Thrifty Thursdays with Mel

This is the last full week of summer break before the kids head back to school. Make the most of the long days by getting out around the city for some last minute fun. With the heat index soaring into triple digits, indoor activities like the Summer Movie Series at Studio Movie Grill is at the top of our list for free and cheap Atlanta activities this week.

MONDAY
Kung Fu Panda 2 @ Studio Movie Grill
August 1
11AM
Duluth and Alpharetta locations
$1
You can’t find a movie deal cheaper than this one…even if it is just a bit OTP, it is still worth the drive. Beat the heat by heading to either the Alpharetta or Duluth locations of Studio Movie Grill for the Children’s Summer Movie Series. For just $1 you can enjoy the air conditioning and a family friendly film with your little ones. August 1-5, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the featured movie. Movies show daily at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Click here for the complete list of showings.

TUESDAY
Old Macdonald’s Farm @ Center for Puppetry Arts
August 2 & 3
Center For Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Reduced-price preview tickets available
Little ones will move, sing, and help the farmhands on Old MacDonald’s farm. This new interactive show is full of puppets, music, and a lot of fun down on the farm! Click here for more info.

WEDNESDAY
On You: Wearing Technology @ MODA
Through Friday, July 29
Museum of Design Atlanta, 1315 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
12pm
Cost: Adult $10.00; College Student $5.00; Military/Educator $8.00; Senior $8.00; Student (6-17 yrs) $5.00
Head over to the Museum of Design for a unique exhibit on wearable technology. While the basic technology has existed for decades, only recently have wearable devices become practical and desirable. Using consumer, professional and “maker” creations, On You: Wearing Technology demonstrates four challenges along the road to making a consumer wearable computer: power and heat, networking, mobile input and displays.

THURSDAY
Read to Rover at Brookhaven Library
July 28
11am-12pm
Brookhaven Library; 1242 N Druid Hills Rd.. Atlanta, GA 30319
FREE!
Practice your new reading skills by reading aloud to Ellie, a trained therapy dog. Groups of 5 or more, please call branch for appointment. Open to first 12 participants. No registration required.
Please park behind the library and enter at the lower level.

FRIDAY
Wild Music Exhibit @ Fernbank
Through July 31st
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Cost: Included with museum admission and free for members. Adults $18; Students & Seniors – $17; Children 3-12 $16; Children 2 & under FREE.
You should definitely make plans to check out this unique exhibit on music in nature at Fernbank before it closes on July 31st. Discover that nature is filled with “musicians” that create distinct musical masterpieces to communicate with and relate to one another. Explore how human music is inspired by the music of other living creatures—from tiny insects to giant whales. Experience animal songs from across the globe, speak without using your voice, hear a spider’s call, mix a musical masterpiece, and much more.

SATURDAY
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I and II release party @ Little Shop of Stories
July 30
Little Shop of Stories, 133 A East Court Square, Decatur
Midnight
Have a teenaged Harry Potter enthusiast? There’s no better reason to let them stay up past their bedtime than attending a special release party for the latest additions to the series. You must pre-order and purchase a copy of this book from Little Shop of Stories to attend. For more info, click here.
Free B at the Movies
July 30
Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE, Brookhaven
FREE!
The 2016 summer movie series, B at the Movies is winding down for the season. On July 30 head to Blackburn Park in Brookhaven to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Movies begin at dusk, and there’ll be games & prizes before the flicks. Picnics & coolers are welcome, but follow local ordinances regarding open containers and glassware.

SUNDAY
Kid Talks Presented By Mashable + AFI
July 31
Atlanta Botanical Gardens Day Hall, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
FREE!
Mashable, in partnership with American Family Insurance, is celebrating the power of kids’ imagination with “Kid Talks.” Take the entire family for an afternoon of creativity, inspiration and a fresh perspective on your dream journey! “Kid Talks” is recommended for ages 8 and up, but is open to all. Call (404) 876-5859 or click
here for more info.

Check out more of Mel’s weekly activity lists here!