Cost-Effective Things to Do Around Atlanta This Summer

Cost-Effective Things to Do Around Atlanta This Summer

As moms, we’re always looking for ways to keep our kids happy and active (without destroying the house, preferably), and with 65 days of uninterrupted summer fun (but who’s counting?) we could all use a little extra help.

If you’ve finally stepped on one Lego too many and you’ve exhausted your own list of parks to visit, here are a few cost-effective (read free or cheap) places around Atlanta to get you and your kiddos out of the house this summer.

Atlanta Area Splash Pads

On a hot day, there’s nothing more fun than playing in the water. We have a ton of splash pads and fountains around town that are both part of local attractions and destinations all on their own. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, and for those who live north of the city, I’ll add one more.

The Splash Pad at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw is open now through Labor Day from 11 AM to 7 PM Monday- Saturday (with the exception of Thursdays – it’s closed on Thursdays) and 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Sundays. There’s a large playground nearby, along with pavilions, a walking trail, and plenty of open space. At $3 per person (kids 2 and under are free), it’s a great, inexpensive way to spend a hot afternoon.

Local Playgrounds

My kids and I start off at least half of our summer mornings at a local playground. My daughter isn’t wild about the summer heat (and honestly, neither am I), so we like to go first thing. Letting the kids run wild and expend a little energy just about always sets us up for a good day.

If you’ve already visited your favorite local park more times than your toddler (or even you) can count, we’ve got you covered. From our Atlanta Mom team, here are a few of our favorite playgrounds around Atlanta, toddler-friendly options in Gwinnett, three playgrounds to check out in Smyrna, and parks for all ages in Cherokee county.

Library Events 

BK (that is, before kids), I used an app to check out books, and beyond that, I gave the library exactly zero additional thought. Now, we’ve become library aficionados, noting and appreciating the differences between story time at each branch of our local library system. Just about every library in metro Atlanta offers summer events and activities from a summer reading challenge to family yoga, mommy and me music classes, and crafts. If you’re out of ideas and need an easy, free activity, check out the calendar at your local library system. We’ll see you there!

Movies on the Green

I’ve loved outdoor movies since I was a kid, and as soon as my kids develop movie-length attention spans (mom-to-mom, be honest with me here: they will be able to sit through a movie at some point, right?) we’ll make these a regular part of the summer. If you and your family love the idea of taking in a movie under the stars, here are a few places to check out:

Screen on the Green at Atlantic Station | Atlanta
Flicks on the Bricks in Duluth| Duluth
Screen on the Green at The Mill on Etowah | Canton
Movies Under the Stars at Mall of Georgia | Buford
Movies on the Town | Brookhaven
Movies at the Park | Johns Creek
Flicks on the Green | Peachtree Corners

Help a mom out! What are your cost-effective summer must-dos?

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Jill
Jill is an adventure-loving, iced coffee-drinking, recovering perfectionist and mom of two. After a number of years and adventures in Washington, D.C., she moved back home to Georgia and settled in Woodstock. Jill lives with her husband, two sweet littles—a thoughtful, loquacious 5-year-old and a fearless 3-year-old ready to take on (over?) the world—and her fur-st born hound, Apollo. Jill is a part-time photographer, writer, digital marketer, and a full-time mom (aren’t we all?).