12 Free Things To Do With Kids In Atlanta For Summer 2018

ATLANTA, GA — With Memorial Day upon us, there's no denying that summer 2018 in metro Atlanta is here. For parents, that means school is soon out and lots of lovely days with the kids are ahead.

But, let's be honest — the price of keeping the young ones entertained can start piling up on you really quickly. Fortunately, metro Atlanta offers lots of free and cheap kids' activities if you know where (and when) to look.

We have outdoor play spots with beautiful nature views. We've got museums showcasing everything from Elmo, Bert and Ernie to memoirs of Georgia's only U.S. president. A short drive can put you in the north Georgia mountains or at one of the U.S. military's largest museums — which is free for both children and adults.

So here, for summer 2018, are a dozen free activities and outings for kids that you can enjoy with the whole family. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments, so other Georgia parents can enjoy them, too.

Center For Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta

Normally $12.50 for museum admission, the Center For Puppetry Arts is free for Fulton County residents on the first Saturday of every month. See iconic Jim Henson creations you and your kids will know from "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," as well as other amazing puppets from around the world.

High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE

The leading art museum in the Southeast is free on the second Sunday of each month from noon-5 p.m., and the High makes sure to have family programming going during those hours. With some exhibits closed for a major overhaul to its collection, the museum also is currently offering half-price admission on other days. Click here for a look at upcoming family-oriented events.

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Playground, 200 Airport Rd., Atlanta

Kids love playgrounds. And kids love planes. Get both here, where they can do all the typical playground stuff while taking breaks to watch the airplanes take off and land nearby at Georgia's second-busiest airport.

Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave. W, Atlanta

If you're in Centennial, you're well placed to visit the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the College Football Hall of Fame and The Children's Museum of Atlanta. But there's free fun to be had right there in the park. Designed as a universally accessible space for kids, the park features the Olympic Fountain of Rings — known as the largest interactive fountain in the world. It's synchronized music show plays four times a day. There's also a playground, a pavilion and plenty of room to romp around.

Decatur Toy Park, 133 Nelson Ferry Rd., Decatur

One kid's trash is another kid's treasure. Established by First Christian Church in Decatur, this little park is loaded with all kinds of toys that were donated and are still in good shape. There's a track to try out the scooters, bikes and trikes and more traditional playground equipment, too.

Atlanta Monetary Museum, 1000 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta

Did you know Atlanta has a museum dedicated to money? And it's free! At the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, kids will get to see historical artifacts from the bartering era to modern times. They'll get to see the Fed's cash-processing operations, where millions of dollars are counted, sorted and shredded daily and the bank's automated vault, where robotic transports that do the heavy lifting.

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, 441 Freedom Pkwy., Atlanta

If your kids are interested in political history, they can check out this museum dedicated to Georgia's only U.S. president. It's free for kids 16 and under (as well as offering free admission to active-duty military and their families during the summer). Exhibits, documents and photographs from President Carter's time in the White House include a life-size replica of the Oval Office and a walk-through cabin depicting Camp David. There are also two lakes on its 30 acres of park land.

Museum of Aviation, 1942 Heritage Blvd., Warner Robins

The Air Force's second-largest museum is about an hour and a half south of Atlanta in Warner Robins. Portraying the history of Robins Air Force Base, it has dozens of aircraft on display, as well as tributes to those who have served at the base. Admission and parking are free.

Babyland General Hospital, 300 N.O.K. Dr., Cleveland

On 650 acres in the north Georgia mountains, Babyland General offers a look at where Cabbage Patch Kids are "born." With thousands of the soft-sculpture dolls on display, your young ones will love it and can, of course, "adopt" a baby of their own. (Which, unlike the tour itself, will not be free.) Cleveland is about an hour and 20 minutes northeast of Atlanta

Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Rd., Sandy Springs

Opened in 2010 as Sandy Springs' first new park since incorporating, you get all the typical playground stuff here, plus a whole lot more. Overlooking the Chattahoochee River, it features what's called The Spiderweb – a tall rope structure for kids to play on. There are sun shades over the two modern play structures and a pavilion, fire pit, horseshoe pits, bench swings and a dock for canoeing or boating in the river.

Georgia State Parks Junior Ranger Program, various

A good, free excuse to check out Georgia's state parks in the area, the Junior Ranger program is designed for kids ages 6-12. Free Junior Ranger activity books are available at all Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites and kids will learn while working their way through three badge levels. You can also download the book here. Sixteen different badge requirements will get your kids outdoors and active Some parks and sites also offer free Junior Ranger day camps and workshops during the summer.

Historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave., Atlanta

A cemetery might seem an odd destination for an outing with kids. But this cemetery built in 1850 offers a glimpse at Atlanta history, through its artful tombstones and the names of those buried there — from Margaret Mitchell to Maynard Jackson. Civil War soldiers and civil rights icons are interred side by side, and the "urban garden" makes for a pleasant stroll. Guided tours will cost a bit, but visiting on your own is free.

Photos all provided courtesy of the institutions featured