Dana Shemesh

Latest posts by Dana Shemesh

Best Playgrounds Near Atlanta for Kids and Families

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 11:42am

Enjoy the colorful textures and climbing structures at Abernathy Greenway Park's playground in Sandy Springs. Photo by Melanie Preis

Atlanta playgrounds are the best spots in town for kids to explore the outdoors. Atlanta offers access to so much lush, green space, and Atlanta playgrounds make use of these idyllic spots by attracting the most energetic park enthusiasts: kids! These playgrounds, from Buckhead to Smyrna, have special attractions like water canons, climbing nets, rope pulls, and splash pads—as well as the tried-and-true classics like slides, swings, and monkey bars.

Looking for something else to do outside? Check out Atlanta's best playgrounds for toddlers, hikes for the whole family, and more in our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Atlanta.

Awesome Pumpkin Patches Near Atlanta for Fall Farm Fun

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Sun, 09/17/2023 - 9:30am

Pick the perfect pumpkin at Berry Patch Farm in October. Photo by Melanie Preis

Pumpkin patches near Atlanta open up this fall and offer a million ways to carve, decorate, pie, seed, and lots of other verbs the season's best gourd. An Atlanta pumpkin patch allows families to welcome fall, bond with each other, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the colors of a new season.

Many Atlanta pumpkin patches offer a large selection of pumpkins, in addition to attractions like corn mazes, petting zoos, and playgrounds to keep kiddos entertained the whole day.

Best Mother's Day Brunch Near Atlanta to Indulge Mom

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Sun, 04/23/2023 - 10:30am

Celebrate mom this Mother's Day and treat her to brunch or dinner at Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

This Mother's Day, why not consider treating mom to a wonderful brunch at a tasty Atlanta restaurant? With a special Mother's Day brunch, you'll give mom a break from cooking and cleaning, which leaves time for a stroll, shopping, or garden visit after brunch.

Grab a champagne flute for bottomless mimosas and take a look at Atlanta restaurants offering a special Mother's Day brunch, for all the queens in our lives. For other kid-friendly restaurant ideas beyond Mother's Day, check out our Atlanta Restaurant Guide, including Atlanta Restaurants With Outdoor Seating and Great Patios and Healthy Restaurants in Atlanta That Kids Will Love.

Best Easter Egg Hunts in Atlanta for Egg-citing Family Fun

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 9:05am

Grab a basket--it's time for the Hop-a-Long Easter Egg Hunt at Avalon. Photo courtesy of Avalon

Atlanta Easter egg hunts are the ultimate scavenger hunts, with plastic eggs, melting chocolate, and lots of awesome treats as the treasure. We've got every kind of Easter egg hunt throughout metro Atlanta and beyond to make sure your children make the most of their spring holiday. And besides the actual Easter egg, some of these hunts also provide amazing activities like face painting, carnival games, delicious food, and more.

Best STEM and Science Summer Camps for Atlanta Kids

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 12:10pm

The projects at STREM Summer Camp can get highly innovative! Photo courtesy of STREM HQ

STEM or science camp allow Atlanta kids to have loads of fun with opportunities to launch rockets, develop game apps, build robots, make slime, play in the dirt, and more! The benefits of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and science camps are numerous. Kids learn better with hands-on activities in a relaxed environment and they gain confidence by developing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Aside from all the technological fun, these summer camps require collaboration, which provides socialization opportunities for campers as well.

Who knows? Your child may become the next Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Jacques Cousteau, or Bill Gates!

For more camp opportunities, refer to our Atlanta Summer Camp Guide, which includes preschool, sports, and overnight camps. And if you don't want to miss out on exciting Atlanta happenings, subscribe to our free Mommy Poppins newsletter.

Best of January: 16 Cool Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Fri, 12/30/2022 - 7:55am

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Americans are encouraged to help make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Photo courtesy The King Center

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend, January can be a great time for indoor and outdoor activities in Atlanta. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta in January.

As we remember Atlanta's own Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, kids can learn about Dr. King's legacy by participating in events around the city, like those in Lawrenceville and Buckhead, on MLK Day (Monday, January 16). Also, MLK Day is a National Day of Service, which is a great time to get your kids involved in service projects throughout Atlanta, like feeding the community and cleaning public spaces.

Winter fun continues as families hit ice skating rinks, like Avalon on Ice and Skate the Station at Atlantic Station, wrapping up for the season mid-January. Even if we don't get real snow in Atlanta, Southern kids can tube downhill at License to Chill at Margaritaville through the end of February. Find more ideas for crafts, recipes, and trips in our Winter Activities Guide for Atlanta Families.

We’re adding more events to our Atlanta activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to get our top picks for every weekend.

Immerse Yourself in the Georgia Aquarium: A Delight for Kids of all Ages

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 7:20am

Experience the majesty of the sea at a safe distance.

The Georgia Aquarium brings the wonder of the seas to children and adults from across the Southern region. This magical Atlanta attraction has aquatic creatures represented from across the globe, including those species that reside in Georgia's nearby waters. With animals that impress every child (and grown-up) who visits, and awesome weekly events that cater to every age group, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-see spot!

Meet the Animals: Petting Zoos, Animal Farms, and Animal Sanctuaries Near Atlanta

Submitted by Dana Shemesh on Fri, 06/10/2022 - 10:10am

Pettit Creek Farms is home to exotic animals from around the globe.

If the warm weather has your family yearning to get out and mingle with some friendly four-legged critters, there are plenty of petting zoos and animal farms in Atlanta. These animal sanctuaries and petting zoos beckon families to enjoy a day trip meeting barnyard creatures at animal farms, such as pigs, horses, goats, ponies, and rabbits, and even exotic animals such as giraffes, camels and in some cases, lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my!