Atlanta Parent_March 2025 by Atlanta Parent

Atlanta Parent

Passionate teachers trained in early childhood education

Low student-teacher ratios for individualized learning

In-house chefs who create delicious and healthful meals

Give Your Child Quality Care and Education

•

• Beautiful outdoor learning spaces and purposeful play areas

Inside

YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT

Publisher’s Note / 8 Good Stuff / 9 For the Fridge / 70

Neighborhood Spotlight:

Intown Atlanta has something for every family! Discover art, nature, unique attractions and more.

Page 30

Spring Festival Planner:

Celebrate spring at these not-to-miss fairs and festivals.

Page 66

Therapy: Finding the Right Fit

In our stress-filled world, kids may need extra coping skills. Be proactive and find a therapy that can help.

It’s Party Time!

Make it the perfect birthday with our themes and ideas, go gift-free, and plan a book-inspired party.

Montessori: The Parent Perspective

Why some local parents chose a Montessori education for their kids. Plus, strategies to use at home.

47 All In for STEAM

Inspire a love of STEAM with these family–friendly activities and ideas, STEAM toys and kits that make learning fun and more!

Family Fun Guide: Top March events, fun spots for kids and kids at heart, must-see shows and St. Patrick’s Day fun. Page 57

Like us on Facebook; facebook.com/ AtlantaParentMagazine

High Meadows Camp is what camp should be!

Explore. Connect. Achieve. Have Fun.

For more than 50 years, High Meadows Camp has provided campers an authentic, exciting outdoor program on 42 acres of woods, farmland, and unique facilities. Camp is open to 5-year-olds through rising ninth grade students. Visit www.highmeadowscamp.org to register.

Session 1: June 2 - June 20

Session 2: June 23 - July 11

Session 3: July 14 - August 1

Founded in 1973 | Roswell, Ga. | (770) 993-7375 | www.highmeadowscamp.org

PUBLISHER Liz White lwhite@atlantaparent.com

ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Carolyn Haushalter EXECUTIVE chaushalter@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Genie Lockeretz EXECUTIVE glockeretz@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Kaylee Gahagan EXECUTIVE kgahagan@atlantaparent.com

ACCOUNT Sonya Jefferson EXECUTIVE sjefferson@atlantaparent.com

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

CONTENT Mary Williams PROJECT mwilliams@atlantaparent.com MANAGER

Fulton County Schools offer diagnostic evaluations for children, three and older, with a suspected disability.

Using research-based strategies, the Fulton County Schools’ Services for Exceptional Children department provides services for students with disabilities who are homeschooled, attend a private school or reside within the Fulton County School District. Services include, but are not limited to:

• Speech Therapy Sessions

• Autism Workshops for Families

Inquire today about monthly workshops for families and private schools to help students reach their full academic potential.

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

PRODUCTION Robin Mintz

ADMINISTRATIVE Amanda Allen ASSISTANT

MARKETING Felicia Barman MOM

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

Publisher’s Note

In Atlanta, blooming daffodils are a sure sign that spring is almost here. The days are getting a little longer and daylight saving time arrives on March 9. I think everyone is ready for more daylight hours and the warm weather that gets us out of the house. I know I am!

Once the daffodils start popping up, dogwood and cherry blossoms are not far behind. The spring blooms also signal the arrival of outdoor festivals! This month, head to Cherry Blossom Festivals in Conyers, Brookhaven and Macon. In April, visit the Spring Jonquil Festival in Smyrna and the Rhododendron Festival in Hiawassee. And be sure to mark your calendar for one of spring’s premiere events, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April 11-13 in Piedmont Park. Make sure to stop by the children’s area on Saturday and Sunday and have fun with Atlanta Parent. Our Spring Festival Planner on page 66 has details on these events and many more!

Getting your kids interested in STEAM is more important than ever. Read our special section to learn how you can inspire a love of STEAM, with family-friendly activities and ideas, places to visit, toys that make learning fun and more. Don’t miss the Atlanta Science Festival happening March 8-22. This STEAM-themed event has an array of events and happenings for kids and families and culminates with the Exploration Expo in Piedmont Park on March 22.

It’s time to start planning those spring and summer birthday parties! In our party planner this month, you’ll find lots of great ideas for celebrating kids’ birthdays, whether you’re hosting an at-home party or letting someone else do the work. If you’ve been thinking about going gift-free at your next party, we have tips on how to make it work.

I hope you’ve been enjoying our “In the Neighborhood” series — this month, we’re highlighting Intown Atlanta. The area includes so many fun neighborhoods and iconic Atlanta spots, like Piedmont Park, the Beltline and Zoo Atlanta. If you haven’t explored the Intown area lately, you may be surprised at all the familyfriendly attractions and things to do. Spring is a great time to explore this fun area.

Enjoy getting out and about? Our Family Fun Guide is a great resource for all the events and happenings throughout the year. For even more ideas, read our post, “250+ Family-Friendly Things to Do in Atlanta,” at atlantaparent.com and don’t miss our digital Spring Fun Guide that has even more festivals, Easter egg hunts, events and places to explore.

Let us know about your favorite spring activities! Drop us a line or visit us on social media.

StUff G oo d

by Emily Webb

THINGS WE LIKE

FLOWER POWER

Education A-Bloom

Make gardening educational and interactive with Back to the Roots: Kids Grow Kits. Learn where food comes from and how plants grow with easy-to-follow instructions and STEM activities. Cultivate strawberries, a sunflower and more. At target.com for $5.99, or purchase a set of four at backtotheroots.com for $29.99.

Sprouting the Seed

Get your hands dirty and create a special garden with MiracleGRO’s My First Flower Growing Kit. Decorate and paint the gardening planter; then, plant the marigold, cosmos and zinnia to watch the flowers blossom. The kit includes step-by-step instructions with soil pods, seed packets, a tin planter, paints, plant markers and more. At amazon.com for $29.99.

Let

Creativity Bloom

Make paper flowers, including a zinnia, daffodil and rose, with Klutz: Fabulous Flowers. This book and activity kit comes with pages of punch out sheets, rhinestones, glitter glue, a shaping tool and wire stems. At shop.scholastic.com for $19.99. Explore the science of water and make colorful paper flowers with Crayola’s STEAM Paper Flower Science Kit. At shop.crayola.com for $24.99.

Nature Preserved

Preserve the beauty of nature and flowers with 4M Green Creativity’s Pressed Flower Art Kit. Find gorgeous blooms on a spring walk, and learn how to use them to make cards, bookmarks, trinket boxes and more. The kit includes a flower press, glue, brush and double-sided tape for making different crafts. At amazon.com for $14.99.

Wild for Wildflowers

Transform any patch of dirt into a colorful, blooming wonderland for pollinators with Uncommon Goods’ Wildflowers For You Seed Bomb Gift Set. Throw the nine balls on your ground, water and watch them grow. Blooms include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, cornflowers and more. At uncommongoods.com for $16.

Kindezi is a community of public schools in Atlanta with family-style classes led by great teachers. We provide a genius-awakening education ﬁlled with love and rigor that enables every child to see their innate worth and reach their full potential.

Old Fourth Ward K-Grade 8

386 Pine St. NE Atlanta 30308

Kindezi West K- Grade 8 286 Wilson Mill Rd. SW

at Gideons PreK-Grade 5 897 Welch St. SW

Creating Innovators Instead of Test-Takers

Genesis Innovation Academy for Boys and Genesis Innovation Academy for Girls are single-gender, statecharter schools in southeast Atlanta serving scholars in grades K-8 with a new model for rigorous, valuesbased education.

Focusing on test scores alone is not the endgame. In place of a heightened focus on test preparation, teachers elevate expectations by engaging scholars in relevant, applied problem-solving.

Based on the E5 Core (Economics, Engineering, Ethics, Expression, Entrepreneurship), our curriculum emphasizes comprehension, problem-solving, and realworld, culturally relevant application to ensure scholars become critical thinkers and exceptional leaders.

Now accepting applications for 2025-2026 while open seats remain.

Kindezi

RIGHT COURSE

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

Ethos Classical is a tuition-free public charter school in South Atlanta. 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 intentional family partnership, Ethos Classical provides an extraordinary education to all scholars. Spaces are limited. Now enrolling Kindergarten–6th Grade for the 2025-2026 school year. Apply today!

30315 l 470-502-0046 l ethosclassical.org

Fulton Academy of Science & Technology (FAST) is a free K-8 public charter school located in Roswell. FAST offers students a unique experience that focuses on a design thinking approach to education in a diverse community setting. FAST’s mission is to provide children with a STEM based education designed to spur innovation, creativity, and problem solving that prepares them for success and leadership in our rapidly changing world. Now accepting applications.

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

International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) is now enrolling grades K-7 for the Fall 2025-26 school year. A Japanese-English Dual Language Immersion State Charter School, ICAGeorgia provides rigorous academic instruction aligned with Georgia Standards in both languages. The school aims to broaden the horizons of students so they may become global citizens who promote peace around the world. Students have opportunities to participate in local and global-level service learning projects and Japanese cultural events throughout the year. Apply today!

International Charter School of Atlanta (ICSAtlanta) believes in nurturing students to become compassionate, lifelong learners who are committed to taking actions that will improve our world. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP World School, offering inquiry-based learning and dual-language immersion in French, German, Mandarin, or Spanish, ICSAtlanta prepares kindergarten through 8th grade students for a successful future by promoting academic excellence through rigorous instruction that includes multilingualism, cultural awareness, respect, and tolerance for others.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

Our Mental Health Matters series will provide information and resources to help your family thrive all year long.

Kids and Therapy Which type is right for your child?

by Tali Benjamin

Many children do not naturally have the skills to cope with stress, anxiety and frustration. If you notice your child struggling, be proactive and use therapy to give them the right tools. “The great thing is that there is really no stigma for therapy,” says Dr. Jeff Ashby, director of the Play Therapy Training Institute at Georgia State University. “Parents have to realize that a child needing therapy is not a reflection of their parenting and, in fact, seeking therapy is a sign of good parenting if a child starts to feel anxiety or depression.”

But what type of therapy is right for your child? It can be hard to navigate finding the best fit since there are so many types of therapy available.

Here’s a breakdown of the most effective therapeutic approaches for kids experiencing mental health concerns. Keep in mind the appropriate choice often depends on the child’s age, the specific concern and the child’s individual needs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

n How it works: CBT helps kids identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. It’s particularly useful for children struggling with anxiety, depression or PTSD. “CBT focuses on identifying symptoms, managing these symptoms, and coping in a very specific, organized and structured format,” says Ashley S. Lingerfelt, founder and clinical director of Playtime Therapy of Georgia.

n Why it works: By learning how to recognize and alter unhelpful thoughts, children can reduce emotional distress by using coping strategies learned in therapy. With children, CBT is often paired with another type of therapy, such as play, music or art to be more developmentally appropriate.

Play Therapy

n How it works: Play therapy uses toys, games and other playful activities to help children express their emotions and work through psychological issues. “Play therapy works well for kids because it reaches them at their appropriate developmental level,” says Ashby.

It’s especially effective for younger children who may not have the vocabulary to express their feelings. “Even if a child has a large vocabulary, they may not have the words to describe what they are dealing with internally,” says Ashby. “Children also lack abstract reasoning, and a therapist can help them make connections.”

Certain events such as separation, divorce or traumatic events may be a reason to consider play therapy. The goal being to help a child process things in their own time and way. “Play therapy helps to ensure short-term stress, resilience and recovery in that order,” says Ashby. “This is the most common response to all trauma, and therapy acts as a kind of remediation and helps prevent future issues.”

n Why it works: Children naturally communicate through play, so it gives them a safe space to explore feelings, develop problem-solving skills, and work through trauma. Play therapy also helps kids learn to regulate their emotions and improve social skills.

Cont’d on next page

Signs It’s Time for Therapy

Understanding what to look for may help parents intervene when needed. “The very best thing is early intervention,” says Ashby. “Once children can identify and regulate their emotions, they will be in better shape for each new developmental stage and knowing how to deal with these pieces.”

Behaviors that signal your child might need therapy can manifest in a variety of ways. “Some behaviors may indicate a child is struggling internally,” says Woodruff. “Externalizing behaviors, such as being irritable or defiant, are often easier to spot; however, the internalizing behaviors are just as important to pay attention to.”

Some common behaviors to be aware of:

n Withdrawal or isolation from family or peers

n Avoiding after school activities or refusing to go to school

n Sudden changes in mood

n Sudden changes in appetite

n Changes in sleeping patterns, i.e. sleeping more or less than typical for the child

n Irritability or frequent outbursts

Kids and Therapy

Parent-Child Interaction and Family Therapy

n How it works: Since mental health issues affect the whole family, therapies that focus on relationships and involve more than just the child work well. Parents are trained to use positive reinforcement and consistent discipline strategies to improve behavior and reduce conflicts. The whole family works on open and clear communication to support one another. “Therapy options with a parental component are ideal, as they provide parents with skills to support their child at home,” says Lingerfelt.

n Why it works: The parent-child relationship plays a critical role in a child’s emotional development. “Involving the parents also helps them feel supported,” says Ashby. “Parents don’t want to see their child in distress and want to be able to fix things as soon as possible, so giving them tools to use at home as well as listening to what the parents need helps the whole family.”

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

n How it works: This form of therapy helps children and adolescents with emotional regulation, particularly those with intense emotions or behavioral issues. “Sudden changes in behavior — outbursts, social problems that are new, withdrawing — can be obvious signs of mental health concerns,” says Ashby. “Even teens who have the vocabulary to say something is wrong may not want to share those feelings with a parent or other adult.” It combines cognitive-behavioral strategies with mindfulness techniques.

n Why it works: DBT is particularly useful for kids struggling with self-harm, suicidal ideation or chronic emotional instability. The skills learned in DBT help children manage overwhelming emotions and build healthier coping mechanisms. “Therapy, regardless of type, is not necessarily a short-term intervention,” says Ashby. “Just like therapy with adults.” The DBT strategies learned at a younger age carry kids into adulthood with a better chance of strong mental health.

Since mental health issues affect the whole family, therapies that focus on relationships and involve more than just the child work well.

Considerations for Choosing Therapy

Age and Developmental Stage: Younger children may benefit more from play or creative therapy, while older children and teenagers may respond better to CBT or DBT.

Type of Mental Health Concern: The spectrum of mental health challenges includes anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, family dynamics, social issues and more. They all require different therapeutic approaches and coping skills, and therapy should be tailored to address a specific child’s needs.

Comfort and Rapport: A strong relationship between the child and therapist is crucial. Children need to feel comfortable with their therapist to open up, so finding the right fit is key. It’s also important the parents and therapist partner so the child is supported at home as well.

Regardless of the type of therapy you choose, your child will benefit. “Children who receive therapy are usually more resilient, know how to handle difficult situations when they arise, and feel socially confident,” says Woodruff.

Often, a combination of therapy types works best for children. “Typically, anxiety is treated with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a relational-based therapy, such as play therapy or a type of parent-child based therapy,” says Lingerfelt. “I personally use a mixture of CBT and play-based therapy to support the children I work with, along with a parental component in all of my work, as this best meets the developmental needs of the children I typically treat.”

Creative Therapies: Art & Music

n How it works: Art therapy allows children to express their emotions through creative outlets like drawing, painting or sculpting. Music therapy involves making or listening to music. “First and foremost, making art is fun,” says Teresa Woodruff, founder and owner of Art It Out Therapy Center. “Many children feel more comfortable making art in therapy sessions, as opposed to merely talking. Art provides an opportunity for the child to connect with the therapist and share their inner thoughts and feelings in a lessthreatening way.”

n Why it works: Creative therapies are especially helpful for children who find it difficult to express themselves with words. The creative process helps children process complex feelings and gain insights into their inner worlds in a non-threatening way. Music, in particular, can be soothing and offers children in emotional distress comfort and time to process their feelings.

“Art therapy is helpful in treating anxiety, depression, social or emotional struggles, grief or loss, and adjustment struggles,” says Woodruff. “Art therapy is helpful for all ages, specifically children ages 4 and older. Younger children may use art activities to explore and express their feelings while older children may use it to process difficult friendships or gain coping skills.”

You Got Your Wish!

by Atlanta Parent Staff

Here are Atlanta Parent’s tips, ideas and strategies to help make your birthday party planning a breeze.

Top Tips for Any Party

Planning a birthday party for your child can be both fun and challenging. These tips will help make any party a success!

n Be flexible. Kids can be unpredictable, so stay calm if things don’t go exactly as planned.

n Plan ahead. Cut down on your own stress by working several weeks out from the party to determine details. Choose a day and time, location, get the invites out and order any decorations, food or supplies.

n Set a budget (and stick to it). Determine a budget early on to help guide your decisions for venue, food, decorations and activities. Be sure to track your spending as it’s often the little things adding up that lead to spending more than you want.

n Capture memories. Hire a photographer or designate a family member to help you take photos during the party. These can be candids or posed shots. Make it even more fun with a DIY photo booth and party-themed props.

n Keep the kids busy. Tailor party activities to the kids’ age range. Younger children may enjoy simple games and might need some downtime, so have an age-appropriate show or art project ready. If you’re hosting the party at a venue, be sure the length of the party is appropriate for your child’s age.

n Serve kid-friendly food. Offer food that’s easy for kids to eat. Finger foods like mini sandwiches and fruit are great. For older kids, opt for pizza or chicken nuggets with mac and cheese. Be sure to ask about any allergies and take them into consideration when planning the party menu.

Cont’d on next page

Twice the fun. Half the hassle.

Consider holding a joint birthday party with one of your child’s friends or a sibling (if both love the idea).

Let Them Eat (No) Cake

Who says a traditional cake has to be the birthday centerpiece?

Don’t Break the Bank

n Don’t invite your child’s whole class — limit the party to fewer than 10 friends.

n Create a donut cake or a donut holes tower, or stack Oreos for a light bite. Browse Pinterest for inspiration.

n Arrange multi-colored cupcakes like balloons on a large serving dish, then add strings and a bow. Or arrange as a number corresponding to the child’s age.

n Build a brownie tower (make the treats or buy them), and decorate with candles, sprinkles and berries.

n Make cake kabobs by putting cubes of sheet cake on a skewer and layering with frosting, then drizzle with a different colored icing or top with sprinkles.

n Make cone cupcakes, using flat-bottomed ice cream cones. Find instructions on bettycrocker.com or use bakery cupcakes.

n Pair any not-a-cake idea with pre-scooped ice cream. Put scoops in a muffin tin with cupcake liners and freeze for easy serving.

n Skip 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.

n Visit a discount or dollar store for plates, cups, forks, napkins, candles, balloons and more. For character-themed parties, buy stickers to decorate the plates and cups.

Online Invites

Ordering or designing invitations online can save time and money.

n Minted: Customize birthday invitations by adding photos and details about the party. Some designs are even free as online invitations, but others are more fancy.

n Snapfish: The cost of customizing the card will depend on the design you choose, but most can be fairly low cost, especially if you sign up for their emails.

n Paperless Post: Choose from tons of trendy online cards without the cost of printing. Sign up, choose a design and send out via text message, social media or email. Some designs even include animated effects.

n Evite: Choose from hundreds of designs to match the birthday party theme, personalize and collect email addresses. Link gift options and then send via email or text to the guests. With a premium package, you get invitations, thank you cards and printables for $17.99.

n Facebook: Skip the invitation altogether and create a Facebook group for your child’s birthday party. Invite each child’s parent to join and include details for the party in the description. After the party, the group is a quick way to share photos.

n Printables: Tons of free and low-cost printable invitations can be found on etsy.com, pinterest.com and greetingsisland.com, among others. Customize the design templates on your computer, print out and send.

Atlanta’s Top Party Places Plan the Ultimate

Birthday Bash!

n Party Like a Hall of Famer

Make your little fan’s next birthday party legendary by hosting it at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. With more than 45 interactive exhibits and three floors of entertaining fun, this will be a party they’ll remember long after their last score. From kicking a field goal and running through the SkillZone on the 45yard football field, to performing their favorite cheer at Fight Song Karaoke and seeing which friend has the fastest 40 yard dash, your party is sure to be a fan favorite. Contact groups@cfbhall.com to book. Atlanta. 404-880-4841; cfbhall.com

n Birthdays Are Better with Slime

Squeeze the most out of your slimey birthday! No one does a party like Sloomoo Institute. Sloomoo Institute is an immersive experience based on slime, #satisfying and joy, the ultimate spot for a birthday party. Think never-ending textures, delicious scents, vibrant colors and lots of WOW. You get to add slime to the iconic Sloomoo & Repeat wall, slingshot slime, explore the Elmer’s Kitchen, chill in an ASMR sound bath, customize your OWN slime and more. Oh, you can also walk across Lake Sloomoo (300 gallons of cloud slime) and get SLIMED at Sloomoo Falls. Atlanta. sloomooinstitute.com

n An Adventure-Filled Day

Turn your child’s birthday into an adventure-filled day they’ll never forget at Atlanta History Center! They’ve created a one-stop shop with a unique blend of imaginative play at the Goizueta Children’s Experience, exclusive Coca-Cola Café party room access, and free parking — all in a safe and engaging environment. This is an AHC Member exclusive, so find out how to become a member today! Atlanta. 404-814-4000; atlantahistorycenter.com

n Throw a Perfect Strike

At Stars and Strikes, they understand parents, because they are parents and that means birthday 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. At the end, the party parent gets a Grown Up Play Date Voucher for another visit. Seven metro Atlanta locations. 678-965-5707; starsandstrikes.com

Sloomoo Institute

Atlanta History Center

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Stars and Strikes

Happy Birthday to You!

by Emily Webb

Take the guesswork out of giving your child the best birthday bash ever with these ideas. From simple options to pro-level at-home extravaganzas, we’ve got you covered. Not interested in decorating and hosting the party at home? We have theme-appropriate party destinations to share as well, so you can sit back and celebrate.

Game On

n DIY: Decorate the walls with vintage arcade posters, pixel art and beloved video game characters. For a retro feel, decorate cupcakes to resemble Pac-Man characters and create mini cupcakes to look like the mushrooms in Super Mario. Design a fruit and vegetable tray to resemble Tetris. Set up game stations, like air hockey and board games for guests to play. If you have video game stations set up, include both retro and modern options for everyone to enjoy. At the end of the party, give out favor bags with gold coins and small stuffed animal prizes for an arcade feel. Hire the Game Truck (gametruckparty.com) for help hosting an at-home party for older kids.

n Out and About: Book a birthday package at Main Event (mainevent.com), Fun Spot America (funspotamericaatlanta.com) or Battle & Brew (battleandbrew.com).

Get Artsy

n DIY: Purchase a coloring tablecloth or lay butcher paper over the table, along with washable markers or paint, for a combined décor and craft idea. Set up painting stations with paper, paints, easels and water cups. Purchase craft kits for guests to play with. Consider walking guests through a handprint craft for a special keepsake. In the yard, place sidewalk chalk, and tape down large pieces of paper for splatter or finger painting. For older kids, purchase jewelry making kits with beads, charms, polymer clay, wire and more. For a sweet treat, bake sugar cookies in the shape of a palette, and place different colored M&M’S on them after baking.

n Out and About: Make a reservation for pottery painting at All Fired Up (allfiredupart.com). Celebrate with an art-themed party at Childway Art Space (childwayart.com) or Splatter Studio (thesplatterstudio.com). Design a necklace or a bracelet with CAATINGA! studio (caatingastudio.com). Enjoy a themed party with art projects with Zone of Light Studio (zoneoflightstudio.com).

Battle & Brew

Rock On

n DIY: Set up a dance floor with a disco ball along with string lights resembling disco balls. Cut old sheet music into triangles, hearts or circles for garland you can hang up as décor. Play musical chairs and freeze dance to a special birthday party playlist with your child’s favorite tunes. Purchase or rent a karaoke machine for a contest. Using cardboard, cut out instruments, such as guitars or microphones, and have guests decorate them using glitter glue, paint or markers. Bring live performers to your home with Jam with Jamie (jamwithjamie.com) or Jason’s Music Party (jasonsmusicparty.com).

n Out and About: Book a rockstar experience with a birthday party from School of Rock (schoolofrock.com) where kids can play instruments and go home with a copy of their musical creations. Host a birthday party inspired by “Frozen,” musical theater, jazz or other themes with City Dance & Music (citydanceandmusic.com).

Secret Agent

n DIY: Have an area where guests can disguise themselves with hats, props, wigs and fake mustaches. Tape streamers from wall to wall with painters’ tape for an active game involving avoiding the “lasers.” Search online for ways to teach kids to write secret messages; you can use white crayon and watercolor or lemon juice and baking soda, or create a cipher for guests to figure out. Write out clues for a scavenger hunt with a prize at the end.

n Out and About: Recruit friends to work as undercover agents with The Escape Game (theescapegame.com) or Breakout (breakoutgames.com). Maneuver your way back and forth through a safe zone with Activate Atlanta’s LASER experience (playactivate.com).

Cont’d on next page

Animal Encounters

n DIY: Decorate cake or cupcakes with clean mini animals and, if you are skilled, add touches to resemble the animals’ habitats. If your guests are older, this can be an activity for them. Hide different stuffed animals around the house or yard for a scavenger hunt activity. Purchase an animal-themed cornhole wrap or cornhole board for kids to “feed” the animals. Bring the zoo to your home with My Petting Zoo Party (mypettingzooparty.com).

n Out and About: Go wild at Zoo Atlanta (zooatlanta.org) which offers special birthday party packages, along with different entertainment upgrades. Party at Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary (yellowriverwildlifesanctuary.com) for a dedicated party paddock and an up-close visit with three animal ambassadors.

Mad Scientist

n DIY: Build snacking contraptions with grapes or marshmallows and toothpicks. Gift guests lab coats that they can decorate with their own name tags and scientific specialties. Explosions are always fun for kids; use Mentos and soda or baking soda and vinegar to make this happen. Set up an area for fossil excavation or digging for geodes. Watch science come to life with Science Creations (sciencecreations.com), or book a fun birthday bash with ScienceKids (sciencekidsusa.com) or Challenge Island (challenge-island.com).

n Out and About: Party with the dinosaurs and other exhibits at Fernbank Museum (fernbankmuseum.org). A party with Discover Science Center (discoversciencecenter.com) features science activities and a take home project or craft.

School of Rock

Happy Birthday to You!

Cool Treats

n DIY: Set up a make-your-own sundae bar with ice cream, chocolate syrup, cherries, sprinkles and all the toppings you can think of! Let kids shake up their own ice cream in a bag. Buy craft sticks for painting and creating your own popsicles. For a game, blindfold guests before they scoop cotton balls into bowls, and whoever scoops the most wins! Bring the ice cream to you with a King of Pops cart (kingofpops.com); you can even customize the wrappers and sticks.

n Out and About: Make your own sundae with homemade ice cream, create an ice cream sandwich and more with a party at Flour Power Cooking Studios (flourpowerstudios.com). Visit Cereal and Cream (cerealncream.com) for making your own sundaes with ice cream, cereal and mix-ins.

Get Active

Spa Day

n DIY: Decorate headbands or hair clips for keeping hair out of faces while you’re getting pampered. Get creative with a manicure station with nail polish, gems and nail stickers. Set out sheet masks (you can find fun animal-themed or character ones online!) and slices of cucumbers for a facial. Allow guests to play with makeup, and take before and after photos in a special photo booth. Get glam with a mobile party from Pampering me Princess (pmprincess.com).

n Out and About: Book a relaxing spa party with Ready Set FUN!’s What’s Sparkle Lounge (readysetfun.com). Enjoy a party and spa experience with Sweet & Sassy (sweetandsassy.com). Tailored and themed parties from Spallywood Kidz (spallywoodkidz.com) can include manicures, pedicures and facials. The Princess Room Spa Parties & More (theprincessroomparties.com) hosts unique parties combining magic and spa-level pampering.

n DIY: Ask guests to represent their favorite players or teams by wearing jerseys. Set up a tailgate area with hot dogs, nachos, sliders and energy drinks, or opt for miniOlympics style games, complete with award winners with gold, silver and bronze medals. Play “Simon Says” to move the guests through different exercises, such as jumping jacks or squats. Use your backyard for areas where kids can play different games, or focus on your child’s favorite sport with a mini field. Book an archery tag experience with Archery Tag Heroes (archerytagheroes.com). Shape a cheese ball or serve cake pops decorated to resemble different sports balls.

n Out and About: Learn archery and play on inflatable obstacles with Archery Attack (archeryattack.com). Play different sports with Hi-Five Sports Zone (hifivesportsclubs.com) or get active with Atlanta Parkour’s party (atlparkour.com). Leave the planning and setting up to the pros with a party at Monster Mini Golf (monsterminigolf.com) or Topgolf (topgolf.com).

Archery Attack

Movie Time

n DIY: Roll out the red carpet to welcome guests. In the backyard, set up a home projector and screen, and spread out blankets and pillows for attendees to lounge with. String up lights for a special feel. Serve popcorn in individual containers, or create cardboard caddies for snack combinations. Before the main movie begins, play a few cartoons or movie shorts to resemble a real movie experience.

n Out and About: Book a private birthday party at Cinemark (cinemark.com) or AMC Theatres (amctheatres.com), or pack the kids into the car for a retro experience at Starlight Drive-In Theatre (starlightdrivein.com).

Buck’s Sport and Circus Barn

Parties and events for ages 1-99 starting at $495.

With our more than 300 costumes and 30 performers we can handle any theme.

Princess, superhero, circus, ninja warrior and Nerf wars.

We also o er camps and classes for circus and ninja warrior.

The Barn hosts parties any day of the week. Our Party Coordinators are actors and professional circus performers.

Just pick a theme and let our professionals knock your kid’s socks o ! You can bring your own cake, food and decorations or let us help.

The Barn is located on 2 creek-side acres and is perfect for indoor or outdoor parties! (404) 869-8003 | 2303-B Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30309 | buckssportbarn.com

There are many reasons to contemplate hosting a “no gift party” for your birthday child. Maybe you feel he has enough toys, or you want to consume more responsibly as a family. Perhaps you’re hoping to show the value of generosity and help him focus on creating memories. Plus, not having to shop for gifts can also reduce stress for your guests! Here are some tips to consider for a “no gift party.”

Give Birthday Memories, Not Gifts

by Emily Webb

Get your child on board.

You might think this is a great idea, but if your child expects a load of presents at her party, she will be disappointed on the big day. Explain to her why you want to do it and let her express any questions or concerns she might have. The party is a gift in and of itself — hanging with friends and family, eating cake and celebrating her will be an incredible part of the day. You might be surprised by her willingness.

Make your instructions clear on the invite.

State that you do not want gifts from the beginning. Here are some suggestions:

“Your presence is the only present that we need! Should you want to give something to the birthday girl, please consider giving $5 that she can put toward something special.”

“We’re trying to help the birthday girl focus on the joy of celebrating this special occasion with her cherished friends rather than on receiving gifts. To that end, we hope you’ll consider no gifts. For those who feel uncomfortable with that, we ask you consider no more than a $5 gift.”

“In honor of birthday girl’s love of animals, we will be celebrating by collecting donations for our local animal shelter. Instead of a gift, please bring an item or two from the list below.”

Some guests may still bring gifts to the party regardless. Acknowledge their generosity and set the gift aside for later for your child to open after the party is over. Even if someone doesn’t follow your wishes, be gracious.

Here are some alternative ways to not totally ditch gift giving.

n A charity party: Ask friends and family to donate items to a favorite charity or cause. What does your child feel passionate about? He can ask for treats for pets, donations for a children’s hospital or toys for kids in need. Many charities will have wish lists or items they need on their websites. Check out The Birthday Party Project which helps kids experiencing homelessness enjoy the magic of a birthday celebration; thebirthdaypartyproject.org/partner/atlanta-ga.

n A book party: Instead of accumulating more toys that she may or may not play with, ask guests to bring new or gently used books, so your family has a library for your child. If you receive any duplicates, donate them to a nearby childcare center, or find a Little Free Library near you to share the love.

n A fiver party: Ask each attendee to contribute $5 to the birthday boy. Then, he can use the money to purchase a bigger gift he saves the money for, which will also help him to start to feel confident in his ability to manage money.

n A thrift party: Ask for preloved gifts only. This could be an item the guest regifts to your child or a special treasure found at a thrift store.

n An experience party: Instead of tangible items, ask guests to give your child a unique experience. Maybe, it’s a promise to host a sleepover later or a special activity with a grandparent.

n A DIY party: Lean into the creativity of your child and her friends, and ask for homemade gifts, such as a baked treat or a painted picture.

Send thank you notes.

Beyond the politeness of the gesture, thank you notes can show attendees how they helped the child to celebrate or helped a worthy cause.

Once your child has enough money saved to purchase his coveted item, take photos of his trip to the store and the item he buys. Including these images in a thank you note will help your guests know their monetary gift was appreciated, even if it felt unconventional to them at the time of the party. Send any copies of the acknowledgement you got from the charity with the thank you note.

Continue to teach gratitude.

A possible concern with no gift parties is children will not learn the practice of saying, “Thank you.” Show your child the importance of showing gratitude by helping her write personalized thank you notes to party attendees. Remind him of the importance of showing gratitude to the people who help to celebrate him, whether or not they give a present.

Atlanta PARENT

Page Turning Birthday Party Ideas

Use your child’s favorite activity — reading — to inspire a special party.

by Emily Webb and Mary Williams

n All Booked Up

Serve these delicious snacks! Roll out fruit leathers or fruit rolls for the cover, use graham crackers for a hardback feel, place a marshmallow inside for the pages, and decorate with a title or design; find full instructions at allthewonders.com. Serve sandwiches resembling books with tortillas, lunch meat, cheese slices, condiments and food-safe markers; find full instructions on pbs.org. Print small book cover images and tape each to a wood skewer. Use them to decorate cupcakes, along with “book” gummy worms. You can purchase toppers on etsy.com from MerryGoSweets, CraftyPros or make your own.

n It’s Lit-erary

Light up your space with book-themed paper luminaries. Purchase a set from etsy.com from creator Oldendesigns or make your own a few days ahead of the party, so they have time to dry. Using paper bags or toilet paper rolls, cover them with Mod Podge and pages from old books. Punch holes in them using a hole puncher and place a batteryoperated candle inside.

n You’ve Got

Mail

Send out library card themed invitations for your bookish bash to your attendees. Find templates on zazzle.com, paperlesspost.com or etsy.com.

n Dress-Up Day

Invite guests to come to the party dressed as their favorite book character. Start the festivities with a game to guess each guest’s identity!

n Flying off the Shelves

Hold the party at a bookstore for a true book-filled bonanza. Celebrate at The Story Shop (visitthestoryshop.com) with a scavenger hunt, games, cake and more. Birthday parties at Little Shop of Stories (littleshopofstories.com) include a themed story time of the birthday child’s choosing.

Five Terrific Themes to Try

Use your child’s favorite book or character as the focal point of the party.

n The Pigeon Has a Party

Host a “Pigeon” party with themes from the books by Mo Willems. Find lots of activities and games at pigeonpresents.com. Serve hot dogs (don’t forget the mustard!) and chocolate chip cookies.

n A Hungry Caterpillar

For young birthday boys and girls, plan a “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” party. Serve all the food that the Caterpillar munches through, from apples to pickles. Shape and color cupcakes into the Caterpillar’s shape for a celebratory dessert.

n Get Fancy

n Book

Swap

Ask guests to bring a book – new or preloved – for a book swap activity. Every guest will leave with something great to read!

n Hold my Page

Set up a bookmark making station! You can walk your guests through an origami project; find instructions online. Have a variety colored pencils, crayons or markers on hand to decorate construction paper or popsicle sticks, and tie off your bookmark with pom poms or ribbons for a unique finish.

Special Guest

Invite your favorite storybook characters to the party with Atlanta Character Parties (atlantacharacterparties.com), Atlanta Birthday Party Characters (atlanta-birthdayparty-characters.com), Dream Friends Entertainment (dreamfriendsentertainment. com) or Southern Belle Character Company (southernbelleprincessparties.com). Or, hire a storyteller to visit your party for interactive fun. Auntie Renee (auntiereneestoryteller. com) offers face painting, stickers, puppets and more for a fantastic celebration.

Break out the feather boas and tiaras with a “Fancy Nancy” tea party. Invite guests to dress in their fanciest outfits and enjoy mini sandwiches and sweet treats. Find printable activities at fancynancyworld.com.

n Off to See the Wizard

Plan a “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” book party with emerald-green tablecloths, hot air balloon decorations, magic wands and a “Pin the Tail on the Winged Monkey” game. Find inspiration at thepartyteacher.com.

n Whodunit?

At a Sherlock Holmes party, play a murder-mystery game like “Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition” (ravensburger.us). Set out magnifying glasses and let kids pretend to be super sleuths. Arrange a scavenger hunt with clues for kids to solve.

Oldendesigns CraftyPros

Buck’s Sports and Circus Barn buckssportbarn.com

Buckhead’s top spot for private parties and camps! More than 300 costumes and epic performers. Themes: Circus, Sports, Crafts, Superheroes, Princesses, American Ninja Warrior and more.

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

include basic themed décor, a party host & more. Add-on pizza and balloons. Room and private facility rentals are available, too. 770-693-8512. Tiny Towne – Drive Safely tinytowne.com

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.

birthday parties and events for fun, learning and making memories! Call to book your party today! 781-249-2459.

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. Voted Best Place for Parties three years in a row. Let us do the planning! Book your party online or call 470-265-6665 .

Zone of Light Studio zoneoflightstudio.com

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!

Ready Set FUN! readysetfun.com

Leave the planning to us! From start to finish, Ready Set Fun ensures a seamless, stress-free party experience. You just bring the smiles! 404-596-5566.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Intown Atlanta

There are so many unique neighborhoods ITP to discover, including Downtown, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Morningside/Lenox Park, Summerhill, Piedmont Heights, Grant Park and Old Fourth Ward.

Piedmont Park, located in the heart of the city, is a 200+ acre greenspace that hosts more than 6 million visitors and hundreds of events each year, including the Atlanta Science Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Dogwood Festival and Summer Arts & Crafts Festival. Two centuries old, it is now home to bike paths, green market, three-acre dog park, fishing pond, walking trails, community garden and much more. The two playgrounds in Piedmont Park are true destinations. The Noguchi Playscape (currently closed for renovations), located near the 12th Street Gate, is a playable work of art; Mayor’s Grove Playground is a more traditional play space, accessible for all abilities and is located near restrooms and picnic tables. The splash pad and pool, featuring four lap lanes and beach entry, help cool families off in the summer.

Downtown Destinations

Be a tourist in your own backyard at these wellknown attractions. Sip on soda at the World of Coca-Cola, root for your favorite team at the Chickfil-A College Football Hall of Fame, visit the amazing animals at Georgia Aquarium, ride high at SkyView Atlanta, cool off in the splash pad at Centennial Olympic Park, and check out the view from 73 stories at The Sundial (recently re-opened to the public).

Play Here

n Morningside Nature Preserve: Featuring 33.1 acres of woods, the Morningside gem is bisected by the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. There are about two miles of trails on both sides of the creek for nature-loving families to explore. You can access the trailheads at Wellbourne Road and the Georgia Power Substation on Lenox Road. A suspension bridge over the creek connects the trails on both sides. The shore of the creek has shallow water; the shaded area has become known as Atlanta’s “dog beach.”

n Bessie Branham Park: The popular Kirkwood destination is known for children’s birthday party celebrations at the Urban Treehouse deck and grilling area, a fabulous playground, and regular pick-up games on the courts and multipurpose field.

n Candler Park: The newly renovated playground is a must-see; it has the city’s longest hill slides, climbing towers, hills to roll down and much more. The 55-acre park also features a pool, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic pavilions. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy checking out the various ecosystems, including the park’s re-naturalized wetlands that are home to several species, including beavers.

On and Off the Beltline

Atlanta’s Beltline provides 22 miles of trails to bike, skate and walk on with parks, public art and other play spaces to enjoy along the way. Just off the Beltline is Historic Fourth Ward Park, which includes a skate park, playground and 17 acres of green space. A two-acre lake sets a tranquil scene for a lakeside stroll or picnic. Benches, public restrooms and nighttime lighting all make this park a comfortable spot to hang out for the whole family. Skyline Park on Ponce City Market’s rooftop offers games and the complex has food stalls, shops and restrooms. Other cool parks to check out off the Beltline are Westside Park, Perkerson Park and Rose Circle Park in the West End. On the West End, you can also get lunch at the Lee + White Food Hall, play on the Great Lawn and go climbing at The Overlook.

Candler Park

Centennial Olympic Park

SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Newborns – Adolescents

Atlanta | Buckhead | Midtown

Free Parking | One Doctor Practice

Emergencies Services Available

We believe that going to the dentist can be fun for kids and parents!

Schedule Your Visit Today!

A to Z Pediatric Dentistry

857 Collier Road NW, Suite 3

Atlanta 30318 | 404-937-3888 atozsmiles.com

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The Patels – Piedmont Heights Hanish, Paru, Sita (4) and Radha (2)

We love the vibe/location of our neighborhood because:

We love our neighbors who continually work to make our neighborhood a thriving place to live. We enjoy easy access to the Beltline and several great local restaurants!

Our favorite playground is:

We love Gotham Way Park. It is in our neighborhood and definitely a hidden gem! Ethridge Inclusive Playground is another favorite spot because not only is it a wonderful neighborhood playground, it was also designed specifically to be accessible to kids of all abilities. Until our older daughter, Sita, was about 3, she used a walker to help her ambulate. The playground has wide ramps to the various equipment and is beautifully flat and rubbermulched so that kids with differences still have a place to play with their peers!

Our favorite restaurant is: Grindhouse Killer Burgers

You can’t miss this hidden gem: Morningside Nature Preserve

Brandi

Inman, Barefeet Imagery

Awesome Attractions

n High Museum of Art: You may not think of an art museum as a great place for kids, but the High Museum in Midtown is full of family-friendly finds. Every Thursday, toddlers can enjoy a drop-in art activity, and the weekends feature family tours and monthly UPS Second Sundays when admission is free. Any day you visit, The Greene Family Learning Gallery offers two distinct spaces for creative play that combine cutting-edge technology with handson activities for kids ranging in age from infants to 8 years old.

n Center for Puppetry Arts: The Jim Henson Gallery is a perfect museum for the little ones since it includes puppets, props and costumes from “Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” “Fraggle Rock,” “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth” and more. While you’re at the Center, see a puppet show and create your own puppet after the performance.

n Atlanta Botanical Garden: The whole family will enjoy the beauty and color of garden. Seasonal exhibits, like Orchid Daze (currently on display), highlight a holiday or seasonal plant collection. The Children’s Garden features a splash pad, playground, timed frog feedings and other fun activities.

n Zoo Atlanta: Located in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is one of the city’s most treasured attractions. Dating back to 1889, the zoo is home to 45 animal habitats, a world-class conservation effort, a splash zone and playground for the kids to let loose, special events and more.

Cont’d on next page

High Museum of Art

Zoo Atlanta

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Fun for Tots

n Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Designed for children ages 8 and younger, this downtown museum sparks imagination, sense of discovery and learning through play. Permanent exhibits include Fundamentally Food, Leaping into Learning and Stepping Up to Science. Through May 4, enjoy XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness where families can come together to spend time to reflect and focus on one another.

n Playtime: Virginia-Highland is home to two spots great for indoor play needs tailored to the little ones in your life. Intown Tumbling has yoga for kids ages 2 and older. Boomerang Play Center features a special area just for those younger than 4 with a ball pond, twisty slides, carousel, jumbo building blocks, toddler climb kit and a unique interactive slide feature.

Shop Here

n Rhen’s Nest Toy Shop: A Midtown specialty toy store with offerings for every age and interest, it’s just another reason to check out Ponce City Market. In-store events like SlimeTime on March 24 are fun for the whole family.

More to Do

n Stroll through Summerhill: The walkable and bikable neighborhood is home to restored historic buildings, colorful murals, and a variety of places to eat and drink. Summerhill is nestled between other popular intown Atlanta neighborhoods, including Grant Park, Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward, and was created as part of the redevelopment effort for Atlanta’s Olympic stadium in the ‘90s.

n Museum of Illusions: Aimed at older kids, this newer attraction in Atlantic Station features interactive exhibits that explore why your mind processes what your eyes see in different ways. Be sure to bring a camera when you go as some of the illusions require that for full effect.

n Oakland Cemetery: Atlanta’s history is the focal point here, and while a cemetery might not sound family-friendly, this 48-acre space is full of gardens, sculptures and more. Make your visit interactive with a downloadable scavenger hunt, book a tour or attend an event.

n Virginia Highland Books: The locallyowned, two-story space has window seats for enjoying a book and complimentary games to enjoy. Come for story time and other kid-friendly events; while you’re there, shop the collection of hard and soft cover books of all varieties and genres, puzzles, games, journals and unique gifts.

n Grant Park Farmers Market: Held each Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. across the street from The Beacon ATL, this local gem is a rain or shine event. Families can find locally-grown veggies, meats, breads and artisanal foods. With plenty of seating and picnic areas, there’s a space for everyone to relax and enjoy. If you bring the family dog, be sure he’s on a leash.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Ponce City Market

Museum of Illusions

Eat Here

n Farm Burger: With locations in Midtown, VA-HI and inside the Benz, the whole family will appreciate the quality and local sourcing of ingredients with a fun atmosphere and delicious food. For the little ones, kids’ meals includes fries or fruit and veggie cup with sunflower butter dip and a drink. Mom and dad will appreciate the innovative combinations and craft beer selections.

n Big Softie: With two intown options — Summerhill or Poncey Highland — to enjoy this soft serve ice cream made from local Georgia dairy and organic cane sugar, Big Softie is a must try. The cones are also locally made. Unique toppings, such as Cheez-It streusel and rosemary caramel sauce, are fun for the adults to try, while the kids can enjoy traditional toppings, like sprinkles and fudge sauce. Flavors are always changing and can be found on their website and via Instagram.

n The Varsity: Quintessential Atlanta, this burger, chili dog and fry joint is famous for their paper hats, food and saying “What’ll ya have?”. The original location intown opened in 1928, covers two city blocks and can accommodate 800 diners inside. It has the reputation of being “the world’s largest drive in.” No visit is complete without a Frosted Orange.

n Amore e Amore: Perfect for special occasions, this Italian restaurant on Highland Ave. will become a favorite. Kids will love getting to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert from the special menu just for them. You’ll love that they get all of that for $20! Parents will also appreciate the quality, taste and variety of dishes, as well as the robust wine list.

Big Softie

Amore e Amore

Diverse, International Community Promoting Academic Excellence

Druid Hills Campus

1215 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306

404-531-2067

Our respectful and peaceful Montessori environments are thoughtfully designed to develop the whole child from infancy through upper elementary.

• AMI-accredited, child-centered Montessori curriculum individually tailored and focused on fostering independence

• Traditional Montessori materials used to develop sensorial, language, math and practical life skills

• Global awareness cultivated by our enriching Cultural Studies program

• A strong sense of community and excellent communication with parents

• Low student-to-teacher ratios and passionate, AMI-certified teachers

Cliff Valley Campus

1970 Cliff Valley Way NE Atlanta, GA 30329

404-602-0553

Serving students ages 6 weeks through 12 years

Accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), AdvancED (SACS CASI) and Bright from the Start.

For more information, visit www.amischool.com

Globally Aware, Socially Responsible, Academically Driven

Delivering individualized academic and emotional development from toddler age through upper elementary:

• Engaging, holistic and authentic Montessori approach

• Individualized academic programs, addressing specific needs and goals of each child

• Incredibly engaged and diverse parental community

• All lead guides are MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) certified

• Accredited by the American Montessori Society, AdvancED and Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC)

Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs

2830 Old Atlanta Road

Cumming, GA 30041

770-258-6877

montessoriacademysharonsprings.com

Serving ages 13 months through 12 years

Please see our other location:

Montessori at Vickery 6285 Post Road Cumming, GA 30040

770-268-2642

montessorivickery.com

Serving ages 13 months through 9 years

MONTESSORI by the Numbers

20,000

Number of Montessori schools in more than 110 countries. Its popularity worldwide is due to its flexibility and focus on the individual learner.

January 6, 1907

The date Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school, the Casa dei Bambini, in Rome.

1911 Year the first Montessori school opened in the U.S.

70 Number of schools serving the metro Atlanta area’s vibrant Montessori community.

Number of key areas Montessori education focuses on for students of all ages: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture.

1963

Year Atlanta’s first Montessori school — Springmont Montessori — opened its doors as the First Montessori School of Atlanta.

Sources: American Montessori Society, Association Montessori Internationale

Why Parents Love Montessori

Atlanta Parent spoke to parents about why they chose Montessori education for their kids.

by Emily Webb

Laura Tison Meis

Hana is a graduate of Carlisle Montessori School, and Felix will graduate in May:

n How did you originally hear about Montessori education?

We were looking for a school or daycare setting for our daughter. Carlisle was steps from our old home; we could walk there. We decided to check it out. It was fascinating watching the children, who were working independently and caring for themselves at such a young age.

n Why did you choose Carlisle Montessori School?

Our initial motivation in choosing Carlisle was the walking distance. My daughter started Carlisle at 19 months. When she was 3, we moved across town, but we opted to keep her there. It was an investment in her education — it was not just childcare. My son came along when she was 4, and he started in the Toddler program at 18 months. There are four years between my kids, so they’ve been going to two different schools for three years now. That’s how much we like Carlisle — it’s worth it to have two kids going to two different schools with different pickup, drop off times. We’re all about convenience, but we have never questioned our decision to enroll our kids in two different schools.

n What do you like about Montessori education?

Both of my kids knew how to read at age 4. They were both magically potty trained; I never had to do anything. From a very young age — their grandparents and relatives would remark on this — if they wanted more water or milk, they would get out of their seats and get it for themselves. They clean up, and they want to help, want to do things on their own. The independence, responsibility and credibility Montessori education gives children is really amazing.

The academic strength of Montessori in preparing children in traditional schools is vastly underrated. People don’t realize how structured and rigorous it really is in terms of academics. Hana started first grade at Atlanta International School, and other parents wanted to know, “Where did she come from? My kid talks about her reading in class all the time and how she’s so smart.” Parents think Montessori

MONTESSORI MUSTS

n Multi-Age Classrooms

Montessori classrooms typically group children of different ages together, in threeyear age spans, for example 3-6 years. This approach fosters peer learning, collaboration and leadership skills.

wouldn’t work for my child, because my kid needs to be pushed. They don’t realize how well-prepared they are with Montessori. I’ve been very, very pleased. Nothing compares to Montessori education.

n What advice would you give families who are interested in Montessori education?

Look at a local, accredited Montessori school near you. Jump right in and don’t question it. There is an overwhelming possibility that it will work very well for your child. Give it a chance. It’s worth it for most kids, and you won’t be disappointed. Montessori has been really, really important in my children’s development and in setting them up for success.

Cont’d on next

n Prepared Environment

The Montessori classroom is carefully designed to be a “prepared environment” that supports independent learning. The materials are organized and right-sized to children; the space is intentionally structured to encourage exploration and discovery.

n Hands-On Learning

Montessori emphasizes the use of tactile materials. Children learn through concrete experiences, manipulating materials that help them understand abstract concepts in subjects like math, language and science.

Sources: American Montessori Society, Association Montessori Internationale

Why Parents Love Montessori

Stacey

Johnson

Peyton is an eighth grader at Montessori School at Emory:

n How did you originally hear about Montessori education?

We were at dinner with our oldest daughter’s friend’s family. They recommended we look at Montessori for our middle child and expressed how much they loved Montessori and especially a teacher by the name of Ms. Millie! They proceeded to pull out school work. We were intrigued, so we scheduled a tour. Peyton has been at MSAE for 12 years.

n What do you like about Montessori education?

I love the independence that the children have from early on. They are able to explore and learn independently, in addition to being guided by their teachers.

Jennifer Griffin

n What advice would you give families who are interested in Montessori education?

Take a tour. Be open to alternate versions of teaching and learning. I went to a traditional school in the Bronx. When I saw how the children were learning, I worried about their method. I worried that the kids would not learn, but I was wrong. I was used to traditional schooling.

n What will you miss about Montessori education?

Peyton will be transitioning to a neighborhood public high school later this year, and I’ll miss the freedom she’s had to explore and learn in the classroom. I’ve truly appreciated the exposure she’s had to friends from diverse backgrounds.

Natalie is a junior at Counterpane Montessori School:

n How did you originally hear about Montessori education?

I have an Early Childhood Education degree and while in college, I did some studying of Montessori education. When her father and I were deciding on a pre-K program, my ex-husband (husband at the time) suggested Montessori education, because he went to a Montessori school as a child and it was a great experience. I thought it was a good idea. I didn’t think she’d end up going to Montessori school her entire childhood; I thought we’d move on to public school. The only time she went to public school was during COVID and that was an online school. We prefer Montessori education 100%!

n Why did you choose Counterpane Montessori School?

When graduating from Discover Montessori School in sixth grade, we asked her what she wanted to do, and she wanted to go to a Montessori school. As I researched the limited options available to us, I really liked what the reviews said about Counterpane. I went for a visit, and then participated in their Silent Journey event, where parents and family members get a hands-on view of what it’s like to be a Counterpane Montessori student. I left knowing she’d fit right in. The next step was having her visit the school for a couple of days to see what she thought. We all felt it was the best fit. Unfortunately, as we were about to enroll her, COVID hit. We decided to put her in the public online school in Georgia while everyone was sheltered in place. After a year and a half, she begged me to let her go in person to Counterpane, and she started mid-year of her eighth grade year.

n What do you like about Montessori education?

I love how Montessori is child-centered and allows the students to explore what they want to learn. It’s a unique whole-learner education where they incorporate all areas of learning while focusing on subjects the children enjoy and want to learn.

n What advice would you give families who are interested in Montessori education?

Montessori schools are best when the whole family is an active part of the community. She had a better experience when I was actively involved in her education. The Montessori schools Natalie went to always offered the state’s standardized testing each year. I had Natalie take the standardized test that was provided by the school each year so that I was confident she was excelling in her education.

n Has Montessori education prepared Natalie for the future?

Counterpane Montessori School has become home to us. Next year will be Natalie’s last year, and I’m so excited about her future. Counterpane Montessori School is a community where everyone works together to give these children the best possible education.

C h o o s e a M o n t e s s o r i E d u c a t i o n

F o r y o u r C h i l d

B A R R O W

d i v i d u a l i n s t r u c t i o n a n d f o s t e r a j o y o f l e a r n i n g .

e s c h i l d r e n a g e s b i r t h t h r o u g h a d o l e s c e n c e .

W e a r e t h e l a r g e s t M o n t e s s o r i c o m m u n i t y i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . F i n d a s c h o o l i n y o u r n e i g h b o r h o o d !

F U L T O N

C o u n t r y s i d e M o n t e s s o r i - d a c u l a m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

B I B B

M o n t e s s o r i o f M a c o n - m o n t e s s o r i o f m a c o n . o r g

C A R R O L L

O a k G r o v e M o n t e s s o r i - o a k g r o v e m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

C O B B

R i v e r s t o n e M o n t . A c a d e m y - r i v e r s t o n e m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

C o v e r e d B r i d g e M o n t . - c o v e r e d b r i d g e m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

C a s a M o n t e s s o r i - c a s a m o n t e s s o r i c o m

D E K A L B

A r b o r M o n t e s s o r i - a r b o r m o n t e s s o r i . o r g

D e c a t u r M o n t e s s o r i - d e c a t u r m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

M o n t . S c h o o l a t E m o r y - m o n t e s s o r i s c h o o l o f d e c a t u r . c o m

N o r t h w o o d s M o n t e s s o r i - n o r t h w o o d s m o n t e s s o r i o r g

F A Y E T T E

K u l i m a M o n t e s s o r i - k u l i m a m o n t e s s o r i . o r g

F O R S Y T H

M o n t S c h o f C u m m i n g - m o n t e s s o r i s c h o o l o f c u m m i n g c o m

S t e p p i n g S t o n e s M o n t - s t e p p i n g s t o n e s m o n t e s s o r i c o m

A l p h a r e t t a I n t ’ l A c a d e m y - a i a m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

C a r l i s l e M o n t e s s o r i - c a r l i s l e m o n t e s s o r i c o m

C H I M o n t e s s o r i A c a d e m y - c h i m o n t e s s o r i o r g

C r o s s o f L i f e M o n t e s s o r i - c o l m o n t e s s o r i c o m

D i s c o v e r y M o n t . o f G A - d i s c o v e r y m o n t e s s o r i g a . c o m

J o h n s C r e e k M o n t . S c h o o l o f G A - w w w . j c m s o g . o r g

M o n t e s s o r i I n T o w n - m o n t e s s o r i i n t o w n . c o m

S p r i n g m o n t S c h o o l - s p r i n g m o n t c o m

V i l l a g e M o n t e s s o r i - v m s c h o o l c o m

G W I N N E T T

C o v e r e d B r i d g e M o n t - c o v e r e d b r i d g e m o n t e s s o r i c o m

F o u r S e a s o n s M o n t e s s o r i - 4 s e a s o n s m o n t e s s o r i c o m

O a k M e a d o w M o n t e s s o r i - o a k m e a d o w m o n t e s s o r i c o m

S e v e n O a k s A c a d e m y - s e v e n o a k s a c a d e m y . o r g

S t e p p i n g S t o n e s M o n t . - s t e p p i n g s t o n e s m o n t e s s o r i . c o m

S O U T H C A R O L I N A

M o n t S c h o o l o f M a u l d i n - m a u l d i n m o n t e s s o r i o r g

T r i n i t y M o n t e s s o r i S c h o o l - t r i n i t y m o n t e s s o r i c o m

C O A C H I N G A N D C O N S U L T I N G

L a u r i e K e n n e d y - M Y C M e t a m o r p h o s i s , L L C M o n t e s s o r i

M e n t o r i n g - m s l a u r i e m o n t e s s o r i @ g m a i l c o m

N i k k i T o r r e s - M o n t e s s o r i E d u c a t o r s ' T r a n s f o r m a t i o n

A l l i a n c e - n i c o l e t o r r e s 3 0 3 2 9 @ g m a i l . c o m

W A N T T O C H A N G E T H E W O R L D ?

M o n t e s s o r i T e a c h e r T r a i n i n g C e n t e r s i n A t l a n t a

M o n t e s s o r i I n s t i t u t e o f A t l a n t a

A f f i l i a t i o n : A M I

w w w . m o n t e s s o r i - m i a . o r g

M o n t e s s o r i T e a c h e r E d u c a t i o n I n s t i t u t e

A f f i l i a t i o n : A M S

w w w m o n t e s s o r i t e a c h e r e d c o m

Montessori Schools

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

Montessori Schools

404-321-9304 / arbormontessori.org

Arbor Montessori School invites parents and children to experience an authentic Montessori community in the classroom and beyond. Since 1970, Arbor Montessori School has fostered lifelong learners ages 18 months to 14 years at two Decatur campuses. Teachers encourage independence, self-direction, and critical reasoning at every age. Students learn collaboration, cooperation, and peace, and become agents of change anywhere they go in the world.

Atlanta Montessori International School (AMIS) provides authentic, high-quality Montessori programs for students from the infant stage up to upper elementary school. With an innovative curriculum and talented teachers, AMIS inspires students to learn more and dig deeper. Now enrolling all ages at its Druid Hills and Cliff Valley campuses. amischool.com

Cliff Valley: 404-602-0553, Druid Hills: 404-531-2067

Montessori Schools

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

770-637-1242 / endeavormontessori.com

404-949-0053 / carlislemontessori.com

Endeavor Montessori in Dunwoody (EMD) provides a modern Montessori experience for students up to 12 years of age. With its innovative curriculum that combines the Montessori philosophy with STEM, arts, and social studies, EMD encourages active participation and deep learning. Conveniently located in Dunwoody, EMD is now enrolling all ages.

Carlisle Montessori of Buckhead provides a strong foundation in the most important first six years of life, which creates opportunities for leadership, 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 for ages 12 months-6 years.

Montessori Schools

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

770-258-6877 montessoriacademysharonsprings.com

Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs is proud to offer a high quality individualized Montessori education focused on fostering independence combined with a sense of community and global awareness in each and every child. Serving children 13 months-12 years with a rich and rewarding Montessori experience, Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs provides a comprehensive method of education resulting from an integration of research on development, learning, curriculum and teaching. Now enrolling all ages.

Counterpane Montessori School is the oldest Montessori school in the south Atlanta Metro area and serves students age three through college acceptance. Surrounded by farm and forest, Counterpane has reimagined school through a fully-integrated arts program and by encouraging children and young adults to be curious, independent, and uniquely themselves. 770-461-2304 / counterpane.org

Cliff Valley: 404-602-0553, Druid Hills: 404-531-2067

770-268-2642 / montessorivickery.com

770-637-1242 / endeavormontessori.com

Montessori at Vickery is proud to offer a high quality individualized Montessori education focused on fostering independence combined with a sense of community and global awareness in each and every child. Serving children 13 months-12 years with a rich and rewarding Montessori experience, Montessori at Vickery provides a comprehensive method of education resulting from an integration of research on development, learning, curriculum and teaching. Now enrolling all ages.

amischool.com

Cliff Valley: 404-602-0553, Druid Hills: 404-531-2067

amischool.com

Montessori Schools

Cliff Valley: 404-602-0553, Druid Hills: 404-531-2067

high-quality Montessori programs for students from the infant stage up to upper elementary school. With an innovative curriculum and talented teachers, AMIS inspires students to learn more and dig deeper. Now enrolling all ages at its Druid Hills and Cliff Valley campuses.

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

770-637-1242 / endeavormontessori.com

770-258-6877

montessoriacademysharonsprings.com

770-258-6877 montessoriacademysharonsprings.com

770-268-2642 / montessorivickery.com

Montessori Schools

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

404-634-5777 / MontessoriSchoolatEmory.com

Montessori School at Emory was founded over 25 years ago, becoming accredited as an AMI Montessori School in 1993. With over 200 students, from 15 months through 14 years, the Montessori School at Emory supports the whole child and prepares them for life through authentic quality Montessori programs. Children are given one-on-one and small-group instruction from their teacher, which creates an individualized program that engages their interests and skills.

Seven Oaks Academy is now in Lawrenceville, offering a diverse, inclusive Montessori experience for children 18 months to 6 years. Certified teachers nurture curiosity and independence, while older children mentor their peers. As an AMS Member school, parents enjoy access to classroom cameras, an onsite Executive Chef serving traditional and vegan meals, and exciting field trips. Experience the difference and schedule your tour at 770-564-0470 today. 770-564-0470 / sevenoaksacademy.org

2 Atlanta Parent <ISSUE> <DATE> atlantaparent.com

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. 404-252-3910 / springmont.com

MONTESSORI at Home

Even if your child attends a more traditional school, you can still inspire independence with these at-home Montessori principles. The American Montessori Society recommends these strategies:

Create an Ordered Environment

Kids can find what they need with fewer distractions, so they can focus on a project. Provide low shelves or drawers for clothing; keep a step stool in the bathroom and kitchen so kids can reach the sink; put healthy snacks on a low shelf so kids can serve themselves.

Teach Real-Life Skills

Let kids wash tables, organize shelves, prepare their snacks and assist younger children. Tweens can prepare dinner, read to siblings or manage their own bank account.

Promote Concentration

Figure out what interests your child, then set him or her up with the tools to explore that interest.

Nurture Inner Motivation

Help your child develop pride and pleasure from within by expressing appreciation; kids will work harder.

BY THE BOOK

Some tasks by age group:

n Ages 1-3: Kids can carry a cup to the sink; they can choose their bedtime book or put toys away. They can select clothes and dress themselves if clothing has elastic waists and shoes are slip-ons.

n Ages 3-6: Kids can clear the table and clean up spills, or sort laundry by colors. They can bathe and shampoo their hair. They can start to cook, with tasks such as snapping beans.

n Ages 6-12: Older kids can make grocery lists or measure ingredients, set the table or load the dishwasher. They can help plan a family vacation. They should clean their own rooms and keep track of their schedules. They can read to siblings or take care of family pets.

Set up an at-home learning environment easily with the help of these books.

n The Montessori Book for Babies and Toddlers Ages 0-3 by Sofia De Marco

Turn every day into a learning adventure with 350+ Montessori activities. The handson and full-color illustrated activities will help develop fine motor skills, language and cognitive abilities. Scan the QR code at the back of the book for extra downloads, including ready-to-print templates, fruit and vegetable flash cards and more.

n Montessori Book for Parents: A Complete Guide to Creating a Montessori Home and Raising a Montessori Child for Parents of Infants, Toddlers, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, and Everyone in Between by Beatrice Bell

Use this guide to adopt Montessori educational principles at home to help you raise a responsible and happy child. Explore how the dynamics of your family can help play into Montessori principles, reenact Montessori activities with your infant and more.

n The Montessori Home: Create a Space for Your Child to Thrive by Ashley Yeh

Transform your home into a space that fosters curiosity, creativity and independence with this book. The guide tackles each room of the home to explain how to provide young children with the accessibility they need to complete practical life skills on their own, along with offering more than 75 learning activities for ages 0-5.

— Emily Webb

AT MOUNT VERNON Maker, Art, and Design

From Preschool through Grade 12, learning is amplified through real-world problem solving. Students are empowered to explore, discover, learn, design, create, and affect positive change.

Join us for a small group tour. Schedule yours today.

PK(3)-12

ATE SCHOOL IN COBB COUNTY

STEAM is all around us.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,

ENGINEERING, ART AND MATH.

From the backyard to sites around Atlanta and everything in between, explore STEAM subjects with our ideas. This special section can help you embrace your child’s curiosity and inspire lifelong learning.

STEAM-Powered Learning

by Emily Webb

Science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) play a huge role in the classroom. But as a parent, how can you help your kids connect to the subjects and inspire a love of learning? STEAM learning happens naturally as children explore, but you can make STEAM education a fun family affair for prioritizing the topics no matter where you are.

Experiment:

Make a papier-mâché volcano with baking soda and vinegar, drop Mentos in a two-liter soda bottle, or design and launch a bottle rocket. Make your own lava lamp using a plastic bottle, water, vegetable oil, fizzing tablets and food coloring. Find instructions online.

Read:

SCIENCE

In the Backyard:

Astronomy is the science of studying celestial objects and phenomena, which includes the sun, moon, planets and stars. On a clear night, go stargazing. What constellations can your child spot? Have her track the phases of the moon in a notebook. How does the day’s weather change the night sky?

Visit:

l Fernbank Science Center for a live honeybee exhibit, the Apollo 6 space capsule, a planetarium show and more; fernbank.edu.

l Discover Science Center offers special workshops and programs; discoversciencecenter.com.

l Tellus Science Museum has special and permanent exhibits with archaeological artifacts, communications technology and more, as well as a planetarium; tellusmuseum.org.

l Fernbank Museum for exploring combustion, aerodynamics, constellations, a STEAM Lab for hands-on learning and more; fernbankmuseum.org.

l Museum of Design Atlanta’s “THREADS of CHANGE: Design & Data” translates scientific data into textile installations for a special look at our planet; museumofdesign.org.

Combine the beauty and whimsy of fairy tales with the science of physics with the Fairy Tale Physics series from Sarah Allen. With the four books, explore fluid mechanics, light, gravity and Newton’s laws; $13.49-$15.99 at mathwithsarah.com/books.

Online:

Listen to Tumble, a science podcast for kids. Episodes cover how vision works, time travel, spiders and more; sciencepodcastforkids.com. Find hands-on science projects, educational videos, challenges and more at sciencebuddies.org.

Out and About:

Spring is on its way! Encourage your child to look around and ask questions. What is growing in the crack on the sidewalk? Can you spot any spring blooms? Do you see any insects? What birds do you spot? Consider creating a springtime scavenger hunt to help your children pay attention to their surroundings.

Play:

Find out who in your family is a super scientist with QUOKKA: Who Knows Science Better? This family trivia card game has more than 500 questions for delving into biology, physics, chemistry and more; $14.99 at quokka.com.

ARE YOU A STEAM-SAVVY FAMILY?

Test who in your family knows the most about science, technology, engineering, art and math with this quiz.

What is the best job in the STEM industry, according to the U.S. News & World Report?

How long does the Georgia Department of Education’s STEM/STEAM certification last?

What Atlantan engineer and businessman was a railroad man and donated the land for Grant Park?

What Atlantan aviator helped organize the first all-woman squadron of the Civil Air Patrol?

What biochemist invented Atlanta’s famous Coca-Cola?

Georgian Louis T. Wright introduced a vaccine against what virus to the Army during World War I?

How much sunlight does the world’s whitest paint reflect? 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

TECHNOLOGY

In the Backyard:

If you have an outdated PC or electronic device, allow your child to use it for tinkering. Set up a space with small screwdrivers, wire cutter, pliers, tweezers and trays. Using kid-safe tools, have her dissect the device and explore the different components of the technology. For safety, give your child goggles to wear, and cut or remove the power cord or batteries.

Visit:

l Southeastern Railway Museum to explore how transportation technology has evolved. Admission includes one train ride; train-museum.org.

l Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame for an interactive look at football and AI technology; cfbhall.com.

l Computer Museum of America to view a timeline of computer history, digital artifacts, supercomputers and more; computermuseumofamerica.org.

Experiment:

Experiment with building your own toy planes using clothespins, popsicle sticks, glue and markers. After decorating, you’ll make a two-winged plane by gluing one popsicle stick to the top of the clothespin and another to the bottom. See full instructions at pbs.org. For further experimentation, make paper airplanes and test which creation can fly farther.

What year did the Georgia Science & Engineering Fair start?

What two planets in our solar system don’t have moons?

Which artist has had his works stolen the most, according to Art Loss Register?

Which artist’s work sold for $450.3 million in 2017?

What two-symbol system uses 0 and 1?

How much of the human body is water?

Who created the first handheld phone?

Who created the first prototype of a laptop?

Answers on page 52

Read:

Join Agent Asha on her action-packed spy adventures combining thrilling stories with real-world tech concepts. The series includes books and a coding activity book; $9.95-$24.99 at agentasha.com.

Online:

Websites and apps make technology lessons easy to access and fun for your kids. Visit code.org, kodable.com, girlswhocode.com, lightbot. com, scratch.mit.edu or tynker.com.

Explore computer science with games and puzzles using cards, string, crayons and more at csunplugged.org.

Out and About:

Think about the benefits of technology and how it helps keep us safe and makes our lives easier. On the road, seat belts, traffic lights and signs for pedestrians maintain order while traveling. In a building, automatic doors or elevators make it easier for people to move around. What other inventions can your child find?

Play:

Train to become a member of Oblivion, a hacker team that thwarts cybercriminals with Hacker from ThinkFun. Race against time to collect data chips, avoid viruses, trigger alarms and safely exit the program; $29.99 at thinkfun.com.

on next page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

STEAM-Powered Learning

ENGINEERING

In the Backyard:

Construct different types of kites for an outdoor experiment. What happens with different materials or shapes? Try to fly the various shapes to see which one works the best.

Visit:

l LEGO Discovery Center for LEGO play and building; legodiscoverycenter.com/atlanta.

l Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center to see how water has traveled through time. Their STEAM Lab explores different themes monthly; gwinnettcounty.com.

l Museum of Aviation for 85 historic U.S. Air Force aircraft, missiles and cockpits, and visit the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame (remember question #4 on our quiz?); museumofaviation.org.

l Delta Flight Museum for historic hangars with rare artifacts and aircraft (reopening April 7); deltamuseum.org.

l Children’s Museum of Atlanta for “Tools for Solutions” to explore simple machines, build with city blocks and more; childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Experiment:

Experiment with building. Try wooden blocks, K’NEX, Lincoln Logs, TINKERTOYs, MAGNA-TILES or LEGOs. Can he build a structure that will house one of his other toys? Can he build something that will hold the weight of a book?

Read:

Part of a new series, pick up “The Engineer’s Duck: World of Engineering” by Andrew Sario and Mari Acierda for an introduction into the world of engineering; $12.49 at engineeringinreallife.com/the-engineers-duck.

Online:

Build with challenges, create new stuff, play engineering games and more with Design Squad Global; pbskids.org/designsquad.

Find design challenges that use common household items at engineergirl.org.

Out and About:

Introduce your child to the six simple machines: wheel and axle, level, wedge, inclined plane, screw and pulley. These machines are the most basic mechanisms to make work easier. Next time you’re out and about, see how many examples of these machines you can find.

Play:

Race to be the first player to build the structure shown on the blueprint card and beat your opponent with Goliath’s Build or Boom. Build quickly so you can “boom” the other player’s building; $32.95 at amazon.com.

K’NEX

In the Backyard:

Set up a messy and creative activity for your child to try. Arrange an easel with sheets of watercolor paper, and then, using squirt guns or plastic spray bottles, have your child fill them with liquid watercolors for a new twist on painting. Find full instructions on firefliesandmudpies.com.

Visit:

l High Museum of Art for art projects, story times, educational programming and more; high.org.

l Hammonds House Museum to celebrate the artistic contributions made by artists of African descent; hammondshouse.org.

l Center for Puppetry Arts to create and play with your own puppets; puppet.org.

l Atlanta Contemporary Art Center for a glimpse at new and commissioned works; atlantacontemporary.org.

l Michael C. Carlos Museum explores the art and history of world cultures from Africa, the America, ancient Egypt and more; carlos.emory.edu.

l Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking to learn the history of papermaking, as well as see exhibits exploring art, history and science; paper.gatech.edu.

l Spelman College Museum of Fine Art for the only museum in the nation dedicated to art by and about women of the African diaspora; spelman.edu.

l Atlanta History Center’s Goizueta Children’s Experience connects children to Atlanta’s arts and culture scene with hands-on activities; atlantahistorycenter.com.

Read:

Practice artistic skills with “How to Draw 700 Cool Things for Boys and Girls Who Love Action and Adventure” by Jorge. Explore step-by-step instructions to draw animals, dinosaurs, vehicles and more; $10.99 at amazon.com.

Online:

Play games, view artistic masterpieces, visit museums from around the world, explore online exhibits and more with artsandculture.google.com.

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum, explore Crayola’s Create and Play for history, science and art activities, like coloring pages, crafting rockets and painting puzzles, at crayolacreateandplay.com.

Out and About:

On a neighborhood or park walk, ask your child to pay attention to her surroundings. What public art does she see? How do the murals or sculptures make her feel? What does the art do for the area? To find public art near you, visit streetartmap.org.

Play:

Collaboratively create a drawing and spot the fake artist who doesn’t know what’s being drawn with Oink Games’ A Fake Artist Goes to New York. Draw creatively to keep the game going but prevent your opponent from guessing; $23 at amazon.com.

Create imaginative drawings based on prompt cards for both competitive and cooperative game play with Picablo: The Shape-Drawing Party Game from Crated with Love; $18.99 at cratedwithlove.com.

Cont’d on next page

atlantaparent.com

STEAM-Powered Learning

MATH

In the Backyard:

Combine adventures in the great outdoors with math exploration. Count the number of trees in your backyard. Organize different colored rocks in a pattern. Have a competition to see who can find the most pinecones — determine who wins both by number and by weight. Write out simple equations using sidewalk chalk and ask your child to solve them. Draw a hopscotch game, roll dice to see what number your child should land on, and discuss probability with him. Make mudpies with various water containers of different sizes to explore volume.

Visit:

l The APEX Museum for “The Women in STEM” exhibition; apexmuseum.org.

l Atlanta Monetary Museum/Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to learn the history of money and how our financial system operates; atlantafed.org.

Experiment:

In the kitchen, double or halve her favorite recipe with her help. Measuring, equivalent fractions and conversions are ways for her to practice math skills.

Read:

Learn how to solve math problems with Gus the Plus and Linus the Minus with the Math Missions series from Jennifer Jones; $11.99 each at amazon.com.

Online:

Play math games — you can sort by topic or by grade — at coolmath4kids.com and funbrain.com.

Discover the world of DragonBox’s digital learning experience by exploring activities for ages 4 and older with numbers, algebra and more; dragonbox.com.

Out and About:

Help your child open a savings account. Researching offers and rates can be a great way to explain interest to him.

Before heading to the grocery store, create a budget with your child, and while at the store, have her help you find the best savings.

Play:

Teach basic counting and beginning math skills with CoolToys’ Monkey Balance. Learn simple addition and subtraction, and go bananas when you collect five cards; $19.99 at amazon.com.

9. Mercury and Venus

10. Pablo Picasso, with 1,147 works

11. Leonardo da Vinci

12. Binary code

13. 60%

14. Martin Cooper

15. Alan Kay

Play to Learn: At-Home Adventures

Make STEAM learning easy with these toys and products that use educational concepts to entertain.

l Learn money management with Dr. STEM Toys’ Kids ATM Savings Bank. With a motorized bill feeder and electronic coin counter, easily make deposits and keep track of savings; $59.99 at amazon.com.

l Introduce your young child to the concepts of math with Match It! Mathematics from The Learning Journey. The puzzle cards feature 10 counting cards, 10 addition cards and 10 subtraction cards; $12.99 at tlji.com.

l Perfect for beginners, the Osmo Coding Starter Kit builds coding skills with three hands-on learning games; starts at $35 at playosmo.com.

l Create dozens of different roller coasters to explore engineering and science concepts with Thames & Kosmos’ Roller Coaster Engineering; $49.95 at store.thamesandkosmos.com.

l Decorate and assemble three foam toy planes, master flying basics, and learn flying stunts with Stunt Squadron Foam Fliers from Creativity for Kids by FaberCastell; $19.99 at fabercastell.com.

l Learn how to dissect animals and observe their anatomy with Dissect-It from Top Secret Toys. Reveal the organs and skeletal structures of a frog, salamander, piranha, bat or rattlesnake; $17.99-$24.99 at topsecrettoys.us.

l Explore the science of colors and enjoy hands-on experimentation with Crayola’s Color Chemistry Lab Set. Make glow worms, slime, watercolor ice, colored petals and more; $27.99 at shop.crayola.com.

l Discover how computers work with Turing Tumble. Build mechanical computers powered by marbles to solve logic puzzles, generate patterns, count, add and more; $87.72 at store.upperstory.com.

l Explore nature, animals, dinosaurs, geodes and more with the Wow in the World hands-on STEM kits from Thames & Kosmos. Based on the kids’ science podcast, the products include an interactive audio experience; $14.95-$29.95 at store.thamesandkosmos.com.

l Build rockets, castles, vehicles, animals and more with Techno Tiles. These kits use shape tiles with snap-on two-way and four-way connectors to make building easy; $9.99-$49.99 at tlji.com.

by Rebecca Hastings

Science Stars

BLACK INVENTORS WHO INSPIRE A LOVE OF SCIENCE

George Washington Carver

Known as the “Peanut Man,” George Washington Carver was a scientist and inventor who developed more than 300 products from peanuts, including peanut oil and paper. He also worked tirelessly to promote sustainable farming practices.

l Activity Idea: Try extracting oil from peanuts at home! Crush roasted peanuts, wrap them in a paper towel and press down with a heavy object.

Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison is a trailblazing astronaut, physician and engineer who became the first Black woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. She also advocates for STEM education for young people.

l Activity Idea: Create a rocket using a plastic bottle, baking soda and vinegar. Watch as the reaction powers your mini rocket into the sky.

Garrett Morgan

Garrett Morgan invented the three-position traffic signal, making roads safer for everyone. He also created a breathing device that became the prototype for modern gas masks.

l Activity Idea: Design a traffic light model using colored paper, cardboard and a flashlight to understand how his invention manages traffic flow.

Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA’s space missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. Her work inspired the movie “Hidden Figures.”

l Activity Idea: Practice plotting a spacecraft’s trajectory by creating a simple math problem involving angles and distances. Use paper and pencils to calculate the path, just like Johnson did.

Benjamin Banneker

A self-taught mathematician and astronomer, Benjamin Banneker built the first clock made entirely in America. He also published almanacs that included information on astronomy and weather patterns.

l Activity Idea: Make a simple sundial with a paper plate and a pencil. Place it outside and track the shadows to tell time, just as Banneker did with his astronomical observations.

Lewis Latimer

Lewis Latimer worked with Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell to improve the design of the light bulb and the telephone. His carbon filament innovation made light bulbs last longer and more practical for everyday use.

l Activity Idea: Create a simple circuit with a battery, wires and a small bulb to understand how electricity powers light, inspired by Latimer’s work.

It’s Family Time

A new 5,000 sq.ft. interactive Children’s Experience has arrived at Atlanta History Center.

Discover the stories that connect us all through immersive activities, interactive displays, and engaging spaces for the whole family.

Child-sized concerts that weave together storytelling + classical music.

Music for the Very Young Concert Series THE TORTOISE & THE HARE

MAR 22/23/29/30

Sat/Sun | 1:30 & 3 pm Designed for children 3-8

Family Concert Series OUT OF THIS WORLD: SYMPHONIC SPACE ADVENTURE

APR 27 | SUN | 1:30 & 3pm

Designed for children under 12

Presented with generous support from The

Lettie Pate Evans Foundation.

MARCH:

Things to do this month

Top Events l Atlanta Science Festival l Spring Festival Planner

Outdoor Exhibits l See a Show l St. Patrick's Day l Celebrate Purim

Atlanta Science Festival

Folktale Festival

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Olde Town Conyers

Alpharetta Arts Streetfest

Urban Air Adventure Park

MARCH TOP EVENTS

Events may be cancelled or changed after our deadline. Please check before visiting to confirm. Full calendar online at atlantaparent.com

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

5 You Just Can’t Miss

Dino Fest

Stone Mountain Park

March 8-April 20

Explore a festival all about dinosaurs with high-flyers, a 4-D experience, a lighted parade and more. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. $34.99-$39.99. stonemountainpark.com

Living Wild: Reptiles, Amphibians and Arachnids

Fernbank Museum

March 15, 10-11 a.m.; noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.

Dive into the world of all thing creepy, crawly and cool with interactive activities and educational adventures. Reservation required. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. $27.95; ages 3-12, $25.95; ages 2 and younger, free. fernbankmuseum.org

Douglasville Cultural Arts Center

March 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Go on an interactive adventure inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” For ages 3-10. 8652 Campbellton St., Douglasville. 770-949-2787. $15. artsdouglas.org

Dino Fest

Living Wild: Reptiles, Amphibians and Arachnids

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Folktale Festival

Dunwoody Nature Center / March 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Experience nature through the immersive folktales of regional storytellers, a farmyard, educational experiences and arts and crafts. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody. 770-394-3322. $15; ages 3 and younger, free. dunwoodynature.org

Cont’d on next page

Harlem Globetrotters

Gas South Arena / March 23, 3 p.m.

Watch incredible athletes perform dunks, alley-oops, long shots and more with exciting and fun challenges. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. $22-$473+. harlemglobetrotters.com

Folktale Festival

Harlem Globetrotters

Photo by Mariko Kajikawa

HONOR PURIM

Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday celebrating the miraculous events told in the Book of Esther. Visit these spots to honor the holiday.

Purim Parade and Festival

Beth Jacob Atlanta / March 9, noon-3:30 p.m.

Watch a parade with costumes and decorated floats, listen to live music, play on a pirate ship, taste food from food trucks and more. 1855 Lavista Rd., Atlanta. 404-633-0551. Free admission; activity tickets, $0.50 each. bethjacobatlanta.org

Purim Celebration

MJCCA Zaban Park

March 13, 5-6 p.m.

Enjoy Purim songs with Rabbi G, games, activities, crafts and more. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. 678-812-4000. Free admission. atlantajcc.org

Hey It’s Purim!

Chabad Intown / March 14, 5:30 p.m.

Step into the joy of Purim with an evening full of festive spirit with a Shabbat dinner, Megillah reading, a kids’ sing-a-long and more. Reservation required. 730 Ponce De Leon Pl. NE, Atlanta. 404-898-0434. $10-$54. chabadintown.org

Purimpalooza

MJCCA Zaban Park / March 16, 10 a.m.-noon

This youth sports day features fun with face painting, character meet and greets, crafts and tasty treats. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. 678-812-4000. Free admission. atlantajcc.org

Purim Carnival

The Temple / March 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Visit this carnival with a moon bounce, petting zoo, treats, games, face painting and more. 1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-873-1731. $7-$28. the-temple.org

Beth Jacob Atlanta

MJCCA Zaban Park

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SCIENCE

The Atlanta Science Festival will be held from March 8-22. Visit atlantasciencefestival.org for the full schedule of events, including locations, time and admission fees. Advance registration for events may be required.

HIGHLIGHTS:

n Celebrate STEAM at Georgia Tech: Enjoy hands-on STEAM activities, exhibits, demonstrations and opportunities to meet student researchers. March 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission.

n Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta: Celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth and the different ways they move with live demonstrations and presentations. March 8, 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m. $18.95-$27.95.

n Pigment of Your Imagination at Pittsburgh Yards: Create ecofriendly paints from natural materials, like plants. March 8, noon-2 p.m. $5.

n Rock N’ Walk at Stone Mountain Historical and Education Center: Join folks from Georgia State University Geosciences on a hike to explore the granite dome. March 8, noon-4 p.m. Free admission.

n Superhero Science Night at Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Wear your supersuit to celebrate science and superheroes as you discover how their special powers tie into art, engineering and science. March 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $25.

n Women Who Rock the World: Earth Lab Adventures at Georgia State University: Study minerals, fossils, water and maps, and learn about contributions to Earth and environmental science from women in history. March 9, 1-2:30 and 3-4:30 p.m. Free admission.

n Into the Maker-Verse: Atlanta Edition at Decatur Makers: Explore your creative energy and curiosity by building a physical diorama and animating your creations using AI. March 9, 2-5 p.m. Free admission.

n Sprouting Scientists at Atlanta Botanical Garden: Little ones will explore the world of plants and animals with hands-on learning stations. March 11, 10 a.m.-noon. $23.95-$26.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Exploration Expo

Piedmont Park / March 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The culmination of this amazing festival is this free, interactive science event with 100 hands-on booths from local organizations, universities and companies. You can touch a human brain, control a prosthetic hand with your mind, code robots through mazes, big for bones and much, much more!

n The Astronomy of Star Wars at Georgia State University Perimeter College, Alpharetta Campus: Go on a sci-fi adventure as you learn about worlds in our galaxy and in a galaxy far, far away. March 11, 6-7 p.m. Free admission.

n Fernbank Goes Wild at Fernbank Science Center: Go on a wild adventure where you’ll encounter animals, carnivorous plants and gardens along the way. March 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission.

n Hot Topic: Cool Sciences! at Georgia Gwinnett College: Enjoy a vibrant carnival atmosphere filled with the excitement of scientific discovery. March 15, 1-4 p.m. Free admission.

n STEMFEST: Hands-On Science for Families at Oglethorpe University: Interactive STEM fun explores biology, chemistry and physics. March 20, 6-8 p.m. Free admission.

CELEBRATE ST.

PATRICK’S

DAY

Wear green and enjoy the festivities at this celebratory events.

A Taste of Ireland

The Classic Center Theatre / March 9, 7:30 p.m.

Travel back in time through the story of Ireland’s history with melodic folk-mash-ups, acapella tap battles and heartwarming storytelling. 300 N. Thomas St., Athens. 706-208-0900. $42-$82. atasteofirelandshow.com

Luck of Avalon

Avalon / March 14, 6-9 p.m.

Watch a special traditional performance, listen to bagpipes, enjoy photo opportunities and more. 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-2000. Free admission. experienceavalon.com

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade

Midtown Atlanta / March 15, noon-1:30 p.m.

View this incredible, celebratory parade featuring more than 2,000 participants. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 770-805-8015. Free admission. atlantastpats.com

Luck of The Forum

The Plaza at The Forum / March 15, 4-6 p.m.

Enjoy a pure gold celebration with music, dancing and Irish flair. 5155 Peachtree Pkwy., Peachtree Corners. 770-368-8811. Free admission. theforumpeachtree.com

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Olde Town Conyers / March 17, 5 p.m.

This parade features local businesses, organizations, school groups, bagpipers and more. After, enjoy Trucks on the Tracks, children’s activities, live music and food samples. Railroad St., Conyers. Free admission. conyersga.com

BEYOND ATLANTA

Dublin St. Patrick’s Parade

Downtown Dublin / March 15, 10 a.m.-noon

Wear green to watch this festive parade featuring floats, Lucky the leprechaun and more. Visit Downtown’s Market for the St. Patrick’s Arts & Crafts Festival. Jackson St., Dublin. 478-272-4002. Free admission. visitdublinga.org

FREE FUN

Touch-A-Truck

Adams Park / March 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Children can get close to larger-than-life trucks, heavy construction and public safety equipment, cool cars and specialty vehicles, and meet the vehicle owners and operators. 2600 Park Dr., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. Free admission. kennesaw-ga.gov

UPS Second Sunday

High Museum of Art / March 9, noon-5 p.m.

Enjoy special family-friendly programming with art-making activities, performances and access to exhibits. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Free admission. high.org

Pop-in for Family Fun

Marietta History Center / March 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Enjoy activities and crafts themed around learning about Women’s History. 1 Depot St., Marietta. 770-794-5710. Free admission. mariettahistory.org

John Lawless Family Concert Series: Just Jazzin’ Around

Ackerman Hall / March 23, 4-5 p.m.

Explore this quintessential American musical art from through a lively and interactive concert. Registration required. 571 S. Kilgo Cir., Atlanta. 404-727-4282. Free admission. carlos.emory.edu

Spring Downtown Classic Car Cruise

Logan Farm Park / March 29, 2-7 p.m.

View cool cars from around the city. 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth. 770-917-1234. Free admission. acworthtourism.org

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Olde Town Conyers

Spring Downtown Classic Car Cruise

THE BEST IN SHOWS

Watch a story come to life with a play or a ballet.

Adventure Playhouse

Dad’s Garage / March 1, 3 p.m.

Explore new worlds with Quinn and the playhouse pals, as the audience helps build the world of the story, participate in the play or sing or dance along. 569 Ezzard St., Atlanta. 404-523-3141. $15. dadsgarage.com

Firebird

Gas South Theater / March 1, 3 and 7:30 p.m. and March 2, 3 p.m.

Presented by Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, step into the mystical world of this ballet woven with the threads of Russian folklore. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. 770-237-0046. $25-$55. gwinnettballet.org

Galapagos George

Center for Puppetry Arts / March 5-16. See website for showtimes. Journey to Galapagos Island to meet George, the last tortoise of his kind. 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $22.75. puppet.org

Fiddler on the Roof Jr.

MJCCA’s Morris & Rae Frank Theatre

March 6-16. See website for showtimes.

Presented by Jerry Habima Theatre, this Broadway classic features Tevye, a poor dairyman, trying to marry off his five daughters. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. 678-812-4000. $10-$36. atlantajcc.org

Blacktop Playground: Improv for Kids

Aurora Theatre / March 8, 11:30 a.m.

Watch hilarious scenes come to life based on suggestions from kids in the audience. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7. auroratheatre.com

Roswell Dance Starz Presents Wonderland

Roswell Cultural Arts Center / March 8, 2 and 7 p.m.

Step into this whimsical world inspired by “Alice in Wonderland” with ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-594-6120. $16.50. roswellcac.showare.com

Swan Lake

Gas South Theater / March 8, 2 and 7:30 p.m. and March 9, 2 p.m.

Watch this imaginary world come to life on stage with beautiful music, costumes and scenery, as presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. 770-921-7277. $21. northeastatlantaballet.org

The SpongeBob Musical

Legacy Theatre / March 13-23. Fri. 6 p.m.; Sat. 2 and 6 p.m. and Sun. 6 p.m. SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save their undersea world when a volcano threatens to erupt and destroy it. 1175 Senoia Rd., Tyrone. 404-895-1473. $20; ages 12 and younger, $15. legacytheater.com

Swan Lake

Gas South Theater / March 15, 7:30 p.m. and March 16, 2:30 p.m. Presented by North Atlanta Dance Theatre, watch Odette and her friends, who have been turned into swans by Von Rothbart, defeat his evil scheme. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. 770-772-8000. $16-$32+. northatlantadancetheatre.com

Milo the Magnificent

Center for Puppetry Arts / March 19-30. See website for showtimes. Using innovative puppetry, Milo presents a variety of magic tricks, but sometimes, they don’t go as planned! 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $22.75. puppet.org

Dinosaur

Alliance Theatre / March 19-May 4. See website for showtimes. Find out how even the simplest day-to-day task can turn into an epic dinosaur-filled adventure. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4600. $12.50; ages 6-17, $5; ages 5 and younger, free. alliancetheatre.org

The Little Mermaid

Pearce Auditorium at Brenau University

March 21, 7:30 p.m.; March 22, 1 and 6:30 p.m. and March 23, 2 p.m.

The Gainesville Ballet Company presents this storybook ballet following the tale of an adventurous mermaid. A sensory-friendly performance will be held on March 21 at 11:30 a.m. 202 Blvd. NE, Gainesville. 770-866-5353. $15-$41.50. gbcdance.com

Peter Pan

Roswell Cultural Arts Center

March 28, 7 p.m.; March 29, 2 and 7 p.m. and March 30, 2 p.m. From Atlanta Dance Theatre, go on a ballet adventure to view this classic children’s tale. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 404-438-3028. $26-$34. atlantadancetheatre.org

It’s Electric!

Aurora Theatre / March 29, 11:30 a.m.

Watch educational and entertaining experiments with Big Thinkers’ Science Exploration. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7. auroratheatre.com

Galapagos George

Roswell Dance Starz Presents Wonderland

FOR KIDS AND KIDS AT HEART

Get the blood pumping and bond as a family at these exciting locations.

GET SLIMED

n Make your own incredible slime at Sloomoo Institute. Each ticket includes one 8-oz. DIY custom slime, and the DIY bar offers tons of different options for your special creation. Walk on slime, smell delicious scents, explore ASMR and more. Go behind-the-scenes to see how slime is created with Elmer’s Kitchen Tour. 3637 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta. $17.99-$31.99+. sloomooinstitute.com

n Learn how to make slime from scratch with the hands-on experience at The Slime Factory Enjoy sensory fun by making two different types of slime, and at the end, receive a certificate of completion to show off your craftmanship after the slime workshop. 1000 N. Point Circle, Alpharetta. $30-$36. theslimefactory.com

DEFY GRAVITY

n Bounce into fun at Urban Air Adventure Park. Go to new heights with Sky Rider, be the last one standing in Wipeout, test the obstacles on the Ropes Course, make an all-star dunk in the Slam Dunk Zone, travel to an immersive world with virtual reality and more. Buford, Kennesaw, McDonough, Newnan and Alpharetta (coming soon). $14.49-$39.99. urbanair.com

n The thrill of flight is easily attainable with iFLY. This indoor skydiving experience features stateof-the-art wind tunnels for a fantastic flight, and you and your family will make tons of high-flying memories. 2778 Cobb Pkwy. SE, Atlanta. $109 per person. iflyworld.com

n Climb from tree to tree at Treetop Quest as you move through obstacles and zip lines. Each park offers different adventures no matter your experience level, starting with ages 4-6 at the Chickpea Course. Buford and Dunwoody. $59; ages 7-11, $44; ages 4-6, $25. treetopquest.com

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

n For a unique spin on mini golf, head to Puttshack. Using Trackaball Technology, the golf balls track every shot, hazard and bonus point, so you can focus on the game and not on keeping score. The interactive challenges also make the competition more fierce. Atlanta and Dunwoody. $15; ages 12 and younger, $9. puttshack.com

n Lakepoint Station has both a special outdoor course and a blacklight indoor course for mini golf competitions. Along with mini golf, enjoy arcade games, bowling or rollerball competitions, mining for treasure, rock climbing and playing laser tag. 77 Old Allatoona Rd., Cartersville. $22-$55; single attractions, $7-$14. lakepointstation.com

n For a game with a view, head to Skyline Park at The Roof on Ponce City Market. Play mini golf, horse derby race, basketball, skee-ball and goblet toss, slide on the three-story slide, and ride the Heege Tower. Glimpse a bird’s eye view of Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown. 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. $15; ages 3-12, $7; ages 2 and younger, free; gameplay, extra. poncecityroof.com

Photo by Anthony Cunanan

Urban Air Adventure Park

Sloomoo Institute

Puttshack

A WORLD OF IMAGINATION

n Enjoy fun brick by brick! At LEGO Discovery Center, build and launch spaceships, create and test LEGO cars, customize a Minifigure, view a LEGO replica of Atlanta’s most loved landmarks and more. Play games and go on an adventure with Kingdom Quest, The Great LEGO Race Virtual Reality Experience and the LEGO-themed pirate ship. 3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta. $28.99+. legodiscoverycenter.com/atlanta

n Connect with each other and with art at Splatter Studio. Enjoy an immersive and colorful splatter experience to paint special masterpieces while getting creative and messy. Atlanta and Sandy Springs. $74 for adult and child. thesplatterstudio.com

PLAY ON

n Race your way to play at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Enjoy the thrill with karting, games, virtual reality, simulators, laser tag and bowling. Try the 7D Xperience, an interactive movie experience where riders compete for the highest score using laser blasters to defeat onscreen enemies. Buford and Marietta. $10-$75.95. andrettikarting.com

n Step inside a game or movie with Sandbox VR. Become the action with Hollywood motion capture cameras, body trackers, custom hardware and haptic suits. Go on a fantastic journey, travel through space, survive a zombie ambush and more. Two Atlanta locations. $50+/guest. sandboxvr.com

n Test your family’s ability to team up with Beat the Bomb. Choose a bomb mission, where you’ll dodge lasers and crack codes to disarm a giant Paint, Foam or Slime Bomb. Not able to solve the mission? Watch out — the bomb will cover you! Or, rent the immersive Game Bay to play more than 20 exciting mini games. 1483 Chattahoochee Ave. NW, Atlanta. $34.95-$64.95. beatthebomb.com

GO WILD

n Zoo Atlanta offers tons of family fun for embracing your wild side, along with seeing animals from all over the world. Hand-feed the tallest living land mammals with giraffe feedings, or go for a behind-the-scenes look at elephants, lemurs, warthogs or talented petting zoo painters! See from new heights with the Treetop Trail, and for younger kids, check out the Treetop Tykes Trail. The Wild Explorer VR Theater offers an immersive look at some of Earth’s most iconic natural adventures. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. $20.45-$26.95; ages 3-11, $16.20-$21.45; ages 2 and younger, free; experiences, extra. zooatlanta.org

NATURAL WONDERS

n Climb Stone Mountain. Once at the top — 1,683 feet above sea level — see amazing views of Downtown, the North Georgia mountains and the surrounding area. The area features 15 miles of hiking and walking trails. Pack a picnic for extra outdoor love. Visit Stone Mountain Park for the Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, Dinosaur Explore, mini golf and more. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. Parking, $20; Stone Mountain Park attractions, extra. stonemountainpark.com

Beat the Bomb

Zoo Atlanta

Stone Mountain

LEGO Discovery Center

SPRING FESTIVAL PLANNER

Enjoy the beauty of spring weather with these wonderful festivals.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS

n Fair on the Square. Decatur Square. March 22, noon-5 p.m. Leap into spring with a carnival-themed festival with tons of family fun, live music, games and food. 121 E. Court Sq., Decatur. 404-370-4100. Free admission. decaturga.com

n Daffodil Days. Atlanta Athletic Club. March 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This exciting event features fun games, thrilling youth rides, tasty treats and crafts. 1930 Bobby Jones Dr., Johns Creek. 678-512-3203. Free admission; parking, $10. johnscreekga.gov

n Panda Fest Atlanta. Atlantic Station. April 4, 4-10 p.m.; April 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and April 6, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. This festival features experiential activities, tasting and market fairs to showcase the vibrant food, art and cultural traditions from across Asia. 221 20th St., Atlanta. $9-$35; ages 5 and younger, free. pandafests.com

n Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Piedmont Park. April 11, noon-9 p.m.; April 12, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and April 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Explore the Artist Market, watch bands on the Coca-Cola Main Stage, see international acts perform, play in the Kids Village and more. 929 Charles Allen Dr., Atlanta. 404-827-8663. Free admission. dogwood.org

n Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival. Downtown Kennesaw. April 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and April 13, noon-5 p.m. This festival features more than 200 arts and crafts booths, food booths, two entertainment stages and children’s activities. Main St., Kennesaw. 770-423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com

n The Georgia Renaissance Festival. Fairburn. April 12-June 1. Sat-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Travel back in time to enjoy Renaissance entertainment. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd., Fairburn. 770-964-8575. $29.95$31.41; ages 6-12, $16.95-$18.41; ages 5 and younger, free. garenfest.com

n The International Night Market Atlanta. Suwanee Town Center. April 18, 5-10 p.m. and April 19, 2-10 p.m. Explore cultures from all around the world with performances, cuisine, art and more. 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. Free admission. atlnightmarket.org

n Lemonade Days Festival. Brook Run Park. April 23-27. Wed.-Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. noon-6 p.m. Enjoy midway rides, taste fabulous food, visit the petting zoo, get creative at the Chalk Art Station and more. 4770 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody. 770-668-0401. Free admission; rides, $1.25. dunwoodypreservationtrust.org

n Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes. Inman Park. April 25-26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and April 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Listen to live music, watch a parade, go on a Tour of Homes and more. Euclid Ave., Atlanta. Free admission; Tour of Homes, $35-$40. festival.inmanpark.org

n Kids Day. DeKalb CHaRM. April 26, 9 a.m.-noon. Learn how to recycle, manage materials and live a sustainable lifestyle with hands-on and educational activities. 1221 Columbia Dr., Decatur. 404-600-6386. Free admission. livethrive.org

n May-retta Daze. Marietta Square. May 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and May 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See art, go shopping, taste delicious food, play in the kid’s zone, and listen to live music. 50 N. Park Sq. NE, Marietta. 770-423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com

n Cherokee County Mother’s Day Powwow & Indian Festival. Boling Park. May 10, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and May 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Shop Native artists’ works, learn with educational activities, taste cuisine and more. 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 10, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and May 11, 1-8 p.m. Listen to incredible concerts all day, and celebrate the history of Atlanta’s African Americans. 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. Free admission. sweetauburn.com

n Kirkwood Spring Fling. Bessie Branham Park. May 17, noon-8 p.m. Taste delicious wings, tour historic homes, explore kid’s activities, shop the Artist Market and more. 2051 Delano Dr. NE, Atlanta. Free admission. historickirkwood.org

Lemondade Days Festival

Panda Fest Atlanta

ALL ABOUT THE FAIR

n The Atlanta Fair. Old Turner Field. March 7-April 13. See website for schedule. Enjoy the beauty of spring in Atlanta with thrilling rides, delicious food and vibrant entertainment. 688 Central Ave. SE, Atlanta. 772-266-9885. $5-$10; 42" and under, $3; ride tickets, $1.25. atlantafair.net

n Coolray Field Carnival. Coolray Field. March 26-27, 5-10 p.m.; March 28, 5-11 p.m.; March 29, noon-11 p.m. and March 30, noon-10 p.m. Enjoy tons of amusing fun with the Space Flyer, Ice Jet, Wave Swinger and more. 2500 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville. Free admission; ride tickets, $1.50. dreamlandamusements.com

n ACA Spring Fair. Riverdale Town Center. March 31-April 9. Mon.-Thur. 4-10 p.m.; Fri. 4-11 p.m.; Sat. 1-11 p.m. and Sun. 1-10 p.m. Experience thrilling and family rides, play games, enjoy food, and watch live shows and entertainment. 7210 Church St., Riverdale. 229-429-1507. Free admission; ride tickets, extra. claytonchamber.org

n Town Center at Cobb Carnival. Town Center at Cobb. April 3, 5-10 p.m.; April 4, 5-11 p.m.; April 5-12, 1-11 p.m. and April 13, 1-10 p.m. Watch the Victoria Circus, see Big Bee Transforming Robot Car, ride amusement rides and more. 400 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy. NW, Kennesaw. Free admission; ride tickets, $1.50. dreamlandamusements.com

n Georgia State Fair. Atlanta Motor Speedway. May 9-18. See website for schedule. Go back in time with the Stone Age Dinosaur Show, watch the Coronas of Hollywood Circus, visit the petting zoo, ride carnival and kiddie rides and more. 1500 Tara Pl., Hampton. 901-867-7007. $10; ages 5-12, $5; ages 4 and younger, free; rides, $1.25; parking, $10. georgiastatefair.com

SEE SPRING BLOOMS

n Tulip Festival. Yule Forest. March 8-30. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Walk through giant tulip fields, pick flowers, visit farm animals, shop the market and more. 3565 Hwy. 155 N, Stockbridge. 770-954-9356. $17.95; ages 2 and younger, free. yuleforest.com

n Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival. Georgia International Horse Park. March 22-23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop art and craft exhibitors, enjoy cultural performances, eat delicious food, listen to live music, and play in the children’s area. 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers. 770-860-4190. Free admission; parking, $10. georgiahorsepark.com

n Cherry Blossom Festival. Blackburn Park. March 29-30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Celebrate the spirit of community with activities, concerts and more. 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Brookhaven. Free admission. brookhavenga.gov/festival

n Spring Jonquil Festival. Smyrna Village Green. April 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and April 27, noon-5 p.m. Explore arts and crafts booths, food booths, an entertainment stage and children’s activities. Village Green Cir., Smyrna. 770-423-1330. Free admission. jrmmanagement.com

Beyond Atlanta

n International Cherry Blossom Festival. Carolyn Crayton Park. March 21-30. Mon.-Thur. noon-9 p.m.; Fri. noon-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun. noon-9 p.m. See the beauty of thousands of blooming cherry trees, listen to music, play games, watch a parade and more. 150 Willie Smokie Glover Dr., Macon. 478-330-7050. $10; ages 10 and younger, free; ride tickets, $1.25. cherryblossom.com

n The Rhododendron Festival. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. April 12-May 11. Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy live performances, view the beautiful botanical garden and more. 1311 Music Hall Rd., Hiawassee. 706-896-4191. $10; ages 12 and younger, free. georgiamountainfairgrounds.com Cont’d on next page

Tulip Festival

International Cherry Blossom Festival

The Atlanta Fair

SPRING FESTIVAL PLANNER

FOR THE ARTS

n Festival on Ponce. Olmsted Linear Park. April 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse 125 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk art and more. 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. Free admission. festivalonponce.com

n Acworth Art Fest. Downtown Acworth. April 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and April 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the beautiful art scene from this city. Main St., Acworth. Free admission. splashfestivals.com

n Illumine. Oakland Cemetery. April 17-27. See website for schedule. Through innovative lighting and art installations, explore Atlanta in a new way. 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-549-8932. $20; ages 6-17, $15; ages 5 and younger, free. oaklandcemetery.com

n Sandy Springs Artsapalooza.

Sandy Springs. April 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a children’s play area, an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, local music, art stations and more. 6100 Lake Forrest Dr. NW, Sandy Springs. Free admission. sandyspringsartsapalooza.com

n Wesleyan Artist Market. Wesleyan School. April 25, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and April 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. View art from more than 80 professional artists and select student artists. 5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners. 404-510-3333. Free admission. artistmarket.wesleyanschool.org

n Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival. Chastain Park. May 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy fine art and crafts, a children’s area, acoustic musicians and local food and beverage options. 4469 Stella Dr., Atlanta. Free admission. chastainparkartsfestival.com

n Dunwoody Art Festival. Dunwoody Village Shopping Center. May 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and May 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore more than 130 artisans, a creative Kidz Zone and tasty cuisine. 1317 Dunwoody Village Pkwy., Dunwoody. Free admission. splashfestivals.com

n Duluth Spring Arts Festival. Duluth Town Center. May 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This outdoor festival features 86 painters, photographers, sculptors and more, along with artist demonstrations, live music and more. 3167 Main St., Duluth. Free admission. duluthartsfestival.com

n Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. Wills Park. May 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore artisans, vendors and exhibitors, and enjoy children’s activities and street performers. 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta. Free admission. splashfestivals.com

Beyond Atlanta

n Super Spring Saturdays. Washington Farms. April 12, 19 and 26 and May 3, 10, 17 and 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Play more than 30 fun farm activities, including a cow train, petting zoo, playground, bubble station and more. 5691 Hog Mountain Rd., Bogart. 706-769-0627. $14.95; ages 1 and younger, free; strawberry picking, extra. washingtonfarms.net

n Georgia Strawberry Festival. Reynolds. April 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, a strawberry patch, music, a petting zoo, a strawberry pie eating contest and more. 3 William Wainwright St., Reynolds. 478-847-5301. Free admission. ga-strawberry.org

Alpharetta Arts Streetfest

OUT AND ABOUT

Visit these outdoor exhibits for learning disguised as fun.

EcoTinker Science Stations

Chattahoochee Nature Center / March 10-May 31

Explore the connection between STEM and nature at the hands-on tech and tinker stations. Grab your Science Notebook to explore six interactive stations, including an Imagination Playground with blue blocks to solve engineering challenges. Stations were designed for ages 8-12, and participants who complete four of the six stations are eligible to enter the weekly drawing. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. $20; ages 13-18, $16; ages 3-12, $14; ages 2 and younger, free. chattnaturecenter.org

Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures

Fernbank Museum / March 29-Aug. 3

Explore Southern Mexico’s indigenous traditions with this breathtaking exhibit bridging Mexican culture and contemporary art as you walk through WildWoods. The exhibit features the works of renowned Oaxacan artists Jacobo and María Ángeles. Inspired by the sacred Zapotec calendar, the brightly colored animal sculptures offer a fascinating glimpse into an intersection of art, mythology and identity. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. $25.95-$27.95; ages 3-12, $23.95-$25.95; ages 2 and younger, free. fernbankmuseum.org