The best things to do with kids in Atlanta

This is the country’s largest aquarium, with plenty of exhibits to entertain the kiddos. See hammerhead and tiger sharks at the SHARKS! Predators of the Deep exhibit, or pop by Ocean Voyager’s underwater tunnel to view sealife from below. Kids also love the stingray experience, where they’re allowed to gently touch the back of a motoro stingray. Weekends are packed, so we’d recommend visiting during a weekday if you prefer a quieter experience. There are also quiet rooms throughout the aquarium for anyone who needs a private, low-sensory space. 

Zoo Atlanta may not be the biggest zoo around, but what it lacks in physical space, it makes up for in unique events and programming to keep visitors engaged. Whether it’s runners winding through the zoo’s walkways for the Run Like Wild 5K or kids dressing up in their best costumes for Boo at the Zoo, there’s usually something new and exciting to get into. There’s also regular exhibits, showcasing African elephants, Chilean flamingoes and two-toed sloths.

After visitors quench their thirst, they’re invited to an interactive experience with a behind-the-scenes peek at everyone’s favorite soft drink. Equal parts refreshing and entertaining, the World of Coca-Cola allows museum-goers to taste over 100 different beverages worldwide before embarking on a trip to the interactive vault (and inching closer to Coca-Cola’s secret formula). Snap a selfie with the iconic Polar Bear mascot and see art dedicated to important Coca-Cola milestones (like the cans used for the summer 1996 Olympics).

Looking for a floral wonderland? The Atlanta Botanical Garden will do the trick. Prepare for dazzling displays that'll put you in touch with nature without leaving the city. If you're hesitant to bring the little ones, don't be discouraged: The Lou Glenn Children's Garden, chock-full of climbing nets, a water painting wall and a super-cool treehouse, will keep kids occupied all afternoon long.

Visit to get a taste of puppetry around the world without leaving the USA. Check out “The Jim Henson Collection,” an interactive exhibition that features scenes from Jim Henson’s career—you’ll see his office and T.V. studio, as well as iconic puppets like Kermit and Miss Piggy. 

Think of this institution like Atlanta’s answer to NYC’s Museum of Natural History—but with an opportunity to take learning outdoors. A combination of intriguing exhibits and nature exploration, the Ferbank Museum is the ideal place for kids to explore the world around them. Loop around Dinosaur Plaza (much to little paleontologists’ delights) or spend an afternoon in the STEAM Lab, where little visitors won’t be able to resist the interactive activities demonstrating aerodynamics, archaeology, robotics and more. For active children, consider visiting the indoor playground called NatureQuest.

A world away from the concrete metropolis of the city, Piedmont Park is an urban oasis with plenty of opportunities for walking, jogging, biking and skating. Have a picnic on a patch of the sprawling green space under a tree or get in a little frisbee or soccer. Kids will love the park’s many events, including outdoor concerts, festivals and farmers markets. Next month, join Piedmont for a guided history tour (May 10) or creative arts night (May 28). 

There’s something about slime that can thrill kids to no end. The Sloomoo Institute is all about slime—its colors, textures and scent. The Sloomoo experience provides a visual feast of tactile wonders as kids explore a variety of slimes and then design their DIY slime, choosing from a palette of colors and scents like birthday cake, berries or cotton candy.

Georgia's littlest museum-goers will be captivated by this venue's interactive features, ranging from science and nutrition to creativity and engineering. Mainly catered to those eight and under, the Children's Museum of Atlanta lets curious tykes explore "Gateway to the World,” an exhibit that doesn't even require a passport.

A former railway corridor around the core of Atlanta has been revitalized into a vibrant, multi-use path lined with art, native plants and outdoor attractions. While not all sections are paved yet, the loop is fully accessible; upon completion, some time around 2030, it will ultimately connect 45 neighborhoods throughout the city. Walk between stops like Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park, stop to enjoy a picnic or check out events along the BeltLine like fitness classes, art events and more.

This iconic park is famous for its ring fountain shows—the water reaches 25 feet high, with some smaller fountains reserved for kids to splash around. Seasonal events like concerts and fireworks displays take it all up a notch. Once the site of the 1996 Olympics (which ultimately helped reshape Atlanta itself), the park is the heartbeat of the city, and it’s conveniently surrounded by many of Atlanta’s most beloved attractions (such as the children’s museum and the aquarium).

Look closely when visiting attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Fox Theater or Centennial Olympic Park, and you might find what looks like a tiny door to a tiny home. These are part of Tiny Doors ATL, an Atlanta-based art initiative that brings “big wonder to tiny spaces.” Follow the map to find all the doors—each a great Instagram photo op. Don’t miss the giant door on the Eastside BeltLine Trail that will make the kids look tiny, and stop by the Tiny Doors ATL studio at Atlantic Station for a tour.

An interactive experience that examines the inner workings of everyone’s favorite brick toy, LEGOLand is a must for budding builders. Creativity will peak when little engineers glimpse the LEGO Master Builder Academy, where a team of professionals will inspire them to make anything and everything from their favorite building blocks. Younger members of your crew will enjoy the merry-go-round inside LEGO Duplo Park, complete with bigger Duplo blocks for freestyle builds. 

Air travel is all the more exciting when you get a taste of its past and future at this immersive museum, conveniently located next to the city’s ginormous airport. After a lengthy closing, the hangars at this flight-focused museum reopens in April with an aviation-themed indoor playground and new exhibits that tell a more cohesive story of the airline company’s history, from crop duster to the global aviation brand. Airplane fans will marvel at aircrafts dating back to the 1920s, while interactive exhibits allow visitors to take rides in the museum’s flight simulator. Plus, the attraction aims to explore the future of flight and the 747s of the next generation—get ready to take flight. 

An open-air attraction that quite literally takes fun to new heights, The Roof at Ponce City Market is a must-visit for the young and young at heart. Gamers will revel in the nostalgia of old-school carnival rides, and kids will let out a few shrieks as they work their way to the top of Heege Tower, the park’s signature ride. Don't leave without chowing down on a pretzel or hotdog—oh, and there are plenty of drinks for adults, too! 

Choose your own adventure at the Woodruff Arts Center! This performing arts destination is home to the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the High Museum of Art, which is known for its kid-friendly programming, including Toddler Thursdays. 

For those craving an adventure, look no further than Treetop Quest. The action-packed attraction is a quick drive from Atlanta and offers families the chance to glide on zip lines as they advance through obstacles in an aerial playground. There are a variety of levels visitors can tackle, which means everyone in the brood—even your youngest thrill-seeker, assuming they’re at least seven years old—can get in on the action. 

P.E. class is taken to the next level courtesy of Adventure Air Sports. Kids keen to duel it out for victory can give extreme dodgeball or the ninja course a go, while those with springs in their feet will gravitate toward foam pits and a flying trapeze. Consider this a glorified version of recess—one that your kids won't want to end. May the best player win! 

When the warm weather hits, the Chattahoochee River is open for business. Those who need relief from the southern heat are invited to make a splash with various water activities, including canoeing, rafting, tubing and more. But don't Shoot the Hooch without refueling at the concession stand when your adventure comes to an end.

The best things in life are free, and we count parks with epic children's playgrounds at the top of the list. After renovations to update the facilities, Brookhaven Park reopened in November. The new children’s playground, which features an apex wooden tower, has one of the tallest outdoor slides in the metro area. There's also paved paths for bikes, a turf lawn for pickup games of football and covered benches for caregivers to hang out in the shade. If you brought your fur babies, too, bring them along for the adjacent dog park with a splash pad. 

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A post shared by Time to Escape - Chattanooga Escape Room (@timetoescapechatt)

With locations in Downtown Atlanta and Brookhaven, Time to Escape offers plenty of puzzling rooms to challenge your family’s detective skills. Solve clues to escape King Tut’s Tomb, Mars and even save Christmas. Kids 12 and under must do an escape room with an adult. If an escape room is too high pressure for anyone in your crew, opt for the game bar at the Brookhaven location, which includes several pinball machines, claw machines and other arcade-style games.