Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

25 Fun Things To Do in Greenville, SC with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sat, 02/12/2022 - 12:00pm

You'll love chasing waterfalls at Falls Park on the Reedy.

If you haven't been to Greenville, SC, think of it as a place where quaint Southern charm meets family-friendly fun. Greenville's fabulous walkable downtown area is anchored by Falls Park on the Reedy with gorgeous waterfalls, a cool suspension bridge, and sprawling grassy areas for running and picnicking. Add to that yummy Southern fare, plenty of kid-approved activities, and mild weather, and you've got yourself an easy, memorable family vacay.

Read on for our list of 25 fun things to do in Greenville, SC with kids, including family-friendly hotels and restaurants in Greenville. For more family vacation ideas from Florida to California and beyond, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Top Attractions in Atlanta: Best Things to See and Do with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 02/11/2022 - 9:08am

Stone Mountain Park's Dinosaur Explore attraction is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Photo by Melanie Preis

Here in Atlanta, a city full of history, bustling activity, and beautiful scenery, there is no shortage of things to do . And when it comes to family fun, Atlanta attractions soar with unique opportunities, historical connections, interactive museums, and amazing outdoor experiences. The combination of lush greenscapes and tourism spots makes Atlanta a fascinating city to visit and live in. Read on for a list of our favorite Atlanta attractions to visit with kids!

Looking to experience the full, 360-degree A-T-L way of life? We've rounded up some delicious spots in our Atlanta restaurants guide and awesome Atlanta parks and playgrounds.

Best Atlanta Playgrounds for Toddlers to Climb, Run, and Explore

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 02/06/2022 - 10:10am

Toddlers can climb among the tree canopy at the Fernbank Forest WildWoods playground . Photo by Kristin Kneeland

Playgrounds for toddlers in Atlanta mean smaller slides, lower ladders, and bucket swings. (And if it has a perimeter fence to secure toddler escape artists, even better.) We're lucky to have gorgeous parks and playgrounds in Atlanta, as well as green space galore right in the heart of the city. Many of these parks offer playgrounds with slides, rope courses, swings, even a splash pad; but if you have toddlers, parents need to be more playground particular. That's why we have scoured Atlanta for toddler playgrounds that suit the under-three set.

Looking for more fun for your little ones? Check out our ideas for 25 Great Things To Do in Atlanta with Toddlers and Preschoolers as well as Easy Toddler Games.

Atlanta Birthday Party Spots for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Celebrate

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 01/21/2022 - 10:54am

Ready, Set, FUN! is ready to throw your toddler or preschooler an epic birthday party!

Celebrating your toddler or preschooler's birthday is special, memorable and honestly, chaotic. Your own child is energetic enough and now you're tasked with entertaining their equally enthusiastic buddies and parents. Fortunately, many Atlanta birthday venues for toddlers and preschoolers make it easy on parents!

From arts and crafts and dinosaurs to bouncing and splashing, Atlanta birthday spots have something for every interest and budget when it comes to celebrating your preschooler or toddler's birthday. And best of all, most of these places allow parents to relax while their staff sets up, cleans up, and most importantly, keeps kids busy. Read on for our list of favorites and find even more birthday party inspiration in our Birthday Party Guide for Atlanta Kids.

What's Open on Christmas Day in Atlanta: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/19/2021 - 8:43am

Take a ride through the tunnel of lights at Callaway Gardens Fantasy In Lights. Photo courtesy of the Gardens

The kids have ripped open their presents, dug through their stockings and posed for the obligatory Christmas morning photos and it's only 8am. What next? Time to discover what's open on Christmas Day in Atlanta! Though it may be surprising, there are a fair amount of places open on Christmas sure to entertain the kids AND give mom and dad a break from all that holiday prep work.

Read on for more cool ideas to make your Christmas Day even more magical and seeing what Atlanta has to offer during the holiday.

10 Atlanta Acting Classes and Schools for Kids to Steal the Show

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 09/19/2021 - 8:12am

Georgia Ensemble Theatre & Conservatory. Photo courtesy of the theater

Atlanta is often called the "Hollywood of the South," so it's no wonder the acting bug is spreading to local kids interested in Atlanta acting classes. Living in a hub for film, TV, commercials, and theater also provides potential opportunities for young people to take acting classes from the pros and get noticed by industry insiders. Even if your child doesn't have aspirations of Oscar fame, Atlanta acting classes foster confidence, social skills, and public speaking expertise. Check out our list of theaters and Atlanta acting schools to add a little more drama—the good kind—into your lives!

30 Things to Do With Atlanta Babies Before They Turn One

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 08/20/2021 - 9:11am

Celebrate cultures from all over the globe at The Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum

That first year of life is full of so many important moments—first bath, first smile, first teeth. (Put down those tissues...this is a fun list.) Grab the camera because we've come up with 30 fun, playful and even educational activities to do with Atlanta babies before they turn one—a baby bucket list, if you will. Luckily, Atlanta is a great place to grow up with tons of outdoor spaces, family-friendly attractions and plenty of free things to do.

Could We BE More Excited for The Friends Experience in NYC?

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Mon, 08/16/2021 - 12:06pm

Cheers to the The Friends Experience: The One in New York City.

Fans of Friends—both fanatic and fair-weathered—can flock to an immersive, interactive pop-up to see sets, costumes, and memorabilia from the '90s sitcom that launched "The Rachel." Since viewers can now watch Monica, Chandler, Ross, Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe nightly in reruns or through streaming services, the show has found a younger fan base. For both original fans and new ones, The Friends Experience: The One in New York City does not disappoint.

We checked out the two-floor experience—the flagship location and largest of several related Friends' experiences that have popped up nationwide—to see if it's worth visiting and just how kid-friendly the throwback attraction is. Find more family-friendly local outings in our roundup of 25 indoor places to play to beat summer's heat.