Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids

My friend came to Atlanta for spring break and asked me to recommend a few places to visit with her 6-year-old daughter. Luckily, I have two experts in my house. I asked my big kids to rank the best things to do in Atlanta for little kids based on their experiences, and the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids is the result! This list targets the 11-year-old and under age group, unless otherwise noted. Surprisingly, Zoo Atlanta rather than the Georgia Aquarium took the number one slot on their list! The rankings were unanimously agreed upon by both teens. Now this list available to share with you. As a bonus, I included kid-friendly restaurants near each attraction where you can grab a bite to eat. Have fun exploring with your little ones!

1. Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta surprised me with the top spot on our list of the best things to with little kids in Atlanta, but when I stopped to think about it, the zoo offers so much! This zoo is arguably one of the best small zoos in the country and it is so easy to visit. It is Atlanta’s oldest attraction. A couple of Atlanteans purchased an abandoned circus at auction in 1889. They wanted the rail cars and simply donated the exotic animals to the City of Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta, which is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, still occupies its original location in Grant Park today.

At the Zoo

Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours visiting the zoo. Restaurants are available throughout the zoo where you can purchase, food, snacks, and beer for the adults. One of my favorite things about Zoo Atlanta is that they allow outside food. Feel free to bring your own snacks or even a picnic! The best place to eat your picnic is in the Children’s Zoo near the Birthday Party Pavilion and across from the birds.   Seating is also available for picnicking on the Grand Patio near the Nourish Café.  Check out the rules about what you can bring with you.

Helpful Information

Purchasing admission in advance is always less expensive than buying it at the gate. Paid parking is available in the Grant Park Gateway at 759 Boulevard SE, Atlanta GA and the surface lot on Cherokee Ave, which fills up very early.

Check out the events for the day online to preplan your visit. The zoo announced at the end of May that they applied for the Giant Pandas’ international travel permits. Learn about visiting the Giant Pandas before they return to China at the end of 2024. Note the opening hours – which change based on the season – and any keeper talks, bird shows, or feeding times that you would like to attend. My kids loved the activities. Favorites included the petting zoo, the Splash Fountain (open during the warmer months beginning on April 1st), Playground, the Zoo Train, the Carousel, and the Treetop Trail/Treetop Tykes Trail.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• Howdy ATL Biscuit Café for a treat – right across the street
• Chef Wang’s – this is the most kid friendly restaurant near the zoo! Order the green beans appetizer. Your children will LOVE the kid’s Lo Mein
• Little’s Food Store – call ahead and order your burgers for carry out and have a picnic in Cabbagetown Park
• Grindhouse Killer Burgers – Memorial Drive
• Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House – Grant Park/Memorial Drive
• Hotto Hotto Ramen & Teppanyaki – the Beacon near the Beltline
• Gather at Grant Park Market – or just purchase an ice cream treat from the cooler as a treat
• Ria’s Bluebird for breakfast/lunch Thursday – Monday
• Home Grown GA for breakfast/lunch Wednesday – Sunday

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Grant Park – playground available
• Oakland Cemetery – tours and scavenger hunts available
• Southside Beltline Trail

2. Georgia Aquarium

The Aquarium may not have taken the top spot on this list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids, but it lands solidly in second place. The Georgia Aquarium is a magical place. It is the largest aquarium in the United States. The Aquarium in incredibly busy – especially on weekends. I highly recommend that you arrive the moment that the aquarium opens to make the most out of your visit. Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours touring the aquarium. You will be so worn out that you should plan to do something relaxing in the afternoon.

At the Aquarium

Upon your arrival, make a reservation for the dolphin and sea lion shows – these are included with your ticket. Then head over to the Ocean Voyager tunnel. If you arrived early, then you will enjoy being surrounded by magnificent sea life without the crowds. Enjoy the huge viewing gallery at the end of this exhibit. The penguins live in Cold Water Quest. Your kids can crawl into one of the acrylic pop-up tunnels to get up close with the penguins in the middle of their habitat! Adults will enjoy the beluga whales.

If you are looking for Dory and Nemo, they live in the Tropical Diver Exhibit. Adults will appreciate the beauty of the coral reef. The otters live in the freshwater, River Scout Exhibit. Kids will also see piranhas with all of their sharp teeth! Speaking of teeth, sharks are on display in the newest gallery called Sharks: Predators of the Deep.

Helpful Information

Visit the Georgia Aquarium website for information on how to get to the aquarium as well as their hours. The Georgia Aquarium does not allow any outside food. If you are hungry, you must visit the Coastline Café. They have online ordering now to help with the long lines. They have basic food available. I recommend that you pick up a mid-morning snack here and eat lunch outside the aquarium.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
• Der Biergarten
• The Yard Milkshake Bar

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Centennial Olympic Park and the fountain of rings, which the kids play in like a splash pad
• Sky View Atlanta – the Ferris wheel
• World of Coca-Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta

3. Children’s Museum of Atlanta

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a wonderful experience for little ones up to 8-years-old. It may take the top spot on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids for the youngest children. I recommend that you arrive at the moment that the museum opens for the best experience. The museum gets crowded as the day goes on. You can bring snacks into the museum, but they can only be eaten in the Snack Stop area near the entrance. This space is meant only for a quick break. Full meals are prohibited.

At the Children’s Museum

The museum features a series of permanent exhibits as well as featured exhibits, which change every few months. Upon a return visit, your children will enjoy activities that they remember and experience something new. My children always loved the Fundamentally Food Exhibit – especially the grocery store. I recall that the Sand Tables in the Let Your Creativity Flow area were another favorite.

Helpful Information

You can purchase your tickets in advance online. Check the website for hours and days that the Children’s Museum is open – they are closed on Wednesdays for most of the year. Directions and Parking recommendations are available online as well.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
• Der Biergarten
• The Yard Milkshake Bar

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Centennial Olympic Park and the fountain of rings, which the kids play in like a splash pad
• Sky View Atlanta – the Ferris wheel
• World of Coca-Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Georgia Aquarium

4. Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia’s most popular attractions for good reason. There are many wonderful things to do in this 3200 acre park. It appears on Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids. because there are so many family friendly activities that appeal to every age group. Special events change with the season to ensure that there is always something new going on. We had a family membership one year and we made a valiant attempt to do everything that Stone Mountain had to offer.

At Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park is home to many year round attractions and it hosts seasonal events. My kids loved the 4D theater and the minigolf. The ropes course at Camp Highland Outpost and Sky Hike as well as waterplay in Crooked Creek were their favorite activities. We enjoyed taking the Summit Skyride cable car to the top of the giant granite outcrop or monadock at the center of the park and exploring the flora and fauna at the very top of Stone Mountain while looking back at Atlanta. The kids enjoyed the experience of riding the train around the park on the scenic railroad.

Stone Mountain Park has seasonal hours, but they they typically have plenty of family programing the first week in April for Atlanta’s Spring Break. My young children especially enjoyed the Pumpkin Festival in the fall and Stone Mountain Christmas. Stone Mountain hosts a Kids’ Early New Year’s Eve Celebration and a Lunar New Year festival among many special events.

Summer 2024

Be sure to check out Summer at the Rock and all the special programs that Stone Mountain Park is putting on from June 8 until July 28, 2024!

Helpful Information

There are several restaurants at Stone Mountain Park. The sit down restaurants are good, however if you are looking for something quick, then I recommend you bring a picnic with you. There are plenty of picnic areas available throughout the park.

The granite mountain is the backdrop for the Drone & Light Show, which can be viewed from the Memorial Lawn. You are welcome to bring picnic blankets, chairs, and a cooler to have a picnic before the 45-minute show begins.

You need to drive to Stone Mountain. There are a few options for parking. You could easily spend the entire day at Stone Mountain Park or as little as 2-3 hours. Study their calendar to determine what your family wants to do here and that will help you decide what time to arrive to make the most of your visit!

5. Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a hidden gem and it deserves a spot on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids.  You can visit for a couple of hours or you can make a whole day of it.  Visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.  Book tickets for a Puppet show.  Participate in a Create-a-Puppet Workshop!

At the Center for Puppetry Arts

At a minimum, I recommend that you visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.  This incredible museum houses the Jim Henson Collection and the Global Collection. The Center offers a museum scavenger hunt for young children – which makes the experience even more engaging!

The Jim Henson Collection walks you through the Jim Henson’s life and the evolution of his Muppet Characters.  The Sesame Street display includes a wonderful interactive exhibit where your kids can put on their own Muppet show.  You can watch the show in the monitor in real time.  There is also a reading corner filled with Muppet books.  My kids especially enjoyed this section when they were younger. Visit this detailed guide to the Jim Henson Collection to learn more.

The Global Collection is an exhibit on the history of Puppetry across the world.  The go to exhibit here is the interactive marionette theater.  Children can put on their own marionette show while parents watch from the benches!  Visit this detailed guide to the Global Collection to learn more.

Helpful Information

If you book tickets to a Puppet Show, I recommend booking in advance online. However, you may be able to purchase tickets when you arrive if it is not a busy day.  You can add a Create-a-Puppet workshop experience to the puppet show so you kids can make their own puppet character!  Check out this detailed guide to the Center for Puppetry Arts.

The Center has a small parking lot and it is accessible from the Arts Center Marta station.  Visit the How to get here page on the Center’s website.  Pay attention to the day’s show times if you visit the museum only.  I recommend arriving in advance of the puppet show to ensure that you find plenty of parking.

Special Exhibit for 2024!

The Worlds of Puppetry Museum hosts rotating exhibits. Don’t miss the special exhibition, Down in Fraggle Rock! This exhibit will be on display until October 27, 2024.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• The Varsity Drive In – I love the chili dogs and the onion rings. The kids love the Frosted Orange
• Willy’s Mexicana Grill in Piedmont Park – parking is tight here, but it is a family favorite
• The Flying Biscuit Midtown – all day breakfast is always a hit with little ones
• Varuni Napoli Pizza – this authentic Italian pizza place is just north of Piedmont Park

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Piedmont Park – playground available
• The High Museum
• MODA: Museum of Design Atlanta
• The Margaret Mitchell House

6. Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market makes a surprise appearance on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids. It is housed in Atlanta’s historic Sears building. The site itself has a long history. This beautifully repurposed building is simply fun to just walk around in and explore. There is an amazing Skyline Park on the roof, but we have not been up there yet. We simply walk around, enjoy the space, and eat something delicious. We enjoy it so much that my kids included it on this list. Another friend of mine brought her family with three kids to explore Ponce City Market. It was their favorite place that they visited in Atlanta.

At Ponce City Market

There is an amazing Food Hall with excellent restaurants to choose from. My kids love to eat at Hop’s Chicken – they order chicken biscuits with honey and mac & cheese. We often order there too, but sometimes my husband and I get a burger from H&F. We walk around a little more and stop at the King of Pops to get our favorite local popsicles. This location has special treats for grownups too. Other places for sweet treats include: Honeysuckle Gelato, French Broad Chocolate, Five Daughters Bakery, Collier Candy Company, Cake Culture, Saint Germain, and Sugar Shane’s where they sell the most decadent cookies and brownies.

The Wren’s Nest is a specialty toy store on the upper level. It is a fun store to look at! Ponce City Market is adjacent to Atlanta’s Eastside Beltline Trail. You can visit Ponce City Market from the Beltline or use it as a base to explore the Beltline. Ponce City Market includes sit down restaurants and shops to explore too. They often host seasonal events. You can visit Santa Claus on the lawn during the holidays and grab a selfie with him.

Helpful Information

Here is some information on how to get to Ponce City Market. Paid parking is available behind Ponce City Market in their parking deck. On a busy weekend, parking may be full if you arrive after noon. Additional paid parking is available across the street at Southern Dairies. It is easy to spend an hour or two hanging out at Ponce City Market.

Kid Friendly Restaurants:

• Hop’s Chicken – Hop’s is open on Sunday!
• King of Pops

Adult Friendly Restaurants:

• H&F Burger
• El Super Pan
• King of Pops – also offers slush-tails, pop-tails, beer, wine, soft serve, in addition to traditional pops
• The Tap on Ponce
• Nine Mile Station – Biergarten on the roof, but you must make a reservation with a deposit in advance

Other Attractions Nearby:

• The Atlanta Beltline
• Historic Fourth Ward Park – this park offers an excellent playground, restrooms, and a splash pad that is open from May 1st until October 1st

7. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History may not be able to compete with the Smithsonian Institutions on its collection, however, it is the clear winner when it comes to entertaining kids, which is why it landed on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids! Their exhibits and activities will engage and entertain your littles ones. My friend, who traveled from Washington DC with her 6-year-old, told me that they watched an IMAX film just so she and her husband could take a break and sit down. Her 6-year-old had so much fun that they spent the entire day at Fernbank!

At Fernbank

Fernbank has several permanent exhibits including the impressive dinosaurs in the atrium. A Walk Through Time in Georgia explores the state’s natural history and various geographic regions. The dinosaur gallery and the Okefenokee Swamp are our family’s favorites. Special exhibits come to the museum and rotate every few months, guaranteeing that there will be something new to see upon a return visit.

Kids will enjoy Fernbank’s interactive exhibits. Fantastic Forces explores natural science, while the STEAM Lab offers hands on activities guided by educators. Nature Quest was always the highlight of our visits to Fernbank. My children spent a significant amount of time happily exploring this immersive playspace. Save Nature Quest for last, otherwise you will not make it to any of the other exhibits!

WildWoods at Fernbank Forest features outdoor exhibits and nature trails. Back inside, the Giant Screen Theater shows beautifully filmed science and nature documentaries.

Helpful Information

Check Fernbank’s calendar before your visit to find out what activities are going on that day. The museum recommends purchasing tickets in advance, online. Parking is typically readily available in Fernbank’s lot. Check out the Plan Your Visit section of the museum’s website for hours and directions.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• The Flying Biscuit in Candler Park – kids love breakfast at all hours! This is the original quirky location of this local chain
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken – Atlanta East
• Wrecking Bar Brew Pub – parents and kids alike will enjoy this sit-down dinner
• Fox Bros BBQ on Dekalb Ave – their BBQ burger was voted one of the best burgers in Atlanta

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Pullman Yards – check their website for family friendly events such as the Balloon Museum
• Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory

8. College Football Hall of Fame

I have not been to the College Football Hall of Fame yet, but my teens insisted that it is a lot of fun for kids, so it took a slot on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids. I recommend this attraction for kids 5 years old and up. My husband brought my kids one Saturday morning. My son was a college football fanatic from an early age, but my daughter is not into football. They both had a great time! You pick your team as you enter the hall of fame and the lanyard that you receive customizes your experience. My son and my daughter loved moving through the museum and watching “their team” light up. They also enjoyed the interactive exhibits.

At the College Football Hall of Fame

The interactive activities at the College Football Hall of Fame are what puts this destination over the top for kids. My kids LOVED the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl Skill Zone, where the staff coached them through a variety of training exercises including kicking a field goal and receiving a pass. There are all kinds of interactive exhibits including creating a mascot and being on ESPN’s College Game Day. There is plenty of memorabilia for adults to enjoy too.

Helpful Information

For the best experience, make sure that you arrive early – ideally as soon as the Hall of Fame opens. And don’t forget to wear athletic shoes or closed toe shoes so you and your little ones can participate in the Skill Zone area. You will need at least 2 hours to visit the Hall of Fame, but if you are having fun, you may need to grab something to eat from the Chick-fil-a on the property and keep going. Check the website for directions and hours. Hours change seasonally. Parking is available in the Green Deck.

Kid Friendly Atlanta Restaurants Nearby:

• Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
• Der Biergarten
• The Yard Milkshake Bar

Other Atlanta Attractions Nearby:

• Centennial Olympic Park and the fountain of rings, which the kids play in like a splash pad
• Sky View Atlanta – the Ferris wheel
• World of Coca-Cola
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
• Georgia Aquarium

Do you have any Atlanta area attractions that you recommend adding to the list? Have you visited any of the places on the list of Atlanta’s Best Things to do with Little Kids? Let me know in the comments!

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