Navigating the summer season can be tricky: balancing revolving schedules, unexpected weather changes, and enduring the sticky Georgia humidity. My guess is you don't always feel like staying in your backyard with the mosquitos when summer boredom sets in, but also don't want to empty your wallet every time you leave the house with the kids. I see you. I hear you. I am you. (Especially when it comes to the mosquitos).
Here are some of my favorite drop-in spots to visit around town that are kid-friendly, won't break the bank, and even offer a bit of shade.
Do you know of a local, budget-friendly spot for kids that I missed? Let me know!
jessicasweeney@macaronikid.com
 Can you spot the American Alligator? Stop by to get an eye-level look for yourself. Don't worry, there is a thick plexiglass panel separating you from this gator's habitat. |
Bear Hollow Zoo
293 Gran Ellen Drive
Athens, GA 30606
This volunteer-maintained zoo is located within Memorial Park (the signs will guide you!) and is completely free to enjoy. It serves as a safe haven for rehabilitated Georgia wildlife that cannot be re-released back into the wild. Visitors of all ages will get to see and learn about the American Black Bear, North American River Otters, Alligators, White-tailed deer, Bald Eagles, various reptiles, and more.
Bonus: After your visit with the animals, take a short walk to the Memorial Park playground to enjoy slides, swings, goose feeding, and covered pavilion seating.
Hours:
Daily from 9AM to 5PM
Cost:
Free!
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Fun Galaxy Athens
3030 Cherokee Road
Athens, GA 30605
I don't know about you, but I think skating rinks are the ultimate nostalgia. Now, while I doubt the DJ will blast Pump Up The Jam by Felly and Technotronic (unless they take request from millennial parents??), their Tuesday night $8 special is hard to beat. Families can enjoy a kid-friendly mid-week skating session along with arcade games and hot pizza. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for an additional $3.
- Parents of little ones: you can rent "skate mates" for $5 to assist your child as they learn how to roll on four wheels.
- Note: This location is cash only and non-skating parents are $1 upon entry.
Hours for this deal:
Tuesday night from 5PM to 8PM
Cost:
$8 per person. Skate rental $3 per pair.
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Georgia Museum of Art
90 Carlton Street
Athens, GA 30602
Learn about art together as a family! Enjoy art collections and exhibitions; all ages and abilities are welcome. Be sure to keep an eye out for their Toddler Tuesdays, Monthly Family Days, and other seasonal events listed on their website.
🎒 Need something unique and fun to do with your kiddos? Stop by to complete a FREE Backpack Tour! Check out a backpack from the desk in the lobby and complete a go-at-your-own-pace tour of the museum - activities are all within the bag. Suitable for all ages. Learn more about this tour on the GMOA website by clicking here.
Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday from 10AM to 5PM
- Thursday from 10AM to 9PM
- Friday and Saturday from 10AM to 5PM
- Sunday from 1PM to 5PM
- Closed Mondays
Cost:
Free!
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Home Depot + Lowes Kid's DIY Workshops
Home Depot, 1740 Epps Bridge Pwky
Lowes, 1851 Epps Bridge Pwky
Athens, GA 30606
Got a kiddo who's crafty? Once per month, participating Lowes and Home Depot locations host a Kid's DIY Workshop where ages 3 to 12 can construct their very own wooden project, completely free! Pre-registration is required and can be found on each locations website: Home Depot, Lowes.
Each month features a different project theme and usually aligns with the current season. The image above was extra special: Home Depot set up their project tables outside in the parking lot, and invited a local fire station to bring their firetruck to add a touch-and-learn element to the activity!
Hours for this activity:
Saturdays from 9AM to 12PM. Dates vary.
Cost:
Free!
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Kid's Summer Movie Series
Who doesn't love discounted tickets, buttery popcorn, and the AC on high in the middle of the summer? The GTC University 16 on Epps Bridge is offering a kid's summer series showing throughout the week for you to enjoy with your kiddos. Take a look at the Mac KID Athens Guide to view what's playing and when you can drop-in for a quick flick.
Here's a quick look at what's inside:
GTC University 16: $2 tickets, $2 popcorn, $2 drinks, $2 M&Ms on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Click on the image above for details on times and pricing.
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The Rook and Pawn
194 W Washington Street, Suite 300
Athens, GA 30601
Athens' board game cafe! Choose from over 800 tabletop board and card games to play while you eat and drink! For $7, guests are granted access to unlimited board games to enjoy for the entire day - Perfect for a quiet afternoon. No reservations are necessary. Try a new game and feel free to ask knowledgeable staff for help with any selections.
To view a list of games available to choose from, click here.
Hours:
- Sunday - Thursday from 11AM to 11PM
- Friday and Saturday from 11PM to 1AM
Cost:
$7 per person to play
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Sandy Creek Nature Center
205 Old Commerce Road
Athens, GA 30607
Looking for an interactive and educational experience about all things nature? Sandy Creek Nature Center is home to live snakes, bees, turtles, and other critters! They offer an interactive go-at-your-own-pace exhibits suitable for all ages. Follow the hallway from the entrance to the back of the building to find doors that lead to a kid-friendly outdoor area that features green space with a tunnel for crawling, seasonal flowers, and a HUGE log slide. (Moms, if you are wearing leggings, you will pick up *speed* if you decide to take a turn down the slide. Speaking from experience here.)
Don't forget about their wetlands boardwalk that offers a kid-friendly exploration through the woods. For those who are more adventurous, there's also dirt hiking trails, too.
Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM
Cost:
Free!
 Lots and lots of shaded play equipment and swings for the kids, plus shaded parking spaces for grown ups, too. It's a win-win! |
Sandy Creek Park
400 Bob Holman Road
Athens, GA 30607
Sandy Creek Park is probably my favorite park to visit in the Athens area. It has a little bit of everything: an AWESOME fully-enclosed playground with misting station, a sandy beach, walking trails, canoe rentals, athletic courts and courses (my husband enjoys their disk gold course), shady picnic areas, and more. This park surrounds Lake Chapman which offers swimming, fishing, boating activities which are available year-round.
View all of the park's amenities and information at https://www.accgov.com/sandycreekpark.
Hours:
Open Tuesday - Sunday from 7AM to 8:30PM
Cost:
- Free for ages 3 and under
- $2 for ages 4 to 64
- $1 extra for Disk Golf
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Showtime Bowl
555 Macon Highway
Athens, GA 30606
Newly renovated! Showtime Bowl hosts 32 lanes along with arcade games, pool table, and 11th Pin - the location's full-service bar and grill. One of the perks about this spot is that it features a discounted game rate where bowlers (on select days, listed below) pay just $2.75 per person, per game. If you don't have your own pair of bowling shoes to bring, you can purchase a rental pair for an additional $5.25 per person. Plan on bringing a child who is leaning the game? Bumpers are available upon request for ages 11 and under.
If you wish to visit outside of the discounted rate hours, check out Showtime Bowl's website for pricing and information.
Hours for this deal:
- Wednesdays from 3PM to 11PM
- Saturdays from 9AM to 3PM
Cost:
$2.75 per person. Shoe rental $5.25 per pair.
 One of the coolest parts of Alice H. Richards Children's Garden is finding this wooden arch entrance. Make your way through to discover a shaded, wooden playhouse and rope climbing obstacles. |
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA
2450 S Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605
I can't say enough good things about our local Botanical Garden. This location is well-maintained and with families in mind. Parking is free, admission is free, and many of the weekly events are also free. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes when you visit - there's a lot to see! From hiking trails and seasonal flowering gardens, to an indoor conservatory and interactive children's garden, all ages can enjoy their visit no matter the time of year.
The Alice H. Richards Children's Garden features water sensory play, sand digging for (real!) fossils, play equipment, and a flower + vegetable garden that little ones can quench with a watering can. Walk through the wooden arch to find a path leading to a shaded playhouse with ropes to climb, slides, musical mushrooms to play, and a flying squirrel net to lay in whenever you need to rest. Parents, there's plenty of shaded seating throughout so you can enjoy a break, too.
Hours:
Open daily from 8AM to 8PM
Cost:
Free!
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Twisted Moon Studios
2971 Monroe Highway
Bogart, GA 30622
This local art studio offers classes, workshops, and open studio for all ages 7 days a week. Their open studio is known for having craft options suitable for the smallest of hands and all skill levels. Craft options start at $8 and up - they even have a kiln for artists to fire-up their creations for a small additional fee. No registration or appointment is required during Open Studio hours - just show up!
Keep an eye out for their upcoming seasonal fun and summer camps, too! Take a look at Twisted Moon's upcoming Workshops and Classes.
Open Studio Hours:
- Monday - Friday from 2PM to 6PM
- Saturday from 12PM to 6PM
- Sunday from 2PM to 6PM
Cost:
Open studio projects starting at $8.
 What parent doesn't love a fully-enclosed splash pad for only $1 entry?? |
Walker Park Splash Pad
200 Trail Creek Street
Athens, GA 30601
If you're looking for an easy, budget-friendly way to cool off and keep the kids entertained, the Walker Park Splash Pad is an ideal spot. For $1 admission per person, this fenced and gated splash pad features dunk buckets, sprayers, and a variety of water displays that are fun for the older ages and also gentle for the toddler ages. If you need to take a snack break, there are two covered pavilion areas with picnic-style seating and individual tables with umbrellas. Public restrooms and water fountains are accessible near the entrance.
Bonus: This park also features a playground with poured-in-rubber flooring, slides, climbing obstacles, and swings! Kids can easily make their way between both sections to play, and then return for more fun in the splash pad.
Learn more about this location and nearby public pools in Mac KID Athens' Pools and Splash Pads Guide here.
Hours:
Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm from now until early August.
Cost:
$1 per person. Cash only.
