We know how hard it is sometimes during the summer to entertain the kids. You would think with endless amounts of toys and crafts at their disposal, pool time, and running around outside with friends that they would be more than entertained. But that is not always the case.
Or sometimes you just want to beat the heat or experience a change of pace from an endless rainy summer week.
We made it easy for you to have a back-up plan, and compiled a list of some super fun (and sometimes FREE!) activities that you and your little ones can enjoy this summer.
NATIONAL
2. Showcase Cinema's Bookworm Wednesday's: Every Wednesday July 8th -29th at 10a.m. select Showcase Cinema locations will give free admittance to students that bring in a completed book report. Children/siblings under six will be able to attend for free. To download the book report click HERE.
- July 8th - Rio 2
- July 15th - Penguins
- July 22nd - How to Train a Dragon 2
- July 29th - Annie
4. Home Depot Kids Workshops: Held the first Saturday of each month from 9a.m. to 12p.m. At this free event children receive and apron, a pin/certificate, and learn to build a project. In some areas space might be limited, so registering for the event beforehand is recommended.
5. Krispy Kreme: June 5th enjoy National Donut Day with a free donut. No purchase necessary. Check here for location nearest you.
6. Kids Bowl Free: Registered children can bowl two free games all summer long. Click HERE to register and find a participating location in your area.
7. AMF Summer Games: Now through September 7th children under 15 can enjoy three free games of bowling daily. Monday - Friday open until 8p.m, and Saturday/Sunday open until 4p.m. Click HERE to register.
8. Kids Skate Free: Children 12 and under can skate for free under the Kids Skate Free program. Click HERE to visit a participating rink near you and to print out the letter for participation.
9. Chuck E Cheese Rewards Program: Reward your child for doing chores or good behavior. Fill in the chart provided by Chuck E Cheese and once completed children can bring it in for a reward of 10 free tokens. (Helpful for all ages. The rewards charts are custom for multiple tasks such as chores, getting dressed, sleeping through the night, etc.). Click HERE for chart.
10. Microsoft Youth Spark Summer Camps: Microsoft stores offer free technology summer camp classes for children ages 8 - 13. Click HERE for store participation and registration.
11. Lakeshore Learning Craft Time: Free crafts for children ages 3 and up are offered each Saturday from 11a.m. to 3p.m. Click HERE for a location near you.
12. Bass Pro Shops Family Summer Camp: Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at noon families can enjoy free activities and crafts for the whole family. Families can enjoy free crafts, the shooting gallery, pond casting, make s'mores, etc. Click HERE for participating locations and details.
13. Bank of America Museums on Us: If you are a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card holder you can visit for free over 150 museums for free the first weekend of every month. To see participating museums click HERE.
ATLANTA LOCAL
1. Georgia Aquarium's Dive In Movie Series: On the forth Saturday of each month at 8:00p.m., the aquarium will host activities, character appearances, and show a family friendly movie.
- May 23rd - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
- June 27th - Penguins of Madagascar
- July 25th - Home
2. Georgia Movies in the Park: From May until December Northside Hospital partners with Southern Outdoor Cinema to provide free movies in various parks around the Atlanta metro area. Activities and start times vary by location/date.
- June 6th @ War Hill Park, Dawsonville, Lake Lanier - Frozen
- June 21st @ Downtown Woodstock - Mr. Peabody & Sherman
- August 30th @ Brown Park, Downtown Canton - Rio 2
3. Food Trucks - Several cities now host a weekly food truck night complete with free entertainment and activities.
- Paper Mill Village (East Cobb) - Mondays from 5:00 to 8:00p.m (June 1st, June 29th, July 27th, August 31st)
- Smyrna Food Truck Tuesdays - Tuesdays at Taylor Brawner Park from 5:00 to 9:00p.m (May - September 24th)
- Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays - Every Thursday currently until October 29th at Brook Run Park. 5:00p.m. to dark.
- Milton's Flicks & Food Trucks - Located at Friendship Community Park in Crabapple from 7:00 to 11:00p.m.
- June 6th - Ghostbuster's
- July 11th - The Goonies
- August 1st - Grease
4. Fountain of Rings: Enjoy for free Atlanta's Found of Rings show and splash pad. Musical shows are shown four times of day. For schedule and more information click HERE.
5. LEGOLAND: Various great deals exist this summer at this fun attraction.
5. LEGOLAND: Various great deals exist this summer at this fun attraction.
- Toddler Time - Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10a.m., enjoy Toddler time. Children 0-2 are free. Children older than two receive discounted tickets when purchasing on line. For more info click here.
- Group Saver - For larger groups, one adult will receive free entry for every five children. Click here for more info.
6. The Center for Puppetry Arts: During the summer enjoy a variety of shows for children of all ages. For show times, information, and ticket purchase click here. This summer shows include:
- My Life as a Fairy Tale: The Ugly Duckling - May 26th to June 7th
- Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type - June 11th to July 26th
- The Reluctant Dragon - July 28th to August 9th
- The Tortoise, the Hare and Other Aesop's fables - August 13th to September 20th
7. Little Acorns @ The Avalon: Every Tuesday morning at 10a.m. in the Avalon's plaza. Preschool age children can have fun listening to stories, creating a craft, or seeing a magician. Lunch is also available from one of the family friendly Avalon restaurants. For more info click HERE.
8. Imagine It Children's Museum of Atlanta: Experience the museum free on June 9th & July 14th, from 1:00 to 6:00p.m., courtesy of Target's free Tuesday program. For more info click HERE.
9. Marietta Fire Museum: Experience the museum free daily Monday to Friday from 8a.m. to 5p.m.
10. Tot Spot @ Atlantic Station: Every Tuesday from 10a.m. to 12p.m. bring preschool aged children to enjoy free playtime featuring face painting, story time, arts & crafts and more. For more info click HERE.
11. Splash Grounds: Several cities in the metro area now have free (or minimal entry fee) splash grounds for children of all ages to enjoy.
Here's to an awesome summer everyone!
11. Splash Grounds: Several cities in the metro area now have free (or minimal entry fee) splash grounds for children of all ages to enjoy.
- Splash 'N Play - Riverside Park; open every day minus Tuesday from 10a.m. to 7p.m. $2/person over 1 years old. Adults free with paying child.
- The Spray Station - East Roswell Park; open every day minus Tuesday from 10a.m. to 7p.m. $2/person over 1 years old. Adults free with paying child.
- Legacy Fountain - Piedmont Park; open daily from 8a.m. to 8p.m. Free.
- Silver Comet Trail Fountain - Silver Comet tail head at Floyd Rd.; open daily dawn to dusk. Free.
- Duluth Town Green Fountain - Located in Duluth's Town Green center; open daily 9a.m. to 10p.m. Free.
- Historic Fourth Ward Park and Spraygrounds - Fourth Ward Park; open daily 10a.m. to 8p.m. Free.
- Spray Pad - Old Atlanta Park; open everyday Tuesday to Sunday from 10a.m. to 7p.m. $2/person entry fee.
- Splashgrounds - Lillian Web Park; open daily 10a.m. to 10p.m. Free.
12. Get Georgia Reading - Program that gives free access to over 8,000 books for the summer. For more info click HERE.
If you know of a local event or fun activity we would love to add it to the list.
Here's to an awesome summer everyone!
What a great list! Thanks so much!!
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