Bored in Atlanta? Family-Friendly Adventures Worth Leaving the House For
Let's be honest…. Sometimes the hardest part of planning a family outing isn't finding something to do.
It's finding something everyone agrees on.
Whether you're entertaining kids for the weekend, hosting visiting family, planning a staycation, or simply trying to break out of the same old routine, Atlanta has plenty of adventures that go beyond the usual tourist checklist.
From puppets & animals to soccer clinics, public art, & hands-on experiences, here are a few family-friendly Atlanta activities worth adding to your list.
Tourist Spots Worth the Hype
🦁 Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
Fantastic updates, animal encounters, educational programming, & seasonal events make this one of the city's easiest family wins.
One of Atlanta's most unique attractions combining performance, creativity, & hands-on learning.
🎨 Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
A meaningful way to explore Atlanta's history together.
🧇 Waffle House Museum (Avondale Estate)
Equal parts quirky, nostalgic, & distinctly Atlanta.
⚔️ Medieval Times
Dinner, jousting, knights, & dramatic storytelling. Honestly? The adults usually get just as invested as the kids.
Active Adventures
⚽ FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park — 06/11–07/19
A FREE FIFA Fan Festival is taking over downtown Atlanta throughout the tournament. Expect match screenings, live music, food vendors, interactive activities, & plenty of soccer energy.
Bringing the kiddos? Don't miss the family-friendly activations, including soccer clinics hosted by @soccersidekicks. Shoutout to Coach Ben! ⚽👏
⚽ Atlanta BeltLine Fest at Pittsburgh Yards — 06/20 - 21
A FREE community celebration on Atlanta's Southside BeltLine trail featuring DJs, match screenings, local food, kid-friendly activities, games, & live performances.
One of the more unique ways to experience World Cup season beyond the stadium crowds.
📍 Pittsburgh Yards @pittsburghyards off the Atlanta BeltLine
Find more World Cup fun here →
Atlanta BeltLine + Tiny Doors ATL
Turn a walk into a scavenger hunt. Kids love spotting Tiny Doors while adults get their steps in.
Pro tip: Rent a bike from Musette & turn it into a mini adventure. She even offers snacks & guides. 10/10.
🎳 Midtown Bowl (Midtown)
Retro bowling, bumper lanes, arcade energy, & snacks. A classic rainy-day option.
Bonus: bumper lanes make it beginner-friendly for younger bowlers.
🎨 Art, Culture, & Exploration
Atlanta's creativity isn't just for grown-ups. These spots make it easy for kids to explore art, music, theater, & big ideas through hands-on experiences.
Atlanta Public Art
Explore murals, sculptures, & installations around Woodruff Park & Downtown Atlanta.
Pro tip: Browse the Atlanta Street Art map (Art Rudick), or sign up for a tour.
Atlanta BeltLine Art Trail
Public art, outdoor space, & plenty of room to run around.
🎭 Alliance Theatre (Midtown)
Award-winning productions plus family programming that introduces kids to the magic of live theater.
🎭 Dad's Garage (Old Fourth Ward)
Known for improv comedy, but they also offer family-friendly performances & camps throughout the year. Plus, it's a great excuse to explore O4W afterward.
🎨 ArtsXchange (East Point)
A community-centered arts hub offering youth programs, exhibitions, workshops, & events that celebrate Atlanta's diverse creative voices.
🎨 Spruill Center for the Arts (Dunwoody)
From pottery to painting, Spruill offers classes for all ages. Their parent-child workshops are especially fun if you're looking for a hands-on outing together.
🦕 Fernbank (Druid Hills)
Dinosaurs. Giant screens. Nature trails. Need I say more? )
Bonus: the outdoor WildWoods & Fernbank Forest trails make it easy to burn off extra energy.
🎨 High Museum of Art (Midtown)
One of Atlanta's best family-friendly museums. Between interactive exhibits, family days, art-making activities, & outdoor installations, there's plenty to keep curious minds engaged.
🎶 Atlanta Music Project (Capital View)
A powerful nonprofit helping young musicians access instruments, lessons, mentorship, & performance opportunities. Keep an eye out for student concerts throughout the year.
🎨 Got a Budding Artist?
Atlanta's creative scene goes far beyond murals & public installations. From contemporary galleries to hidden creative spaces, explore more local favorites in my guide:
→Atlanta's Art Galleries (& Beyond): A Curated Guide
🍳 Creative Kids
🍞 Leftie Lee's Workshops (Avondale Estates)
One of the most unique food experiences in Atlanta. Kids learn hands-on cooking skills while making delicious plates like dumplings from scratch.
💚 AAPI owned + Woman Owned
🧱 Lego Discovery Center (Buckhead)
Perfect for little builders with big imaginations. Expect creative play zones, LEGO builds, & enough hands-on activities to burn off some energy.
Bookworms Welcome
📚 Charis Books & More (Decatur)
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ Owned
Queer, feminist, legacy. The South’s oldest Indie bookstore circa 1974… Immediately yes.
📚 Impossible Moon Bookshop (Hapeville)
🖤 Black-owned + Woman-owned
A dreamy newcomer to Hapeville’s creative corridor.
📚 Bookish (East Atlanta Village)
🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ + Women-Owned
East Atlanta Vibes. Curation. Always fresh picks.
📖 Raising a Tiny Bookworm?
Atlanta's literary scene is packed with independent bookstores, comic shops, author events, & cozy corners for readers of all ages.
→ Book Lover's Guide to Atlanta: 20 Must-Visit Bookstores & Comic Shops
Snack Breaks & Sweet Treats
Because every successful family outing eventually involves snacks.
An Atlanta classic for a reason. Grab a pop after exploring the BeltLine, visiting a museum, or surviving a day of kid-powered adventure.
Pro tip: Planning a birthday party, family reunion, school event, or neighborhood hang? You can even rent a King of Pops cart for the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Beautiful pastries, cookies, & baked goods that make a great pit stop while exploring Atlanta. Find them at Huckleberry’s Corner Store in East Lake or Tap Room Coffee in Kirkwood.
A sweet reward after a morning adventure. Seasonal flavors, excellent coffee, & kid-approved treats.
🖤 Black-owned
Already mentioned for the workshops, but worth a second shoutout. Dumplings count as a snack if nobody's judging.
💚 AAPI owned + Woman Owned
🍽 Need More Family-Friendly Food Stops?
Atlanta isn't short on things to do with kids.
The challenge is finding experiences that feel memorable instead of just filling time.
Whether you're introducing little ones to animals, art, soccer, history, or dumpling-making, these spots prove family outings can be fun for grown-ups too.
The best part? Most of these adventures don't require a plane ticket, a full vacation budget, or weeks of planning.
Now the real question: Which adventure are you trying first?