Keeping the family entertained during the Summer months can add up quickly, hopefully this guide helps take the pressure off your wallet and focus on family fun. It spans from activities near by to fun day trips that are sure to create great photo ops. Most of these are free and the perfect activity add to your daytrips and weekend plans.
- Unique and Whimsical experiences
- Babyland General Hospital (Cleveland) -Admission is free, but you and your kids can see the “birthplace” of Cabbage Patch Kids and take a stroll through the hospital. BONUS: I’ve personally visited Babyland General and there’s something nostalgic and “dark” about the whole experience. I love dark tourism and it’s the perfect stop on your day trip or weekend trip to Helen.
- The Rock Garden (Calhoun) - Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. This unique attraction is a hidden gem as it’s tucked away behind a church. The Rock Garden is a miniature city made up of rocks, pebbles, shells and glass and is an awesome interactive experience for the kids who just have to touch when they are out exploring.
- Splash Pads, Playgrounds and Discoveries
- Suwannee Town Park (Gwinnett County) - Free to park and enter. The newly opened park has an amazing splash fountain for kids to cool off in while you enjoy some time on the green. Plus with the sky bridge, library and epic Play Town play ground it’s the perfect Summertime oasis. BONUS: Not only is there lots to do for the small kids, they even have sand volleyball courts, basketball courts and a cool drink zone at the top of the sky bridge. Plus you’re just one walking tunnel away from all the amazing shops in downtown Suwannee.
- Lillian Webb Park (Gwinnett County) - Free to park and enter. Nestled in the heart of downtown Norcross, there’s a splash-pad, green space and amazing fountain. BONUS: The Norcross Library looks directly onto the park so if you want to turn this park trip into a learning experience this is the perfect place to do it.
- E.E. Robinson Park (Gwinnett County) - Free to park and enter. It’s right down the street from downtown Sugar Hill and has a quaint splash pad with lots of shade for those particularly hot days of summer and a wonderful walking trail to get the day started. have wonderful splash pads and fountains perfect for keeping the kids cool in the summer months. Best part is they also have awesome green spaces and playgrounds perfect for a Summer breakfast or lunch
- Duluth Town Green (Gwinnett County) - Free to park and enter. It’s in the heart of downtown Duluth and features a massive splash pad and playground. BONUS: There’s lots of dining options so if you wanted to turn this into a mommy playdate with cocktails and splashpads that is one way to keep Summer break entertaining for everyone.
- Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center (Gwinnett County) - Free to park and enter. Perfect for the dino-loving explorers in your life, this 5 mile trail takes you on a quest to find all the hidden dinosaurs on its pathway.
- Camp Retail
- The Home Depot Kids’ Workshops (locations vary) - The Home Depot offers a free workshop on the first Saturday of every month for kids ages 5 - 12. They get an orange apron, a pin and more.
- Bass Pro Shops (locations vary) - hear me out on this one, there’s a massive Bass Pro Shop at the Sugar Loaf Mills Mall that’s like walking through a mini aquarium-natural history museum with all the fish and animals every where, plus they have a $0.25 arcade area perfect for getting out of the Summer heat. BONUS: For all the 90s nostalgic parents out there, Sugar Loaf Mills Mall has that perfect “I’m going to the mall to hang out with friends” with lots of retailers and activities inside the mall to enjoy.