What a Deal! Take Advantage of These Discounts
It’s summer, and kids are ready to play! Check out these free and almost-free spots where kids and families can have fun without breaking the bank.
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Summer Movies and Concerts
Take a break from expensive movie tickets! Check out Atlanta Parent’s list of Summer Movie Specials. You’ll find deals at Aurora Cineplex, Movie Tavern and more. Enjoy a movie under the stars – find a complete list in our guide to Outdoor Movies. Pack a blanket and snacks and enjoy music; find a complete list of Outdoor Concerts Around Atlanta.
Bowling
Kids ages 2-15 can bowl two free games per day with Kids Bowl Free. Find participating centers and available days at kidsbowlfree.com.
Roller Skating
Get free skate passes through Kids Skate Free. Membership is now required to join the program and costs $4.99. After joining, receive two skating sessions per week at a participating rink. Find centers at kidsskatefree.com.
Kids’ Workshops
Register online for a free Kids Workshop session, held monthly at Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. Michaels offers free Sunday Make Breaks, and check out their Kids Club – just purchase the materials and the class is free. On STEM Saturdays at Schoolbox, kids can make and take a fun project. Check with your local store for schedule and availability.
Nature Centers and Preserves
Explore, hike and play at these local nature centers, where admission is always free: Dunwoody Nature Center, Elachee Nature Science Center, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, Big Trees Forest Preserve and Morningside Nature Preserve.
Disc Golf
It’s a combination of golf and frisbee – instead of hitting a ball into a hole, players compete by throwing a disc into an elevated basket. Play for free at these courses: Perkerson Park, Brook Run, East Roswell Park, Oregon Park and more. All you need to play is a disc, which typically costs $8-$16.
Airplane Fun
Watch planes take off from the playground at the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport park, or head to the aviation-themed park near McCollum Field, Cobb County’s airport. It’s got plenty of green space for viewing planes landing and taking off.
Public Art
Take a walking tour of downtown Alpharetta to see permanent art and rotating exhibitions. Suwanee’s annual SculpTour features works of art in a walkable one-mile tour. Discover a variety of fascinating sculptures at City Green in Sandy Springs, or explore the public art on display throughout the city of Roswell. Explore the murals celebrating Black history around Atlanta, including “Dreams, Vision and Change” at Peace Plaza, near the MLK Visitors’ Center.
Museums with Free Admission
Plenty of fun museums in Atlanta are absolutely free, including Fernbank Science Center, where kids can learn about all things science, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which includes King’s boyhood home. The Marietta Fire Museum and Roswell Fire Museum showcase firefighting history with antique trucks and artifacts. Kids 16 and younger can visit the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum for free.
Museums with Free Days
Take advantage of free days and promotions at several local museums. Atlanta History Center, Tellus Museum, High Museum of Art and the Center for Civil and Human Rights offer free admission on the first full weekend of each month to Bank of America cardholders. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the Center for Civil and Human Rights is also offering free admission on June 22; reserve your spot now. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta has Family Free Days on select days; Fulton County residents receive free admission to the Center for Puppetry Arts on select Saturdays, and the High Museum of Art has free admission every second Sunday. Check out Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum on their free days.
Georgia Library Pass
With the Georgia Library Pass program, check out free passes at your local library (most are good for a seven days). You can get free admission to Zoo Atlanta for up to three people, and free museum admission for four at the Center for Puppetry Arts. With a Georgia ParkPass, get free admission and parking for four at Georgia State Parks. The Go Fish Education Center in Perry offers free passes for four visitors, and the Georgia Aquarium offers discounted admission with a library pass.
75+ Playgrounds We Love
Swing, slide, climb, spin and explore! Playgrounds are the perfect (free!) destination for entertaining your kids. Whether it’s your neighborhood favorite or a trek across town, playgrounds let kids roam free and explore. Read our list of 75+ Playgrounds in the Metro Atlanta Area.