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Atlanta’s museums and attractions introduce kids to fun and educational environments at an early age. Spend time with your baby or toddler making music, being artistic, connecting with nature, and staying active.
Museums and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Kids can climb aboard a John Deere tractor, try milking a cow or play chef in the diner. The museum also offers Building Blocks programs specifically for the five and under set on certain days (all included with admission). Every Monday at 10:30AM kids ages 2-5 can attend Tiny Club and learn about science, art, food or building with hands on activities and crafts. Messy Thursdays is a drop-in program that is first-come, first-served every Thursday from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Kids (and their guardians) will love getting messy with things like slime and finger paints. Toddler Jam Fridays is a favorite at the museum with music, instrument play and dance time every Friday from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. Check the calendar because certain days they do not offer the Building Blocks programs, like Federal Holidays.
Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc.
Toddlers will love pretending to fly in an airplane, checking out x-rays on a light board, playing dentist or learning how to handle money at this museum in Gainesville. INK allows for many role-playing experiences. Check their calendar for special events like themed craft weeks.
Center for Puppetry Arts
CPA offers Toddler Tuesdays: Museum in Motion, where kids ages 2-4 can enjoy games, puppet shows and story time (10am-11:30am).
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Little ones and their parents may participate in Toddler Time every Tuesday at 10am, which includes guided play and story time for toddlers in the DUPLO Village. After story time, toddlers can stay and play as long as they wish inside the attraction. Also, children ages 2 and younger are always free at LEGOLAND.
Atlanta History Center
On the second Monday of each month, the Atlanta History Center hosts Magic Mondays from 10am to 1pm. A different theme each month lets parents and children explore history together, with hands-on activities including arts and crafts projects, music and story time. Ages 18 months to 5 years.
Heritage Sandy Springs Museum and Park
Designed for ages 2-5, Turtle Tours is based on the Smithsonian Institution’s Early Enrichment program. Through stories, hands-on activities, and crafts, Heritage Sandy Springs Museum mascots Sandy the Chipmunk and Spring the Turtle introduce preschoolers to local history and nature using a different theme for each tour. Held on the second Thursday of the month.
Marietta Museum of History
On the second Wednesday of every month at 10:30am, mascots Murray and Etta mouse introduce history through tours, story time and crafts for ages 3-5. Reservations required.
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Every Thursday at 10am and 11:30am, this Kennesaw-based museum hosts a Mommy and Me Preschool Proram where kids ages 3-5 can explore the museum’s history with themes and educational activities.
The DeKalb History Center
Kids ages 2-5 may participate in Welcome Wednesdays, the second Wednesday of each month from 10:30am-11:30am. Children will listen to a story and work on an art project based on that program’s theme.
Southeastern Railway Museum
At this fascinating museum in Duluth, on the second Thursday of each month from 10:20am until noon, kids ages 2-4 can enjoy a vehicle-themed class with five components (15 minutes each) including games, stories and songs, activity and crafts. Advanced registration preferred.
Atlanta Botanical Garden-Gainesville Location
Visit their amazing Model Train Garden to play with toy trains and watch the model train go around the tracks.
TinyTowne
Your car enthusiast will love getting to drive around in small cars and watch big kids drive in larger ones. Ages 1-3 can learn to hold onto the steering wheel and ages 3-6 can drive a freely-moving vehicle on the Tiny Track.
Local Libraries
Libraries are ideal, free places to visit with toddlers. Not only do you encourage picking up a book and reading from a young age, most metro libraries schedule weekly story times, craft activities and even puppet shows. Visit your local library’s website for a calendar of events.
Decatur Toy Park
Scooters, tricycles, small slides, push cars galore – this toy park is filled with toys families have donated, and is a great place for toddlers to play. The sidewalk “track,” which runs along the edges is great for riding all types of plastic toys, which are readily available all over the grass and mulch area.
Grandma Snazzy’s Storytime – Kids have been enjoying Grandma Snazzy’s songs and stories at the Crabapple Kroger in Alpharetta for years. She holds them three times a week (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 10am) and at the end, kids get to color and have a snack.
Bookstores – Atlanta is crawling with books stores—some local and some national chains. Bringing toddlers to book stores, especially when they have dedicated story times, is always a fun activity.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Preschoolers will enjoy a story with a Fernbank educator along with an activity or song at the museum’s regular event “Tadpole Tales.”
The Georgia Aquarium
With their monthly “Toddler Time” events, parents and kids (ages 0-3), may participate in an 1.5 hour experience, at a lower price than general admission. They will learn about a different marine animal each month, get a visit from a costumed character, have a story time, craft and snack.
The Alliance Theatre
In their “Theatre for the Very Young” Program, the Alliance puts on productions created with kids ages 0-5 in mind. Kids under 5 get free season tickets with the purchase of adult admission. Families with infants and toddlers also enjoy the Alliance’s Jungle Room, an interactive indoor play space.
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Art Classes for Babies and Toddlers
The High Museum of Art
Every Thurs. 10am – 4pm the High offers Toddler Thursdays where kids ages 2-4 can create
masterpieces to complement the museum’s current exhibits. Plus, kids ages 5 and younger get free admission to the museum.
Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning
Parents and their little ones head to this art museum in Duluth on the last Friday of every month for Toddler Friday (10:30am-noon). They have hands-on art activities, music and story time for ages 1-4 led by a retired art educator.
Popadoodle
At this “Kids’ Imagination Center” in Stone Moutain, families will find lots of artistic events just for the younger set. They have “Tots and Tales” on Mondays 10am-12pm which includes music, dancing, a story, a craft/activity and open play in their imagination center. They also offer “Toddler Time” on Monday and Thursday mornings at 10am. Bonus: free coffee for parents.
Abrakadoodle
With locations all over Atlanta, parents and their toddlers have lots of options for art classes. Designed for kids ages 20 months to 3 years, “Twoosy Doodlers” is a parent/child class that helps little ones develop sensory, fine and gross motor skills. They learn about color and texture in this hands-on class.
The Art Barn at Morning Glory Farm
This adorable farm in Canton mixes art with loving farm animals. Parents can check their “COW-lendar” to see when they are offering play dates and make a reservation. Children can take a hay ride, pet the animals and then head over to the barn to do arts/crafts.
Seven Arts Center
In this studio in East Point, kids as young as two may attend the popular “Parent and Me” art and music class with their parent, guardian or caregiver. It is an energetic class that is a combination of visual art and rhythm.
Michaels
At the craft superstore (with locations all over Atlanta), parents and kids can attend their “Kids Club” which usually takes place on Saturdays. For a small charge, Michaels provides all the supplies for kids 3 and up to do simple but fun crafts.
Home Depot: Kids Workshop
Parents and kids love these workshops at the Home Depot, where even young kids get to work with their hands, hammer and build things. The best part—besides the fact that it’s free—is that kids get to keep their projects and take home the orange apron.
Purple Elephant Art Studio
Known as “The Pea Studio” in Marietta, this art venue has lots of kids’ programs, including a “Toddler Time” every Monday at 10:00am. Each class focuses on early learning and social skills through art, with a parent or guardian by the child’s side.
Nature Classes for Babies and Toddlers
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
On select Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am-11am (check their calendar), Autrey Mill has “Preschool Adventures” where kids ages 3-6 learn about the natural environment of the Nature Preserve. Adventures might include a walk and hands-on activity or craft.
Advance registration preferred.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens
At this beautiful botanical garden in Kennesaw, families can participate in “Garden Stories” which includes a story on a garden related topic, crafts and activities for children ages 2-6.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Get ready to dance in the Children’s Garden Amphitheater with their “Garden Grooves” for ages 2-5. Check their website for many other programs in the Children’s Garden like Storybook time and Garden Playtime.
Zoo Atlanta
On the first Wednesday of each month and on select Saturdays, kids ages 3 and 4 can attend “Adventure Cubs” where they can go on a zoo tour, explore and play at interactive learning stations and meet an animal ambassador up-close. The hands-on program allows you to explore different toddler-friendly concepts about animals. Registration required.
North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm
For a smaller zoo experience, head to Cleveland for the “Mommy and Me at the Zoo” event which takes places on most second Tuesdays of each month. Designed especially for toddlers and their caregivers, they offer discounted rates and kid-centered wildlife walk.
Dunwoody Nature Center
Parents and young children (ages 18-36 months) will love the center’s “Mommy, Me and Nature” class. Each week they have a different theme with activities and adventures to help kids and their caregivers connect with nature.
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Fitness and Gymnastics for Babies and Toddlers
Sky Zone
The indoor trampoline parks offer “Toddler Time,” which is special jump hours for ages 5 and younger. Check each location for schedule and prices.
HippoHop
This indoor play place in Atlanta has an eco-friendly indoor play area, a café with healthy choices and a large toddler area.
Sparkles Family Fun Center
Kids younger than age 5 using ride-on toys and skates are welcome on the roller skating rink or in the bounce house for their “Tiny Tots” events at one of their four Atlanta area locations.
Jump Start Gymnasium
This Sandy Springs gym offers a series of classes called “Just You and Me” for ages 3 months to 4 years. They have parent and me movement and music classes as well as gymnastics classes starting at age 3. The 3 months to crawling class, “Moving Monkeys,” is free and other classes vary in price.
The Little Gym
At one of their three locations (Johns Creek, Smyrna and Snellville), children can enjoy parent and me programs from 4 months to 3 years with chances to play with musical instruments, climb on smaller gym equipment and dance. Gymnastics classes start at age 3.
Champion Kids
Parents get to play too at this Marietta gym’s “Buddy and Me” class. You and your child (ages 15 months to 2.5) are led through obstacles to learn basic gymnastics skills and better prepare for without-parent classes.
Oh Baby! Fitness
Founded in Atlanta, Oh Baby! Fitness offers classes for moms-to-be and mom and baby where mom can get fit and baby can participate. Classes (which are held at various locations around Atlanta, including parks) include Mom and Baby Fitness, H2OH Baby!, Mom & Baby Pilates, Mom & Baby Yoga and a Stroller Workout.
Fit4Mom: Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre
Fit4Mom offers two stroller classes for working out with your baby. Stroller Strides involves cardio with intervals of strength training to build endurance for motherhood. Stroller Barre combines elements of barre, Pilates and ballet to build strength through smaller movements.
Superior Play Systems
Love those awesome play sets with slides and swings in people’s backyards? Your little ones can play on them INSIDE at one of Superior Play Systems two Atlanta area showrooms (Alpharetta and Norcross). The company has open play times for a fee. Sure, some of the equipment is more suitable for older kids but there are also swings, little slides and see saws for toddlers.
Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education
In their “Mommy and Me Dance Class” for 2-year-olds and their caregivers (dads are welcome too!), little ones are introduced to music and movement.
Monkey Joe’s
With three metro Atlanta locations, kids 3 and younger have their own play area, so they can join in on the fun. The separate Mini Monkey Zone is perfect for toddlers who may still be a little unsteady on their feet.
Swim Classes for Babies and Toddlers
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
From infant safety classes to swimming technique classes, you can start your child young as young as 4 months here (Alpharetta, Kennesaw and Douglasville).
Dynamo Swim Club
Dynababies classes are for ages 6 -36 months in a heated pool; these introductory classes help get baby comfortable in the water. Preschool classes are for ages 3 and 4 to work on basic swim skills (several Atlanta locations).
Goldfish Swim School
At this facility in Johns Creek, they offer year-round swim lessons for children 4 months to 12 years and for swimmers of all abilities. The pool is even heated to a warm 90 degrees for comfortable swimming.
SeaVentures
Not only does this swim school in Alpharetta have lessons for kids as young as 10 months (with parents in the water through age 3), they have a free Baby Splash Class for babies ages 3 to 9 months old.
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Music Classes for Babies and Toddlers
Kindermusik
Children can learn about music and movement, storytelling and imaginative play. They have classes for infants to age 7 which are offered at various locations (like churches and other facilities) throughout the Atlanta area.
The Learning Groove
They offer parent and child classes for singing, dancing, playing and making music for ages newborn to 4 years in several spots in-town. Fun fact: The Learning Groove was created by the author of the first four “Pete the Cat” books, Eric Litwin.
The Music Class
Children (and even babies!) and their parents sing, dance, move and learn to play instruments in classes grouped by age level at one of their 15 Atlanta locations. Parents and kids even receive a CD of all the music so they can enjoy the songs from class at home or in the car.
Gymboree Play & Music
Gymboree (in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta and Toco Hills) offers a fun place for parents and young children to play together. The 0-6 months class explores the senses and supports visual and auditory development with tummy time, flashlight play, first songs and more. Music, art, preschool steps, family and school skills classes are also available for ages 2-5 years.
Firehouse Guitars and Music
This cool guitar store in Decatur has an even cooler “WeeJam Music and Movement Class” (for kids 0-6 years). Their philosophy is that kids under 7 aren’t ready for one-on-one music lessons so this class gives them a foundation for music in a fun, community environment.
Bach to Rock
Toddlers love their Rock and Roll class, specifically designed for their age group at their studios in Atlanta, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs. It’s a high-energy music and movement class for parents and their toddlers.
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