Atlanta Parent March 2022 by Atlanta Parent

AtlantaParent

March 2022 / atlantaparent.com

It’s Party Time!

Springtime in Atlanta Montessori for the Modern World Turn Up the STEAM on Learning

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ME ven • ts Acr a t oss Metro Atlan

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Twilight Trek

Twilight Tots

Ever wonder what the animals are up to after the sun goes down? Tour the Zoo at dusk, use night-vision technology, search for animals that you wouldn’t normally see during the daylight hours, and enjoy special activities that vary from season to season.

Explore the Zoo after-hours with your littlest ones! Enjoy a mini tour of the Zoo, stopping along the way to sing songs, hear animal stories, and dance like an animal! Parents/guardians with children ages 0-5

Parents/guardians with children of all ages.

Adventure Cubs

NightCrawler Overnights

Spend time in the Zoo observing animals and enjoying engaging activities. This is a greatopportunity to make friends, connect to wildlife, and spend time with your little explorers outside.

Calling all night owls! Spend the night at Zoo Atlanta and embark on a nocturnal adventure you won’t soon forget!

Parents/guardians with children ages 0-5

©Disney

Atlanta Parent gives a warm“Thank You” to Nestlé Purina, the Sponsor of our KIDS & PETS ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST

©Disney/Pixar

GAS SOUTH ARENA APR 21 – 24

4 Atlanta Parent

Visit DisneyOnIce.com for COVID-19 information and venue safety standards

March 2022

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Inside 38 March

YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT

Publisher’s Note / 8

Good Stuff / 10

Creative Ways to Save Money

Get the Party Started

Montessori for the Modern World

Reduce spending and reach your moneysaving goals with these out-of-the-box ideas.

Plan an unforgettable birthday party! Fun ideas for themes, games, decorations and more.

The Montessori method has stood the test of time. Here’s why it continues to be an effective approach to education.

33 All STEAMed Up! STEAM-based learning helps develop real-world skills; get your kids excited with these activities and events. Plus, helping girls get a STEAM mindset. Family Fun Guide: Outdoor festivals, not-to-miss shows, spring blooms, top March events and Easter egg hunts. Page 47

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March 2022

Atlanta Parent 5

PUBLISHER Liz White lwhite@atlantaparent.com

ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Carolyn Haushalter chaushalter@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Genie Lockeretz EXECUTIVE glockeretz@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Christy Craig ccraig@atlantaparent.com

STAFF WRITER Emily Webb and DIGITAL ewebb@atlantaparent.com CONTENT CREATOR

COPY Mary Williams EDITOR

EDITORIAL Sheri Taylor-Emery ART DIRECTOR creative@atlantaparent.com

PRODUCTION Robin Mintz

MARKETING Felicia Barman MOM

Atlanta Parent magazine is published monthly by Atlanta Parent, Inc., 2346 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone 770-454-7599, Fax 770-454-7699. Atlanta Parent magazine is available free of charge throughout the metro area and as a digital issue at atlantaparent.com. Atlanta Parent magazine welcomes letters, articles, artwork and photographs from its readers and the community. Atlanta Parent magazine is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part, is prohibited without written permission.

6 Atlanta Parent

March 2022

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Publisher’s Note

S KIDS AND PETS ONLINE PHOTO CONTEST presented by

Upload your photos beginning March 1 at atlantaparent.com/pets. Online voting starts April 1.

pring is in the air! This year, my family and I are especially excited about spring; not only are we getting warmer weather, longer days and glimpses of green, but we’re also seeing the return of spring festivals, events and other happenings around Atlanta. It feels like a great time to start getting out and about again. Parties are back, too. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for new and different ways to celebrate your kids’ birthdays. Find plenty of ideas in this month’s Party section, including tips for planning a book-themed party. My book pick would be “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” because there are so many opportunities for party fun, from decorations to games and drawing the Pigeon along with Mo himself via YouTube. This month, read about the importance of STEAM and ideas for getting your kids to embrace science, technology, engineering, art and math. It’s not just for boys – we spoke with Atlanta women in STEAM professions about why STEAM is important, and how parents can encourage girls to love it, too. We’re excited about the return of the Atlanta Science Festival, which runs from March 12-26. There are more than 100 events you and your family can participate in – everything from workshops to demonstrations and geocaching to scavenger hunts. If you’re looking for ways to keep your household budget under control, be sure to read our “Money Matters” story. It’s full of creative tips for saving money, like unplugging appliances and avoiding impulse buying. Get your kids involved and they’ll start learning good money habits, too. Maria Montessori opened her first school in 1907 – over 100 years ago! In our story on page 27, we take a look at her philosophies and why they’re still so relevant to education today. Both of my kids went to Montessori preschools, and I can still see the positive effect it had on them. Learn about the Montessori approach and why it might be a good choice for your kids, too. Atlanta Parent is proud to be your source for parenting information, events and things to do around Atlanta. Let us know your plans for spring! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We look forward to seeing you out and about.

Associate Publisher

How to Reach us: Telephone 770.454.7599

Email lwhite@atlantaparent.com

Fax 770.454.7699

Website www.atlantaparent.com

Snail Mail 2346 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30341

We welcome your views and comments. Letters that appear in the magazine may be edited for content and space.

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HI G H M U S EUM O F A R T AT L ANT A

Color your summer with fun!

Registration is now open!

Visit high.org/camp for details.

Register your young artist for week-long art camps at the High! Camp sessions for rising first through eighth graders. Campers will explore the museum collections, experiment with a multitude of artistic media, create art projects in our themed workshops, and make new friends!

atlantaparent.com

March 2022

Atlanta Parent 9

by Emily Webb

Good StUff

THINGS WE LIKE

Inspirational Storytime

March is Women’s History Month, and “Rebel Girls Powerful Pairs: 25 Tales of Mothers and Daughters” is a perfect book to snuggle up to at bedtime, while celebrating the month. Read about incredible mother-daughter duos who have used their creativity, cleverness and unique talents to make or do something includible. Learn about Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, Marie Curie and Irène Joliot-Curie, Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and more. Available at rebelgirls.com for $8.99.

Shake, Shake, Shake

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Encourage your kid to explore the great outdoors with My Gnome on the Roam’s Adventure and Creativity Kit. This collection comes with a customizable DIY gnome, an adorable suitcase, a copy of “My Gnome on the Roam,” a journal and a magical wooden pen. Kids will be excited to take their gnome on adventures with them while they engage their creativity. Available at mygnomeontheroam.com for $29.97.

Light Up

Keep your home lit with inPOWERED Lights’ Lamp Angel. This decorative lamp features fun color-changing LEDs and offers emergency lighting during a power outage, during which it will also be able to charge your electronic devices. You can also schedule the light to turn on and off for an easy nightlight for your kids. This business is also woman owned! Available at inpoweredlights.com for $59.99.

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March 2022

Looking to get in more fresh spring and summer fruits and veggies? Check out the Blendjet 2 Portable Blender. This small blender is portable and easy to take on-the-go. With just one hour of USB charging, you’ll enjoy 15 different blends of smoothies, shakes, baby food or snacks. The Lock Mode prevents accidental blending, so you can toss the blender in your backpack or purse without worrying about spills. It also comes in tons of vibrant colors and patterns for added fun that’ll complement your style. Available at blendjet.com for $49.95.

Gotta Wear Shades

Planning to spend more time outside now that the weather is warming up? The whole family will look stylish in Roshambo Shades. With baby, toddler, junior and adult sizing in tons of different colors, stay safe in the sun with their polarized sunglasses offering 100% UVA/B/C protection. Glasses are flexible, unbreakable and toxic-free. They also offer prescription glasses, screen time glasses, cases and accessories. Sunglasses available at roshambobaby.com from $20-$30.

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Connect with Atlanta Parent!

Pets and Kids Contest

Kids are cute enough by themselves, but add in a favorite pet for a winning combination! Submit your photo for our Kids and Pets Online Photo Contest; photo must include both a kid and their favorite pet. To enter, go to atlantaparent.com/pets, and upload your photo. Submissions open March 1, and deadline is March 31. Voting is from April 1-15. Presented by: Purina Your Pet, Our Passion.

Atlanta’s Best Science Summer Camps

Club

SciKidz Where Sc ience & Te chnology Co nnect!

Tell Us About Your Favorite Playground n

Atlanta is lucky to have so many amazing playgrounds. Whether it is your neighborhood fave or a playground worth the drive across town, we want to know about it! Help us with our 2022 list of Atlanta’s best playgrounds. Submit entries at atlantaparent. com/voteplaygrounds. Deadline is March 31.

$10 OFF Code: ATLANTAPARENT

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Minecraft/Roblox Veterinary Medicine Grossology American Doll

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Pop-Up Play at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival n

Spring in Atlanta is synonymous with the Dogwood Festival. This rite of spring returns to Piedmont Park April 8-10. In addition to the wonderful artist market, a must stop for families is the Kids Village presented by Visit Tallahassee. Of course, inflatables and face painting are a favorite for the kids. This year on Saturday and Sunday, Atlanta Parent is excited to be there with pop-up play. The fun includes make-and-take crafts, interactive surprises and more. We are excited to greet our readers face-toface again, and learn what is on parents’ minds. Make sure to stop by and say hi. Spin our prize wheel, and pick up your copy of Atlanta Parent, along with summer camp info.

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March 2022

Atlanta Parent 11

Money Matters Creative Ways to Save This Year by Janeen Lewis

Saving money should be simple, right? Spend less than you earn and save what’s left. If only it felt that easy. While most of us like to sprint, saving money requires the endurance of running a financial marathon. Whether you’ve lost wages during the pandemic, you’re concerned about rising prices at the store, or saving money is a new goal, here are some outof-the-box ideas to help you reach your moneysaving goals. 12 Atlanta Parent

March 2022

n Swap party! Get needed items for free by organizing a swap party online or in your home. Decide on a theme. Be clear about how to rate the condition of items and how many items each guest contributes. Send a listing of items and agree on socially-distanced ways to make exchanges.

Who do you know? You may not think your family and friends are related to you being able to save money, but sometimes they can be key players in your success. n Barter. This may sound old school, but sometimes classic ideas are the best ones! Are you good at baking and decorating birthday cakes? Maybe you know someone who takes professional quality photos. Trade services with a friend and save.

n Surround yourself with other savers. If you are always being asked to go shopping or out to eat, it can be hard to save money. Be honest with people about your intentions; lean on those you love for support if you’re struggling. n Embrace a giving spirit. This sounds counterintuitive to saving. But even when a bankroll is at its lowest, giving to someone whose needs are greater than yours helps grow an appreciation for what you have. Giving to others is also a motivator to save more so you can help others more.

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Adjust your shopping habits. Some shopping is necessary – the grocery store, the famous “Target run” – but sticking to your list and not overdoing it can be difficult.

n Be a cherry picker. Try some Buy One Get One free items (BOGOs) at the nicer stores where, on average, the rest of the items in the store cost more. When cherry picking, buy the sales items, but save other shopping for less expensive stores. n Let someone else grocery shop for you. Grocery pick-up saves time, stops impulse buys, and keeps a running total during online shopping. If you go over your budget, uncheck unnecessary items before finalizing your order. Most groceries have waived pick-up fees during the pandemic, but if not, use coupons. Those coupons can save you more than the pick-up fee. n Be a Dollar Tree hugger. Dollar Tree has party items like helium balloons, paper plates, napkins, cutlery and greeting cards cheaper than most discount stores. It also has great prices on school and office supplies, craft supplies, seasonal decorations, over-the-counter medications and plastic containers. n Calculate your time. When you consider purchasing a non-essential item, calculate how many hours you have to work to pay for it. Is your time worth the purchase?

n Round up savings. Trick yourself into saving money. Round up to the next dollar when you record a check. At the end of the month, you’ll have a surplus. Your banking institution may offer this feature, or there are round up apps.

Being aware of how much money you have in various places can help you save more. As you see the totals increasing, you’ll feel good about your progress and be more motivated to stick with your money-saving habits.

n Start a “kick it” jar. Unhealthy habits and shopping addictions, like smoking or buying dozens of expensive shoes, are costly. Start a “kick it” jar. When the urge to splurge strikes, put money in the jar. As you see the money grow, so will resolve to kick the habit.

n Find missing money. You could be missing money and not even know it. For example, if you moved and a utility company owed you a deposit and couldn’t contact you, the money went into an unclaimed property fund. To learn more, visit usa.gov/unclaimed-money. To search your name for missing money, go to missingmoney.com or unclaimed.org.

n Keep the change. Collect loose change in a jar at the end of the day. A mere 50 cents a day savings will add up to almost $200 annually. As a family, save to pay off a debt or make a fun purchase. This also teaches kids good moneysaving habits from an early age.

Money in the bank.

Home is where the savings are. Due to the pandemic, most of us are spending more time at home than ever. Embrace simple, daily ways to save money where your family thrives. n Make restaurant-quality food at home. Dining out is a budget blower. Invest in a virtual cooking class, check out online cooking tutorials, or ask a friend who is a good cook for recipes. n Give up the ghost. Standby power, or phantom power, is energy that household items use when they are off, but plugged in. Items with digital displays and computers with monitors and printers can be standby power hogs. Unplug everything at night for a month. Monitor the electric bill for a difference. For more information, visit standby.lbl.gov. n Stop flushing money down the toilet! The bathroom is where the largest percentage of water is used in most American homes. The average toilet guzzles up to five gallons of water compared to the 1.3 gallons used by highefficiency tanks. Also, opt for low-flow shower heads and faucets. For more information on water consumption, go to epa.gov and look for the WaterSense logo, or to figure individual household water consumption, go to csgnetwork.com and then type in “Water Consumption Calculator.” n YouTube it. Leaky toilet? Car repair that’s going to set you back hundreds of dollars? Look on YouTube for some DIY, fix-it tutorials. Even if you can’t fix it in the end, you’ll gain knowledge that will help you make the thriftiest choices when hiring help. n Cut the cord with cable. With so many streaming options available, you can save about $100 per month by getting rid of the classic cable package; that’s $1,200 a year in your pocket simply by adjusting your TV habits. Pro tip: be sure to count up how many streaming services per month you’ll need, as they can add up quickly.

There’s no doubt that saving money can be challenging, but it can get easier when you adopt a few money-saving changes at a time. Before you know it, that money marathon will start to feel more like a sprint – or at least a mini marathon. Good luck! atlantaparent.com

March 2022

Atlanta Parent 13

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March 2022

For more information email Carolyn at chaushalter@atlantaparent.com atlantaparent.com

Charting the Right Course CHARTING THE CHARTING THE Learn more about these top charter RIGHT COURSE RIGHT COURSE schools and their enrollment deadlines.

Learn more about Learn more about these charter these toptop charter schools and their schools and their enrollment deadlines. enrollment deadlines.

Ethos Classical is a tuition-free public charter school in South Atlanta

serving Kindergarten–Fifth Grade. With an emphasis on the humanities and the arts, Ethos Classical focuses on getting to know each and every child so they are challenged in a warm and supportive environment. Through tailored small group instruction and two teachers per classroom, Ethos Classical provides an extraordinary education to all scholars. Spaces are limited. Now enrolling Kindergarten–3rd Grade for the 2022-2023 school year. Apply today!

Considering a School Change? It’s not too late and these schools can hold the key to a successful academic year.

2295 Springdale Cir. SW, Atlanta 30315

470-502-0046

ethosclassical.org

Georgia Cyber Academy is a tuition-free, online accredited public charter school serving students in grades K-12 throughout the state of Georgia. They provide an online learning environment where students are empowered to reach their full academic potential through live interactive classes and an engaging curriculum that supports individualized learning paths. The open enrollment period begins on March 1. Let them bring school to you! For more information visit: georgiacyber.org/enrolltoday

CHARTING THE RIGHT COURSE

1745 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta 30349

Learn more about these top charter schools and their enrollment deadlines. l georgiacyber.org 470-400-7875

Georgia Connections Academy Charter School, grades K-12 expands the ways your child can learn. They do this by igniting your child’s passions and helping them gain life skills needed to thrive in the modern world. Designed specifically for online learning, the curriculum not only meets educational standards, it engages students’ minds and hearts. From exploring the world around them to building social and emotional skills, students make the most of every moment. Enroll today for the 2022-23 school year. Georgia Online Public School

2 Atlanta Parent

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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The mission of Liberty Tech Charter School, grades K-8th, is to atlantaparent.com empower scholars to be knowledgeable, wise, and virtuous individuals that are ready to face and change the world. LTCS teachers are committed to understanding their students so that every student is challenged to move beyond mere mastery of content to becoming critical thinkers about relevant real-world issues. School tours are given on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and Fridays at 1:00 PM. Call now to schedule a school tour or enroll today online at libertyytechcharter.org/admissions.

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libertytechcharter.org March 2022

Atlanta Parent 15 atlantaparent.com

Turn your next Party into an Outdoor Theme Park in your back yard.

All Inflatables are coated in an anti-microbial coating for the best sanitation and cleaned daily.

We provide the WOW and FUN factor at your party for all ages

AREAS SERVED: Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Marietta, Canton, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, and Atlanta. Call about other locations.

BounceHouseAtlanta.com • 404-999-9978 Inflatable water slides, Bounce houses, Bounce house and slide combos, Games, Obstacle courses, Mechanical games, Cotton candy machine rentals, Sno Kone machine rentals, popcorn machine rentals, table and chair rentals, we can help coordinate with cakes, cookies, cupcakes, specialty design cakes, characters such as Chewbacca from Star Wars, Iron Man, Superman, Spiderman, Elsa and Anna can be provided as well.

GET THE

PARTY STARTED!

Successful birthday parties don’t require flawless execution – often they’re just a mix of fun ideas. Here are a few things to consider.

l No-Fuss Party Let someone else do the work! Many places offer party packages that include play time, a party room, cake and more. Take the kids bowling, skating or to a trampoline park. Have fun at the nature center, zoo, aquarium, water park or pool, or a children’s museum. The possibilities are endless!

l That’s Entertainment Bring the entertainment to you – hire a magician, puppeteer, bubble artist, princess or superhero; they’ll be the hit of the party. Rent a mobile petting zoo, game truck or bouncy house. It’s not as expensive as you might think.

l Keep it Simple Skip the party favors, or limit them to one small toy, bubbles and a piece of candy per child. Or make a take-home craft at the party.

l No Gifts, Please A party with friends, games and laughter is often enough to make a birthday special. Consider a “no gifts, just you” policy, or ask guests to bring a donation for a charity that’s special to your child – an animal shelter, food bank or children’s hospital.

l Teaching Moments Help your child learn to be thankful, and show it. Be sure he writes a note to each party guest, thanking them for their gift and for their friendship.

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Party Planner

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TAKE YOUR PICK. YOUR PARTY, YOUR WAY. For a super birthday bash, choose your theme and take it to any level!

GO ALL IN FOR PIZZA!

HAVE AN ARTSY PARTY

l Have a make-your-own pizza party! Use purchased dough and pre-bake mini crusts. Set out sauce, cheese and toppings and let guests make their own custom creations.

l Craft kits make it easy! Choose a theme, like jewelry making, robots or sand art, and buy ready-to-go kits online or at your local craft store.

l Reserve a table at your favorite local pizza spot and order a variety of pizzas for kids to share.

l Buy a box or two of assorted craft supplies (find them online or in craft stores) and let kids go wild with pipe cleaners, pompoms, beads, googly eyes and more.

l Party with a real chef at a kids’ cooking school! Flour Power Cooking Studios (flowerpowerstudios.com), and Young Chefs Academy (youngchefsacademy.com) offer pizza-themed events.

l Have a pottery-painting party at Just Kiln Time (justkilntime.com); make clay creations or paint at Art on the Go (artonthegoatlanta.com).

MAKE IT SPLASHY

CHILL OUT WITH ICE CREAM

l Create a backyard water park with inflatable pools for splashing, sprinkler freeze dance, water balloon relays, Slip n’ Slide races and sponge wars.

l Set up a make-your-own-sundae bar with ice cream and all the toppings you can think of, or let kids shake up their own ice cream in a bag (find directions on foodnetwork.com).

l Party poolside at your neighborhood pool, or reserve party time at a parks and rec pool. Bogan Park Aquatic Center (gwinnettcounty.com) has an indoor/outdoor pool, slides and play structures.

l Bring the ice cream to you! Rent a King of Pops cart (kingofpops.com), or go retro with classic treats with a visit from an Atlanta Ice Cream Truck (atlantaicecreamtruck.com).

l Go all out with a full-service party at Goldfish Swim School (goldfishswimschool.com), or splurge on tickets to Six Flags Whitewater (sixflags.com) or Margaritaville (margaritavilleatlanierislands.com).

l Head to your local ice cream shop for a treat, or go fancy by booking an ice cream event with Sugar Factory (sugarfactory.com)

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Party Planner

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MAKE WISHES COME TRUE. Celebrate your child’s next birthday at the only venue where family and friends connect with each other – and the world’s most amazing animals. We do all the work and planning, so its a piece of cake. For details, contact georgiaaquarium.org/birthdayparties or call 404-581-4121. Dates fill up quickly, so reserve yours today.

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Party Planner

March 2022

Atlanta Parent 19

A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A

BOOKWORM by Emily Webb

Lacking birthday party inspiration? Look no further than your child’s favorite book, book series or author. Even better, you can repurpose the books and toys for cute décor and displays!

BEWITCH WITH HARRY POTTER:

SILLINESS ABOUNDS WITH DR. SEUSS:

Aspiring witches and wizards will love a magical birthday party.

Stories from this famed author make for a whimsical party.

l If you really want to lean into the theme, send party invitations with an owl! Find instructions at mommademoments.com.

l Serve green eggs and ham. You can dye these breakfast components using green food coloring, and serve as is or as a sandwich.

l Decorate using the colors of the Hogwarts houses – red, yellow, blue and green.

l Set your copy of “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” next to a jar of colored Goldfish crackers.

l Sip on butterbeer; find instructions at favfamilyrecipes.com.

l Design your own pretty pair of socks for the “Fox in Socks.” You can also download printable activities and coloring pages from pbskids.org.

l Design your own wand. Drizzle hot glue over wooden chopsticks or dowels (if your party is for younger kids, do this step beforehand). You can also create different designs by decorating with buttons or beads. Paint with acrylic paint. l Find out which house you belong to with adorable Harry Potter Sorting Hat Cupcakes from Housewife Eclectic. You’ll use a cookie cutter to cut out a circle in the top of each cupcake and fill with red, green, blue or yellow M&Ms to depict the Hogwarts houses. Find full instructions at housewifeeclectic.com. l Play a game of Quidditch! Find rules at usquidditch.org.

l Serve pink cake pops to resemble the tiny Whoville in “Horton Hears a Who!” l Find Dr. Seuss décor at partycity.com. l Layer strawberries, bananas and marshmallows on a kabob for “The Cat in Hat.” Find instructions at modernmomlife.com. l Did you know Oobleck started with Dr. Seuss’ book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck?” This sensory project is easy to make with cornstarch, water and food coloring. Find instructions at pbs.org.

l Play a game of Pictionary to draw and guess the mystical and mythical creatures from the series.

housewifeeclectic.com

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modernmomlife.com

Party Planner

atlantaparent.com

l Follow along to a LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems video, created to entertain kids. Find videos at kennedy-center.org. l The duckling gets a cookie, but so do all your party guests! Serve cookies for dessert. l Grab a copy of “I Am Invited to a Party!” that guests can use to sign birthday wishes and favors to your child.

GET GOOFY WITH MO WILLEMS:

MONKEY AROUND WITH CURIOUS GEORGE:

Willems’ book characters include Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, elephant Gerald, pig Piggie and more.

Curious George first appeared in 1941, and he lives with his best friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat. Make sure to decorate your space with tons of bright yellow!

l You can download activities (and even event kits!) at pigeonpresents.com. l Serve a pink drink perfect for Piggie! Make a delicious Cherry 7UP Float with instructions at 7up.com.

l Make your own Curious George with his own hat with instructions from inthebagkidscrafts.com.

l Pigeon shouldn’t drive the bus, but can you? See how well kids can follow traffic instructions with a game of Red Light, Green Light. l In “Elephants Cannot Dance!,” Gerald learns to love his own moves. Explore the creativity of dance with a game of Dance Freeze.

l Print out activities and games from Curiosity Day at houghtonmifflinbooks.com/ features/cgsite/. 7up.com

MYTHICAL MAGIC WITH RICK RIORDAN: Rick Riordan has published book series featuring gods and goddesses from Greek, Egypt and Norse mythology. His publishing branch, Rick Riordan Presents, publishes stories from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds.

l Find event guides and printable resources at rickriordan.com.

l Percy Jackson’s mom, Sally Jackson, always bakes him a blue cake on his birthday and buys him blue candy. Serve up blue desserts in honor of Percy.

l Play a game of Capture the Flag, a tradition of Camp Half-Blood.

l Make up your own myth by creating a “Mad Libs” style template and game.

l Ask guests to come dressed as their favorite mythical god, goddess or figure.

l In “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” hero Tristan must work with the trickster god Anansi the Weaver. Set up a spider web obstacle course your party guests must try to conquer. l Magnus Chase is the son of Frey, the Norse god of peace, fertility, wealth, rain, summer and sunshine. Embrace the upcoming warmer weather with a water gun fight.

atlantaparent.com

houghtonmifflinbooks.com

l Serve Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Bananas. Make banana pops with popsicle sticks, dip in melted chocolate, and decorate with granola, nuts, sprinkles, coconut or cookie crumbles. Find instructions at foodnetwork.com. l Play Monkey in the Middle. l Stick to yellow refreshments by serving lemonade or yellow punch. l The book series follows Curious George as he does different activities. Set up areas for kids to try these activities: fly a kite, make a medal, create a hot air balloon, play baseball or play with toy trains. l Serve banana bread. l Decorate cookies to resemble balloons and bananas.

rickriordan.com

Party Planner

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Atlanta Parent 21

IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

(EVEN WHILE YOU CELEBRATE!) by Sarah E. King

oing green is all the rage these days – from electric cars and paperless bills to upcycling and composting – incorporating green ideals into your child’s lifestyle is key to helping them grow up with green habits. Birthday parties are a great way to show your child how your ideals can be put into practice any time. Here are a few tips to help get your green party started. l First, find a local outdoor place to hold your gathering, or hold the party in your own backyard to cut down on energy use and enjoy the great outdoors. Then, send tree-free invitations (and thank you notes) made from alternative fibers, like Green Field Paper, made of hemp and recycled paper, or use other alternatives to paper invitations, like email, E-vite or Paperless Post.

For gifts and party favors, use a few of these fun ideas: l For a unique present, buy your child an acre of rainforest or other natural habitat to protect. This is easy to do online and will be a lifetime gift for your child. l Celebrate by planting a tree in your child’s name or by simply creating a garden for your little one. l Plant trees or flowers in the number corresponding to the child’s age. l For take-home gifts for guests, use recycled paper bags that can be decorated and include natural treats and gifts, avoiding harmful plastics.

l Ask that guests bring a plant or flower as a birthday present. l Have guests create their own party favors using materials from nature, such as a flowered tiara, a basket woven of pine straw and yarn, or a centerpiece made from materials collected in your own backyard.

Decorating for a green party really lets you get creative. Here are some tips to get you ready for your child’s special day: l Make colorful pompoms to hang using recycled tissue paper and newspaper. l Recycled tissue paper and newspaper can be used for making your own piñata. Fill this with organic candies, fruits and raisins. l Use paper products made from recycled materials for food and drink, or invest in party-friendly, reusable plates and cups. l At the party, serve an organic cake using pesticide-free ingredients. If it is in the shape of a globe, that’s a plus! Also, recycle gift-wrapping materials by using paper bags from the grocery store or using salvaged wrapping paper from previous gifts. Finally, invest in plant-based cleaning supplies for the after-party cleanup, because they are safer for the environment and healthier for your home.

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l Use natural materials from your own backyard to decorate the mailbox, doorways and the table. l Give take-home projects in goodie bags that incorporate natural materials to give the gift of going green. l If you must use balloons, buy ones made of latex and not Mylar. Mylar takes several hundred years to biodegrade, while latex only takes six months. l For candles as decorations or on the cake, try natural or multicolored beeswax candles to avoid chemicals like petroleum.

Party Planner

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Birthday Party Resource Guide ADVENTURE AIR SPORTS kennesaw.adventureairsports.com

Celebrate with a stress-free party. Looking for extreme thrills, or a wide-open indoor space to play? Adventure Air has got you covered! Party packages include access to one of the largest Ninja Courses in the state, Slam Ball, Cardio Wall Duo, Dodgeball, Zip line, WipeOut, Climbing Wall and so much more! They provide – Pizza/Drinks, Invites, Set-up, Clean-up, Tableware and an Epic Experience with a personal host. Party upgrades available. Schedule your party today!

BOUNCE HOUSE ATLANTA bouncehouseatlanta.com Bounce House Atlanta is a disruptor in the inflatable bounce house business. They have taken what used to be a plain bounce house or slide and turned it into an outdoor theme park for your home. They have water slides that are 40’ tall and a complete replica of the Star Wars Millennium Falcon. Looking for that wow and fun factor for all ages? Give Bounce House Atlanta a call for your next event or backyard party! 404-999-9978.

SEAQUEST AT STONECREST

stonecrest.visitseaquest.com Make a splash, party like a VIP at SeaQuest! Interact with over 1,200 animal species and marine life during your ultimate birthday celebration. Packages include admission, an animal encounter and more! Or experience a one-of-akind overnight adventure, Sleep with Sharks! Party packages and sleepovers are available any day of the week; for a limited time, non-members receive 25% off parties booked Mon.-Fri. (code BDAY25); and members receive an extra 20% off (code BDAY45). Call 208-813-7272 to book.

STARS AND STRIKES

starsandstrikes.com At Stars and Strikes parties are kid-pleasing and easy to book! Parties include bowling, arcade games, laser tag and bumper cars to keep everyone entertained. Packages include everything from set up to clean up. The most popular package, the MVP, is a party on the lanes with a host, a session of bumper cars, laser tag, arcade time and a choice of food and drink. Balloons and paper products provided. Seven metro locations. Book today! 678-965-5707.

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Party Planner

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Atlanta Parent 23

EVERYTHING A Toy Store Should Be See what’s HOT See what’s NEW See what’s TRIED See what’s TRUE

PICCADILLY PUPPETS Let our puppets entertain you indoors, outdoors or virtually!

That’s Kazoo...

a Buckhead staple since 2012

Birthday child always gets a puppet!

• Complimentary Gift Wrap • Call-ahead Ordering • Knowledgeable Service • Personal Shopping

404-636-0022 www.piccadillypuppets.org piccadillypuppets@gmail.com

3718 Roswell Rd. | Powers Ferry Sq. | 404-500-1027

KazooToysAtlanta.com

LET ’S PARTY! Two Free Jumpers + Extra Pizza CALL TO BOOK AND REDEEM Offer Ends 6/30/22 Oﬀer can not be combined with any other oﬀer or promotion. New bookings only.

Scan

Here

SEE FULL DETAILS AND AVAILABILITY AT KENNESAW.ADVENTUREAIRSPORTS.COM 24 Atlanta Parent

March 2022

Party Planner

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pretty Princess Spa Boutique PrettyPrincessSpaBoutique.com

The BEST place to have a birthday party fit for a princess. Choose between a spa, dance, or art party. We can customize any birthday package. Pick a theme and leave the rest to us.

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

Tiny Towne – Drive Safely TinyTowne.com

Drive a car at your next party! Choose from three different size cars, ride the train, play in the Arcade and eat at the Grill. Book your party today and let Tiny Towne take care of the planning! Call or Text 470-265-6665.

Zone of Light Studio

Dream Friends Entertainment

Sparkles Family Fun Centers

Zone of Light is THE place for any kind of party, you tell us what you want – we’ll make it a party! Plus, we have the coolest Black Light room. Check us out – we put the ART in parties!

Costumed, live, custom and themed entertainment for kids, adults and corporate events. Your child’s favorite character or theme at your location. Let us bring your Dream Event to life! Atlanta Based Since 2001.

EPIC Parties happen here! We do all the work, while you have all the FUN. Activities for all ages – Roller Skating, Laser Tag, Playground and Arcade. Call 770-943-4446 or book online today!

Jason’s Music Party

Have a Bashery

Funopolis

A Birthday Concert for Your Child. Interactive live kids music for all occasions. Performing classics and new favorites, percussion jams, singing, dancing and more. Options for every budget. Easy set-up, best for ages 1-8.

Have a Bashery, Creative Parties & Enrichment provides engaging, child-centered activities for birthday parties and events for fun, learning and making memories! Call to book your party today! 770-714-8567.

With over 11 acres of fun you are bound to find something for everyone! Go karts, Mini Golf, Laser Tag, Birthday Parties, and much more! Upgrade your experience with our new BLACK LIGHT GLOW THEME! 706-335-3866.

ZoneofLightStudio.com

jasonsmusicparty.com

dreamfriendsentertainment.com

haveabashery.com

SparklesFamilyFunCenters.com

Funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com

IT’S ALWAYS SOMEONE’S BIRTHDAY!

Make sure party-planning parents know about your business. Be a part of our Birthday Party Planner. In print, 24/7 and online for a full year. For more info, contact Genie Lockeretz at 678-938-8116 or glockeretz@atlantaparent.com

Anastasia’s Atlanta Bubble Show AtlantaBubbleShow.com

Make your party POP with a magic bubble performance from Georgia’s BEST Bubble Artist! Indoor and outdoor shows. New BLACK LIGHT GLOW Bubble Show! 404-547-3867. Instagram: atlantabubbleshow

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Party Planner

March 2022

Atlanta Parent 25

Fostering independence in each child through supportive relationships, joyful learning, and meaningful work in a Montessori environment. Now enrolling at our two Decatur campus locations for the 2022-23 school year.

Call 404.321.9304 for a personal tour. 2998 Lavista Road • 1434 Scott Boulevard 404.321.9304 • www.arbormontessori.org

Fostering

Lifelong

Learning

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Arbor Montessori admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, family structure or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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UNDERSTANDING THE MONTESSORI APPROACH

Covered Bridge Montessori School

Timeless Terms That Define Growth and Learning by Tali Benjamin

Maria Montessori opened her first school in Italy in 1907, making her philosophies about how children learn more than 100 years old, yet they are ones that still fit in today’s world. “Montessori has stood the test of time,” says Rosanne Tricoles, Primary Montessori Curriculum Specialist at Springmont School. “It’s a very modern approach to education because the needs of kids haven’t changed.” So, how does an educational program retain its luster after all this time? The key may be in the central concepts that all Montessori schools center their students’ experiences around. Let’s explore some of these timeless terms! Cont’d on next page

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Atlanta Parent 27

Timeless Terms That Define Growth and Learning n Freedom Within Limits This two-sided term helps create classroom structure for students. “Students have the freedom to move around, choose what lesson they want to get out, where to sit in the classroom,” explains Tracye Marino, Head of School at the Montessori School at Emory. “They also have to work within rules and show respect by not harming a material or disturbing someone else.” She says that this give and take approach works well because students like the freedom; they follow the rules in order to enjoy the benefit. Understanding expectations also has real academic payoffs for students. Children learn best when their minds and bodies are not stressed. “The establishment of a classroom foundation to promote respectful social interactions and strong work ethics and discipline via community collaboration and contribution allows students to be open to learning,” explains Qiu Fang, Director & Owner of Covered Bridge Montessori School. Freedom without limits also teaches independence and problem solving. “Our students are always looking for the next challenge, asking questions, and figuring out how to do things on their own because they have this freedom,” says Marino.

n Ground Rules The term ground rules goes hand-in-hand with freedom within limits. General ground rules often cited inside a Montessori learning community are respect oneself, respect one another, and respect the environment. “These ground rules are modeled, reiterated and reinforced through regular encounters of experiences, scenarios, one-on-one guidance and conflict resolutions among peers,” says Fang.

Cont’d on page 30

Springmont School

12 months – Age 6

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Montessori Schools Montessori Schools Interested in exploring a Montessori education for your child? Learn more about these area schools today.

Interested in exploring a Montessori education for your child? Learn more about these great area schools.

Carlisle Montessori of Buckhead provides a strong foundation in the most important first six years of life, which creates opportunities for leadership, purposeful independence, sense of community, and critical thinking skills. Carlisle aims to provide a beautiful, safe and challenging environment that inspires independence, creativity, social consciousness, personal responsibility and a love for learning. AMI Accredited. Year-round programs.

Montessori Schools 404-949-0053 / carlislemontessori.com

Interested in exploring a Montessori education for your child? Learn more about these great area schools.

404-784-1038 / montessoriintown.com

770-564-0470 / sevenoaksacademy.org

404-252-3910 / springmont.com

404-321-9304 / arbormontessori.org

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Since 2005, Montessori In Town has been dedicated to quality education and the partnership between home and school. The AMI-trained guides are committed to serving Atlanta’s diverse community. Children ages 14 months to 12 years are offered the very best learning environment to become peaceful, productive, and creative members of society.

Seven Oaks Academy invites ‘founding families’ to learn more about its progressive Montessori curriculum for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Certified teachers will expertly guide your child where older children show leadership and become mentors to their younger peers. Schedule a tour by calling 770-564-0470.

Springmont, the oldest Montessori school in the Southeast, offers students 18 months through Middle School a hands-on, experiential learning environment where highly-experienced teachers guide students’ curiosity towards meaningful discoveries. Recognized by AMI and accredited by SAIS/SACS, Springmont meets the highest educational standards for independent schools.

Arbor Montessori School prepares children to go anywhere. Anywhere their interests, dreams and passions take them. Teachers encourage independence, self-direction and critical reasoning so they have the tools to make good decisions anywhere their life takes them. Students learn collaboration, cooperation, and peace and become agents of change anywhere they go in the world. Since 1970, Arbor Montessori School has fostered lifelong learners ages 18 months to 14 years at two Decatur campuses. SPECIAL ADVERTISING

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Atlanta Parent 29

Timeless Terms That Define Growth and Learning The common understanding creates a sense of safety and calm in the classroom. “The students care for one another because they are in a community,” says Marino. “It’s a mutual thing for them. They all have the same ground rules, and they know how things will run, which enhances the learning experience.”

n Multi-age Groupings Montessori classes are constructed around three-year groupings of students (ages 0-3, 3-6, and then by grades as students get older). “The benefit of this is that the younger kids learn from the older kids, and older kids can be a mentor to someone younger,” says Tricoles. “Because they are in the same classroom for three years, everyone has the opportunity to take on both roles.” This also creates the opportunity to build compassion and empathy because students see the experience of others in their classroom community. Being in a classroom where multiple levels of material are being taught has its advantages as well. “Students in Montessori programs don’t have to wait for the next age level to learn a new skill,” notes Marino. “No one tells you something isn’t ‘on age level.’ Students can go grow and learn at their own pace.”

n Practical Life Activities This term refers to things that happen in everyday life. At Montessori at Emory, children participate in the care of their classroom through practical life activities of doing dishes, caring for the plants, baking, setting the tables for lunch, sweeping the floors and more. “Each of these activities has a direct and indirect lesson,” says Marino. “Yes, they are doing something real, but they are also building fine and gross motor skills that is getting them ready for the next phases of their learning. It is all purposeful work.” Montessori students set up their work – including activities like window washing – from left to right. This structure lays the foundation for writing, reading and math. “These practical activities help students build focus for more academic sort of work,” says Tricoles. Fang echoes this sentiment, “Practical life activities reinforce the work habits of concentration and finishing a task from beginning to end.”

n Prepared Environment This philosophy centers on the idea that everything in the classroom is set up for the child to succeed. “All the furniture is the right size for the students, so that they can move things around, which supports independence,” explains Tricoles. Montessori classrooms are also designed to be calm. “We don’t have a lot of stuff on the walls, which helps children focus and not be overstimulated by their environment,” she says. Teachers and parents also play a key role in the success of prepared environments. “It is imperative that a Montessori school culture attracts same-minded individuals to promote and cherish a mindset-driven, growth-oriented community together,” says Fang.

Montessori School at Emory

n Work Cycle The Montessori work cycle is a three-hour (two hours for younger learners) period in which children can explore and work without interruption. “Within the work cycle, children are given one-on-one guidance with freedom to choose their work, the freedom to repeat a work until mastery, the freedom to refine and rediscover, and the freedom to move about the classroom to absorb all the elements of dynamic learning happening in and around the whole learning community,” says Fang. “Washing windows can take 20 minutes for a 3 year old, so we want to give them as much time as possible to complete their task and have fun doing it,” says Marino. “As the teacher sees a student has mastered something, they’ll introduce something new to keep the child challenged and engaged.” The work cycle is unique to the Montessori approach. It allows students to connect deeply with their learning and not feel the time pressure that sometimes exists in other types of learning environments. Even after a century, parents are still seeing the benefits of Montessori’s approach for their children. From independence and compassion to exploration and focus, students in Montessori classrooms build practical and academic skills. “Montessori follows the natural curiosity of learning for children and our environment allows them to do just that,” says Marino.

General ground rules often cited inside a Montessori learning community are respect oneself, respect one another, and respect the environment. 30 Atlanta Parent

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Greatness Begins Here At Genesis Innovation Academy we’re cultivating great men and women of character, purpose and intellect. We teach subjects that matter for 21st century success through our E5 curriculum: Engineering, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Expression and Ethics. Call or visit us online to learn more. A free public charter school, with single gender academies. Now enrolling grades K-11 for 2022-23. 404-990-3844 | 1049 Custer Ave SE | Atlanta 30316 | genesisinnovationacademy.org 32 Atlanta Parent

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In the 21st century, STEAM success is crucial. Our guide can help you engage your child in developing skills and strengths necessary in the world of science, technology, engineering, art and math. SCIENCE: Polar bears are nearly undetectable by infrared cameras. TECHNOLOGY: There are around 3.5 billion Google searches per day. ENGINEERING: The first Ferris wheel was created in 1893. ART: Painting Mona Lisa’s lips took Leonardo da Vinci 12 years. MATH: Every odd number written in English contains an “e.” atlantaparent.com

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Atlanta Parent 33

Turn Up the STEAM

SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

Science is based on curiosity, so an inquisitive child will embrace science. Aim to ask more questions and help them find the answers.

Kids are growing up in a world only science fiction believed possible. Help them cultivate the necessary skills they’ll need throughout their lives.

l Buy ReGrow Science Lab to turn leftover fruits and veggies into a garden. fatbraintoys.com

l Buy the UFO 4000 Mini LED Stunt Drone from Force1. Fly this mini drone and perform stunts. force1rc.com

l Experiment with eruptions. Make a papiermâché baking soda and vinegar volcano. Drop Mentos in a 2-liter soda or launch a bottle rocket. l Read “Kate the Chemist: The Awesome Book of Edible Experiments for Kids” for cooking and chemistry projects you can eat!

l Experiment with coding. There are many online programs – check out code.org, codeacademy.com, kodable.com, lightbot.com, scratch.mit.edu, tynker.com or girlswhocode.com. l Listen to “Tumble,” a science podcast for kids that explains scientific discoveries with the help of scientists. l Use scientific words and make exploring a part of everyday life.

by Emily Webb

It’s easy to encourage a love of STEAM with these ideas. 34 Atlanta Parent

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l Encourage household problem-solving. Bread dough that doesn’t rise, an inside door that sticks in summer or an insect infestation in the garden are gateways to hypotheses, experiments and answers. l Create a kitchen science lab with common ingredients. Make ice cream in a zip-top bag, make butter from heavy cream in a mason jar, or grow geodes in eggshells.

Visit l Discover Science Center; discoversciencecenter.com

l Read “Super Cool Tech: Technology, Invention, Innovation” for an up-close look at the coolest gadgets. l Listen to “Technology & Engineering for Kids” from Fun Kids for an exploration of the ideas and engineering behind tools you use every day. l Use apps to create a stop-motion video. Try Stop Motion Studio at cateater.com. l Encourage your child to use the computer in new ways. Teach them how to do research, make brochures and create spreadsheets. l Create a battery-powered potato; find instructions at steampoweredfamily.com.

Visit l Museum of Design Atlanta; museumofdesign.org

l Tellus Science Museum; tellusmuseum.org

l Computer Museum of America; computermuseumofamerica.org

l Chattahoochee Nature Center; chattnaturecenter.org

l Southeastern Railway Museum; train-museum.org

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ENGINEERING

ART

MATH

Art helps your child express creativity, build fine motor skills and grow confidence. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect at a craft to love the arts!

We all use math every day, and you can help your child develop mathematical thinking skills early to develop numbers, spatial concepts and logic.

l Buy Pixicade to create and play your own video games. pixicade.com

l Buy Sumoku, a crossword-style game that uses numbers to create chains instead of letters. blueorangegames.com

Engineering concepts will encourage innovative kids to explore new ideas for creating new solutions to personal problems – and someday, real world problems. l Buy the Mega Cyborg Hand from Thames & Kosmos to explore how hydraulics, pneumatics and robotics can create a powered hand. thamesandkosmos.com l Experiment with building. Try wooden blocks, K’nex, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys or Duplo bricks. Build edible structures with cheese, grapes or marshmallows and toothpicks or pretzels. l Read “Kid Innovators: True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers” for a look at brilliant thinkers and creators. l Listen to Stroke of Genius, a podcast featuring stories about entrepreneurs and innovators.

l Experiment with different art forms. Stock up on art supplies like paints, crayons, colored pencils or pastels to find your child’s favorite. l Read “How to Draw All the Things for Kids” for quick five-minute drawing lessons of unicorns, cars, spaceships and more. l Listen to “The Artist Chronicles,” where you’ll hear the about the life of a famous artist, musician, dancer or actor – can you guess who it is? l Use thestorystarter.com/junior.html for a random sentence to start the process of creative writing.

l Use materials you have on hand to assemble building challenges, such as notecards or old playing cards.

l Encourage your kid to listen to new genres of music. Can they identify the different instruments used? Do they have any new favorite songs or singers?

l Encourage kids to set up their own exploratory areas for engineering projects. You can find lots of activities for grade levels K-12 at teachengineering.org.

l Create an atmosphere of artistic exploration. Try some art mediums along with your child, even if you don’t think you’re good at drawing.

l Create a Rube Goldberg machine out of household materials. This machine is intentionally designed to perform a simple task through a series of complex chain reactions. To learn more, visit rubegoldberg.com.

l Experiment by doubling or halving a favorite recipe together. Measuring, equivalent fractions and conversions help reinforce math skills.

Visit l High Museum of Art; high.org l Michael C. Carlos Museum; carlos.emory.edu l Center for Puppetry Arts; puppet.org

l Read “What’s the Point of Math?” to learn how people have used numbers, counting, shapes, patterns, data and more to change the world. l Listen to “Detective Mathema’s Maths Puzzles for Kids” to try to crack the challenges. l Use tangrams to create shapes and practice geometry. l Encourage math skills at home. Work with your child to practice counting, using real objects to represent adding or subtracting, measuring objects and recognizing patterns. l Create a budget. Have your kids track their own spending and allowance, or ask them to help you create a household budget for groceries.

Visit l “Women in Stem” at The Apex Museum; apexmuseum.org

Visit l LEGOLAND Discovery Center; legolanddiscoverycenter.com

l Atlanta Monetary Museum/Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (reopening in May 2022); atlantafed.org

l Delta Flight Museum; deltamuseum.org l Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum; armyav.org

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High Museum of Art

l Children’s Museum of Atlanta; childrensmuseumatlanta.org

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Atlanta Parent 35

The LIFE School Where learning is driven by students’ interests and goals. This is high school redesigned.

DESIGN YOUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Accredited, project-based high school in downtown Atlanta. Accepting 9-12th Grades Students for Fall 2022. Schedule a tour to learn how students discover & pursue their passion, while preparing for life after high school.

190 Pryor St. | Atlanta 30303 | 404-343-0064 | thelifeschool.co

mtparanschool.com/steam

EXPERIENCE STEAM

NEW MURRAY INNOVATION CENTER OPEN ✦ STEAM IN PK3-12TH ✦ PROJECT LEAD THE WAY® SCHOOL ✦ FTC® AND FLL® ROBOTICS ✦ 59 AP/HONORS ✦ 100% COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE 36 Atlanta Parent

March 2022

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Secure your spot and save today at

INVENT.ORG/LOCAL

Georgia Connections Academy Charter School (GACA) is a tuition-free public online school in Georgia that utilizes a learning management system supporting students in grades K-12 with synchronous learning opportunities for all. We offer innovative enrichment and intervention programs for our students. Some of our offerings include STEAM Academy, AP Courses, Honors Society, and much more. GACA offers a STEAM Academy where students participate in weekly:  Collaborative STEAM LiveLessons  STEAM-focused clubs and school events  Character education program. The High School STEAM Curriculum allows for customization and specialization, participation in Dual Enrollment, and places an emphasis on college and career readiness.

800-382-6010 | connectionsacademy.com atlantaparent.com

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Atlanta Parent 37

Helping Girls Get a

STEAM Mindset n

Three Atlanta women in the STEAM field offer some advice by Emily Webb

STEAM is everywhere, and you’ve probably

heard about its importance in kids learning to work in today’s world and prepare for the future. Despite this, it still seems hard to spot women in these fields. A survey by Junior Achievement found only 9% of girls ages 13-17 were interested in pursuing a STEM career, and a study published in Mathematics found girls see themselves as less capable in the area. As a parent, how can you encourage your daughter to love STEAM? Start broadening her horizons. Metro Atlanta has a strong STEAM world and role models for your daughter to follow. Only have sons? This information still applies! In today’s society, anyone has the opportunity to pursue any career, and being open-minded helps kids appreciate their own abilities differently. Atlanta Parent talked to three amazing women in STEAM fields for tips on how to inspire interest among our community’s youth.

n Start Early Impress upon your young children the fun of STEAM concepts before they are intimidated off such topics with school and grades. Activities don’t have to be structured to be valuable. Take inspiration in the outdoors, suggests Meisa Salaita, the Co-founder of Science ATL. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her family has spent more time outside. “When you take the dog for a walk, there is so much to see if you just look,” she says. “We have a dogwood tree in the front yard, and it has pink and white flowers, so you can ask, ‘How is that happening?’ Together, you can learn about tree grafting. You just have to notice. Encourage your children to pay attention to their surroundings – stop to look at weird, interesting anomalies in the world around you that make you ask questions.”

n Grow with STEAM As a parent, continue to encourage your child by following their interests. “As your kids age, they may stop pointing out weird bugs, but now, your kid is interested in cooking. Ask questions: ‘Why does an egg go from clear to white when you’re frying it? What’s happening?’ Shift your questions to where their interests are,” Salaita says. Follow your children’s interests when they reach high school and start brainstorming career paths. Maxine Cain founded STEM Atlanta Women to support middle and high school girls, college students and recent college graduates in underserved and underrepresented communities in Atlanta. She suggests parents not try to push their child into a particular area. “STEM is everywhere and in everything. Allow children to tell their story,” she says. “If they say, ‘I want to create my own makeup line;’ then, you can ask: ‘Do you have a chemist or a scientist lined up? How are you going to make the makeup?’ In every single aspect of life, we touch STEM. There will be some form of STEM in the career they’re interested in.”

n Encourage Curiosity Meisa Salaita, Co-founder of Science ATL

38 Atlanta Parent

Maxine Cain, Founder of STEM Atlanta Women

March 2022

Paula Garcia Todd, Global Strategic Manager at Pharma Solutions

As an adult, you may be used to accepting things as they are, but kids love to ask questions. Questions show your child’s curiosity. Even if you don’t know how to respond in the moment, take note of what your child is interested in, so you can explore the topic together. atlantaparent.com

“Encourage the curiosity of kids, and get answers when you can,” Salaita says. “Asking questions and making observations are enough to spark interest. There are going to be kids who take that and do their own digging. As long as you encourage curiosity, you don’t have to have the answer.” Use apps and resources to find answers. Salaita recommends Seek by iNaturalist, Scientific American and National Geographic.

n Change Your Mindset If you don’t love STEAM or believe you have the capacity to understand concepts, it can be intimidating to show enthusiasm for a subject you dislike, even if you don’t want to pass that hatred onto your child. “Have an open and growth mindset,” Cain says. “The future state of your child’s life is relative to technology and innovation. Most children are not listening to what you say, but they’re watching what you do. I encourage parents to be neutral and to think about the growth and the future of their child. Technology changes every single day, and you want your child to thrive in that world or they won’t; there is no in-between.” Paula Garcia Todd, Global Strategic Manager at Pharma Solutions, grew up in

Questions show your child’s curiosity. Even if you don’t know how to respond in the moment, take note of what your child is interested in, so you can explore the topic together. a family of engineers, which inspired her to pursue engineering. Now, her daughter loves history, a subject she knows little about. “In the age that we live in today, we can rely on the internet to search for interesting things. It’s a journey that allows me to learn with my daughter as well. Parents should consider themselves as students,” she recommends. “Bring out that curiosity and discover along with them. Instead of feeling intimidated, take this opportunity to learn with your kids.”

n Beware of Stereotypes One of the reasons for the gender gap, according to the American Association of University Women, is that STEM fields are often viewed as masculine. Being aware of these stereotypes may be a start to encouraging your daughter to consider STEAM as being for her, not just for her brother.

“Media around us presents us with a lot of unintentional stereotypes, and they can be hard to shake,” Salaita says. “When you’re holiday shopping, you shouldn’t think of just getting the robot toy for your son; it can also be for your daughter. Encourage curiosity in your daughters as much as your sons. It’s a constant check I make sure that I’m doing. Because of those stereotypes, it may come naturally with your boys, but be mindful that you’re doing the same thing with your daughter.” While sitting on an advisory board for Penn State to help underrepresented students, Garcia Todd realized students needed exposure to STEAM before college. She started helping within her community by visiting elementary, middle and high schools. “I would cold-call schools: ‘I’m a chemical engineer, and I’d love to tell students about engineering with a hands-on experience to get kids excited,’” she says. “I found that it was not girls who would question my presence, but boys who’d ask, ‘Are you really an engineer?’ We have to normalize that there are women in STEM.” Due to the pandemic, she has expanded her reach with Zoom presentations. Cont’d on next page

A Private Preschool oﬀering Pre-K3, Pre-K and Kindergarten programs focus on early STEM education for children ages 3-6. Call today or register online for a school tour. 770.696.5588

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Atlanta Parent 39

Helping Girls Get a STEAM Mindset

Garcia Todd recommends being mindful of the language you use. “We may hold biases we’re not aware of. For example, we automatically say, ‘he,’ such as, ‘This scientist figured this out, and he…’ We’re assuming the scientist was a man. If we want girls to have the freedom to choose their career, we also want boys to have the freedom to choose fields that are female-oriented, such as nursing. Language can be very powerful in an inclusive mindset for kids about what a scientist should look like.”

n Find Role Models Research female role models who inspire your daughter. There are women in many different areas who will have relevance to her life, either in the products she uses or the career she wants to pursue. “Katherine Johnson was able to do amazing work at NASA; ’Hidden Figures’ is an inspiring movie,” Cain says. “Madam C. J. Walker – without her, a lot of African American hair products wouldn’t exist. Kathryn Wijnaldum is an African American Navy warship captain, and she leads and is at the helm one of the largest naval warships in the nation.” As a chemist, Salaita is inspired by other chemists. “I’m impressed with Jennifer Doudna. She won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and she worked on gene editing with CRISPR. Astronauts are always the epitome of inspiration when it comes to scientific exploration, as they are going out into the unknown. Ellen Ochoa was the Johnson Space Center’s first Hispanic director.”

n Use Resources In the 21st century, we are lucky to live in a world where a wealth of information is available to us at the touch of a button. Excite your child with online resources, books, movies and shows depicting STEAM education in a creative and fun way. Metro Atlanta has many companies who offer classes or camps for children or adults to help your family learn more. STEM Atlanta Women’s STEM In the City, Summerhill is a digital and creative space offering a collaborative environment for hands-on project-based learning. “We offer all types of initiatives to focus on the whole child,” Cain says. “We offer the same courses to parents and grandparents, so that if they’re not familiar with these concepts, they can learn as well. It becomes an exciting and engaging conversation because they’re both learning the same thing.” “As a parent, you don’t have to be an engineer to expose your child to STEAM concepts,” Garcia Todd says. She suggests searching for websites, books or TV shows that can inspire your kids, and if you get stuck, reach out to your child’s teacher. “‘Mission Unstoppable’ is a Saturday morning show that follows women in different STEM fields, such as cyber security or 3D printing. Expose kids to these different opportunities, and the earlier you can do it, the better,” she adds. 40 Atlanta Parent

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STEAM in the City For more STEAM fun, visit these museums and attractions: l Children’s Museum of Atlanta, childrensmuseumatlanta.org l Fernbank Museum, fernbankmuseum.org l High Museum of Art, high.org l The Southern Museum, southernmuseum.org l Museum of Aviation, museumofaviation.org

Chatthoochee Nature Center

by Mary Williams

Tellus Science Museum

STEAM is all around us! Check out these places where kids can learn and explore. Chattahoochee Nature Center Five interactive EcoTinker science stations explore the connections between nature and STEM. Learn about the science of flight, from the effect of wing sizes and shape to how planes fly. chattnaturecenter.org

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Based on the animated series, Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab helps kids discover invisible forces, the science of simple machines, coding and more. At the Hidden Secrets exhibit, explore the world of caves and their mysterious inhabitants. tellusmuseum.org

Delta Flight Museum Learn about the history and future of flight, test your pilot skills in a flight simulator, and explore the interactive exhibits on a scavenger hunt at this fascinating museum. deltamuseum.org

l Southeastern Railway Museum, train-museum.org l Museum of Design Atlanta, museumofdesign.org l Atlanta History Center, atlantahistorycenter.com

Fernbank Museum

l Computer Museum of America, computermuseumofamerica.org

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Be a Science Superhero! Explore, learn and discover at the Atlanta Science Festival from March 12-26. With tons of events across Atlanta, as well as virtual events, there are plenty of ways for your family to be engaged. Visit atlantasciencefestival.org for a full schedule of events, advanced registration and pricing.

ENROLL NOW

PRESCHOOL

Exploration Expo Piedmont Park / March 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free, interactive science event with family-focused demos, experiments, performances and hands-on science booths. Touch a human brain; build biological machines; show off your craziest socks on the Giant Traveling Map of Georgia; look inside a jet engine; draw with 3D pens; taste miracle berries; meet predators, parasites and pollinators; pen your own science haiku; stare down an owl; build a marsh or freeze a marshmallow; measure how loud your mom is; and more!

AGES 2–6

SUMMER CAMP AGES

Preschool: (2-5 years) Elementary school: (K-5 grade) Middle school: (6-8 grades)

Here are some highlights: l March 12: Cuisine Du Jardin at

Irwin Cooking School. $5. l March 12: Playing Mother Nature:

Modeling Extreme Earth Phenomena at Your Fingertips at Brownwood Park Pavilion. Free. l March 16: Franken-Frogs at

Metropolitan Library. Free. l March 17: Fernbank Forest

Wildflower Walk at Fernbank Museum. Free with admission. l March 17: Gwinnett Family

Science Night at Gwinnett County Government Annex. $5. l March 18: The Wizard of Oz:

Puppets + Science = Magic! at Center for Puppetry Arts. $16.50. l March 19: Superhero Science

ENROLL TODAY!

Convenient to Roswell, Johns Creek and Alpharetta

l March 19: The Secret Science of

Sports at Westside Park. Free. l March 19: Drive-in Demos:

Chemistry from Your Car at First Christian Church of Decatur. $5. l March 19: Splash into Stream

Science at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. Free. l March 19: Ice Cream Science at

Decatur Square Bandstand. $5. l March 20: Family Science

Carnival at The Paideia School. Free. l March 22: The Astronomy of

Star Wars at GSU Perimeter College, Dunwoody. Free. l March 23: Mathvenger Hunt! at

Agnes Scott College Bullock Science Center. Free.

Virtual highlights:

Day at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Free with admission.

l March 18: Fun Science Hacks

l March 19: Bugs & Bytes: Exploring

l March 19: Build-a-Brain. $5.

Insect Farming as Food of the Future! at Grub-ah-Dub Shack. $10.

l March 19: Science at the

atlantaparent.com

satapos.com | 770-282-6891 9550 Nesbit Ferry Road Alpharetta 30022

with Dr. Jo Hecker. Free.

Center. Free.

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presents

in partnership with

IN-PERSON SESSIONS BEGIN MAR 22

$100

per child + accompanying adult

aso.org/MVY This special pricing is made possible thanks to support from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation.

MARCH: Things to do this month

The Show Must Go On l Flowers Everywhere l Spring Festivals St. Patrick's Day Celebrations l Top Events l Easter Egg Hunts atlantaparent.com

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MARCH TOP EVENTS

Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, most places are requiring advanced ticket purchase. Call or check websites for procedures. Events may be cancelled or changed after our deadline. Please check before visiting to confirm. Full calendar online at atlantaparent.com

The Atlanta Fair

Old Turner Field – Grey Lot March 4-April 10. Mon.-Fri. 5-11 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 1-11 p.m. Kick off spring with classic carnival games, mouth-watering fair food, thrill rides and more. 688 Central Ave. SW, Atlanta. $5; under 42 inches, $2; individual ride tickets, $1.25. atlantafair.net

Touch-A-Truck

Adams Park / March 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Get up close to larger-than-life trucks, heavy construction and public safety equipment, cool cars and specialty vehicles, as well as children’s activities, food and beverages. 2600 Park Dr., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. Free admission. kennesaw-ga.gov

Atlanta VIP Princess Party

Touch-A-Truck Photo by Pinners Conference

Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria / March 6, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Meet lots of princesses at this party with stories, songs, dances, photos and more. 200 Interstate N. Pkwy., Atlanta. $20-$35. eventbrite.com/o/pretty-princessparties-7661293259

Georgia Pinners Conference

Cobb Galleria Centre March 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and March 12, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Experience more than 200 businesses and 100 interactive classes taught by experts in DIY, home décor, food, fashion, beauty and more. 2 Galleria Pkwy. SE, Atlanta. 801-822-1333. $10; ages 8 and younger, free. ga.pinnersconference.com

Twilight Trek

Georgia Pinners Conference

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Zoo Atlanta / March 11 and 26, 6:30-9 p.m. Learn how animals survive and thrive, and how the Zoo works to reintroduce species to the wild. Reservation required. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453. $25; ages 3 and younger, free. zooatlanta.org

Family Fun Guide

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Little Critters Day

Fernbank Museum of Natural History March 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ring in spring with cute baby animals and fun activities. Reservation required. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-9296300. $24.95; ages 3-12, $22.95; ages 2 and younger, free. fernbankmuseum.org

Barbie Truck Malibu Tour

Atlantic Station March 12, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Check out the all-new limited-edition ‘70s inspired Barbie merch with this throwback tour. 1380 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404-410-4010. Free admission. atlanticstation.com

Barbie Truck Malibu Tour

Flying into the Future

Chattahoochee Nature Center March 13, noon-4 p.m. Learn about flying animals and test your STEM skills with themed booths, crafts and activities. Reservation recommended. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. $10; ages 13-18, $7; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free. chattnaturecenter.org

Purim Parade & Festival

Beth Jacob Atlanta March 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy food, get your face painted, ride amusement rides, play in the sensory-friendly room and more. 1855 Lavista Rd., Atlanta. 404-633-0551. Free admission; tickets, $0.50. bethjacobatlanta.org Cont’d on next page

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Flying into the Future

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Porter Academy www.porteracademy.org 770-594-1313

MARCH TOP EVENTS Second Sunday

High Museum of Art March 13, noon-5 p.m. Enjoy art-making activities, performances and exhibitions for free. Reservation required. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Free admission. high.org • Pre-K–8th • Small group instruction • Therapeutic Support • Hands-on Academics • Core Knowledge Curriculum • Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

Enabling children with learning differences to succeed

UniverSoul Circus

Gwinnett Place Mall March 17-April 10. See website for showtimes. This interactive circus show combines circus arts, theater and music to celebrate the unique aspects of global urban pop culture with amazing international performers. 2100 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth. $27.50-$53; ages 11 months and younger, free. universoulcircus.com

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Douglasville Cultural Arts Center / March 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy this “Alice in Wonderland” themed party with flamingo croquet, musical sing-a-long, a storytelling session, an egg hunt, face painting and more. 8652 Campbellton St., Douglasville. 770-949-2787. $15. artsdouglas.org

Luck of Avalon

CHILDREN USE THE LANGUAGE OF PLAY TO EXPRESS AND RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. Trudy Post Spunk www.gapt.org 770.491.7423

Atlanta

AtlantaPARENT

Read Us Online PARENT atlantaparent.com

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CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY Luck of Avalon

Avalon March 11, 5-9 p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with special performances from King O’Sullivan School of Irish Dance, North Georgia Pipes and Drums, live music and more. 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-2000. Free admission. experienceavalon.com

Luck of the Square

Colony Square March 12, 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m. Participate in the 5K, watch the Midtown parade, enjoy face painting, listen to live music, and more. 1197 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-879-2250. Free admission. colonysquare.com

Family Fun Guide

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade

Midtown Atlanta March 12, noon-1:30 p.m. Watch individuals and groups celebrate Irish culture with clowns, floats, bands, bagpipes, dancers, drill teams and more. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 770-805-8015. Free admission. atlantastpats.com

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BLOOMING CHERRY BLOSSOMS Head to one of these three Georgia festivals to get in on the spring fun.

International Cherry Blossom Festival

Macon March 18-27. See website for schedule. Experience the beauty of Macon’s cherry blossoms while you listen to live music, enjoy free donuts, taste ice cream, ride midway amusement rides and more. See website for locations and prices. cherryblossom.com

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Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival Georgia International Horse Park March 26-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop arts and crafts vendors, taste food from multiple food courts, enjoy cultural performances, listen to live music, and play in the children’s area. 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers. 770-860-4190. Free admission; parking, $8. georgiahorsepark.com

Family Fun Guide

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

Blackburn Park March 26-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy two days of music, shop more than 100 local and regional artists’ works, play in the Kidz Zone, see classic cars and more. 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Brookhaven. Free admission. brookhavenga.gov/festival

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Photo by Gene Philips

SPRING FLOWERS EVERYWHERE Downtown Daffodil Project

Tulips, daffodils and other beautiful flowers are blooming all around us! Visit some of the most colorful gardens in Atlanta and beyond. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some locations may be requiring timed ticket admission; check websites for more information.

FOR FREE: Downtown Daffodil Project

Oakland Cemetery

Historically, cemetery lots were gardened by family members to create a small bit of heaven, and the Oakland Cemetery draws inspiration from this tradition in its pleasure gardens. In spring, see thousands of daffodils, flowering trees and garden mums. The location is also home to more than 1,400 trees, including mature trees that are nearly 200 years old! 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. oaklandcemetery.com

Woodlands Garden

The Daffodil Project aims to build a Living Holocaust Memorial by planting 1.5 million daffodils around the world. In Atlanta, walk the “ribbon of consciousness” from the Center for Civil and Human Rights to the King Center, which features 275,000 daffodils. Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta. 404-658-1877. atlantadowntown.com

This garden is divided into two major horticultural focus areas. The Georgia Piedmont Native Garden features native trees, including ironwoods, tulip trees, white oaks and red maples, and in spring, see them bloom with yellow, pink, white and orange buds. The Morse Family Heritage Garden showcases azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, Japanese maples, ferns and more. 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur. 404-373-2222. woodlandsgarden.org

Cator Woolford Gardens

These historic gardens offer a rare glimpse into 1920s Atlanta. See Italian-style architecture, flowers, woods, the rustic, woodsy Hollow with a pond and more as you walk around. The gardens are open seven days a week; check online before visiting to see if they’re closed for a private event. 1815 S. Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-377-3836. catorwoolfordgardens.org

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Part of the University of Georgia, this stunning garden boasts daylilies, daffodils, irises, roses, peonies, woodlands, snapdragons, azaleas, magnolias and more. The International Garden has history, culture, horticulture and botany from around the world. Drop by in May to walk the Hummingbird Trail. The Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden is a learning environment with themed gardens, edible landscapes, hands-on plots and interpretive elements. 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens. 706-542-1244. botgarden.uga.edu

Oakland Cemetery

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Family Fun Guide

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FOR A FEE: Atlanta Botanical Garden

Located next to Piedmont Park, this gorgeous garden has tons of beautiful blooms. Through April 30, you can see thousands of tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths. Stop by the Fuqua Orchid Center to see fragrant orchids on display through April 10. The twoacre Lou Glenn Children’s Garden features a Flower Bridge, a stepped vegetable garden, springtime flowers and honeybees for play and fun. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $22.95-$24.95; ages 3-12, $19.95-$21.95; ages 2 and younger, free. atlantabg.org

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville

This smaller botanical garden has babbling brooks, woodlands, a forest pond with water lilies and lotus flowers, azaleas, hydrangeas and more. The Ada Mae Pass Ivester Children’s Garden has hands-on elements to highlight earth, wind, fire and water, along with a Treehouse and Rock Climb, a dragon, giant frog plant sculptures and a mini Fairyland Trolley. 1911 Sweetbay Dr., Gainesville. 404-888-4760. $10; ages 3-12, $8; ages 2 and younger, free. atlantabg.org/gainesville-garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta History Center

This 33-acre experience features Goizueta Gardens with nine distinct areas. Stop by the Quarry Garden for camellias, waterfalls and native Georgia plants. See tons of rhododendrons in the Rhododendron Garden, eastern plants in the Asian Garden, and the Smith Farm Gardens even has animals! 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta. 404-814-4000. $23.41; ages 4-12, $9.80; ages 3 and younger, free. atlantahistorycenter.com

Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Photo by David Akoubian

Experience the permanent art collection surrounded by more than 20,000 daffodils. This 17-acre area also features a camellia garden, a tea house and waterfall area, a rose garden and a conifer display. The Bonsai Exhibit opens in April for beautiful bonsai trees. Play structures throughout the gardens include a Noodle Forest, a Hobbit Habitat and more. 2382 Pine Mountain Rd., Kennesaw. 770-919-0248. $10; ages 3-17, $5; ages 2 and younger, free. smithgilbertgardens.com

Callaway Resort & Gardens

Travel to Pine Mountain to discover gorgeous views and plants. In spring, thousands of azaleas bloom vibrantly, and pretty hydrangeas peak in late May. Walk or bike the trails, stop by the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center to spot butterflies, and see a Birds of Prey show. 17800 US Hwy. 27, Pine Mountain. 844-512-3826. $24.95; ages 3-11, $17.95; ages 2 and younger, free. callawaygardens.com

Gibbs Gardens

Take a short drive to Ball Ground to walk these beautiful grounds. In early spring, you can spot daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips and dogwoods. Later in the season, see azaleas, ferns, roses, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and water lilies. In the Valley area, visit the Japanese Gardens, Monet Waterlily Gardens, Rose Gardens, Fern Dell and more. 1987 Gibbs Dr., Ball Ground. 770-893-1880. $20; ages 3-17, $10; ages 2 and younger, free. gibbsgardens.com

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Gibbs Gardens

Family Fun Guide

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Peppa Pig’s Adventure

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Check out these entertaining shows and dance performances throughout metro Atlanta. Coppelia

Gas South District March 11, 7:30 p.m.; March 12, 2 and 7:30 p.m. and March 13, 2 p.m. This hilarious ballet shows Dr. Coppelius and his magical doll, Coppelia, as Franz tries to woo her. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. 770-813-7500. $25+. gassouthdistrict.com

Bina’s Six Apples

Alliance Theatre / March 11-27. See website for showtimes. When war in Korea forces Bina to flee her home, she relies upon her family’s apples and her resilience to discover a place to call home. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4600. $10-$42. alliancetheatre.org Bina’s Six Apples

Where the Wild Things Are

Roswell Cultural Arts Center March 12, 3 and 7 p.m. This wild dance adventure is based on the book “Where the Wild Things Are.” 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-641-3987. $15. roswellgov.com

Pinocchio!

Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type

Fox Theatre / March 20, 3 p.m. Join Peppa on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends for an adventure filled with singing, dancing, games and surprises. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-2100. $25-$65. foxtheatre.org

Aurora Theatre / March 19, 10 and 11:30 a.m. That Puppet Guy presents this classic tale of a toy coming to life as a real boy. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7. auroratheatre.com

Peppa Pig’s Adventure

Center for Puppetry Arts Through March 13. See website for showtimes. This puppet performance for ages 4-12 depict cows on strike as they learn to use the typewriter to leave Farmer Brown notes of resistance. 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $22; ages 1 and younger, free. puppet.org

Giselle

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre March 18, 8 p.m.; March 19, 2 and 8 p.m. and March 20, 2 p.m. Performed with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, this ballet shows a heartbroken Giselle rise from the grave to move with the otherworldly beauties to entrap men. 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. 404-892-3303. $25-$139. atlantaballet.com

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Aladdin

Byers Theater / March 31-April 1, 7 p.m.; April 2, 1 p.m. and April 2, 4 p.m. Princess Jasmine falls in love with a scoundrel of a boy, Aladdin, in this adventurous ballet. 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. 770-998-0259. $27-$40. tysod.com

In My Granny’s Garden

Alliance Theatre / March 31-April 24. See website for showtimes. Explore growing your own food with original paintings and Granny’s garden. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4600. $10; ages 6-17, $5; ages 5 and younger, free. alliancetheatre.org

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

MAKE LEARNING FUN AT THESE EXHIBITS Head out and about around Atlanta for this amazing learning opportunities. IN THE WORLD OF ART: The Obama Portraits Tour

High Museum of Art / Through March 20 On loan from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, see the official portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Reservation required. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400. $16.50; ages 5 and younger, free. high.org

Oliver Jeffers: 15 Years of Picturing Book

High Museum of Art / April 15-Aug. 7 View line drawings, sketches and finished illustrations from sixteen of Jeffers’ pictures books, including “The Day the Crayons Quit,” “Once Upon an Alphabet” and more. Reservation required. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400. $16.50; ages 5 and younger, free. high.org

EXPERIENCE THE ART: Imagine Picasso: The Immersive Exhibition

Pullman Yards / March 8-June 19 Step into the world of Pablo Picasso with immersive experiences and technology displaying a collection of more than 200 artworks. 225 Rogers St. NE, Atlanta. $31.50-$44.40; ages 5-12, $22-$31.10; ages 4 and younger, free. imaginepicassoexhibit.com

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Location To Be Announced / March 12-April 3 Enjoy the works of Vincent van Gogh with digital displays, sound effects and projection mapping, and step into the world of the past with a one-of-a-kind VR experience. $32.20-$35.40; ages 4-12, $19.10-$24.50; ages 3 and younger, free. vangoghexpo.com

Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience

Location To Be Announced / April 22-May 30 Step into the Impressionist world of Claude Monet with 360-degree projections, dazzling lights, spectacular sounds and a special virtual reality experience. $32.20-$35.40; ages 4-12, $19.10-$24.50; ages 3 and younger, free. monetexpo.com

Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience

A TRIP IN TIME: Dino Safari

North Point Mall Through April 8 Watch dinosaurs move in this interactive exhibit with hands-on experiences, like fossil digging, a “fun zone” and more. 1000 N. Point Circle, Alpharetta. 855-372-3274. $15-$19; ages 2 and younger, free. dinosafari.com

Knights in Armor

Fernbank Museum of Natural History Through May 15 Explore the lives of European knights from the medieval and Renaissance periods with armor, equestrian figures, paintings, weaponry and more. Reservation required. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. $24.95; ages 3-12, $22.95; ages 2 and younger, free. fernbankmuseum.org

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites

Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites

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Children’s Museum of Atlanta Through May 30 Play with hands-on, book-based experiences from “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “The Snowy Day” and more. Reservation required. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437. $11.95-$22; ages 11 months and younger, free. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

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SPRING FESTIVAL GUIDE

It’s the season for delightful outdoor festivals with rides, games, music, food, activities for kids and more. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, some festivals may be requiring advance ticket admission. Call or check websites for more details.

Lemonade Days Festival

n Atlanta Science Festival’s Exploration Expo. Piedmont Park. March 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Touch a human brain, look inside a jet engine, taste miracle berries and more at 100 different hands-on, interactive science booths from local organizations, universities and companies. 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta. 770322-4992. Free admission. atlantasciencefestival.org n Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Piedmont Park. April 8-10. Stop by the Artist Market, see live performances, play in the Kids Village, try your hand at painting with the Sip & Paint experience, and more. 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404-827-8663. Free admission. dogwood.org n Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival. Downtown Kennesaw. April 9-10. This festival features more than 200 arts and crafts booths, food booths, entertainment stages and kid’s activities. Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com n Georgia Renaissance Festival. Fairburn. April 9-May 30. Sat.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy Renaissance-themed entertainment with jousting, an artisan marketplace, delicious food, jugglers, jesters and more. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd., Fairburn. 770-964-8575. $19.95-$24; ages 6-12, $9.95-$12; ages 5 and younger, free. garenfest.com

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

n Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Arts Festival. Sandy Springs. April 16-17. This two-day festival includes a children’s play area, local musicians, interactive art stations and arts and crafts vendors. 6100 Lake Forrest Dr. NE, Sandy Springs. Free admission. sandyspringsartsapalooza.com n Lemonade Days Festival. Brook Run Park. April 20-24. Wed.-Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. noon-6 p.m. Amuse your family with carnival rides, food and beverage vendors, the popular Dunwoody Idol contest and stage performances. 4770 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody. 770-668-0401. Free admission; ride tickets, $1.25 each. dunwoodypreservationtrust.org n Inman Park Festival. Inman Park. April 22-24. Fri. noon-4 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy a historic home and park tour, music, kids’ activities, a street parade, an artists’ market and more. Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. Free admission; Tour of Homes, $20-$25. inmanparkfestival.org

n Spring Jonquil Festival. Downtown Smyrna. April 23-24. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. noon-5 p.m. The beautiful Village Green is transformed with arts and crafts booths, food booths, entertainment and children’s activities. Atlanta Rd., Smyrna. 770423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com n May-Retta Daze. Marietta Square. April 30May 1. Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy delicious festival food, a kid’s zone, live music and arts and crafts. 50 N. Park Sq. NE, Marietta. 770-423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com n Duluth Spring Arts Festival. Duluth. April 30-May 1. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This festival features approximately 86 painters, photographers, sculptors, glass artists and more, as well as a fun area for kids. 3167 Main St., Duluth. 404-614-0006. Free admission. duluthartsfestival.com n Cherokee County Indian Festival and Mother’s Day Pow-Wow. Boling Park. May 7-8. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Shop Native American artisans and crafters, watch traditional dances, play on the bungee jump, ride ponies, and see a horseback battle reenactment. 1200 Marietta Hwy., Canton. 770-735-6275. $15; ages 6-12, $5; ages 5 and younger, free. rthunder.com n Sweet Auburn Springfest. Historic Sweet Auburn District. May 7-8. Enjoy tons of different musical performances, and drop by the kid’s area. Irwin St. NE, Atlanta. 678-667-1375. Free admission. sweetauburn.com n Marietta Greek Festival. Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. May 13, 4-8 p.m.; May 14, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and May 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Purchase Greek food, watch live entertainment, listen to music from The George Karras Band, and more. 3431 Trickum Rd., Marietta. 770-924-8080. Menu items, $1-$22. mariettagreekfestival.com

Duluth Spring Arts Festival

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Family Fun Guide

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HIPPITY, HOPPITY: IT’S TIME FOR EASTER EGG HUNTS!

Easter is on April 17. Get out and celebrate with these egg hunts. Call or check websites for COVID-19 safety precautions.

EGG HUNTS n Acworth Egg Hunt. Acworth Sports Complex. April 8, 6-8:30 p.m. Children ages 10 and younger can hunt for over 50,000 eggs in this community event. 400 S. Main St., Acworth. 770-529-6006. Free admission. acworth.org n Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza. Barrington Hall. April 15, 10 a.m.-noon. Visit with the Easter Bunny and play games after three different egg hunts separated by age groups. Tickets required. 535 Barrington Dr., Roswell. 770-641-3727. $5; ages 4-12, $10; ages 3 and younger, free. roswellgov.com n Marietta Community Egg Hunt. Marietta High School. April 15, 5-9 p.m. Food, games, music, activities, and thousands of eggs across various age groups. 1171 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta. 770-423-1330. Free admission. marietta.com n North East Cobb Community Egg Drop. Sprayberry High School. April 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Food, games, activities and egg hunts for everyone as a helicopter drops thousands of eggs onto the football field. Free photos with the Easter Bunny. 2525 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta. 770-423-1330. Free admission. marietta.com n The Taste. Cumming Fairgrounds. April 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Three different egg hunts separated by age groups. Play in the kid’s zone, and sample food from more than 25 restaurants. 235 Castleberry Rd., Cumming. 770-781-3491. Free admission. cummingfair.squarespace.com n Easter Egg Hunt. Sandy Springs Artsapalooza. April 17, 2:30 p.m. Go on a hunt for more than 4,000 eggs and enjoy the children’s area afterwards. 6100 Lake Forrest Dr. NE, Sandy Springs. Free admission. sandyspringsartsapalooza.com

NIGHTTIME HUNTS n Flashlight Egghunt. East Roswell Recreation Center. March 26, 7:30 p.m. Families hunt eggs in the dark with flashlights. Registration required. 9000 Fouts Rd., Roswell. 770-641-3727. $4-$6; ages 1-10, $12-$18. roswellgov.com n Flashlight Egg Hunt. Cherokee Veterans Park. April 2, 6 p.m. Meet the Easter Bunny, explore the kid’s zone, make and take crafts and more before going on an egg hunt using a flashlight. 7345 Cumming Hwy., Canton. 770-924-7768. $10. playcherokee.org n Easter Hiking Scavenger Hunt. Lewis Park. April 13, 6:30-8 p.m. Hop through the trails of Lewis Park for an Easterthemed scavenger hunt. 200 East Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock. 770-924-7768. $10. playcherokee.org

For more Easter events, visit atlantaparent.com.

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March 2022

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Nominate your pediatrician today! ATL ANTA PARENT’S

MOM-APPROVED Have you found the perfect pediatrician for your family? Nominate them today. Tell us about your favorite pediatrician. Go to atlantaparent.com/nominate 58 Atlanta Parent

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