More than 10 Free Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta during Summer Break

By Lia Picard and Joleen Pete

Last Updated May 6, 2026

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If you’re looking for fun ways to entertain the kids this summer without spending oodles of money, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of free activities for the whole family throughout the city. Summer is short, so let’s get to it.

Here are 10 free things to do with the kids in Atlanta. 

Tiny Doors ATL  

Tiny Doors ATL, a project created by artist Karen Anderson Singer, has brought whimsy to Atlanta since 2014. The colorful minuscule doors hide in plain sight around town — in places such as the BeltLine’s Eastside trail. This summer, go on a family quest to find all of them. You can use the map on the Tiny Doors website or go analog and print out the helpful PDF.  

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Park Playground 

Located in Chamblee, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport is the second-busiest airport in Georgia, right behind Hartsfield-Jackson, with an average of 230,000 flights per year. You can watch planes come and go from the park located at the airport, which boasts an awesome playground for littles as well as a viewing area. There’s a large pavilion if you need shade, and, while you can bring a picnic, Downwind Restaurant & Lounge serves burgers and kid-friendly fare with even more exciting views of incoming and outgoing planes.  

Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park 

Centennial Olympic Park is quintessentially Atlanta. It’s located near some of Atlanta’s most popular attractions, including Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, but the Fountain of Rings in the park is free. The zero-depth fountain pays tribute to the 1996 Olympics while keeping kids cool as they splash around. The rings put on a show four times a day with 15-foot jets and a dynamic playlist that’s fun for the whole family. 

Second Sunday at the High Museum of Art 

The High Museum of Art contains a treasure trove of art spanning the decades and the globe, from Nigerian artifacts to paintings by American artist Georgia O’Keefe and everything in between. There’s plenty for kids to do, too, including two play rooms with interactive activities and programming throughout the year. To take advantage of the museum for free, visit it on the second Sunday of the month — families can participate in crafts and performances on Second Sundays. 

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve  

You don’t have to go far from the city to get a taste of nature. In Decatur, the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve offers 28 acres of diverse terrains to explore. Trails of varying lengths meander through the preserve where you’ll see hundreds of native plants and wild animals dotting the forests and wetlands. Pro-tip: The main loop spans 1.5 miles and passes a big pond where you can catch glimpses of beavers, otters and herons from the observation deck. 

Fernbank Science Center 

There’s a whole world to discover at Fernbank Science Center, located just a few miles east of downtown Atlanta in Druid Hills. The museum offers free admission to its exhibit hall, which entertains and educates with the Apollo 6 space capsule, a robot lab and live animals. Also on site is a planetarium with multiple shows per day covering a range of topics including coral reefs, the moon and dinosaurs (Planetarium shows require a nominal fee).  

Sunday FUNday at Michael C. Carlos Museum 

Head to Emory University to visit the Michael C. Carlos Museum. The museum is dedicated to the study of art and culture with collections from Africa, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Europe. Kids especially get a kick out of seeing the resident mummy believed to be a man from the Old Kingdom period of Egypt, circa 2300 BCE. A more modern offering is the “Footwork: Where We Gather” exhibit on display until July 19. It highlights sports photography by artist Sheila Pree Bright. You can experience the museum for free on Sunday FUNday, held the first Sunday of the month from noon until 4 p.m. In addition to free admission, the day includes special programming such as crafts related to the current exhibits.  

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

In Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park is a great place to teach kids about Dr. King. Inside the park, find his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church (where he was baptized and served as a pastor) and a visitor center with exhibits about the Civil Rights Movement. While you’re there, wander the grounds and find a meditation garden, the eternal flame and a reflecting pool. Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are interred in crypts on site. To make the most of a visit, consider booking a free ranger led tour. Note: Dr. King’s birth home is closed for renovation until June.  

The Atlanta Beltline  

It doesn’t get better than a day spent on the Atlanta Beltline, a former railroad turned path that will eventually loop around the city. The most active part of the Beltline is the Eastside trail which connects Midtown to Reynoldstown. Along the way, you’ll see vibrant public art, beautiful views of the city and lively characters. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes. For a more low-key version of the Beltline, hit the Westside trail, which features murals and greenery as well as access points near the Wren’s Nest and Hammonds House Museum.  

Historic Fourth Ward Park 

Historic Fourth Ward Park is an urban oasis adjacent to the Beltline’s Eastside trail. Centered around a two-acre lake that doubles as a stormwater retention basin, it’s a peaceful spot to catch a little shade while the kids stretch their legs. There’s a skate park as well as a splash pad (open in the warmer months) and a playground. Look closely at the pond — there are turtles in there.

Piedmont Park 

What’s a trip to Atlanta without a visit to Piedmont Park? We can’t imagine. The 200-acre park boasts beautiful views of the city and is chock-full of activities to do with the kiddos. Visit the shaded Mayor’s Grove playground with interactive features and the Noguchi Playscape which presents an artful way to play. In the summer, the splash pad is a hit. Bring a picnic or plan to grab treat from one of the on-site vendors (a King of Pops’ treat is always a hit).  

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Admission to the 16th Annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is always free at Piedmont Park. Some street parking is also free. Enjoy good vibes, live music and free fitness events on July 25. Support local food and drink vendors, and treat your kids to something sweet.

Play in the Trees at Dunwoody Nature Center

Explore 22 acres of forest, playground and trails year-round at Dunwoody Nature Center. On hot days, kids can enjoy water play with a dip in the creek. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Parking is free. Classes, parties and camps are available for a fee.

Atlanta Skate Parks

If your child likes to pop ollies and tail slide, head over to Old Fourth Ward Skatepark, where sections of the park are marked as beginner, intermediate and advanced. The park is easily accessible from the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline and is open year-round. A playground and multi-use field are nearby. Be sure to read the safety guidelines online before your visit. This is just one of several free skate parks in Atlanta. Others include McCoy Skate Park in Decatur and Brook Run Skate Park in Dunwoody.

If you’re looking for an indoor skate park in Atlanta, Village Skatepark ATL might be for you. A daily pass is $8 per person; memberships are available.

Summer Movies Outdoors in Atlanta

Several Atlanta parks and shopping centers show family-friendly movies all summer long, including the Screen on the Green at Atlantic Station, where you can bring your own dinner or enjoy to-go options from surrounding restaurants that may provide discounts for moviegoers. More possibilities are Movies on the Square at Colony Square and the Kennesaw Outdoor Movie Series. Concessions are available.

Free for 0-3 Year Olds

Visit the New Goizueta Children’s Experience at Atlanta History Center

The Goizueta Children’s Experience at Atlanta History Center in Buckhead is a 5,000-square-foot interactive space where kids ages 1 through 8 can explore Atlanta through play, exploration and storytelling. This year’s “Our Great Big City” theme showcases Atlanta’s rich history, diverse geography, innovative spirit and vibrant arts scene. It’s an immersive, ever-changing experience that’s perfect for repeat visits. Toddlers through age 3 years old are always admitted for free.

Not Free, but Discounted

Reduced Admission at Zoo Atlanta for Georgia SNAP and WIC Card Holders

Zoo Atlanta offers discounted admission and memberships for Georgia families participating in SNAP or WIC. With a valid EBT or WIC card and photo ID, guests can enjoy $6 general admission (plus tax) for up to six people — no blackout dates. And admission is free for children younger than 3. A Family Membership is available for $50, covering two adults and up to four children, with year-round benefits. These offers are available in person only and aim to make wildlife experiences more accessible to all.

Check out the World of Puppetry Museum

Thanks to a partnership between the Center for Puppetry Arts and the Georgia Public Library Service, Atlantans with valid library cards can check out the center’s Passport to Puppetry at any participating public library in all 159 Georgia counties. The Passport to Puppetry offers 25% off Family Series performances or up to four free passes to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.

Check out the ultimate list of things to do in Atlanta with kids for additional fun ideas.

Lia Picard is a lifestyle writer who has called Atlanta home for more than a decade. Her work appears in the New York Times, Garden & Gun, and Atlanta magazine, among other national and regional publications. When she’s not writing she’s exploring Atlanta with her husband and daughter.

Joleen Pete is a storyteller and dream-weaver, inspired by the magic in everyday moments and the untold stories waiting to be shared.

Originally Published April 28, 2025