Atlanta is one of the best big cities in the South for families. Whether you live here or are planning a visit, there are more kid-friendly activities than you can fit into a single weekend. From world-class attractions around Centennial Olympic Park to shady trails along the Chattahoochee, you can mix educational, active, and just-plain-fun outings in almost every part of the metro area.
Below is a practical guide to things to do in Atlanta with kids, organized by type of activity and neighborhood, with tips to make each experience smoother.
If you only have a day or two in Atlanta with kids, Downtown and Midtown pack in a lot of the “headliner” experiences.
Where: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: Toddlers through teens
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the city’s biggest draws for families. Children can:
Tips for parents:
Where: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: Elementary-age and up
Right next to the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola is part museum, part interactive exhibit. Kids often enjoy:
This attraction is especially convenient if you’re already in the Centennial Olympic Park area and want a second activity on the same day.
Where: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
The park itself is an easy option with kids if you need a break between attractions:
For families, the walkable cluster of Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park makes planning simple—everything is within a few blocks.
Where: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: Toddlers and early elementary
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is designed for hands-on play:
Highlights for parents:
Where: 168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Best for: Most ages, with supervision
SkyView offers an aerial view of Downtown Atlanta in enclosed gondolas. Many parents use it as:
Because the ride is relatively short, it works well as an add-on before or after a museum visit.
Midtown offers a blend of green space and culture that works for a range of ages.
Where: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Best for: All ages
Next to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is surprisingly kid-friendly:
Family tips:
Where: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Best for: Elementary-age and up (though babies and toddlers can tag along)
The High Museum of Art has:
If your kids are new to art museums, shorter visits focusing on a few galleries tend to work better than trying to see everything.
Where: 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Best for: Preschool through middle school
The Center for Puppetry Arts is unique to Atlanta and often a hit:
Shows are typically timed, so it helps to plan around scheduled performances.
Atlanta’s green spaces make it easy to balance big attractions with downtime.
Where: 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Piedmont Park is one of the city’s most popular destinations for families:
Practical notes:
The Atlanta BeltLine is a paved, multi-use path that runs through several intown neighborhoods.
What kids tend to enjoy:
Safety tip: It can get crowded, especially on weekends—keep younger riders close and watch for fast-moving cyclists.
Where: 1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Westside Park is one of the newer large parks in the city:
It’s less busy than Piedmont Park and works well for families wanting a quieter outdoor outing.
Where: 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Near the BeltLine, this park offers:
For kids who love animals or exploring outside, these spots are worth considering.
Where: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 (Grant Park)
Best for: All ages
Zoo Atlanta features:
Tips:
Where: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Best for: Elementary through teens (but younger siblings typically enjoy it too)
Fernbank combines science, dinosaurs, and outdoor play:
Kids can move between indoor and outdoor zones, which breaks up the day nicely.
Access points near Atlanta include:
Popular family activities:
Families often choose a simple walk or picnic at one of the main access points for a low-planning nature day.
Rain, heat, or cold doesn’t have to cancel your plans—Atlanta has plenty of indoor options.
Across the metro area, there are:
These can be good last-minute choices when the weather changes unexpectedly. Hours, age limits, and height requirements vary, so checking ahead helps.
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and nearby county systems (like DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett) typically offer:
Central Library in Downtown Atlanta and neighborhood branches are usually easy to access and free, making them a good low-key outing.
Family-friendly bowling alleys, mini-golf spots, and arcade-style centers are scattered throughout the metro area. Many parents use these for:
Where: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cumberland area)
Even if you’re not a die-hard baseball fan, a Braves game can be a family event:
Family tips:
Where: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United (MLS):
Atlanta-area colleges such as Georgia Tech (Midtown) often host:
Some of the best things to do with kids in Atlanta are seasonal. While dates change year to year, families often look for:
Checking event calendars for the specific month you visit or plan activities can uncover short-term options not available year-round.
| Type of Activity | Good For Ages | Example Atlanta Spots |
|---|---|---|
| Big Indoor Attractions | 3+ | Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Children’s Museum of Atlanta |
| Animals & Nature | All ages | Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum & Forest, Chattahoochee River recreation areas |
| Art & Culture | 5+ (younger welcome) | High Museum of Art, Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta Botanical Garden |
| Parks & Outdoor Play | All ages | Piedmont Park, BeltLine Eastside Trail, Westside Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park |
| Stadiums & Sports | 6+ | Truist Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia Tech games |
| Rainy-Day / Indoor Play | Toddlers to teens | Indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks, local libraries, bowling and family fun centers |
A few local-style planning tips help most families:
With a bit of planning around neighborhoods, weather, and your kids’ interests, Atlanta offers more than enough to keep families engaged—whether you’re spending a single afternoon or building a full week of kid-friendly things to do.
