Thrifty Thursday with Mel: Free and Cheap Greater Atlanta Activities
Even before I became a mom, I always enjoyed finding fun and cheap activities around Atlanta. Now that I’m mostly home with my girls, my explorations have taken on new level of importance for getting us out of the house. I am a firm believer that exposing children to enrichment opportunities helps them to expend some of their energy by working both their minds and bodies so that they’ll take naps and sleep better grow up to be intelligent, well-rounded adults!
Each week, I try to get to check out at least one new activity to add to our regular rotation of story times, crafts, etc. Last week, we took advantage of Free Admission Day at the High Museum and explored the fantastic Eric Carle exhibit. This week, we were able to catch the last Thirsty Roots Reading Group story time of the season at the Trees Atlanta Tree House on Krog Street.
You could check dozens of sources and still not find all the cool events for children. From live music to arts and crafts and even kid’s parades, Atlanta always has something exciting going on for our little peaches. So each week on Thrifty Thursday, I’ll post my picks of the best kid-friendly happenings around Atlanta.
SUNDAY, 5/22/16
Family Fun at Woodruff Arts Center
Sundays 1-4
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
FREE!
Bring the entire family to the Woodruff Arts Center on Sunday afternoons for a day of playing music, theatre games, crafts, instrument petting zoos, and more. The event is free, but online reservations are required. Click here to register. This reservation puts you in a drawing for a chance to win a High Museum of Art Family Membership. For information about parking click here.
Babies in Space
Alliance Theatre
Joseph R Bankoff Gallery
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
A part of the Theatre for the Very Young series, Babies in Space, is an interactive outer-space playscape and performance for little ones newborn through 24 months old. Admission to the playscape is free. Performance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-17 and free for children 5 and under.
Performance Times (requires a ticket)
Sundays: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m.
Playspace Hours (FREE admission)
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MONDAY, 5/23
Thirsty Roots Reading Group at Trees Atlanta Treehouse on the BeltLine
10:30 a.m.
Beltline, Trees Atlanta TreeHouse
112 Krog Street, Atlanta, GA
FREE!
The Thirsty Roots Reading Group is a free reading club designed for children ages 2-7 to learn about the natural environment through nature-themed book readings and projects. Each session begins with a story followed by a hands-on activity that each child can complete with their guardian on the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum. This awesome, hands-on story time takes a hiatus for the summer and will return on August 1.
TUESDAY, 5/24
Story time at Little Shop of Stories
11:00 a.m.
133 E Court Square # A, Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-6300
FREE!
Arguably the best children’s bookstore in the city, this bookstore has lots of books, gifts and programs for young readers. Keep in mind that it is located on the very popular Decatur Square so parking is extremely limited.
Tot spot at Atlantic Station
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
1380 Atlantic Drive
NW Atlanta, GA 30363
404-410-4010
FREE!
Each Tuesday morning, Atlantic Station’s Central Park transforms into every child’s dream playground! Toddlers can enjoy games, storytelling, toys, music and appearances from very special guests.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! Storytime at East Atlanta Library
10:30 a.m.
400 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
404-730-5438
FREE!
Tuesday’s storytime is geared for toddlers ages 3 and under. Storytime is in the meeting room. Afterwards, visit the children’s section of the library, where you can cuddle on a cushioned window seat with your toddler and a big pile of board books or get creative with the crayons and free coloring sheets available. There’s plenty of parking in the library lot or on the street.
West End Branch Library Storytime
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
525 Peeples St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
FREE!
Enjoy theme-based story time and hands-on craft activities.
Teeny Tiny Tots Storytime at Kirkwood Branch Library
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
11 Kirkwood Rd., SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
404-377-6471
FREE!
Babies, toddlers and their parents or caregivers can enjoy new and classic books and action songs and meet other toddlers from the neighborhood. Suitable for children ages 6months to 3 years.
WEDNESDAY, 5/25
Little House of Art Open Studio
10am-1pm
Pencil Factory Lofts (Downtown)
349 Decatur St., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30312
470-428-4797
Little House of Art is a great place to take your little one(s) to explore their creativity. For just $8, children can paint on unlimited custom easels and blackboards, create DIY paper crafts, dig in colorful sensory bins, build structures with Legos and blocks, and bounce in Arty’s bouncing playhouse. Coffee, drinks, and snacks are also available for purchase. Free parking available in the Pencil Factory Lofts parking deck.
THURSDAY, 5/26
Circle Time with Ms. Krista at Little Shop of Stories
11:00 a.m.
133 E Court Square # A, Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-6300
FREE!
Circle Time with Ms. Krista includes songs and interactive play, in addition to fun, age-appropriate stories. This event is best suited to children 3 and under. Babies are welcome!
Evening Story Time at Little Shop of Stories
7:00 p.m.
133 E Court Square # A, Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-6300
FREE!
If you missed circle time earlier in the day, you can load up your pajama clad little ones in the evening to enjoy a special story time and snack each Thursday at 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, 5/27
Free jazz festival at Piedmont Park
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Piedmont Park
FREE!
Atlanta’s annual jazz festival will feature something for everyone in the family –music fest vibe for the parents and a kids’ zone for the little ones.
SATURDAY, 5/28
Decatur Kids Arts Festival
9:30 am-2 pm
Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA
The fun kicks off with a parade. Dress your kids up in their favorite costumes, trick out your stroller, bikes or trikes and line up at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Commerce Drive and Church Street. There will be a prize for the best decorated wheels. Marching begins at 9:50 am.
After the parade, enjoy art, music, clowns, inflatables, and more! There will hot dogs for sale as well. Most activities are free or for a small donation.
Babies in Space
Alliance Theatre
Joseph R Bankoff Gallery
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
A part of the Theatre for the Very Young series, Babies in Space, is an interactive outer-space playscape and performance for little ones newborn through 24 months old. Admission to the playscape is free. Performance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-17 and free for children 5 and under.
Performance Times (requires a ticket)
Saturdays: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 11:30 a.m.
Playspace Hours (FREE admission)
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Free jazz festival at Piedmont Park
Sat. & Sun. from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Piedmont Park, 10th and Monroe, Atlanta, Ga
FREE!
Atlanta’s annual jazz festival will feature something for everyone in the family –music fest vibe for the parents and a kids’ zone for the little ones.
Join the Kid’s Club at Michael’s and make a patriotic banner craft
Michael’s
2625 Piedmont Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30324
$2
Head to Michael’s with your crafty kid from 10:00 a.m.-noon to make a patriotic banner to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.
Our Great Big Backyard Storytime at the Buckhead Barnes & Noble
11:00 a.m.
2900 Peachtree Road NE Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-261-7747
FREE!
This special story time event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. It will feature a reading of, “Our Great Big Backyard” written by #1 New York Times bestselling authors former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush Hager as a tribute to our national parks and the importance of connecting with nature. Coloring and activities will follow after the story.
SUNDAY, 5/29
Family Fun at Woodruff Arts Center
Sundays 1-4
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
FREE!
Bring the entire family to the Woodruff Arts Center on Sunday afternoons for a day of playing music, theatre games, crafts, instrument petting zoos, and more. The event is free, but online reservations are required. Click here to register.
This reservation puts you in a drawing for a chance to win a High Museum of Art Family Membership. For information about parking, click here.
Babies in Space
Alliance Theatre
Joseph R Bankoff Gallery
1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
A part of the Theatre for the Very Young series, Babies in Space, is an interactive outer-space playscape and performance for little ones newborn through 24 months old. Admission to the playscape is free. Performance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 6-17 and free for children 5 and under.
Performance Times (requires a ticket)
Sundays: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m.
Playspace Hours (FREE admission)
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Free jazz festival at Piedmont Park
Sat. & Sun. from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Piedmont Park, 10th and Monroe, Atlanta, Ga
FREE!
Atlanta’s annual jazz festival will feature something for everyone in the family –music fest vibe for the parents and a kids’ zone for the little ones.
TUESDAY, 5/31
Little Shop of Stories
11:00 a.m.
133 E Court Square # A, Decatur, GA 30030
404-373-6300
FREE!
Arguably the best children’s bookstore in the city, this bookstore has lots of books, gifts and programs for young readers. Keep in mind that it is located on the very popular Decatur Square so parking is extremely limited.
Tot spot at Atlantic Station
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
1380 Atlantic Drive
NW Atlanta, GA 30363
404-410-4010
FREE!
Each Tuesday morning, Atlantic Station’s Central Park transforms into every child’s dream playground! Toddlers can enjoy games, storytelling, toys, music and appearances from very special guests.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! Storytime at East Atlanta Branch Library
10:30 a.m.
400 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
404-730-5438
FREE!
Tuesday’s storytime is geared for toddlers ages 3 and under. Storytime is in the meeting room. Afterwards, visit the children’s section of the library, where you can cuddle on a cushioned window seat with your toddler and a big pile of board books or get creative with the crayons and free coloring sheets available. There’s plenty of parking in the library lot or on the street.
West End Branch Library Storytime
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
525 Peeples St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
FREE!
Enjoy theme-based story time and hands-on craft activities.
Teeny Tiny Tots Storytime at Kirkwood Branch Library
4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
11 Kirkwood Rd., SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
404-377-6471
FREE!
Babies, toddlers and their parents or caregivers can enjoy new and classic books and action songs and meet other toddlers from the neighborhood. Suitable for children ages 6months to 3 years.
WEDNESDAY, 6/1
Preschool Storytime at Buckhead Barnes & Noble
11:00 a.m.
2900 Peachtree Road NE Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-261-7747
FREE!
Crafts or activities will follow the reading of the newest, best books for kids.
THURSDAY, 6/2
Little House of Art Open Studio
10am-1pm
Pencil Factory Lofts (Downtown)
349 Decatur St., Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30312
470-428-4797
Little House of Art is a great place to take your little one(s) to explore their creativity. For just $8, children can paint on unlimited custom easels and blackboards, create DIY paper crafts, dig in colorful sensory bins, build structures with Legos and blocks, and bounce in Arty’s bouncing playhouse. Coffee, drinks, and snacks are also available for purchase. Free parking available in the Pencil Factory Lofts parking deck.
