Best of Atlanta Metro for Families with Preschoolers

Traveling with a preschooler comes with its own set of special challenges. You need engaging activities, with opportunities for kids to use all their senses. Below are 12 picks for the Atlanta metro area.

1. Tiny Towne (Alpharetta) Children ages 3-15 drive high-tech miniature cars in a realistic environment. Follow road signs and traffic signals, and have a fun time in the process.
2. Dunwoody Nature Center (Dunwoody) Explore the boardwalk, play hide-and-seek in the treehouse, traipse the short trails, or play on the playground. On warmer days, the creek calls for frolicking, with shallow water and pebbles for tossing.
3. Center for Puppetry Arts (Midtown Atlanta) Take in one of the masterful puppet shows, which always exceed expectations. A children’s puppetry workshop follows most shows. Kids will also enjoy the Jim Henson exhibit or the puppetry museum.
4. Children’s Museum of Atlanta (Downtown Atlanta) “Shop” in a grocery store, catch fish, climb the treehouse, or explore machines with pulleys and levers. Rotating exhibits with hands-on kiosks add to the fun.
5. Tellus Science Museum (Cartersville) It’s easy to spend hours in the My Big Backyard children’s exhibit. After that, walk with the dinosaurs, or pose with a replica of Sputnik. Kids are sure to enjoy fossil hunting and gemstone mining, free with admission.
6. Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary (Lilburn) Meander the trail through this 24-acre park to see sheep, bunnies, cougar, bear, and more. Pet the deer, and feed the sheep and other kid-friendly animals. Don’t forget your camera.
7. Goizueta Children's Experience at Atlanta History Center (Buckhead, Atlanta). Kids can experience Atlanta through play, exploration, and storytelling in this immersive and multi-sensory space. Discover Tiny Toddler Town, a safe environment for crawling and playing, designed for kids ages 1-3.
8. Theatre for the Very Young at Alliance Theatre (Midtown Atlanta). These shows are professional performances that kids ages 0-5 and their grown-ups will enjoy. Shows engage children and parents, allowing kids to become part of the experience.
9. Adventure Cubs at Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park, Atlanta). This monthly adventure features hands-on programs for two- to five-year-olds, with opportunities for younger children, too. Take a zoo tour, play at the learning stations, and meet a special animal ambassador.
10. Second Thursday Preschool Program at Southeastern Railway Museum (Duluth). The cleverly designed program includes story time, games, activities, and a craft. Each month’s topic covers a different mode of transportation, including hot air balloons, ice cream trucks, and, of course, trains!
11. Mommy and Me at Southern Museum (Kennesaw). Free with admission, Mommy and Me includes story times, crafts, and hands-on games. Every week offers a new topic.
12. Booth Cahoots at Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville) Kids learn about works of art on display at the “cowboy museum,” and make their own art inspired by those artists. Pre-registration is required, and participation is free with admission.