Best 250+ Family Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta (2021)

Centennial Olympic Park | exploregeorgia.org

Poole’s Mill Park PlaygroundWhether you’re visiting Atlanta or you’re an Atlanta native, there are so many things to do with kids in Atlanta. From top museums to the best thrill-seeker attractions, from quirky spots to the best restaurants for kids, we have tons of ideas to keep kids and you happy.

Metro Atlanta attractions are operating under different conditions or offering alternative at-home programs to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Please check websites for new operating rules and procedures.

Table of Contents

The Best of Atlanta

25+ Top May Events – The best activities, festivals and things to do in May.
Top 10 Best Attractions in Atlanta – Our city has so much to offer – these must-see attractions are favorites of locals and tourists.
Where to Pick Strawberries – These farms have strawberries to pick and purchase (call or check websites for availability).
75+ Playgrounds and Parks – Kids will love burning off some energy at these outdoor playgrounds in metro Atlanta.
Best Museums for Families in Atlanta – These museums take an in-depth look at everything from history, puppetry, modern and ancient art, human rights, and more.
Baby and Toddler Activities Around Atlanta – Special events and attractions that young children fun and educational concepts.
60+ Free and Fun Things to Do in Atlanta – Enjoy the best of Atlanta without breaking the bank.

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Summer Fun

Best Splash Pads and Water Parks – Keep your cool at these great water parks, pools and splash pads.
Free Summer Concerts – Grab your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy an outdoor summer show.
Guide to Outdoor Movies in Atlanta – Summer is the best time to enjoy a movie outdoors!
Best Zip Line Adventures in and Around Atlanta – Zip through the trees and enjoy a bird’s eye view of woodlands, lakes and rivers.
20+ Best Beaches Near Atlanta – Whether it’s a weekend getaway or vacation destination, these beaches have sun, sand and fun.
Atlanta Summer Festivals 2021 – Explore artists’ markets, great food, entertainment and more at these festivals.
Guide to Tubing With Kids – The best places around Atlanta for a river tubing adventure.

Experience the Outdoors

Best Kid-Friendly Nature Centers – Explore nature and local wildlife while enjoying the outdoors at these nature centers.
Eye-Catching Public Art Around Atlanta – Where to see inspiring outdoor sculptures, art installations and sculptures.
Scavenger Hunts in Alanta – Explore the city by searching for clues and solving puzzles.
Best Picnic Spots Around Atlanta – Pack a lunch or snacks and enjoy these scenic views around Atlanta.
Atlanta A-Bloom: Best Gardens Around Atlanta – Whatever the season, these beautiful gardens put on a show.
Biking With Kids Around Atlanta – Check out our favorite local trails for biking with kids – and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

Year-Round Favorites

Best Mini Golf Courses Around Atlanta – Play a few holes at these themed indoor and outdoor courses.
Roller Skating Rinks Around Atlanta – Seasoned skaters and not-so-steady beginners will love these local rinks.
Best Jump and Trampoline Places in Atlanta – Grab your socks and get your bounce on at these indoor play places.
Top Indoor Play Spaces – Indoor playgrounds, interactive experiences, art, and more are a great way to spend an afternoon.
Guide to Dollar Movie Theaters in Atlanta – These theaters offer a chance to see recent or current movies without the expensive prices.
Best Mall Play Places – Nothing beats mall play areas for free, energy-burning fun!
Sensory-Friendly Places to Play – These special events and activities are designed for kids with autism or sensory processing disorders.
Indoor Water Parks and Pools – Kids and families can splash all year long at these indoor pools and parks.

Poole’s Mill Park Playground

Great Places to Play: Playgrounds and Parks

13 Top Playgrounds – These outstanding playgrounds are worth the drive!
75+ Playgrounds and Parks – Kids will love burning off some energy at these outdoor playgrounds in metro Atlanta.
Best Accessible Playgrounds – Play areas with extras like ramp access, sensory experiences and adaptive swings for kids with special needs.
Playgrounds with Something Special – From artistic structures to airplanes and cows, these playgrounds have extra-special appeal.
Best Green Spaces for Kids – These beautiful outdoor parks and green spaces are a great place to connect with nature.
Skateboard Parks – Kids can practice their board skills on the ramps, bowls and pipes of these local parks.

Animal Encounters

Best Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Petting Zoos – Get an up-close look at native and exotic animals at these zoos and wildlife parks.
Yoga With Kids and Animals – Take time to relax, recharge and meditate with the animals at these yoga sessions.
Horseback Riding Around Atlanta – Saddle up at these spots for beginners and experienced riders.

Amicalola Falls State Park

Hiking and Camping

20 Best Nature Walks and Hikes for Kids – Get outside and enjoy nature on one of these metro-area walks and hikes.
Best Family-Friendly Waterfalls to Visit in Georgia -Enjoy the outdoors with a walk or hike to one of Georgia’s many beautiful waterfalls.
Best Kid-Friendly Hikes at Georgia State Parks – These state parks have great trails for kids and families to hike.
Guide to Camping and Campgrounds in Georgia – Whether you prefer a tent, cabin or camper, these campgrounds have something for everyone.
Guide to Yurts and Glamping in Georgia – It’s camping without giving up the comforts of home! Find a great place with our list.

A Taste of Atlanta

Best Family-Friendly Farmers Markets – Shop for fresh produce, baked goods and more at these Atlanta-area markets.
Where to Pick Strawberries – These farms have strawberries to pick and purchase (call or check websites for availability).
Our Favorite Frozen Treats in Atlanta – Here’s the scoop on where to find the best ice cream, popsicles and snow cones.
The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Atlanta – Atlanta’s food scene has lots of great kid-friendly restaurants.
Kids Eat Free Restaurants in Atlanta – Eating out with the family can sometimes be pricey – here’s a list of the places where kids eat free.
Best Donuts Around Atlanta – Our favorite spots for traditional and not-so-traditional flavors.
6 Atlanta Candy Stores to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth – These stores offer nostalgic, old-fashioned candy and homemade treats.
5 Places to Grab a Bagel in Atlanta – The best places to visit for a sweet or savory bagel.
Family-Friendly Breweries – These local breweries have yard games and places for kids to play.
Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops – these local shops have menu items with plenty of kid appeal!
Cat Cafes Around Atlanta – enjoy a drink or a snack while visiting with the furry residents of these cafes.

Exploring Metro Atlanta

Best Skyline Views of Atlanta – Our favorite places to get a view of the city’s beautiful skyline.
Working Tours Around Atlanta – Take an inside look at these local businesses, restaurants and organizations.
Guide to Truist Park – There’s lots for kids to see and do in Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves.

Historical Fun

Photo Credit | Atlanta History Center

Martin Luther King Jr. Center – Visit Dr. King’s his birth home, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and Freedom Hall.
Atlanta History Center – Explore our city and state’s history from the perspective of Civil War soldiers, Native Americans, and civil rights leaders.
Center for Civil and Human Rights – Connect the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements with powerful imagery, artifacts and activities.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum – Walk into a life-scale replica of the Oval Office and more interactive exhibits displays about President Jimmy Carter.
Wren’s Nest – Tour the home of author Joel Chandler Harris, where he penned Brer Rabbit tales.

Transportation Attractions for Kids

Atlanta Streetcar – Experience downtown in a new way by riding the streetcar.
Delta Museum – Experience the rich history of Atlanta’s hometown airline and get up-close and personal with some massive airplanes.
MARTA – Avoid the hassle of driving to well-known attractions, popular events and off-the-beaten path adventures.
Southeastern Railway Museum – See about 90 items of rolling stock including historic Pullman cars, vintage buses, and classic steam locomotives.
The Southern Museum – Experience the history of railroads in the South through models and hands-on activities.

Activities for Teenagers

Escape Rooms Atlanta – Bring problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude to an outing at an escape room.
Get Spooked – Walk around old mansions, cemeteries and paranormal hot spots for spooky frights.

Action Packed Things to Do

Six Flags Over Georgia– Thrill-seekers looking to soar on roller coasters, or those looking for a more tame adventure, will love this park.
Indoor Skydiving at iFly – Thoroughly enjoy the adrenaline rush of indoor skydiving on Cobb Parkway in Atlanta.

Quirky Things to Do

Oakland Cemetery– Walks through the historic cemetery to reveal the rich history behind each gravestone.
Hunt for Tiny and Secret Doors– Go on a family scavenger hunt for the tiny and hidden doors of Atlanta.
TinyTowne Drive Safely – Kids will have a blast driving miniature cars of all shapes and sizes.
The StarLight Drive-In – Metro Atlanta’s only drive-in theater shows films on multiple screens.

Best Shopping

Ponce City Market – Browse top-notch shops including big names like JCrew and smaller stores like Rhen’s Nest Toy Shop.
IKEA at Atlantic Station – Parents love IKEA for its functional, affordable furniture, and kids love its play area (Småland) and yummy snacks.

Best Tours

CNN Center – Tour the CNN studios and the learn about the creation of live global news broadcasts.
Atlanta Movie Tours – Get the inside scoop on the film industry in Georgia.
Braves Truist Park – From the children’s area to a huge Braves symbol made of LEGOs, there is so much to do before the first pitch.
Atlanta United – Get excited with thousands of Atlantans about the new soccer team in town.
Atlanta Motor Speedway – Visit to see a NASCAR race, Thursday Thunder race or jump into the seat of a racecar in one of the driving schools.
The Fox Theatre – Stop by this landmark for a show, or take a behind-the-scenes guided tour.
Public Art Tour – Take a self-guided walking tour of Downtown Atlanta by visiting more than 100 unique works of art.

Cool Neighborhoods to Explore

Photo Credit | Laura Powell

Buckhead – This posh area of town has plenty to offer parents and kids.
Marietta Square – Historical sites and tree-filled parks blend with contemporary attractions and huge festivals.
Inman Park – Enjoy parks, treelined streets, and plenty of opportunities to eat and drink.
Grant Park – Play and eat in Grant Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most eclectic neighborhoods.
Decatur – Decatur is a hub of good food, lots of fun, and ample places to enjoy fresh air.
Brookhaven – Brookhaven is an oasis in the city with tree-lined streets, parks and lots of family-friendly activities.
Midtown Atlanta – A vibrant arts hub, families will encounter world-class shows and art displays.
Smyrna and Vinings – The Smyrna-Vinings area is a hot spot for outdoor and indoor fun, family festivals, and unique restaurants.
Acworth – Acworth provides many leisure opportunities for families, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Avondale Estates – Visit Avondale for unique food, coffee, shopping, and greenspace.
Roswell – Roswell is a fun place for families to learn, play and experience art and nature.
East Cobb – The green spaces, popular attractions, outdoor events and tasty restaurants offer plenty for families to do.
East Atlanta – Its residents, pretty much the epitome of cool, frequent the area’s funky shops and amazing restaurants.
Stone Mountain Village – Explore buildings standing since the 1800s, the Freedom Bell, the city’s original train depot and a 1914 train caboose.

More Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Metro Atlanta

5 Things to Know about Atlanta CityPASS
Atlanta CityPASS is a packaged selection of attractions at a savings, with perks to go with them.

5 Atlanta Area Parks Your Dogs and Kids Will Love
Explore an Atlanta park loved by both kids and dogs!

8 Top-Notch Children’s Theaters in Atlanta
These metro Atlanta theater companies have developed colorful and engaging series for the entire family.

Photo Credit | Treehouse Kid and Craft

Best Local Kids Toy Stores
Find unique, specialty or just super cool gifts at one of Atlanta’s mom and pop shops.

Top Kids’ Bookstores in Atlanta
Atlanta has all kinds of bookstores from small, local shops and specialty stores to giant national chains.

Best 250+ Family Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta 2021