Keep the kids entertained and engaged
with these fun things to do over summer break

Photo of three people kayaking in a Georgia outdoor area

Exploring Georgia's abundant outdoor recreation areas is a great way to get kids moving this summer.

School’s out, and it won’t be long before the excitement wears off and boredom sets in among the student set. To entertain kids during the break, focus on a mix of outdoor activities, creative endeavors and learning opportunities. Here in Georgia, you’ll find plenty of possibilities for excitement and adventure.

Here in Georgia, you’ll find plenty of possibilities
for excitement and adventure.

Walton Gas has compiled some free and low-cost ideas that offer opportunities for excitement and adventure.

GET MOVING

Kids need at least 60 minutes of vigorous and active play daily to stay healthy. Take advantage of Georgia’s abundant outdoor recreation areas to meet this goal.

  • Take a hike. The Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming has 11 miles of hiking trails where visitors can venture up the mountain for beautiful views and wander past abandoned gold mines. Interpretive signs help visitors learn about the area’s natural and cultural history.
  • Ride a bike. The paved Silver Comet Trail, which travels west through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties, includes a bike rental shop at the Floyd Road trailhead. There are over 34 miles of trails for biking at the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, stretching from historic downtown Lithonia all the way to the historic Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Suwanee Creek Greenway in Suwanee offers a paved, multi-use trail that winds through wooded areas, wetlands and wildlife habitat.
  • Hit the water. Rent a Jon boat, pedal boat or canoe at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder. Explore the Chattahoochee River on a beginner-friendly, guided canoe trip offered at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. Georgia 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers guided kayak excursions to explore the salt marshes around Jekyll Island.
  • Train together for the AthHalf. Whether you want to participate in the half-marathon on Oct. 12 or the 5K on Oct. 11, start training now to run the course through Athens’ historic districts and the University of Georgia campus. Walton Gas is proud to sponsor this event that benefits music and arts programming for K-12 youth.

GO PLAY

Check out these public play spaces in and near Atlanta that Explore Georgia declares are “worth the drive” for a perfect, affordable outing with youngsters.

Dunwoody Nature Center, Dunwoody. There are huge structures for kids to climb, unique swings, a teeter-totter, rotating tower and a treehouse.

Mason Mill Park, Decatur. This huge playground has ramps that lead to a pirate ship play structure with a three-story treehouse.

Playable Art, Abernathy Greenway Park North, Sandy Springs. Kids can play on and crawl over six art installations at this unusual playground.

Webb Bridge Park, Alpharetta. The shady playground is constructed of wood, with bridges, towers, slides, monkey bars and more. Kids can also play in a covered sand box or wade in the artificial creek.

Grayson’s Movies in the Park

Grayson’s Movies in the Park is a summertime staple in the community.

SEE A SHOW

Several Georgia communities have no-admission outdoor concerts and movies scheduled this summer. Bring a chair or blanket to relax while the kids run around.

Concerts – Walton Gas sponsors Live on the Lawn at Snellville’s Towne Green. Dalton hosts the Off the Rails Summer Entertainment Series on Friday nights. The City of Lawrenceville presents Live in the DTL on select Fridays. Check local websites for performance details and weather policies.

Movies – Free outdoor movies ideal for families are shown in many town squares or parks. The kids can run around while the adults relax and watch the sun go down. Grayson’s Movies in the Park is one option. Free popcorn is provided, too!

FIND A HOBBY

Summer is a great time to let kids indulge their interests and potentially discover a new hobby. A few ideas we found:

  • Legos building. Library-based Lego clubs, like those in Cobb County, help little builders unleash their imagination and learn hands-on skills.
  • Geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor adventure game, similar to a treasure hunt, played with a GPS capable device. Georgia State Parks has caches at all 45 locations. Get coordinates and hints at www.geocaching.com.
  • Reading. The Gwinnett County Public Library is among the many local libraries offering a summer program that allows kids to earn prizes for reading during the summer.
  • Target sports. Through its 4-H Club program, University of Georgia Extension offers its S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) program that uses shooting sports —archery, BB gun, air rifle and trap/skeet shooting — to teach valuable life skills. The program also hosts competitions. Walton County 4-H is among those with an active program for youth in 4th through 12th grades.
  • Orienteering. Participants use a compass and a map to navigate through the woods from one point to another. Reed Bingham State Park is among the many state parks offering a map and course hints on their website.

SEE FOR FREE

Georgia library card holders can check out Experience Passes, which include free admission at many museums, Atlanta History Center and free parking at Georgia’s state parks and historic sites. In addition, some museums offer free admission on specific days and hours. Some we like:

Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville. In addition to westward expansion, Western art and Native American artifacts, the museum’s exhibits include a presidential gallery that has a letter and portrait from every U.S. president. Free Family Thursdays occur the second Thursday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. Children 12 and under get free admission every day.

Waffle House Museum, Decatur. Step back in time to the very first Waffle House, which opened on this site in 1955. Call ahead to reserve a free guided tour on Wednesdays, best for kids ages 10 and up.

Kia Georgia, West Point. Learn how cars are made. Free tours of the automotive manufacturing facility are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reservations are required.

SOAK UP STEM

The kids probably won’t realize they’re learning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during these fun, no-cost summertime adventures.

Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, Suches. See rainbow, brook and brown trout as they develop. Take a self-guided tour of the hatchery and learn about the lifecycle of a trout.

Fernbank Science Center, Druid Hills. Kids can learn about science and astronomy while viewing the center’s meteorite collection and the space capsule from Apollo 6.

Solar System Walking Tour, Gainesville. The North Georgia Astronomers created the walking tour that winds past 1.8-mile scale planets, moons and more in downtown Gainesville.

Berry College Tree Walk, Rome. Visitors are welcome to roam the park-like, 27,000-acre campus, including a curated Tree Walk. After, you can walk, hike, bike or ride horses on the school’s 88 miles of trails.

Junior Ranger Missions, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Kids can receive activity books at 59 locations to complete nature- and history-focused “missions.”

DIY Nature Scavenger Hunt. Challenge kids to find outdoorsy items, like flowers, birds, bugs and leaves in your backyard or around the neighborhood. PBS Kids, Doing Good Together and Georgia State Parks offer downloadable hunt lists.

Know Before You Go

Hours and days of availability may change for any activity or location. Always call to confirm or check the location’s web page for updates on availability.