Celebrate cherry blossom season at Gibbs Gardens. Photo courtesy of the garden
Where To See Cherry Blossoms near Atlanta
Atlanta baseball is a beloved activity, so cheer on those Atlanta Braves at Truist Park! Photo by Claire Robinson
A Guide to Truist Park & The Battery Atlanta for Little Atlanta Braves Fans
WinShape Camps
GUIDE
Atlanta Summer Camp Guide
Spend some time outdoors with your little one with these stroller-friendly trails in Atlanta. Photo via Canva
Top Stroller-Friendly Hiking Trails in Atlanta
See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt
Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection
Unleash your inner ninja at Ninjakour, with classes, parties, and more active lessons. Photo courtesy of Ninjakour
Ninja Warrior Gyms and Parkour for Atlanta Kids and Teens
Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler
3 Days in Atlanta with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Head indoor for some fre fun at the mall of Georgia.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Atlanta Kids
The tombs of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King and the reflecting pool are part of the King Center at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park.
Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park: A Kid-Friendly Visitors Guide
Kids and adults will love the multi-sensory experience of Sloomoo Institute Atlanta.
Discovering Sloomoo Institute Atlanta: The Sticky Facts of a Slime Museum
Be a star for the day at Dazzle Me Parties!
Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Kids in Atlanta
The Children's Museum of Atlanta is an awesome place for kids to let loose indoors. Photo courtesy of the museum
14 Best Indoor Playground Spaces for Kids in Atlanta
Chamblee's Wee Bee Baby Boutique has everything a baby could ever want or need. Photo courtesy of Wee Bee Baby
19 Best Baby Stores in Atlanta
During certain times of the year, families can venture to Stone Mountain Park's SkyHike--an all-ages ropes adventure course.
Stone Mountain Park: The Center of Outdoor Adventures
The High Museum of Art offers free admission on the second Sunday of the month.
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids
Cafe Intermezzo's cappuccino will keep parents energized; the sky-high cake slices will keep kids ecstatic.
Best Coffee Shops in Atlanta to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine
The High Museum of Art offers free family admission the second Sunday of every month. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museum Days in Atlanta to Explore Your World
Babyland General Hospital offer free admission for kids to see where the beloved Cabbage Patch Kids are
17 Free Things To Do in Atlanta On Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play
Every bowl combination at Gusto is delicious, as well as the kids' Cheese Foldies with choice of protein (not pictured here). Photo courtesy Gusto
Healthy Restaurants in Atlanta That Kids Will Love
Explore the colorful Ice Castles in Midway, Utah. Photo by AJ Mellor/Ice Castles
Explore Ice Castles Across America with Kids this Winter
Choose your Hogwarts house and explore J.K. Rowling's magical world at Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta Welcomes Muggles of All Ages
The mega bounce house, dubbed Bounce the Mall, is coming to Dawsonville, Georgia. Photo by author
  VIDEO
Jump for Joy! The Ultimate Bounce House Comes to Georgia
Learn about aeronautics at Atlanta's own Delta Flight Museum. Photo by Bill Leffler
100 Fun Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids Before They Grow Up
Experience the majesty of the sea at a safe distance.
Immerse Yourself in the Georgia Aquarium: A Delight for Kids of all Ages
Check out vintage Coca-Cola signs at the museum gift shop.
World of Coca-Cola: A Bubbly Review of Atlanta's Beverage Museum
SpaPartyz offers different birthday party packages for various age groups, including younger teens and tweens, as well as older teens. Cheers! Photo courtesy SpaPartyz
Teen Birthday Parties in Atlanta: Cool Party Places for Teens
Pettit Creek Farms is home to exotic animals from around the globe.
Meet the Animals: Petting Zoos, Animal Farms, and Animal Sanctuaries Near Atlanta
Our family's favorite dinosaur (at the Fernbank and in general) is the Stegosaurus, pictured here in bronze form outside the museum.
Visiting Fernbank Museum in Atlanta with Kids: A Chance to Discover Natural History
Wild Adventures, in Valdosta, Georgia, welcomes families of all ages for a day of thrills and fun. Photo courtesy of Wild Adventures
Best Amusement Parks in Georgia for Family Fun
Great Wolf Lodge welcomes families of all ages and sizes with a ton of kid-friendly activities.
14 Kid-Friendly Spa Resorts & Hotels Near Atlanta
KOA campgrounds are great places for family camping, like KOA Blue Ridge Riverside Cabins (pictured here). Photo by Ali Kieffer
Atlanta Camping and Campgrounds To Take the Whole Family
Every step matters at TreeTop Adventure & Ziplines at Callaway Gardens. Photo by Bill Leffler
Zipping Across the Best Atlanta Zipline and Ropes Courses
Celebrate Mother Nature and the arrival of spring at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend! Photo courtesy of City of Brookhaven
Cherry Blossom Festivals, Easter Egg Hunts, and More Things To Do This Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Best of October: 20 Fun Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids

Enjoy a Halloween costume party at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with fun fall activities. Photo courtesy of the Gardens
Enjoy a Halloween costume party at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with fun fall activities. Photo courtesy of the Gardens
9/30/22 - By Elsa Simcik

October in Atlanta means fall festivals and fairs plus pumpkin patches and lots of Halloween anticipation. 

Families kick off October events in Atlanta with fried food, amazing rides, and spectacular shows at the Georgia State Fair at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. The delicious Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay takes places over two weekends in October, so families have their pick. Then it's on to Halloween with Boo at the Zoo, Goblins in the Garden, and sooooo many Halloween festivals. 

If you are as hyped as we are about fall in Atlanta and want to make the most of it, check out our Atlanta Fall Bucket List, which includes 40 seaonal ideas like our favorite Hay Rides and Corn Mazes Near Atlanta. Also, our Fall Fun Guide for Atlanta Kids is packed with fall travel ideas, easy recipes, and cool crafts. 

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Never miss out on a kid-friendly event, activity, or class in Atlanta, by signing up for our free newsletter! 

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The Georgia State Fair returns September 30 - October 9 with exciting rides, yummy foods, and more! Photo courtesy of fair
The Georgia State Fair returns September 30 - October 9 with exciting rides, yummy foods, and more! Photo courtesy of fair

Top Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids this October

Georgia State Fair

Hampton - Through Sunday, October 9
Georgia's State Fair promises carnival rides, children's attractions and carousels, live shows, concessions, a family magic show, a petting zoo, and more. It all takes place at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. READ MORE

Oktoberfest in Helen

Helen - Through October 30
Head north about 1.5 hours to join the German celebration in Helen for its 52nd year. Visitors embrace all things Bavarian from food to beverages to music and dancing. Kids enjoy the festivities too with their own dance floor (and the always kid-favorite chicken dance).    READ MORE

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival

Stone Mountain - Through October 30
The Pumpkin Festival takes place every Friday to Sunday through October 30. Ticket holders enjoy family-friendly park attractions and not-so-spooky Halloween-themed entertainment throughout the day. New this year: A pumpkin-themed laser show (additional cost).  READ MORE

Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia

Austell - Fridays-Sundays through October 30
Kids Boo Fest includes all the fun of Fright Fest but without the scary stuff. During daytime hours on weekends in September and October, families head to Six Flags Over Georgia for family-friendly rides, cute Halloween surprises, and Trick or Treat Town.  READ MORE

Cumming Country Fair & Festival

Cumming - October 6-16
Families love this fair becasuse it has all the traditional elements: delicious food, fun rides, attractions (think magicians), and concerts.  READ MORE

Roswell's Youth Day Celebration

Roswell - Saturday, October 8
The long-standing Youth Day in Roswell tradition continues this year with the beloved parade and celebration.  READ MORE

Fall Festival on Ponce

Atlanta - October 8 & 9
Families check out 125 displays of arts and crafts (think folk and outsider style) at historic Olmsted Linear Park. Besides the main attraction, visitors can explore the children's area, try local food and beverages, and listen to acoustic music. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch at Oakland Cemetery

Atlanta - October 8 & 9
This is not just any pumpkin patch. It's in a cemetery! Families visit historic Oakland Cemetery's north public grounds for a two-day pumpkin patch and festival.  READ MORE

Georgia Apple Festival

Ellijay- October 8,9, 15 & 16
Check out the crispiest, juiciest apples from Georgia's apple capital--Ellijay. For two weekends, Ellijay hosts the Georgia Apple Festival complete with arts and crafts, food, an auto show and a parade. Parade will be held on Saturday, October 15.    READ MORE

Fairies in the Garden

Decatur - October 8-22
Fairy fans descend on Woodlands Garden in Decatur for this annual event, which lasts for two weeks. Kids dress up in fairy costumes (if they want to) and discover fairy houses hidden in the forest. Parents can download a map prior to attending.  READ MORE

HarvestFest at Marietta Square

Marietta - Saturday, October 15
Marietta's HarvestFest celebrates the best of fall with a ton of fun, free activities, including an arts & crafts show, touch-a-truck, pie-eating contest, Halloween kids festival, costume contest, and more! READ MORE

Fall-O-Ween

Kennesaw - Saturday, October 15
Fall-O-Ween has something for everyone —costume contests, a candy trail, field games, music, and a showing of Scooby Zoo Zombie Island (PG) after sundown.  READ MORE

Gold Rush Days

Dahlonega - October 15 & 16
Visitors to Dahlonega celebrate the town's discovery of gold (which happened back in 1828) with a traditional festival on the square in the Historic District. READ MORE

Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta

Atlanta - October 21 - Early 2023
Fans of the popular books and movies get to immerse themselves in all things Harry Potter. The touring exhibition celebrates the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts seen in the Harry Potter film series and the Wizarding World with interactive technology and original props and costumes. READ MORE

Spooky Mill at Autrey Mill

Johns Creek - Saturday, October 22
Families enjoy a bounce slide, games, pumpkin painting, a serpent house and smores at this fall Halloween festival.  READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Grant Park - October 22, 23, 29 & 30
Zoo Atlanta hosts Boo at the Zoo for two weekends in October. Kids come dressed in costumes for a not-so-scary Halloween festival during the day. Families enjoy games, dancing and get to trick-or-treat all while seeing animals.  READ MORE

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade

Atlanta - October 22 & 23
Little Five Points is always The place for cool, eclectic fun and Halloween is the culmination of that awesomeness. On Saturday, October 22, kids search Little Five for monsters designed by local artists from 11am-6pm. On Sunday, families check out the BIZarre Bazaar Haunted Market from 12-6 and catch the parade at 2pm. READ MORE

Goblins in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Midtown - Sunday, October 23
Enjoy a Halloween costume party at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with fall activities while exploring Scarecrows in the Garden. Activities include Goblins Runway, dance performances, mini-pumpkin decorating, and a pumpkin hunt. READ MORE

Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat at Aurora Cineplex & The Fringe

Roswell - Saturday, October 29
Aurora Cineplex hosts a family-friendly, trick-or treat event with not-so-scary costumed characters giving out candy and prizes. Kids enjoy Halloween-themed bounce houes. The event also features BOGO mini golf.   READ MORE

Howl on the Green

Duluth - Saturday, October 29
Families kick off Halloween weekend with this Duluth tradition on the city's Town Green. Visitors can expect food, treats and live entertainment. The event is fun for the whole family, even the furry ones.  READ MORE

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