Melanie Preis

Latest posts by Melanie Preis

Free Halloween Events Near Orlando for Kids in 2022

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 10/02/2022 - 3:53am

The City of Apopka's Halloween in the Park is back this year for some major family fun. Photo courtesy of the event

The only thing better than Halloween events in Orlando are FREE Halloween events in Orlando! Whether you prefer cute Halloween, scary Halloween, or something in between, everyone prefers to save a few bucks and enjoy the fall festivities with a full wallet. And because of Halloween's creative vibes and sugary style, finding and attending one of these free Halloween events is pretty easy.

Want some more Halloween ideas? Visit our Orlando Halloween Guide for countless local ideas of how to celebrate this sweet and spooky holiday with your family!

Boo! Top Halloween Events in Atlanta for 2022

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 7:11am

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival runs until October 30, 2022 and features seasonal, family-friendly attractions. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain

Halloween in Atlanta is always an excellent time for kids of all ages to celebrate fall, dress up in costumes, and eat way too much candy. There are so many top Halloween events in Atlanta this year it's also impossible to show up at everything. But don't worry—we've rounded up some of our favorite Atlanta Halloween events that will have you screaming for joy (and fright)!

We've compiled a list of Halloween events for families in Atlanta that include a kid-friendly Halloween fest at Six Flags, a Halloween hike at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, a massive pumpkin festival at Stone Mountain Park, a monster scavenger hunt in Little Five Points, and more.

Touchdown! Best Places to Watch College Football in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 11:53am

Don't just watch college football in Atlanta, experience it! Take your little sports fans to visit the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy of the museum

Living in Atlanta during the fall means two things: sweater weather and college football. And as fun as sweaters are, it's really all about the rivalries and drama of college football in the South. Sports-loving kids choose their favorite college football teams at a young age, usually based on mom and dad's alma maters, hometowns, Pop Warner youth football names, and more. And the best way to root their beloved teams on is by taking kids to watch college football at the fun Atlanta restaurants and venues. It's also great prep for 2025, when Atlanta hosts the College Football National Championship!

Whether you're a Bulldog, (purple and gold) Tiger, Gator, (orange and blue) Tiger, Yellow Jacket, (orange) Tiger, Rebel, or just like screaming, "Roll Tide," there are some fun places to watch college football in Atlanta with kids. So let your tiny fans slather on the team face paint, wear their favorite jerseys, and holler with their adult counterparts during college football season! And on that note, go Dawgs (sorry, we had to root for the home team)!

Best Preschools in Atlanta for Curious Kids

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 09/11/2022 - 9:14am

First Baptist Roswell preschool offers exciting program curriculum for young kids. Photo by Liz Blount Photography, courtesy of First Baptist Roswell

Preschools offer the chance for children to explore their worlds in entirely different ways —through the exploration of friendships, academics, the arts, and much more. Every Atlanta preschool follows its own philosophy to open that educational and social path for kids, and it's up to parents to discover which philosophy lines up best with their own personal values. In addition to teaching philosphies, like Reggio Emilia and Montessori, there are also other elements to consider when finding the right preschool for your family, including spiritual, environmental, and cultural connections.

Finding the right Atlanta preschool can be tough so make sure to ask questions! We've come up with a few helpful questions to ask during your next preschool tour but make sure to come up with some the directly affect how you'll make your choice.

There are so many amazing preschools in Atlanta that it's nearly impossible to spotlight every one, so keep an eye out as we constantly expand this group. We've rounded up a few of our faves after talking to local parents. Always let us know what you recommend by visiting our Facebook page and getting in touch!

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Orlando This Fall

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 09/09/2022 - 10:02am

There's nothing that screams "fall" more than visiting a pumpkin patch with kids. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

Though it may not quite feel like fall (thanks, incessant heatwaves), it's that time of year to celebrate pumpkin-spiced lattes (only the iced variety here in Florida). There are lots of things to do in Orlando in the fall because the temperatures ease up a bit and the holidays increase the amount and cool factor of fall events. Of course this city knows how to throw a fall festival because, Orlando knows how to party for every season of the year.

We've rounded up our favorite things to do in the fall in Orlando, perfect for families of all shapes and sizes. Find Central Florida fall festivals and more Orlando fall activities in our Orlando Fall Guide.

6 Amazing Weekend Getaways from Orlando for Families

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Fri, 08/26/2022 - 11:57am

When visiting Tampa Bay, head to Dinosaur World for prehistoric fun! Photo courtesy Visit Tampa Bay

School is in session and work gets crazy—your family deserves a weekend getaway from Orlando! Whether you want to spend a holiday away (hello Labor Day) or just use a good ol' fashioned Saturday and Sunday to get out of town, we have some wonderful weekend trips ideas...all within a three-hour drive from Orlando. These family-friendly places will keep children and parents entertained, happy, and refreshed to return to the hussle and bussle of everyday life.

Whether you like the action of Daytona Beach or the serenity of Jekyll Island, or some hybrid in between, we've got great weekend trips from Orlando that everyone will love!

Mazel Tov! Best Spots for Bar Mitzvahs in Orlando

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 8:19am

Host the bar mitzvah party of your child's dreams at awesome Orlando venues, like the Balmoral Event Center. Photo courtesy of Balmoral

Becoming a bat or bar mitzvah is a huge accomplishment for any Jewish child and her or his parents. These kids spend years studying, practicing, and nervously preparing for the big day, around their 13th birthday, where they then officially become adults and take on the large responsbility of leading a congregation. So it only makes sense to throw these kids a mega awesome bar mitzvah in Orlando!

Though it may be a bit daunting to find the "perfect" bar mitzvah spot in Orlando, we're here to help! Central Florida has wonderful spots for bar mitzvahs, parents just need to ask themselves a few questions during the planning stages: Is the crowd big or small? What theme is my child thinking? Will the food be kosher or non-kosher? Do we prefer a traditional setting? Answering these questions will definitely help you narrow the search and find the perfect venue for your little mensch!

Let's raise a glass to these chic places for bar mitzvahs in Orlando that will satisfy parents AND teens. L'chayim!

Best Swimming Lessons in Atlanta for Babies: Mommy & Me Swim Classes

Submitted by Melanie Preis on Sun, 08/14/2022 - 9:11am

Atlanta kids can take a small group class with safety protocols in place at SeaVentures. Photo courtesy of SeaVentures

Learning how to swim teaches confidence, grit, and most importantly, life-saving skills. Swim lessons in Atlanta start as for babies to learn water safety at a young age. Depending on schedule, budget, and accessibility, there are a variety of Atlanta swimming lessons parents can choose from: individual or group lessons; public locations or at-home pools; daily or monthly swim class schedules. For the younger set, many of these swimming classes can introduce your child to the water when he or she is less than a year old; but be advised, children who are not potty-trained will almost always be required to wear swim diapers.

We've rounded up a few of our favorite swim lessons in Atlanta, both intown and beyond the perimeter, that offer a well-rounded aquatic curriculum—fun and informative!