Camps

The world's largest fishtank, the Georgia Aquarium, calls Atlanta home. The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Museum for Teens in the Atlanta area, features over eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, and 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe.

Among the highlights of any visit are an encounter with the whale sharks, the only resident ones of their kind in a North American aquarium, and the giant and graceful beluga whales.

The sections of the aquarium are divided by water types, and the living things that thrive in each environment:

Ocean Voyager houses the whale sharks, as well as cubarra snappers, trevally jacks, small and large stingrays, an enormous goliath grouper, and hammerhead sharks.

Cold Water Quest includes beluga whales, giant Pacific octopus, garibaldi damselfish, Japanese spider crabs, and California sea lions.

River Scout - Freshwater Mysteries features the world's largest freshwater fish, the arapaima, along with piranha, electric fishes, and otters. Several alligators were newly introduced in early 2008.

Georgia Explorer highlights animals of the Georgia coast with touch tanks housing horseshoe crabs, sea stars, stingrays, and shrimp. Kids can also crawl inside a large scale model of a Right whale, native to Georgia waters. This is the area to let off some steam - the play structure is good for smaller kids.

Tropical Diver displays tropical coral reefs teeming with eels, seahorses, fairy basslets, yellow-head jawfish, and other jewels of the sea, like jellyfish. The Pacific Coral Reef exhibit, with its wide-wall glimpse of the bright colored fish that roam through the reef, is a breathtaking, and soothing, display. Take a crying baby here to settle down - trust us, we've seen it work!

Cafe Aquaria: On site dining appeals to a broad range of tastes. Expect to find burgers, pizza, soups, sandwiches, kids' meals, and plenty of desserts. You can build a pretty healthy meal here, although it's pricier than dining at an off-property sandwich shop.

Birthday Parties are designed for children ages one to 12, with three themed 90-minute packages - Deepo, Island, and Pirate. Each package includes a party coordinator, a private room, an animal encounter, paper goods, cake & ice cream, goody bags, and games during the party. The birthday child gets a $10 gift card to spend in the Aquarium. Parties for ages six and under include a visit with the Deepo character. For parties with children age seven and older, guests tour the behind-the-scenes area at the top of the Tropical Diver gallery. Packages - for 15 children - are $560 for annual pass holders and $625 for non-annual pass holders. Each additional child is $35.

Strollers are permitted, although parking areas for them are outside each gallery, and parents are encouraged to leave them there. Particularly when it's crowded, if you must bring a stroller, go with the smallest version possible. Although the layout is wheel-friendly, you can get around more easily with less width in your kids' ride. Changing tables (bolted onto counters with clean disposable changing pads at hand!) and a nursing station are available near the Cafe.

The 4-D theater shows Deepo's Undersea Wondershow every 30 minutes, although it's best to reserve seats when purchasing general admission passes. It's a must-do on a first visit. A live actor kicks things off with marine life trivia and aquarium background, then visitors get 3D glasses and take in an animated musical 3D film with a message of environmental stewardship. In the theater, unique special effects make the film come to life with floating bubbles, light splashes of water, and seats that provide a puff of air or vibration to mimic the feel of a sea creature swimming by.

Behind the Scenes Tours are offered daily for ages 10 and up. The tours last one hour, and are $50 above general admission pricing. Two themes are available, at staggered times during the day. Advance reservations and comfortable shoes are required.

Sleepovers are offered for families and youth groups. Each program includes admission to the Aquarium, Deepo's Undersea 3D Wondershow, behind the scenes tour, a guided adventure through the galleries, a mattress to sleep on, activities, dinner, evening snack, and breakfast.
Check the website for current pricing and availability.

Plenty of photo opportunities are scattered throughout the building, from the fun fish and mermaid kids can sit on in the cafe area, to the plexiglass dome that lets you stand among the African penguins. And don't worry if you forgot a camera, they sell them there. There's also a good deal of souvenirs to wear, play with, or eat, and as you might expect, the exit route takes you right through the gift shop.

Zoo Atlanta, a private, nonprofit, wildlife park, is the winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Day Camp for Little Kids in the metro area.

It's also a fabulous place to spend a day, connecting with the hundreds of species of animals that reside there, and enjoying the outdoor playspaces. Feedings and demonstrations are scheduled daily; the schedule is available at the entrance and on signs throughout the park.

Zoo Atlanta is one of only four zoos in the US exhibiting giant pandas including the famous cub, Mei Lan. They can be seen in the Asian Forest. (Don't forget to get a hand stamp to commemmorate the visit on your way out of the exhibit!)

The Ford African Rain Forest, designed to simulate the primate's native Africa, is home to over 20 gorillas, including an extremely rare set of gorilla twins and two other gorilla babies. Four habitats are spread over 1.5 acres, allowing plenty of room for daily activities.

Opened to the public in June 1989, the five-acre African Plains includes lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, gazelles, and various birds. A simulated termite mound, a common sight in East Africa, can be seen from one of the many viewing stations.

The Orangutans of Ketambe exhibit is a re-creation of an Indonesian tropical rain forest. Tall trees, shrubs, and grasses offer the orangutans a varied terrain and the opportunity to behave as they would in the wild. This exhibit provides a total living space of about 1/2 acre.

Kids who prefer interactive experiences should stop by the Petting Zoo, where they can feel the wool on sheep, the hairy skin of a potbellied pig, and the rough ridges on the horns of pygmy goats.

Take a break from the animals and ride the Endangered Species Carousel and the Norfolk Southern Zoo Express Train. Each ride is $1.50/person, or you can purchase a combination ride ticket for $2.50/person. Parents ride free with any child under 42".

Play at The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Playground before shopping for souvenirs at the Zoo Atlanta Trading Company. There are a variety of dining options including The Wild Planet Cafe, which offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, wraps, burgers, and pizza.
Visitors may bring in their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass containers are prohibited.

Zoo Atlanta offers several birthday party packages for children ages three to 12 years old and has a variety of entertainment options, such as jugglers and face painters available for an additional charge. For pricing, visit the website or call 404.624.2819.

The Zoo offers both vacation day camps, Winter Break in December and Spring Break in April, and summer camps for children ages four to 12. One-week sessions are available from June through August.

Family Membership start at $99/year.

Strollers are available for rental.

The mission of Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, the winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Museum for Little Kids in the Atlanta area, is to create environments and activities through which young children experience the power of imagination and the fun in learning with each other and with grown-ups. Best enjoyed by kids up to age 8, the museum features some permanent hands-on exhibits and traveling exhibits in partnership with other major children's museums.

Crowd-pleasers include:

The giant ball machine, complete with cranes, intricate ramps and tubes, and a water-powered wheel that encourages teamwork (even among kids who just met!) to move brightly colored plastic orbs from point A to point B.

The water play area, where kids don colorful rain jackets to "fish," (with magnetic fishing poles or nets and plastic sea creatures) splash, and stand mesmerized as water makes its way down a waterfall.

The Fundamentally Food section, where kids can explore all aspects of gathering and delivering food. Kids literally follow the food chain from the barnyard to the delivery truck - operating a fork lift and loading boxes. Then they can shop at the grocery store, fill their carts, and whip up a meal in a pretend kitchen.

And the art gallery - a plexiglass panel on which smocked guests can paint to their hearts' content right on the wall, then see it get wiped clean to start all over. (Parents, bring a camera to capture the artwork before it gets washed away!)

Birthday Parties at the museum include admission for up to 10 guests, use of a party room for one hour, and Imaginator to coordinate activities, a make-and-take art project, and goody boxes. Additional items are offered a la carte. Parties are available only on Saturdays and Sundays and pre-selected times.

Summer Camp is offered in weeklong sessions with emphasis on imagination,play, story, science, and the arts.

Membership packages range from $90-$500, and include (depending on level) invitations to members-only events, discounts on birthday party packages, parking privileges, and more perks.

Check our calendar for upcoming special exhibits and events.

Note: Sketchy's has closed its Vinings studio and is in the process of relocating; classes and parties are currently not available.

To say that every detail has been thought of at Sketchy's Art Pad would be a real understatement. The husband- and wife-owned art studio for kids is designed to not only inspire children to explore the arts, it also successfully immerses kids in an art experience that begins when they walk in the door.

Inspiration can be found everywhere - from the check-in desk chandelier made from kids' animal illustrations to the repurposed materials metal sculpture. The playful atmosphere features original art in every facet of the space, including work tables, doorways, and yes, even the bathrooms!

Open Studio for all ages encompasses a wide range of art activities including painting, moveable sculpture, collage art, and more, all with staff assistance available. And speaking of staff, every employee has at least a BA in art, a great advantage when helping kids express imaginative ideas. Kids can work in one medium as long as they'd like, or move around and dabble. All artwork can go home that day, and if it's not dry, the owners can assist with some cardboard protection.

Classes are offered for ages three to five in Mommy and Me format, and for ages five to 13. Sessions guide children through a themed art experience, building on what is learned and created in each class. Themes include symbolism and signs, the illustrated story, the color of emotion, and rhythm and rhyme (starting with designing instruments, all the way to through to decorating and performing with them!)

Summer/Winter/School Break Creativity Camps are offered for ages five and up. (Campers are divided by age groups.) Weeklong themed sessions run from either 9am-1pm or 2pm-6pm. Students can enroll for the week, or by the day. Campers bring their own snack. Call for current tuition pricing per day and per week.

While kids are taking art lessons or Open Studio, parents/caregivers can relax - or get some work done - in the Beat N' Bean Cafe, a coffee bar and lounge, complete with Internet access and private telecommuting offices for parents whose kids are enrolled in classes. Kids at play can be viewed from nearly every angle and space in the studio, with the best executed parents' lounge concept we've seen. The cafe (modeled after a retro, beatnik-style coffee house) serves light snacks and fun coffee drinks.

Birthday parties at Sketchy's are anything but cookie cutter, and are arguably some of the most dynamic bashes in town. Throw any scenario at the owners - whatever inspires the birthday child - and they can develop a creative, engaging theme. Party packages include two hours on projects with two dedicated instructors, paper goods, juice, and set up and clean up. Add-ons include custom goody bags, ballooons, cakes, and cookies. A scrapbook of previous parties is available for viewing at the studio.

Purple Hippo is an art studio designed for kids ages two and up, offering classes, camps, open studio, and parties.

Open Studio creates a do-anything environment with a wide range of art materials to stimulate creative minds. Art teachers are on hand to help kids achieve their artistic vision, and a wide array of arts and crafts supplies are ready for little hands to dive in. For an additional fee, parents can purchase a ready-to-decorate craft from the gift shop and use any Open Studio materials to embellish it.

Classes include Mommy & Me, photography, ceramics, and painting, and appeal to a wide variety of interests and ages. Check the website for schedules.

Spring and Summer weeklong art camps are available, complete with creative themes and pizza Fridays.

Birthday Parties: For ages four and up, Purple Hippo hosts hip art-making birthday parties with several unique themes including Starry Night pajama parties,self-portrait parties, and beading bashes. Check with the studio for pricing and age-appropriate choices.

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc. is a children's museum that provides a hands-on learning environment filled with educational exhibits and programs that build self-esteem and inspire creativity.

Children can roleplay and learn about being a banker, grocery store clerk, doctor, dentist, radio DJ, or a restaurant employee in interactive settings. Adults are encouraged to participate in discovery to boost their child's learning experience.

The Museum hosts special exhibits and performances including puppet shows, storytellers, and magicians, as well as special art camps during summer. Kids and parents can create a pottery piece in the new pottery studio, which stocks items from $3 and up.

Annual family memberships are available for $150, which includes free admission to INK for a year, discounts on birthday parties,workshops, and gift shop merchandise, and reciprocal memberships to other museums around the country.

Birthday Party packages range from do-it-yourself to bonanza and include admission for up to 15 children. Based on choice of package, the party plans can include invitations and paper goods, cake, and an INK t-shirt for the birthday child. More elaborate parties can include themed art projects and take-home favors. Prices start from $150 for non-members and from $125 for members. INK party coordinators can also create a custom event, priced separately.

A variety of themed summer day camps are offered. Programs are divided by age group, and run generally three hours in length. Tuition starts at $100 for weeklong programs.