coolers, glass or pets allowed.

After the party, you can take the sand home with you for your own sandbox!

Thanks to Decatur Mom, who says get there right at 5:00 p.m. to get a good space, and bring lots of water!

Outdoor Films

2009-06-17T06:41:00.000-04:00

From quarries to parks to swimming pools*, there's no shortage of places to watch a movie outside this summer. Many locations have family-friendly showings.

Screen on the Green

Spread out your blanket on Great Lawn in Centennial Park and see a great film. On Thursday, June 18, introduce your kids to Home Alone, and on Thursday, June 25, see a classic 80's movie decided by the viewers: either Ghostbusters, Big, or The Princess Bride.

Georgia Movies in the Park

Northside Hospital sponsors this festival, which comes to parks all over north Atlanta. There's lots of fun before the films: face-painting, carnival games, inflatables, and concessions. The films are free - bring low-backed lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. In most cases, they don't release the film titles ahead of time, but here is a list of locations. Click on the link above to find more information, including showtimes.

June 27 - Heritage Park in Canton, GA

July 18 - Newtown Park in Johns Creek, GA

August 7-8 North GA Film Fest at the Forsyth Fairgrounds in Cumming, GA

August 1 - Heritage Park in Canton, GA

August 15 - Ocee Park in Johns Creek, GA

August 21 - Rock Creek Sports Park in Dawsonville, GA

Oct 3 - Newtown Park in Johns Creek, GA

Movies Under the Stars

Mall of Georgia's Village Pavillion is home to live music and kid-friendly films every Saturday night this summer. The list below has the dates, the band names, the band performance times, and the film.

June 13
The Woody’s
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Kung Fu Panda

June 20
High Cotton
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Back to the Future

June 27
Pete Whitfield
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Inkheart

July 4
Mike Rogers Band
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Johnny Rockbridge
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Lifeforce
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Independence Day

July 11
The Ron Johnsons
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Shrek the Third

July 18
Legend
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Second Hand Lions

July 25
Justin
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Princess Bride

August 1
The Woody’s
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Hoodwinked

August 8
Sister Jane
6:30pm – 8:30pm
No Movie will be showing this day

August 15
Legend
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Monsters vs. Aliens

August 22
Movie Only
At Dark
TBD

Good to know: You can buy food at the events or bring your own picnic, but no alcohol. Bring blankets and low-backed chairs. Don't forget bug spray!

*Seriously! Every Tuesday night this summer at the W Atlanta, swim with the beautiful people and watch a movie from the pool.

Father's Day Fun

2009-06-16T05:28:00.000-04:00

June 21, 2009 is Father's Day! If Dad's dream Father's Day includes unfettered access to the recliner and the remote, you probably don't need these ideas. But if he sees the day as more than one of extreme rest, you have a lot of choices. Many locations around Atlanta are offering special discounts and activities to honor Dad.

Zoo Atlanta invites dads and kids to spend the night at the zoo in a special father-focused Nightcrawler on June 19. Here's what's happening: "Help our Zoo Atlanta keepers ensure that our Wetland Exhibit is a happy and healthy home for our wetland creatures - turtles, alligators, and many more. Use water samples, microscopes, and night vision scopes to search for viable biological indicators!".

This program is for kids 6 and up and costs $50 per person for members and $55 for non-members. It starts at 6:00 p.m. on June 19 and ends at 10:30 the next morning. You can register online.

Atlanta Botanical Garden wants you to bring Dad to the garden on Father's Day! He'll get in 1/2 price, and you'll all enjoy music, activities, carnival food, games, and a ride-on train. Don't miss the "dream car" show! The cost for Dad will be $7.50; other adults, $15; seniors and children 3-17, $12, and under 3, free.

Tanglewood Farms in Canton has free admission for dads all through the month of June, saving you $10. Click here for more information about the farm. Thanks, Susan!

Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville is hosting a Father's Day Feast in their Maple Restaurant. The cost is $19.95 for adults and$9.97 for children; under 5 are free. Afterwards, hike to the waterfall known as the "Niagara of the South" (it's a lot skinnier, but still lovely!). You could also pariticipate in these classes:

10:00 AM – BEAR FACTS
1:00 PM – CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE BIRD
4:00 PM – LEAF PRINTS

The American Girl store in Alpharetta is offering a "Date with Dad" on four different dates:

June 17: 5:30 p.m.
June 21: 4:30 p.m.
August 9: 4:30 p.m.
August 12: 5:30 p.m.

You'll have a meal together, make a memory book, and bring home a photo to remember your time together. This event is for ages 6 and up. It costs $30 per person, and you'll need to make reservations by calling 1-877-247-5223.

Here's something for Dad and his sons: Autrey Mill in Johns Creek is hosting a Father's Day Father/Son Campout from 10-noon on Saturday, June 20. They'll learn the basics of camping from how to make a fire to how to pick a campsite. The class ends with a hotdog and marshmallow roast. Cost: $20 plus $5 for each additional son. Register on the website at the link above.

Do you have any great Father's Day plans? Let me know in the comments!

Monday Reviews - Booth Western Art Museum

2009-06-15T05:40:00.001-04:00

If you've never been to Cartersville, GA, you are missing the cultural capital of Northwest Georgia. I'm not trying to damn with faint praise; it's really quite amazing. From the Etowah Indian Mounds to Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum to the Booth Western Art Museum, you can explore space, geology, history, culture, and art.

The Booth Western Art Museum (called the Cowboy Museum by my boys) is an excellent value. The artwork - sculptures, paintings, movie set pieces - is accessible and interesting. Since it focuses on one general topic, you can introduce your children to concepts like impressionism, perspective, and surrealism more easily than in a larger art museum: it's easier to compare and contrast when the subjects have something in common.

After you've seen the exhibits (if your children act like, well, children, expect to be followed by a kindly but concerned museum employee*), head downstairs to Sagebrush Ranch, one of the very best children's centers I've seen in a museum. The hands-on activities will teach children the elements of art in a fun way. Even better are the opportunities for imaginative play. Kids can try on cowboy clothes, climb aboard a full-size horse (bring your camera!), make dinner in the chuck wagon, and take a rest on a rope bed.

*What? That only happens to my children??

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday - 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Admission prices: Free the 1st Thursday of each month from 4:00-7:00
Adults: $8:00
Teens: $5.00
Children 12 and under: FREE

Good to know: If the weather is nice, you can eat outside in the courtyard. The museum cafe is open 10:30-3:00 on Tuesday-Saturday. I recommend you see the art exhibits first, then head to children's center; otherwise, your kids may not want to leave Sagebrush Ranch! You can check out a Saddlebag from the front desk for fun kid activities while at the museum.

Kids Meal Deals website

2009-06-14T07:35:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I posted a list of restaurants in my area where kids eat free or cheap. Here's a website so you can search by zip code nationwide!

What's Happening - June 13-14, 2009

2009-06-12T15:03:00.003-04:00

1. Jack Black says rocking ain't no walk in the park, but in Dunwoody on Saturday night - it literally is!

Dunwoody Nature Center has a family outdoor "school of rock" concert in the park at 6:00 p.m. Here's what they have to say:

"Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for a family-friendly evening of music in the meadow. Enjoy music in the park while the kids run from creek to meadow and enjoy a stroll on our trails while music wafts through the trees.

Paul Green School of Rock Music is the nation's premier performance-based rock music program. We'll have the students perform some classics and modern rock songs appropriate for all ages!"

Admission is free for Dunwoody Nature Center members and children 3 and under; all others pay $5.00. Call 770-394-3322 for more information.

2. Riverside Park in Roswell hosts "Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival." The race starts at 9:00 a.m. at Garrard Landing (Holcomb Bridge Road) and ends at Riverside Park. With prizes like "best costume" and "best boat decoration," it would be fun to see the canoes and kayaks finish the race.

After the race from 10-2, enjoy live music, face-painting, and other fun activities. Kids should wear their swimming suits, because you'll have access to the park's new sprayground. Incidentally, that sprayground is very well-kept secret; I tried to find information on it for my splash fountain round-up to no avail! But the promotional info says you'll be able to use it.

3. What are you doing for National Fishing Week (June 6-13), hmmm? Georgia State Parks have lots of fishing rodeos for kids this weekend. Take a class - compete to catch the most fish - do a "fishy" craft: each location has different activities. Most of these parks are an hour or two drive from the Atlanta area, but if you decide to spend the night, some locations will let you sleep in a yurt!

4. Imagine It! Children's Museum has a new exhibit starting on Saturday: Come Play in the Shade!: Exploring Trees Inside and Out. It runs from June 13-September 13, 2009. To get my take on the museum, click here.

5. You can still see the Wizard of Oz (with puppets!) at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center at 11:00 a.m.

6. On Sunday afternoon, you can go to the family summer camps at Bass Pro Shops - 12:00-6:00 p.m.

Kids Bowl Free

2009-06-12T07:52:00.002-04:00

I grew up with an obscure type of bowling called candlepin. The balls are smaller and you have three balls per frame. It's probably harder for children to knock down the pins (they are smaller, too), than those in ten-pin, but it's nice that little kids can pick up the balls by themselves!

Most likely in an effort to introduce bowling to the next generation, bowling centers around the country are offering 2 free games of bowling every day this summer. The program is called "Kids Bowl Free."

When you sign up on their website, you will receive coupons every week for your free games. You can also purchase a Family Pass for $23.95 which enables up to four named adults to play two games per day. Each center can make its own restrictions, so be sure to read the fine print carefully.

Unfortunately for us in north Atlanta, there are no locations close by. But those of you in Snellville, Marietta, Woodstock - or around the country - have at it!

Atlanta Motor Speedway - Thunder Thursdays

2009-06-11T06:40:00.000-04:00

I'm not what you'd call a NASCAR fan, though I have been to Talladega! Before I went, a man in our church who's a huge NASCAR fan told my father-in-law, "Oh, she is going to see things . . . things she's never seen before!". And he was right! But that's another story.

I've heard that the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton is family-friendly and a fun place to watch a race. Starting in the beginning of June, they have a weekly series on Thursday nights called "Thursday Thunder." It's short track racing, meaning that the races are a quarter-mile. Each week of "Thursday Thunder" has fun events in addition to the racing. This week (6/11) there will be an antique and vintage car show, autograph session, and a kids' candy and coin scramble in the infield. Some of the activities change from week to week. One that caught my attention is the "Faster Pastor" race, where local pastors compete to win the speed title. (To my Northern readers: no, I'm not kidding.)

It's a pretty cheap night and worth checking out. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children 6-11 (ages 5 and under are free) for each evening. Gates open at 6 p.m., heat races start at 6:15 p.m. and feature races start at approximately 7:50 p.m. The ticket office number is 770-946-4211.

Go Strawberry Picking!

2009-06-10T07:36:00.000-04:00

One of our family traditions is strawberry picking - we go every year, usually in May. Strawberry season can stretch from late April to July 4 in Georgia, with the best picking from May to mid June. Here's the best website for finding pick-your-own farms: it lists all kinds of produce, not just strawberries. Be sure to search both the Atlanta area and North Georgia.

Why pick strawberries? Lots of reasons! They are cheaper than store-bought (even frozen), though not amazingly so. They taste better than purchased ones. Unlike many berries, strawberries are easy to pick: they are big and have no thorns. They are especially easy for kids to pick, since they are low to the ground. Picking strawberries makes memories your children will always treasure. Finally, what tastes better than a just-picked strawberry, warmed by the sun?
.

Though there are many strawberry patches in Georgia, we go to two favorites. Washington Farms has locations in Loganville and Watkinsville (Loganville is the main one). They have lovely fields with lots of berries to pick. They are open 8:00-8:00 and closed on Sundays.

Dahlonega Vegetable Farm has an even more idyllic mountain-ringed setting. They don't have a website, but you can Mapquest the directions: 2650 Highway 19 N, Dahlonega, GA, 30533. Their phone number is (706) 867-9794.

Part of our strawberry picking tradition is strawberry shortcake for dinner (yes, dinner!) on the day we pick strawberries. We did this when I was growing up, and I still remember how shocking and fun it was!

You can also make the best jam in the world with your berries! Here's the recipe. Don't forget to freeze some: wash, pat dry, hull, and freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Transfer to freezer bags.

Good to know: I have some very important caveats about strawberry picking. 1. Always call first to be sure they have abundant berries. 2. Drought years produce better berries than rainy years. 3. Most farms only take checks or cash. 4. If you don't want to pay $1 for buckets, bring your own or at least bring tupperware to transfer your berries into for the ride home.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center Puppet Shows - Summer 2009

2009-06-08T22:43:00.002-04:00

Roswell's summer tradition of puppet shows begins June 8! Every week through July 25, you and your children can see a different puppet show at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Show times are 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday, Fridays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday.

After the show, stick around for puppet-making workshops Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. only. The cost for children ages 2-12 is $4, $5 for adults and $3 for the workshop, ages 5 and over only.

Here's the list of shows:

The Wizard of Oz presented by Frisch Marionette Company June 8-13
Randel McGee and Groark presented by McGee Productions June 15-20
Pinocchio presented by Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy” June 22-27
The Frog Prince presented by Bob Brown Puppets June 29-July 4
The Box? A Show of Feelings presented by Coad Canada Puppets July 6-11
The Legend of the Banana Kid presented by Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers July 13-18
Everybody Loves Pirates presented by Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers July 20-25

The puppet shows are very creative, with unusually constructed puppets and twists on familiar stories. Often, the puppeteers will pull the curtain at the end of the show to show the children how the puppet show works. Seating is general admission , so arrive early to sit up front. I've never had a problem buying tickets at the door.

Good to know: Just like any children's theater experience, these shows are loud! Children are talking, laughing, and sometimes crying. Older children may be frustrated trying to hear. All in all, though, it's a good way for children to be introduced to the theater without spending $25 on a show at the Fox that may be wasted on them.

Free Admission to Imagine It! - Tuesday, June 9, 2009

2009-06-08T22:35:00.003-04:00

On the second Tuesday of each month this summer (June, July, and August), Target sponsors free admission at the museum from 1:00-8:00 p.m. This is a great savings, because the usual admission price is $11 each! 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 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.

What's Happening: June 6-7, 2009

2009-06-06T14:31:00.002-04:00

Summer weekends don't usually lack for things to do: trips to the pool, boat rides on the lake, birthday parties and cookout abound. But if you are looking for some family fun, check out these ideas!

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is highlighting its temporary (and very cool) dinosaur exhibit with 90 Days of Dinosaurs, which began in late May. Every day will have a dinosaur activity. Kids can collect dinosaur coins for participating in activities to keep or bring back to the Dinosaur Birthday Bash on August 22; the coins will enter them into drawings for prizes.

Saturday's activity is a dinosaur lab, and Sunday's is a "Bag of Bones" counting contest. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for kids 3-12, and free for those 2 and under.

Georgia Aquarium is celebrating World Ocean Day with storytelling, arts and crafts, and activities throughout the aquarium. The events will continue through Monday (from June 6-8), which is actually World Ocean Day.

Admission is $26 for adults, $19.50 for kids 3-12, and free for kids under 2.

Bass Pro Shops has their Family Summer Camp from 12-6 on Saturday and Sunday. It's free!

If you'd rather be outside, check out Virginia-Highland Summerfest, which is supposed to be lots of fun. There's a music stage, artist fair, food, and Kidsfest. The festival runs from 10:00-6:30 on Saturday and 11:00-6:00 on Sunday.

Admission is free, but they take donations.

Bass Family Summer Camp

2009-06-04T22:20:00.004-04:00

Here's something fun - and free! - to do on summer weekends! Bass Pro Shops has free family summer camps from May 30 - July 5 on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-6:00 p.m. The closest one to Atlanta is in Lawrenceville on Sugarloaf Parkway.
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Here's what the website says:

"Every Saturday and Sunday stores will be offering FREE craft activities for the kids including decorating a fishing bobber, making key chains, designing their own birdhouse, creating plaster animal tracks and painting a souvenir wooden lure for Dad.

The whole family will enjoy FREE outdoor workshops about hiking, camping and fishing basics. Other workshops include bird watching, archery, animal identification, plants & insects, and even how to make campfire S’mores. Kids will earn a FREE collectable pin for every workshop completed."

Check out the summer camp link to find Bass Pro Shops' kids' website, which has games, puzzles, animal facts, and other fun stuff.

Thanks, Debbie!

Summer Reading Programs for Kids

2009-06-03T07:19:00.010-04:00

Reading is its own reward - but many companies offer an incentive to make summer reading all the more fun for your children. Educators say regular reading is the most important thing you can encourage to keep your kids' minds sharp. Even better, you can instill a life-long love of reading - and what's better than reading on the beach, in a hammock, or by the pool?

If you are interested in wonky, research side of children's reading, here's a great overview. Basically, study after study shows children from all backgrounds score higher on tests and show comprehension and vocabulary gains if they read 5-6 books during the summer. And you don't need to fill up your Amazon cart to reap the benefits: use of public libraries strongly correlates to school success and reading proficiency.

Libraries

Most libraries have reading programs in the summer. Kids set a goal, track the number of books they read, and sometimes get a prize at the end. Libraries often have fun events for kids to supplement the reading programs. For example, Forsyth County's theme is "Be Creative @ Your Library." They have storytellers, puppeteers, and musicians scheduled to come, as well as special events for middle-schoolers and teens.

Click here to find links to Atlanta -area libraries.

Online Programs

Scholastic has an online program for kids ages 7-12 with quizzes, games, prizes, and competitions. Children are on teams, and the winning team at the end of the summer will get to choose which charity will recieve a donation from scholastic. Kids can earn extra points by taking quizzes and playing games, and they can enter to win books weekly.

There's a separate tracking program for families with children ages 0-7.

Don't miss the links for parents - they have great ideas about raising a reader, books kids love, parent/child book clubs, and more.

Sylvan's online program is a free motivational tool for kids in grades K-8. They can track their reading, take quizzes, and earn points and prizes.

Reading is Fundamental has a challenge that runs from April 1 -June 30. Kids log reading minutes and have the opportunity to win a trip to Disney World and other prizes.

Bookstore-based Programs

Barnes and Noble gives kids a free book once they have read eight books (they don't have to be purchased at B&N) and written about them in a reading journal. You can download the paperwork at the link, or you can go to Barnes and Noble to pick up a packet. The program runs from May 26 - September 7, 2009.

Borders/Waldenbooks has a program called Kids Reading Challenge! at their stores. Download the worksheet, track at least eight books, and bring the worksheet to Borders for a 50% off coupon. Dates for the program are May 26 - August 31, 2009.

Half Price Books isn't in Georgia, but I wish it were! With their Feed Your Brain promotion, kids age 12 and under can earn $3 gift cards for each week they read for 15 minutes per day. Dates are June 1 - July 31, 2007.

Other Incentives

Chuck E. Cheese has incentive calendars on their website, and one of them is a reading tracker. Once kids fill up the two-week calendar, they can bring it to Chuck E. Cheese for 10 free tokens. Incidentally, there are lots of other tracker calendars, including ones to help with thumb-sucking, pottytraining, manners, and homework!

Hebuddy is offering a free t-shirt when kids read 10 books this summer. Just track the books on the downloadable list, and mail it by August 9, 2009. In 2-3 weeks, your child receives a free t-shirt!

Many banks offer reading incentives; check with your local branch!

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Did I miss any programs that you know about? Please let me know in the comments!

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free or Cheap

2009-05-28T21:44:00.006-04:00

My friend Beth passed this list on to me - it's great! I love that it's organized by day of the week. I'll add to it as I get more locations; new additions will be bolded. You may want to call to check first to make sure the policies haven't changed.

Update (10/7/09): I've added a few more restaurants that I've heard about through word of mouth. Keep them coming!

Update (6/14/09): This list is concentrated in Cumming, Alpharetta, and Suwanee. To search other zip codes nationwide, click here!

Please let me know in the comments if you have any restaurants to add to this list!

Sunday
Zaxby’s (all locations) gives a 10% discount when you bring in your church bulletin
El Rey Mexican Restaurant (Suwanee) – kids each free one per adult
Mama Fu’s Noodle House (Suwanee) - kids eat free

Monday
Firkin and Crown - 10 and under kids eat free with purchase of adult entree

Tuesday
Beef O' Brady's (all locations) - Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée 4-8 pm
Chick-Fil-A (exit 13) - Kids eat free with a purchased combo meal from 4-8
Chick-Fil-A (the Avenues) Kids eat free
Roadhouse (Alpharetta) - kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée
US Border (Alpharetta) - kids eat free
Tony’s Sports Bar and Grill (Suwanee) – free kids buffet (other nights kids are just 99 cents)
Texas Roadhouse (Gainesville) - 99 cent kids meals

Wednesday
Zaxbys (All locations) – Kids meals are 99 cents with the purchase of an adult entrée after 5 pm
Moe’s (Exit 13 Bethelview and also exit 17)– 2 free kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal
Fajita's (2595 Freedom Pkwy) – kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée

Thursday
Cedar Creek Grill (Suwanee) – free kids meal
Tony’s Sports Bar and Grill (Suwanee) – free kids buffet (other nights kids are just 99 cents)

Every Day
Atlanta Bread Co (all locations) one child eats free per one adult from 4 - 9 p.m. from the kid's menu
IHOP (All locations) - Kids eat free off the kid’s menu with the purchase of an adult entree over $5 from 4-9 pm
Mad Italian Restaurant (Alpharetta) kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal
Ryans (Dawsonviile) Mon-Sat – Kids meal is $1.99 with the purchase of an adult meal. Also, go here to print a coupon for buy one, get one free buffet: a family of four will eat for about $14!

Weekends
Steak and Shake – Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée over $8.

Farmhouse in the City

2009-05-26T08:10:00.006-04:00

Update: Farmhouse in the City has tons of activities during the summer, too! On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, they have playgroups for preschoolers at 10:30 for $8. Your child can experience dress-up, crafts, storytime, and pottery. On Wednesday afternoons, school-age children can take a creative canvas class. Click here for the calendar.

I don't know how many people remember Holy Cow Farm, a funky little farm/art location in Alpharetta. It wasn't open that long, and the last time we went the owner said they might have to move locations, but it was very sweet and fun for kids. Well, apparently it's been reinvented as "Farmhouse in the City." It's still in Alpharetta, and they still have animals and art events, but they are located in a cottage downtown now instead of a farm.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, they have Mommy and Me classes for preschoolers called "Little Pig-Casso." The children can do an art project, meet an animal, and hear an animal story. If the weather is nice, you can play outside in the garden afterwards. The classes are 10:30-12:00 and cost $10 for the first child and $5 for siblings. No reservations are required.

They also offer after-school classes for school-aged children, birthday parties, art camps, and "Girls' Night Out" painting parties for adults.

Good to know: Their website is a bit confusing to navigate, but you can email specific questions to Robin at robin@holycowfarm.com. She's very good about returning emails. It looks like this week (May 26-29) may be the last Mommy and Me class for the summer, but it would be a good week to go since the weather looks bad!

Georgia Aquarium - Mommy and Me

2009-05-18T09:04:00.002-04:00

Do you have preschool children whose school has ended for the year, but your school-aged children are still in class? Then hurry - Georgia Aquarium has brought back Mommy and Me!

For $25, you get admission for you and up to four children, age 5 and under. Parking is also included. This is a huge savings, because tickets are usually $26.00 for adults, $19.50 for children 3 and above, and parking is $10 more.

This program only lasts until Friday, May 22 - so take advantage soon! I'm hoping the Aquarium will run it again this fall, because they had it available various times this year.

Thanks, Debbie!

Free Summer Movies

2009-05-13T08:16:00.004-04:00

When it's really hot outside this summer and you don't feel like schlepping to the pool AGAIN, take the kids to a free (or cheap) movie! Many movie theaters nationwide show second run movies for free in the summer on select days.

Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival - On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. beginning in June, Regal Cinemas shows G and PG movies for free. Buy tickets at the theater. Click on the link to search for locations near you and see what's showing. Here's an example of the shows at my local theater (I'm not sure why the dates are a three day range).

06/02/2009-06/04/2009
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)
06/09/2009-06/11/2009
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
06/16/2009-06/18/2009
Charlotte's Web (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
06/23/2009-06/25/2009
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
06/30/2009-07/02/2009
Space Chimps (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
07/07/2009-07/09/2009
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
07/14/2009-07/16/2009
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Nim's Island (PG)
07/21/2009-07/23/2009
Everyone's Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
07/28/2009-07/30/2009
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)

AMC Theaters Summer Movie Camp - AMC's movies cost $1.00, but the proceeds benefit children's charities. Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. from mid-June through early August, AMC will show family movies. The "kid pack" is discounted to $3.00 as well and includes kid-sized popcorn, drink, and snack. Here's this summer's schedule:

June 17:
Space Chimps
June 24:
Kung Fu Panda
July 1:
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 8:
Tale of Despereaux
July 15:
Horton Hears a Who
July 22:
The Spiderwick Chronicles
July 29:
Nim's Island
August 5:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

MNM Theaters - This Georgia chain has locations in Cumming (Movies 400), Hiram and Atlanta. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., they show G and PG movies for free. They also offer $1.00 popcorn and $1.00 drinks. If you bring a can of food for a food bank, your popcorn is free! Here's the schedule:

5/26 & 28
Space Chimps
6/2 & 4
Nim's Island
6/9 & 11
Chipmunks
6/16 & 18
Igor
6/23 & 25
Kung Fu Panda
6/30 & 7/2
Madagascar 2
7/7 & 9
Hotel for Dogs
7/14 & 16
Bee Movie
7/21 & 23
Despereaux
7/28 & 30
Veggie Tales
8/4 & 6
Horton Hears a Who

Good to know: These showings fill up fast, so get there early to avoid sitting in the front row. Also, don't expect a quiet theater: the theater will be filled with loud, laughing, crying, talking kids. The good news is that you can bring any age of children and they won't disturb anyone!

Monday Reviews - Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum

2009-05-11T08:26:00.003-04:00

"Explore the Earth - Search the Stars!"

The Tellus Musuem in Cartersville is brand new - it just opened in January 2009. It used to be a small geology museum, but now there is much, much more. They've done a good job of making it interactive and educational.

One of the galleries includes life-size dinosaur and other prehistoric animal skeletons (man-made). The transportation gallery has a steam-powered locomotive, an astronaut spacesuit, helicopter, and jet cockpit. In the mineral gallery, kids can learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, and precious gems. The Big Backyard is a kids' play/hands-on learning area.

Tellus has a fantastic digital planetarium with incredibly vivid presentation. Their space observatory hosts special star-gazing events. Finally, don't miss the gem-panning and the archeaological dig area. My boys and their friends uncovered dinosaur "bones" for at least an hour and were thrilled to take home a real fossil!

The museum is open seven days a week, from 10:00-5:00. Here's the cost breakdown:

Adults - $12

Children (3 - 17) - $8

Student with ID - $8

Active Military with ID - Free

Seniors (65+) - $10

The planetarium costs $3.00 extra, but I highly recommend it!

Good to know: Tellus is easy to get to off I-75. There's not much around it, but a few exits away you'll find plenty of restaurants. It has a small, very basic cafeteria - you can run out to the car to bring in your lunch when you're hungry.

Tellus participates in the ASTC Passport Program, so if you buy a membership, you will have access to science museums across the country when you travel.

Mother's Day Events - 5/8/09-5/10/09

2009-05-08T07:32:00.003-04:00

Time shared with Mom would be more memorable than a last-minute gift! Fortunately, there are lots of events going on this weekend to honor her.

Don't forget the free craft classes going on all week at Michael's!

Friday, May 8

Autrey Mill is hosting a mother/daughter tea today at 4:00 p.m in their summer house. You should call to make reservations. Enjoy tea, sandwiches, and desserts, and make a tussy-mussy (Victorian flower decoration). The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members; additional siblings or grandmas are $8.

Souper Jenny, a restaurant in Buckhead, has been celebrating Mom all week. Here are today's activities:

* Raffle for VIP Car Delivery Service: You can call in your order, no matter how small, and we

will bring it to your car!

* Homemade chocolates for Mom

* Free 5 minute "Massage for Mom" with Wendy

* Make your own Mother's Day cards on the patio

* We continue to create our Mommy Memorial Garden

Saturday, May 9

Zoo Atlanta's Nightcrawler for the month has a special mother and child theme. In the Nightcrawler program, parents and children stay overnight at the zoo, learn about the animals, have a scavenger hunt in the reptile house, and visit the zoo the next day. It's for ages 6 and up and starts at 6:00 p.m.

Make a Mother's Day craft at Autrey Mill between 10-1. The cost is $5, and it's appropriate for ages 4 and up. This is a drop-off activity, but littler ones may need a parent to stay and help. It will take an hour to complete the project.

Various Borders bookstores are celebrating a Mother's Day party at 1:00 p.m. Crafts, books, and songs will show Mom how special she is. This program is aimed at kids from 1-10. Call your local Border's to make sure they are having this activity.

Souper Jenny in Buckhead hosts Mamapalooza!

*Local retailers set up shop right out front so you can eat and shop for those last minute

Mother's Day gifts!

*Free cupcake decorating!

*Make your own Mother's Day cards and help create the Mommy Memorial Garden.

At the Georgia Renaissance Festival, the first 100 moms through the gate receive flowers.

Boling Park in Canton celebrates Mother's Day with an Indian Festival and Mother's Day Pow-Wow. There's an Indian Festival at the Cumming Fairgrounds this weekend, too, but with no Mother's Day theme. The cost is $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children, and free for children 5 and under. It runs from 11:00-9:00 on Saturday and 11:00-7:00 on Sunday.

Sunday, May 10

Imagine It! in Atlanta has "Marigolds for Mommy" at 1:00 p.m. Hear a story about mommies, then decorate a flower pot and plant marigolds for Mom.

Take Mom to see some masterpieces at the High Museum - admission is half-price on Mother's Day!

Here's an article for the best Mother's Day brunches in Atlanta. Access Atlanta has reader and staff recommendations as well.

Monday Reviews - Yellow River Game Ranch

2009-05-04T08:35:00.002-04:00

The Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, GA is a rustic wildlife ranch. Walk along the mile-long trail and encounter hundreds of animals - mostly forest and farm animals. You can feed many of them, t00: everything from the typical farm animals like goats and sheep to deer! Feeding deer from your hand is unforgettable.

Other animals you will see are black bears, a mountain lion, owls, foxes, buffalo, donkeys, and pigs. I have great pictures from our multiple trips to the ranch, so don't forget your camera.

Check the calendar for all the fun events; there is something going on almost every month of the year. You can see Georgia's own groundhog, General Beauregard Lee, all year - but you may want to visit him on Groundhog Day to find out how long winter will last. Spring time brings baby animals, and May 23, 2009, will be sheep shearing day.

The Ranch is definitely rustic. The habitats range from completely natural to large cages, which are not as aesthetically pleasing. You'll hear the donkeys braying wherever you are - it's hilarious!

Yellow River Game Ranch is open every day except major holidays. Under 2 is free; 2-11 costs $7.00; and 12 and up costs $8.00. There is a coupon in the Entertainment Book. The hours are 10-5 M-F and 9:30-6:00 Sa/Su. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing.

Good to know: You can bring a lunch to eat on picnic tables, but you would probably want to wash your hands with more than hand sanitizer before eating. Close to the entrance is a Sonic, which is great for a cold drink after a long hot visit with the animals. You'll walk through a very tempting gift store to enter and exit the Ranch. You can bring food to feed the animals, but YRGR also sells it very affordably. Carrots, saltine crackers, and peanuts are best.

Free Mother's Day Classes at Michael's

2009-05-03T14:07:00.004-04:00

From now until Mother's Day, your children can make a gift for Mom at Michael's Arts and Crafts - and it's free!

The weekend classes start at 1:00, and the weeknight ones start at 6:00. Some classes require a purchase such as a t-shirt or frame, but most are completely free. If you ARE Mom, your kids can make a project for Grandma.

Friday, May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T10:07:00.002-04:00

Visit Frontier Days at Stone Mountain Park this weekend (April 30 - May 3)! There are lots of pre-Revolutionary War, pioneer, and Civil War demonstrations, from weapons to cooking to medicine to cavalry. This event takes place at the Antebellum Plantation.

The programs run from 9:00-2:00 each day. The cost is $10 per person, and you can add on more attractions (such as the scenic railway) for a small fee. See the link above for more details.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

2009-04-29T07:59:00.005-04:00

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.

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.

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.

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

2009-04-25T08:37:00.002-04:00

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