Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Atlanta: Go-Karts, Axe Throwing, and More

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 11:50am

Water ski with dad at Terminus Wake Park! Photo courtesy of the park

Extreme kids crave extreme sports! If you find your kids getting bored during typical family outings, maybe it’s time to up the ante. Atlanta is full of extreme sports for kids; age-appropriate activities guaranteed to satisfy all the thrill seekers in your family. Let kids test their limits with our list of extreme sports and activities in Atlanta—go-karts, axe throwing, rock climbing, indoor skydiving, wakeboarding, and more!

For more fun activities in Atlanta, check out 100 Best Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids Before They Grow Up. And stay in the know about upcoming activities when you sign up for our free Mommy Poppins newsletters delivered straight to your inbox!

Best Bowling Alleys in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 11:20am

Midtown Bowl offers a classic bowling experience in the heart of Midtown. Photo courtesy of Failla Marketing

Atlanta bowling is a great way to spend time together as a family. No matter if the weather is hot, rainy, windy, or icy, Atlanta bowling alleys are always ready to host a day of friendly competition and indoor fun for kids. And you don't even need any specialized equipment — simply show up at the bowling alley wearing socks!

With helpful bowling bumpers and ball ramps, kids as young as age 3, older grandparents, and everyone in between can enjoy the sport together! And many of these Atlanta bowling alleys participate in the Kids Bowl Free during the summer. Get ready for fun as we’ve rounded up the best places for bowling in Atlanta.

Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays Near Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 8:18am

Andy Armadillo brings the fun to birthday parties at Texas Roadhouse.

Celebrate your child's birthday at a fun Atlanta restaurant, whether as the main event or in addition to another birthday outing! We’ve rounded up the best Atlanta restaurants to celebrate birthdays. Below, you’ll find awesome birthday restaurants with everything from live shows, games, and amazing desserts...encompassing every price point.

For more birthday inspiration, including festive birthday cakes and party entertainers, check out our complete Atlanta Birthday Party Guide. And, be sure to sign up for the free Mommy Poppins newsletter to get up-to-date events delivered directly to your inbox.

100 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids Before They Grow Up

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 07/16/2023 - 8:04am

Take a photo at Tiny Doors ATL's door #6, featured in a custom bench by artist Ira Hill, located on the Beltline Eastside trail. Photo courtesy of Tiny Doors ATL

Check out the ultimate things to do in Atlanta with kids — including attractions, activities, fun events, museums, famed landmarks, and much more!

Atlanta offers kids a chance to see giant pandas, zipline through trees, pick peaches, and walk through a shark tunnel! This Southern mecca is home to Coca-Cola, Atlanta Braves, and down-home hospitality, while offering so many kid-friendly activities and fun events. Families have plenty to do for a weekend, a week, or even longer.

Check out our list of 100 fun things to do in Atlanta with kids before they grow up to find the best museums, indoor play places, festivals, and amusement parks in the area!

Looking for fun stuff to do in Atlanta this coming weekend? We've got great weekend events here!

11 Best Free Swimming Pools in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 06/25/2023 - 8:12am

Get ready for a day of summer fun at Piedmont Park's Aquatics Center.

Atlanta summers demand cooling swimming pools and lots of water fun! Free swimming pools offer great ways for children to get exercise, play, and stay off the devices...and who doesn't want to save a few dollars this summer?! Take a look at the best, free swimming pools in Atlanta. Pack the sunscreen, goggles, and snacks and get ready to dive into the list!

Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 9:28am

See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt

Head to the Center of Puppetry Arts in Atlanta if you’re looking to spark creativity in your little ones and expose them to an entertaining and ancient art form. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Center for Puppetry Arts —parents especially enjoy seeing Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, and other favorite Sesame Street characters from their childhoods. And because the museum rotates its collection of 5,000 items, guests often see different puppets and props on subsequent visits.

Visit just the museum or purchase the Family Series Performance ticket, which includes a live puppet performance, a 20-minute puppet-making workshop, and museum admission. Insider tip: Before entering the museum, be sure to ask for the children’s scavenger hunt at the ticket counter. Kids will be asked to find certain objects in the museum and pose for photos with certain puppets. Upon completion, they receive a prize!

3 Days in Atlanta with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 9:19am

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

Welcome to Atlanta! There are a ton of things to do in Atlanta, the delicious land of peaches, peanuts, and Coca-Cola. You’ll find our city jam-packed with kid-friendly activities sprinkled with large doses of Southern hospitality. From Atlanta museums, sports events, theater performances, and delicious food, our city offers it all!

We’ve put together a three-day itinerary for things to do in Atlanta guaranteed to satisfy everyone in your family. To save money, purchase the Atlanta CityPASS ticket, which bundles five major Atlanta attractions at a discounted price. Also, our Kid-Friendly Hotels in Atlanta will point you in the right direction for accommodations.

Best Coffee Shops in Atlanta to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 8:34am

Cafe Intermezzo's cappuccino will keep parents energized; the sky-high cake slices will keep kids ecstatic.

The best coffee shops in Atlanta provide life for overtired, under-energized parents. Let's be real —parenting is exhausting work, and sometimes caregivers need a caffeine fix to get through the day. Whether it’s from sleepless nights with baby or days schlepping kids all over the city, you deserve a caffeine pick-me-up. But what to do with the kiddos while you're enjoying a steamy mug? We've got you covered!

Don’t rely solely on drive-through spots for coffee when you have the kids in tow. Here's our curated list of the best coffee shops near Atlanta that are kid friendly, ranging from locations with fun, cozy rooms to cavernous spaces and expansive outdoor areas.