Melanie Preis

Latest posts by Melanie Preis

Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids this Spring: Our Spring Fun List

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 10:22am

Immersive Disney Animation: Atlanta unlocks the magic of beloved animated characters. Photo courtesy Lighthouse Immersive

Spring is finally here in Atlanta! Despite pollen-covered cars, seasonal allergies, and bumblebees, Atlanta comes alive with brilliant displays of colorful flowers and warm weather. To help you enjoy the smorgasbord of family-friendly activities in Atlanta this spring, we've collected a few of our favorite activities sure to keep everyone in the family entertained. It's time to take your Zyrtec and let's explore spring in Atlanta!

Refer to our Spring Fun Guide for more inspiration and our busy Event Calendar, where we are adding new events every day!

LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta Reopens, and Everything Is Awesome!

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 04/02/2023 - 9:10am

Experience Spaceship Build & Scan at LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta, where kids create custom rockets and digitally launch it in space! Photo by author

LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta reopens to thunderous cheers of Atlanta children and families. After being closed for a year and undergoing a $5-million renovation, the new LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta welcomes Atlanta visitors and residents with new exhibits, as well as a facelift for existing play areas. Still located on the top floor of Phipps Plaza, this 35,000-square-foot, indoor play spot features fun and innovative ways to build, interact, create, climb, and even ride LEGOs. And it's the first Discovery Center in North America to earn a Certified Autism Center status.

We've got your inside look into the new LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta that just opened this weekend! LEGO Master Builders and Duplo newbies alike will love this Atlanta attraction sure to connect us all, brick by colorful brick.

Spring Break 2023: Top Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 03/31/2023 - 10:01am

World Series champs Atlanta Braves start the 2023 season with opening day on Thursday, April 6. Photo by Elsa Simcik

Spring break in Atlanta comes just in time--as the weather grows warmer, and both parents and kids are ready for a reprieve from the grind of school (and work). It's also a great time to explore Atlanta! This year Easter and Passover fall during spring break so families can enjoy lots of Easter Egg Hunts and Passover fun this week. Stone Mountain has Spring FUN Break with extras like a magician, a comedic stunt dog show, and dinosaurs. Spring Break at Six Flags Over Georgia offers cool events like Egg Shellabration (a scavenger hunt for younger kids) and Scream Break at night (think haunted houses for teens).

Don't feel like planning anything for spring break? Follow our ultimate 3-Day Itinerary in Atlanta with Kids and the A-T-L magic is ready to go!

How to Celebrate Passover as a Family (and Make it Fun for Kids)

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Thu, 03/23/2023 - 12:00pm

An illustrated Haggadah encourages kids to read the story of Passover and the Passover Seder. Photo by Melanie Preis

Passover 2023 is almost here—time to add some crunchy matzah to your shopping list of tasty spring treats. We're going into detail about the when, what, why, and more of this Jewish holiday, including its hallmark delicacy: matzah! Whether you're Jewish or not, you've probably seen boxes of these large, flat "crackers" lining the aisles of your local grocery store each spring. Read on to learn more about matzah, as well as how to celebrate Passover (also known as Pesach) as a family and make it fun for kids of all ages.

For more tips on celebrating Passover with children, check out our list of 10 ways to make Seders more fun for little kids.

8 State Parks Near Orlando with Lakes and Hiking

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 11:52am

With emerald springs feeding the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, this unique park is perfect for a family outing!

Take kids to Florida state parks near Orlando for outdoor fun and picturesque trips. Whether you're an Orlando resident looking for a day trip or pastoral staycation, or a tourist who wants to go beyond the theme parks, these Central Florida state parks are wonderful resources to get closer to Mother Nature. These gorgeous spots offer outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, and more!

Most of these Florida state parks are open year round, but always check with individual sites and park rangers as areas of the park may be closed due to environmental factors, maintenance, etc.

Where To See Cherry Blossoms near Atlanta

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 11:18am

Celebrate cherry blossom season at Gibbs Gardens. Photo courtesy of the garden

Catching the blooms of cherry blossoms is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, which perhaps is part of what makes these delicate flowers so very special. The beautiful varieties of pink and white flowers only bloom for about two weeks in early spring (mid-March), depending on weather and other factors, so its a fleeting moment of spring magic to witness cherry blossoms at their peak.

Throughout Atlanta and Georgia, there are great spots to see cherry blossoms and celebrate the rebirth of spring. From parks and gardens to entire festivals devoted to cherry blossoms, we've collected some lovely places to enjoy and see cherry blossoms near Atlanta.

Best Summer Camps in Orlando

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 8:50am

RDV Sportsplex Summer Day Camps is a one-stop shop for active fun all summer long! Photo courtesy of the venue

It's time to start narrowing down summer camps in Orlando as the weather begins to heat up. Since Central Florida is such a kid-friendly region, it only makes sense that we have some of the best day camps in the country! We've rounded up some of our favorite day camps sure to get your kids excited this summer.

Need even more ideas about speciality summer camps (like sports or art), overnight camps in Florida, or good camps for preschoolers? Make sure to visit our Orlando Summer Camp Guide for good information about making the most of your kids' seasonal breaks!

Best Overnight Summer Camps in Georgia

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 8:02am

YMCA Camp High Harbour allows children to escape screens and everyday stress, and enjoy the great outdoors! Photo courtesy of the YMCA

Overnight summer camps in Georgia provide kids and teens with independence and insane amounts of fun. These sleepaway camps offer many activities and opportunities that regular day camp can't provide. Evening programming, bunking and socializing with kids from across the state (and even the country), resiliency, and discovering new aspects of their personalities are just some of the advantages of attending sleepaway camp.

Even when kids age out as campers, these devoted teens can then work at their beloved sleepaway camps as counselors, specialists, and other roles. Take a look at some of the best overnight summer camps in Georgia that will have your kids begging to attend every year!