Thirfty Thursdays with Atlanta Mel
If you’re not one of the lucky ones headed on vacation for the Fourth of July weekend, don’t worry! There are still lots of fun, family-friendly (and cheap!) activities happening around the city. From crafts to story time and holiday fireworks celebrations – there is something fun for everyone to enjoy!
THIS WEEK ONLY
Fun-believable Fourth at the Georgia Aquarium
July 4
7:00-10:30 pm
Georgia Aquarium
Head over to Georgia Aquarium this Fourth of July for our Fun-believable Fourth celebration! The night will kick off at 7 p.m. in the Oceans Ballroom with summertime beverages and desserts. Later, the fun will move to the top of the parking deck for carnival games, arts and crafts and a live DJ. Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets for the Centennial Olympic fireworks show that starts at 9:40 p.m. Click here for ticket prices and more information.
Arts in the Vineyard
June 30
12:00-1:30 pm
Vineyard in the City
FREE!
This event is held in the Vineyard located in the green space on 14th Street midway between Peachtree and West Peachtree Streets created for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Arts in the Vineyard features free arts and musical performances every Tuesday and Thursday through the end of June in Midtown. The series features ongoing month-long visual art installations, literary performances, musical concerts and more. Food and beverages will be available to purchase. For a complete schedule of featured artists and performers, click here.
Pottery Barn Nursery Style Event
July 9
4-6pm
Select Pottery Barn Kids locations
FREE!
Head over to participating Pottery Barn Kids locations to participate in a nursery style event featuring designs from the new seasonal nursery collection. Join Pottery Barn experts as they help you design the perfect nursery and navigate your registry checklist. Refreshments provided along with a free gift from Boppy as well as a chance to win either an UPPAbaby Vista stroller or a $500 Pottery Barn Kids gift card. RSVP at your local store. For more info, click here.
Lenox Square’s Legendary Fourth of July
Monday, July 4
6-10pm
Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
FREE!
Celebrate Independence Day in grand tradition with patriotic activities for the entire family at one of the largest fireworks displays in the Southeast. This year’s activities will include a 15-minute fireworks show, musical entertainment (Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band and Party on The Moon) and food concessions. MARTA is the preferred and easiest means of transportation to and from the event. Paid parking for $10 available at Lenox Square. For $20, patrons can access VIP Parking close to the festivities and priority event departure. Simon Rewards Platinum Members will receive free VIP Parking for the evening. For more info click here.
MUSIC
Music at Noon in Centennial Park
June 30
12-1pm
Centennial Olympic Park
Every Tuesday and Thursday through October enjoy a free concert in the park at the Southern Company Amphitheater at Centennial Park in Atlanta. From noon to 1:00 p.m., your favorite local artists take the stage, performing a variety of pop, jazz and R&B.
Music at Noon does take periodic breaks during the season, so be sure to click here to check the schedule before you head out.
STORY TIME
Books & Babies at Decatur Library
July 5
10-10:30
Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
FREE!
Enjoy this special story time that features nursery rhymes, songs, short books and fingerplays that target the developmental needs of infants and crawlers. Siblings welcome. Please sign up at the Desk in the Children’s Department on the morning of the program. Suitable for children up to 12 months old. Groups of 5 or more, please call branch for appointment. Open to first 25 participants. Click here for more info.
Circle Time with Ms. Krista at Little Shop of Stories
June 30
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. The group will meet in the gazebo on the Decatur Square, just a short walk from the store, during the summer months. This event is best suited to children 3 and under and will not take place in the event of inclement weather. Babies are welcome! Click here for more info.
Evening Story Time at Little Shop of Stories
June 30
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.
Storytimes at Brookhaven Library
July 5
10am
Brookhaven Library, 1242 N Druid Hills Rd.. Atlanta, GA 30319
FREE!
Building Blocks Storytime from 10am to 10:45am for baby (Ages 0—24 months); Toddler Time (age 2) from 11am to 11:30am. Stories, fingerplays, rhymes and songs specifically targeted to the developmental needs of 2-year-olds. Please park behind the library and enter at the lower level.
Story Time in the Garden at Toomer Elementary
July 6
9:30 a.m.
Toomer Elementary School, 65 Rogers St., NE, Atlanta
FREE!
Story time takes place every Wednesday at 9:30am in the Toomer garden. Kids can listen to stories, dig in the dirt, water the garden, and play with friends. All ages are welcome (2-6 years old is the target age).
Toddler Time with Mrs. White at Northside Library
July 6
10:30-11 am
Northside Branch Library, 3295 Northside Parkway, NW, Atlanta 30327
FREE!
Story time includes fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs and board books. Appropriate for pre-schoolers. Click here for more info.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! Storytime at East Atlanta Library
July 5
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.
Preschool Pals Story Time at West End Branch Library
July 5
10am
525 Peeples St., SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
FREE!
Enjoy theme-based story time and hands-on craft activities.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum
June 30
11am-3pm
High Museum
1280 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Enjoy the museum’s new, themed family programs, this month with Eric Carle’s collage art! In conjunction with Toddler Takeover, the High Museum of Art will offer in-gallery tours just for toddlers (15 months–3 years) and their caregivers. Take part in a guided tour on the second and fourth Thursday of each month during Toddler Thursday (11 a.m.–3 p.m.). For more info click here.
FREE Teen Open Studio at The High Museum
Friday, July 1
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309
Admission to Open Studio and the Museum is FREE for ALL teens age 15 and older.
Swing on by the High to find inspiration in the galleries and experiment with materials like charcoal, paint, metal, fabric, and duct tape in our studio! Projects will be different each month, and you’re welcome to bring in sewing projects you need help with. Open Studio is a drop-in class! Come any time from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission to Open Studio and the Museum is FREE for ALL teens age 15 and older. You don’t even need to be a member, just a teen! This is a teen-only event. High schoolers only. Drinks and snacks provided.
For more info click here.
Mom/Dad Mornings Out-The Little House Of Art
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through August 13
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pencil Factory (Downtown) 349 Decatur St Suite D, Atlanta, GA 30312
$18
Kids will get to enjoy Arts and Crafts, Story time, Play Dough, Music and Movement, Circle time, Bounce and play! Give your kids some time to socialize, share and learn! Drink and snacks included! Age 2-5 (must be potty trained).
Register and purchase tickets here.
Family Fun at Woodruff Arts Center
July 3
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.
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.
Drop in Art @ Treehouse Kid & Craft
July 2
Every Saturday 10am
533 W. Howard Ave., Suite A, Decatur
470-355-8305
$12
Enjoy weekly activities including painting, drawing and sculpting inspired by the seasons, holidays, nature, artists or community happenings. Suitable for children ages 2-5.
STEM ACTIVITIES
Build an Ice Age Bowling Game at Home Depot
July 2
9am-noon
Participating Home Depot locations
FREE!
Grab the kids and head over to your neighborhood Home Depot for their free Kid’s Workshop. This week’s project is building an Ice Age Bowling Game. Walk-ins are welcome and able to complete the activity while supplies last. Pre-registration strongly encouraged. Click here to register.
Camp Creativity at Michaels
July 4 & 6
10am-noon
Participating Michaels locations
$5
If your kids are crafty, they may enjoy creating something special at Michaels. The theme for this week’s craft is castles and princesses. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to sign up.
Toddler Time at Lego Land Discovery Center
June 29
10:00 a.m.
Lego Land Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza,
3500 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30326
FREE for children 0-2!
Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday head to Lego Land for guided play and story time for toddlers at in the DUPLO® Village. Tickets for children over 3 and adults are $11.95.
