March 2013

Parent Atlanta’s No. 1 Parenting Magazine

atlanta

atlantaparent.com / March 2013

Kids and Yoga: The Benefits

Disney’s New Fantasyland

Get the Party Started with our Birthdayr Planne

Easter Egg Hunts, Events & Crafts

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Close Enough

Inside 3 O March Vol. 30/Number 3

YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT

Features

14 16

Mom Time

Find time for you in each and every week.

Yoga for Kids

Yoga is not just for grown-ups.

Learn why yoga can benefit your kids.

20

It’s a Fantasyland, After All

22

Violence and the Media

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom unveils New Fantasyland. We help make your next visit more magical.

Parents should be concerned about how much media violence their children are exposed to – and how intense that violence is.

42

26

Changes Ahead

Because a baby soils some 3,000 diapers each year, you need a diaper-changing station that works well. Discover the basics for setting up a changing station and more.

Birthday Party Planner

With a point and click on the Internet, you can find pages of ideas for your child’s birthday party. Also, Atlanta moms dish up great party ideas. And don’t miss our extensive listings of party resources.

Departments 8 Publisher’s Note

10 News You Can Use 12 Dollars & Sense

Tips for Frugal Families

82 Humor in the House

Four Stealth Mom-neuvers

Family Fun Guide

63 Not-to-Miss Events 64 Eating Out: Radial Café 65 Free Fun: Visit a Museum 66 Review: The Adventures of Mighty Bug at Center for Puppetry Arts

68

Review: Body Carnival at The

69 70 71 72 79

School Plays and Musicals

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Playground: Tanyard Creek Park Easter Egg Hunts March Calendar Consignment Sales: Part Two On the Cover: Photo of Aidun Evans, 2, of Snellville by Studio 7 Photography.

Don’t Miss Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expo, March 16 at Perimeter Mall.

Magazine Association of the Southeast

2012 Award Winner

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Atlanta Parent magazine is published monthly by Atlanta Parent, Inc., 2346 Perimeter Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.

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6 Atlanta Parent March 2013

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Sponsored locally in part by The Isdell Family. fernbankmuseum.org Extreme Mammals is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada; and Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Publisher’s Note

The pediatrician you choose for your kids matters.

More Atlanta moms are discovering the unique, team-based 360Care™ designed to keep your kids well.

Sandy Springs, 404.256.2688 Woodstock, 770.928.0016 NorthsidePediatrics.com Jonathan D. Winner, MD William Robert Smith, Jr., MD Sally J. Marcus, MD Allison B. Hill, MD Amy J. Hardin, MD Jeffrey C. Hopkins, MD Lindsay B. Green, MD Richard F. Salmon, DO Sara Dorsey, MSN, CPNP Maureen Shifflett, MSN, CPNP Amanda Brantley, MSN, CPNP

Spring, Renewal and Maybe a Little Yoga Spring, for me and perhaps for many others, is a time of renewal. The daffodils and azaleas are in bloom and the days are magical – mostly sunny and seemingly endless after the short, gloomy days of winter.

It’s the season when I tend to take stock. I look around the house and wonder if it’s time to paint the living room or to donate those clothes I haven’t worn in a few years. And I start to think about my own renewal, assessing where I want to be with my health and well-being – and where I’m not.

Some of us resolve a healthier lifestyle on New Year’s Eve, but for me, it’s spring. It’s easier to get more exercise, even if it’s just a long walk around the neighborhood, and lighter meals seem so much more satisfying when the temperature outside isn’t hovering around freezing.

This spring, I’m thinking about yoga, something I’ve never had much interest in. In retrospect, that’s because I didn’t know much about it. Yoga seemed like something that impossibly fit and flexible people do, not an exercise for an average person.

When we began to research an article in this month’s issue about kids and yoga (Page 16), I became intrigued by yoga’s benefits beyond exercise. Of course, I knew it improved flexibility and strength, but when I learned about its ability to lower stress, aid relaxation and improve concentration, my interest began to rise.

I like the fact that it takes practice, because I’ve learned that anything that’s worth doing right – parenting, for instance – is never easy. I also like that it teaches present-moment awareness, a valuable skill when so many of us may be physically present for an event but our minds have drifted off to the to-do list for the next day. And it teaches acceptance and appreciation for others.

Children who have the opportunity to learn these concepts at an early age are blessed. You only have to look at YouTube videos of kids practicing yoga to see its exercise benefits and calming effects. I was amazed.

If your family wants to be physically and mentally fit this year, yoga is a practice to consider. In spring, when daylight hours lengthen and the weather is better, we feel more energized and have the illusion of more hours in the day.

We need to use those hours to take better care of ourselves and our families.

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We welcome your views and comments. Letters that appear in the magazine may be edited for content and space.

8 Atlanta Parent March 2013

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Big or Small Save Them All March 2013 Atlanta Parent 9

News You Can Use

by Kate Wallace

Daylight Saving Time begins March 10 at 2 a.m.

So set your clocks an hour ahead and enjoy the longer days!

Walk or Run to Fight Hunger Thousands will gather March 10 at Turner Field to fight hunger during the annual Hunger Walk/Run. The family-friendly 5K kicks off at noon and winds through historic downtown Atlanta. The event benefits local food banks and organizations that help the 1 in 6 Georgians currently living in a household at risk of hunger.

Visit hungerwalkrun.org to sign up.

Childrens’ Book Awards THE JOHN NEWBERY MEDAL for outstanding youth book of 2012 is The One and Only Ivan (HarperCollins).

Katherine Applegate’s novel for ages 8 and older was inspired by Zoo Atlanta’s longtime gorilla Ivan, who died last summer. This Is Not My Hat (Candlewick, ages 3 and older), won the Caldecott Award for Jon Klassen’s artwork. The Newbery and Caldecott are considered the highest awards in children’s literature.

Download This Juice.

Track your daily energy levels with this new, interactive app

by Mindbloom. Users can keep track of daily activities such as sleep, diet, mood and exercise in order to identify and change behaviors that zap energy. The service offers healthy habit advice and energy tips for the busy parent.

Available free in iTunes for Apple products.

Andrea Needs Your Help!

55%

of kids ages 3-5 are read to every day by a family member.

– Forum On Child and Family Statistics

10 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Now through March 7 go online to take the McDonald’s Black History Month Nuggets of Knowledge quiz and help 18-year-old Andrea White-Ramey get the kidney she so desperately needs. Every time an Atlanta Parent reader completes the quiz, McDonald’s will make a $1 donation to Andrea’s kidney transplant fund. The quiz-taker will receive a coupon for a free Chicken McNugget Happy Meal and could win free Chicken McNuggets for a year. Pick up a quiz booklet at your nearest McDonald’s and visit nuggetsofknowledgeatl.com to learn more. Take the quiz as many times as you’d like and encourage your family and friends to do the same! atlantaparent.com

Dollars&Sense TIPS FOR FRUGAL FAMILIES

by Kate Wallace

Trim Your Grocery Bill Beyond clipping coupons and buying in bulk, here are more ways to help cut costs: n Buy whole produce. Bags of pre-cut veggies and fruits are convenient yet costly.

Any food item that has been diced, chopped, sliced, peeled, or bagged will cost about 30 or 40 percent more. When you choose the whole vegetable or fruit, you get the best price. n Opt for frozen berries. Berries are low in calories, high in fiber and full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But fresh berries can be expensive when not in season. Frozen berries are the less expensive alternative and have a longer shelf life. n Look for “manager markdowns.”

From bruised produce to meat nearing the recommended sell-by date, most supermarkets feature a section devoted to discounted goods known as manager markdowns. Such items are perfectly safe to consume as long as you eat or freeze immediately.

The average middle-income family spends about

$13,000

a year on their child.

Source: 2011 report by U.S. Department of Agriculture

Frugal Tip Do-It-Yourself Fabric Freshener A bottle of Febreze can can cost around $5. But a homemade concoction can serve the same purpose and save you money.

Here’s a recipe for homemade fabric freshener.

You need: 1/8 cup fabric softener 2 tablespoons baking soda Hot tap water Spray bottle Directions: Pour fabric softener and baking soda into the spray bottle. Fill spray bottle with hot tap water, close the lid and shake vigorously. Give a few sprays to the furniture or carpet and enjoy.

Source: Fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com

n Go generic. The organic movement has become so popular, many supermarkets have started selling their own organic foods. Buying generic will save you up to 30 percent, so review store shelves for these private-label alternatives the next time you shop.

Source: Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving expert.

A Blog to Help You Save Andthenwesaved.com. This site is run by Anna Newell Jones, who imposed a “spending fast” in her family and managed to pay off $24,000 worth of debt in 15 months. She kept a blog of her progress and was so wildly successful in her mission to cut out needless spending that she wants to help others do the same. Be sure to visit the post, “56 Things to Do Instead of Spending Money.”

Barnes & Noble Kids Club program Kids can get a book for 30 percent off when they sign up for the Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club.

Members also get $5 back for every $100 spent on kids’ stuff and a free cupcake on their birthday. Visit barnesandnoble.com/kidsclub.

12 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Hot Spots where KIDS EAT FREE! n Mrs. Winner’s. On Tuesdays, a kid’s meal is free with the purchase of an adult meal combo. 4509 North Henry Blvd., Stockbridge. 770-507-7988. n Rico’s World Kitchen. On Tuesdays after 5 p.m,. a kid’s meal is free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

306 West Main St., Buford. 678-765-7518. n Rudy’s New York Pizza. On Mondays after 5 p.m., kids 12 and younger can get a free slice of cheese pizza with an adult meal purchase. 3780 Old Norcross Rd., Duluth. 770-813-5585.

atlantaparent.com

Is your kid a

Cover Kid? t n e r a P Parents, would you like to see your child on the cover Paren of Atlanta Parent magazine? t Atlanta’s

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What’s der UnK ids an d Yog the Tre The? e 2012Benefits a:

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Merry Make for 50+ Ideasys the Holida

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atla nta

Setting Limits on Screen Time

It’s time to enter our annual

1 Pare

Dis ne ide Toy Gu New y’s

Fantas yland

Get the Party Started with our Birthday Planner

50 finalists will appear before a panel of industry professionals in mid-July.

Easter Egg H unts, Events & Cra fts

Six Cover Kid Winners will be selected to appear on future Atlanta Parent magazine covers! All finalists may have the opportunity to participate in a photo shoot for editorial photography.

• $25 per entry (per child/per photo). Each entry must be accompanied by one photo.

Entries with more than one photo will be disqualified and returned.

• All entries must be postmarked by June 14, 2013.

• Finalists will be notified by mail and posted on our website in July.

• Accepted entry photos will not be returned.

Yes!

My kid wants to be a Cover Kid! Complete this form (please print) and send it, along with your $25 entry fee (per child/per photo) and a recent photo (4x6 preferred), to the address at the right. Sorry, photos cannot be returned.

Child’s Name

Child’s Birthday (mm/yy)

Age

Cover Kids

Address City

Zip

State

Home Telephone

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Signature

E-mail Address

Pay By

Check #_________

Cardholder Name Card Number

Visa

Mastercard

• Judging divided into age groups: 0-12 months; 13-35 months; 3-4 years; 5-7 years; 8-12 years.

CONTEST 2013

Money Order #____________________________

CVV code Expiration Date (mm/yy)

Make check payable and mail to: Atlanta Parent Magazine Attn: Cover Kids Contest 2346 Perimeter Park Dr. Atlanta, GA 30341

Me Time

10 Steps To Finding Hours Just For YOU

by Christina Katz

Remember when you were young and fancy free – before you had kids? You had a lot of time on your hands, and now all that time is just gone. But with a little forethought and planning, you can recover some of that precious “you” time.

Start by giving yourself permission to make time for self-care.

Test-drive these 10 steps to put some time just for you into every week.

1

2

your calendar that needs to happen to keep your world spinning. Whether you enjoy doing these things or not, these are the things you must do, or you’ll be sorry. Pencil in time for every “must” on your to-do list.

Prioritize activities Put focus on activities you most enjoy and you’ll be more motivated to do everything else that must get done. Make a list of all of the things you used to enjoy doing before you had kids. Maybe you loved running, journaling, or watching old movies.

Print out a blank calendar page for the next month from your computer and pencil in some of your old favorite activities.

Sketch out the “musts” OK, now let’s get real. If your toddler doesn’t nap twice a day for 90 minutes each time, your day is going to be shot, right? So the next thing to do is pencil in all the stuff on

14 Atlanta Parent March 2013

3

4

Include outside commitments Next, pencil in the extended family’s ongoing commitments.

Your husband’s early morning staff meeting? Your teenage son’s driving test? Your in-laws are coming into town? Make sure you account for everyone’s plans. Have a weekly check-in date for schedule reviews. And don’t say yes to any new plans without looking at your commitments first.

5

“Box in” your free time You are now likely to start getting a sense of what your daily, weekly, and monthly time commitments look like. Take note of two types of rhythms: the hectic times and the quiet times. If you are like most parents, you have more of the former than the latter. Don’t worry. Just mark off whatever quiet time you can find. Make a little box around each chunk of quiet time that’s available. There could be more than you realized.

Reset your rest Are you a morning person or a night person? If you’re a morning person, see if you can set your alarm atlantaparent.com

an hour earlier each day to make the most of those dark, quiet morning hours when everything is hushed and still. I bet you could get a lot done if you simply rose earlier. Similarly, if you are a night person, plan to stay up an extra hour so you can milk some of your midnight oil. Draw boxes around any chunks of extra time you’ve created rising early or turning in late.

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Be equitable Both parents need down time. So now that you see the possibilities, don’t get greedy. Show your calendar to your spouse and discuss who still needs more down time.

Be prepared to say what you want, what you need, and what you can’t live without. Your partner should do the same. Put names in the boxes to represent who gets which chunks of time. Encourage your spouse getting up earlier or going to bed later, if that would be wise.

Set the alarms Now that you have a plan, execute it. Start with your bedroom alarm clocks. Reset yours. Do you also need to reset your children’s alarms?

Maybe you’d like them to go to bed earlier, so you can have more time undisturbed at night. Next, set your cell phone to remind you 15 minutes before each chunk of available free time. Once you become more aware of your available time, you’ll be less likely to let it slip by unnoticed.

Defend your rights When inevitable interruptions come along such as flu season, pet problems, or last-minute show-andtell projects, you can cheerfully give up your me-time. However, on days

when there is no such interference, you need to guard your time like a dog growls low and quiet over a bone. Don’t bite or bark. Just calmly remind your family members to respect the time you are taking. With a little practice everyone will get the hang of this concept.

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Watch out for nervous habits If you’ve scheduled “you” time right in the middle of the old laundry or dishes time, you may initially have to fight off the nervous anxiety that comes with walking away from such duties. However, you will soon notice opportunities to multi-task your chores into your unreserved time. You will gradually become better at rallying the troops help in picking up the slack. Share the household chores with other family members.

Find your rhythm Once you start taking time for yourself, something magical should happen. Your little respites will become seamlessly incorporated into your family’s natural ebb and flow. Without schedules or alarms, your pleasures will become a natural part of the family rhythm.

And no one will question whether or not you really need that time to yourself because they will notice the difference when you don’t get any.

Reclaim your time and you will reclaim your smile, as well as setting a good example for your kids. c

Christina Katz has been encouraging busy parents to make time for themselves for more than a decade. Her latest book is The Writer’s Workout from Writer’s Digest Books.

Books On Breaking the Cycle of Self-sacrifice: n The Art of Extreme Self Care by Cheryl Richardson n The Balanced Mom by Bria Simpson n The Happiest Mom by Meagan Francis n Raising Happiness by Christine Carter n A Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

atlantaparent.com

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Many commonly prescribed antidepressant medications can have sexual side effects resulting in a lack of interest in sex, lack of arousal, or an inability to reach orgasm. We are conducting a clinical research study to better understand the effects on sexual functioning of an investigational medication when compared with an approved medication.

You may be eligible to participate if you: • Are 18-55 years old • Are currently taking Celexa® (citalopram), Paxil ® (paroxetine) or Zoloft ® (sertaline) and your depression is well controlled • Are experiencing sexual side effects thought to be caused by your antidepressant medication At the first study visit we will also review your medical history and other criteria to see if you are eligible for participation.

All study-related office visits, medical examinations, psychological assessments and study medications will be provided at no cost to qualified participants. You may also receive compensation for your time and travel.

Call today for more information: Atlanta Institute of Medicine & Research Located in Sandy Springs

770-817-9200 March 2013 Atlanta Parent 15

Yoga Books for Kids n Yoga Pretzels

by Tara Guber and Leah Kalish (Barefoot Books, $14.99) With quirky illustrations of happy humans in pretzel-like shapes, this stack of 50 flashcards offers a playful way to teach and learn yoga. Also see the related book by the Baron Baptiste, My Daddy is a Pretzel. n Yoga Games for Children by Danielle Bersma and Marjoke Visscher (Hunter House Books, $14.95) This book is filled with breathing tips, kid-friendly postures and educational games to build a child’s self-esteem and creativity. n ABC’s of Yoga for Kids by Teresa Power (Stafford House, $19.95) From the “doggie” pose to “shark” pose and all the animals in between, this book is made especially for the child’s imagination. Great for yoga beginners.

Yoga for Kids: Getting Started Ask yoga studios in your vicinity if they have options for kids and families. Here are some resources: n Intown Tumbling and Yoga for Kids is located in the Druid Hills Baptist Church at 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. 678-310-9388; i ntowntumbling.com.

Intown Tumbling and Yoga for Kids

A growing trend . . .

Kids and Yoga W

by Kate Wallace

hat do a cobra, a tree and a dog have in common? Well, if you ask the 4-year-olds in Kim Steen’s yoga class, they’ll proudly tell you – and perhaps even show you – that they’re yoga poses.

Steen teaches yoga to both kids and families at Intown Tumbling and Yoga for Kids. The energetic kids usually spend a few minutes before class releasing giggles and running around in the tumbling room in the Virginia-Highland studio. Then they are ready to enter the light blue, cheery yoga studio.

n Atlanta Kids Yoga. 8 Arc Way NE, Atlanta. 404-433-2333; atlantakidsyoga.com. n Stillness Yoga and Meditation Center. 3115 Roswell Rd. Ste. 103, Marietta. 770-337-9335; stillnessyoga.com. n Decatur Yoga and Pilates.

431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

404-377-4899; decaturhotyoga.com.

16 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Intown Tumbling and Yoga for Kids

As Steen sets the tone playing soothing yoga music on her iPod, the kids unroll their yoga mats.

Yoga helps with relaxation and improves flexibility. Since ancient times, adults have turned to the Indian discipline for exercise and spirituality. In much more recent times, yoga has started to catch on with kids. It’s even an after-school activity in some Atlanta schools. Yoga studios and metro-area schools are stepping up to meet the demand.

Atlanta Parent recently joined about a dozen second- and third-graders in an after-school yoga program at Sarah Smith Elementary in Buckhead. On their kid-sized yoga mats, the yogis-in-training listened intently to coinstructor Miss Nicole and followed her lead.

While on their backs, all together, the kids all raised their right legs toward the ceiling. Nicole’s ability to capture the attention of energetic kids at the end of a school day was impressive.

As founder of Atlanta Kids Yoga, Sheila Cooper puts yoga teachers such as Miss Nicole into programs such as this. There are similar 45-minute yoga classes in afterschool programs at schools such as Teasley, Morningside, and Jackson elementary schools and at Kids R Kids preschool. These kids’ classes focus on flexibility, reflection and relaxation; some include song and dance.

Cont’d on page 19

atlantaparent.com

Top Ways Kids Benefit from

Yoga

by Jodi Komitor

Yoga, the 5,000-year-old art of fusing the body and mind, is not just transforming adults today. Because of its amazing benefits, yoga for children is spreading rapidly around the world.

As a master kids’ yoga teacher for more than 15 years, I have personally witnessed how this ancient practice continuously supports children in their classrooms, homes, sports and relationships. Here are my favorite reasons why yoga is awesome for kids.

atlantaparent.com

n Maintains

Flexibility and Strengthens Growing Bodies Children are born with an innate flexibility and yoga poses help to prolong this gift. Poses like Warrior One and Two help developing strength in their growing muscles and bodies. Strength and flexibility allow for fewer and less-severe injuries, especially when kids are engaged in sports, playground activity and good ol’ rough and tumble fun.

n Increases

n Improves

Yoga philosophy teaches present moment awareness because when our mind is thinking about the past or future, we are missing the most valuable now.

When children are engaged, focused, having fun, and following a yoga lesson, they are in the present moment. A quality children’s yoga teacher will redirect kids and teach them about this valuable tool so they can carry it throughout their life.

Concentration

In kids’ yoga classes, some poses are fast moving while others are slow paced.

This allows children to learn self-control, enhancing their focus and awareness.

Moving from Flying Bird Pose (or Warrior Three) to balancing in Tree Pose takes great attention – a skill that is essential in most learning environments.

Self-Esteem

When a child displays great strength, focus and flexibility in Yoga, it does wonders for their confidence.

A successful Crow Pose yields poise and power, which leads them to believe in and pursue their true abilities.

Yoga success grants children persistence to achieve greatness as they embark on all of life’s adventures. n Teaches

Present Moment Awareness

Cont’d on page 18

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 17

through Mar 17 Next Generation Yoga, warrior one pose

Written and directed by Jon Ludwig

n Cultivates

n Sparks

All yoga classes conclude with a quiet time, also known as Deep Relaxation. Different from napping, this is an all-time favorite for yoginis of all ages. In the “Do Nothing Pose,” children relish lying on their backs in quiet, peaceful stillness, sometimes with music and a guided visualization, foot massage, or an herbal eye pillow. Even if just for three minutes, children learn to understand the importance of this peace and can carry it with them into their daily lives.

Kids’ yoga classes often infuse themes that are fun and engaging, such as “A Trip to the Beach” or “Jungle Safari.” When children are allowed to make up their own yoga poses to fit with a theme and express their experiences throughout the class, it inspires them to be free, creative and selfexpressive. Not only is this playful and fun, but it invites kids to tap into their own creativity and use their boundless imaginations without judgment.

n Gives

Yoga teaches children that we are all the same inside, despite our outward appearance, race, and religion. We all have bodies that function, hearts that love and feelings that feel. Partner yoga poses allow children to fully understand this concept of oneness by working together. Yoga inspires kids to be kind, patient, accepting and emphatic with themselves and their peers.

a Peaceful, Relaxed State of Body and Mind Illustration by Jeffrey Zwartjes

Can the superhero Mighty Bug defeat the villainous Scorpiana and save Bugville? Find out in this comic book style adventure!

AGES

4Up &

Mar 19 - Apr 7

Warren Johnson

Top Ways Kids Benefit from Yoga

By Barefoot Puppet Theatre of Richmond,VA Journey to the far-off Galapagos Islands and meet George: the last tortoise of his kind. This uplifting eco-fable shares the true story of this famous, not-so-little tortoise and the islands he calls “home.”

Tools for Stress Management Practicing yoga provides kids an immediate outlet to reduce stress in a safe and nurturing environment. It is a physical exercise that produces happy endorphins. While breathing exercises slow down the heart rate, relaxation techniques are powerful sources for calming the mind and the body. Yoga teaches non-judgment and non-competition toward oneself and others.

These are all tools that a child can carry into any difficult life situation.

AGES

4Up &

Creativity in Ripe Imaginations

n Encourages

Interactions

n Enhances

Kind Peer and Social

Body Awareness

Yoga poses vary from balancing, strengthening, twisting, back bending and inverting. All of these poses have the ability to teach a child about their body. Yoga teaches children to listen to where in their bodies they feel a movement and express how it makes them feel when they are complete.

Body awareness is an invaluable tool for all stages and ages of life. n Teaches

Discipline and Responsibility

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Yoga is not a destination; rather it is a journey of a lifetime, which takes discipline. Ideally, when children learn at a young age the benefit of a committed practice, it ripples out into their everyday activities, relationships and responsibilities. When they learn that yoga takes practice versus an immediate accomplishment, they learn and accept that life is a path with good days, bad days, and everything in between. c

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18 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Next Generation Yoga, tree pose

– Jodi Komitor is a pioneer in the children’s yoga industry and the author of the best-selling book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga with Kids.

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Kids and Yoga At the end of each class, Miss Nicole places a dab of lavender oil on each student’s forehead, a closing moment that all seem to enjoy. “They really love this part,” says Cooper as the kids lay still, basking in the soothing aroma of the lavender.

“Yoga is a great activity for high-energy kids,” Nicole says. One of her students is on the autism spectrum, and yoga has proven to have calming effects for the girl.

“At first, my daughter used to have meltdowns because she was not getting the poses as easily as she should,” says Pilar Tyson, the student’s mother. “Sheila helped her learn to breathe to calm down, was very patient and continued to work with her on the poses.” Tyson believes that yoga is beneficial to all children, especially for children with challenges.

Alexander, a student at Intown Tumbling, recently celebrated his fourth birthday with a “yoga party.” He says he liked introducing his friends to yoga and even got one of his friends to sign up for regular classes. Prices for Stern’s classes vary, but parents can generally expect to pay $162 for a nine-week session.

Atlanta Kids Yoga

Steen’s class that we observed closed with a coloring project and the passing of the “thankful ball.” As they passed the ball to one another, the kids spoke of what they were grateful for that week.

Next on Steen’s to-do list: gather yoga mats for inner-city schools.

Through a partnership with the Arthur Blank Foundation, free yoga sessions for elementary kids are on the horizon. At a recent yoga event at Jones Elementary, the ambitious instructor taught yoga to more than 100 kids at once.

“That was a little tough,” says Steen with a laugh. c

“Yoga is a great activity for highenergy kids.”

– Miss Nicole, instructor at Atlanta Kids Yoga

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✶to Enjoy at More Magic ✶ ✶

Atlanta Parent Previews Fantasyland and a New

by Laura and Kevin Powell

ew Fantasyland, the largest expansion to the Magic N Kingdom theme park in 41 years, goes beyond the walls of Cinderella’s Castle and brings the other Disney princesses

into the park. The centerpiece of New Fantasyland, opening in 2014, will be Snow White’s The Seven Dwarf Mine Train featuring train cars that swing back and forth. In the meantime, you’ll find plenty of new attractions (opened this past December) to enjoy now and coming throughout the year.

A Plan for Fun The theme park is one of the more expensive family vacation options, so plan ahead to make the most of your time there: l Stay at the Walt Disney World resorts. You can take advantage of the parks extra magic hours (early opening or late closing hours). The Disney Art of Animation Resort opened in April 2012 as a new budget resort at Walt Disney World. Located near Animal Kingdom and the Pop Century Resort, this resort features four themed and decorated sections based on Finding Nemo, Cars, Lion King and The Little Mermaid. The first three offer good-sized family suites with two rooms, two baths, one queen bed and one double bed, a pullout couch and a kitchen area with microwave and mini-fridge. The main pool at Finding Nemo is the largest of all the Disney resorts and includes a big splash pad play area. Two smaller pools are also on site: Little Mermaid- and Cars-themed to match. On-site dining is available cafeteria style at Landscape of Flavors. Suites start at $283.50 a night; standard rooms start at $112.50 a night.

Go during “Value Season” for the best deals. More information at disneyworld.disney.go.com

20 Atlanta Parent March 2013

l Divide and conquer. Toddlers and younger children will find more to do at the Magic Kingdom, with attractions and rides including Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Peter Pan, and The Little Mermaid. This age group also likely will enjoy a tour of the world in Epcot as well as the animals and a couple of the rides at Animal Kingdom. Most of the rides in Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are geared to older children. That’s where grandparents, family or friends can help out. When toddlers travel with older siblings, family or friends can help the family split up and let the older kids enjoy rides at their age level. l Get your FastPass first, as soon as you enter the park. The FastPass helps reduce long waits at the most popular rides and lets you enjoy other rides that have shorter lines while you wait for your ride window to open. Some popular rides might “sell out” of FastPasses on a busy day.

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Disney World

Traveling with a Toddler

Test Track Ride at Epcot

Venture into the “big top” play area in the new Storybook Circus and ride the revamped Dumbo, the Flying Elephant ride. The whole experience is perfect for toddlers. Either grab a FastPass to ride Dumbo right away or get a pager (just like at restaurants) and enjoy playing in the new airconditioned play area. With the addition of a second spinning Dumbo, lines are reasonable and the indoor play area (also known as a que lounge) is an added bonus and a positive waiting experience.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast is the focal point of a new interactive storytelling adventure, Enchanted Tales with Belle. It’s popular and no FastPasses are available, so plan to go there first. Lines can grow to more than an hour wait.

Be Our Guest Restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner. It’s set in Beast’s Castle and offers amazing make believe moments and clever details to enjoy, such as snowflakes floating down outside your window.

The French-inspired food is delicious. The restaurant has “fancier fast food” for lunch such as steak sandwiches and full-service table dining for dinner.

Options for kids include meatloaf, mahi mahi, whole wheat macaroni with marinara and a carved turkey sandwich. Be Our Guest is the only restaurant in the Magic Kingdom where alcohol is served.

Be sure to go on the Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid ride.

Guests take a simulated undersea adventure, riding in cars that resemble a clamshell. A larger-than-life Ariel greets you and sings throughout the ride.

Coming late 2013, little princesses will have the chance to meet up to four of their favorite princesses in their elegant chambers at The Princess Fairytale Hall.

At Epcot, children (40 inches or taller) will get revved up about the makeover to Test Track Presented by Chevrolet. Kids get to design a concept vehicle, take it for an exhilarating spin and then see how well the car performed when exiting the ride. Test Track goes up to 65 miles per hour on a mile-long track.

An interactive area after the ride lets you film a commercial, virtually race others and pose for fun pictures with cars. If you are traveling with kids who don’t meet the height requirement, they can enjoy the post part of the ride. c

l Wear good walking shoes.

To feel better about eating those iconic Mickey Mouse ice cream bars, consider wearing a pedometer and counting your steps. (put in pic of me holding mm bar?) l Be prepared to wait. Bring board books, a smartphone with child friendly apps, and plenty of snacks.

Snacks can be expensive at Disney World, so plan ahead. If you are flying and do not rent a car, GardenGrocer.com offers grocery delivery services. Many of the resort cafes also offer power kids packs with yogurt, fruit, cheese, and goldfish to help keep the little ones full.

atlantaparent.com

l Consider making time for a treat as a couple.

Splurge for a sitter and make reservations at one of the sit-down restaurants at Epcot and take in the evening fireworks. Remember to make reservations well in advance of your trip, as the most popular dining establishments can fill up months in advance. We used Kid’s Nite Out (407-828-0920) to book a sitter for our toddler. They were prompt, professional, and offered the flexibility to be back when you are done. ($16-$18 per an hour per 1 child).

✶✶ ✶ ✶ ✶

✶

l Bring a good stroller that is easy to get on and off of a bus. If you are staying on the property and not renting a car, you will appreciate an easy-to-collapse stroller that you can maneuver on and off buses. Many companies offer rental strollers they will deliver to your hotel. Renting may provide a great opportunity to try a double stroller to haul tired kids around. l Take time for naps and try not to over schedule. Breaks helped my husband and I recharge as much as they helped our toddler. Start the day early at the parks, and come back to the hotel for nap time. Then, the whole family will be ready to hang out at the pool (our toddler’s favorite Disney attraction!), eat an earlier dinner, or enjoy the parks for a couple of hours in the less busy late afternoon and early evening. l Be aware that restaurant meals might be a challenge. As an alternative, take a stroller walk around Epcot’s tour of the world. Our son loved peering from his stroller at the different countries and he especially enjoyed the Maelstrom Norway Boat Ride. We stopped to eat at a couple of counter-service restaurants along the way and split entrees and shared desserts. It was fun to watch our child get excited about some international foods he tried while spitting out foods he found less savory. l Hollywood Studios may not be worth your time with a toddler. Most rides are geared to older children. If you are pregnant, the rides you and your toddler can do are limited. We found ourselves squeezed in with all the toddlers and their parents at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, wishing there was more to experience for younger kids at this park.

✶ March 2013 Atlanta Parent 21

VIOLENCE

and the Media

Shielding Your Children from a Brutal Blitz

by Malia Jacobson

W

hether children watch hours of television or just a few minutes a day, protecting them from an onslaught of media violence is increasingly difficult.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also reports that media violence is becoming more malicious – an increasing number of violent acts in media feature intent to injure. And 80 percent of violent acts portrayed in modern music videos target women and minorities, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

In another study, published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, youth who witnessed violence were more likely to be victims of violence themselves.

Even news reports after tragedies such as the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School or the latest bombing in Afghanistan contain graphic and disturbing images.

22 Atlanta Parent March 2013

What’s the impact of all this violence on children’s growing minds?

And how can parents best shield their growing children?

“Many studies have found that a subset of children are at increased risk of aggressive thoughts and behavior after exposure to violence on television or in video games,” says Dr. Shamina Henkel, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and consultant at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“Children who have emotional behavioral, learning or impulse control disorders are most at risk.”

But repeated acts of violence that are realistic and continuous can lead to aggression in other children, as well.

“It’s important for parents to limit the kinds of exposure to violence their children have,” Henkel says. “Monitor what they are watching and talk to them about it. Tell them that violence is not the way to settle problems and does not fit with your family’s values.”

Critical Impact Parents are right to be concerned, says Brad J. Bushman, Ph.D., a professor and researcher at The Ohio State University School of Communication. Bushman studies the impact of media violence on behavior and says that, without question, media violence influences behavior. In particular, he says, research shows that violent media has three clear effects on viewers: It increases aggressive behavior, escalates fear and makes viewers numb to the suffering of others.

“People who view a lot of media violence are more likely to view the world as a hostile place, so they have more fear, and they’re also more likely to act aggressively toward others,” Bushman says.

Research also shows that after hours spent viewing graphic on-screen violence, real-life violent events seem tame by comparison, affecting people’s empathy toward victims.

In one of Bushman’s own studies on the topic, one group of students played violent video games, and another group played nonviolent video games. Afterward, all the students witnessed actors play out a reallife violent scene in which one party was injured and asking for help. Members of the group who played violent video games were about 450 percent slower to respond to the “victim’s” request for help, says Bushman.

Research shows that after hours spent viewing graphic on-screen violence, real-life violent events seem tame by comparison, affecting people’s empathy toward victims.

“After watching people get their heads blown off on-screen, people are much less sympathetic to someone with a twisted ankle or a bloody nose,” he says. “It seems like no big deal.”

It’s also a myth that media violence only harms boys. Research shows that violent media have a similar effect on boys and girls.

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that both women and men who had viewed high-violence media content between ages 6 and 10 (in shows such as Roadrunner cartoons) were more likely to have shoved or pushed a spouse as an adult. atlantaparent.com

Fighting Back: How parents can reduce the impact of violent media n Evaluate your child. Violent media won’t affect all children equally. Impacts are more profound in children who are more aggressive to begin with, preschool-age children and those who may have witnessed real-life violence. Consider stricter media restrictions if your child falls into a high-risk category. n Examine your child’s media diet.

Take your child’s media consumption and preferences into account when setting media limits. Researchers and doctors are particularly concerned about graphically violent video games.

Set media limits accordingly.

Violent Videos Though the negative impacts of violent media are sobering, all media are not created equal, Bushman says. One type – interactive, violence-glorifying video games – is particularly of concern.

“Violent media have more negative impact if the child identifies with the perpetrator, and in a violent video game, the child is literally playing the role of the perpetrator,” he says.

Video games also offer immediate rewards for violent acts – a disembodied voice booms “Nice job!” when a player wipes out an opponent, for example.

atlantaparent.com

n Talk to your child’s pediatrician about age-appropriate media limits. Media limits are important, because research shows increasing negative impacts for each additional hour of violent media a child consumes. n Watch or play together. Viewing violent media with your child is a starting point for meaningful conversations. Ask, “Why do you think that happened?” “How do you think the victim felt?” and “What could have been done differently?”

Source: Michelle M. Garrison, Ph.D., Seattle Children’s Research Institute

“Based on research, it’s sound to say that active involvement enhances learning,” Bushman says. When it comes to violent video games, that type of actively involved learning is a bad thing, because a child who is actively involved in on-screen violent acts is literally learning violence firsthand, he notes.

Reducing Exposure Media restrictions and limits are important ways that parents can help protect kids from the negative impact of violent media, says Michelle M. Garrison, a researcher with Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

“Reducing the amount of exposure to media violence definitely matters; we see larger effects with each additional hour of violent media,” she says.

But parents can go beyond simply limiting media exposure by viewing violent content with their kids and discussing it, Garrison notes. “Watching TV or playing video games along with children can be a great opportunity to see firsthand how violence is being portrayed.

It can start some incredibly important conversations.”

Cont’d on page 24

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 23

VIOLENCE and the Media “Playing video games with your children can mitigate some of the effects,” Henkel agrees, if you discuss the game with them and help them interpret what’s on the screen.

When you supervise what they are watching, you’ll also get a better idea of how the screen violence is affecting them, she says.

Here are some signs your child might be too involved in video game action, Henkel says: He is obsessed with talking about the game; he would rather play the game than come to the dinner table or go out and play; he starts to mimic some of the behaviors on the video, such as shooting an imaginary gun.

How much exposure to violence is too much? As with most issues, it depends on the child. A mature, well-adjusted 12-year-old might be less affected than a 17-year-old with emotional problems.

For concerned parents, Henkel has a hopeful comment. “Children bounce,” she says. “Even as we make mistakes as parents, children have the ability to bounce back from those mistakes. Our goal as parents should be to help our children be resilient … even if we don’t have all the answers.” c

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Talking About Real-Life Violence After real-life events such as the horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., graphic media coverage tends to fill television screens, computer monitors, and radio waves for weeks. How can parents talk to children about these event and other episodes of shocking violence?

Experts advise limiting children’s television viewing the wake of a tragedy like this one, because children often cannot distinguish between on-screen images and their own personal reality. Children exposed to endless loops of replayed violent events on television can experience “secondary terrorism,” a phrase coined by psychologists after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

Parents can help children feel safer by not over-sharing information about tragic events, says Dr. Allen E. Kazdin, director of the Yale Parenting Center. Now is not the time to teach children about evil and violence, he says. If young children are not aware of the incident, don’t bring it up. When a child presses for answers about why this happened, simply say “We don’t know why,” and avoid giving unneeded details.

Parents can comfort children by embracing a normal family routine and offering reassurance that, “The event is over and you are safe.”

atlantaparent.com

Point, Click, Party!

by Sherry V. Crawley

With a crafty spirit and a computer, you can plan parties that will give your birthday child and his guests something to sing about.

The Theme’s the Thing The most important part of party planning is to pick a theme and stick to it. This will give your party focus and help you save time and money. So think about what your kid really likes. Is he obsessed with monster trucks?

Baseball? Or does she love horses or fairies?

Pinterest is a parent’s best friend when it comes to creative theme ideas. A search for “boy birthday party themes” will yield enough results to keep you up all night trying to decide.

26 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Scavenger hunt, super spy, sock monkeys, outer space, samurai, scientist, surfing, safari, and on and on!

Ashley Croxton of Acworth says that Pinterest is how she started planning her daughter’s first birthday party. “I saw a party invitation with a lemonade pitcher with slices of lemon and a cute tag. That set the theme for the lemonade party!”

Once you choose a theme, the invitation is a natural starting place – it sets the visual tone of the entire event. Resist the urge to buy fillin-the blank cards and seek some new options.

Etsy is a great site for ideas. Whether your party will feature cowboys or the Cat in the Hat, this incredible online marketplace has scads of custom-designed invitations and party printables from independent sellers.

For my son’s “firefighter” party, I purchased an adorable digital download invitation that allowed me to change out our personal information on my own in Adobe Acrobat and print the final product online through Mpix.

For $25, the package also included goodie bag tags, thank-you notes and other items I simply printed at home.

Gracie Gummere, an Ormewood Park mom of two young boys, created elaborate

Party Planner

“message in a bottle” invitations for the boys’ joint pirate-themed party. “I got the idea on Pinterest,” she says. “My husband contributed to the effort by drinking beer. I soaked the empty bottles to remove the labels. I bought and downloaded a pirate ship clip art on iStockphoto and designed the invitation myself. I printed it on textured paper, tied it with twine and rolled it up in the bottle.”

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Let Them Eat Cake!

Let’s face it. The real reason kids love birthday parties are the cake and treats! Gummere continued her party theme with a detailed candy-decorated pirate ship cake she made herself, thanks to directions she found online.

For my son’s second birthday party, I watched a YouTube video on how to make Cookie Monster cupcakes. Six bottles of blue food coloring and a few hours later, I had adorable treats that are still legendary – at least in my neighborhood.

For Tonya Kennedy, Cartersville mom of a 4-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl, a good old-fashioned Google search is how she begins party planning.

“For my son’s fourth birthday party, we used Google to look for images of monster cupcakes. When we found one we liked, we took that to our local bakery and asked them to replicate it.” Kennedy let her guests know what to expect with a cute, inexpensive monster invitation created from a template and printed through Shutterfly.

Lisa Czech, Decatur mom of girls ages 5 and 7, says she also starts her planning with Google. For her daughter’s mock slumber party, she found ideas for decadent breakfast treats that she served for dinner. Says Czech: “Kids go to so may parties. Using the Internet gives you endless ideas to choose from that you can tweak to make your party unique.”

All the Trimmings

The Site List

The slumber party fun did not stop with the food; “I think the key to a good party is to keep the kids busy,” Czech adds. The pajama-clad girls had a blast decorating pillowcases and door hangers – both activity ideas mom found online. Activities, décor and favors are all opportunities to reinforce your party’s theme.

Fun decorations help your guests feel immersed in the event, and there are so many more options than balloons and streamers. Big, impressive balls made of tissue paper can add a pop of color; at my son’s firefighter party, they looked like fireballs! Check out marthastewart.com for the how-to on this project and so many other quaint and quirky ideas.

Super Why! birthday banner? Why yes! If your party is themed around a particular character, search online to find specific ideas. For example, the PBS parents website has free party printables for their popular shows. And dig around on Disney. go.com for crafts, party favors and decorating ideas for characters from the Little Mermaid to Mickey Mouse.

Sometimes it’s the subtle touches that help set the mood. Search on iTunes for songs that match your theme to create a playlist for background music or a game of themed musical chairs. Use your television as a tool: use prezi.com to set up a fun slideshow of digital photos from the last year so your guests can see how your little one has grown, or use your TV to add to the mood. During my son’s fireman party, for example, I set up a YouTube video of a crackling fire to loop continuously.

Spending a little extra time online can make a huge difference when it comes to planning a memorable party. So put on a birthday hat, eat some cake, and start tapping away – and surfing! c

l Pinterest.com: A social networking

atlantaparent.com

site that allows you to create boards and “pin” items from others or anywhere on the internet to organize ideas. Fair warning: once you get started it can be really hard to stop! l Etsy.com: A seemingly endless online

marketplace where you will find beautiful invitations, unique gifts and countless ways to customize your party. l iStockphoto.com: If you have any

graphic design experience, find artwork galore on this site to create your own special invitations and party items. l Mpix.com and Shutterfly.com: These

are just two of many sites that offer printing online. Tip: print your invitation as a 4X6 photo, which is much less expensive than actual cards. l Marthastewart.com: This site has

precious party ideas, detailed decoration how-to’s and lots of recipes for menu inspiration. l Pbs.org/parents/birthdayparties and

Disney.go.com: Two places to begin when you are looking for ideas for parties themed around specific characters. l YouTube.com: Learn how to make your

own balloon arch, bob for apples or sing Happy Birthday in Chinese. l Prezi.com: Create fun presentations to

show on your TV or computer screen.

Party Planner

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 27

Atlanta’s

Party-Planning Moms Stuck for party ideas? We asked parents to share with us some of their favorites.

We hope you’ll find inspiration here for your child’s next birthday bash. l For

a pirate party, we made “ice pirate ships” using Solo cups and Dixie cups.

l We

surprised our 7-year-old daughter Hava with an appearance and storytime session from real live Rapunzel and Flynn characters.

For the ship to “sail,” you need the mast to stand up straight, so put a piece of tape across the top of the cup and stick straw (for Solo cups) or toothpick (Dixie cups) into the center of tape to hold it in place while freezing. Using washable markers, kids decorated triangular- or square-cut sails; poke two holes in each sail to slide them onto masts. Everyone had a great time sending their little ice pirate ships down the slip-and-slide, then sliding down themselves after them.

We also gave the kids eye patches, moustaches and wash-off tattoos! It was awesome!

– Ashley Kean, Snellville

Rapunzel arrived on her horse and surprised the kids in our backyard. Hava came up with the idea to have an art station and a nail painting station, which were such fun activities for the guests.

– Elisa Restea, Loganville

l We

held my son’s 2nd birthday party at the DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

The invitations looked like boarding passes, the goody bags were decorated to look like a baggage claim and were filled with airplane toys and everyone enjoyed the “in flight meal” of airplane-shaped sandwiches. Being able to watch real airplanes fly by was perfect.

– Meredith Morrow, Johns Creek

28 Atlanta Parent March 2013

l I

planned a tea party for my daughter’s sixth birthday – complete with lumps of sugar.

The little girls dressed up in their mother’s or grandmother’s clothes, with hats and gloves and such – that was sooo much fun!

We asked every party guest to bring a new or gently used doll or teddy bear that we could donate to a shelter for women and children. During the party, the girls all wrote messages to the children who would be getting their special friend, such as “I sure hope you enjoy this sweet bear as much as I have.”

– Jai Muhammad, Riverdale

Party Planner

For my twins’ fourth birthday I did a backyard water party.

There was a baby pool, Slip ‘N Slide, oscillating sprinkler and water balloons. They loved the water theme and opted for another pool party for their fifth birthday, this time at the community pool.

– Leigh Middleton, Gainesville

atlantaparent.com

l For

my son Sawyer’s 2-year-old birthday (for 20 kids, ages 1-12), I put together a “Barnyard Bash.”

We hired a mobile petting zoo and they brought about 20 animals: a pig, roosters, rabbits, chicks, ducks, goats and a pony that the kids could ride. I turned our garage into the petting zoo and called it “SoyBean Stables” because our son’s nickname is Soybean. A friend brought over a giant tractor tire that I put on the lawn and filled with corn feed; the kids sat on the tire’s edge and hunted for prizes hidden in the corn feed. A friend made an amazing tractor tire cake with animals. The favor bags just had gummy worms with some Easter grass and chocolate chip morsels – and a note that said “Life is short, Eat Dirt. Thanks for coming to my Barnyard Bash.”

– Erin Ferguson, Dallas

l My

daughter attended a birthday party where the dad had built raised flower beds in the backyard and filled

them with sand and buried toy dinosaurs and toy bones.

Each kid got a pail, shovel and sand rake. They had a blast excavating and reburying the dinos.

– Melissa Cruz, Lawrenceville

l I

threw a wedding-themed party for my daughters fourth birthday because she was going through a stage where she was into brides and weddings. I bought fake flowers and the girls made bouquets. The dollar store was great for wedding-themed plates and flowers. I even made a three-tiered cake!

– Malkie Citrin, Sandy Springs

Cont’d on page 30

KIDS’ BIRTHDAYS: Bowling and birthday cake.

Mom enjoys a 6−8 split.

Book your next birthday celebration at 300 Atlanta / 770.451.8605 / 300atlanta.com

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Party Planner

1/30/13 11:53 AM March 2013 Atlanta Parent 29

Atlanta’s Party-Planning Moms l I

just threw my 6-year-old daughter a Doc McStuffins party.

I printed invitations from the Disney website (free). We asked each child to bring a stuffed animal so they could serve as the kids’ “patients.” I set up tables with pretend medical tools and equipment. (I even found foam skeletons for $1 at Walmart!) We played “Doc” games with help from my aunt, who is a nurse and wore her uniform. The kids loved the “sensory” game when you put items into a bucket and they guess which body parts they are feeling (spaghetti represented our insides or guts, grapes for eyeballs, etc.). I collected and cleaned empty Rx bottles and put Skittles inside them. I made “American Red Cross Oreos” (Oreos dipped in white almond bark, with fruit rollups on top for the crosses.) Each child’s goodie looked like a First Aid kit.

– Rachelle Gaffney, Fairburn

Terms & Conditions – This offer is valid for one (1) adult ticket at the price of a child’s $15 ticket plus tax. Coupon must be surrendered at admissions when purchasing tickets. This discount is not valid with other discounts, coupons or offers and cannot be used with online or pre-booked tickets. Duplication, photocopying or sale of this offer is prohibited. No cash value. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Valid until 12/31/2013 (Code: 1003) LEGO, LEGOLAND and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2013 The LEGO Group.

l Our

“Little House on the Prairie party” was a big hit.

I was afraid it might be a little boring but the kids loved doing the simple activities like handwashing clothes, stringing buttons and even making butter. The best part was seeing all the girls in their little bonnets and fitting right in with our prairie decor and activities.

– Amanda White, Canton

Glow-In-The-Dark Play Area Features: minigolf football soccer basketball air cannons glow-in-the-dark inflatables lighted interactive game floor

PRIVATE PARTIES

Party Rooms with glow & regular lighting

6527 JIMMY CARTER BLVD. NORCROSS ❖ 770-368-3008

WWW.GLOWGALAXY.COM

Open Play Times

2013

(See website for times)

30 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Party Planner

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More Party Ideas

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Even More Party Bits l Decorations MyOwnPet Balloons – This toy and decoration all in one, is a cute item for any child’s birthday party. The animal-shaped balloons with legs make great party favors as guests can “walk” their balloon out the door as they leave. From penguins to frogs, chickens and dinosaurs, MyOwnPet balloons come in 27 varieties. They can be purchased on amazon.com for about $10 each.

hile Atlanta Parent heard from lots of moms who shared their successful party ideas, we also heard from busy moms who found ways to stage parties away from home without breaking the bank.

Angela Walton-Nelson of Atlanta was delighted with the recent “Elmo” birthday party she held at her daughter’s daycare for 13 2- and 3-year-olds.

Not all daycares and preschools can say yes to birthday parties, but consider that option for young children if it’s available. Walton-Nelson simply picked the date to celebrate her daughter turning 2 and hired an Elmo/entertainer through a local character company ($140 for one hour). She spent about $60 on cake, party goods and goodie bags.

The hired entertainer performed magic tricks, made balloon animals and painted the faces of each of party guest (fellow daycare classmates). But WaltonNelson asked the woman she hired to ditch the clown costume for that portion of the party “because some are afraid of clowns, and I don’t just mean the kids!”

The hired helper eventually slipped away to changed into her Elmo costume, then each child had a photo taken with Elmo. “The kids had a blast,” Walton-Nelson says. “ I heard that many didn’t want to wash the characters off their faces and they talked about Elmo all night!”

Another idea comes to us from Caren Lightfoot of Alpharetta, who had a gymnastics party for her 4-year-old with 10 boys and girls at the Alpharetta Rec Center. “I paid $10 per child and an instructor was included,” she says. “We handed out certificates and the kids stood on a podium. I brought in cupcakes, pizza and water. It was a great success.” – Julie Bookman

l Favors Wikki Stix – Think pipe cleaners but with a wax coating. These brightly colored strings are twistable, stickable and bendable and make for great goodie bag fillers. The Wikki Stix birthday party kit comes with two games and eight favor packs for $13.95. Ages 3 and up. Available at Walmart and most toy stores. l Fun at the Party Kids can express themselves in a goofy way with Tung Toos, edible candy art. When applied to the tongue, these non-permanent candy tattoos leave a sweet or sour taste as they dissolve. The funky treats can be enjoyed as a party activity or put into goodie bags. Flavors include Wacky Watermelon, Sour Strawbelicious, Chillin’ Cherry and more. Available at Party City or amazon.com; $2 for package of six. l Oops!

For my 5-year-old daughters’ “come as your own super hero birthday bash,” we had a full house. I had gone to Party City to purchase a Batman piñata. We started with the piñata and the superheroes gathered round to pull the strings. After the last string was pulled no candy had fallen out. When I announced to the room that I didn’t know I had to put candy in it all the adults thought it was hilarious while the kids had looks of disappointment and sadness.

– Michele Yulo, Atlanta

Kid’s Party

Located at Phipps Plaza

Entertainment

• Great Costumes • Cartoon Characters • Princesses • Superheroes • Easter Bunny • Face Painting • Balloon Tying • Clowns • Magic

• Pastries • Parties for girls of all ages • 21 Flavors of Cupcakes • 8 Glamourous Birthday Parties

The No.1 party venue for girls!

(770)

424-2287

WWW.COPYCATSFORKIDS.COM

atlantaparent.com

404.841.9997 3500 Peachtree Road Northeast Atlanta, Ga 30076

www.pinkpastryphipps.com Party Planner

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 31

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

Want ponies for your party, or a superhero, perhaps?

How about a giant movie screen? Looking for an inflatable arena for an off-site birthday bash? Our annual guide will help you find what you’re looking for, plus provide plenty of new ideas and inspiration. Party on!

Entertainers Animals

A Zoo to You - Wildlife Wonders. A variety of animals: alligators, kangaroos, monkeys, zebras and parrots.

Petting zoo and pony rides available. $200 and up.

706-348-7279.

Exotic Paradise Animal Shows. Owls, parrots, cockatoo, iguanas, tortoises, monitors, a variety of insects and arachnids. Full show $250; half show, $195.

770-969-1112 or 954-592-0047.

Little Red Barn Mobile Petting Farm. Brings friendly, miniature farm animals and ponies to you. $375/ hour and up. 678-493-5860.

Mr. Greg’s Reptile Roadshow. Alligators, snakes, lizards and more. $150 for ages 4-6, 30 minutes; $200 for 7 and up, 1 hour. 678-764-3636.

Reptile Wrangler. Critter shows with reptiles or giant bugs. Select from a collection of over 25 critters including snakes, lizards, frogs, tortoises, gator and giant bugs. $125 and up. 770-489-3512.

Raisin’s Ranch Pony Parties. Party helpers bring mini horses to you. Add bunnies for petting and a craft.

From $250 and up. 770-617-1521.

Sam’s Path Petting Zoo. Monkeys, camels, parrots, kangaroos, fox, zebras. $300 and up. 2210 Oakcrest Dr., Hartwell. 706-717-8837.

Summer & Friends. Pony rides, face painting, clowns, balloon art and concessions. $145 and up. 678508-0475.

Costumed Characters

INDEX Entertainers

Places to Go

From clowns to critters, magicians to makeovers, these folks help get the party started. l Animals....................... 32

The experience is the party at these places with a built-in theme. l Amusement Center/ Arcades....................... 33

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Costumed Characters.................. 32

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Beauty/Glamour.......... 34

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Cooking....................... 34

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Dance and Music........ 32

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Gaming....................... 32

Dance/Music/ Theater........................ 34

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Magic.......................... 33

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Jump Places............... 34

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Miscellaneous ............ 33

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Museums.................... 35

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Science....................... 33

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Nature/Farms.............. 35

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Storytelling/ Puppet Shows............. 33

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Party Places................ 36

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Sports/Athletics/ Gymnastics................. 37

Supplies & Rentals Balloons, bounces and everything else it takes to make your event a success. l Equipment Rental........ 39 32 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Party Planner

A & E Clowns. Face painting, balloon twists, comedy magic, sing-a-longs and bubble shows. $155/hour and up. 404-345-1094.

Alison Agency. Clowns, characters, balloons, face painting, magic. $125 and up. 770-509-9409.

Copy Cats For Kids. TV and movie look-a-likes, princesses, superheroes, cartoon characters and face painting. $95 and up. 770-424-2287.

Dream Friends Entertainment. Characters and entertainment. Princesses, superheroes, Hannah Montana and cartoon characters. $115 and up.

404-319-0180.

Fun-O-Rama Parties. Theme décor, face painting, balloon art, costumed entertainers, inflatables and rental. $75 and up per event. 770-572-1737.

Kidazzl Parties. Storytelling, theme characters, illusions, song, dance, games, musical activities, face painting, balloon twisting. $175/hour 770-318-3652.

Mystical Parties. Princesses, Superheroes and more! Face Painting. Balloon Animals. Glitter and Henna Tattoos. All ages. $110 and up. 404-7759594.

Party Animals Entertainers. Clowns perform magic, face paint, balloon twisting and more. $125 and up.

770-645-0901.

Tommy the Clown. Professional clowning, mime, magic, comedy, balloons, plate spinning and juggling. $160 and up. 678-462-1009 or 770-867-2696.

Dance and Music Jason’s Music Party. Interactive, musical entertainment. Ages 1-8. $150 and up. 323-387-0366.

Little Beat Music DJ. DJ services, children’s music CDs, bounce house rental and more. $275 and up.

877-545-2328.

Music Together with Ms. Gail and the Jumpin’ Jam Band. Interactive musical parties. Up to age 6. $175 and up. 678-437-3304.

Gaming Games 2 U Entertainment. A mobile gaming and entertaiment provider in Atlanta. $249/6 kids and up.

770-807-0212.

atlantaparent.com

Club Scientific. One-hour interactive science parties with demonstration and take-home projects.

Pick from different themes. Try the new LEGO party. Goodie bags included. Ages 4-13. $225 and up. 678-880-6460.

GA Bubbleman. 1-hour interactive show with bubbles from pinheads up to the size of a person. $150 and up. 770-717-9158.

High Touch-High Tech, Inc. Hands-on science experiment parties using volcanoes, silly putty rockets, gemstones and more. Ages 5-12. $225$250. 770-667-9443.

Imagine That! Science, technology and art birthday parties with party favors. $190 and up. 770-392-1627.

Science Creations. Science parties plus horseback riding, reptiles, face painting, ballooning, and more. $150 and up/10 children, ages 4-13. 678531-2357.

Storytelling / Puppet Shows A Zoo to You

Game Truck Party. Air-conditioned video game theater with over 40 multi-player games and seating for 16 playing together. 90 minutes. $299.

770-755-5100.

Mobile Laser Tag of Georgia. We bring exciting laser tag parties with inflatables to you! Ages 5-95. $299 and up. 770-608-7108.

Xtreme Gaming 360. Portable gaming karts for video games. Provides set-up anywhere with electricity.

Ages 5 to adult. $150-$175. 678-859-4605.

Magic Dan Garrett Magic. Dan the Wizard show for ages 4-12. Harry Potter theme available. Also shows for older kids. $275 and up. 770-981-0310.

Magic Debbie. “30 Years of Fun & Laughter!” Voted Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year. Interactive Comedy Magic Show – Birthday Child Is The Star! $250 and up. 404-630-1120.

Magic Ladder Entertainment. Party services include theme parties, magic show, face painting, balloons and more. $300 and up. 770-307-7646.

Bill Packard’s Magic Man Entertainment. Bill Packard the Magic Man and other magicians, balloon twisters, face painters, clowns, characters. $150-$300. 770-926-1168.

MisterGreggy.com. Comedy magic shows, Rocky Raccoon puppet, balloons, face painting, juggling classes. 45 mins. - 2 hrs. $195 and up.

404-452-4620.

Georgia Outdoor Laser. Laser tag party comes to you, includes set up. 100 minutes, ages 8-12. $300/12 players; $450/20 kids. 404-314-2129.

Mobile Masterpieces Inc. Mobile art studio for 3-hour party. Each guest paints 16x20 acrylic canvas to take home. Ages 7 and up. $35/person and up; 6 child minimum. 404-909-7541.

Red Hot Fire Truck Events. Take a ride or sound the siren of a real, red fire truck. “5-Alarm Fun” package includes fire truck ride, squirting water from a real fire hose, goody bag, fire helmet, kid-size firefighter gear and more. $175-$500 404-925-1221.

MyFairyGodmotherParties.com Princess parties, tea parties, dress-up, pamper parties, face painting, crafts, games and more. $199 and up.

678-698-6543.

Southern Outdoor Cinema. Movie screens, sound systems, digital projection and DVD players for indoor and outdoor parties. $349 and up with delivery, set up and tear down included. 678-6898143.

Tumblebus Atlanta. A Gym on Wheels with tumbling, rock climbing, monkey bars, trampoline and more. Ages 18 mos.-6 years.15-child maximum. $200/hour and up. 770-529-5771.

Science Big Thinkers Science Exploration. Interactive, hands-on birthday parties. Experiment with rockets, bubbling potions and more. Ages 4-12. $199 and up. 678-392-1500.

Miscellaneous Artzy Party. Mobile art party brings all art supplies and table coverings. 1 hour for ages 3-6; 90 minutes for ages 7-10. $120 and up/6 kids for ages 3 to 6; $150 and up/6 kids, ages 7-10. 404895-7069.

Caricatures By Fitzroy. Black and white pencil drawings for each guest. Custom-designed logo for the birthday child. Ages 1-12. $125/hour; $25 off the 2nd hour. 678-851-5656.

Clay Time Mobile Ceramics Studio. Paint your own ceramics or make a clay project. $100 and up.

404-313-1425.

Cupcakesbyrae/Decorating Children’s Parties.

Learn how to color icing and pipe the icing onto the cupcakes, and then decorate them like we do! Ages 4-13. $225.00/8 children. 770-243-3038.

Fun Bus. Tumble, climb, jump, swing and slide. 1 hour of fitness fun with music and games. Ages 2-7. $235 and up. Metro Atlanta, 770-569-7529; North Gwinnett, 770-676-6356.

atlantaparent.com

Fun-O-Rama Parties

Party Planner

Auntie Renee Speaks. Storytelling, puppet shows, games, face painting, arts and crafts. $95 and up. 770-402-0564.

Kevin Pittman and His Forest Friends. Fairytale puppet shows, costume character, handcrafted animal characters. $120 770-312-8451.

Lori’s Stories. Storytelling, music and interactive performances. Have a custom song written for the birthday child. $180 and up. 678-863-1688.

Mama Koku Storytellin’. Interactive storytelling. $175/hour. 404-305-8549.

Piccadilly Puppets Company. Shows with puppets, music, audience participation and stories.

Make-a-puppet activity also available. $175 and up. 404-636-0022.

Places to Go

Amusement Center/Arcades Chuck E. Cheese. Includes food, cake, tokens, special show and visit from Chuck E. Cheese. $11.99-$16.99/child for 2 hours; 4-child minimum. Alpharetta, 678-893-0171; Buford, 770-614-5803; Cumberland, 770-435-9036; Conyers, 678-413-0045; Douglasville, 770577-8951; Kennesaw, 770-420-3340; Jonesboro, 770-996-3250; Marietta, 770-971-0002; Norcross, 770-449-1767.

Dave and Busters. 2-hour parties include kids’ meal, eat & play combo, or youth buffet.

Unlimited soft drinks and Power Card with chips also provided. $16.99-$24.99/child; 10-child minimum. Duluth, 770-497-1152; Lawrenceville, 678-847-5400; Marietta, 770-951-5554.

Fun Junction USA. Fun Junction USA. Super value, extreme ride, indoor playmaze and laser tag party packages available. $180 and up 1675 Hwy 85 North, Fayetteville. 770-4605862.

Laser Voyage Café. Two games of Pirate laser tag, arcade tokens, party tables, email invitations, free return pass for birthday child, 2 for 1 return pass guests. $175 and up. 1866 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 678-514-3430.

Legoland Discovery Center. Free entry for birthday child, 60-75 minute package includes cake, pizza, private room. 1 adult free for every five children. 10 child minimum. $25-$35 per child.

3500 Peachtree St., Ste. G-1, Atlanta 404-8489252.

Malibu Grand Prix. Miniature golf, bumper boats, go-karts, arcade and more. All packages include pizza, soda, 1 hour party room and balloons. $12.99-$20.99/child and up, 8-child minimum. 5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Norcross.

770-416-7630.

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 33

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER Monster Mini Golf. Indoor monster-themed glow in the dark 18-hole mini golf course and arcade games. Many packages, party room included. $175/12 kids. 2505 Chastain Meadows Pkwy.

NW, Marietta. 770-423-2212.

Mountasia Family Fun Center. Miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, game room, party host, tickets. $12.99-$20.99/person and up, 8-child minimum. 175 Barrett Pkwy. Marietta.

770-422-7227.

Sandy Springs Funhouse. Multi-level lazer tag arena, inflatable obstacle course, arcades, private party rooms and more. $150 and up.

6650-B Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs. 404-8431121.

Beauty/Glamour Glamour Girls Day Spa Princesses, Tweens & Teens, Ages 2yrs.+, Spa Memberships, Customized SPArty packages to fit all budgets up to 20 girls, Fashion Shows, Dressup, Glamtini & Popcorn incl. in all pkgs., Glamoursine Pickup & more. $299/8 girls 1350 Wooten Lake Rd., Ste. 204, Kennesaw.; 551 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta. 404-919-4526.

Pigtails & Crewcuts. Themes include: Ahoy Matey, Princess, Darling Divas, Let’s Luau or Howdy Partner party; Includes dress-up, craft, party favors. Prices vary by location, $250/7 children and up. Buckhead, 404-963-5612; Buford, 770-271-1990; East Cobb, 770-5658765; Roswell, 770-993-3303; West Cobb, 770-795-9450, Pink Pastry Parlor. Customized themed events, tea parties, pampering spa, loft sleepovers, baking parties, and more. $200 and up for 8 children. 8465 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Ste. 1000, Alpharetta, 770-650-7465; 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Buckhead, 404-841-9997.

Salon Red Kids. Themes and activities including jewelry making, manicures, cowboy, updos, makeup, storytime, games, and more. $195$235 for 6 children; $20/additional child. 123 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. 404-377-6230.

Sugar & Spice Kids Spa at Stonecrest. Several theme party packages to choose from: arts and crafts, manicures, pedicures, and fashion show.

Sleepovers available. $250 and up (max 10 children) 8052 Mall Parkway, Suite 104, Lithonia.

678-672-4100.

The

POLO CLUB

of ATLANTA

Sky Zone

Cooking Chamberlain’s Chocolate Chocolate-making parties include instruction, chocolate, goodie bag and more. $185/8 children 6365 Spalding Dr., Norcross.

678-728-0100.

Greene’s Fine Foods. Candy making activities, tour and learn how candy is made. Full-service theme party packages available. $250/10 children and up.

141 E. Trinity Place, Decatur. 404-378-2001.

Henri’s Bakery. Decorate your cake or cookie parties; tea sandwiches, plates, cups, and juice provided. Includes apron and hat. $18/child; 10-child minimum; 25 maximum. 61 Irvy Ave., Buckhead. 404-237-0202.

Young Chefs Academy. Cooking birthday parties.

Druid Hills location accomodates special needs.

Ages 4-18. 90 min., $275 and up. North Druid Hills, 404-633-2633; Sandy Springs, 404-255-9263; Marietta/Acworth, 770-427-2665.

The Royal Dance Academy. Interactive princess dance party, arts & crafts and more. Includes facility and clean-up. 2 hours, $200 for 10 children, $10/additional child. Ages 3-8. 7784 McGinnis Ferry Rd., Suwanee. 770-232-2997.

Jump Places

ARTS @ West Cobb. Private parties with music, face painting, art, theater, and more. $225-$275/ 2 hours.

19 Powder Springs St., Marietta. 770-425-9660.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. 2-hour show and four-course dinner in an 11th century-style castle with music, sword fighting and jousting. Ages 4-12, $37.93; 12 and up, $45.35; 10-person minimum.

5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Lawrenceville. 888-935-6878.

The Bounce House Amusement Center. Two jump arenas and toddler area. Private jumping and party room packages for up to 25 kids; full arena private party for up to 40 kids. Ages 2 and under jump free. $155 and up. 765 Ash St., Canton.

770-345-5867.

HippoHopp. 90 min. in play area and 45 minutes in party room. Drinks and paper goods included. Six packages for up to 40 children, $99 and up. 1936 Briarwood Ct. NE, Atlanta. 404-634-4964.

BounceU. Private Parties, open bounce, structured play, giant inflatables. $129 and up. 1634 Cobb International Blvd., Kennesaw. 770-919-2226.

Catch Air. Playhouse, wall climbing, moonwalks, movie and more. Includes party room, drinks and invitations. $129 and up. 1515 Redi Rd., Cumming. 678-965-6868.

Glow Galaxy Private party with one of two glow-inthe-dark play arenas with sports court and minigolf course. Supplies included. Pizza option. starts at $190 for 12 children. 6527-D Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross. 770-368-3008.

Stress-free Parties in Private Party Rooms

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Parties include: • Pony Rides • Petting Zoo • Play Area • Picnic Area

*reservations required

Day Care, Mother’s Morning Out, Church Groups & Day Camp outings available

34 Atlanta Parent March 2013

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Jump for Joy Adventure Island. Party package includes jump time on inflatables. Add-ons include pizzas, drinks. 90 min., $99 and up.

Sugarloaf Mills, 678-847-0073.

Jump Oasis Party Studio. 2-hour party provides 60 min. of play and 60 min. Private party room with pizza, drinks, and host. $99 and up. 2320 Hewatt Rd., Snellville. 678-713-4503.

KangaZoom. 90 min. Includes juice boxes, paper products, set-up and clean-up. Birthday child gets 2 jump passes. Non-private parties, $195 and up; private parties, $295 and up. 5530 Windward Pkwy., Suite 400, Alpharetta. 770772-0552.

Monkey Joe’s Party and Play. Inflatable playgrounds with moon bounces, slides, jumps and private party rooms with drinks and paper goods. $119-$179 for 2 hours for 8 children. $10/additional child. Pricing varies by location.

Cumming, 770-887-5678; Dacula, 770-6825437; Duluth, 770-497-9887; Fayetteville, 770-461-2723; Lawrenceville, 770-338-7529; Marietta, 770-792-2244; Morrow, 770-960-7529; Newnan, 770-251-7226; Roswell, 678-381-0400; Tucker, 770-270-6292.

Jump Its Indoor private party facility with inflatables and music. Various party packages available. $119-$349. 102 Greystone Power Blvd., Dallas.

770-505-2891.

Sky Zone. All-trampoline, walled playing courts.

Includes one hour jump time and shoe rental, 40 min. in private party room, invitations, paper supplies, food and drinks. Add-ons available.

Starting at $16/person, minimum 10 kids. 560 Old Peachtree Rd. NW, Suwanee. 678-745-9900; 1425 Market Blvd., Ste. 100-A, Roswell. 678-745-9900; 1650 Airport Road NW, Ste 104, Kennesaw. 678426-4400.

atlantaparent.com

Museums

Nature/Farms

Atlanta History Center. Custom parties for all ages and interests. $250 and up. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4110.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Includes admission to the museum, party room, host and each guest receives admission for future date. Food and dessert additional. $200 + tax and up. Max. 44 guests. Ages 1-8. 275 Centennial Park Dr. Atlanta. 404-527-3693.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Includes unlimited access to the museum for 10 kids and 10 adults; 2 hours in private room, dinosaur throne, T-shirt for the birthday child, favors. $275 and up; add-ons available. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta.

404-929-6318.

Georgia Aquarium. Theme parties like Deepo Party, Island Party, Pirate Party or Ocean Party. Includes activities, decorations and a themed cake, admission to the aquarium. 15-person minimum. $647.95; $37.75/ additional person. 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta. 404-581-4121.

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Parties include admission to the museum for 16 kids, 90 minutes in the party room and a T-shirt for the birthday child. $150 and up. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville.

770-536-1900.

Southeastern Railway Museum. Parties in restored rail cars or outdoor pavilion. Includes admission for up to 20 guests. Catering available. 2 hours, $150 and up. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 770-4762013.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Self-guided tour and access to train depot. 5-child minimum. $5/child, $50/hour to reserve train depot. Reservations required. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117, ext. 3184.

Art Barn - Farmer Sue & Her Barnyard Buddies.

Private party with farm animals, create an art project and take a hayride. 2 hours. $375 for 15 children; hand-led ponies, additional $75.

Ages 2-12. 208 Roper Rd., Alpharetta/Canton.

678-319-0286.

Big Boot Ranch. Complete 3-hour party for 15 children includes half-hour horseback riding, petting zoo, hayride, moonwalk, private pavilion and more. Off-site pony parties and moonwalk rentals also available. $250. 677 Panola Rd. Ellenwood. 770-808-6262.

Cagle’s Family Farm. Barnyard birthday parties at a working farm. $350 and up. 362 Stringer Rd., Canton. 770-345-5591.

Chastain Horse Park Pony Parties. Includes pony rides, horse-related arts and crafts and games in brand new party barn. 2 hours.

Ages 4 and up. $500.00 4371 Powers Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-252-4244.

Chattahoochee Nature Center. Includes a guided hike, nature activities, live animal encounter, refreshments, party favors and use of a party room. $210 and up for 12 kids and 4 adults.

9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055, ext.

237.

Dunwoody Nature Center. Must be a DNC member. Includes DNC educator, gift for birthday child, stickers and themed party favors. $150 and up. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody. 770-394-3322.

East Cobb Stables. Weekend outdoor pony ride parties. 2 hours. $249 for up to 10 kids, $299 for up to 20 kids. $499 includes bounce house, 2 ponies, cotton candy machine for up to 20 kids.

1649 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta. 678-5609154.

Party Planner

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 35

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

r t ie s !

Ages S c ie n c e Pa 3-12

We come to YOU!    

Bubbling Potions!

Rockets!

Cotton Candy!

Much More!

678-392-1500

Big-Thinkers.com MENTION THIS AD FOR 10% DISCOUNT!

Elachee Nature Science Center. Nature and live animal parties. Hikes, exhibit tours or hands-on science programs, plus goodie bags and postcard invites. Ages 4-12. $150 for 12 kids and 12 adults.

2125 Elachee Dr., Gainesville. 770-535-1976.

Ellenwood Equestrian Center. Birthday parties with horseback riding, above-ground pool and indoor recreation room. $200 and up. 500 Clark Rd., Ellenwood. 404-317-2670.

Fairhope Stables. Horseback rides with picnic area. $375 for up to 12 kids. 2755 Bunten Rd., Duluth.

770-813-1287.

Foxhall Equestrian. Pony rides, games, party room, hay rides and more. $350 and up for 10 children.

8000 Capps Ferry Rd., Douglasville. 770-4894380.

Fruition Farm. Horseback rides at two locations.

Peachtree City has indoor party room, Vinings location, rain or shine. Extras include hayride, cake, extra riding time. Ages 4 and up. $250/12 children for 3 hours. 404-512-0834.

Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.

Admission, crafts or guided activity, host, paper products and invitations. Three themes based on age. Age 5 and up. Tree Top Quest available. $15$18/child, 10-child minimum. 2020 Clean Water Dr., Buford. 770-904-3500.

Linda’s Riding School. Parties at the farm with covered arena or at your home. Includes ring lead-arounds for ages 7 and under, lessons and trail time for ages 8 and up. Home parties, $300 and up; farm parties, $195 and up. 3475 Daniels Bridge Rd. Conyers. 770-922-0184.

Pettit Creek Farm. Includes fishing, pony rides and petting zoo. Add-ons include hayrides, moonwalks, and invite your favorite animal. $225 and up. 337 Cassville Rd., Cartersville. 770-386-8688.

The Polo Club of Atlanta. Pony parties including petting zoo, pony rides, dressing up miniature horse and donkey, play and picnic area. $500 and up. 5890 Polo Dr., Cumming. 770-344-0274.

Pony Up Ponies. Mobile pony rides, licensed and insured. Riders up to 100 lbs. Parties starting at $200. 678-378-1889.

WildeWood Farm Inc. An encounter with horses and nature. $225 and up for 8 riders. $15 each additional rider. 4867 Heardsville Rd., Cumming.

770-843-2478.

Zoo Atlanta. Includes 90-minute pavilion rental, admission and catering for 16 guests. Additional entertainment options. $425 + tax. 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. 404-624-5650.

Party Places American Girl Boutique and Bistro. Deluxe: 90 min. in private room with game, craft, dining service. 6-14 kids, 8 years and older. $45/child; $35/adult. Bistro: Dining service. 3 years and up. $28/child. $18/adult. $28-$45/child; $18-$35/ adult. North Point Mall, 1202 North Point Cir., Alpharetta. 877-247-5223.

Art Station. Pottery parties including supplies and 3 hrs in party room. Dance Studio option.(Weekends preferred). $200 for 10 children, $15/additional child. 5384 Manor Dr., Stone Mountain Village. 770-469-1105.

Art & Soul. Pottery parties, tie-dyed shirts, finger painting, jewelry beading and planters. Ages 4 and up. $13.50-$18/child. 4920 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. 404-303-9959.

Baskin-Robbins. Party room reservations required.

Decorate a Mini Cake Party $20.99/child or Ice Cream Sundae Party $14.99/child, 10-child minimum. Ice cream cake, $9.99. 230 Hammond Dr., Sandy Springs. 404-252-6311.

36 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Party Planner

Bean Head Toys. Choose the “Garden”or “Jungle” room, then select a theme: Mad Scientists, Mock Sleepover, Pirates, Pinkalicious, Pet Party, Princess, Lego, Train and more. Age 4 and up. $195 and up. 220 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Sandy Springs. 404-851-2980.

Bean Work Play Café. Packages include: Space Explorer, Tea Party, Puppy Power and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Includes decorations, partyware, games, food and clean up. $385 for 10 guests. 134 New St., Decatur. 404-828-0810.

Build-a-Bear Workshop. Ages 3 and up make their own stuffed animals. Party of six includes party favors and a special gift for the guest of honor. $10/child and up. Alpharetta, 770-4420900; Atlanta, 770-482-9239; Buford, 770-9452990; Douglasville, 678-838-4567; Kennesaw, 678-354-0603.

Center for Puppetry Arts. For members only.

Includes performance, birthday announcement before performance, crown and throne for birthday child. $200 for 1 hour room rental for 10 children ages 2 years and older, extra tickets are $8.25/person with every 10th person free, Create-A-Puppet add-on $4.50/child.

1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-881-5149.

Circus Camp Birthday Parties. Learn to fly on the trapeze, spin on the Spanish web and aerial silks. Face painting. Includes party room. Ages 5-teen. $400/2 hours for 12-children. Dunwoody & Decatur locations. 404-370-0001.

Cork and Canvas. 2-hour party, birthday child gets to choose painting of choice, all paper & table decorations included. Age 10 and up. $25/ painter, min. 10. 942 Alpharetta St., Roswell 770-312-7926.

Funopolis. 5-acre indoor/outdoor complex, laser tag, mini-golf, bumper boats and cars, go-carts, mini-bowling, arcades, four party rooms, and more. 90 min., minimum 8 children. $15.50/child 40155 Hwy 441 S, Commerce. 706-335-3866.

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation. Various facilities available to rent for birthday parties. $35/hour and up. 770-822-8840.

Imagine That! & Future Tech. Science, technology, and art birthday parties with party favors. $190/ hour for 12 kids. 4330 Georgetown Sq., Ste. 505, Dunwoody. 770-455-1980.

Jola’s Joyful Events. Joyful spa parties, princess parties and tea parties for girls. Ages 3-13. $99/8 girls. 770-609-5474.

Lake Lanier Canopy Tours at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. 29 zip lines. Min 50 lbs. - Max 250 lbs. Ages 8 and up. 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 678-622-3990.

Little Shop of Stories. Book-themed parties include room, storytime, juice boxes, invitations, paper goods. $175 for 12 children; $5/ additional child. 133 East Court Square., Decatur. 404-3736300.

The Music Class. Birthday Bash includes singing, dancing, movement and instrument play, CD party favors, invitations and thank you cards. Up to 15 children, $300 includes use of Buckhead facility, parties at your location start at $200. 257 Buckhead Ave., Atlanta. 770-645-5578.

Out Of The Box Art Studio. Pottery and art parties.

Parties include pottery, beading, clay, painting, drawing or a combination. $18/person and up. Ages 4 and up. 11940 Alpharetta Hwy., Alpharetta. 678-867-7713.

Play: An Activity Center for Kids. Private gym play with party room, tattoos and party favors for each child, invitations included and more.

1 hr., 45 min, $289/20 children and up. 10930 Crabapple Rd, Roswell. 770-650-0122.

atlantaparent.com

Runway Kidz. All-inclusive themed party boutique for boys and girls. Ages 1 and older. $300 and up. 85 Atlanta St. SE, Marietta.

678-288-4704.

RY Robotics Explorers. Lego and robotics parties. Ages 6-12. $75/8 guests and up. 715 Hembree Place, Roswell. 770-772-6622.

Treetop Quest. An Exhibit at the Gwinnett Environment Center. Treetop Obstacle Course & Ziplines. Ages 4-12. $160/5 children, Birthday kid FREE. Can bring own food and supplies.

2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford. 770-9043500.

Tumbletots Preschool & Birthday Parties. Private parties with indoor playground, moonwalk, theme cake, crafts, tattoos, storytime, balloons and gift bags. Ages 1-7. $200/12 children; $10/ additional child. 6375 Spalding Dr., Suite D, Norcross. 770-729-9660.

Vinings School of Art. 2 hours includes private room with instructor. Pottery, clay, acrylic paintings and mix plaster. Ages 2 and older. $195 for up to 10 children; $245/15 children; $295/20 children and up. 1675 Cumberland Pkwy., #102, Smyrna. 678-213-4278.

Wired & Fired, A Pottery Playhouse. 2 hours of instruction, paint, glaze, firing in a private room; complimentary piece of pottery up to $15. Food & beverages welcome. $21/child, 4-child minimum. 1000 Marietta St. Ste. 104, Atlanta. 404-885-1024.

Yellow Llama. Create custom T-shirt artwork and Yellow Llama gift bag. 2 hour party in the store. Parents can bring cake and ice cream. $265/12 children; $12/additonal child. 2321 Main St., Tucker. 770-493-8030.

Zone of Light Studio. Themed art parties that can be totally customized. 2 hour parties starting at $150/10 children. 1174 Zonolite Place, Atlanta. 678-948-8059.

Sports/Athletics/ Gymnastics

A MA -R

FUN-

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300 Atlanta. Includes 90 minutes of bowling, pizza and sodas, invitations, keepsake bowling pin, paper products. Ages 12 and under. $17/child, 10-child minimum. 2175 Savoy Dr., Atlanta. 770-451-8605.

Adrenaline Climbing. “Parties on the Rocks”.

Ages 5 and up. $150-$240 for 10 climbers.

460 Brogdon Rd. NE, Suwanee. 770-2711390.

All American Skating Center. Packages includes drinks, popcorn and skate rental for up to 10. $99 and up. 5400 Bermuda Rd., Stone Mountain. 770-469-9775.

S med Parties PARFTullISE ervice The Inflatables & Party Rentals •Face Painting Creative Balloon Art • Characters & Mascots Puppets, Magic & MORE!

770-572-1737 www.funoramaparties.com atlantaparent.com

GABUBBLEMAN.COM or call Robin Booth at

770-717-9158

for party information

300 Atlanta

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. All-inclusive packages include 1 hour in the party area, tableware, decorations, invitations, ice cream cake, kids’ meal for each child, arcade credit and host. $300 to $425, 10-child maximum. 11000 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell. 770-992-5688.

Athletic Club Northeast. Indoor/outdoor pool, rock wall, gym or combination. Four party packages. $300 and up. 1515 Sheridan Rd. NE, Atlanta.

404-566-4580.

Atlanta Braves All-Star Kids Party at Turner Field.

Includes invitations, personalized welcome message, visit from mascot, cake, drinks and goodie bags. Minimum purchase of 20 tickets required from the Club Pavilion, Outfield Pavilion, Upper Box, and other locations. Fri., Sat. and Sun. only.

Players do not attend. Ages 12 and under. Tickets $7 and up, $75 fee. 755 Hank Aaron Dr. SE, Atlanta. 404-614-1404.

Atlanta Eagles Sport Center. Parties include coach running soccer drills and games on indoor field and time in inflatable party zone. $149 and up. 5660 Buford Hwy., Doraville. 770455-0641.

Atlanta Hawks. Includes gift for birthday child, birthday message on arena scoreboard.

Includes: unlimited popcorn, beverage, mascot visit. Ages 12 and younger. $14/person and up, varies with package; 10-child minimum. 101 Marietta St., Atlanta. 866-715-1500, ext. 4.

Atlanta Rocks Indoor Climbing Gym. Includes use of the facility, one instructor for every six climbers, harness and climbing shoes for each guest. $25/climber for 2 hours, 10-person minimum for party room. 1019 Collier Rd. NW, Suite A, Atlanta. 404-351-3009.

Atlanta School of Gymnastics. 90 min. for parties. $175/ 1-10 children; $210/ 11-20 children; $250/ 21-30 children; $310/ 31-40 children.

3345 Montreal Station, Tucker. 770-938-1212.

(770) 904-3547 www.TreetopQuest.com 2 mins from the Mall of Georgia

take your party out of the box Celebrate at the Club Mention this ad for 10% off Children’s parties

770.698.2000 | ConcourseClub.com 8 Concourse Parkway, sandy springs *restrictions may apply. offer ends June 30, 2013. ©2013 Wellbridge

Party Planner

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 37

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

Carnival Acts Mascots Seasonal

Piccadilly Puppets Let us entertain you with puppets, music, storytelling and audience participation.

Birthday child always gets a puppet!

Puppet making workshops available

404-636-0022

www.piccadillypuppets.org piccadillypuppets@earthlink.net

Alligators, Monkeys, Farm Friends and more!

Live animals of all kinds!

Hands-on, Fun, Educational

www.azootoyou.com 38 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Atlanta Swim Academy. Swim parties in indoor heated pools. Party room available. Certified lifeguard, pool toys and floats included. $150 and up. 732 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta.

770-973-3120.

Braves Museum/Tour Turner Field. Admission includes the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame and visits to the press box, broadcast booth, clubhouse, dugout and more. Groups of 20 or more should make reservations two weeks in advance. Group rates for children’s birthday parties start at $5/child and $7/adult.

755 Hank Aaron Dr., Atlanta. 404-614-2311.

Brunswick Bowling. Includes bowling, balloons, invitations, shoes, food and paper products. $14.99/child and up. East Cobb, 770-9888813; Kennesaw, 770-427-7679; Lawrenceville, 770-925-2000; Marietta, 770-435-2120; Norcross, 770-840-8200; Roswell, 770-9989437.

Concourse Athletic Club. Indoor Heated Swimming, Sports, Ballet, Hip Hop Dance, Creative Movement, Gymnastics & Kid’s Yoga, Certified lifeguard, Coaches w/ toys & games included, Party Room & Invitations included. $275 and up. 8 Concourse Parkway, Sandy Springs. 770-698-2018.

The Cooler- Alpharetta Family Skate Center.

Roller- or ice-skating. Includes 45 min. in party room, popcorn, drinks and birthday T-shirt for party child. Fri., Sat. and Sun. only. $175$225, up for 8 children; $13-$15/additional child. 10800 Davis Dr., Alpharetta. 770-6496600.

Fayetteville Fun Bowl. Each guest gets two arcade tokens, a free pass for another visit, hot dog or pizza and drinks. Includes 90 min. of bowling and 30 minutes in the party room. $100 for 8 children, $12.50/additional child.

124 North 85 Pkwy., Fayetteville. 770-4618822.

Gymboree. Play and song activities using parachutes, tunnels, bridges and more. Ages 1-5. $199/12 children and up. Alpharetta, 770-7724000; Mall of Georgia, 678-482-4440; Sandy Springs, 404-256-2223; Toco Hills, 404-3200060; West Cobb, 770-499-0023.

Gym South. Parties are 90 min.; include 1 hour of gymnastics and games, and 30 minutes for cake and presents in the snack bar. Tablecloth and drinks included. Packages $130 and up.

119 North 85 Pkwy., Fayetteville. 770-461-5528.

Ice Forum. Skating parties include admission and rental, 45 minutes in party room, unlimited drinks. $75 package for 6 children; $12.50/additional child. Duluth, 770-813-1010; Kennesaw, 770-218-1010.

Intown Tumbling and Yoga for Kids. One and a half hour tumbling or yoga party. 45 minute instruction, cake/food time, and a little time to play. Ages 3 and up. $200 and up. 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. 678-310-9388.

Pony Up PONY RIDES FOR ALL OCCASSIONS Contact Cowboy Jim and they'll giddy up to your 678-378-1889 next Party or Event.

Licensed & Insured Happy Trails

www.PonyUpPonies.com Party Planner

Glow Galaxy

Jump Start Gym. Gymnastics or Mighty Mites, or a combination. 90 min. Includes birthday banner, gym time, instructor, activities. Ages 3 and up. $200 for 10 children plus birthday child; $250/15 children. 5920 Roswell Rd., Ste. C, Sandy Springs. 404-252-5867.

The Kipling House. Creative Birthday Parties in an arts and crafts cottage. Packages start at $225 for 10 children. Party includes 2 crafts in a theme developed with our party professionals. 110 Kipling Dr., Marietta. 770-973-9150.

Laser Quest. Two Laser Quest missions/person, 20-minute game, free pass for birthday child, two for one passes for guests and a private party room. $15.50/person, 8-child minimum. 3650 Satellite Blvd., Duluth. 770-814-8801.

The Little Gym. Gymnastics-based. Private and instructor led. Includes invitations, paper goods, drinks, use of inflatables and parachute. 90 min.

Pricing varies by location, $235 and up. Smyrna/ Vinings, 770-434-6661; Snellville/Lawrenceville, 770-982-0901.

MetroPlex Atlanta Bowling area, skating rink, playland and super-sized video arcade. $161.95/10 children and up. 1959 Metropolitan Pkwy., Atlanta. 678-637-9351 Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill. Parties include use of facility, host, drinks, paper products, decorations and activities for ages 4 and up.

About $295/party. 135 Interstate N. Pkwy., Atlanta.

770-953-1100.

Midtown Bowl. 1 hour of bowling, private party room and food. $17.75/child (plus tax). 1936 Piedmont Circle, NE., Atlanta. 404-874-5703.

Modern Gymnastics. Gymnastics parties. Ages 3 and up. Sat. and Sun. afternoons. 12 kids for $150 and up, $7 per additional child. 736 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Marietta. 770-977-3637.

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center. Includes songs, dances, games, puppet shows, spaceflight and more. Ages 1-9. 90 minutes - 2 hours. $300 and up for 20 children. 267 W. Wieuca Rd., Suite 101, Buckhead. 404-252-1201.

Nellya Fencers. Instruction on technique/footwork.

After drills and practice, participants compete. $300/10 guests; $25/additional child, 2 hours.

1530 Carroll Dr., Atlanta. 404-603-3600.

• Trackless Train • Snow Cones • Popcorn • Cotton Candy

24’ Climbing Rock Wall 770-422-7200

www.obrienproductions.com

atlantaparent.com Sept12-O'BrienProductions-Econ12thBW.indd 1

8/6/2012 10:20:16 AM

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. Miniature golf. $6.50/ child. 3380 Venture Pkwy., Duluth. 770-623-4184.

Rome Braves. Package include invitations, 15 Home Run Hill tickets, food, drinks, reserved picnic tables, mascot visit, stadium announcement and video board salute. $250 and up for 15 children; $11/additional child. 755 Braves Blvd., Rome. 706-368-9388.

Sandy Springs Parks and Recreation. Gymnastics and sports parties with relay races, obstacle courses and tumble track. Ages 2 and up. $165 up to 28 kids with instructors. Hammond Park Gym, 705 Hammond Dr., Atlanta. 770-206-2037.

SeaVentures. Swim, snorkel and scuba parties in an indoor, heated pool. Includes use of party room. $150-$300 for 8-14 children. 2880 Holcomb Br. Rd., Alpharetta. 770-992-3772.

Skatetown. Includes pizza or hot dog, drinks, popcorn, decorations, tableware, skate rental and more. $115 for 10 children; $10.50/additional child. 5570 Old National Hwy., College Park.

404-768-0095.

Sparkles Family Fun Center. Pizza, game tokens, admission, skate rental, party room, soda, paper supplies. $129 and up, 10 child minimum. Hiram, 770-943-4446; Kennesaw, 770-428-3941; Lawrenceville, 770-963-0922; Smyrna 770-432-6222.

Sports-a-Rama. Flag football, dodgeball, kickball and wiffle ball parties. $15-$20/child and up. 736 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Marietta. 770-977-9789.

Stars and Strikes Getaway-n-Play. Includes bowling, shoe rental, hostess, pizza, drinks, paper goods, invitations, balloon bouquet, bowling gift cards. Option: laser tag/game center. $184.99 and up, 8-child minimum. Cumming, Decatur, Dallas, Stone Mountain. 678-965-5707.

Tree Climbers International, Inc. Safe climbing with a rope and saddle. Ages 7 and up. $25/climber, minimim $300. Dekalb County’s Blackburn Park.

404-377-3150.

Twin Bridges Lake. Includes use of pole, line, hook, sinker and floater. Extra fish stocked in the lake.

Picnic and staging area available. $7.50/person, 10-person minimum. 1119 Braselton Hwy., Lawrenceville. 770-963-6739.

Brunswick Zone XL Bowling, pizza, drinks, cosmic bowling. Laser tag, private party room, video game room available. $149.99-$199.99, 10-child minimum. Laser tag, $17.99-$22.99. 775 Cobb Place Blvd., Kennesaw. 770-427-7679.

Supplies & Rentals Equipment Rental

A-1 Tent & Party Rentals. Moonwalks, dunk tanks, tents, tables, chairs and more. $30 and up. 770458-7740.

Action Packed Parties. Tropical waterslide, Pirate Ship, 3D Disney Princess Castle, obstacle courses, moonwalk/slide combos and moonwalks and more. $89 and up. 770-466-3437.

AirPlay Parties. Balloon decorating, moonwalks, slides, décor and obstacle courses. Party packages available. $125 and up. 404-451-5943.

Astro Events of Atlanta. Super water slides, SlipN-Slides, theme moonwalks, combos, obstacle courses, hoops, food and more. $125 and up.

770-972-6500.

Better Moonwalks of Georgia. Moonwalks, giant slides, combos with slides, games, and cotton candy, popcorn, snow cone machines. $35 and up.

770-844-9978.

Buckhead Bounce. Bounce houses, interactive inflatables, movie screen packages and concessions.

All ages. $150 and up. 404-769-5199.

Burgess Amusements. Inflatables, carnival games, and rides for your event. $500 and up. 770-7889109.

Clownin’ Around Amusement Rentals. Over 75 attractions. $200 and up. 888-386-3861.

Fun-Fare. Moonwalks, slides, obstacle courses, dunk tanks, rock walls, concessions and carnival games. $99 and up. 770-425-3033.

J & S Funtastic Entertainment. Miniature train rides, 24-foot rock climbing wall, moonwalks, water slides, combos, concessions, carnival games and more. $99 and up. 770-973-2633.

Jumping for Joy, LLC. Tents, moonwalks, slides, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cone machines. $135 and up inlcuding free delivery and set-up in Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding. 770-789-7675.

Kool Bounce. Moonwalks, obstacle courses, carnival games, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cone machines, picnic tables and more. $80 minimum rental.

770-995-6777.

O’Brien Productions. Trackless train, DJs, rock walls, inflatables, concession items and party supplies. $250 and up. 770-422-7200.

The Rental Place. Tents, tables, chairs, linens, popcorn, cotton candy, frozen drink machines, and more.

Prices vary. 770-594-9000.

Shaw Special Events. Moonwalks, inflatable slides, popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines.

Packages available. $99 and up. 770-934-8600.

Space Walk of Marietta/Cobb County. Inflatables, rides, games and concessions. $99 and up, delivery or pick up available. 770-794-8338.

Suburban Rental. Inflatables, carnival games, concessions, tables, chairs and more. No minimum. 678569-1271.

TLC Rents. Concessions, tenting, children’s tables and chairs, and karaoke. $1 and up. 404-873-0833. c

For even more party resources go to atlantaparent.com

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Party Planner

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 39

‘Egg’-citedforEasterCrafts Easter is one of the best crafting holidays. The yellows, pinks, blues and greens made popular by the holiday make for cheery decorations throughout the house.

After dyeing eggs, take a stab at these non-traditional – but adorable crafts.

TIP: Don’t use fresh eggs when making hard-boiled eggs, because they’re much more difficult to peel. Eggs purchased at supermarkets are generally at least three weeks old, so they should work fine.

Tips for a Successful Egg Hunt

Make a Scene You can turn eggs into anything – or anyone! Glue paper arms and legs onto your eggs to make them into characters. Give your egg a hairdo by gluing on some yarn. Create your own egg family by printing out templates from mrprintables.com/easter-crafts-for-kids-egg-people.html l Cut out the templates and wrap them around to fit the eggs. Use tape or glue to hold the ends together. l Cut out the arms, place and fold them over the edge of the top (like in the photo), or glue to the sides as you like. l Place your eggs in the paper and draw funny faces or decorate as you want.

Courtesy of mrprintables.com

Empty out your Egg Decorating a hollow eggshell allows you to save and display your delicate creations for years to come. Follow these instructions from the “egg-sperts” at PAAS. l Use a pin or needle to make a hole in the fat end of a raw egg. Wiggle the needle around or use a nail to create a slightly larger hole. The hole should be about ¼ inch across. l Make a smaller hole in the opposite end of the egg.

Insert the needle into the egg to break the yolk. Use your mouth to blow into the small hold to remove the egg yolk and egg white into a larger bowl. When the egg has been removed from the shell, run water through the eggshell to rinse it.

Courtesy of Paaseastereggs.com

String Eggs These eggs made of hardened string are an easy and affordable way to decorate. You’ll need various colors of craft string, water balloons, Elmer’s glue and water. l Blow

up the water balloons in various sizes. equal parts Elmer’s glue and water in a medium bowl. l Dip the string into the glue mixture and wrap the string around the balloon. l Let dry for about 2-3 hours. Pop the balloon once the string is dry, pull out the balloon pieces and enjoy the darling Easter eggs.

Courtesy of Renee Cundick, the5cundicks.blogspot.com l Mix

40 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Egg Hunt Etiquette: Let’s face it, we’re competitive by nature. Finding the most eggs seems like the goal of most hunters, but for younger kids egg hunts should be about surprises and treats, not about winning or losing. Talk to the kids about keeping the egg hunt fun for everyone by leaving the more obvious eggs to be found by the younger crowd.

Egg Hunt Tips: l Make a batch of eggs with an equal number of colors and assign each child a color; ask each child to only hunt for eggs that are “their” color.

(Eggs in colors assigned to older kids can also be harder to find.) l Change up what’s inside the egg. Eggs can be filled with special notes, scavenger hunt clues, stickers, small toys, money and candy. l Mix up the hiding spots.

If there are “go to” secret spots to hide eggs, chances are the kids will remember them from last year. Strive to hide eggs in less obvious spots: in the mailbox, underneath the car, or in a bicycle’s basket or spokes.

Atlanta is home to Easter festivities and egg hunts galore. Toddlers through 12-year-olds can hunt for eggs and treats and enjoy a visit from the Easter bunny. See our roundup of metro-area egg hunts and Easter celebrations on page 71.

– Kate Wallace

atlantaparent.com

Easter Eggs Au Naturale!

From grape juice to paprika, choose natural ingredients to color your eggs

by Belinda J. Mooney

T

his Easter, why not perk up the holidays with some beautiful Easter eggs dyed naturally. This is a fun experiment for parents and kids alike and the results can be amazing. You will be surprised at the rainbow of color you can get from nature.

Plus you get the bonus of having used no added chemicals or artificial dyes.

To start off, if you are using store-bought eggs, you might want to wash them off using mild dish soap. Eggs purchased at the grocery store have a coating of oil on them that farm eggs do not. Washing the oil off will allow your eggs to hold their color better. But if you choose to skip this step, you may – it will still work.

Now gather your supplies. Here is a list of natural ingredients and the colors that each makes.

n Red onion skins – soft lavender to red,

depending on how long you boil them or how many skins are in the pot n Red cabbage leaves – a lovely shade of robin’s egg blue (yep, blue not red) n Beet juice or cranberry juice – different shades of pink n Dill seeds – brown/gold color n Grape juice – lavender n Strong coffee – various shades of brown n Yellow onion leaves, turmeric, orange and lemon peels, cumin, carrot tops – yellow n Paprika – orange n Spinach – green eggs n Yellow Delicious apple peels – green/ gold shade n Blueberries – blue n Grass – green What to do: To dye Easter eggs that you can eventually consume, you will need white vinegar and water, along with your choice of natural dye item or items (above).

Hard-boil your eggs.

Add 2-3 tablespoons vinegar to 1 quart of water, plus your natural ingredients. If it is a solid (such as spinach), use up to 4 cups. For spices, go with about 4 tablespoons. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool then strain.

Dip the hard-boiled eggs into the dye. The longer they are in the mixture, the more vibrant the color will be. Turn the eggs every so often so the color will come out even.

Allow to dry in egg cartons. Refrigerate eggs you intend to eat.

The Easter Bunny arrives on March 16 through March 30 at his Center Court Garden.

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Saturday, March 16 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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Children with special needs have the opportunity to spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical and developmental needs.

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atlantaparent.com

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 41

Bobee Diaper and Wipe Dispenser: Bobee holds a large supply of diapers, from newborn size to pull-ups and even cloth inserts, plus a large 100-count package of wet wipes. Mount on the wall and these items are easy to grab.

Comes in white with removable decals in five colors; dispenser can also be painted or stenciled.

Available at Amazon.com. $39.99

Change It Up!

by Laura Powell

Babies soil their diapers six to 10 times a day, which can morph into 3,000 dirty diapers in one year. That’s an excellent reason to set up a diaper changing station that works well.

Use a changing table or the top of a dresser.

These products can help you set up an attractive and well-organized station.

l l Catchall basket:

Choose a wicker, canvas or plastic storage basket or bin that suits your available space. Use this for items you regularly use: diaper cream, hand sanitizer, small toys to entertain baby, etc. We like the Sabrina Diaper Caddy from Pottery Barn, $24 (not shown).

Nursery wall art:

We found this print at the Etsy.com shop trafalgarsquare; the shop offers a variety of whimsical handmade prints in various sizes ($8-$36). We bought the frame at Target for $12.99.

l

42 Atlanta Parent March 2013

aden + anais Bamboo Changing Pad Cover: Super soft

l

atlanta baby

and durable, this cover comes in a variety of eye-catching patterns.

Fits standard-size changing pad mattress.

Available at local specialty baby stores and adenandanais.com. $29.95. This cover is atop a standard Serta Changing Pad; $29.99 at Babies“R”Us.

atlantaparent.com

Pails By Comparison

A smelly diaper can really kill the vibe you have tried to create in your baby’s nursery. To the rescue are a variety of diaper pails that we tested to help you control the smell your little stinker will produce.

l Munchkin

l Non-Scents

simple white design it will suit most any nursery.

While the retail price is $39.99, you should find it for $25 at most major retailers. However, you need to purchase refill bags (cost $6-10; 10 bags hold up to 250 diapers). Each time a diaper is thrown away, baking soda is sprinkled into the pail and it does contain smells well.

Diapers have to be squeezed into the middle part of the can – which can be unpleasant when dealing with poopy diapers. To help contain a fresh smell over time, try putting an air freshener in the bottom of the unit.

The latest addition to the diaper pail market uses Vaporlock™ technology to heat seal diapers in order to contain smells and germs. This pail is easy to open; just push a button, close the lid and each stinky diaper gets vacuum sealed. This pail requires an outlet and refillable cartridges.

While larger than other pails, it may fit into your kitchen décor when you graduate from the diaper stage. Available in March for $149.95 at svan.com. Prices not yet available for refills.

Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail: This pail is super compact and with its

l Ubbi

Diaper Pail: Made of steel, the Ubbi has an easy-to-use lockable lid that slides open and you can use regular trash can liners with it.

For parents using cloth diapers, a cloth bag is available to purchase that fits the Ubbi. While this pail really does keep the smells inside, the stench is intense whenever you open it (such as to empty it or put another diaper inside). It can also be challenging to pull a full bag out of this can. The Ubbi, which comes in a variety of fun colors, is more pricey at $79.99, but you don’t have to buy special refill bags like you do with other brands. Decals to decorate pail cost $12.99. Cloth liner, $14.99. Available at Buy Buy Baby and ubbiworld.com.

Svan Odorless Diaper Disposal:

l Traditional

trash can – with lid: Some parents opt

to use a typical trash can as a diaper pail. Be sure to choose one with a lid that seals tight. This can work well enough, especially before your baby starts eating solid foods and diapers take on more of an unfriendly scent.

Consider using plastic grocery store bags to dispose of individual diapers.

➤ Win a Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail! Email your favorite baby product

to contest@atlantaparent.com. Be sure to include your name, address and a contact number.

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atlanta baby

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 43

Best Buys for Your 2013 Baby

by Laura Powell

Easy Swaddles Moms know and love the aden+anais swaddle blankets. For those who like the idea of swaddling, but worry they don’t ever quite get it right, Easy Swaddles from aden+anais has you covered. Made of 100 percent cotton muslin, the swaddles snap together to keep baby comfy. Offered in a variety of really cute designs. $24.95 at adenandanais.com.

JourneyBee Going on a trip, or just over to the grandparents for the evening? JourneyBee from ParentLab is a portable crib/playpen that sets up in mere seconds. It’s sturdy and weighs less than most pack-and-plays we’ve tried. It’s easy to open, close and stuff back into its carry bag for travel. We also like the size and quality of the mattress that comes with JourneyBee. $149 at parentlab.com.

Baby Bjorn Cradle With its clean lines and optional canopy, the Baby Björn Cradle seems as if it has popped from the pages of a modern design magazine. This bassinet is definitely a splurge. For newborns up to 6 months old, it’s lightweight, portable and specifically designed to turn baby’s own movements into gentle rocking. The mesh sides are safe and it is very easy to assemble.

Standard bassinet sheets fit the cradle that comes with a waterproof mattress. Accessories include a sheet and canopy. $349.95 at Amazon.com and local baby specialty stores.

Mixie Baby Bottle

New Boppy Pillow

Farewell to mixing baby formula in the middle of the night. You can fix your Mixie baby formula bottle now and mix it later. Just put formula into the air- compartment of the bottle and add water. When baby is hungry, mix the formula with a touch of a button and shake. $17.99 for 4-ounce bottle, $19.99 for 8-ounce size, at onestepahead.com.

The popular Boppy brand has just introduced an updated two-sided nursing pillow. One side is the traditional soft Boppy pillow; flip it over for a contoured foam side. It also adds a belt to help hold the pillow in place; clips that snap on both sides can easily be removed and used when desired. $49.99 at Babies“R”Us.

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Spotlight on

Baby Resources

Choosing a Pediatrician for Your Baby

S

electing the doctor to take care of your most precious gift – your new baby – is a difficult decision. Take the time to interview, understand and select a pediatric practice that best fits you and your family’s needs because this practice likely will be part of your family for the next 18 years or so.

Most pediatric practices have meet and greets for new parents to visit the office and meet a pediatrician in the practice. Northside Pediatrics encourages new parents to come visit the practice in the evening. Their calendar of upcoming meet and greet sessions is listed on their website (www.northsidepediatrics.com) and they are usually scheduled weekly. Refer to www.babycenter.com for a list of questions you can use during your interview visits to pediatric practices.

During your baby’s first year, you will visit your pediatrician’s office many times for check-ups, shots, and other unanticipated baby events. Being comfortable with the practice and how they treat you and your baby during this new and exciting time is extremely important

to your wellbeing. Many new parents don’t realize that your baby’s pediatrician is also your “go-to” when there are middle of the night fevers, terrible two tantrums or emotional outbursts at age 15.

Northside Pediatrics focuses on total wellness of children from birth through age 21. They call their comprehensive care philosophy 360Care™. That means they spend more time with each child because some things that can impact your child’s long-term health can’t be determined quickly. And, as children grow to adolescence, Northside Pediatrics creates an environment that’s safe for them to talk to their physician about sensitive issues and begin to learn how to manage their own health as they grow to adulthood.

Taking the time now to choose the right pediatric practice is one of the most important decisions you can make for you and your baby.

Call 404-256-2688 (Sandy Springs) or 770-9280016 (Woodstock) to schedule a new parent visit at Northside Pediatrics. For more information, visit www.northsidepediatrics.com

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atlanta baby

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 45

Overnight Camp

Great for the Kids … and their Folks

Four Atlanta parents explain what they love about overnight camp for their kids – and for themselves.

by Kate Wallace

J

eff and Amy Wheeler of Atlanta have three daughters who have grown up spending one or two weeks away each summer at Camp Ocoee in Ocoee, Tenn. The Wheelers discovered the traditional “cabin in the woods” summer camp when friends invited them to visit it during the annual “Family Camp” program over Memorial Day Weekend. The family fell in love with the lush green landscape that allows for kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and water sports on the lake.

Ten years later the daughters have countless memories and friendships gained through their time at camp. Grace, 17 has developed a love for horses after learning to ride at Camp Ocoee. Camp for Abigail, 14, allows her to be the social butterfly that she was born to be. For Clare, 11, wakeboarding and water skiing are among the activities she most enjoys at the camp. When asked what his daughters most like about attending their overnight camp, Jeff found himself saying “everything.”

n What Jeff loves about seeing his kids off to camp: “The camp my girls go to is traditional, old and rustic. There are no air conditioning, Internet, computers, iPods or iPads. I love that they’re disconnected from the bigger world for at least six days. My wife and I are able to spend extra time together, but truthfully, we probably both work more while the kids are at camp.”

S

teve and Sue Campbell have been sending their three kids to a variety of overnight camps for almost 20 years. As the last of their brood, 15-year-old son Sean, transitions from being a camper to a counselor in training at Camp Woodmont, Steve is proud of the skills and character his son has acquired.

The Johns Creek family started sending Sean to the North Georgia camp four years ago. When Sean arrived home from his first year bursting with stories to tell, they knew Camp Woodmont was a perfect fit for their adventurous, outdoorloving kid. atlantaparent.com

Camp 2013

n What the kids love about being at camp: “My kids love that they know the place so well,” Jeff adds. “They have room to roam around in a safe and open environment. The fellowship of the kids is great and they look forward to seeing friends they’ve made over the years.”

n What Steve loves about seeing his son off to camp: “We love knowing that his horizons are expanding beyond our ability to expand them. I like that my son is in a safe place while learning new things and making new friendships.

When Sean gets back from camp we’re sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to hear about his experiences.” n What his son loves about being at camp: “Sean speaks so highly of the counselors he’s had and he still keeps in touch with some of them.

He really likes the friendships he’s made at camp. He loves the opportunity to try new things and to deepen his experience with things he already loves.”

Cont’d on page 48

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 47

Overnight Camp Great for the Kids … and their Folks

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48 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Camp 2013

Location is a big deciding factor for Nancy Valentine, as she prefers that Natalie attend a camp that’s fairly close to home.

N

ancy Valentine is in the midst of planning her 9-year-old daughter Natalie’s second year at a Girl Scout camp. She and her daughter are deciding between Camp Meriwether in Luthersville or Camp Timber Ridge in Mableton. Location is a big deciding factor for Valentine, as she prefers that Natalie attend a camp that’s fairly close to home. Like a lot of parents sending their kids off for the first time, Valentine admits she was scared to death, but tried to keep those feelings to herself. Natalie’s firstever week away at camp last summer went swimmingly and homesickness was not an issue. n What Nancy loves about seeing her daughter off to camp: “I loved knowing she was having a good time and was doing something she wants to do. Camp gave her a chance to spread her wings. I was able to take the time to go to hot yoga and do a few things for myself.” n What her daughter loves about being at camp: “She loves all the different activities within the camp, like canoeing and the robotics program,” Valentine says. “I know this year she’s looking forward to climbing the rock wall.

She gets to camp not knowing a single soul, but by the time she leaves she’s made friends with so many people.” atlantaparent.com

Established 1922

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elody Blount admits she was the only mom crying as the bus drove away with her 7- and 5-year-old daughters on its way to Camp Lutheridge in Arden, N.C. But after six days of swimming, canoeing, hiking and campfires, Blount arrived back at her church to pick up her girls – only to learn that they were wishing camp wasn’t over so soon.

Kristen and Kaitlin, now 10 and 8, are excitedly awaiting their fourth year at the camp. Blount found out about Camp Lutheridge through her church and has been quite pleased with what it’s done for her kids. n What Melody loves about seeing her kids off to camp: “I really enjoy having time to myself. After I saw that my kids came back and had so much fun, the next year at the bus I said ‘I love ya, but I’ll see ya in a week!’ As a parent, it’s a good time to be able to regroup.”

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n What her kids love about being at camp: “They love everything. I know this because they come home with so many stories. They love meeting new people, they love their counselors. They’re able to build friendships and really be themselves.” c

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Camp 2013

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 49

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50 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Camp 2013

Your child is a star at Studio 23!

Studio 23 offers Dance and Musical Theater Camps throughout the summer for dancers ages 3 to Teen.

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Camp 2013

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 51

52 Atlanta Parent    March 2013

Camp 2013

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March 2013 Atlanta Parent 53

Eleven Skills Young People Really Need to Be Successful in the Real World

Beyond Book Smarts

by Maribeth Kuzmeski

F

or high school seniors and their parents this is the time of year when scholastic success is squarely in the spotlight. Soon-to-be grads and their moms and dads are anxiously watching the mailbox for college acceptance letters.

All those parental admonishments to study, study, study finally bear fruit. Underlying the waiting – and the shrieks of joy when the coveted “thick envelope” finally arrives – is an assumption that few people question: Academic achievement is the cornerstone of lifelong success.

Not true. While grades are surely important, they’re not everything. Indeed, book smarts may play less of a role in their future success than a skill set that’s increasingly neglected in a culture where texting and posting have replaced talking: the ability to connect and engage with other people.

Ironically, while today’s young people are more “connected” than any other generation in history, they have a crippling

ability to, well, connect. They can text and update Facebook all day long – but many of them struggle to carry on the most basic conversations and can barely articulate what they want or need. Stacked up against that reality, straight A’s lose some of their luster.

Giving parents the tools they’ll need to help their children develop a strong ability to connect with others is the focus of my latest book, The Engaging Child: Raising Children to Speak, Write, and Have Relationship Skills Beyond Technology. As a bonus, my 17-yearold daughter, Lizzie, wrote the last two chapters.

Look ahead to the future and consider what your young adult will be like in college and, later, the job market. If you picture an intelligent kid who gets straight A’s but who is also constantly on whatever gadget he’s typing on, he may not have the skills needed to express himself properly both with his peers and adults. And that means his potential success will be limited.

Here are a few of the skills today’s kids need to be developing: n Conversation:

The ability to talk with adults. When it’s time to have a good old-fashioned verbal conversation, especially with someone they don’t know well, many kids tend to clam up.

Make it a habit to start practicing with him during the morning car ride to school or at the dinner table – and put him in as many social situations with adults as possible. n Writing:

The ability to write with clarity (and good grammar). Mastering the art of written communication is truly about practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, it’s very likely today’s teens aren’t getting all 54 Atlanta Parent March 2013

the help they need in this arena through the writing they do at school. Writing a research paper on the cultural implications of banning books, for example, and writing a heartfelt, grammatically correct thank-you note or an effective cover letter are very different beasts. n Listening:

Understanding how and why to really listen to others. How many times have you been trying to tell your teen something as she’s frantically texting a friend? Now ask yourself this: How many times has she had the exact same experience with you? A significant part of raising teens who listen is setting the example of being a good listener yourself. atlantaparent.com

n “Face-the-Music”-ability:

The willingness not to hide behind technology in uncomfortable situations. For many teens the cell phone is the new, more grown-up version of their old blankie or teddy bear. When it’s time to give someone bad news, of course they’re going to balk. The challenge for parents is twofold: First, you have to help your kids recognize those instances when it’s better to pick up the phone and actually call someone or to meet with them in person. And second, you have to help them get more comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations. n Full

Engagement:

Knowing when to disconnect from technology. Email, social networking, text messaging, MP3 players, and more have radically changed the way this generation communicates and spends its free time. The result is that often, whether it’s because they’re listening to their iPod or texting, teens don’t seem engaged with what’s going on around them. n Valuing

Relationships:

Understanding why relationships matter and how to keep them. In your teen’s world, ending a relationship with

someone may feel as easy as changing their relationship status or unfriending someone on Facebook. It’s a lot less painful to type snide comments or even break up with someone when you’re not there to witness the fallout. n Speaking:

The confidence to speak to a group.

Public speaking is well documented as being a major fear for many. However, most of us have to do it at one point or other and it’s a valuable skill to have – even if you’re just speaking up during a meeting. Here again, practice will make perfect. n Interviewing:

The ability to “sell yourself” to potential employers and others. Make sure your teen understands that when it comes to the job market, it’s not whether you can do the job that’s most pressing; it’s whether you can get the job in the first place. n Negotiation:

The art of getting what you want and need (and giving a little, too). Negotiating is all about talking confidently about what you bring to the table. It’s about clearly articulating what you want and need while making others feel that they’re benefitting, too.

Public speaking is well documented as being a major fear for many.

However, most of us have to do it at one point or other and it’s a valuable skill to have.

Cont’d on page 56

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March 2013 Atlanta Parent 55

A SCHOOL LIKE NO OTHER - CHRISTIAN EDUCATION WITH CRITICALLY DEMANDED S.T.E.M. EMPHASIS

Beyond Book Smarts n Etiquette:

Knowing what’s appropriate. During a typical weekday dinner, you might let it go when your kid accepts the mashed potato dish without saying thank you. You might even let a muttered, “Eeew, this is gross,” pass without comment. However, the same underthe-breath comment when they’re eating at a friend’s house or at a formal event can have major repercussions. Therefore, you have to take up the gauntlet when rudeness or ingratitude raises its disrespectful head.

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Learning problem-solving and accountability. Parents tend to do things for their kids that they could, with a little coaching, do for themselves. We set up their dental appointments, for example. We call in sick for them when they need to miss a day of school. And we have a tendency to bail them out whenever they’re in trouble.

We do these things because they don’t seem unreasonable at the time and because we’ve always done them – and in the process we squander what could be rich learning opportunities. That’s why in The Engaging Child I encourage parents to view everyday life as a “learning lab,” using everything from turning down party invitations to returning clothes that are the wrong size as practice runs for their kids.

It will take time for them to catch on to the benefits of developing their communication skills outside of texting shorthand. That’s why it’s best to start these lessons long before your teen is filling out college applications. c Maribeth Kuzmeski, MBA, CSP, is the author of The Engaging Child: Raising Children to Speak, Write, and Have Relationship Skills Beyond Technology.

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Great for scouts, schools, clubs, neighborhoods, teams, churches 56 Atlanta Parent March 2013

FRENCH CLASSES FOR CHILDREN Saturday program ages 18 mo-12 yrs • Buckhead location at Atlanta International School New Class: Bébé et Moi (Baby and Me) for children ages 18-36 months

Register for Classes

NOW!

Register online at: www.frenchschoolatlanta.org

770-634-6228

atlantaparent.com

A Quartet of Contests Brainstorm to Solve Hunger

PBS Writers Contest Children who like to write and draw can submit original stories and illustrations to the PBS KIDS GO! writers contest. The annual nationwide contest for kids in grades K-3 is open until March 31. Winning entries will be chosen based on creativity, story structure and quality. Prizes include tablet computers, e-readers and MP3 players. Well-known children’s literature talents including R.L. Stine are to judge the contest. Finalists will be announced in July. To enter: pbskids.org/writerscontest.

atlantaparent.com

The Olive Garden restaurant chain is sponsoring its annual Pasta Tales Essay Writing Contest for grades 1-12. The contest asks kids to submit an essay of 50250 words with ideas for ending hunger in their own community. Entries must be received by March 22. The winner will receive a three-day family trip to New York City and a $2,500 savings bond. A finalist from each grade will receive a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden. To learn more visit olivegarden.com/ About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/.

Does Your Kid Doodle?

Kids in grades K-12 can put those daydream sketches to good use and enter the “Doodle for Google” contest. The winner who “doodles” a winning new Google logo will receive a $30,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 technology grant for their school and the piece of art displayed on the Google homepage for millions to see. This year’s theme for the annual contest is “My Best Day Ever…”. Enter by March 22 by going to google.com/doodle4google.

Win a Week at Summer Camp The National Wildlife Federation is conducting a contest for kids ages 8-18 to win a scholarship for a weeklong camp session at the Family Nature Summit in Bar Harbor, Maine. The prize includes travel, room and board for an accompanying parent and program fees. Applicants must submit an essay by March 29; for more information and essay guidelines visit nwf.org.

– Kate Wallace

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 57

Finish This School Year Strong Help Young Scholars Stay on Track Despite End-of-Year Distractions

by Heidi Smith Luedtke

Don’t let spring fever and summer vacation planning interrupt academics: end-of-year projects and exams help kids consolidate what they learned this year and form the foundation for future knowledge.

Encourage your kids’ efforts right up to the final bell. Here’s how. n Reassess the Requirements

Consult the online grade book or meet with the teacher to see what work remains to be done. This is the time to evaluate progress made since September and think about areas for improvement, says Alexandra Mayzler, founder of Thinking Caps Tutoring and author of Tutor in a Book and SAT DeMystified. Clear up confusion over missing grades and complete past-due work, even if there’s a penalty. Later learning builds on early lessons, and all course concepts may be covered on final exams.

Large projects and papers may require a series of steps. If your child skimped on initial steps – like research – or received poor grades for his work, he may need to redo it now. Add remedial work to the academic todo list. It may take extra effort to complete a project and earn a good grade, but it may be impossible for kids to finish end-of-school assignments without filling in gaps.

Even if students can’t recoup grade points, they shouldn’t ignore past failures, says Ned Johnson, self-proclaimed tutor-geek and president of PrepMatters, a test preparation company. “A student’s job is not just to learn, but to learn how to learn better,” Johnson says. “Study what went wrong with previous assignments or exams and help kids reengineer their approach.” Ask a teacher or tutor for a study-skills tune up. He may suggest learning strategies you hadn’t considered.

n Make a Plan Headed into the home stretch, check kids’ books and binders to make sure they can go the distance, Mayzler says. Reorganize. Put notes in order. Get a bigger notebook if needed. Stock up on paper and printer ink.

You don’t want to run out the night before a class project is due.

Break term papers, projects and study sessions into doable chunks and write test prep, project milestones and deadlines on a large desk calendar. Experts recommend students focus on a subject for no more than 45 minutes before taking a break – younger learners need even shorter sessions. Downtime allows the brain to consolidate learning and re-energize.

Kids’ schedules can get crowded with end-of-year events and spring sports. Make time for fun and friends. All work and no play isn’t smart.

n Ease Anxiety Late-night studying may leave kids too tired to concentrate. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule and good nutrition. Start kids off with a proteinpacked breakfast and plan healthy snacks every two or three hours throughout the day. Brainwork burns fuel.

58 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Online Resources

These smart ideas enable end-of-school success: n Oral presentation pointers: jshs.org/Articles/ Tips%20for%20Oral%20Presentations.pdf n Brain foods: testanxietytips.com/brain-foods-toincrease-alertness-and-concentration.html n Project planning guide: ehow.com/ way_5765087_steps-planning-out-school-project.html n Test anxiety tips: kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/ test_anxiety.html

Kids may over-focus on failures in an effort to improve. Remind them of their strengths. Star students use their academic talents to overcome (or compensate for) weaknesses. Use teacher-provided study guides or create one using past homework, quizzes and exams. Study guides keep students from skipping over concepts accidentally and do double duty as at-home practice tests.

If your child has to make an oral presentation to the class, encourage her to rehearse in front of siblings or friends first, Johnson says. “It’ll be a little awkward, which is exactly the point.” Confronting jitters in a low-threat situation builds confidence and shows kids what to improve.

Hard work on spring academics will pay off in the fall when your student is in the next grade. Take time during the summer to reflect on the past year’s learning and address major challenges. Learning is a year-round endeavor. c atlantaparent.com

Ask a Teacher

Inspiring students from Toddler through Middle School

Q: A:

wonder

How do I know if my child is performing at his appropriate grade level?

It can be frustrating when you believe that your child is actively engaged in schoolwork – from mastering new concepts to completing assignments well – but then does not get the grades you expected to see on his report card.

This year Georgia adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts, Reading, and Math. The CCSS replaces the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) that are still currently used for Social Studies and Science. The ultimate goal is for all states to adopt the same standards (CCSS) so that by the end of each school Amanda Haimes year students across the United States will have learned the same material.

As a teacher I have immersed myself in the CCSS. These new standards are more rigorous and detailed than the previous standards. They focus much more on skills that will prepare all students for college by the end of 12th grade. The new standards are intended to help students develop concepts and skills that build upon each other throughout their education. If a child can master the standards, then he has gained the background knowledge needed to pass the state-mandated tests.

For example, by the end of second grade, your child should be able to add and subtract numerals under 1,000 and know specific addition facts and formulas. By the end of second grade a child should understand place value, know how to measure and estimate lengths, work with time and money, reason with shapes and fractions, and have a foundation for learning multiplication.

When a parent is confused about what their child is learning or a grade their child received, I discuss the standards with the parent. I also advise the parent to closely review the standards, which can be found online at corestandards.org. Year by year, the best way to know if your child is performing at his appropriate grade level is to have a strong understanding of the skills and knowledge he is expected to tackle and master each school year. c

what I’ll learn today?

An extraordinary, curious, open mind.

A sense of wonder nurtured and inspired.

Lessons experienced, not just taught.

Collective engagement and personal success. Gifts of knowledge and wisdom extending far beyond the classroom.

Welcome to Springmont.

springmont.com (404) 252-3910

AtlAntA’s First Montessori school

– Amanda Haimes is a K-2 Early Intervention Program teacher at Toomer Elementary in Atlanta Public Schools. atlantaparent.com

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 59

School Matters A Day for Educators at Zoo Atlanta ZOO ATLANTA’S EDUCATOR APPRECIATION DAY is slated for March 9.

On that day only, early care and education professionals will receive free admission to the zoo (educator ID required). Other guests attending with educators will get $2 off general zoo admission. Special activities, such as face painting and private animal encounters, are planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registering online is encouraged; visit zooatlanta.org/ educators_lounge.

Let Kids Play RECESS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE in a child’s educational experience. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ January policy statement, “The Crucial Role of Recess in Schools,” connects recess with emotional and social benefits.

The AAP says that recess should be offered in addition to physical education classes, never as a replacement. Growing evidence links recess to academic achievement, physical health and cognitive development.

60 Atlanta Parent March 2013

61%

(That’s 82,608 kids!)

The percentage of eligible kids enrolled in the Georgia Pre-K program.

Source: Kidscount.org

Atlanta-area Schools Win Top Award MARIETTA SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY AND HOLCOMB BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN ALPAHRETTA were recently named “Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch.”

Both schools have been recognized for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes.

The schools were also found to have strong leadership and teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction. Just 17 schools in Georgia have received such recognition since the Schools to Watch program started in 2002.

– Kate Wallace

atlantaparent.com

Author of Feel-Bad Education to Speak

Inspiring students from Toddler through Middle School

Educator and author Alfie Kohn is to speak at High Meadows School on March.

26. The 7 p.m. event is free and open to the public. Kohn’s lecture, “The Progressive Schools Our Children Deserve,” will touch on the current state of the education system, parenting and human behavior.

Kohn is the author of numerous books i n c l u d i n g , Fe e l - B a d Education, Unconditional Parenting and Punished by Rewards. Kohn is an outspoken critic on the nation’s education system and its emphasis on grades and test scores. High Meadows School is located at 1055 Willeo Rd., Roswell. For more information or to register for the event call 678-507-1164.

wonder what I’ll master today?

An extraordinary, curious, open mind.

A sense of wonder nurtured and inspired.

Lessons experienced, not just taught.

Collective engagement and personal success. Gifts of knowledge and wisdom extending far beyond the classroom.

Welcome to Springmont.

Kids Can Be Book Critics LitPick seeks kids in fourth grade and older to help review hundreds of new books from popular and established talents as well as self-published authors. Student reviewers are asked to read submissions and post twoparagraph reviews on each. Both online and print books are available to LitPick student reviewers. A student reviewer membership to review ebooks only is free. A student who wants to review ebooks as well as print books pays a $15 annual membership, which helps cover postage; that rate will be cut in half for educators who sign up five or more students to participate. Student reviewers may keep the print books they evaluate. Visit litpick. com for more information. c

springmont.com (404) 252-3910

AtlAntA’s First Montessori school

Your ad belongs on our pages. call 770-454-7599 for details.

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atlantaparent.com

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 61

A Day of Discovery, Learning & Entertainment Presented by

Parent atlanta

A free family resource expo!

Stroll through the neighborhoods of: Activity Avenue, Camp Court, Destination Vacation, The Green Way, Healthy Highway, Learning Lane, Party Place, Baby Block and Main Street

Saturday, April 20 11 AM - 4 PM Northlake Mall • 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE • Atlanta, GA 30345

For more info please contact: Kaitlyn Morris 678-222-1911 • Kmorris@atlantaparent.com

atlantaparent.com

Family Fun Guide * Eating Out

n

Free Fun

n

Exhibits

n

Playground

Not-to-miss events for March

1

Southeastern Cowboy Gathering

Booth Western Art Museum March 7-9. Thurs., 10 a.m.8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

This three-day cowboy roundup promises activities for kids and adults. On Thursday, kids can take part in a “home school gathering” with learning activities and art programs. On Saturday, look forward to fiddle and banjo concerts, cook-offs and art projects. 501 Museum Dr., Cartersville. 770-387-1300. Adults, $10; Students, $12; ages 12 and younger, free. boothmuseum.org

2

n

Calendar

r Easte Egg !

Hunts71 Page

Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expo Perimeter Mall March 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Don’t miss our largest – and final – camp expo of the year!

Parents and kids can meet with representatives from day and overnight camps from all over the Southeast, gather brochures and get ideas for an awesome summer experience. 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta.

770-454-7599. Free.

3

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Ralph McGill and Peachtree St. March 16, noon.

Don’t get caught without your green on at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Atlanta. Celebrate the Irish holiday by enjoying elaborate floats, Irish dancers, bagpipes and more. The parade starts on the corner of Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard, and ends at Underground Atlanta, where you’ll find a free festival with entertainment and Irish food vendors. 404-295-5242. Free.

Stpatsparadeatlanta.com

atlantaparent.com

Family Fun Guide

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 63

Family Fun Guide Radial Café

1530 DeKalb Ave. NE, Atlanta 30307 404-659-6594; radialcafe.com Mon.- Wed: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thur.- Fri: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 8:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sun. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

One of Atlanta’s first farm-to-table restaurants, Radial dishes up healthy and delicious kid-friendly food and stays open for dinner patrons Thurs.-Sat. Parents will like the industrial-diner vibe, and kids will love the cleverly named menu items and thoughtful touches such as paper bags and crayons to make reusable puppets. Great tip for parents with fidgety kids like our 8-year-old son: Put your name on the call-ahead list to avoid a wait, especially on weekends.

Museum Night: Trains, Planes and Cars

EATING OUT

n What’s on the menu: Sample a brunch special, such as chocolate-orange pancakes ($8.29; $6.29) or PB&J French toast ($7.99; $5.99 for half order).

Save room for arguably Atlanta’s best cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing ($3.49), which we split three ways after devouring our brunch entrées. Lunch options include meat and veggie burgers, salads, and sandwiches ($7 and up). Dinner includes entrées such as beef brisket with bleu cheese polenta and blackened trout with chorizo cornbread stuffing ($12-$16). n Why parents will like it: Radial is Atlanta’s only Green Restaurant Association certified farm-to-table restaurant. The menu features vegetarian and vegan dishes, but there are also meat options. The restaurant’s composts, recycles and uses biodegradable takeout boxes, cups and

Head out to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History for an event to celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary on March 23 from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of familyfriendly activities surrounded by the museum’s trains, vintage automobiles and 19th-century artifacts. Kids can look forward to games such as contests with paper airplanes and fun with slot cars. Admission for this special Museum Night, is $15 for adults; $7 for ages 4-12; 3 and younger, free. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117.

straws. Radial is as easy on your wallet as it is on the environment. Kids eat free on weekdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Radial also serves beer, wine and organic cocktails. I love the shadegrown Nicaraguan coffee, which was promptly refilled during our recent brunch. n Why kids will like it: The kids’ menu includes pancakes with chocolate chips, a hamburger or grilled chicken biscuit sandwich, cheese quesadilla and grilled cheese sandwich. Our son didn’t even have time to get hungry while waiting for his eggs and bacon. The server brought out samples of chocolate-chip banana bread, and our order arrived just a few minutes later. Radial has a sunny outdoor patio, and several cozy booths with power outlets for charging electronic devices. With its laid-back atmosphere, Radial is also a perfect spot for frazzled kids and parents to recharge their batteries!

– Karen Robbins

COMING NEXT MONTH: From April 5-8, Atlanta will host the 2013 March Madness NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball games. In addition to the games, a host of family-friendly events are planned – many of them free. Families can look forward to youth basketball clinics, giveaways, music, entertainment and more. Final Four fun is in store throughout downtown Atlanta: at the Georgia Dome, Philips Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park and more. For a full schedule of events visit final4atlanta.com.

64 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

FREE FUN

Visit a Museum Spend the day learning about history without paying a dime!

Georgia Governor’s Mansion Bring the family to see where Georgia’s governor and first lady live.

Meander from room to room at your own pace. Docents are stationed throughout the mansion to teach you about the collections and answer your questions. Throughout the year, self-guided tours are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. You are advised to to arrive before 11 a.m. in order to complete the full tour before closing time. 391 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta. 404-261-1776.

AT&T Telephone Museum Step back in time with your kids and ponder the evolution of the telephone. From switchboard to digital, review the first century of the telecommunications at this downtown museum created by BellSouth pioneers. You’ll see historical photographs, tapes and slides, an array of memorabilia and even life-size models acting as switchboard operators and other telephone employees. Tours are available by appointment on weekdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 675 West Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-223-3661.

Georgia Governor’s Mansion

Robert C. Williams Paper Museum This Midtown museum within the Institute of Paper Science and Technology allows guests to follow the path of papermaking that began in ancient China. Self-guided tours relate to the art, science, history and geography of paper and the papermaking process. Open weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 500 10th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-894-5726. .

– Kate Wallace

AT&T Telephone Museum

family concert

Mother Goose

by Maurice Ravel

April 14 Sun: 1:30 & 3:30pm Jere Flint, conductor Enchantment Theatre Company Discover the fascinating world of Mother Goose as her enchanting stories are brought to life by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Enchanted Theatre Company! This whimsical performance of Ravel’s Mother Goose offers a fun-filled musical performance of classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes for children and adults.

Presented by:

Family time to treasure!

As little as

$15 atlantaparent.com

404.733.5000 | aso.org Woodruff Arts Center Box Office @ 15th & Peachtree Make it a group! 404.733.4848

Family Fun Guide

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 65

“T

he Adventures of Mighty Bug” at the Center for Puppetry Arts is an action-packed adventure with superheroes, science and silliness.

This comic-book-come-to-life transports the audience to Bugville, where insects of many shapes and sizes live together happily, guarded by the gallant Mighty Bug. The show features a variety of puppetry styles including body puppetry, shadow puppetry and rod puppetry. This mix makes for an exciting and enchanting experience. When the bright life-sized hero Mighty Bug first bursts onto the stage, kids giggle with delight.

But just when you get comfortable singing catchy songs and learning cool things such as that insects can hear, the evil Scorpiana appears! She wants to rule the crawly kingdom. Can Mighty Bug save the day?

That’s about when another hero takes center stage: the lovely Morpha Butterfly.

With her uplifting motto, “be swift and strong and never smug. I believe in every bug!” she uses her special skills to help thwart the sinister plans of Scorpiana and her gang of animal allies.

This entertaining show teaches fun facts.

Photo by Madalina Anton

Mighty Bug is Mighty Fun It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Mighty Bug! If You Go The Adventures of Mighty Bug Center for Puppetry Arts; 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta; 404-873-3391; puppet.org n When: Through March 17; show times vary daily. n Cost: $16.50 ages 2 and older; tickets include museum admission as well as the CreateA-Puppet Workshop (or To-Go Kit), where kids can make their own lightning bug puppet.

For example, did you know that ants can lift 50 times their own body weight? Or that a clean bug is a happy bug? There’s just enough icky to keep it interesting for the young set, like a bit with a dung beetle, a yucky tick and a bevy of gas-related humor. And on another kind of ick, one of the cutest points is when the kids in the crowd collectively cry “eeewww!” when Mighty Bug and Morpha kiss at the end.

My almost-4-year-old son and his year-

older friend had a buggy good time. Younger children might be scared by the use of fog, the flashing lights or the many-legged villain and her not-so-nice plot to do away with Mighty Bug. One of my little companions remarked, “I didn’t like it, I loved it,” and the other declared his favorite character was, “the one with those pinchy things.” My son has been talking about cicadas and singing the refrain of one of the songs since – the true sign of a hit!

– Sherry V. Crawley

678-622-3990

www.lakelaniercanopytours.com 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway Buford, GA 30518

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

66 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

Wagons Ho!

If You Go Conestoga Campouts at The Rock Ranch 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock 706-647-6374; therockranch.com n Cost: $225 per wagon for one night, $365 two-night stay; optional: hot dog supper ($10 each), storyteller session ($65 per hour), astronomy session ($110). Reservations required.

G

et a taste of pioneer days in the Old West by sleeping in a Conestoga wagon. You can do that most any time of year at the Rock Ranch, located in The Rock (yep – that’s the name of this Georgia town in Upson County).

Built in the 1980s out of thick timbers and hardwoods, these eight wagons are modeled after authentic 18th century Conestoga wagons but are three times as large. The roomy “bunkhouse” inside sleeps up to eight on vinylcovered mattresses. In Georgia’s neck of the woods, spring and fall are the best months for sleeping in a canvas-covered wagon.

I was looking forward to some “unplugged” time in the great outdoors. We arrived at our reserved wagon site to find it supplied with everything from drinking water, soap and paper towels, to lanterns, firewood and our own pristine port-o-potty. We brought sleeping bags, flashlights and usual items such as toothbrushes – even though our two boys insisted that cowboys don’t have to brush their teeth.

We said yes to the add-on “bargain” package of a hot dog supper for $10 each; this included a generous supply of hot dogs, buns, chips, condiments, lemonade, paper goods, skewers, ice and all the goodies for making gooey s’mores at our campfire.

Our boys had fun doing such things as watching a herd of nearby cows and playing under the stars. We enjoyed their happy faces in the glow of our campfire, then retired inside and played cards before hitting the hay.

While one night was enough camping for me, our little buckaroos would have happily stayed another night!

– Dana diLorenzo atlantaparent.com

Family Fun Guide

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 67

Child Models

Review: Body Carnival

Lessons for Brains and Bodies

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68 Atlanta Parent March 2013

adies and gentlemen, children of all ages, welcome to Body Carnival! Upon entering the newest exhibit at The Children’s Museum, our boys dove head first – literally – into the Tunnel of Blood. Inside this space that our 3-year-old dubbed “squooshy because blood is squooshy, Mom,” we saw how arterial plaque prevents blood from flowing properly. The fact that it sounded like “growling bears” earned this section bonus points.

Next, we braved the Dizzy Tunnel, just one of 18 different stations in this exhibit about the science of our bodies. Considering motion sickness is my nemesis, I should not have scoffed at the warning sign. The moment my hands were off the railings and the spinning sensation started, I couldn’t get our 4-year-old out of my way soon enough. It didn’t stop me from going through several more times, however.

Wearing bottle cap aviator glasses, the boys had to walk on a yellow line at the Goofy Goggles station. “I can do it!” our 4-yearold boy proudly shouted with each attempt.

Unfortunately, neither he nor his brother did, which they refused to believe until I showed them pictures to prove it. We giggled a lot here.

At Balancing Act we enjoyed experimenting with the center of gravity by placing metal rings on the arms of wooden dolls with varying bases. Requiring patience and thought, this was frustrating to a smaller visitor sitting nearby.

In the Get a Grip center our youngest happily hauled up the heavy hands using ring-shaped handles as he learned how arms are levers and that tendons and finger joints work like a pulley system.

My favorite station was Body Challenge.

Both boys did the Arm Hang, which our oldest loved “because it was good exercise,”

Family Fun Guide

If You Go Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You The Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW; 404-659-5437; childrensmuseumatlanta.org n When: Through May 27. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. n Cost: $12.75 plus tax for adults and children; children younger than 1, free.

Admission is free from 1-7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, when the museum stays open later for “Target Tuesdays.”

and Think Fast, which tested reaction time.

We liked the Calculation Station where they determined their height, weight, and how much water they should drink daily.

We also attended two performances.

Terry’s Terrific Adventure prompted kids to ponder whether items were “sometime” or “anytime” foods and discover how to keep the evil plaque away: by being active, drinking water, and eating good food. After searching for vegetables in the grocery store, the boys got to make and try their own carrot-and-cabbagefilled spring rolls as part of the Health and Nutrition show.

The only downside was not being able to complete Walk the Plank and Human Yard Stick due to missing parts. As always, The Children’s Museum provided an afternoon of educational fun. You’ll have a blast testing your bodies and your brains at Body Carnival – and that’s no ballyhoo!

– Kat Sabo atlantaparent.com

Spring into School Plays &Musicals!

Support local arts by attending a spring production staged by an Atlanta-area high school.

These energetic performances are an affordable outing for the whole family and can offer a fine opportunity for families with younger kids to get a taste of their high school scene. Below is a select roundup of high school theater productions in March and April. The whole family is sure to enjoy the likes of “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Oliver!” Note: Shows are listed in order of performance dates.

All are musicals except “The Foreigner” and “Almost Maine.”

Annie Get Your Gun. Walton High School. Feb. 28-March 1, 7 p.m.; March 2, 2 and 7 p.m. 1590 Bill Murdock Rd., Marietta. 770-578-3225. Waltondrama. com. $10.

The Foreigner. Whitewater High School Theater. March 1-2, 7 p.m. 100 Wildcat Way, Fayetteville. 770-460-3935. $5 advance, $7 at door.

Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Milton High School. March 14-16 and 2022, 7 p.m. 13025 Birmingham Highway, Milton. 770-664-9847. Tickets available via showtix4u.com. $10-$15.

Wonderful World of Oz, Kennesaw Mountain High School.

Bye Bye Birdie. McIntosh High

Bye Bye Birdie. Duluth High School.

School. March 14-15. 7 p.m. March 16. 2 and 7 p.m. 201 Walt Banks Rd., Peachtree City. 770-631-3232. $7.

March 21-23. 7 p.m.; March 24, 2 p.m.

3737 Brock Rd. NW, Duluth. 770-476-5206. $10.

Oliver! West Forsyth High School. March

Wonderful World of Oz.

14-15, 7:30 p.m.; March 16, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; March 17, 3 p.m. 4155 Drew Rd., Cumming. 770-331-6969. Tickets available via showtix4u.com. $12 adults, $10 students.

Almost, Maine. Atlanta International

Urinetown. Starr’s Mill High School.

March 14-16, 7 p.m. Willie Duke Auditorium, 193 Panther Path, Fayetteville. 770-4862710. $12 adults, $8 students.

Guys and Dolls. Woodward Academy.

March 15, 4:15 p.m.; March 16, 2:30 and 7 p.m.; March 17, 2:30 p.m. 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park. 404-765-4000. $6.

The Drowsy Chaperone. Marist School. March 20-23, 7:30 p.m.. 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. NE, Atlanta.

770-457-7201. $5.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. North Atlanta High School. March 21-22, 28-30. 7 p.m. 2875 Northside Dr., Atlanta. 404-802-4700. $10 adults; $7 students.

Anything Goes. Decatur High School.

March 21-23. 7 p.m. 310 N McDonough St., Decatur. $10 adults; $5 students.

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Family Fun Guide

Kennesaw Mountain High School. March 22-23. 7 p.m. 1898 Kennesaw Due West., Kennesaw. 678-594-8190. $8.

School. March 22, 7 p.m.; March 23, 2 and 7 p.m. 2890 N. Fulton Dr. NE, Atlanta. 404841-3840. $20 adults, $15 students.

Little Shop of Horrors.

Pebblebrook High School at the Earl Strand Theatre. March 22, 8 p.m.; March 23, 3 and 8 p.m.; March 24, 3 p.m. 1117 North Park Sq., Marietta. 770-293-0080. $15.

Chicago. DeKalb School of the Arts.

March 28-30 and April 4-6, 8 p.m. 1192 Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates. 678676-2552. $12 adults, $6 students.

The Phantom of the Opera.

Mountain View High School. April 25-27.

7 p.m. 2351 Sunnyhill Rd., Lawrenceville.

678-407-7600. $8.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Sequoyah High School. April 25-27. 7:30 p.m. 4485 Hickory Rd., Canton. 770-345-1474. $10.

– Kate Wallace

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 69

Playground: Tanyard Creek Park

Happy Birthday

to Legoland

Celebrate Legoland Atlanta’s first anniversary with a weeklong Lego-filled bash. From March 16-23, visit Legoland for special Lego building challenges, giveaways, birthday activities, cake, crafts and chances to meet Bertie the Legoland mascot. With special events such as Pirate Party Day (March 18), Party for Princesses (March 19) and Super Hero Party Day (March 21), kids can celebrate all things Lego among fellow Lego fans. Parties are set from noon-2 p.m. For a full schedule of celebration activities, visit the events page at legolanddiscoverycenter.com/Atlanta.

n Features: If you want to experience a piece of Atlanta history while enjoying the great outdoors, Tanyard Creek Park is the place for you and your family. The park entrance to this Civil War landmark looks like a collection of historical markers; however, there is much more than meets the eye here. As we strolled down the large paved beltway trail, we saw plenty of walkers, joggers, dog walkers, and bike riders.

We certainly didn’t feel like we were in the middle of the city! My boys eagerly ran ahead as we took in the gorgeous scenery of the winding creek, sprawling green spaces, bridges and trees which led to an inviting playground nestled in the middle of the park.

The playground boasts two sections – one for toddlers and one for children ages 5-12.

The playground for the younger set has baby swings, ride-on toysand a large wooden play structure with slides, a bridge, and several places for curious toddlers to explore. The playground for older children houses a huge “spider web” for ambitious climbers, along with its own play structure that features slides, monkey bars, and a challenging rock-climbing wall. For extra enjoyment, my boys also played an impromptu game of “hide and seek” behind the many towering trees surrounding the playground, which provide plenty of shade during warmer months.

There is no shortage of activities at this picturesque park. It’s a hidden treasure! n Amenities: Whether you want to spread a blanket on the plush grass or sit at the picnic tables and benches to enjoy a snack while watching your children, this playground can accommodate your needs. However, there are no water fountains or restrooms, so plan ahead for that! n Directions: Collier Road. at Walthall Drive in Collier Hills neighborhood, Atlanta (Fulton County).

Head Southwest on Peachtree Rd. NW. Turn right onto Collier Road NW. Turn left onto Walthall Drive NW. The park is on the left.

– Felicia Barman

Special GueSt appearance by

caroline SunShine FroM “Shake it up”

SaturDay, March 30, 1 - 4 pM Atlantic Station in Central Park – 270 17th Street NW radiodisneylive.com 70 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Family Fun Guide

Watch it on

©Disney

atlantaparent.com

Let the Hunt Begin!

Bring your baskets to any one of these fun Easter events.

Enjoy chocolate, surprises, photos and visits with a big furry pal. l Magic

Monday: Egg Hunt. Atlanta History Center. Search for eggs hidden through the farm, play games, meet the Easter Bunny and make crafts. March 11. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Adults, $6.50; kids, $5.50. l Hop

into Spring. Town Center at Cobb. Live music, an appearance by the Easter Bunny and crafts. Enjoy prizes and activities. March 16. 1-3 p.m. 400 Ernest Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw. 770-4249486. $5. l Eggstravaganza.

Boundary Waters Park. The biggest egg hunt in Douglas County for kids 12 and younger. March 17. 1 p.m. 5000 Hwy. 92/166, Douglasville. 770-920-7129. Free. l Flashlight

Easter Egg Hunt. Deer Lick Park. Bring your own flashlight and hunt for eggs in the dark. March 22. 8 p.m. 2105 Mack Rd., Douglasville. 770-920-7129. 7 and older. $5. l Easter

Egg Scramble. Laurel Park. Hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny. March 22. 6:30 p.m. 151 Manning Rd., Marietta. 770-794-5601.

Free. l Bunny

Breakfast. Ben Robertson Community Center. Enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny, crafts and games. March 23. Seatings at 8 and 9:30 a.m. 2753 Watts Dr., Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. $8; 3 and younger, free. l Bunny

Bash. Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center. Enjoy breakfast and pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts and egg hunts. March 23. 9 a.m.-noon. 4651 Britt Rd., Norcross. 678-2770860. 3-12 (parents must attend) kids, $5; parents, free but $5 to enjoy breakfast. l Easter

Egg Hunt. North Park Softball Fields.

Games, inflatables and exhibitors; Kids are divided into age groups to hunt for thousands of eggs.

March 23. 11 a.m. Pre-hunt activities begin at 10 a.m. 1350 Cogburn Rd., Alpharetta. 678-297-6140.

10 and younger. Free.

Northside Easter Eggstravaganza l Easter

Egg Hunt. Governor’s Mansion.

Sandra Deal hosts the egg hunt at the Governor’s Mansion. Features Easter Bunny photos, cupcake decorating, face painting, a storybook station and more. March 23. 10 a.m.-noon. 391 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta. 404-261-1776. Free. Reservations required.

Egg Scramble. Adams Park.

Goody-filled eggs are hidden; three age category hunts. March 23. 10 a.m.-noon. 2753 Watts Dr., NW, Kennesaw. 770-422-9714. Free. l Easter

l Easter

l Easter

Egg Hunt. Decatur Square. Join the Easter Bunny in age-appropriate hunts for eggs on the square. March 23. 11 a.m.

Downtown Decatur. 404-371-8386. Free. l Easter

Eggstravaganza. The Rock Ranch. Features over 30,000 prize and candy-filled eggs. Try out the “Cow-A-Bunga” zip lines. March 23. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock. 706-647-6374. Egg hunt is free, zip line is $7-$12.

Egg Hunt. E.E. Robinson Park.

Age-appropriate egg hunts, inflatables and the Easter Bunny. March 23. Noon-3 p.m. 850 Level Creek Rd., Sugar Hill. 770-831-7413.

Free. l The

Hunt. Jim Miller Park. Children’s art activities, concessions, visits with the Easter Bunny, the Mad Hatter contest and the egg hunt. March 23. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2245 Callaway Rd., Marietta. 770-528-8875. Free. l Magical

atlantaparent.com

Easter Eggstravaganza. Northside Hospital-Cherokee. Egg hunts by age, petting zoo, carnival games, moon walks and photos with the Easter Bunny. March 23. 1-3 p.m. 201 Hospital Rd., Canton.

770-720-5474. Free admission; visitors encouraged to bring diaper or wipes donations.

Egg Hunt. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Age-appropriate egg hunts, music, games and more. Hunts for ages 4 and younger, 5-8 and two family hunts. March 30. 9:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free. Hunt costs $5.

l Easter

Dinosaur Egg Hunt

l Northside

Easter Eggstravaganza.

Babyland General Hospital. Enjoy breakfast with the Easter bunny, a parade and an Egg Hunt of course! March. 23. Breakfast, 8 a.m. parade, 11 a.m., egg hunt, 2 p.m. 300 N.O.K Dr., Cleveland. 706-865-2171. Breakfast, $10; everything else free.

Family Fun Guide

l Dinosaur

Egg Hunt. Mall of Georgia. Separate hunts for ages 3 and younger and 4 and older. March 30. 10 a.m. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. Free. l Eggstravaganza

Egg Hunt. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Thousands of candy-filled eggs to find, as well as three special prize eggs, Atlanta Braves games and prizes, arts and crafts for kids, a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts: newborns-age 3, 11:15 a.m.; ages 4-6, 11:30 a.m.; ages 7 and older, 11:45 a.m. March 30. 10 a.m. 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338.

Adults, free; ages 12 and younger, $14. l Golden

Egg Hunt. Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Several age-appropriate hunts, prizes, food, kids’ activities and more. March 30. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford. 800-677-5304. Free; parking, $10. l Northeast

Cobb Community Egg Drop.

Sprayberry High School. Food, games, activities and egg hunts for everyone as a helicopter drops thousands of eggs onto the football field. Free photos with the Easter Bunny. March 30. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2525 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta. 770-423-1330. Free. l Taste

of Forsyth. City of Cumming Fairgrounds.

Sample restaurant food, play in the kid’s zone, try the egg hunt, listen to live music and more. March 30. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 235 Castleberry Rd., Cumming. 770-7813491. Free admission; egg hunt, free; food samples, $1-$4. c

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 71

Calendar

March S M T W TH F S

n

Visit our Calendar at atlantaparent.com for calendar updates and ongoing events and attractions in Atlanta.

n

Events may be canceled or changed after our deadline.

n

Submit your Family-Friendly Calendar Event at least 8 weeks prior to the event by visiting atlantaparent.com/event/submit.

n

Please call the event beforehand to confirm dates and times.

EXTREME MAMMALS

classes Home Depot Kids’ Workshop. All locations. Learn tool safety while building a craft and receive a kidsized orange apron. First Saturday of each month. March. 2. 9 a.m.-noon. homedepot.com. Ages 5-12. Free.

Basic Archery. Panola Mountain State Park. Join a certified instructor to learn archery basics. All equipment provided.

Ages 9 and older, pre-register. March. 2.

Noon. 2600 Hwy. 155 SW, Stockbridge.

770-389-7801. Pre-register. $10/person; parking, $5.

Lil’ Bean Heads Crafts. Bean Head Toys.

Create an art project twice a month.

All ages welcome, but smaller children may need assistance. First and third Wednesday of every month. 3-4 p.m.

220 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs.

404-851-2980. Free.

American Girl Crafts. American Girl Store.

Make crafts to decorate your girl. Ages 8 and older. March 3. Noon-2 p.m., March 8. 4-6 p.m., March 15, 19. 4-6 p.m. 1202 North Point Circle. 877-247-5223. Free.

Kid’s Yoga. Cross Life Christian Montessori School. A free “parent and me” yoga class open to the public. First Wednesday each month. March. 6. 9:3010 a.m. 1000 Hembree Rd., Roswell.

Pre-register, 770-475-3812. Free.

Mommy and Me Preschool Program.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. March. 7, 14, 21 and 28: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117.

Ages 3-5. Free with museum admission.

Adults, $7.50; children 4-12, $5.50; 3 and younger, free.

Toddler Thursdays. High Museum of Art. Create masterpieces to compliment the museum’s current exhibits. Ages 2-4.

Thursdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4550.

Free with admission. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free.

Homeschool Day: Empires. Atlanta History Center. Discover the history of Cherokee Indians in Georgia. March 6. 1-4 p.m.

130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404814-4000. $8.50.

Homeschool Science Monday.

Chattahoochee Nature Center. Learn over lunch about Georgia weather.

Afterward, head to the Nature Exchange for the nature project of the month.

March 11. 12:30-3 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

72 Atlanta Parent March 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Fernbank Museum of Natural History OPENING MARCH 2 Learn about creatures large and small in the latest exhibit at Fernbank.

“Extreme Mammals” showcases fossils, rare specimens and lifelike reconstructions of species ranging from tiny Bumblebee bats, to the huge Indricotherium, the largest land mammal ever.

The exhibit offers visitors the opportunity to learn how life evolved and why animals look and behave the way they do. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.

Crafts for Kids. Lakeshore Learning Store. Make a different craft each week. Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4287 Roswell Rd., Marietta. 770-578-3100. 3 and older. Free.

INK Craft Weeks. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids.

Lion Craft, March 4-8; St. Patrick’s Day Craft, March 11-15; Spring craft, March 18-22; Doctor craft, March 25-29; $1 with museum admission. Mon.Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 1-5 p.m. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900. Adults, $8; children, $6.

Build and Grow Clinics. Lowes. Clinics teach kids to build wooden crafts. Free apron, goggles and merit patch. Saturday, March 9 and 23. 10 a.m. Visit lowesbuildandgrow.com for locations. 800-4456937. Pre-register. Free.

Second Thursday Program. Southeastern Railway Museum. Parents and tots program includes circle time, an activity and craft. Ages 1-4. March 14. 10:30 a.m.-noon. 3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth. 770-495-0253. $7 per child, one adult free, additional adult, $8.

Weekends in the Naturalist Center. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Activities include animal encounters, science explorations and more. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6400. Activities included with price of admission. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; younger than 3, free.

Drop-In Family Class: Frogs Frogs Frogs. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Say hello to frogs at the garden. Get up close and personal with several frogs. March 9. 2-3 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859.

Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; 2 and younger, free.

Family Fun Guide

Introductory Parenting Classes. Babies R Us. Smyrna: Breastfeeding, March 1, 5:30 p.m., Infant CPR & Safety, March 12, 6 p.m., Baby Basics, March 22, 5:30 p.m.

Douglasville: Breastfeeding in the First Month, March 1, 5:30 p.m. Baby Basics, March 22, 5:30 p.m.; Fayetteville: Baby Basics, March 19, 6:30 p.m. Breastfeeding 101, March 26, 6:00 p.m. Gwinnett: Car seat safety, March 7, 6 p.m., Baby Basics, March 14, 7 p.m. 678-628-3281. Free.

easter events Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Mall of Georgia. Join the Easter Bunny in the food court for breakfast and a craft. March 9.

8:30-10 a.m. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678482-8788. $5; Kidgit members, free.

Hip Hop Bunny Party. Northlake Mall. Enjoy a dance party and prizes from the Easter prize wheel. March 16. 2-4 p.m. 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. Pre-register, 770938-3564. Kids, $6; parents, $1.

Free Photos with the Easter Bunny.

Alpharetta Welcome Center. Get an individual or family photo with the Easter Bunny and enjoy light refreshments. March 16. 10 a.m.-noon. 178 South Main St. Ste. 200, Alpharetta. 678-297-0102. Free.

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Calendar

ATLANTA FAIR

Caring Bunny. Northlake Mall. Children with special needs can spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical and development needs. March 17. 10:30 a.m.-noon. 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 770-9383564. Photo packages available for purchase.

Turner Field (Gray Lot) MARCH 1-30 MON.-FRI., 5-10 P.M.; SAT., NOON-11 P.M.; SUN., 1-10 P.M.

Natural Egg Dyeing. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Use dyes from plants and learn about them while decorating eggs. March 23, 30 Sat.,10:30-11:30 a.m., 2-3 p.m.; 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta.

404-876-5859. $6 plus admission; Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; 2 and younger, free.

Ride the tilt-a-whirl, indulge in funnel cake, win a goldfish in a carnival game and lots more during the annual Atlanta Fair. Various exhibitors will be on hand throughout this monthlong fair. 164 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta.

404-913-3247. Adults, $5-8; ages 2-11, $1; younger than 2, free. Rides and games cost extra.

Easter Eggstavaganza Party. Malibu Grand Prix. Enjoy a family-friendly party with crafts, giveaways, mini golf, a visit from the Easter bunny and more. March 30. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 5400 Brook Hollow Pkwy., Norcross. 770416-7630. Some activities free, wristbands to Malibu Grand Prix is $15.99/person.

Easter Sunrise Service. Stone Mountain Park.

Simultaneous, non-denominational Easter services at the top of Stone Mountain Park and on Memorial Lawn. Park opens at 4 a.m. March 31. 7 a.m. U.S. Hwy 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. Parking, $10; sky-ride, adults, $9; ages 3-11, $7.

exhibits Bodies: The Exhibition. Atlantic Station. This exhibition provides an intimate and informative view into the human body. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.- Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing. 2685 18th St., Atlanta. 404-496-4274.

Adult, $24; ages 4-12, $16.

atlantaparent.com

Extreme Mammals. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Examine some of the biggest, smallest and most amazing animals of all time. Opens March 2. Mon.Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., noon-5 p.m.

767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300.

Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.

Family Fun Guide

Form Revisited. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. A collection of Pacific Northwest-inspired wildlife paintings

by Pen Brady. On display March 2-Aug. 18. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.

March 2013    Atlanta Parent 73

Calendar National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West. Booth Western Art Museum. View more than 125 rare photographs that capture the pictorial history of Western expansion. Through March 10.

501 Museum Dr., Cartersville. 770-387-1300.

Adults, $10; ages 12 and younger, free.

Space Spinoffs. Tellus Science Museum.

Explore ways and devices that were ”accidentally invented” from space-age technology. Through April 7. Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville.

770-606-5700. Adults, $14; ages 3-17, $10.

Dolphin Tales. Georgia Aquarium. The live show incorporates dolphins, live human actors, dramatic costuming, and special effects. Multiple shows per day, times vary.

Reservations recommended. Sun.-Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 225 Baker St., Atlanta. 404-581-4000. Admission price depends on date of visit; Adults, $34.95; ages 3-12, $28.95.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit. Atlantic Station.

Travel back in time and experience the wonder and tragedy of this ill-fated ship.

Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.- Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing. 265 18th St. (second floor), Atlanta.

866-866-8265. Adults, $24; ages 4-12, $16.

Anne Frank in the World: 1929-1945. Parkside Shopping Center. Learn about the life of the Frank family and others who lived in the secret annex in Amsterdam; includes replica of Anne’s room. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-4 p.m. 5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs. 770206-1558. Free.

Turtle Tours. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum.

Through stories, hands-on exhibits and crafts, museum mascots Sandy the chipmunk and Spring the turtle introduce the youngest visitors to history. Second Saturday of each month. March 9. 11 a.m.

6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs.

404-851-9111. Donations encouraged.

Shutter Sense and Non-sense Photography Exhibit. Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. Explore the playful and spontaneous nature of photography.

Through March 9. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

2020 Clean Water Dr., Buford. 770-9043500. Adults, $7.50; ages 3-12, $5.50; 2 and younger, free.

Frida and Diego: Pasion, Politics and Painting. The High Museum of Art. Review more than 75 works of renowned Mexican painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Through May 12. Tues.-Wed., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4550. Free with admission.

Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free.

Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Kids can explore the physical science of the human body. Through May 27. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437. Adults and ages 2 and older, $12.75; younger than 2, free. Free admission starting at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month brought to you by Target Free Second Tuesday.

74 Atlanta Parent March 2013

TOUCH-A-TRUCK Kids have the chance to gaze upon and climb aboard dump trucks, fire trucks, tractors, police cars, motorcycles and more at these free community events.

Decatur MARCH 9 10 A.M.-1 P.M. Callaway Building Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Pl. 678-553-6541.

Kennesaw MARCH 16 10 A.M.-2 P.M. Historic Depot, 2828 Cherokee St. 770-422-9714.

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors. Georgia Aquarium.

Features 15 species of frogs in more than 3,000 square feet of habitats, with hands-on and interactive activities. Sun.-Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 225 Baker St., Atlanta.

404-581-4000. Admission price depends on date of visit; Adults, $34.95; ages 3-12, $28.95.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Phipps Plaza.

Come play, build and look at a variety of spectacular LEGO exhibits that will have all LEGO lovers amazed. Sun.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.,10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Last admission 2 hrs. before closing.)

3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta. 404-848-9252. Adult, $20.52; ages 3-12, $16.20, 2 and younger, free.

Jim Henson Special Exhibitions. Center for Puppetry Arts. This long term exhibit profiles the life of Jim Henson and his most famous puppet, Kermit the Frog. Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391. Museum admission, $8.25. Free admission Thursdays from 1-3 p.m.

Quarry Exhibit at Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain Park. This outdoor display was developed to tell the story of an industry that played a significant part in the history of Stone Mountain. Mon.-Sun., dawn to dusk. 770-4985690. U.S. Hwy 78 E., Stone Mountain. Free.

Parking, $10.

Centennial Olympic Games Exhibit. Atlanta History Center. Learn about the exciting 1996 Olympic Games that were held in Atlanta.

Permanent exhibit. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun, noon-5:30 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Adults, $16.50; ages 4-12, $11; 3 and younger, free.

movies Alaska: Spirit of the Wild. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Watch the ultimate story of survival in the majesty and uniqueness of wild Alaska. Through March 14. See fernbankmuseum.org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. IMAX tickets: adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; 2 and younger, free.

Family Fun Guide

Flight of the Butterflies. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Enter the enchanting world of monarch butterflies as they travel south for the winter. Through May 9. See fernbankmuseum.org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. IMAX tickets: adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; 2 and younger, free.

music Tuesday Tunes. North DeKalb Mall. Enjoy great music and company every Tuesday.

Noon. 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur.

404-320-7960. Free.

Pickin’ on the Square. Newnan Courthouse Square. Acoustic musicians of all genres and skill levels are welcome to join in on the first and third Saturday of every month.

11 a.m. LaGrange St. and E. Broad St., Newnan. 770-253-8283. Free.

Friday Jazz. High Museum of Art. Listen to jazz performer Joe Gransden. March 15. 5-10 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-7335000. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17; $12; 5 and younger, free.

Crescendo Concert. Atlanta Symphony Hall. Student musicians from the Atlanta area perform a side-by-side concert with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. March 17. 3 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5000. $10.

nature Atlanta Audubon Society Bird Walk. Panola Mountain State Park. Bring your binoculars for a gentle hike through the Park’s Power of Flight area. Birdseed donations appreciated.

March 3. 8-11 a.m. 2600 Hwy. 155 SW, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801. Pre-register.

Free. Parking, $5.

atlantaparent.com

Calendar

March 1st to March 30th

Backcountry Geology Hike. Sweetwater Creek State Park. Three-mile guided hike; learn about rock types and how they formed.

March 3. 1-4 p.m. 1750 Mount Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs. 770-732-5871. $5 per person; parking, $5.

Turner Field

Just off I-75/I-85 just south of downtown!

FAIR HOURS:

Monday- Friday: opens at 5pm.

Saturday: opens at 12noon.

Sunday: opens at 1pm.

Exotic Ectotherm Exhibit. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Visit reptiles and amphibians from the far corners of the globe. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 9770 Autrey Mill Rd., Johns Creek. 678-366-3511. $4/person; $10/family.

Trail Hikes. Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Journey through the CNC trails using biofacts and activities to spark your curiosity.

Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

STARLAB. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Take a naturalist-led journey through the night sky. March 9. 1-2 p.m. Ages 5 and up. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

Candlelight Hike to the Mill. Sweetwater Creek State Park. A mile-long night hike leads to the five-story ruins of the Civil-War era New Manchester textile mill. March 16. 7-9 p.m.

1750 Mt. Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs. 770-7325871. $5/person; parking, $5.

St. Patty’s Day Family Fun Sunday March 17, 1-5 pm

A family friendly atmosphere with carnival rides for all ages and great food! ♦“Lucky” The Leprechaun will be there!

Forest Bird Walk. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Join the Atlanta Audubon Society and learn about our feathered friends. All ages welcome. March 16. 8-10:30 a.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6400. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free. Included with museum admission, preregister.

Full Moon Night Hike. Panola Mountain State Park. Take a hike as the sun sets and the moon begins to rise, wildlife is seen often.

Bring a flashlight and hiking boots. March 23. 7 p.m. 2600 Hwy. 155 SW, Stockbridge.

770-389-7801. Pre-register. $7/person; parking, $5.

Farm Day. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Join the nature center for a day of discovery while visitors learn about the farm animals across Georgia. Look forward to photo ops, crafts, live animals, storytime and more. March 24.

Noon-4 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

Butterflies and Blooms. Panola Mountain State Park. Join a park ranger for a 2-mile walk up Panola Mountain to view beautiful spring wildflowers. March 30. 10 a.m.-noon. 2600 Hwy. 155 SW, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801.

Pre-register. $7/person; Parking, $5.

♦Photo Booth ♦Free baby pageant! ♦Food Truck competition ♦Carmelita the clown ♦Atlanta Silverback’s Day - 3/24/13

www.Atlantafair.com Parent atlanta

Unseen within me is the person I will become.

Montessori Scholars’ Academy

Learning For

Life Currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 school year in the levels: Nursery/Toddler, Preschool and

special events Teen Arts Night. City Center. Teens can bring instruments, poetry, artwork and short stories to share. Includes a slice of pizza and a soda. March 1. 6-8 p.m. 8534 Main St., Woodstock. 678-494-4251. $5.

Fulton County Free Saturday. High Museum of Art. Admission is free for Fulton County residents with I.D. on the first Saturday of each month. March 2. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-5000.

Free.

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Elementary Education.

AMI Certified Teachers.

Is my school providing the foundation I need to reach my fullest academic, emotional and physical potential?

Family Fun Guide

Come discover our programs during Open House

Saturday, March 23th - 12:00 to 3:00 P.M. (770) 754-0777 13100 Morris Road, Milton

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 75

Calendar

VEGGIE TALES LIVE

American Girl Fashion Show. Roswell Dance Theatre. Enjoy an engaging program that showcases historical and contemporary fashions for girls and their dolls. Event includes refreshments, party favors, door prizes and more. March 1-3. Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.; Sun., 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. DoubleTree Hotel. 1075 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell. 770-9980259. $35-$45.

Kid’s Tennis Play Day. Mountain Park Tennis Center. Kids ages 4-10 will learn the basics of tennis while having fun. No preregistration required. March 2. 9 a.m.-noon.

5050 Five Forks-Trickum Rd., Lilburn. 770417-2210. Free.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Don’t miss the “Greatest Show on Earth” as it makes its way to Gwinnett through March 3. See ringling. com for show times. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. 800-745-3000. $14-$90. Prices vary depending on time.

Universoul Circus. Turner Field, Green Lot. Be amazed by aerialists, pretzel twisting contortionists, tigers and more. Through March 3. See universoulcircus.com for show times. 755 Hank Aaron Dr., Atlanta. 800-3167439. $16-$45.

Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Booth Western Art Museum. Look forward to fiddle and banjo concerts, cook-offs, art projects and more. March 7-9. Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 501 Museum Dr., Cartersville. 770-387-1300.

Adults, $10; ages 12 and younger, free.

76 Atlanta Parent March 2013

World Changers Church International MARCH 30, 2 P.M. DOORS OPEN AT 1 P. M. Join the lovable vegetable friends Bob and Larry and the VeggieTales crew as they sing and dance to celebrate 20 years of VeggieTales memories. This highenergy live show will have kids singing along to classics including “The Hairbrush Song” and “His Cheeseburger.” 2500 Burdett Rd., College Park. 770-210-5708.

General admission, $20/person. Ages 2 and younger, free.

Spring Green Festival. Downtown Lawrenceville. Enjoy festivities, arts, crafts, a car show and entertainment throughout the day. March 16.

8 a.m. At Pike St. and Perry St., Lawrenceville. Springgreenfestival. com.

Family Fun Guide

St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Ralph McGill and Peachtree St. Celebrate the Irish holiday with elaborate floats, Irish dancers, bagpipes and more. The parade starts on the corner of Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill and ends at Underground Atlanta with a free festival with entertainment and Irish food vendors. March 16.

Noon. 404-295-5242. Free.

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Calendar Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expo. Perimeter Mall. Parents and kids can meet with representatives from day and overnight camps from all over the Southeast, gather brochures and get ideas for summer camp. March 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta. 770-454-7599. Free.

Extreme Mammals Opening Day Celebration.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Enjoy themed music and games in celebration of the opening of Extreme Mammals. March 2. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404929-6300. Adults, $17.50; ages 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.

American Girl Historical Character Scavenger Hunt. American Girl Store. Go on a scavenger hunt throughout the store and get a free American Girl poster. For ages 8 and older.

March 3, noon-2 p.m. March 15 and 19 at 4-6 p.m. 1202 North Point Circle. 877-247-5223.

Free.

Second Sunday Funday. High Museum of Art. Enjoy art demonstrations, art-making workshops and live performances. March 10.

1-4 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-7334550. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free.

Citizens and Soldiers. Atlanta History Center.

Watch reenactments, weapon demonstrations and enjoy tours of the Civil War exhibitions.

March 16. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta. 404-814-4000.

Admission is free to all, thanks to Bank of America sponsorship.

ZooMobile Animal Adventure. Aurora Children’s Playhouse. An exciting program using live animals and biofacts. Children can make a connection to animals and conservation.

March 30. 10 a.m. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7/person.

storytelling Children’s Story Time. FoxTale Book Shoppe.

Age-appropriate stories followed by dance and song. Mondays and Saturdays. 11 a.m.

105 East Main St., #138, Woodstock. 770-5169989. Free.

Next Chapter JV Book Club. FoxTale Book Shoppe. This book club is for ages 6-12 and includes a snack, discussion and an activity.

Second Friday of every month. 4:30 p.m. 105 East Main St., #138, Woodstock. 770-5169989. Free.

Tales for Tots by Once and Again Books.

Marietta Whole Foods. Enjoy a storytelling session every Tuesday at 10 a.m. 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta. 770-726-9170.

Free.

Storytime with Miss Cynthia. Perimeter Barnes & Noble. Join Miss Cynthia every Wednesday for some wacky fun and crafts with a new story each week. 10 a.m. 120 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta. 770-396-1200. Free.

Storytime at Little Shop. Little Shop of Stories.

Storytelling three times a week; Thursday nights, milk and cookies provided and kids can come in pajamas. Sundays, 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, 11 a.m.; Thursdays, 7 p.m. 133A East Court Sq., Decatur. 404-373-6300. Free.

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Family Fun Guide

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 77

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2 013 DAY CAMPS OVERNIGHT CAMPS SUMMER PROGRAMS

Atlanta Parent – the trusted source for day & overnight camp information for 30 years March 16

Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm Perimeter Mall Atlanta

DAY CAMPS

OVERNIGHT

Tales for Toddlers. Bean Head Toys. Stories read in the indoor tree house, then kids make a craft to take home. Every Thursday.

10:30 a.m. 220 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs. 404-851-2980. Free.

Wren’s Nest Storytelling. The Wren’s Nest.

Wren’s Nest Ramblers host storytelling sessions every Saturday. 1 p.m. 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-753-7735.

Adults, $8; children $5, 4 and younger, free.

Family Storytelling. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Celebrate the power of storytelling with some of the South’s best stories. March 15. 7 p.m. 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404872-5338. Adults, $3; 12 and younger, $1.

Artful Stories. Michael C. Carlos Museum.

Listen to the Native American story, Coyote: A Trickster Tale and explore the southwestern pottery in the Art of the Americas galleries. March 16. 10 a.m. Ages 3-5. 571 South Kilgo Cir., Atlanta. Preregister, 404-727-0519. Free.

For info call Kaitlyn Morris at 678-222-1911 or Kmorris@atlantaparent.com atlantaparent.com 78 Atlanta Parent March 2013

Galapagos George. Center for Puppetry Arts.

Enjoy this uplifting eco-fable about George the Tortoise. March 19-April 7. See puppet. org for showtimes. 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50; younger than 2, free.

Hansel and Gretel with Pairings. Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Enjoy a family classic ballet accompanied by a contemporary dance performance called Pairings by the Atlanta Dance Theatre. March 22-23. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. $15.50-$23.50.

Dream Big. Aurora Children’s Playhouse. This inspiring performance weaves storytelling with music to provide an interactive show about dreams. March 23. 10 a.m. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. $7/ person.

theater Tales of Edgar Allen Poe. Center for Puppetry Arts. Gothic designs, shadowy figures and haunting music complete this production that uses ”table-top” puppetry style.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Through March 3. Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.; Thurs.Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m. 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50; younger than 2, free.

The Adventures of Mighty Bug. Center for Puppetry Arts. Watch Mighty Bug protect Bugville from the evil arachnid Scorpiana in this puppetry performance. Through March 17. Tues.-Fri., 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Sat., noon and 2 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $16.50; younger than 2, free.

Uncle Grampa’s Super Enjoyable Story Castle. Dad’s Garage. Enjoy an improv puppet show with a loveable cast of characters. Saturdays through March 23.

11 a.m. 280 Elizabeth St., Atlanta. 404-5233141. Adults, $7; ages 2-8, $5; younger than 2, free.

Charlotte’s Web. Alliance Theatre. A heartwarming tale of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte, the spider whose clever planning saves him from becoming bacon. March 2, 3, 9 and 10.

See alliancetheatre.org for show times. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4650. $35, adults; $20 ages 12 and younger.

Perimeter Mall is SOLD OUT but space is still available for camps to exhibit at our Kidville show, Saturday, April 20.

The Taming of the Shrew. City Center Auditorium. Witness love prevail between Petruchio and Katharina. March 15-17, 22, and 24. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m.

8534 Main St., Woodstock. 678-494-4251. $10-$15.

Grease: The School Version. MJCCA Morris and Rae Frank Theatre. Enjoy the 50’s-style musical produced by Jerry’s Habima Theatre.

March 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17. Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Sat., 8:30 p.m., Sun., 3 p.m. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. 678-812-4002. Adults, $35; ages 12 and younger, $15.

The Waffle Palace. The Horizon Theatre. Laugh along to this original play inspired by real life events at Waffle House restaurants.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Through March 17. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 3 and 8:30 p.m., Sun., 5 p.m. 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. 404-584-7450. $20-$40.

Family Fun Guide

beyond atlanta High Falls Historic Walk. High Falls State Park.

Join the park’s naturalist on a 1.5-mile walk and learn about the history of the onceprosperous town of High Falls. First Saturday each month. March 2. 10-11:15 a.m. 76 High Falls Park Dr., Jackson. 478-993-3053. $5/ person; parking, $5.

River Giants Exhibit. Tennessee Aquarium.

A collection of freshwater fish at legendary sizes, the “goliaths” of freshwater. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. One Broad St., Chattanooga, Tenn. 800-262-0695. Adults, $24.95; ages 3-12 $14.95.

Flies and Fly Water. Smithgall Woods State Park. Enjoy a show and tell and helpful hints on fly tying, stream reading, casting and more. March 16. 9:30 a.m.-noon. 706-8783087. 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $5/person; 12 and younger, free. Parking, $5.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Babyland General Hospital. Enjoy the holiday with a visit to the Cabbage Patch doll hospital.

March 16. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 300 N.O.K. Dr., Cleveland. 706-865-2171. Free.

Historic Trolley Tour. Augusta. Take the Lady Liberty Trolley for a kid-friendly ride to see some of Augusta’s most famous homes and the Augusta Canal. Hear a historical story and head to the James Brown exhibit at the Augusta History Museum. Saturdays. 1:30 p.m. 560 Reynolds St., Augusta. 706-7244067. Pre-register. $12 per person, includes admission to the museum.

The Peanuts Easter Beagle Express. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Meet Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and the Easter Bunny aboard the train. During a 90-minute train stop, take part in an egg hunt, decorate eggs, enjoy snacks with Snoopy and more. March 29 & 30. Trains depart at 11 a.m. 226 Everett St., Bryson City, NC. 800872-4681. Adults, $51; ages 2-12, $29. c

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consignment

SALES

Consignment sale season has arrived! Don’t miss out on your chance for bargain prices on children’s toys, clothing, books, baby gear and more.

Call or check the website of the sale before you go.

For an up-to-date list, visit atlantaparent.com.

caption

Cherokee All 4 Kids. Old Walmart Building. Feb. 28-Mar. 2. Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.), Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 10029 Hwy. 92, Woodstock. www.all4kids.com

Everything for Children Consignment Sale.

St. Andrew UMC. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 3455 Canton Rd., Marietta. 770-926-3488. www.thepumpkinchurch.org

First Baptist Canton Kids Consignment Sale. First Baptist Canton. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. One Mission Point, Canton. 770-479-5538. www.fbckidssale.com

Due West Treasure Chest. Due West UMC. Mar. 14-16. Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.noon. 3956 Due West Rd., Marietta. www. duewest.org/pages/community/consignment_sale

Hillside UMC Spring/Summer Children’s Consignment Sale. Hillside United Methodist Church. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock. 770-924-4777. www. hillsideumc.org The Glen at Kingsgate Kids Sale. Kingsgate Subdivision. Mar. 23-24. Sat. 8 a.m. 3 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cash only. 158 Nocatee Trail, Woodstock. 770-367-3532

Cobb Kids Kingdom Consignment Sale. Orange Hill Baptist Church. Feb. 28-Mar. 2. Thurs.

6-9 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 4293 Austell Rd., Austell.

770-948-9388 ext. 53. www.orangehill.org KinderMart Children’s Spring/Summer Consignment Sale. Smyrna First United Methodist Church. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.), Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 1315 Concord Rd., Smyrna. www.kindermartsale.com Pass It On Children’s Consignment Sale.

Acworth United Methodist Church. Mar. 1-2.

Fri. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 4340 Collins Cir., Acworth. 770-974-3312. www. acworthumc.org/passiton Lil’ Lambs Closet. First United Methodist Church of Marietta. Mar. 7-9. Thurs. 6-8 p.m. ($5 early shopping fee, Thurs. only), Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No strollers.

56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-429-7850, ext. 7858. www.lil-lambs.org Twice Blessed Children’s Consignment Sale. McEachern United Methodist Church.

Mar. 7-9. Thurs. 5-9 p.m. (No strollers), Fri. 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (No strollers). 4075 Macland Rd., Powder Springs.

770-943-3008. www.twice-blessed.org CCC MOPS Children’s Consignment Sale, Cumberland Community Church. Mar. 8-9.

Fri. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

3110 Sport Ave. Smyrna. 678-941-9197. www.cccmopssale.com

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All 4 Kids. Mt. Paran North Church of God. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.), Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1700 Allgood Rd., Marietta. www.all4kids.com Clothing Kids for the Kingdom Spring/ Summer Consignment Sale. Summit Baptist Church. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 9 a.m.9 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon. 4310 Moon Station Ln., Acworth. 678-409-2197. www.clothingkids.org All 4 Kids. Mt. Paran North Church of God. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.), Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1700 Allgood Rd., Marietta. www.all4kids.com Tots to Tweens Consignment Sale. Sponsored by Northwest Atlanta Moms of Multiples. Sandy Plains Baptist Church. Mar. 16. Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 2825 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta. 678-453-6993. www.NOWAMOM.org Lil’ Blessings Consignment Sale. Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Mar. 22-23. Fri. 9 a.m.7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 2958 North Main St., Kennesaw. 770-427-3109. www.kfbc.org

Coweta Consigning Closets Consignment Sale.

SonRise Baptist Church. Mar. 1-2. Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 6 Shenandoah Blvd., Newnan.

678-485-8708. www.ConsigningClosets.com

DeKalb Five and Dime Kids Consignment Sale. Epworth UMC. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 1561 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta. www.fiveanddimekids.com The Glenn Kids’ Consignment Sale. Glenn Memorial Youth & Activities Building. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.(No children before noon), Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 1669 North Decatur Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-754-4255. www. glennsale.com

Family Fun Guide

Consigning Closets Consignment Sale

Decatur Consignment Sale. First Baptist Church of Decatur. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cash or local checks only. 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. 770-414-6099. www. decaturconsignment.com Dunwoody United Methodist Church Kids Consignment Sale. Dunwoody UMC. Mar. 14-16. Thurs. 5-8 p.m. (No children), Fri. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Strollers or carriers only), Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Strollers or carriers only). 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody. 770-394-0675, ext. 284. www.dunwoodyumc.org Oak Grove Young Children’s School Spring Consignment Sale. Oak Grove UMC. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1722 Oak Grove Rd., Decatur. 404-636-7951, ext.404. www.ogycsconsign.org KidStuff Consignment Sale. Kingswood UMC. Mar. 21-23. Thurs. 5-9 p.m. (No children under 10), Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 5015 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody. www.kingswoodumc. org/missions/kidstuff.htm Kids Used Clothes n Stuff Sale. Decatur First United Methodist Church. Mar. 22-23. Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-372-7478. www. kidsusedclothesnstuff.com

Douglas Little Angels’ Closet. Midway UMC. Mar. 14-16.

Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-noon and 5-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 1930 Midway Rd., Douglasville. 770-577-9171

Fayette Peachtree Kids Market Upscale Consignment and Overstock Sale. Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 2443 Hwy. 54 West, Peachtree City. 404-931-4243. www. peachtreekidsmarket.com

Forsyth Kid’s Spring Consignment Sale. Cumming First United Methodist Church. Mar. 7-9. Thurs.

8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.(No strollers) and 5-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 770 Canton Hwy., Cumming. 678-873-2963. www.cfumcga.com Cont’d on page 80

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 79

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B USIN ESS

SALES

C AM P

404-993-4122

eimdance@gmail.com

eimdance.com

Supplement or replace Your Income

Where: St. Lukes Presbyterian Church Dunwoody, Georgia

When: June 24th to June 28th Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM DAILY What: Hip Hop, jazz, ballet, arts and

crafts, water games, dance games and a fabulous show for family and friends on Friday afternoon!

Visit Us at

www.UCanWahu.com

Who: Girls and boys ages 4 to 14

Is your child uninsured?

They may be eligible for PeachCare for Kids or Medicaid.

Voice • Beginning Piano Kindermusik • Musical Workshops

Enroll Now For Summer Camps!!

404-636-1009 This publication has been created by Seedco with nancial assistance, in part, through a grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

C A MP

themusicalexpression@gmail.com www.themusicalexpression.com

Creekside MOPS Consignment Sale. Creekside UMC. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 673 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming. www. creekside.net

Fulton Lil Angels Consignment Sale. Alpharetta First United Methodist. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.) and 5-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 69 North Main St., Alpharetta. www.lilangelsconsignmentsale.com RCOG Kid’s Consignment Sale. Restoration Church of God. Mar. 1-3. Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. 410 Rucker Rd., Alpharetta, 404-277-6650. www.restorationchurchna.org All 4 Kids. Roswell Town Center. Mar. 7-9. Thurs.

9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (No strollers before 11 a.m.), Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 608 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell. www.all4kids.com Angels Attic Upscale Consignment Sale. Johns Creek UMC. Mar. 7-9. Thurs. 6-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek. 770-497-8215. www.johnscreekumc.org Roswell United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten Consignment Sale. Roswell United Methodist Church. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (No strollers before noon), Sat. 8 a.m.noon. 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. www.rumc. com/rumck St. James UMC Spring Consignment Sale. St James UMC. Mar. 22-23. Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta. 404261-3121. www.stjamesatlanta.org Spring/Summer Consignment Sale from North Metro Mothers of Multiples. Roswell Area Park, Bill Johnson Community Activity Bldg.

Mar. 23. Sat. 9 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 10495 Woodstock Rd., Roswell. 678-445-0017. www.northmetromultiples.org/consignment.html

Gwinnett Fancy Finds Kids Consignment Sale. Dacula Family Village. Feb. 28-Mar. 2. Thurs. 6-9 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 1152 Auburn Rd., Ste. 105, Dacula. 678-227-8471. www.fancyfindskids.com North Metro First Baptist Church MOPS Spring/ Summer Consignment Sale. North Metro First Baptist Church. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon. 1026 Old Peachtree Rd. NE, Lawrenceville. 770-995-9055. www.northmetro. net/mops

Advertise your camp here. Call Jennifer.

678.222.1912 80 Atlanta Parent March 2013

St. Matthew’s Preschool and Kindergarten Consignment Sale. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. 1520 Oak Rd., Snellville.

770-978-1323 Mountain Park UMC MOPS Spring Sale. Mountain Park UMC. Mar. 8-9. Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 1405 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. 404-229-3968. http://mtnparkmops.bravehost.com Between Friends’ Consignment Sale. River Colony Clubhouse. Mar. 14-16. Thurs.-Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon. 1318 Christiana Dr., Lawrenceville. 404-394-6760

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Marketplace

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PAR T Y

Ellenwood Equestrian Center

Liza Bean Designs. Face Painting for any occasion: Parties, School, or Church Events and Festivals. Also, custom murals, artwork, belly casting and painting.

404-247-4783. www.LizaBeanDesigns.com.

Where we focus on teaching “total horsemanship”

Summer Camp Countryside Setting

Close to Intown

Mountain Park UMC MOPS Spring Sale

500 Clark Rd. Ellenwood, GA • 404-317-2670

ellenwoodequestriancenter.com

McKendree Kids Clothes Closet. McKendree UMC. Mar. 16. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 1570 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., Lawrenceville. 770-3399801 Rhea Lana’s of John’s Creek. Pleasant Hill Shopping Center. March 17-23. Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Mon.-Wed. & Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-noon.

Former Barnes & Noble location, 2205 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth. 404-539-0937. www. johnscreek.rhealana.com

Kidz Consignment Sale. Clermont Gym. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon and 12:30-2 p.m. 639 Main St./Hwy. 254, Clermont. 706-865-7389. www.consignmentkidz.com

We Have !

Moved

SP E C I AL N E ED S European School of Music. 404-255-8382. Beyond Tutoring ... Improving Academics! Piano, Violin, Voice, Language, Math, Chess instruction. Scholarships for gifted and special needs students; Unique self-healing methods!

Henry Second Time Around Kids Consignment Sale. McDonough First United Methodist Church Gym. Mar. 1-2. Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-noon. 151 Macon St., McDonough. www.secondtimearoundkids.com

Paulding

Celebrating over 30 years!

Spring & Summer Clothes Arriving Every Day JUST VISIT OUR NEW LARGER SPACE 800 Miami Circle • Buckhead 404•261•7519

Hall

Twice is Nice Consignment Sale. Hampton First Baptist Church. April 12-13. Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 85 McDonough St., Hampton. 770-946-4804. www.HamptonFirstBaptist.org

R E SAL E

TUTORING

C L ASSE S The Bush Centre for Ballet: Classical Ballet Program (Ages 3-adult). Contemporary lyric jazz, pointe, prepointe. Annual recital. Summer Camp. Sandy Springs. www.bushballetcentre.com. 404-256-5542.

MOVERS

Heavenly Hand-Me-Downs Childrens’ Consignment Sale. Dallas First United Methodist Church. Mar. 15-16. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 141 E. Memorial Dr., Dallas. www.heavenlyhandmedowns.org My Kidz Closet Children’s Consignment Sale.

Community Fellowship Church. Mar. 28-30.

(Presale Wed. 7-9 p.m. with $5 donation or 5 canned goods). Thurs.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 612 Cohran Store Rd., Douglasville. www.mykidzclosetgeorgia.com

Rockdale Tykes, Tots & Teens Consignment Sale. GA International Horse Park, Multi-Purpose Bldg.

Mar. 9-16. Sat. Mar. 9, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun.-Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (Closed from 6-7 p.m.) 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers. 678-984-2909. www.TTTsale.com

Walton Bright Beginnings Preschool Spring Consignment Sale. First Baptist Church of Loganville. Mar. 5-9. Thurs. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 680 Tom Brewer Rd., Loganville. 770466-2770. www.bbpreschool.org c

atlantaparent.com

5151 S Royal Atlanta Drive Tucker, 30084 “Each franchise is independently owned and operated.”

Private, in-home tutor, Dual-Certified Elementary & SpEd Teacher. Experienced, individual instruction PreK5th Grade incl. gifted and summer tutoring. Excellent references! Jblase@bellsouth.net 770-712-1288

Recycle this magazine

March 2013 Atlanta Parent 81

Humor

by Cynthia Bombach Helzel

Four Stealth Mom-neuvers Pssst – all you moms (and dads) out there, this information is for your eyes only. After 14 years of motherhood, I’ve come up with four top-secret “mom-neuvers” that you can use to outwit your kids and make parenting easier.

Mom-neuver No. 1: “Lost” Toys For my son’s first birthday, his Nana bought him a toy fire truck that talked, blew its horn and emitted an ear-splitting realistic siren sound. Did you know it could also fly?

It flew out the door early one morning after the siren came on by itself at 3 a.m. That truck disappeared the next day. Hmm, wonder what happened to it? I’m not exactly sure, but later that week I thought I heard a muffled “woo,woo,woo” sound coming from the town dump.

One day when my son was about 5, a lot of annoying toys got “lost” when I cleaned his room. When I was done, he came in and looked around in amazement. “Wow, Mommy,” he said, “you did such a good job that I can’t even see where some of the things are!”

Mom-neuver No. 2: Bathroom Time I discovered this trick when my son was a very gabby preschooler. The story goes like this: Mommy was home with her little boy all day and after several hours of his continuous talking, she got a little tired of listening. But Mommy didn’t want to hurt her son’s feelings, so she politely let him go on. And on. And on. Until she just couldn’t take it anymore. But instead of yelling at him to be quiet for five minutes PLEASE, she invented Bathroom Time.

“Honey,” she said to her talkative tot, “It’s Bathroom Time for Mommy. Bathroom Time is private time, which means no talking to me when I’m in there.”

Any reason for using the bathroom counts as Bathroom Time. This includes using the toilet, taking a bath, cleaning, experimenting with new hairstyles or just looking out the window. It all counts as long as Mommy is in the bathroom with the door closed.

Mom-neuver No. 3: Sneaking Veggies Into Food I’ve heard of this mom-neuver, but I haven’t had to actually use it because (bragging here!) my son loves vegetables. So I’ve never tried to hide broccoli in his meat loaf, or grate carrots into his cookies. He eats broccoli and carrots all by themselves. But I would recommend the method to those of you whose kids won’t eat anything that never had wings or isn’t made of at least 10 artificial ingredients.

Mom-neuver No. 4: Stealth Snacking You’re dying to have some of those greasy potato chips in the cupboard, but after lecturing your child daily about healthy eating habits, you can hardly scarf a handful of chips in front of him, right? So here’s what I do. I wait until my son is busy watching TV or doing his homework. Then I oh-so-sneakily open the cupboard, carefully pinch the potato chip bag between two fingers so as not to make a crinkling sound, lift it off the shelf (I’m holding my breath at this point), and set it on the countertop in front of me. I take a moment to catch my breath, then slowwwwwwwwwly open the bag, so that the only sound I hear is – “Mom? What are you doing? Oh! Can I have some? Please? Can I, huh?”

And I say, in a slightly irritated voice, “No, honey, these are very bad for us. So I’m throwing them away.”

And I do.

Now that’s stealthy. c 82 Atlanta Parent March 2013

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