Candytopia Atlanta
2021-06-11 - 2023-01-01 | Buckhead Disco Kroger, 3330 Piedmont Rd. NE, Buckhead
Candytopia transports guests to an imaginative fantasyland with an immersive experience featuring art installations, sensory experiences and candy samples. $28; ages 4-12, $20; ages 3 and younger, free.

Review from May 2019:
Entering Candytopia is dramatic – a bit like the moment when Willy Wonka opens the doors to his famous chocolate factory. Candy is free for the taking, and a vision of kids on sugar highs might be the first thing that comes to your mind. However, this candy-themed adventure offers visitors much more than samples. My husband Scott and I took our three kids, Julie, 13, Johnny, 9 and Josie, 4, to Candytopia on a recent Sunday afternoon.
Once the large double doors opened, you are led into a room filled with elaborate sculptures made from candy of all kinds. There’s a fox made from 13,000 pieces of candy corn, and a dragon sculpted with thousands of red and pink gummies. The highlight of the first room, however, is a large clock that lowers from the ceiling filled with chocolates – which are up for grabs.
After stopping in the first room, guides urged us to tour the rest of Candytopia at our leisure. Each colorful and candy-themed room offers opportunities for play and also free candy for the taking. There are swings, see-saws, playhouses and a neon mirror maze. One room is filled with candy-sculpted portraits of iconic celebrities, characters or scenes, such as Steve Jobs, Mona Lisa, Willy Wonka and Madonna. The tour is one-way and you can’t return to previously visited areas, so make sure everyone in your group is ready before moving on.

Our favorite rooms, hands-down, were the confetti room and the marshmallow room. With rainbow confetti spouting everywhere, the confetti room is a fun surprise. The kids and I reclined on a large spinning circle while confetti rained on us. Thanks to the Candytopia app, we snapped some fun overhead photos. The marshmallow room is all about being a kid. Think huge ball pit but with foam marshmallows. We jumped in the marshmallow pit and threw marshmallows at each other.
Our whole family found Candytopia an enjoyable – and sweet – way to spend the afternoon. The exhibit is fun for all ages, but older kids who are into selfies and social media will especially enjoy the many photo opportunities. Your tour will end at the gift shop, so be prepared to make a purchase or two. Download the Candytopia app before you go for added “augmented reality” photo and video experiences.
– Kristy MacKaben

Dino Safari
2021-11-19 - 2023-09-04 | North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Cir., Alpharetta
Dino Safari: A Prehistoric Adventure
Attention, budding paleontologists and dinosaur lovers: Dino Safari is for you! Located at North Point Mall, the walk-through adventure is both educational and fun. You’ll visit the various areas of Pangea to see about 30 dinosaurs. My 8-year-old loved reading the signs and learning about the various species, locations, and time periods of the “Age of the Dinosaurs.” The signs hold a lot of information but are presented and written in a kid-friendly way.
The lighting of the exhibit, as well as the sounds and movement of the dinosaurs, give the experience a realistic feel, especially for preschool-aged children. We saw younger kids having fun as they explored the hands-on experiences like digging for fossils, sliding down a dino tail, and playing games in the “fun zone” at the end of the exhibit.
Know Before You Go:
Once inside the exhibit, guests can stay as long as they like, but plan on spending about an hour at Dino Safari. The exhibit is on the upper level of North Point Mall. A timed ticketing system keeps each area from becoming too crowded, so families can get up close and personal with their favorite dinosaurs.
– Tali Benjamin
The Details
Dino Safari: A Walk-Thru Adventure
North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, dinosafari.com
Hours: Wed.-Thurs, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. 8 p.m.; Sun. noon-7 p.m.
Tickets: $13+; ages 2 and younger, free.

Hidden Secrets Mysterious World of Caves
2021-12-04 - 2022-10-30 | Tellus Science Museum, 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville
Explore the mysterious subterranean world of caves with a cave reconstructions, and search for cave critters in the scavenger hunt. Advance ticket purchase encouraged. $17; ages 3-17, $13; ages 2 and younger, free.

Virtual: Sit-In
2022-01-08 - 2023-05-31
Presented by the Alliance Theatre, this animated short celebrates the power of youth to change history as three friends learn about the sit-ins of the Civil Rights era. $5.

Dinosaur Explore at Stone Mountain Park
2022-03-12 - 2023-01-01 | Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain
See life-size dinosaurs –including the T-Rex, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus and more – who move and roar just like their ancient ancestors, and enjoy paleontology tents, a feeding wall and more. Advance reservations recommended: $34.95; ages 3-11, $29.95; ages 2 and younger, free; parking, $20.

Full Circle: Design Without End
2022-03-17 - 2022-09-25 | Museum of Design Atlanta, 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta
This exhibition explores a wide range of sustainable projects from large-scale architecture to everyday products. Reservation required. $10.

Indigo Prayers: A Creation Story
2022-03-19 - 2022-09-11 | Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 South Kilgo Cir. NE, Atlanta
See a series of paintings led by local Atlanta artist, Charmaine Minniefield, inspired by her time in the Gambia, West Africa searching for her grandmother’s ancestral lines. $8; ages 6-17, $6; ages 5 and younger, free.

Superhero Materials
2022-03-26 - 2023-02-26 | Tellus Science Museum, 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville
Explore the amazing substances scientists have created in order to design phones, cars and more. $17; ages 3-17, $13; ages 2 and younger, free.

Habitat
2022-04-02 - 2022-08-28 | Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta
Learn more about the science behind habitats, plants, animals and humans in this outdoor exhibit with examples of habitats and biomes from around the world. $24.95; ages 3-12, $22.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Cyclorama: The Big Picture
2022-05-01 - 2024-05-01 | Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA
Cyclorama: The Big Picture at Atlanta History Center is a newly-restored painting that is longer than a football field and weighs 10,000 pounds! Enhanced with video, artifacts and historical facts, this multimedia experience is designed to make viewers consider how images and entertainment can shape our view of history. $21.50; ages 13-18, $18; ages 4-12, $9; ages 3 and younger, free.
Advanced ticket purchase recommended.

Origami in the Garden
2022-05-07 - 2022-10-16 | Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta
This exhibit features 18 installations of metal sculptures inspired by the art of folding paper with birds, butterflies, deer, boats and more. $24.95-$27.95; ages 3-12, $21.95-$24.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Sean Kenney's Nature POP!
2022-05-13 - 2022-08-08 | Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta
Sean Kenney
This exhibit features more than 40 nature sculptures made of LEGO pieces of startling bursts of color. $25.70-$32.45; ages 3-11, $19.70-$24.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Games in the Gallery
2022-05-14 - 2022-08-28 | Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta
Play outdoors at WildWoods with oversized games and fun skill challenges. Reservation required. $24.95; ages 3-12, $22.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Gear Up: The Science of Bikes
2022-05-21 - 2023-01-08 | Tellus Science Museum, 100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville
Marvel at the science and technology of bikes with their history, how they work and how they’ve changed transportation and culture. $17; ages 3-17, $13; ages 2 and younger, free.

Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family
2022-06-11 - 2022-09-05 | Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta
Enjoy a variety of immersive, engaging experiences exploring the diverse species and life span of the Tyrannosaur family. $24.95; ages 3-12, $22.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Waking Wonderland
2022-06-18 - 2023-07-29 | Eclipso Atlanta, 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Atlanta
This interactive adventure is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland, where you’ll chase the Cheshire Cat, visit the Mad Hatter’s tea factory and tiptoe into the Queen of Hearts’ throne room. See website for schedule. $27.50.

SPACE: A Journey To The Moon & Beyond
2022-06-29 - 2023-12-11 | Illuminarium Atlanta, 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Atlanta, 30306
Take an extraordinary journey across the galaxy as you fly through a nebula, kick up dust on the moon, see Saturn’s rings and travel through an asteroid belt. See website for schedule. $32-$35+.

The Tortoise, the Hare & Other Aesop’s Fables
2022-08-10 - 2022-09-18 | Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta
Gregory Montegue
Aesop’s circus is in town, as the animals take the young audience on a cheerful glimpse through his stories. Aug. 10-Sept. 18. See website for showtimes. $22; ages 1 and younger, free.

Discovery Days Kids Club
2022-08-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA, 30005
Preschoolers are invited to participate in crafts, activities, animal encounters, walks on the nature trail and more each Wednesday. A parent or guardian must stay with each child during the program. Free.

Wellness Wednesdays
2022-08-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta
Enjoy outdoor and wellness classes from atl kula. Reservation required. Wed. from April 6-Sept. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Sunset Sips
2022-08-11 18:30 - 21:30 | Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell
Enjoy an evening of music on the Great Lawn and covered outdoor pavilion. Music begins at 7 p.m. Included with general admission: $15; ages 13-18, $11; ages 3-12, $9; ages 2 and younger, free.

Music on the Hill
2022-08-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St., Roswell, United States
7-9 p.m.

"You Are Beautiful"
2022-08-13 - 2022-10-04
This immersive photo experience with interactive exhibits is themed around body positivity and self-care for a fun art installation/experience.
Perimeter Mall: Aug. 13-Sept. 7
Cumberland Mall: Sept. 10-Oct. 4

Peace, Love & Puppets
2022-08-13 10:00 - 12:30 | Aurora Theatre, 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville
This fun and pun-filled show teaches kids about water conservation, air pollution, recycling and more by using puppets, magic tricks and songs. Aug. 13, 10 and 11:30 a.m. $7.

Family Canoe Day
2022-08-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell
An introduction to canoeing for first-time paddlers, families with young kids or adults. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. $25.

End of Summer Celebration
2022-08-13 18:00 - 21:00 | East Roswell Park, 9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell
Bid a farewell to summer and usher in the start of the school year at this exciting celebration. Free admission.

Ballooniversity
2022-08-14 14:00 - 17:00 | The Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens
Created by burton + BURTON, see an incredible exhibit with more than 100,000 balloons focused on “The Future is Ours” and celebrating space and exploration, along with live entertainers. Reservation required. Free admissions; donations accepted for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens and Extra Special People.
