Atlanta Winter: 51+ Epic Things To Do in Winter With Kids They’ll Love

Looking for fun things to do in Atlanta: Winter Edition? We’ve got you covered with tons and tons of ideas for your family.

We’re offering everything from how to get active during a Georgia winter to how to chill out. We’ve got great ideas for curing the munchies and the best vacation destinations to embrace (or avoid) the snow.

Here are 51+ of our favorite ways to enjoy an Atlanta winter!

FEATURED PARTNERS

ATLANTA WINTER: ACTIVE FUN IN THE COLD

• Bowling.  You don’t have to settle for old-fashioned bowling any longer. Take the kids to Painted Pin on the weekend, or Bowlero Atlanta during the week.  It's a great way to be active...and indoors!  

• Indoor Waterpark. You can go swimming, even when it’s cold outside. Head to one of three Atlanta options: Bethesda Park Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville, Bogan Park Aquatic Center in Buford, or South Cobb Aquatic Center in Austell.  If you don't mind driving a bit, Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange is an amazing choice!  

• Andretti Go-Karting. Visit the Buford or Marietta locations of Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Try go-karting, play one of the many arcade games, use the climbing wall and try out the rope course. The food at the restaurant at Andretti is fantastic too!

• Rock Climbing.  My kids dig rock climbing! Try Central Rock Gym (formerly Stone Summit) with locations in Midtown, Atlanta, Doraville, and Kennesaw.  Another great choice in north Georgia is Adrenaline Climbing in Suwanee.

• Trampoline Park.  Jump your heart out at at Adventure Air in Kennesaw, or SkyZone Trampoline Park (with locations in McDonough, Smyrna, Buford, Atlanta and Roswell).

• Roller Skating.  Spend your weekend having fun with Family Skate at Cascade Fun Center, or Sparkles Family Fun Center in Smyrna, or several other places around town. 

• Winter Hikes.  Bundle up and head outside. With the fallen leaves leaving the trees bare, winter offers some of the best views while hiking.  Maybe visit a Georgia State Park and let your kids become Junior Rangers!

• Volunteer. After the holidays are over, many of Atlanta’s families in need feel the most alone and afraid. NOW is the time they need you. There are multiple ways to help, and there are a lot of great ways for kids to get involved too.

• Tiny Towne. Kids driving you crazy? Let them take the wheel at Tiny Towne in Norcross while you grab a snack and relax.  DISCOUNT TICKETS!

• Indoor Playground – HippoHop (locations in Atlanta and Peachtree Corners), Leapin Lizards in Decatur, and other indoor playgrounds in and around the city will let your kids jump! jump! jump! out their pent up energy. You can also hit up the mall playgrounds at Cumberland Mall, Town Center Mall or North Point Mall. Also, fast food restaurants like Chick-fil-A are a very economical way for small kids to get their play on.

• INK. Imagine a town with a post office, pizza joint, court house and more…all pint size and perfect for kids.  INK, the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, is a non-profit organization in Gainesville that was created to engage children’s bodies and minds through a warehouse full of interactive exhibits!

• Your Backyard. We’ve put together a list of 53 ways to play outside in the cold (for free or cheap) right in your own backyard…and none require snow!

• Ice Skating.  Winter means it's time to go ice skating! Atlanta has some great rinks that you and your kids are sure to love.

• Snow Island at Lake Lanier. You will find snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, a fun and snowy play area, plenty of s’mores and hot cocoa, and more at Snow Island at Lake Lanier this winter.  It's open from mid-November through the end of February.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DURING WINTER

• Theatre for the Very Young. This children’s theatre is for kiddos 5 years old and younger, and is a favorite in our family.  Enjoy professional performances for a fun and inspiring experience at the Alliance Theatre.

• Broadway in Atlanta. Broadway in Atlanta is not just for date night -- they've got great shows for kids too!  In the past they've had How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Frozen, Anastasia and more.

• Lunch and a Movie.  Treat the kids to a movie at one of the lavish theaters around town that serve fries with your flick.  Studio Movie Grill in Duluth, Marietta, or North Point are some of our family's go-to locations. OR, you could lunch at home and before hitting one of these dollar theaters.

• Planetarium. Many of the planetariums around town offer shows for kids, especially during the day.  Fernbank Science Center and Tellus Museum are two that offer great, kid-friendly programs.

• Escape Rooms. Escape rooms have become really popular, and Atlanta has some of the best.  Try Breakout Games, Paranoia Quest, Big Escape Rooms, or The Escape Game.  Tweens and teens will especially love it!  DISCOUNT TICKETS!

• Paint Your Own Pottery.  When my son was young, we made a point of doing this once a quarter so that he could see improvement in his work. We made gifts for everyone on our list!  Just Kiln Time in Marietta is a fun choice.

ATLANTA WINTER: MUSEUMS TO VISIT

• Booth Western Art Museum – Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville houses the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the United States. For $2 extra you can get the kids’ audio tour.

• Michael C Carlos Museum.  Always wonderful children’s programming at this Emory University museum, and my boys are suckers for the mummy exhibits.  Free admission on select Fridays.

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Think you’ve been before? The museum was revamped a couple years ago and it’s better than ever.

• National Civil Rights Museum. The Center for Civil and Human Rights gives you a platform to talk about human rights issues from the global human rights movement to the American Civil Rights Movement.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History. You can explore the exhibits or take in an IMAX movie. We always leave NatureQuest for last because it’s a chore to drag the boys out – they love it!

• Marietta Fire Museum.  This museum right off the Marietta Square is filled with antique fire trucks, gear, and tools -- and it's FREE.  Don’t forget to get your parking validated while you're there so it will be free too (instead of $20).

• High Museum. We adore the High Museum in Midtown Atlanta.  We especially love the Greene Family Playroom, Toddler Thursdays, and their weekend programming.

• Tellus Museum.  It’s a dinosaur museum, a transportation museum and a mineral museum -- all right in Cartersville. Don’t miss the gem mining and dino dig…great for kids.

• Carter Library and Museum.  There are beautiful exhibits here, both traveling and permanent. The best part? Seeing the full-scale replica of Carter’s oval office. Children aged 16 and under are free! Visitors over 16 must pay $12 admission ($10 for seniors).

• Expedition Bigfoot.  If you're not already a believer in Bigfoot, you will be after visiting this museum in Blue Ridge!

ATTRACTIONS FOR ATLANTA WINTER FUN

• Zoo Atlanta. It might sound like a crazy winter idea, but if you bundle up, you can enjoy smaller crowds and more access to the animals at Zoo Atlanta. Get Your Guide has your Zoo Atlanta General Admission tickets here.

• LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta.  Race LEGO cars, build giant Duplo blocks or take a ride high in the sky. Phipps Plaza is a great place to warm up and build something grand. They went through a revamp in 2023 and it's better than ever.

• Sloomoo Institute. Slime-loving kiddos will love this fun indoor activity! Sloomoo Institute offers a DIY Slime Bar, a slimy waterfall experience, and so much more! This immersive experience is a must-do!

• Atlanta History Center.  We love exploring the exhibits at AHC, but especially love Toddler Storytime, held on the first Wednesday of every month. One of the best in-town programs for kids.

• Wrens Nest.  Visit every Saturday at 1 p.m. for storytelling time. Take a tour of the house and learn more about Joel Candler Harris (Uncle Remus).

• World of Coca Cola. Visit the secret formula vault, take in a 4D movie, pose with the Coke Polar Bear or try a tasting of 100+ coke products.  Afterwards, you can spend some time explore nearby Centennial Olympic Park. Get Your Guide has your Skip-the-Line tickets here.

• Georgia Aquarium.  See the dolphins practicing for their show, go behind the scenes, swim with the Whale Sharks, try Toddler Time or just wander the halls seeing all sorts of marine magic. Get Your Guide has your Skip-the-Line Tickets here!

• Center for Puppetry Arts.  Take in a wonderful puppet show, make a puppet to take home and enjoy the newly renovated puppet museum. Get Your Guide has your Center for Puppetry Arts tickets here.

• IKEA. Why not escape the cold and redesign your living room at the same time?!  IKEA has family restrooms, a kids menu in the restaurant, family parking, play areas throughout the store and free supervised play for your kiddos for up to an hour!

• College Football Hall of Fame.  Explore the exhibits with personalized RFID technology. Don’t miss the panoramic theater and trying to kick your own field goal. You don't have to be a football fan to love this place!

• Illuminarium. Illuminarium Atlanta has some great immersive experiences. Here's a list of more immersive experiences in Atlanta!

• iFly. Defy gravity in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel in Atlanta and delight in a simulated skydive. Freefall safely and experience the thrill of skydiving. Read more about our iFly Atlanta experience with kids here. Get Your Guide has your First Time Flyer tickets here.

GOOD EATS AND WINTER TREATS

• Young Chef’s Academy.  Weekly classes teach kids as young as 3 and up thru teens. Master Chef in the making? Try the Chef's Club Membership to save.  Georgia locations include Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Cumming.

• Warm Breakfast.  We love heading out to a warm breakfast. I have coffee; they have cocoa and devour the finest breakfast foods. Hit up Home grown GA,  Silver Skillet, or  West Egg Cafe.

• Doughnuts. Donuts and cocoa? YES please! Take a tasting tour, visit a new one each week or find a favorite. Some of our choices include Sublime, Revolution and the ubiquitous choice – Krispy Kreme.

• Tea.  When it’s cold, we love a visit to Dr. Bombay’s to snuggle and read.

• Souper Jenny. What’s better for you in winter than a big bowl of soup? There are five locations across town to drink in the warmth.

• Cupcakes.  You know calories don’t count when it’s cold, right? Time to go on a sugar tour. Try CamiCakes or Piece of Cake for yummy cupcakes, or the Sugar Factory for out-of-this-world milkshakes.

WINTER VACATIONS

• Beech Mountain.  We adore Beech Mountain in North Carolina. It’s a great escape, perfect for a weekend getaway, and an ideal place to teach your kiddos to ski. 

• North Carolina Ski Resorts. North Carolina ski resorts are the perfect place for southerners to experience the fun of snow skiing or snowboarding close to home. Resorts focused on skiing in Western North Carolina utilize snow making machines — so even if there isn’t any of the white stuff at home, there is bound to be skiing in North Carolina.

• Indoor Hotel Pool.  What about a winter staycation at a hotel with an indoor pool? Our favorite is Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, but JW Marriott and Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead are close runners up.

• Rent a Cabin in Blue Ridge. There is nothing as beautiful as Blue Ridge, Ga…and if you’re heading to North Georgia, staying in a cozy cabin this winter is a must!

• LEGOLAND Florida.  If you’d rather leave the cold behind, then take a trip south to Legoland Florida. There are two resort hotels, and bungalows to choose from and all are amazing for kids AND adults! 

• Swim with a Manatee.  Winter is the time of year that families can enjoy this in Florida. Is this your year?

• Florida Road Trip. How about an old-fashioned road trip to hit the highlights on the Gulf Coast?!  We’ve put together this itinerary for the west coast of Florida that is sure to make you smile.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUN WITH KIDS IN ATLANTA

• YOUR ATLANTA VACATION
• OUTDOOR GAMES: 53 Outdoor Games With Kids For Any Season
• PARKS IN ATLANTA: Best Playgrounds & Play Spaces For Kids In The Metro
• RAINY DAYS: 52+ Amazing Rainy Day Indoor Kids Activities Near Me In Atlanta
• SUMMER IN ATL: 65+ Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Summer In Atlanta