Kids will love visiting the Lemonade Days festival in Dunwoody. Photo by Melanie Preis

1. Lemonade Days - Dunwoody

An April favorite is Lemonade Days, held at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody each year. This is the ultimate family-friendly, weekend event with tons of rides, fair food, and carnival games.

2. Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Midtown

For more than 80 years, Atlantans have enjoyed the great outdoors at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park every spring. In addition to great art, live music, and food, Dogwood Festival features a fun kids area with lots of awesome activities for youngsters.

3. Dragon Con Parade - Downtown

Dragon Con is the pinnacle in fantasy cosplay, and the Labor Day parade is famous for elaborate costumes, creative themes, and flat-out wacky sights!

4. Decatur Arts Festival - Decatur

My kids LOVE this arts festival for all the hands-on projects they can make in Decatur Square. It's also a great time to check out the amazing works of local and Southern artists, available for purchase.

Marietta's Chalktoberfest is one of the coolest art festivals. Photo by Melanie Preis

5. Chalktoberfest - Marietta

My family loves Marietta's Chalktoberfest for the sheer wonder of watching geniuses create live chalk drawings. 

6. Piedmont Park Arts Festival - Midtown

This summer arts event takes over Piedmont Park for two days, with amazing works and a fun time. Kids can enjoy the festival's play area or head to Piedmont Park's regular playground.

Introduce kids to new and exciting fruits and veggies at local farmers markets. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

7. Farmers Markets

Need something to do weekend mornings? Bring the kids to a local farmers market and let them see food and products in their most natural state.

8. Winterfest - Virginia-Highland

Who says spring owns all the great outdoor festivals?! Winterfest is THE Virginia-Highland event to celebrate the holiday season -- catch the parade, visit the Kids Corner (ticketed activities), roam the gift market, and more.

9. Summerfest - Virginia-Highland

Spend a day of fun, art, food, and kids activities in the VaHi neighborhood!

10. Summer Shade Festival - Grant Park

Say goodbye to summer at Grant Park's annual Summer Shade Festival, with two days full of live music, good food, and great vibes.

11. The Battery Atlanta - Atlanta

If you don't have the funds for an Atlanta Braves game but still want to get into the baseball spirit, spend an afternoon at The Battery. Check out free events through the Wellstar Family Series, including Tennis on the Turf every Tuesday in June. 

Tellus Science Museum offers free admission to Bank of America card holders the first weekend of each month. Photo by Melanie Preis

12. Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville

Bank of America card holders receive FREE admission on the first weekend of each month. Only the cardholder receives the free ticket.

13. Kids Skate Free

Check the Kids Skate Free website for participating skating rinks and which days kids get to skate for free.

14. Alive in Roswell - Roswell

This monthly festival happens every third Thursday evening from April through October on Historic Canton Street and the Roswell Antique and Interiors lot. Free regular trolley service connects the free parking at Roswell City Hall and Woodstock Park to the event.

15. Sandy Springs Artsapalooza - Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs loves the arts as the city hosts both fall and spring arts festivals. My family and I love coming to this one since I can wander amongst the art while they create their own cute pieces at the children's booths.

16. Sweet Auburn Springfest - Atlanta

Located in the Historic Sweet Auburn District, this free festival celebrates spring with family-friendly entertainment and outdoor activities over the course of two days.

17. Alpharetta Wire & Wood Music Festival - Alpharetta

For families who love music, this is THE perfect free event! The Wire & Wood Music Festival brings together musicians to perform and tell the stories that inspired their songs. It showcases local and regional performers who write and perform their own original work and raises awareness about the importance of music.

18. Piedmont Park - Midtown

There is no shortage of green space when it comes to centrally located Piedmont Park. In addition to an awesome playground, dog park, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, and acres of grassy knolls, Piedmont Park also hosts tons of FREE events, like Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Atlanta Ice Cream Festival.

Spend an entire day wandering the Atlanta BeltLine! Photo by Bill Leffler

19. Atlanta BeltLine - Atlanta

The Atlanta BeltLine is a lively, FREE spot for Atlanta kids -- either on weekends, vacation breaks, or after school. Skip, bike, scooter, run, or walk the dog along one of the many intown trails (some of which connect to fun neighborhood parks).

20. Centennial Olympic Park - Downtown

This 22-acre greespace serves as Georgia's legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The downtown park features the iconic Fountain of Rings, playgrounds, and expansive lawns and gardens.

21. Ponce City Market - Old Fourth Ward

One of my go-to's when looking for an afternoon of free entertainment and fun is Ponce City Market (PCM). There are always new shops and food stalls opening throughout the space. Since the BeltLine runs right by PCM, it's a great place to stop and grab a treat (and enjoy air conditioning/heat) during an outdoor excursion.

22. Avalon - Alpharetta

Avalon has a ton of fun activities and events for families, many of which are free. This Alpharetta live/work/play space celebrates holidays with epic, kid-friendly parties, including free events like trick-or-treating, free photos with Santa, and much more.

23. Inman Park Festival - Inman Park

Spend a spring weekend in one of Atlanta's most beloved neighborhoods, Inman Park, at the Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes. Spanning two days of fun, families can enjoy arts and crafts, music, and a fun day outdoors.

Take the kids to Halcyon's Village Green for free, outdoor fun. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

24. Halcyon - Alpharetta

Enjoy a day of free fun in Alpharetta! The Village Green at Halcyon is a covered outdoor space where kids can play in the giant sandbox, with sand toys, kick soccer balls, play games and cards at the table, and more. Halcyon also hosts a ton of free events throughout the year.

25. Canton Street - Roswell

Bring your dog and take a walk on Canton Street in downtown Roswell. During Halloween, local organizations and groups decorate their own scarecrows and place them along the road. It's a pleasant walk that kids will really enjoy. Get lunch at The Fickle Pickle, a kid favorite!

26. Little Five Points

Bring older kids to people watch and wander through Little Five Points. This beloved neighborhood features the coolest spots to visit, including shops that sell crystals, wacky costumes, out-of-this-world antiques, and more.

27. MLK Jr. National Historical Park - Atlanta

Get a taste of history and learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. at the national park dedicated to the civil rights leader. Take a guided tour of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, as well as the DREAM Gallery, Ebenezer Church, and more.

28. Free Fishing Days

Throughout the year, Georgia offers license-free fishing days for residents of all ages and skills. 

29. Doc Manget Aviation Park - Chamblee

Located at the Peachtree Dekalb Airport in Chamblee, this small park and playground lets aviation lovers watch planes take off and enjoy the thrill of seeing these mechanical beasts up close.

Walking around Stone Mountain Park is free; riding the gondola and attractions costs a fee. Photo by Melanie Preis

30. Stone Mountain Park - Stone Mountain

If you enter Stone Mountain on foot or bike, there's no fee (parking requires a fee). This is one of the most popular hikes in Atlanta, suitable for all ages, entirely on smooth granite rock for about 2.2 miles. 

31. Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival - Brookhaven

Celebrate spring's glorious blooms at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival at Blackburn Park. In addition to nature's beauty, the festival celebrates rad live music acts (Barenaked Ladies headline the 2024 event!).

32. H Mart - Doraville

Take your kids to H Mart and take a look at the coolest Asian products from around the world. My kids love seeing all the global products, including different flavors of recognizable food items.

33. Brook Run Park - Dunwoody

Brook Run Park is the park with it all! Bring the kids (including the four-legged variety) and check out the playground, skate park, dog park, ropes course, and much more!

34. Indoor Playgrounds

Most indoor playgrounds in Atlanta malls are free for kids to run, play, and scream. Bonus? You may be able to get some shopping in after the kiddos have worn themselves out.

My kids love searching for Tiny Doors ATL spots, like this one at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Melanie Preis

35. Tiny Doors ATL - Midtown

Participate in the ultimate (and cutest) scavenger hunt by searching for the colorful public art display known as Tiny Doors ATL.

36. Malls

Atlanta malls are great free spots to have a few hours of fun, especially when the weather is brutal outside and you need to get the kids out of the house.

37. Atlanta Monetary Museum - Midtown

Learn about the history of money, American banking, the bank's automated vault, and rare coins and currency at the Atlanta Monetary Museum. Guided tours must be requested in advance.

38. Atlanta Ice Cream Festival - Midtown

So the actual frosty treats cost money, but wandering around the ice cream festival and admission is free. Besides filling your tummy with sweet goodness during Atlanta's sweltering summer, festivalgoers enjoy live music, fitness routines, and wellness engagement activities. And again...ice cream.

39. Georgia Capitol Museum - Downtown

The Georgia Capitol offers visitor a chance to see the most important government building in the state. Interpretive tours (scheduled in advance) give an overview of Georgia history and the building itself.

40. Marietta Fire Museum - Marietta

Located just two blocks off the Historic Marietta Square, the free museum boasts a collection of antique fire apparatus, tools, and gear dating back to 1854.

41. Autrey Mill - Johns Creek

Get close to nature at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Families can explore over 2.5 miles of trails through a hardwood forest, wandering past a scenic creek, native plants and trees, and a variety of animals.

42. Free Atlanta Restaurants

Feeding kiddos can get pricey; check out our guide of Atlanta restaurants with free kids meals (usually with the purchase of an adult meal).

Check out the deals for Georgia residents to get free admission into the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Rebecca Leffler 

43. Georgia Residents at Center for Puppetry Arts - Midtown

The Center for Puppetry Arts offers special free rates for specific Georgia residents. Free Fulton Saturdays offers free admission for Fulton County residents on specific Saturdays; Passport to Puppetry allows Georgia citizens with library cards to reserve up to four free passes.

44. Kirkwood Spring Fling - Kirkwood

Celebrate spring in Atlanta's historic Kirkwood neighborhood for a day of fun for all ages at Bessie Branham Park.

45. Fernbank Science Center - Atlanta

Operated by the DeKalb County School District, the Fernbank Science Center seeks to uncover the big and small wonders of our world for FREE! Entrance to the planetarium does include a fee.

46. Georgia Governor's Mansion - Buckhead

See where the governors of Georgia live by signing up for a tour of the Buckhead mansion. The tour is a hybrid of a guide and self-guided tour, with docents stationed in each room to teach guests about the collection.

47. High Museum Second Sunday - Midtown

On the second Sunday of each month, High Museum offers free admission for all visitors and special family-friendly programming! Enjoy art-making activities, performances, and the High’s collection and special exhibitions. Each month features a different theme.

48. Spraygrounds and Splash Pads

During the summer months, make sure to bring your kids to one of the many refreshing and FREE Atlanta splash pads throughout the city. These spraygrounds are fantastic ways to fill up a blistering day.

49. Silver Comet Trail - Cobb, Paulding, and Polk Counties

The Silver Comet Trail extends from Smyrna to Powder Springs and throughout the region, covering about 60 miles. This multi-use trail is a welcome respite for bikers, runners, skaters, walkers, and anyone in between.

50. Free Movie Nights

Enjoy Atlanta's (mostly) good weather by bringing your family to a free movie night for the whole family!

51. Morningside Nature Preserve - Morningside

This beautiful nature preserve offers two miles of trails.

52. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park - Kennesaw

With 22 miles of hiking trails, the 3,000-acre Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offers many opportunities for your family. Although there is a $5 fee for parking, you can tour the museum inside the visitor center.

53. Summer Concert Series

During the summer months, Atlanta features awesome concert series with live music the whole family can enjoy.

54. Westside Park - Midtown

This mega park once held a massive quarry, now a city reservoir, and features great amenities like a playground, public restrooms, safe trails, free parking, and more. 

55. Your DeKalb Farmers Market - Decatur

Get a taste (literally) of global culture! Iconic DeKalb Farmers Market is an amazing place to show kids what other regions of the world eat, take a look at exotic ingredients, and learn about the beauty of outside cultures.

56. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area —Stonecrest

Arabia Mountain lies 20 minutes east of downtown Atlanta. As you hike across the granite outcrops, look for the rare plant species growing in the pools of standing water, called solution pits. The area is also home to the Arabia Mountain PATH.

57. Swimming Lakes and Beaches

Take a dip at some of Atlanta's nearby swimming lakes and beaches. Be aware the some charge parking fees on the weekends, but may be free on weekdays.

58. Morgan Falls Overlook Park - Sandy Springs

This riverside park is a favorite among Atlanta families, with its fantastic playground, loaded with play structures and sunshades, as well as wooden porch swings, covered picnic pavilion, and boat dock.

59. Abernathy Greenway Park - Sandy Springs

The colorful Abernathy Greenway Park playground features a "giant spider" play structure as well as other artistic sculptures to climb on.

60. Roswell Area Park - Roswell

Roswell Area Park's playground is the ultimate in fun for all ages! This sprawling playground features swings, climbing structures, slides, and a mini zipline. Families have access to bathrooms, picnic tables, shaded area, and an area reserved just for younger kids.

61. Atlantic Station - Midtown

There's always fun to be had at Atlantic Station, especially during the holidays and summer. Free events include outdoor movie nights, tours of the Tiny Doors ATL studio, Maker's Markets, and even a weekend magician!

62. Geocaching 

Our family loves this modern "treasure" hunt, which you can do with a free app and your smartphone's GPS. Atlanta has thousands of geocaches so start hunting!

63. Dunwoody Nature Center

The shaded, beautiful grounds of the Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) are open from sunrise to sunset all year round. Visitors pay nothing to use DNC's hiking trails, playgrounds, tree swings, and more. Chattahoochee River

Kids love exploring the Chattahoochee River all year round. Photo by Melanie Preis

64. Chattahoochee River

Shoot the 'Hooch and explore the beautiful Chattahoochee River, either by kayak, canoe, rafting tour, and other means. There are fee if you need to rent boating equipment and/or parking fees.

65. Historic Oakland Cemetery - Grant Park

Though it may seem a bit morbid to include a cemetery on our list of free things to do in Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery is the exception. This city landmark is Atlanta's oldest public park and the final resting place of many noted citizens, including Margaret Mitchell, Bobby Jones, Kenny Rogers, and more.

66. 4th of July Events 

We've rounded up amazingly fun 4th of July parades, festivals, and fireworks shows near Atlanta, and almost all of them are free!

67. Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark - Old Fourth Ward

Kids who love to skate love this massive intown skatepark. For siblings who prefer to stay off the wheels, kids can also spend time at the nearby playground and greenspace.

See where Cabbage Patch Kids are born at Babyland. Photo by Melanie Preis

68. Babyland General Hospital - Cleveland

See where Cabbage Patch Babies are born by heading to Cleveland, Georgia for a free tour of Babyland General Hospital. Be warned: While your tour is free, adopting a doll is not.

69. North Point Mall - Alpharetta

North Point Mall is a great resource when Atlanta's weather gets extreme. This Alpharetta mall features kid-friendly retailers including LEGO, Build-A-Bear, multiple toy shops, a Hi-Five Sports Zone, a carousel, and much more.

70. Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival - Downtown

Commemorate Juneteenth in Downtown Atlanta with events, including a parade, musical performances, food trucks, and more.

71. Bass Pro Shop — Lawrenceville

Bass Pro Shop offers multiple free events throughout the year with kids' crafts and activities, including a Go Outdoors event in the late spring, summer activities and workshops, and a free Winter Wonderland during the holidays.

72. Free Performances at Alliance Theater - Midtown

Alliance Theater offers free performances for Atlanta Public School (APS) families during the year.

73. Candler Park Fall Festival - Candler Park

Enjoy two days of music, art, food, games, and rides that draw about 20,000 people per day to beautiful Candler Park

74. Libraries

It's hard to pinpoint one library in metro Atlanta for fun, free activities. Take a look at your nearest library system and check out the classes and events they offer for kids. 

75. National Night Out - Midtown

This free neighborhood block party connects neighbors with the dedicated individuals in your respective communities and promotes crime prevention awareness and more.

76. Storytime at Little Shop of Stories - Decatur

Everything about Little Shop of Stories is adorable and aimed at kids. Visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am for storytime hour, which runs about 30-40 minutes.

77. Kids Bowl Free

Spend a day knocking down pins (with or without bumpers) AND save money when kids bowl free at participating Atlanta bowling lanes.

Stroll along the relaxing riverwalk running along the Chattahoochee River. Photo by Bill Leffler

78. Roswell Riverwalk - Roswell

Stroll the Roswell Riverwalk, along the Chattahoochee River, and enjoy the great outdoors without getting wet. Take photos of the surrounding nature, watch the sun set, and take the dog out for a lovely day on the waterfront.

79. Lowe’s DIY Kids’ Workshop - Multiple Locations

Each month, Lowe’s stores offer a free workshop for kids to build their own projects to bring home.

80. Museum of Aviation - Warner Robins

Located next to Robins Air Force Base, this museum includes four climate-controlled buildings that house historic U.S. Air Force aircraft, missiles, cockpits, and exhibits.

My kids love catching a glimpse of The Big Chicken when we drive through Marietta! Photo by Melanie Preis

81. The Big Chicken - Marietta

The KFC Big Chicken is a Marietta landmark! This 56-foot-tall metal rooster features moving eyes and beak and greets everyone passing through the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Roswell Road.

82. Home Depot Kids Workshops - Multiple Locations

Sign your kids up for a monthly build workshop at participating Home Depot locations, where kids can build a project to take home with them.

Learn about other cultures at The International Night Market event. Photo by Melanie Preis

83. The International Night Market Atlanta - Lawrenceville

Celebrate the world without having to leave Atlanta at this fun two-day festival. FYI, if your kids can't stay up too late, there's a night and day component of the event!

84. Apple Store Workshops - Multiple Locations

Atlanta-area Apple Stores offer free workshops such as coding an app, making emojis, photography, and more.

Check the county or city you live in to see if you have free access to the local public pool. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

85. Free Public Pools 

Depending on where you live, many of your city municipalities and counties offer free admission to public pools for residents.