“Remember, it’s not the amount of money, but the time you spend with your kids doing things together that’s going to count in the end. And whenever you can do that for free, it’s a great bonus!”
~ Mary Hunt~
City of Monroe: First Friday Concert Series and fun events like Storytime, Guest Appearances and Movie Nights at the Library.
- First Friday Concert– May 4th General admission to the concert is free, just be sure to bring your own lawn chair (no tables please) if you don’t reserve a table!
- Farmers Market Opening Day– May 12th Join the city of Monroe to welcome back the Farmers Market and kids spring fling!
- Movies at the Mill– July 27th. One of the best nights of the year is back! Join us for food, fun and Despicable Me 3 on the lawn of the Monroe Cotton Mills. Movie starts at sunset. There will be food trucks, live music, and jumpies and activities for the kids!
The Story Shop: Story time for Mommies and Infants meets on Mondays at 10:30am. Storytime for Toddlers meets on Thursday and Friday at 10:30am. Story time for elementary kids meets Saturday at 1pm. For special events, click HERE
Revoluntionaries Market: Located in downtown Monroe, this amazing shop will be offering classes throughout the summer just for preschoolers and elementary age kids! Click HERE to keep up to date with all the fun!
Kids Eat FREE!! (or almost free)
Visit mykidseatfree.com to see special offers for any area.
- Bruster’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS free for kids under 40 inches.
- Chili’s- sign up for the fan club. They send out free kids meal coupons every other week!
- IHOP– kids eat free daily from 4-9 pm with purchase of adult entree at most Atlanta locations.
- O’Charleys– kids eat free all day every day with an adult purchase. Drink is not included.
- Golden Corral- kids eat free daily from 5-9pm with purchase of adult entree.
- Steak and Shake– Kids eat free all day every day with adult meal purchase of $9
- Headed to Atlanta for dinner? HERE is an AMAZING list of locally-owned restaurants and the nights that KIDS EAT FREE!!
Sunday
- Bruster’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS free for kids under 40 inches
- Steak and Shake- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
- Buffalo’s Cafe- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
Monday
- Bruster’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS free for kids under 40 inches
- Moe’s (Snellville hwy 124)- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
- WhichWich Superior Sandwiches: On Mondays and Saturdays, kids’ meals are $0.99 with the purchase of a 7″ Wich. Offer valid for kids 12 and under.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: On Mondays, the kids’ menu is $0.99 from 5-8 p.m.
- Red Robin: Kids 10 and under eat free on Mondays
- Barberitos- (Loganville location) kids eat free at 4pm
Tuesday
- Texas Roadhouse- ½ off kids meal with the purchase of one adult entree
- Buffalo’s Cafe- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
- Applebee’s- kids eat for $0.99
- Foggy Bottom BBQ- Loganville. Kids eat free with purchase of one adult entree
- Loco’s Grill- kids eat for $0.99 with purchase of one adult entree
Wednesday
- Moe’s (Loganville hwy 78 and Monroe)- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
- Zaxby’s- kids eat for $0.99 from 5-8pm
- Jason’s Deli: Kids eat free all day on Wednesdays. One free kids’ meal per paying adult.
Thursday
- Bruster’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS free for kids under 40 inches
Friday
- Bruster’s Ice Cream is ALWAYS free for kids under 40 inches
- Cotton Cafe- kids eat free with purchase of adult entree 4-10pm
Saturday
- Steak and Shake- free kids meal with purchase of one adult entree
- Cotton Cafe- kids eat free with purchase of adult entree 4-10pm
Local Summer Camps- City of Monroe, GA
On Stage Walton– Summer camps for kids from K- 8th grade!
Southern Gymnastics– Enjoy gymnastics, games, Crafts, Trampoline, Foam Pit, Relay Races, Inflatables, obstacle course, outdoors and our Fun and Fit Gymnastics Program will help you reach your gymnastics goals!
Preschool Camp at MFUMC– Space Camp, VBS, and Summer Fun Camp!
Country Kids Camp– a fun week for ages 3-13. Limited spots are still available! Country Kids Camp wants to put the country back into our kids. Campers will be engaged in activities that enhance their understanding of nature, wildlife science and allow them to get DIRTY. YES, we will be going back to the basics, playing in the dirt!
Monroe Country Day School Summer Camps– Fun camps for kids including Science, Space, and Cooking Camps!
Monroe Art Guild Summer Camp– A fun experience for kids ages 5-12. Contact the Art Guild to sign up!
George Walton Academy Summer Camps– Check out the huge list of camps for kids ages prek-12th grade. Camps include cheer camp, code camp, minecraft camp, board game camp, basketball camp, LEGO camp, Spanish camp, and MUCH MUCH more!!
Loganville Christian Academy Summer Camps– Check out the huge list of camps for kids ages 1st-12th grade. Camps include rodeo camp, basketball camp, volleyball camp, theatre camp and much more!!
Social Circle Theatre Camp– For kids K-12th grade. Camps include Disney camp, Broadway camp, Dance camp, and Art camp.
Hidden Creek Horse Farm– An AMAZING farm with Christian vaules whose goal is to teach children in emotional therapy and fundamentals of horseback riding. Perfect for ages K-12th.
Serenity Creek Equestrian Camp– Each camp session will include: Daily riding lessons , Daily horse education lessons, Daily crafts such as tie-dye, horse shoe painting, and treat making. Other exciting activities including mounted games and trail rides!
*Splash Playgrounds and Fountains
Athens Splash Pad– Trail Creek Park (formerly East Athens Community Park) The colorful Trail Creek Park splash pad, located at 200 Trail Creek Street, has multiple elements that shoot water from the flooring as well as drop water from above. Visit this summer and see the newest additions to the splash pad. There is a $1 admission fee (cash only). Regular season is May 26-August 5. Pool passes are available for purchase and may be used at splash pads and pools.
Legacy Fountain at Piedmont Park- Splash in this fountain that has more than 70 jets reaching up to 30 feet in the air.
Location: 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404-875-7275
Cost: Free
Village Pavilion in Mall of Georgia- This fountain surrounded by shops and restaurants is a sweet spot for kids to splash around.
Location: 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 770-271-9458
Cost: Free
Fountain of Rings, Centennial Olympic Park- Get sprayed, surprised and chilled in these dazzling fountains, and stick around for the water show that’s synchronized to music.
Showtimes: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m. daily.
Location: 265 Park Ave. NW, Atlanta. 404-222-7275
Cost: Free
Suwanee Town Center Park: Big Splash Fountain- The largest interactive fountain in Gwinnett County uses 1,400 gallons of recycled water every minute.
Location: 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. 770-945-8996
Cost: Free
Duluth Town Green Fountain- In the middle of Duluth’s Town Green, this kid-friendly fountain spews water two stories in the air.
Location: 3167 Main St., Duluth. 770-476-3434
Cost: Free
Geyser Towers, Stone Mountain Park- This attraction features a splash pad and a climbing structure with gushing geysers.
Location: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407
Cost: Included in daily Adventure Pass: ages 12 and older, $31.95; ages 3-11, $26.95; parking, $15.
Lou Glenn Children’s Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden- With the recent renovation, the Children’s Garden boasts a new splash pad area complete with great seating for caregivers.
Location: 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859
Cost: Included with paid admission: Adults, $21.95; ages 3-12, $15.95; ages 3 and younger, free.
Splash Fountain at Zoo Atlanta- During the heat of summer, this splash pad adds fun to your zoo trip.
Location: 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453
Cost: Included with paid admission: ages 12 and older, $25.99; ages 3-11, $17.99; ages 2 and younger, free.
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center- This location features a giant waterslide that curves out of the building and then re-enters before dropping you into a pool, a lazy river, zero-depth entry into the leisure pool and dunking buckets.
Location: 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville. 678-277-0880
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25.
Bogan Park Aquatic Center- Indoor leisure pool with beach entry, giant waterslide and water play structures.
Location: 2723 North Bogan Rd., Buford. 678-277-0853
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25.
Browns Mill Family Aquatic Center- This aquatic center is a water amusement park featuring slides and sprayers to keep children happy and smiling.
Location: 4929 Browns Mill Rd., Lithonia. 770-414-2119
Cost: Adults, $12; ages 17 and younger, $10.
Cherokee Aquatic Center- Climb the steps all the way to the top of the two wild water slides and zip down into the outdoor pool featuring a playground with water cannons, a zero-depth entry area, geysers, deck sprays, a current channel and basketball hoops.
Location: 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy., Holly Springs. 678-880-4760
Cost: Adults, $7; ages 2-13, $6; younger than 2, free.
Collins Hill Aquatic Center- This outdoor attraction has a zero-depth pool entry, interactive water features, slides, squirty play areas and more. There is also a toddler pool and lazy river.
Location: 2200 Collins Hill Rd., Lawrenceville. 770-237-5647
Cost: Adults, $10.50; ages 4-10, $8.25; ages 3 and younger, $6.25.
Cumming Aquatic Center- Enjoy two slides, a lazy river and a play structure for children.
Location: 201 Aquatic Cir., Cumming. 770-781-1781
Cost: Adults, $5; ages 2-17, $4; ages 1 and younger, free.
Piedmont Park Aquatic Center- Features beach entry, lap lanes, natural and structured shade on the pool deck, concessions and recreational activities.
Location: 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404-875-7275
Cost: Adults, $4; ages 6-16, $2; ages 5 and younger, $1.
LanierWorld- Find Georgia’s largest wave pool at Lake Lanier Islands’ beach and waterpark. Splash-happy tots adore “Kiddie Lagoon” and thrill seekers soar down the four-lane slide for a race, plus there is a wide variety of slides for all ages.
Location: 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford. 770-932-7218
Cost: Adults, $41.99; kids under 42 inches, $30.99; ages 2 and younger, free. Parking, $10.
Educational
World of Wonder Park– Located in Athens, the impressive new World of Wonder (WOW) Park playground includes ten slides featuring a three-story Slide Tower which is the park’s tallest element. The new play area also includes a Biba Activated Playground (augmented reality gameplay experience), climbing rock wall, a two story Dynamo Apollo Spinner and a rope web climber. The swing areas include standard swings, as well as co-ride parent/child generational swings, swings for individuals with mobility impairment, and park bench swings for parents.
Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens. Bear Hollow Zoo is home to a variety of non-releasable wildlife residents. These animals have encountered a challenge that they could not overcome, either physical or behavioral, and have been placed here to live out their lives serving as ambassadors for their species. They are here to educate our visitors about the wonderful wildlife with which we share space.
William Harris Homestead in Walton County. This homestead probably is one of the few early plantations in Georgia that remains intact. It depicts the culture and lives of the first inhabitants of Walton County. Open for tours every other Saturday of each month from 10am to 2pm.
Sandy Creek Nature Center The SPLOST-funded Education & Visitor Center in Athens includes live reptiles, amphibians, marine and freshwater aquariums, interactive natural history exhibits, and an incredible resource library, all housed in an eco-friendly building.
Georgia Aquarium Have a birthday this summer? You can enjoy the aquarium FREE on your birthday!
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta. Part of the Presidential Library system, containing —–. Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4:45pm and Sunday noon to 4:45pm. Free admission for ages 16 and under.
The King Center in Atlanta. The official memorial dedicated to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Admission and parking are free. Open every day from 9am to 5pm.
Center of Puppetry Arts Museum in Atlanta. Free admission on the first Saturday of each month for Fulton residents.
Dunwoody Nature Center Take the kids to see a wide variety of wildlife including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta. 65 acre wilderness with labeled trees, shrubs, ferns and wild flowers. Open Monday through Wednesday noon to 5 p.m., Thursday & Friday noon to 9 p.m.
ImagineIt! Children’s Museum in Atlanta.
Zoo Atlanta: There is a Zoo Atlanta pass kit which offers patrons of Georgia’s public libraries free admission to Zoo Atlanta. Check out the DVD that covers the history of Zoo Atlanta. Keep the return receipt for the DVD and use it and your library card for a free family pass.
Stone Mountain: Hike up the mountain, enjoy the plantation with petting zoo, laser show begins at dusk
The Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum Visit the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and learn that money doesn’t grow on trees. Groups of fewer than ten people may participate in self-guided tours of the Monetary Museum from 9am – 4pm Monday through Friday.
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary: Rehabilitation center located in Locust Grove. Open Tuesday- Saturday. Places for picnics and free self guided tours!
Marietta Fire Museum: Antique firefighting equipment and five trucks are on display.
Hiking, Local Parks & Outdoor Fun Ideas
There are 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Atlanta
Meridian Park– kids fishing every third Saturday!
Gwinnett County Parks: Gwinnett County has some of the best parks in the state of Georgia! Visit this website for information on the many amenities at local parks including the aquatic centers, trails, playgrounds and much more!
Special events at Gwinnett County Parks can be found HERE.
Fun things to do at local parks that are a little off the beaten path include:
Tribble Mill Park: Wet and slippery shoals await down a walking path off the paved path just past the bridge at the lake’s dam.
Freeman’s Mill Park: Walk down to the water’s edge, where you can dip your toes in the water and watch the water cascade over the old dam for this historic county mill.
Harbins Park has an amazing “creek” playing area with a playground close by!
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center: Walk two miles of trails, see animal exhibits, and tour buildings reminiscent of rural Georgia.
Geocaching: Who likes a scavenger hunt? If you do you should try Geocaching. It is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches using a smartphone or GPS. Break out your smartphone and download a Geocaching app; Geocaching -version6.0.1 is a great one! With a few pieces of information you can see all the hidden treasures near you. Clever clues and witty names lead you on a hunt. This is a great “get out of the house and explore” thing you can do any day. Just be careful, it’s so fun you’ll be looking for the next Geocache wherever you go, worldwide!
Georgia’s Covered Bridges: Hop in the car and look for pieces of the past. So whether they are local or between here and one of your summer destinations these are a beautiful way to slow down and enjoy our state.
Free Entrance Day at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees. The summer free entrance day is August 25. Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.
Movies
Regal Summer Movie Series: Kids movies playing on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for only $1 per ticket!!
Week 1
- Tue. May 29 to Wed. May 30
- Both movies play on both days
Week 2
- Tue. Jun 5 to Wed. Jun 6
- Both movies play on both days
- The Iron Giant
- Curious George
Week 3
- Tue. Jun 12 to Wed. Jun 13
- Both movies play on both days
- Despicable Me
- Ice Age: Collision Course
Week 4
- Tue. Jun 19 to Wed. Jun 20
- Both movies play on both days
- Storks
- Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Week 5
- Tue. Jun 26 to Wed. Jun 27
- Both movies play on both days
- Despicable Me 2
- How to Train Your Dragon 2
Week 6
- Tue. Jul 3 to Wed. Jul 4
- Both movies play on both days
- The Lego Movie
- Alvin and the Chipmunks
Week 7
- Tue. Jul 10 to Wed. Jul 11
- Both movies play on both days
- Sing
- The Peanuts Movie
Week 8
- Tue. Jul 17 to Wed. Jul 18
- Both movies play on both days
- The LEGO Ninjago Movie
- Ferdinand
Week 9
- Tue. Jul 24 to Wed. Jul 25
- Both movies play on both days
- The Secret Life of Pets
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
AMC Theatre Summer Movie Series– Wednesday at 10am. $4 includes ticket and kids snack pack!
Week 1
- June 6- Boss Baby
Week 2
- June 13- Paddington 2
Week 3
- June 20- The Lego Batman Movie
Week 4
- June 27- Ferdinand
Week 5
- July 11- Trolls
Week 6
- July 18- Despicable Me 3
Week 7
- July 25- Captain Underpants
Week 8
- August 1- The Nut Job 2
Updated April 2018
Information Credit- Websites taken from their original sources. Quotes taken from websites.
*Information for splash pads taken from atlantaparent.com
Picture Credit: fanpop.com
JOY IN IT ALL 