Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in atlanta, GA

A-Z of Atlanta: K & L

April 27, 2009

I'm sorry I've been a bit absent lately. I've had some other things that needed taking care of. But I'm back now with more things to do in and around our fair City!

So, to jump back into things, we're continuing on with our A-Z tour of the Atlanta area.  This week, brought to you by the letters "K" and "L."

K is for:

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is one of our family's favorite places to visit on the weekend. There are walking trails that bring you to the top of the mountain. The climb is not too bad, but slightly steep in some areas. Both our boys can climb it, but they go slowly. If walking up the trails isn't your thing, you can either walk up the road or drive up. On weekends there is no driving up the mountain, but you can take the bus for a small fee. The visitors center has cannons and large fields. The walk up the mountain you can see some of the fortifications that were built and at the top of the mountain, there are more cannons.  The view is beautiful and on a clear day you can see Stone Mountain.

And while you're up at Kennesaw Mountain, check out the city of Kennesaw . There are lots of beautiful parks and playgrounds and the Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History has a huge children's wing designed for toddlers through elementary schoolsers. The city hosts several family friendly events throughout the year including the Big Shanty Festival, Folk Tails of the Trails, Santa Claus Parade, Touch-a-Truck and many other fun, free events. It's no wonder Kennesaw has been named one ofFamily Circle's 10 Best Towns for Families two years running.

L is for:

With summer approaching us quickly here in Hotlanta, we'll be looking for ways to keep cool! Lake Lanier Islands has plenty of ways to help us stay cool.  Chattahoochee Rapids and Waterpark is home to Wild Waves, Georgias largest wave pool, water slides, The Kiddie Lagoon and Wiggle Waves are perfect for toddlers and relaxing is easy on the half-mile of sandy white beach.

Lakewood Antiques Market is a fun way to entertain the kids as well. You can give them a few dollars and help them find a treasure among the stalls of collectables at this monthly market. If they have toothfairy money or allowance to spend, this is a great place to go for a change of pace. They'll be sure to find some different and unique treasures not sold at the local dollar store!
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Weekend Round UP March 25-29 2009

March 26, 2009

 There are lots of Easter events this and next weekend.  I've noticed lots of the churches in our area have signs up with the date and time of their Easter Egg Hunts -- I'm sure there are lots in your areas too!

Here are a few events that are this weekend --

Eggstraordinary Beauty - Oakhurst Garden, Decatur. Decorate hollow eggs for Easter.  March 28, 1-3 p.m. $15 Garden members, $20 non-members. (fee includes $5 material fee)

Children's Easter Egg Hunt - North Park Softball Fields, Alpharetta  Children ages 10 and under. March 29th. The hunt begins promptly at 3pm - so don't be late!  The Easter Bunny will be available for complimentary photos with children.  Thousands of eggs and candy will be hidden.  This event is co-sponsored by the Alpharetta Golden Age Club.

7th Annual Alpharetta Children's Festival - Alpharetta Community Center Event Lawn.  March 28 10:00 - 3:00 Activities include safety tips from local public safety personnel, interactive arts enrichment activities, vendors, and refreshments.  Admission and parking are free.

On Going/Weekly Events

High Museum of Art : Toddler Thursdays. 11:00 a. m. - 3:00 p. m.

March 26th Music, Music, Music! Instruments from the Civil War were very similar in what we have today! Come and learn some fun songs.

American Girl Boutique & Bistro: American Girl Crafts 2:00 - 4:00 pm -- Reservations are required for all events.

March 26 Bitty Bear’s Story Time Reservations required. For girls ages 3 and up. View event details

March 29 Memories with Mom Reservations required. For girls ages 6 and up. View event details

 Lakeshore Learning Store : Crafts for Kids Ages 3 and up, every Saturday 11:00 - 3:00.

March 28th Royal Crown: Make home made crowns fit for royalty!

Room to Run - Great Outdoor Places to Run Around

March 24, 2009

With the weather being so nice recently it's hard to imagine being cooped up inside!  It's a magical time of year; the weather is beautiful, yet the pollen hasn't completely taken over and attacked our sinuses and it's not too hot to be outside.

So why not take advantage and get out and run around.

Some of our favorite outside destinations when you just have to get out and run around....

1. East Cobb Park in Marietta.  I love this park.  Not only is there a fantastic playground and picnic facilities, but there is room to run, ride bikes, play soccer or football or cricket... it's fantastic.

2. Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw.  Still growing and being developed, but this park has great playgrounds for toddlers and big kids, lots of fields, walking & bike paths and plenty of open fields for flying kites!

3. Red Top Mountain in Cartersville.  Walk the trails, play on the playground and in the summer splash in the lake.  This Georgia State Park is one of our favorite weekend destinations!

4. Piedmont Park. More walking and biking trails, fishing, playgrounds and just a great place in the city to escape!

5. Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Not only is the Children's Garden amazing, but you'll have fun looking around and playing hide and seek in the Garden's other areas as well.  Just because you have kids, doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to the Children's Garden. And with an amazing new expansion due to open this spring, it's sure to be a great place to run around!

So, get out, enjoy the beautiful weather and make sure those kids get their fresh air and exercise!  Do you have a favorite?  Please share!  Read more...

Go Fly a Kite: Best Places to Fly a Kite in Atlanta

March 03, 2009

 Wow! March certainly did come in like a lion this year!  Hopefully, though, we got the rough weather behind us and it's time to move toward spring and spring time activities.

On windy spring days flying kites (or watching them) is one of my kids favorite things to do.  They like to fly them, of course, but they also like looking at the other kites and how unique and different each one is.

And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can make your own kites (I remember doing this when I was a kid).   Read more...

1, 2, 3... Count with me!

by Mimi Jenkins

February 03, 2009

" Let's Play Math " is the theme this February. We'll be exploring all things math and how to help develop your child's math skills. Today, we're starting at the beginning... with counting. And what is there to count in Atlanta? 1. The animals at the zoo ... from baby pandas to lion cubs and all the other great animals at the zoo! 2. The Olympic Rings on the fountain at  Read more...

Best Places to Play Indoors

by Mimi Jenkins

January 20, 2009

Wow! The weather outside is frightful! I'm from Michigan and very familiar with cold weather, but I seem to have acclimated very well to the mild winters and I have been freezing these past few days! Of course it doesn't help that our heater isn't the greatest so the indoor temps have rarely been above 60! Luckily, Atlanta is home to the indoor play industry and we have lots and lots of  Read more...

The Child In the Mirror

by Mimi Jenkins

January 13, 2009

"Twist me and turn me and show me an elf, I looked in the water and saw.... Myself" from Brownie Girl Scout's Initiation pledge. When I first read the theme for today's national list topic, this was the first thing that came to mind. I can remember so clearly my Brownie initiation and how exciting it was. I felt so grown up! Anyway, I digress... Kids love looking at  Read more...

Let's Use Our Imagination! Places that Inspire Imagination

by Mimi Jenkins

October 14, 2008

I am always amazed at how rich my boys' imaginations are. Seriously, I don't know where they come up with it. My husband is great at inspiring them as well. Perhaps it's because he's a child at heart... I don't know. I seem to have a harder time kick-starting my imagination. But I love playing with them and I find the more I do play with them, the easier it is to use my imagination.  Read more...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Planes

by Mimi Jenkins

October 02, 2008

I've done enough travelling with my boys to know that it's not always fun and, with current airline restrictions, can be a bit stressful. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy going to airports to find fun things to do with your kids. I know my kids love all things that "go" and every time we fly they love looking out at all the planes, people working on the ground, the baggage  Read more...

It Takes Two, or More... Fun Things to do With a Friend

by Mimi Jenkins

September 23, 2008

Today is List Day and the topic is fun things to do with friends. I know we all need some alone time, but doing things with a friend is always so much more fun. 1. Take a Class . There are so many classes offered in Atlanta and surrounds. Almost every place I've been has some sort of class or activity for preschoolers. Not sure where to start? How about your local parks and recreation  Read more...

Five Best Ways to Enjoy Piedmont Park

by Mimi Jenkins

September 17, 2008

The boys and I got to our local neighborhood playground today for the first time in months. The weather was so nice and fresh -- it's on reason I love the fall in Georgia... warm enough to be outside, not too hot to be outside. Piedmont Park is one of the largest open green spaces in the city of Atlanta. There are lots of things to do for all age groups. Living out in the suburbs,  Read more...

Friday Family Fun Night: Little League at the Local Parks and Recreation

by Mimi Jenkins

September 12, 2008

Josh is playing coach-pitch baseball this year. He normally has practice on Tuesdays, but thanks to the thunderstorm here that night, practice was rescheduled for tonight. That means we're going to watch Josh's practice for FFFN this week. He just plays for our neighborhood league so there aren't many kids and there isn't really a lot of pressure. Last spring for one FFFN we went down to one  Read more...

Playgrounds: The Atlanta Preschoolers Social Hot Spot. Five best playgrounds in Atlanta

by Mimi Jenkins

September 09, 2008

When you're a new stay at home mom (or dad) or just trying to get out and let your kids have some social interaction with other kids trying to find the right fit can be hard. I do belong to two local mom's groups. One is part of my HOA community and the other is a " Meet-up " group for mom's in my area. These have been pretty much a lifesaver for me and my kids in allowing us to meet  Read more...

The Return of "Friday Family Fun Night"

by Mimi Jenkins

September 05, 2008

Last spring we started what I hope will be something we can do for a long time. Well, at least until the boys are in High School. We call them "Friday Family Fun Nights." It's a great way for us to spend time together as a family at the end of a long week. We try to think of something fun to do together. My kids ages are 7 and 3. That is quite a span when you think of how to entertain them. So  Read more...

Three Days in and around Atlanta: Day Three

by Amy Davis

July 11, 2008

After two days of exploring our great city, you might be ready to escape the hustle and bustle. Luckily, Atlanta is not far from mountains, beautiful state parks, and some far-flung suburban lakes. One of our favorite get-aways just outside the city is Lake Acworth at Cauble Park. With a beach area, boat rentals, a sizable playground and picnic area, this is an easy place to spend a day  Read more...

Three Days in and around Atlanta: Day Two

by Amy Davis

July 09, 2008

So my "Day One" recommendations led you into the heart of the beast. To Tourist Central. Today, I'm offering some more laid-back views of Atlanta. Our city has some amazing in-town neighborhoods, from Sweet Auburn to Poncey-Highland, and from Grant Park to Cabbagetown. For day two of Three Days in and around Atlanta, let's explore the areas of the city where Atlantans live and work. But  Read more...

Room to Run: Five Great Spots

by Amy Davis

May 28, 2008

Sometimes your children just need to run off some energy as my oldest used to say. Lucky for us, Atlanta has plenty of options. Here are five that come to mind: 1. Piedmont Park . There is probably no other spot in the city with so much wide open space for running and playing. Walk near the water, watch the ducks, stop by the gazebo, play on the playground, climb the steps  Read more...

Five Best Ways to Enjoy Centennial Olympic Park

by Amy Davis

May 15, 2008

One of the most incredible changes to the city that we saw when returning here after a 10-year absence was the development of Centennial Olympic Park. Here are my five favorite ways to enjoy the park with the kids. What are yours? 1. When wet. The Fountain of Rings the centerpiece of the park is a great place to cool off on a hot day or to just sit and watch the water show. The  Read more...