Photo: Diliff, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta is one of the easiest big cities in the South to visit with kids. Whale sharks, gorillas, life-size dinosaurs, Kermit the Frog and a granite mountain with a cable car are all within half an hour of downtown, and some of the best stops are free. These are the best kid-friendly things to do in Atlanta, with the ages each one suits, rainy-day picks and free ideas. We checked hours and prices on October 21, 2026.
- Top picksGeorgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum and the Center for Puppetry Arts
- Free funCentennial Olympic Park’s Fountain of Rings, Piedmont Park playgrounds and free observatory nights at Fernbank Science Center
- Rainy dayAquarium, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts, LEGO Discovery Center
- Grown-up guide22 best things to do in Atlanta
Animals and Aquariums
Animals top every kid’s list. Start with these three, and buy tickets online the day before to skip the line.
Zoo AtlantaGorillas in Grant Park
Fernbank MuseumLife-size dinosaurs
Stone Mountain SkyrideA cable car to the top
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Stephen Rahn from Acworth, GA, USA, CC0; Daderot, CC0; Rundvald, public domain.
1. Georgia Aquarium
The only whale sharks in a U.S. aquarium, plus beluga whales, sea otters, penguins and an underwater tunnel. Dolphin and sea lion presentations are first come, first served on the day of your visit. Tickets are timed; allow 2 to 4 hours. Best for all ages.
2. Zoo Atlanta
In historic Grant Park, about 10 minutes from downtown, known for its gorillas and a big reptile and amphibian house. Strollers are easy on the paved paths, and there are paid rides for small kids. Best for ages 2 to 10.
3. Chattahoochee Nature Center
127 acres on the river in Roswell with 2.5 miles of trails, a river boardwalk and aviaries of native hawks and owls. Admission is $20 for adults and $14 for ages 3 to 12; 2 and under are free. About 35 minutes north of downtown.
Hooked on wildlife? The free Dunwoody Nature Center has easy creek trails, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden has a children’s garden built for climbing and splashing.
Museums Made for Kids
Atlanta’s best museums for children are hands-on, and all of them work on a hot or rainy day.
4. Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Walk under some of the largest dinosaurs ever found in the Giants of the Mesozoic hall, then go outside to WildWoods and the 65-acre Fernbank Forest, an old-growth Piedmont forest in the middle of the city. Best for ages 4 and up.
5. Center for Puppetry Arts
Home to the world’s largest collection of Jim Henson puppets and props, with Muppets, Fraggles and Sesame Street characters, plus puppet shows for kids and a make-your-own-puppet workshop. Museum admission starts at $18. Best for ages 3 to 12.
6. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Hands-on play spaces for young children next to Centennial Olympic Park. The famous Ball Machine retired in August 2026; a rebuilt version is planned for 2027, with pop-up exhibits in its place until then. Best for ages 2 to 8.
7. Fernbank Science Center
Run by DeKalb County Schools, with free exhibits, the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium and free public observatory nights on Thursday and Friday evenings. Not the same place as the Fernbank Museum, though they are close.
For a full day out, Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, about an hour north, has fossils, gems, a planetarium and a hands-on science area. For more ideas, see our list of Atlanta museums.
Outdoor Play
Let them run. These spots are free or cheap and easy to fit around a museum or a nap.
8. Centennial Olympic Park’s Fountain of Rings
Kids splash through the jets of the Olympic rings fountain on summer days, with playgrounds and lawns nearby. Free. Bring a change of clothes.
9. Piedmont Park
Playgrounds, wide lawns for kites and frisbees, and a flat loop around Lake Clara Meer for bikes and scooters. Free.
10. Stone Mountain Park
Ride the Summit Skyride cable car more than 825 feet up, or hike the 1-mile Walk-Up Trail with older kids. The playground, lake and covered bridge are free with the $25 parking pass.
11. The Atlanta BeltLine
The Eastside Trail is flat and paved for strollers and bikes, with murals to spot and treats at Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. Go on a weekday morning, before it gets crowded.
For hikes, rivers and rock outcrops close to town, see outdoor things to do in Atlanta and our list of fun outdoor activities for kids.
Rides and Thrills
For older kids and teens, or a birthday treat:
12. Six Flags Over Georgia
Big roller coasters and a separate water park, Six Flags White Water, in Austell and Marietta, about 15 to 25 minutes west of downtown. Check the operating calendar, since both close for part of the year.
13. LEGO Discovery Center
An indoor LEGO play and building center at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. It is aimed at roughly ages 3 to 10, and adults must come with a child.
14. SkyView Atlanta
A giant Ferris wheel on the edge of Centennial Olympic Park, with climate-controlled gondolas and views over downtown. A quick add-on to an aquarium day.
Sports fans can tour the College Football Hall of Fame downtown, kick a field goal on its indoor field, then catch a Braves game at Truist Park, surrounded by The Battery’s restaurants.
Free Things to Do in Atlanta With Kids
Atlanta has plenty of free family fun: Centennial Olympic Park and its fountain, Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, the free exhibits and observatory nights at Fernbank Science Center, the Dunwoody Nature Center trails, and the King historic district, where kids can see where Dr. King grew up. Many museums also run free or discounted days; see our free things to do in Atlanta list for more.
Best Picks by Age
| Age | Best picks | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers (1 to 3) | Children’s Museum, aquarium, Fountain of Rings, Zoo Atlanta | Go at opening time and leave before nap |
| Kids (4 to 8) | Fernbank Museum, Puppetry Arts, Zoo Atlanta, LEGO Discovery Center | Book a puppet show with your museum visit |
| Tweens (9 to 12) | Aquarium, Stone Mountain Skyride and Walk-Up Trail, College Football Hall of Fame | Let them pick one stop for the day |
| Teens | Six Flags, BeltLine by bike, Cosm, a game at Truist Park | Pair a big attraction with a food hall |
Heading out of the city? Our best day trips from Atlanta include plenty of kid-pleasers, from waterfalls to Helen’s summer tubing.
Common Questions
What is the best thing to do in Atlanta with kids?
The Georgia Aquarium is the top pick for most families, since it works for every age and every kind of weather. Zoo Atlanta and Fernbank Museum’s dinosaurs come next.
What can kids do for free in Atlanta?
Splash in the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park in summer, play in Piedmont Park, walk or bike the BeltLine, and visit the free exhibits and observatory nights at Fernbank Science Center.
What is there to do in Atlanta with kids on a rainy day?
The Georgia Aquarium, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts, Fernbank Museum, LEGO Discovery Center and the College Football Hall of Fame are all indoors.
Is the Children’s Museum of Atlanta still open?
Yes. It is open next to Centennial Olympic Park. Its Ball Machine exhibit retired in August 2026 and a rebuilt version is planned for 2027.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources on October 21, 2026. Prices, hours and exhibits change, so confirm before you go:
- Georgia Aquarium: whale sharks, timed tickets, presentations
- Fernbank Museum: Fernbank Forest and WildWoods
- Center for Puppetry Arts: Jim Henson Collection and admission
- Chattahoochee Nature Center: acreage, trails and 2026 admission
- Stone Mountain Park: Summit Skyride and parking
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.