Wednesday, April 29, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, April 25, 2009

It's fair and festival season!

Yaraab Shrine Circus and Carnival in Marietta

Kids Helping Kids Carnival in Johns Creek

Inman Park Festival in Atlanta

Friday, April 24, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, April 23, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

April 22, 2009

Atlanta Botanical Garden

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

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

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

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

April 21, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, April 20, 2009

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

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