for grandparents and grandkids

By Brooke Hoffman

School’s out, and it’s time for summer fun! Luckily, there’s no shortage of family friendly activities to do in and around Athens. We also know that keeping costs down is always helpful – especially if you have multiple kids in your life. So these free and affordable opportunities are your key to a fun-filled summer of memories!

Playgrounds and Botanical Garden

Want to get active, breathe in some fresh air and have loads of fun? A playground is one of the best options! There are a number of great playgrounds at our local parks, as well as a couple of other places that are also 100% worth visiting.

For a kid-friendly stop during a day at the State Botanical Gardens, be sure to visit the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden for a romp through this interactive, nature-themed area made specifically for kids.

World of Wonder playground features some amazing activities like the thrilling three-story slide tower, an augmented reality gameplay experience, climbing rock wall and more. They’ve also got you covered with standard swings for kids, adults and those with disabilities.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia | 2450 S. Milledge Ave.

Amazing playground and beautiful trails through the gardens.

Admission: FREE

Visit www.botgarden.uga.edu/visit-us/locationhours-parking to view hours and more.

World of Wonder Playground |

325 Whit Davis Rd.

Admission: FREE

Open: every day, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Performing and Visual Arts

For the theatre buffs, there are multiple chances to catch a good show. Every third Saturday of the month at UGA’s Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden, enjoy an engaging theater performance.

If you or your kiddos are more interested in visual arts, the Georgia Museum of Art is for you! But don’t be fooled; museum does NOT mean adults-only. There are events geared toward kids and families throughout the entire summer.

Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden Performance Series | 2450 S. Milledge Ave.

Admission: FREE

Dates: June 17, July 15, and August 19

Show times: 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Georgia Museum of Art | 90 Carlton Street

Admission: FREE (but tickets are required) Visit www.georgiamuseum.org/learn/educationprograms to view hours and discover all of the programs the Museum has to offer.

Nature Center and Zoo

Get wild! For the young and curious, the Sandy Creek Nature Center has a museum with animal specimens and some seriously fun interactive features any outdoors-loving kid (or adult!) is sure to love.

Whether your favorite animal is a bear, alligator or something in between, the zoo makes for a fun day. All of the resident animals at Bear Hollow Zoo – located within the 72-acre Memorial Park –are non-releasable native wildlife. From river otters to bald eagles, there are a number of exciting animals to see.

Plus, if you want to finish your day with a dip in the water, you can also enjoy the Memorial Park Pool and Splash Pad.

Sandy Creek Nature Center | 205 Old Commerce Road

Admission: FREE

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; trails are open sunrise to sunset daily.

Bear Hollow Zoo, Memorial Park Pool and Splash Pad | 293 Gran Ellen Drive

Zoo admission: FREE

Pool/splash pad admission: $1/person to swim

Pool is open through July 30 and then on weekends throughout August; pool is closed every Monday for maintenance and cleaning

Water Activities

Jump right in; the water’s fine! There are three more pools, two splash pads and a lake beach for you and your crew to check out this summer in Athens. Trust us: when the heat starts to rise, you’ll be glad you dipped in.

And if you know you’ll be coming back again and again, you can grab a summer-long pass – good at all four pools (including Memorial Park listed above) and both splash pads – for $20 for an individual or $40 for a family of four.

Heard Park Pool |

400 McKinley Drive

Take a ride down the tube slide.

Admission: $1/person

Open: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 1 - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12 - 5:30 p.m.

Lay Park Pool | 297 Hoyt Street

Lean into your adventurous side on the rock climbing wall.

Admission: $1/person

Open: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 1 - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12 - 5:30 p.m.

Rocksprings Park Pool and Splash Pad | 291 Henderson Extension

Admission: $1/person

Open: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 1 - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12 - 5:30 p.m.

Walker Park Splash Pad | 200 Trail Creek Street

Admission: $1/person

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; only open on weekends in August before closing for the season.

Sandy Creek Park | 400 Bob Holman Rd.

Explore the lake/beach shore

Admission: $2/person

Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Visit the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services website for details about all the splashy, pooltime fun and other outdoor events throughout the summer: www.accgov.com/leisure.

Other miscellaneous (super fun) activities

Bulldog Statue Scavenger Hunt | All over Athens!

Did you know there are over three dozen bulldog statues throughout Athens? It’s true! And for a driveable activity, you can do a scavenger hunt for them all. (To make sure you catch all 37, or to see all your favorites, check out “things to do” at www.visitathensga.com. There, under arts and culture public art, you’ll see the full list of statues and where to find them. You’re welcome!

Athens Regional Library System Events | 2025 Baxter Street

From puppet storytime to reading with baby chicks to LEGO Club and more, the library should definitely be on your list of places to visit at least a few times before school starts back. Visit www.athenslibrary.org/events to see everything coming up.

Become a Foster Grandparent!

Want to hang out with some really cool kids? Our Foster Grandparent Program matches older adult volunteers with children who may benefit from extra support in the classroom.

“ACCA’s AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program offers a pathway for older adults to serve their local communities through mentoring and tutoring in their local schools, daycares and Head Start programs”said Chad Hall, ACCA’s AmeriCorps Senior Program Coordinator.

“With most schools still recovering from the learning deficit left by COVID, our Foster Grandparent Program has really been working with schools to address the needs of children K-3.”

Volunteers work one-on-one with a student for an entire school year, focusing on learning goals set by the school’s counselors and teachers. Many Foster Grandparents find themselves not only working with students on reading, math skills and learning objectives but also serving as a mentor to them.

“Even though I don’t have a teaching degree, I am still able to help the students and be hands-on,” said Sybil Sloan, Foster Grandparent. “I feel like I am giving them little extra education boosts alongside the teacher. I get to support them with things that they really need extra help with, like reading.”

Not only does this program provide the chance to make a difference in the life of a child, it also gives volunteers a small hourly stipend and some meal and mileage reimbursement.

“The compassion and ability to invest in our future is so impactful for both the students we serve and the volunteers,” Chad said. “ACCA’s Foster Grandparent Program creates pathways for seniors to give back to their communities while sharing the benefit of interacting with the future of their communities.”

Interested in learning more about the Foster Grandparent program? Scan the QR code.