Thrifty Thursdays with Mel – Free and cheap Atlanta Activities

There are so many fun things to explore in the Atlanta with your little ones. From reading to running off excess energy – there is something fun for everyone! Can your tot carry a tune? Be sure to pick up tickets for Kidz Bop Life of the Party Tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Friday, August 19!

August 18-25
MONDAY
Thirsty Roots Reading Group at Trees Atlanta Treehouse on the BeltLine
August 22
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Beltline, Trees Atlanta TreeHouse
112 Krog Street, Atlanta, GA
FREE!
The Thirsty Roots Reading Group is starting up again for the fall. It is a free reading club designed for children ages 2-7 to learn about the natural environment through nature-themed book readings and projects. This week’s book is “The Curious Garden” by Peter Brown. 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. The Treehouse is located in the Krog Street Market. Parking is extremely limited. Click here for more info.
TUESDAY
Tot Spot at Atlantic Station
August 23
10am-12pm
Atlantic Station – Central Park; 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
FREE!
Every Tuesday morning join the Atlantic Station Concierge team for “Tot Spot” in Central Park (weather permitting). Bring your pre-school aged ‘tots’ for playtime while you get in some downtime! The experience changes each week: there may be a face painter, storyteller, or arts and crafts for your tot to enjoy while you relax. Also enjoy special deals from California Pizza Kitchen, Land of a Thousand Hills, Rosa Mexicano and Which Wich. Click here for more details.

WEDNESDAY
Music Together of Decatur at Raging Burrito
August 17
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Raging Burrito141 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
FREE!
Gather up your little ones and head to Decatur for some singing, dancing, instrument playing, and a whole lot of fun at Raging Burrito!
For more info email Info@MusicTogetherOfDecatur.com or call 678-466-0737.

THURSDAY
Jurassic Park at The Fabulous Fox
August 18
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Tickets are $10 advance and $12 on the day of show
The 2016 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival is back. Let the kids stay up past their bedtime to watch Jurassic Park on the GIANT screen at the Fox. Click here for more info.

FRIDAY
KIDZ BOP Life of the Party Tour
August 19
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Tickets start at $15 (lawn)
The KIDZ BOP Kids—Ashlynn Chong, Sela Hack, Matt Martinez, and Grant Knoche—headline the family-friendly concert, which features the biggest songs of the year, brand new choreography, and more fun surprises. KIDZ BOP is the #1 music brand for kids, featuring today’s biggest hits “sung by kids for kids.” Over 16 million KIDZ BOP albums have sold since the family-friendly audio collection debuted in 2001. To purchase tickets, click here.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Dinosaur Birthday Bash at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
August 20
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Adults $18; Children 3-12 $16; Children 2 & under FREE
It’s Fernbank’s annual Dinosaur Birthday Bash. Enjoy a variety of dinosaur- and birthday-themed activities including big bubbles with the Georgia Bubbleman, photo opps with Fernbank’s dinosaur mascot, free* birthday treats, appearances by Buddy the T. rex from PBS Kids’ Dinosaur Train and more. This special family event is presented in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Giants of the Mesozoic. Click here for more info.

Free Admission Day – Zoo Atlanta 
August 20 & August 21
9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
FREE for City of Atlanta and Fulton County residents and employees!
Zoo Atlanta will host City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. On these two dates, guests who can demonstrate residence or employment in either the City of Atlanta or Fulton County Government will be admitted free. Admission is valid for two adults and up to four children. For more info, click here.