Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide for Families

Atlanta is one of the easiest big cities to enjoy with kids. Whether you live here or are planning a visit, you’ll find hands-on museums, outdoor adventures, quirky neighborhoods, and rainy-day standbys all within a reasonable drive.

Use this guide to plan a full weekend, fill a school break, or build a go‑to list of kid-friendly things to do in Atlanta all year long.

Top Kid-Friendly Attractions in Downtown & Midtown

If you’re visiting Atlanta or want a “staycation” day, downtown and Midtown pack many of the big-ticket kid attractions into a walkable area.

Georgia Aquarium

Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: All ages, especially preschoolers and elementary kids

The Georgia Aquarium is often at the top of kid-friendly Atlanta lists for a reason. Children can:

• Walk through huge underwater tunnels
• See whale sharks, manta rays, and playful otters
• Touch sea stars and anemones in supervised touch pools
• Enjoy daily dolphin or sea lion presentations

Tips for families:

• 🕒 Go early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
• 🎒 Bring a small bag with snacks for before/after (check current outside food rules).
• 👶 Strollers are allowed and common; the layout is generally stroller-friendly.

World of Coca-Cola

Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: Ages 6+ who can enjoy the history, branding, and sensory experiences

Across from the aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola mixes pop culture, history, and interactive displays. Kids typically enjoy:

• The “secret formula” themed exhibits
• Vintage commercials and pop-art displays
• The tasting area with drinks from around the world

It can be busy on weekends and school holidays; pairing this with the aquarium in one day is common if your kids have good stamina.

Centennial Olympic Park

Location: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: All ages; great break spot between museums

This big downtown green space is ideal for a breather between attractions:

• Open lawns for picnics and tossing a ball
• Walking paths and city views
• Seasonal events and occasional festivals

Bring a blanket and snacks to recharge kids before heading to your next stop.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Location: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Best for: Toddlers to early elementary

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is designed for younger kids to touch everything:

• Imaginative play areas (grocery, farm, construction zones)
• STEM and art exhibits scaled for short attention spans
• Soft play areas for crawlers and toddlers

It’s a top rainy-day option for families with small children who need to run and explore indoors.

The Varsity (Kid-Friendly Food Stop)

Location: 61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Best for: All ages; quick, casual meal with a local flair

Near Midtown and Georgia Tech, The Varsity is a famously large drive-in style restaurant known for its burgers, hot dogs, and fried sides. Kids tend to love:

• The loud, bustling atmosphere
• Classic fast-food style menu
• Watching the ordering process with the iconic call‑outs

It’s not health food, but it’s a memorable Atlanta experience that pairs easily with Midtown attractions.

Midtown: Science, Art, and Outdoor Play

Midtown offers a great mix of culture and big green spaces that work well with school‑age kids and teens.

Piedmont Park

Location: 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Best for: All ages; picnics, biking, playground time

Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s “central park,” with:

• Playgrounds suitable for younger and older children
• Open lawns for frisbee, soccer, or kite-flying
• Walking and biking paths around the park and lake
• Dog parks if your family brings pets

On nice days, this is one of the best free kid-friendly things to do in Atlanta. Bring a ball, scooter, or simple outdoor toys.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Best for: Preschoolers to teens; families who enjoy nature and art

Right next to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden often surprises kids with:

• Seasonal sculpted plant creatures and topiaries
• A children’s garden with interactive water or play features (seasonal)
• Elevated walkways through the tree canopy
• Themed light displays at certain times of the year

It works well as a half-day outing and pairs perfectly with a picnic or playground time in Piedmont Park.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Best for: Dinosaur-loving kids, ages 4+

In the Druid Hills area (just east of Midtown), Fernbank Museum offers:

• Giant dinosaur skeletons in the main hall
• Natural history and science exhibits
• An outdoor forest area with elevated walkways and nature play spaces
• Giant-screen theater showings (varies by day)

This is a go‑to for kids who are curious about dinosaurs, oceans, and planet Earth.

High Museum of Art

Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Best for: School-age kids and teens

The High Museum is surprisingly kid-friendly if you approach it on their terms:

• Family programs on select days
• Interactive or hands-on gallery spaces (check current offerings)
• Sculpture and design pieces that spark curiosity

Plan a shorter visit with kids—focus on one or two galleries, play a “treasure hunt” for certain colors or shapes, then walk over to Piedmont Park to burn off energy.

Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta

Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Best for: All ages; especially preschool and elementary

In Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is a classic kid outing. Highlights include:

• Giant pandas, gorillas, and elephants
• Kid-friendly train and carousel (check availability)
• A dedicated children’s zoo area with animals and play structures
• Regular keeper talks and demonstrations

Family tips:

• 🕒 Mornings are cooler and animals tend to be more active.
• 💧 Summer visits: bring hats, sunscreen, and plan water breaks.
• 👟 Wear comfortable shoes; there is a fair bit of walking and some hills.

After the zoo, the surrounding Grant Park neighborhood offers shaded streets and historic homes, making for a pleasant stroll or short drive to local eateries.

BeltLine Adventures and Inman Park

The Atlanta BeltLine is a network of multi-use trails connecting neighborhoods. It’s perfect for strollers, bikes, scooters, and family walks.

Eastside Trail

Popular access near: 10th St & Monroe Dr NE (near Piedmont Park) or Ponce City Market area

The Eastside Trail is especially popular with families:

• Wide paved trail for walking, biking, and skating
• Public art and murals to spot along the way
• Access to Ponce City Market, parks, and playgrounds

You can easily rent bikes or scooters nearby, but for younger kids it’s often enough just to walk, look at street art, and grab ice cream.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Location: 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Best for: All ages

Close to the BeltLine and Ponce City Market, this park features:

• A large playground with climbing structures
• A pond and green spaces
• Paved paths for strollers and scooters

Combine it with a BeltLine stroll and a snack stop to make this a half-day adventure.

Buckhead & North Atlanta: Indoor Fun and Shopping + Play

If you’re in Buckhead or northern Atlanta, there are several kid-friendly activities without needing to head downtown.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta

Location: Inside Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Best for: Ages 3–10 who love building and rides

This indoor LEGO space usually includes:

• Small rides and interactive build zones
• A LEGO replica of Atlanta landmarks
• 4D cinema experiences

It’s fully indoors, making it one of the best rainy-day kid-friendly things to do in Atlanta, especially if you’re already in the Buckhead area.

Chastain Park

Location: 140 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
Best for: All ages; local families

Chastain Park offers:

• Trails and walking paths
• Athletic fields
• Play spaces and open areas

It’s more of a neighborhood park atmosphere than a tourist destination, but it’s perfect if you live or stay nearby and want easy outdoor time.

Westside & Unique Neighborhood Spots

Westside Park

Location: 1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Best for: Families who enjoy walking, views, and open space

Atlanta’s largest park, Westside Park, offers:

• Paved and natural trails
• Overlooks with views of the reservoir and city skyline
• Quiet, less-crowded spaces compared to some intown parks

Bring scooters or bikes for kids who are confident riders.

Oakland Cemetery (Surprisingly Kid-Friendly with Context)

Location: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Best for: Older kids and teens, especially ones who like history

Though it’s a historic cemetery, Oakland Cemetery can be a meaningful educational walk:

• Historic markers about Atlanta’s past
• Beautiful gardens and sculptures
• Great city views from certain areas

This is best if kids are comfortable with the setting and you frame it as a history and architecture walk.

Rainy-Day and Hot-Weather Ideas

Atlanta’s weather can be extreme in summer or stormy at times. It’s smart to keep a list of indoor kid activities ready.

Indoor Play and Learning Highlights

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (downtown) – Ideal for ages 2–7
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Druid Hills) – Dinosaurs and science
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta (Buckhead) – Building and rides
• Georgia Aquarium (downtown) – Aquatic life and shows
• High Museum of Art (Midtown) – Short, focused visits with kids

Movie Theaters and Bowling

Across the city, major mall areas and mixed‑use developments typically include:

• Multiplex theaters with kid-friendly showings
• Bowling alleys that offer bumpers, light balls, and family lanes

These are useful as last-minute options when the weather changes your original plan.

Free or Low-Cost Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Atlanta

Not every family outing has to be expensive. Atlanta has many budget-friendly options.

Great Free (or Nearly Free) Picks

• Piedmont Park – Picnic, playgrounds, walking paths
• BeltLine Eastside Trail – Walk, scooter, or bike and see public art
• Centennial Olympic Park – Open lawns and city skyline views
• Public Libraries – Storytimes and kid programs (see below)

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System offers free resources and events:

Central Library: 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303
Neighborhood branches are spread throughout the city.

You’ll often find:

• Storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers
• Homework help or teen programs
• Craft days and seasonal events

Checking your local branch schedule is a smart way to line up easy, free kid activities during the week or over school breaks.

Seasonal and Special Events for Kids in Atlanta

Throughout the year, metro Atlanta hosts kid-focused events and festivals. Some common patterns include:

• Spring: Flower festivals, outdoor concerts, kite days in parks
• Summer: Outdoor movie nights, splash pads (where available), library reading programs
• Fall: Pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, Halloween events at attractions
• Winter: Holiday light displays, seasonal shows, and indoor craft events

When planning around a school break, it can be useful to search for “Atlanta [month] family events” to see what’s current, then plug those into your basic plan of parks + museums + indoor fun.

Quick Planning Guide for Families

Use this simple overview to match age, interest, and part of town:

Practical Tips for Enjoying Atlanta with Kids

• 🚗 Traffic & Timing: Plan around rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on weekdays). Aim for early starts to major attractions.
• 🚻 Parking: Downtown and Midtown attractions usually have paid parking decks nearby. Keep a backup lot in mind in case your first choice is full.
• 🧴 Weather Prep: Summers are hot and humid—build in water breaks and indoor segments. In shoulder seasons, layers help with changing temperatures.
• 🧺 Pack Smart: Snacks, water bottles, a small first-aid kit, and wipes go a long way with kids of any age.
• 📅 Check Hours & Tickets: Many major attractions use timed entry or change hours seasonally, so confirm details before leaving home.

Focusing your day around a couple of main kid-friendly activities—and allowing extra time for parks, snacks, and rest—will help you enjoy everything Atlanta offers families without rushing or overwhelm.