The temperatures are rising, and the cicadas are singing—signaling the start of summer! For families visiting Atlanta, summer is a season of endless adventure. There are countless kid-friendly activities that will fill your summer with fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Cicadas are the world's loudest insects! Their deafening calls are a love song for males to attract mates. Male cicadas have sound boxes in their abdomens that they use to expand and contract a membrane called a tymbal, making a sound. The hotter the day, the louder the male cicadas make their sounds. Cicadas begin their song when the temperature rises above 82.4°F (28°C).
Escape the summer heat and immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean at Georgia Aquarium. Nowhere else in the U.S. can kids come face-to-face with giant whale sharks, playful dolphins, and colorful coral reefs. From interactive exhibits to immersive shows, there’s something for kids of every age, 8 to 80. Home to the largest indoor aquatic habitat in the world, the Ocean Voyager exhibit houses hundreds of unique aquatic species. With hands-on activities, educational programs, animal encounters, and so much more, Georgia Aquarium promises an unforgettable aquatic summer adventure.
New this summer:
Check out our new dolphin presentation -Destination Dolphin! With new music, visuals, and special surprises you won't want to miss it. Included in your general admission ticket.
This summer, kids can dive into a world of imagination at the newly reopened LEGO Discovery Center. After a major overhaul, the ultimate indoor play space is back and better than ever. Fans love the new rides, interactive exhibits, and building stations. The new immersive experience is designed to allow more family learning-through-play activities and will also include a new team of specialist Playmakers and Master Model Builders who will continue to inspire guests through fun, interactive LEGO® Creative Workshops. It’s a perfect destination for endless fun and creativity all summer long!
While it depends on the day, but generally, the LEGO® Discovery Center is quietest after 2 pm.
Connect with your inner animal at Zoo Atlanta, located just minutes from Downtown and housing more than 1,000 animals from 200 species. Zoo Atlanta offers a range of fun opportunities for kids, including interactive mystery hunts, engaging stage presentations, hands-on learning activities at our Conservation Carts, creating works of nature-based art by our native Bird Garden, and more! Younger kids will love stopping at the Kid Zone, riding the train, and splashing in the water park. Learn more about all of Zoo Atlanta’s children’s activities and plan your summer visit!
Located in the same courtyard as Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola Museum showcases a world dedicated to this iconic brand. Kids will love the new immersive Beverage Lab experience as they help create the next sense-ational flavor! You can also snag a family pic with the beloved Coca‑Cola Polar Bear. Taste, smell, and experience interactive exhibits, tastings, and so much more – it all awaits you at the World of Coca-Cola Museum!
Save with Atlanta CityPASS
If you’re visiting Atlanta with family and plan to visit some of these more popular attractions within a small window of time, definitely check out Atlanta CityPASS as it offers savings of up to 44% on admission to five of Atlanta’s top attractions including Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Zoo Atlanta.
At the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, learning is always an adventure. A space completely dedicated to teaching young children through the power of play. Ignite your child’s curiosity and creativity with interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, live entertainment, and interactive workshops. With special summer programs and themed events, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is the perfect destination for kids to explore, discover, and create. The new Animationland is also now open through the summer – kids will be immersed in the world of animation as they learn about storyboarding, sketching, stop-motion movie making, and more through an interactive journey to create stories using art and science.
The Civil and Human Rights Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary this June! In celebration of this milestone, the center will be hosting a month full of immersive events to educate, entertain, and spark dialogue on justice and rights. Kidspiration also kicks off this summer – children ages 3–12 will be introduced to the principles of civic engagement and voting, inspiring them to see themselves as future changemakers through a captivating short play where jungle animals elect their new leader. This series will be available the third weekend of every month this summer!
Embark on a legendary journey this summer at the College Football Hall of Fame. Become part of the game while you explore captivating interactive exhibits. This museum showcases the heart, pageantry, and traditions of college football. August 2024 marks 10 years of football, fandom, and fun in downtown Atlanta. Get ready for an epic season-long celebration with a fan fest and exciting new experiences for the whole family.
Father's Day at the Hall
This summer brings a field of fun - kids can celebrate Father's Day at the Hall on Sunday, June 16. Dads get free admission, a Home Depot gift card, and all of the fun and exciting college football you can handle.
Join Music and Theatre for the Very Young
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents a brand new Music for the Very Young session in partnership with The Music Class. These Family Classes are a research-based education program designed to tap into the musical potential of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Also available this summer, your family can enjoy a performance from Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Concert Series. Members of the orchestra bring your favorite stories to life in this music meets storytelling series. Parents can also join in the interactive fun!
Theatre for the Very Young, presented by Alliance Theater, is designed for children ages 0-5 and their parents. This engaging and interactive experience sparks kids’ creative thinking. By making the child audience a part of the story, the goal is to create a space where creativity and personalities can shine.
Reconnect with Nature at the Chattahoochee or Dunwoody Nature Centers
Gather the family on an outdoor adventure to explore the local Chattahoochee and Dunwoody Nature Centers. With a 127-acre educational facility that lies adjacent to the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, the Chattahoochee Nature Center focuses on engaging families in educational outreach through the use of flora and fauna and a variety of programs and experiences. Dunwoody Nature Center also provides opportunities for families to explore and play in the great outdoors. With 22 acres of forest, playground, and trails, the center inspires the love of nature and cultivates environmental understanding and stewardship. Whether it’s a family hike or camping adventure, kids can jump, swing, teetertotter, splash, hike, and play as they learn more about their local ecosystems.
This summer, bring your family to Toddler Thursdays at The High Museum of Art. Engage your child’s creativity and explore monthly topics with related artwork, self-guided tours, and new art-making activities each week. Designed for kids ages 15 months to 3 years old.
Can’t make it on Thursdays?
Stop by on the first Saturday of each month for Toddler Saturdays!
The Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (INK) is a kid-centric “museum” designed to immerse children in a world of interactive play and imagination. It features exhibits that mimic a real neighborhood, such as GrandPappy Airlines, the Medical Clinic, the Family Playhouse, the Gainesville Radiology Clinic, the Dentist office, the bank, and so much more. Kids get to use their creativity and imagination as they explore the museum.
Who doesn’t love slime? The Sloomoo Institute utilizes the creative word of slime through sensory play. Their mission: embrace the power of satisfying using all your senses. Play in the room of Slimey Mirrors and transform into a slime creature, or walk over 350 gallons of slime at Lake SlooMoo! Visit the Sloomooverse, create your own slime, or get slimmed at SlooMoo Falls! The possibilities for fun are endless at the SlooMoo Institute.
Playing with slime can help children develop fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills. It can also stimulate creativity and have a calming effect.
All Aboard The Locomotives
Explore a variety of train cars and vehicles from throughout history at The Southeastern Railway Museum or the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotion History. Both museums feature numerous train cars and other vehicles to explore or ride in, making them great destinations for tots. There are areas to eat, host parties, and learn about the history of transportation. The Jolley Education Center at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotion History offers numerous hands-on and interactive exhibits that are fun for the entire family.
Atlanta’s iconic theme park offers a variety of amusements, games, and exciting rides for kids of all ages. Thrill seekers will love the variety of high-energy rides that twist, drop, and zoom, while smaller kids will find rides perfectly tailored to them. Six Flags Over Georgia also offers a variety of special and seasonal events. No matter your age, you will enjoy visiting Hurricane Harbor Water Park during the summer, where you can float, slide, and play in the cooling water.
Coming this summer:
A first-of-its-kind, the Ultra Surf Coaster! Be sure to check it out.
Conclusion: Dive into a Summer of Fun
Atlanta is truly a treasure trove of kid-friendly summer activities. Whether you’re marveling at Georgia Aquarium’s marine life, exploring the wonders of nature at the Dunwoody Nature Center, or unleashing your creativity at the Children’s Museum, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had and memories to be made. So gather your family and dive into a summer of fun in Atlanta!
