March 2016

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Inside 32 March Vol. 33 / Number 3

YEARS OF ATLANTA PARENT

Departments

Features 12

St. Patrick’s Day Tricks

You never know what a leprechaun will do – from hiding chocolate gold coins to leaving tiny green footprints all over the house. Have some fun on St. Patty’s and delight your kids.

14

Hippity Hoppity, Easter’s On Its Way

Make some whimsical chicks and eggs with these crafts you can do with the kids. Easter arrives on March 27 this year, but Easter egg hunts start much earlier. Go to page 55 for a list of Easter Egg Hunts.

30 39

Montessori: A Beginner’s Guide

Montessori schools are no longer just for early education – many now offer classes covering middle school and high school. Learn all about the Montessori method of instruction.

8 Publisher’s Note

10 News You Can Use 66 For the Fridge

Words of humor & wisdom

Family Fun Guide 49

50 Eating Out: Folk Art 51

Free Fun: Fire Stations

52

Atlanta Science Festival

53

Review:

54

Silver Comet Linear Park

56

Cherry Blossom Festivals

57

Exhibit: Mystery of the Mayan

58

March Calendar

Hook Reluctant Readers

If your kid thinks reading is boring, these tips will help change his mind.

16 Birthday Party Planner

Get creative with Atlanta Parent’s help and plan a birthday party your child will remember. We’ve gathered ideas and know-how, along with listings of our favorite party places. Plus, try these simple ways to let your child know he’s loved every day.

Not-to-Miss Events

New Worlds of Puppetry Museum

Medallion at the Children’s Museum

Don’t Miss Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expos, March 5 & 6 at Perimeter Mall.

Magazine Association of the Southeast

2013 Award Winner atlantaparent.com

Like us on Facebook; facebook.com/ AtlantaParentMagazine March 2016 Atlanta Parent 5

Does your child have ASTHMA? Take part in a Clinical Research Study!

PUBLISHER Liz White

lwhite@atlantaparent.com

Consider joining a research study at Emory University / Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to improve asthma treatments for African Americans/Blacks.

ASSOCIATE Laura Powell PUBLISHER lpowell@atlantaparent.com

BUSINESS Amy Smith DEVELOPMENT MGR asmith@atlantaparent.com

To participate in this study, you must:

ACCOUNT Carolyn Haushalter EXECUTIVE chaushalter@atlantaparent.com

Be 5-21 years old Have at least one grandparent of African descent Qualified participants will receive:

Alice Bruce | 404-712-1773 alice.bruce@emory.edu

ACCOUNT Candy Stirling EXECUTIVE cstirling@atlantaparent.com

Shanneka Douglas | 404-727-7687 sdougl5@emory.edu

Asthma medications

SPECIAL EVENTS & Jordan Lisvosky

DIGITAL SALES jlisvosky@atlantaparent.com

Pulmonary evaluation Compensation for time and travel

CONTRIBUTING Amanda Miller Allen

EDITOR

EDITORIAL Sheri Taylor-Emery

ART DIRECTOR creative@atlantaparent.com

PRODUCTION Robin Mintz

OPERATIONS Caroline Ward MANAGER cward@atlantaparent.com

MARKETING MOM Felicia Barman

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FUN! 6 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Peachtree Junior Ages 14 & Under Piedmont Park atlantatrackclub.org

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

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Atlanta Parent magazine is available free of charge at more than 1,000 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. First class subscription only $30 per year. Subscription orders must include check or money order made out to Atlanta Parent magazine.

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March 2016    Atlanta Parent 7

Publisher’s Note

Written and directed by Jon Ludwig

AGES 4 & UP

galapagos george

the little tortoise that could

By Barefoot Puppets of Richmond, VA

AGES 4 & UP

404.873.3391 puppet.org

Montessori, Birthdays and So Much More We’ve been thinking a lot about why you read our magazine. We know Atlanta Parent is your go-to source for new places to explore along with fresh ideas. So, this month we cover two big topics, Montessori education and planning that special birthday party for your child.

Our two preschool children attend Montessori school. I had many questions before choosing Montessori for them. If you’re not familiar with it, Montessori school can be somewhat intimidating, as it does not follow all the traditional methods of schooling.

As I’ve watched my kids grow and thrive in a Montessori environment, I’ve discovered that I love the structure and the quiet busy-ness with kids working independently and in groups. They learn from each other as well as the teacher. Our writer, Kyla Steinkraus, gives us the skinny on the Montessori method of instruction on page 30.

Don’t miss our annual Birthday Party Planner on page 16. You will find ideas about how to plan an event your child will remember, party themes and listings of some of our favorite party places. We also include ways to let your children know how much you love them not only on their birthday but every day of the year.

We’re eager to hear what your favorite parts of the magazine are and more of what you would like to see. Consider joining our Parent Advisory Board (application at atlantaparent.com).

Keep in touch through Facebook (facebook/ atlantaparentmagazine), Twitter (twitter.com/atlantaparent), and stop by to chat at our final Camp Expo of the year at Perimeter Mall March 5-6 (find out more about the expo on page 49).

Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible • Arts Center Station

1404 Spring Spring Street Street NW NW 1404 Atlanta, GA 30309 Atlanta, GA 30309

Advance purchase is highly recommended as many shows sell out quickly.

Season supported in part by: Fulton County Board of Commissioners; the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs; and Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photos by Clay Walker and Warren Johnson

8 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Associate Publisher

How to Reach us: Telephone 770.454.7599

Email lwhite@atlantaparent.com

Fax 770.454.7699

Website www.atlantaparent.com

Snail Mail 2346 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30341

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

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ON THE

WEB n Getpostly.com Download this app for iPhone and android and turn any photo on your phone into a postcard.

Build collages, apply filters and customize your card with stickers. The app is free; each card sent costs $1.99 worldwide, for instant delivery.

n Daniel Tiger’s Stop & Go Potty app Using Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’s Stop & Go Potty song and games, this app helps kids remember to stop playing and take care of bathroom needs, including skills of flushing, and washing and drying hands. $2.99.

MJCCA Summer Family Membership n We’re New to Instagram Welcome us by following @atlanta_parent for sneak peeks into upcoming issues, not-to-miss events, eating out fun, new exhibits much more.

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PleasePlease see atlantajcc.org/specials for complete offer details.details.

Restrictions apply. Fee visit atlantajcc.org/specials for more non-refundable and due in full by May 15.

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March 2016 Atlanta Parent 9

News You Can Use

by Amanda Miller Allen

Be Careful with Technology and Kids

Advertising to Kids Ever wonder why advertisers target children? Consider this:

100

The number of brand logos the average 3-year-old recognizes

$20 billion

The amount advertisers say is the sales market for children younger than 3.

A flashy toy or tablet may not be the best choice for a toddler. Researchers at Northern Arizona University say the noisy toys capture a child’s attention, but often the child plays with the device alone, wasting time that could be better spent interacting with parents or other children and honing developmental skills. Kids whose parents read with them develop better dialogue and emotional skills, researchers found, and an old-fashioned puzzle works better than the latest computer game.

8

The age at which kids begin to realize advertising can be misleading Source: Focus on the Family

Georgia Tech is Tops University of Georgia fans won’t agree, but Georgia Tech has been picked as the state’s top public university. Tech came in seventh among best colleges nationwide, earning an A in seven out of nine categories, according to rankings by niche.com. UGA ranked second among state colleges, and 11th nationwide.

Sunshine Ahead The clock is ticking – Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13. Don’t forget to set your clock ahead an hour.

Identifying Depression at an Earlier Age Primary care physicians should screen all children ages 12-18 for major depression, according to a new recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. When severe depression remains undiagnosed, kids can have difficulty completing school work or engaging with their peers and family, and are at a higher risk of depression as adults.

The early diagnosis should be coupled with treatment and follow-up, the task force said.

10 Atlanta Parent March 2016

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Find a Bargain at Consignment Sales!

Some sales have restrictions, so call or check the website of the sale to make sure you know the rules. Have fun shopping and be sure to check atlantaparent.com for an updated sales list. n All 4 Kids – West Cobb

n NOWAMOM

March 3-5 Cobb County Fairgrounds 2245 Callaway Rd., Marietta all4kids.com

Tots to Tweens Consignment Sale March 12 Sandy Plains Baptist Church 2825 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta nowamom.org

n Tykes, Tots & Teens

Consignment Sale March 5-12 GA International Horse Park 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers tttsale.com

NOWAMOM Tots to Tweens Consignment Sale

n All 4 Kids – East Cobb

n Summit’s Clothing Kids for the Kingdom

March 18-19 Mt. Paran North Church of God 1700 Allgood Rd., Marietta all4kids.com

April 15-16 Summit Baptist Church 4310 Moon Station Ln., Acworth clothingkids.org

n All 4 Kids – Roswell

n Kindermart

n Decatur Consignment Sale

March 10-12 Roswell Town Center 5000 Commerce Pkwy., Roswell all4kids.com

March 18-19 Smyrna First United Methodist Church 1315 Concord Rd., Smyrna kindermartsale.com

April 22-23 Decatur First United Methodist Church 300 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur decaturconsignment.com

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March 2016 Atlanta Parent 11

8 Fun Leprechaun Tricks to Play on Your Kids

by Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

From the time your kids wake until they leave for school or childcare, they will enjoy finding the tricks and treats a leprechaun left behind on the night before St. Patrick’s Day. Begin St. Patrick’s Day by sneaking into your kids’ rooms and putting shamrock stickers on their cheeks or feet!

Use a green eyeliner pencil or green dry erase marker to write a message on the bathroom mirror from a tricky leprechaun, such as “Can’t Catch Me!” Use washable green paint to place a tiny footprint on each side of the toilet seat, then for extra giggles, add a few drops of green food coloring to the toilet water! (To make leprechaun footprints, spread a thin layer of green washable paint onto a paper plate. Make a fist, and press the pinky side of your fist into the paint. (thumb side up) Then, press the side of your fist onto the surface you would like to print. This will make a little leprechaun footprint.

Create the toes of the foot by dipping your pinky into the paint and using your pinky to make five dots above the footprint.)

Turn everything topsy-turvy in the dining area! Flip chairs upside down, leave cabinet doors open and add more green footprints on the refrigerator door.

Add a few drops of green food color to the kids’ milk. If your kiddos are juice drinkers, decorate the rims of their glasses with rainbow sugar. In a small plate, spread three different colors of decorating sugar, but don’t mix up the colors. Wet the rim of each glass with water, then dredge the rim in the sugar. Fill with juice and serve!

Serve up colorful rainbow pancakes or waffles. Divide the batter into three parts, and then tint with food color. Put each color of batter into a plastic sandwich bag. Close tightly, then push the batter into one of the bottom corners of the bag. Snip the corner off with scissors and squeeze out the batter as you would from a pastry bag. Squeeze one dollop of each color in the waffle maker for rainbow waffles. Create each pancake from all three colors as well. Serve with whipped cream and green sprinkles!

Hide gold coins or paper shamrocks around the house for kids to find.

12 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Fill the kids’ shoes with gold chocolate coins for a special treat.

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Don’t miss our last Camp Expo of 2016!

Atlanta Parent’s first two-day show has more than 60 camps from Atlanta, the Southeast and beyond.

30 different camps per day!

A free event

Camp Westminster

PERIMETER MALL MARCH

MARCH

11 AM to 4 PM

1 to 5 PM

5 & 6

For more info, visit Atlantaparent.com/camp expo to see which camps will be present on each day.

ONE

CHICK AND

FIVE

EGGS We pecked around on Pinterest and found these fun ideas to make Easter egg-ceptional.

Mason Jar Chick A small jar (available in the canning section of most grocers) becomes an adorable treat holder when filled with Starburst candies. Tape on yellow cupcake holders for wings and draw a face on the glass using a sharpie marker, or if you’re feeling crafty, cut a beak and feet from construction paper. Sure, you have to pick out all the yellow candies from the bag, but since they come in red and pink, too, use your imagination and make another cute critter. shakentogetherlife.com

Thumbprint Eggs This just might be the cutest and easiest idea ever. Let kids dip their thumb in paint (lighter pastel shades work best). You may need to dab the thumb on a paper towel before pressing it on the egg. Once the thumbprint is completely dry, use your imagination to make simple line drawings using the print for inspiration. babble.com

Minion Easter Eggs Color your eggs by dipping half of the egg into yellow dye and letting it dry before dipping the other half into the blue. You’ll want to keep the eggs in the dye a little longer until you have a bright, bold color. After the eggs are completely dry, use glue to attach black string and craft store googly eyes for the goggles. Draw on a mouth with a black sharpie.

Tip: Make an egg drying stand out of a paper towel tube cut into sections. apumpkinandaprincess.com

14 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Glow-in-the-Dark Eggs Plastic Easter eggs and dollar store glow sticks can turn your egg hunt into nighttime fun. Snap the glow sticks and insert into eggs along with a small piece of candy. Tape securely shut. We found these at lilluna.com and they recommend connecting the ends of the glow stick and twisting it into two circles so that it fits inside the egg more easily. lilluna.com

atlantaparent.com

Chalkboard Easter Eggs

More Decorating Ideas

There are loads of sites out there that feature this craft but we found this one on mom. me. Use chalkboard paint to turn eggs into a canvas for your young artists. This site used Martha Stewart’s line of paint but basic black chalkboard paint is available at most hardware stores and comes in brush on or spray varieties.

You’ll likely need two coats and be sure to follow application directions. Hand your kids some chalk and let them get to work. And if they don’t like the design? That’s the beauty of chalkboard paint. They can simply erase and start over.

Note: While we could find nothing that said this paint was dangerous on eggs, if you’re planning on using them for other than decoration, you may want to err on the side of caution and use a paint specifically labeled as non-toxic. Both Lullaby Paints and ECOS sell a non-toxic variety. mom.me

l Two-toned eggs: Dip top half of

hard-cooked egg in 1 color and the bottom half in another. Or, dip each half of the egg in the dye for different lengths of time, creating different shades of the same color. l Painted eggs: Mix 20 drops food

color and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar in small container. Paint hard-cooked eggs with a small paintbrush or cotton swab. Go wild with stripes, polka dots and zigzags. l Designed eggs: Before dyeing,

place rubber bands, stickers such as chicks, rabbits, flowers or other springtime favorites, or paper reinforcements on the eggs to create the design of choice. Once dry, remove the rubber bands, etc., to view the design. l Personalized eggs: Write initials,

Shaving Cream Eggs You can get this beautiful marbleized look on your eggs using only white shaving cream (or cool whip) and food coloring. Squirt the shaving cream into a rectangular baking pan and spread it out evenly. Drip several different colors of food coloring onto the cream and swirl them together with a straw. Be careful not to over mix – you’re going for a tie dye look. Roll an egg on one side into the mixture then flip and repeat. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse clean. The cream goes away and the color remains. craftymorning.com

atlantaparent.com

names or draw pictures on the egg with a white or light colored crayon before dyeing. l Color wash eggs: Place several

eggs in a colander in the kitchen sink. Splash eggs with vinegar.

Drop yellow food color onto eggs.

Gently shake the colander for a few seconds to help the color spread.

Let stand 30 seconds. Repeat with 1 or 2 additional food colors. After the final stand time, lightly rinse eggs with water. Drain completely. Allow eggs to dry.

Source: McCormick.com

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 15

10 Ways to

Celebrate

by Kristy MacKaben

Birthdays aren’t all about the perfect party. Use one – or more – of these ideas to make your child feel special on his special day.

4

Talk them up.

Kids don’t tire of hearing wonderful things about themselves.

So, have everyone in the family tell the birthday kid what they love. This could be a good exercise for the non-birthday kids to learn how to give compliments without automatically receiving one in return.

Wake up to surprises. Wrap their

bedroom door. Fill their room with balloons while they’re sleeping. Write birthday wishes on the bathroom mirror. Decorate a birthday chair and use a special birthday plate. Give your child a balloon for each year of age and fill each balloon with $1. Who wouldn’t have a great day after all of that?

Tell your kid their birth story complete with photos, baby books or blogs. It doesn’t matter how many

5

times they’ve heard it, kids will listen up when it comes to hearing how they came into the world. The night before their birthday is the best time to do this.

Try to tell little details leading up to their birth. What happened the day before your child was born? What was going on in the world? What were your first thoughts when you laid eyes on your little one?

Show them their baby book, their coming home outfit (if you kept it), pictures or maybe a blog … anything documenting their special baby moments.

2

Wear it. Every

kid should get to wear a special birthday shirt, crown, pin, necklace or some other accessory. Then they will be wished “Happy Birthday” by everyone they see throughout the day.

Before the Party

1

3

6

Let the world know it’s their birthday. Write birthday

wishes like “Honk for the Birthday Kid” all over your car. (Buy special markers just for windows.) Or have their birthday announced on TV. At least one week before your child’s birthday, send a “birthday wish” to the Sprout television network and it will be announced at 9 a.m. during the Sunny Side Up Show. (This would mostly be for preschoolers who are home in the mornings.) Take older kids to Medieval Times where they will be made royalty for the day. Their birthdays will be announced during a special ceremony before the show, and also during the show. Birthday kids also receive free admission on their birthdays.

Compare your child to last year and celebrate them this year.

Look up last year’s physical stats if you keep those, or call your doctor and ask for records. Measure your birthday kid and compare their height and weight.

If you’re feeling crafty, make a sign comparing the stats, along with all their likes and dislikes, their favorite sports, hobbies and school subjects, and what they want to be when they grow up. Celebrate their accomplishments and everything they’ve learned over the past year.

Include photos from fun events, trips and moments.

Even if you haven’t done this in the past, this is the year to start. Keep all these little signs and save for a scrapbook to present when it’s time for college.

16 Atlanta Parent March 2016

7

Make lunch special. Eating lunch with your child at school

or childcare, or bringing in a treat to share with classmates would be ideal. But if that’s not possible, lunch can still be packed with birthday fun. Pack your child’s favorite lunch, along with a special treat, and wrap each food item in wrapping paper. Include a special note or birthday card.

Cont’d on page 18

Party Planner

atlantaparent.com

Birthday Party Resource Guide CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER 770-992-2055 ext. 237 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell www.chattnaturecenter.org

Make memories and enjoy your child’s special day – while we take care of all the work! Parties include admission to CNC, exclusive time with a CNC naturalist, and special activities based on the party package you choose.

Our four party packages offer you the opportunity to find the right plan for your child. Options include exploring the woods, getting up-close with nonreleasable wildlife, discovering the stars in our STARLAB, or exploring the Discovery Center and Nature Exchange. All parties include your choice of an encounter with one of our non-releasable animals plus all the party fixings.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA 404-527-3693 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta 30313 childrensmuseumatlanta.org

A party at the all new Children’s Museum of Atlanta is the perfect way to celebrate your child and provide a fun and memorable experience for your guests. VIP packages include private party room, host, science or art take-home activity, and fun and learning on the all new Museum floor.

BE A CIRCUS BIRTHDAY STAR! 404-370-0001 Dunwoody and Decatur www.CircusCamp.org

Celebrate your child’s birthday with Circus Camp’s trained professionals. One-on-one instruction learning to swing on the trapeze, spin on the Web, and get all fancy with our expert face painting. Magic shows, balloon sculpting, juggling and other extras are also available. Register online NOW before all time slots are filled!

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 404-929-6318 FernbankMuseum.org

Host a one-of-a-kind party for your one-of-a-kind kid at Atlanta’s home to dinosaurs. Basic party package includes a private party room, Museum admission, a dino t-shirt for the birthday child and dino-mite goodie bags for guests. Available add-ons include IMAX® film tickets, science shows and animal encounters. Ask about member discounts!

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Party Planner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 17

10 Ways to

Celebrate Before the Party 8

◆ Indoor Park ◆ Private Party Rooms ◆ Real Life Driving Experience ◆ High Tech Cars for All Ages ◆ Realistic Streets with Traffic Signals

Send them on a treasure hunt. Instead of just handing your

child a pile of presents, send them on a treasure hunt with clues to find each present.

Make it even more special by including fun memories from that year on each of the clues.

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2055 Beaver Ruin Rd. • Norcross • 470-545-7227 • tinytowne.com Start the day with a little celebration. Who says birthday candles are just for cakes? Make your child’s favorite breakfast and stick a candle in it.

Whether it’s pancakes, muffins or yogurt parfait doesn’t really matter. And, go ahead and sing “Happy Birthday.”

9

10

Each birthday is a celebration, but it can also be a milestone. Make children

feel special no matter what age they are turning by allowing them a special privilege each year they get older. When they reach a certain age they can drink soda, take pictures with the family camera, stay up a little later, have a playdate without a parent tagging along, walk across the street by themselves, create their own email address … the possibilities are endless. Most of these ideas don’t cost much, if anything, but they make the birthday kid feel special and a little more grown up. c

18 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Party Planner

atlantaparent.com

Birthday Party Resource Guide LASER VOYAGE CAFÉ

1866 Buford Hwy., Duluth 30097 678-514-3430 Laservoyage.com Will you join the marauding crew as you pillage and plunder or will you mutiny against the legendary pirate? Equipped with laser and vest, your adventure begins. Plan your birthday party, school/team event or church group here for the ultimate Laser Tag party experience!

SWING, JUMP AND DUNK WITH SUPERIOR PLAY SYSTEMS Norcross: 678-380-5551 Alpharetta: 678-624-7529 SuperiorPlay.com

Looking for a unique birthday party? Your children can play on our award winning play sets, jump on our safety tested trampolines, or shoot hoops on our Proformance basketball systems. Enjoy a private party room for two hours as up to 15 children explore and play on multiple play systems, trampolines and basketball courts. $199 Weekday Party; $249 Weekend Party.

TREETOP QUEST

770-365-0356 In Dunwoody and Buford info@treetopquest.com www.treetopquest.com Plan your children’s adventurous birthday party at our Treetop Obstacle Course and Ziplining in Dunwoody, or Buford! From age 4, this outdoor recreational activity is different from other birthday party places! Tight ropes, rope swings, slides, net bridges and zip-lines for older kids … just outdoor fun!

WAR GAMES TACTICAL LASER TAG 770-696-6161 5140 Commerce Pkwy., Roswell wargamesatl.com

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to play your favorite video game in a LIVE ACTION setting ... then this is for you! There are war soundscapes, sentry turrets and plenty of props to keep the experience authentic. The war themed party rooms are perfect for birthday parties.

atlantaparent.com

Party Planner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 19

The Perfect Gift

Wish Lists Take the Guessing Out of Buying

by Kristy MacKaben

W

hether you think it’s obnoxious or convenient, gift giving for birthdays has changed in recent years. While gift registries were once reserved for weddings or baby showers, kids are now making their birthday wish lists public.

Kid’s Party

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

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424-2287

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20 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Websites like Amazon, Pinwheel, WishPot and TallWish allow children to select gifts from different retailers to create specialized wish lists.

Local stores have also gotten in on the action. Brilliant Sky Toys, in Sandy Springs and Atlanta, offers a gift registry service where children go into the store to select gifts they wish to receive, and the sales associates create wish lists, and wrap the gifts for friends or family members who buy the gifts. The service is especially popular with outof-town family members who call to purchase a gift that the parents of the birthday child pick up and give on the child’s birthday.

“It’s easier and it’s the convenience of people coming in and knowing the child will get something they want,” says Sandy Springs store manager Lisa Nicholas, explaining children usually pick gifts for the registry in the $10 to $40 price range. Though it might seem awkward to tell people what to give your child, most gift givers like the service because they know the child will enjoy the gift, Nicholas says.

Learning Express, a specialty toy store with locations in Alpharetta, Marietta and Atlanta, takes wish lists to another level. The store allows birthday kids to come in a couple weeks before their birthdays and pick out their desired toys and put them in

a special birthday bin with their name on it.

Then, friends or family members can find the bin behind the counter and pick a gift, which is wrapped in the store.

“They get a box and fill it with the stuff they would like to get for their birthday,” says Christina Merced, sales associate at the Alpharetta store. “It’s funny to see the things they put in there – anything from little knickknacks and lip glosses to $100 scooters for the grandparents to get them.”

Most parents make sure the gifts vary in price, so that there are plenty of affordable options. Merced says the average price of a birthday gift ranges from $10 to $30.

“There’s two sides of it,” Merced says.

“The parents of the birthday child know that the kid will get what they like and they won’t get duplicates. But the biggest benefit I hear is from parents who come shopping for another child. They don’t have to spend hours trying to figure out what does this child have or want.” c

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GET THAT

PARTY STARTED

Successful birthday parties don’t require flawless execution – often they’re just a mix of fun ideas.

Here’s a potpourri of things to consider.

Atlanta Parent has teamed up with six local party places to each give away a birthday party for 8.

Did your child just celebrate their birthday? No problem, you have until March 2017 to redeem.

No Fuss Party

Enter to win a party from:

If you’re no Supermom, let someone else do most of the work. Most places kids love offer reasonably priced party packages that include time in the venue, a decorated party room, a cake and more. Take the kids bowling, skating, playing laser tag, jumping on a trampoline, to a nature center, the zoo, the aquarium, a water park or pool, a puppet show, a museum – the list is endless.

That’s Entertainment!

Some people are always the life of the party – magicians, puppeteers, DJs, clowns, costumed characters – or hire a parrot show or camel/pony ride to fascinate kids in your own backyard. It’s not as expensive as you might think.

Chattahoochee Nature Center 770-992-2055 chattnaturecenter.org

Teaching Moments Help your children learn to be thankful for good friends and good fortune, and to show it. Sit down with your child and write thank you notes to each guest for his gifts and friendship. Take a photo of each guest with the birthday child at the party and include it in the thank you note.

Laser Voyage 678-514-3430 laservoyage.com

Eye-Opening Party Stats An estimated $600 million is spent annually on kids’ birthday cards, gift wrap and partyware. Guests spend an average of $10-$20 on a gift.

Birthday Gifts, Who Needs Them?

A party with friends celebrating your child’s special day with games, laughter and cake is often enough to make him feel loved. If your older child feels altruistic, why not ask guests to bring toys or a book to donate to children less fortunate, or can goods for a food pantry, or $5 to $10 toward a cause the party child supports? Let the party child help with the planning. Another idea: Have kids bring used books or toys to exchange, so everyone goes home with a “new” gift. c

Slingshot Entertainment 678-585-2268 slingshotplay.com

– Amanda Miller Allen

Stars and Strikes 678-965-5707 starsandstrikes.com

Book Now for a Great Birthday Party!

Superior Play Systems Norcross: 678-380-5551 Alpharetta: 678-624-7529 superiorplay.com Arcade Games Laser Tag Mini Golf Go Karts Rock Wall Spider Zone Inflatables

Birthday Child

Free

when you book a party for 8 expires Dec. 31, 2016

706-335-FUNN

40155 Hwy 441Commerce, GA Interstate85@ Exit 149

funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com atlantaparent.com

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@gmail.com

Tiny Towne Drive Safely 470-545-7227 tinytowne.com

Enter to win at atlantaparent.com/winaparty now through March 31!

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 21

Let’s Party at Home

by Kristin Smith

You and your child are excited about The Big Day. What to do? To help put your family in the birthday spirit, take a look at these ideas for at-home parties.

l Sporty Sports are great fun at a birthday party, especially if activities can be done outside. Set up the backyard as a playing field with obstacles that incorporate your child’s favorite sports. Choose seasonal sports, such as football in autumn or baseball in the spring/summertime. Put up a volleyball net in the corner of the yard and have tournaments. Challenge older kids with something really wacky. Blindfold them before they begin a “tournament” or make them sit on the ground to play. If you have a pool, throw in a few greased watermelons and divide guests into teams. The first team to pull the watermelon over the pool edge wins a prize.

If your sporty child’s birthday is in summer, center the party theme on this year’s summer Olympics. On the Rio 2016 Olympics website, you’ll find many ideas for a birthday party theme. Archery, Table Tennis or Badminton are sports easily set up in the backyard. Party favors can be goggles or swim caps, long ribbon streamers reminiscent of those used by the Olympic gymnasts, or Badminton birdies. Make the cake in the shape of the Olympic rings and serve tropical foods in honor of Brazil.

l Outdoorsy Outdoor birthday parties are always fun, and, your house doesn’t get destroyed. Fill your backyard with “treasures” and send the guests on a treasure hunt, the birthday kid leading the way. Treasures hidden in fake moleskin pouches would make fantastic party favors. Put flower seed packs in them and, afterwards, hand out small terra-cotta flowerpots, paints/ brushes, and bagged soil to have a planting activity. For kids 9-11 years old, divide guests into two teams, hand them identical maps with clues, and several flags (different colors to tell which team is which). As they go on their treasure hunt, teams use their flags to mark the clues they find.

The team that finds the treasure box splits the loot. Loot can be bags of trail mix, granola bars, beef jerky, individual packages of candy or s’mores making kits, and small toys like compasses or kazoos.

l Culinary Celebrate the big day with a cookie bake-off or make some fab pizza. Turn your kitchen into a bakery and get busy with flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and lots of excited party guests. Younger kids will eat what they’ve made and enjoy it much better. Prepare stations in advance and name them yummy names to tickle the guests’ fancy. If your little cooks are ready to put beautiful cupcakes together, have a table set up with: “Sprinkle Zone,” “Gummy Bear Den,” “Icing Kingdom” or “Chocolate Heaven.”Let them decorate to their hearts’ content!

Older kids can invent their own dish with ingredients given to them, just like on The Iron Chef. A taste-off will ensue and a vote on the best creations.

Let the kids experiment with ingredients like finger fruits, vegetables, candies, crackers, raisins or cereal Make sure to always discuss food allergies with parents before the party and make a list of what your guests are allowed to eat.

Cont’d on page 24

22 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Party Planner

atlantaparent.com

Tips for At-Home Success Following a few tips on throwing a successful home birthday party will make your life less stressful and ensure a great party.

1

Have a birthday countdown calendar and complete a couple of birthday party tasks each day until the big day occurs. Try not to wait until the last minute.

2

Get the birthday kid involved in planning the party. Parents may overlook how much fun kids have when planning their birthday parties.

That’s your cue to have fun, too, and let go of nitpicky concerns.

3

Who to invite? The size of the party is important in terms of space and wallet.

4

Ask for volunteers to help with crowd control.

Parents are usually eager to give a hand.

5

Expect that not everything will go as planned. Don’t worry about it and let it go.

6 7

Keep activities going at a reasonable pace.

8

Have a “quiet spot” available for children who become overwhelmed by the party’s noise and bustle.

Enjoy your child’s birthday party.

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

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Open Play Times (See website for times)

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Party Planner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 23

Let’s Party at Home l Spa Ooh La La! Allow party guests to spend a day being pampered at the spa. Pedicures and manicures, cucumber facemasks, and new hairdos are a few delectable treatments the birthday kid might enjoy with friends. Drape the walls with posters of the Eiffel Tower, play French music, and serve dainty finger foods to guests as they lie under a mud mask or have their pedicures.

If it’s a warm day, take the party outside and let them soak up the rays as they beautify. Set out towels so they can have a cucumber facemask, or they can sip on bubbly pink lemonade while they make their own scented perfume. A yummy parfait station is a must! This can be an ice cream parfait with lots of sweet toppings, or, for a more healthy option, choose creamy yogurts with an assortment of fruits and granola. Either way, it’ll taste good.

The

POLO CLUB

of ATLANTA

atlpoloclub@yahoo.com 770-317-7546

l Movie

or Book Themed

Decorate the living room to look like a scene from a book or movie, and center activities around events that happen throughout the story. Guests can come dressed as a favorite character from the movie or book. Discuss with your birthday kiddo what parts of the story he wants to use as stations.

For example, if her favorite story is The Polar Express, think about decorating your party room like the inside of a train car. It can be as elaborate (or not) as you want it to be, and guests can enjoy making their own hot chocolate, going on a “Bell”

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Alligators, Monkeys, Farm Friends and more!

Live animals of all kinds!

Hands-on, Fun, Educational

www.azootoyou.com 24 Atlanta Parent March 2016

678-708-2321

Party Planner

atlantaparent.com

scavenger hunt (you can buy silver bells at Michaels or Hobby Lobby), and making DIY candy Santa Sleighs. With The Polar Express, it would be easy to ask all your guests to bring sleeping bags, pile them up on the floor in front of the TV, and, after all the fun and games, watch the movie.

Books and movies are so versatile that this kind of party is easy to put together. Sending a copy of the book (or movie) home with each guest would be a great addition to goodie bags.

l Arts

and Crafts

A party in the spring would be a great time to decorate birdhouses or create a “fairy” garden using a shallow planting pot beautified with glass bead mosaics or sponge painted with bright, fresh spring colors.

Beads, paints, clay or play dough, pipe cleaners, stickers, and glue just skim the surface of the arts and crafts world.

The American Girl crafts are becoming incredibly popular, so try a knitting or sewing party right in your living room.

Kids might enjoy building models of planes, cars or trains, or having a Lego party.

Arts and crafts go way beyond just coloring on paper. Let guests celebrate by getting creative and making something they love. c

fUN-O-RAMA PARTIES Full Service Themed Parties

Inflatables & Party Rentals • Face Painting Creative Balloon Art • Characters & Mascots Puppets, Magic & MORE!

770-572-1737 www.funoramaparties.com

BIRTHDAY PARTIES & SUMMER CAMP

Extended Day • Bus Service • Arts and Crafts • Farm Animals • Riding • & MORE! Alpharetta 770.337.4785

www.campmagnolia.com atlantaparent.com

Party Planner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 25

Party Planner Whether you’re planning a birthday bash for 20 kids or a block party for 100, our Party Planner is your ultimate resource for finding entertainers, party places, supplies and everything you need to plan your event.

Listings provided by advertisers

Entertainers The Alison Agency thealisonagency.com Clowns, Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures, Inflatables, Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, DJs, Hula Dancers, Caricaturists, Magicians, Story Tellers, Princesses and more! $100 and up. 770509-9409.

Belly Dance & Hula atlantabellydance.com Our dancer(s) put on a fab show and/ or can teach everyone at the party a cultural & fun dance. 404-638-6530.

A Zoo to You-Wildlife Wonders zootoyou.net A variety of animals: alligators, kangaroos, monkeys, lemurs and parrots. Petting zoo and pony rides available. $200 and up. 706-348-7279.

Piccadilly Puppets piccadillypuppets.org Choose between several interactive puppet shows with stories and music. The birthday child receives a puppet. Make-a-puppet activity also available.

Ages 2-10. $180 and up. 404-636-0022 Red Hot Fire Truck Events redhotfiretruckevents.com 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, decorations, kid-size firefighter gear and more. $175-$500 (5-Alarm Package). 404-925-1221.

Science Creations sciencecreations.com Science parties plus horseback riding, reptiles, face painting, rockets, and more. $150 and up/10 children, ages 3-13. 678-531-2357.

Mobile Party Services

Club SciKidz clubscikidz.com One-hour interactive science parties with demonstration and take home projects.

Pick from different themes. Goodie bags included. Ages 4-13. $225 and up. 678398-7683.

Jax Jubilations jaxjubilations.com Customized parties to fit your child’s personality.

We do all the work and you enjoy the fun with your child. Décor, party favors, themed cake, entertainment included. Starting at $1,499. 770765-6463.

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

My Pony Party myponypartyatl.com We come to you. Pony parties and events.

Princess, western and unicorn themes available. $225 and up. 678-592-4790.

Dream Friends Entertainment dreamfriendsentertainment.com Princesses, Superheroes, Costumed Characters, Clowns, Mascots, Magicians, Firebreathers, Stiltwalkers, DJs, Hula, Jugglers, Mime, Swimming Mermaids, Pirates, Circus Acts, Tween Themes. Starts at $120. 404-319-0180.

26 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Sam’s Path Mobile Petting Zoo samspathpettingzoo.com We come to you! Monkey, Kangaroo, Zebra, Camel, Lemur & Farm Animals. Camel & Pony Rides. $250 and up. 706-717-8837.

Tumblebus tumblebusatlanta.com A Gym on Wheels with tumbling, rock climbing, monkey bars, trampoline and more. 15 child maximum. $250/hour and up, ages 2-6 years.

770-529-5771.

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

Atlanta History Center atlantahistorycenter.com History is happening! Book your next custom party experience at the Atlanta History Center. Parties created for all ages and interests starting at $250.

Call 404-814-4031.

Center for Puppetry Arts puppet.org For members only. Includes 10 tickets to a performance, priority seating, birthday announcement before performance, party room for one hour, crown and throne for birthday child. Packages starting at $211.25. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-881-5149.

Chattahoochee Nature Center chattnaturecenter.org Includes a guided hike, nature activities, live animal encounter, refreshments, party favors and use of a party room. $250 and up for 10 kids and 2 adults.

9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055, ext. 237.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta childrensmuseumatlanta.org Celebrate at the all new Children’s Museum! Parties include full access to Museum floor, party host, private room or picnic table. Science and Art Themes available. Members receive discounts. Ages 2-8. 275 Centennial Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-527-3693.

Fun-O-Rama Parties funoramaparties.com Theme décor, face painting, balloon art, costumed entertainers, inflatables and rental. $75-$250 per event. 770-5721737.

Jason’s Music Party jasonsmusicparty.com A Birthday Concert for your Child!

Interactive, live musical entertainment.

Ages 1-8. $175 and up. 678-708-2321.

My Reptile Guys myreptileguys.com We offer exciting reptile shows to fit any age group and party size. All shows are fun, educational and totally interactive! Best of all, we come to you! $180 to $225.

877-544-7755.

Red Hot Fire Truck Events

Party Planner

College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience cfbhall.com Put Your Next Birthday Party in the Hall of Fame!

Celebrate Hall of Fame style with 95,000 square feet of interactive fun including a 45-yard indoor football field! Multiple packages available including the guest of honor’s name on the video board, a birthday cake and more! Book today! 404-880-4841 or groups@ cfbhall.com.

atlantaparent.com

Circus Camp Birthday Parties circuscamp.org Learn to fly on the trapeze, spin on the Spanish web and aerial silks. Face painting.

Includes party room. Ages 5-teen. $450 and up/2 hours for 12 children. Dunwoody & Decatur locations. 404- 370-0001.

D-BAT Buckhead dbatbuckhead.com Make your kids birthday party a grand slam at D-BAT! Parties led by professional instructors and include pizza, drinks, cake and of course all the fun! All you have to do is show up! Parties start at $250.

2345 Adams Drive NE, Atlanta 30318.

404-355-9700.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History fernbankmuseum.org 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; addons available. 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta.

404-929-6318.

Funopolis Family Fun Center funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com 11 Acres of indoor/outdoor FUN for all Ages. Character visits available. Group Pricing. Birthday parties starting at $15.50 per person. 40155 Hwy 441 South, Commerce. 706-335-3866.

GAS-ART Gifts gas-art.com R. Gregory Christie’s GAS-ART GIFTS offers 2-hour art parties. Whether it’s a painting party or a Bookbinding bash, experience a festive atmosphere. Painting parties entail 11x14 canvases which are dry and ready to take home. Bookbinding parties include illustration lessons. Starting at $25 per child. 404-801-4926.

Glow Galaxy glowgalaxy.com Private party with one of two glow-in-thedark play arenas with sports court and minigolf course. $200 and up. 6527-D Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross.

770-368-3008.

Henri’s Bakery henrisbakery.com Kids decorate their own cupcakes or cookies. Also includes custom cake, party sandwiches and drinks. Parties start at $180. Call Kim at 404-237-0202 to book your party.

Interactive Neighborhood For Kids inkfun.org 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 Street, Gainesville.

770-536-1900.

atlantaparent.com

Funopolis Family Fun Center

Laser Voyage Cafe laservoyage.com Birthday Parties are Ultimate!!! Heart-pounding, live-action pirate laser tag! Navigate a maze of passageways in a legendary pirate ship! 1866 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 678-514-3430.

Magnolia Farm campmagnolia.com Make your child’s birthday memorable! Two-hour parties: picnic tables, art, farm animals, painting a real horse and led horse ride! Alpharetta. 770-337-4785.

Mud Monkey on Peachtree mudmonkeyonpeachtree.com Paint your own Pottery! Perfect for birthday parties – choose from a large selection of fun and functional pieces, home decor items and figurines. $25 per painter. 2385 Peachtree Rd. NE, #105, Atlanta.

404-812-1750 The Polo Club of Atlanta poloclubofatlanta.com 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.

Robotic Explorers roboticexplorers.com Celebrate your child’s birthday with a special day designed for your little engineer. We offer Master Builder and Robotics parties featuring LEGO® for ages 4 to 12. Parties start at $30 per child with a minimum of 10 children. 715 Hembree Place, Roswell. 770-772-6622.

SkyView Atlanta skyviewatlanta.com Celebrate your next event on top of Atlanta at SkyView.

Jump in a climate controlled gondola and see the city from a different view! Private Party Space and VIP Experiences. Birthday Parties, Field Trips, Group Outings. events@skyviewatlanta.com. 678-949-9023.

Slingshot Entertainment slingshotplay.com Combine your choice of Electric Go-Karting, Bowling, Ninja Obstacle Course, Netted Play Structure and arcade for the ultimate party! All parties include a party host, pizza, and drinks. Parties start at just $18.95 per guest! 6344 Cash Court NW, Peachtree Corners/ Norcross. 678-585-2268 x 516.

Party Planner

Southeastern Railway Museum southeasternrailwaymuseum.org Parties in restored rail cars or outdoor pavilion.

Train rides and miniature park train rides are available. Includes admission for up to 20 guests. 2 hours, $150 and up. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 770-476-2013.

Splash on Literacy Kids Art Studio splashonlit.com Birthday Child FREE. Includes 12 children, Storytime, Canvas Painting and more. Packages Starting at $250. Visit website for CAMP RSL Read Splash & Learn Info. 8470 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Alpharetta. 786-505-1278.

Stars and Strikes starsandstrikes.com Bowling, Arcade, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars and Extreme Party Packages for kids and teens.

Party Host, pizza/soda, invitations included.

All birthday kids get entry into FUN MACHINE! Parties start at $189.90. Buford/Mall of Georgia, Cumming, Columbus, Dallas, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, Woodstock. 678-965- 5707.

Superior Play Systems superiorplay.com Looking for a unique way to celebrate your little one’s birthday? Our parties include two hours of playing on our award winning playsets, jumping on the safest trampolines, and shooting hoops at our huge indoor play areas in Norcross and Alpharetta. Parties start at $199 including private party room. 800-875-7946.

Tech Time Academy techtimeacademy.com Celebrate your child’s birthday at Atlanta’s newest Technology Center. Explore robotics, coding, animation, gaming, and more! Activities for all ages. Parties start at $250. 678-485-7941.

Tiny Towne Drive Safely tinytowne.com Indoor Park for aspiring drivers, ages 3-15. Learn the rules of the road, drive, ride, play, eat and party! Private party room and packages. 2055 Beaver Ruin Rd., Norcross. Packages start at $249. 470-545-7227.

Continued on page 28

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 27

Party Planner Treetop Quest treetopquest.com A family friendly Treetop Obstacle Course and ZipLines! Ages 4 and older, bring your own food and party supplies! $22-32 per child. 2 locations: Buford and Dunwoody. 770-904-3547.

TUMBLE TOTS

Preschool & Parties & Drop In Age s 1-7

CAMP & PRIVATE PARTIES!

Norcross Art • www.funttots.com

Music • Stories 770-729-9660

FUN INDOOR PLAYGROUND

Tumbletots Preschool & Birthday Parties funttots.com Private parties with indoor playground, moonwalk, theme cake, crafts, tattoos, story time, balloons and gift bags. Ages 1-6. $220/12 children; $10/ additional child. 770-729-9660 Vinings School of Art viningsschoolofart.com Custom canvas paintings, or create and paint three dimensional sculptures, or clay handbuilding. Ages 3 to adult. PRIVATE: $215 for up to 10 children; $265/15 children; $300/18 children and up. 1675 Cumberland Parkway #102, Smyrna. 678-213-4278.

War Games wargamesatl.com A 5,000 square foot war zone has loads of unique features. Remote activated sentries, sniper spots and much more! The briefing and party rooms are perfect for birthday parties and private events! 608 Holcomb Bridge Rd., #130, Roswell. 770-998-6161.

• Trackless Train • Snow Cones • Popcorn • Cotton Candy 24’ Climbing Rock Wall

770-422-7200

www.obrienproductions.com

28 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Young Chefs Academy-Marietta mariettaga.youngchefsacademy.com You supply the chefs. We supply the rest! Cook up tasty food, interactive cooking lessons that take on an uproariously fun flair and leave the mess in OUR kitchens! Packages start at $275. 770-427-2665.

Zoo Atlanta zooatlanta.org Be a party animal! Celebrate your birthday party at Zoo Atlanta. Includes 90-minute pavilion rental, admission and catering for 16 guests. Additional entertainment options. $475+tax. Contact 404624-5650 or specialevents@zooatlanta.org

Party Planner

War Games

Supplies & Rentals Fun-Fare fun-fare.com Atlanta’s premier event company with over 50 inflatables, quad jump, 24 ft. rock wall and trackless train. $99 and up.

770-425-3033.

Jumptastic jumptastic.com Atlanta’s leading supplier of Inflatable Moonwalks, Slides, Games & Rides.

Over 300 inflatables. Insured. $150 and up.

404-537-1805.

O’Brien Productions obrienproductions.com Whether you need table linens, inflatables, trackless train, rock walls or DJ’s they have it all. $250 and up. 770-422-7200.

Suburban Rental suburbanrental.net Those guys rent everything! 30+ years serving Atlanta, Marietta and Roswell. Check out their wide variety of equipment. $80 and up. 678-569-1271. c

atlantaparent.com

CREATE A

ONE-OF-A-KIND

CELEBRATION for your ONE-OF-A-KIND

KID!

birthday hotline: enchanting 404.881.5149 performances Parties are a party room Members Only perk.

Purchase your create-a-puppet Family Membership workshops™ with your party!

Sports-Themed Parties

Let our instructors take care of the work, while your kids enjoy playing wiffleball, kickball, dodgeball or any fun game they choose!

404-355-9700 DBATbuckhead.com

atlantaparent.com

Party Planner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 29

MONTESSORI: A Beginner’s Guide

l l l l l

by Kyla Steinkraus

A

Montessori classroom is a little different. Instead of desks, students work at tables or sit on mats on the floor. The room is warm, inviting and ordered, with open workspaces and learning areas full of appealing activities. Children are curled up with books. Others collaborate together in soft voices. One child works intently with counting beads.

Students move around the room, choosing scientifically designed materials specific to their interest and development.

You won’t find the teacher lecturing at the front of the class; instead, she is encouraging this student, observing that one, guiding them all. While it may seem a bit strange to some of us, the Montessori method of education has been practiced for more than 100 years.

Dr. Maria Montessori developed the system of education in 1907 after observing that children enjoy teaching themselves. Her theories are backed by 80 years of research conducted by Montessori educators all over the world.

The Montessori program started as early education, but many schools have expanded the concept into elementary, middle, and even high school.

More than 5,000 schools in the United States and close to 100 private and public schools in Georgia use the Montessori method, according to the American Montessori Society. Georgia’s first Montessori school was Springmont School, founded as First Montessori School of Atlanta in 1963 with eight students. The school now educates students through middle school. l l l l l

Northwoods Montessori

30 Atlanta Parent March 2016

atlantaparent.com

Several critical aspects separate Montessori from other education methods.

Is Montessori for you?

Here’s what you need to know.

Multi-Age Classes Multi-age groups are a standard element of the Montessori method. Children are grouped into three-year ranges, from 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. The younger children learn by listening and watching the older children, says Patricia CraftHeuer, the Director of Education at Village Montessori. Older students act as mentors and role models while younger students are encouraged and supported.

The three-year age range also allows each child to develop at their own pace.

“Montessori does not classify the children. It classifies the curriculum,” explains Dr. Feland Meadows, a leading expert on Montessori education and the Endowed Chair and Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University.

students’ learning styles, abilities, interests, and progress in the curriculum areas. Then they match each student with appropriate lessons and material. Under the teacher’s guidance, students are free to explore and learn according to their own interests.

Montessori Curriculum

Homework

The Montessori curriculum meets or exceeds the Common Core state standards.

Montessori schools cover the same subjects as traditional schools, but they are integrated across the curriculum. A study of the Egyptian pyramids might weave together history, language, the arts and geometry.

“This approach shows the interrelatedness of all things and allows students to immerse themselves thoroughly in a topic,” says Marcy Krever, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Montessori Society.

Montessori students learn through direct experience and discovery, by seeing, touching, hearing and doing. During long blocks of uninterrupted work time, students engage in math, science, history, art, geography, language and music.

Jeff Bezos

Stephen Curry

Taylor Swift

Prince George

Montessori Alumni The Montessori system boasts an impressive list of alumni, many of whom credit Montessori as critical to their development as creative thinkers: Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com; Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founders of Google; Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez; NBA MVP and Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry; and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Great Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen a Montessori education for 2-year-old Prince George.

The Montessori philosophy encourages families to engage in quality time together to inspire the child’s natural curiosity and nurture the child’s interests, Krever says. At home, children should work on household chores, helping a neighbor, or cozy up with a good book. Older elementary and middle school students may bring home projectbased work that is tailored to the child’s interests. Students conduct their own research from articles and books, rather than relying on a textbook. Worksheets are avoided.

Assessing Student Progress Many Montessori schools do not use grades. Montessori cultivates intrinsic motivation, engaging in learning for the joy of it, rather than the reward of a grade.

“Respect for the child as a person, and as a learner with an individual pace, needs and interests is difficult to express with grades,” Pruitt Hall says. Teachers assess students through performance, evaluating projects and observations of student interests.

Older students demonstrate mastery through in-class presentations, student work portfolios, and sometimes standardized testing. Teachers observe academic skills as well as indications of social and personal development. According to Dr. Meadows, Montessori assessments are more accurate than standardized tests because the teacher observes her student’s progress in every area, every day.

Cont’d on page 32

Self-Paced Learning The Montessori approach does not support a one-size-fits-all approach to education, where advanced students must wait for the rest to “get it,” and struggling students are forced ahead without grasping the lesson. “Learning thoroughly, at one’s own pace, results in a student who is ultimately stronger academically,” says Gail Pruitt Hall, the Director of Education at Northwoods Montessori School in Atlanta.

In Montessori schools, students learn at their developmental level. Teachers observe atlantaparent.com

Montessori at Vickery

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 31

MONTESSORI:

A Beginner’s Guide More Than Academics The Montessori method places strong emphasis on developing the whole child – social, emotional, physical and cognitive. It stresses character development and social skills, such as helpfulness, respect for self and others, and responsibility. Research shows Montessori students have advanced social and behavioral skills. They demonstrate a greater sense of justice and fairness. Several studies found that Montessori students developed greater levels of concentration and competence, which increases self-esteem, self-confidence and self-motivation.

Lauren Pilliner, a Brookhaven mom of two students at Northwoods Montessori, chose the school because of its emphasis on fostering a student’s independence and natural curiosity. She sees an increased willingness in her children to tackle tasks themselves.

Atlanta dad Brian Parks sends his kids to Arbor Montessori, where they’ve excelled socially, learning to communicate by speaking directly to adults, to articulate their emotions, and to “interact gracefully with younger and older children.”

Arbor Montessori

The Reward of Early Education Even a few years of Montessori early education makes a difference in students’ long-term success. “Montessori early childhood education promotes lasting effects on a child’s executive functioning and social-emotional intelligence,” says Alyssa Schwartz, Education Programs Director for Association Montessori International.

Blanche Martha of Lawrenceville attended Montessori as a child and now sends her own son to Oak Meadow Montessori. Martha credits her single year in Montessori as the foundation of her education. She describes the physical learning materials – the cylinder blocks, the bells, the bead chains – and how they accelerated her comprehension: “It made more sense after seeing it than just hearing it. Things like that stayed with me.”

a school where your child learns

HALF OR FULL DAY, YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS

• By Individual Instruction • A Love of Learning An • To Think Outside the Box Authentic AMI Accredited • Independence Montessori • Respect for Others School • A Solid Foundation • Foreign Language, Music, Cooking, Gardening and More

Montessori School at Emory

3021 N. Decatur Road • Decatur, GA 30033 MontessoriSchoolatEmory.com • 404-634-5777

Accredited Toddler Through Middle School Programs 32 Atlanta Parent March 2016

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Country Brook & Covered Bridge Montessori Schools

Special Needs

Toddler, Primary & Elementary

Because a Montessori environment allows for freedom of choice and movement, children who are seen as “active” or “easily distracted” are often more successful than in other environments, Schwartz says. This makes Montessori a great fit for many special needs students. “We have autistic children and ADHD children in our classes,” says Dr. Meadows. “And after they have been there for a while, you can’t tell who they are.”

Find The Right School Unfortunately, there is no trade mark on the term Montessori. Any school may call itself Montessori without ascribing to the system’s core philosophies. Look for Association Montessori International (AMI/ USA) or American Montessori Society (AMS) recognition. However, many excellent Montessori schools are not accredited.

Research and visit a Montessori school to verify that the approach is the right one for your child. Ask about teacher requirements, and make sure staff members are certified Montessori educators. Ask to observe the classroom. Watch how students interact with the teachers, each other, and the environment. An authentic Montessori program will include mixed-age classrooms, hands-on learning materials, teachers who act as guides, uninterrupted work periods, and a focus on student choice and autonomy.

NORCROSS

Country Brook Montessori School 2175 N. Norcross-Tucker Rd. Norcross, GA 30071 770-446-2397 countrybrookmontessori.com

SMYRNA

Covered Bridge Montessori School 3941 Covered Bridge Place & 488 Hurt Rd. Smyrna, GA 30082 770-434-3181 & 770-801-8292 coveredbridgemontessori.com

Cont’d on page 34

More About Montessori Read about the Montessori philosophy, learn about classrooms and teacher certification and find research supporting the Montessori method at these websites: n Association Montessori

International (AMI): This organization oversees schools and teacher training. amiusa.org n American Montessori Society

(AMS): This organization also supports Montessori schools and teachers, and offers information and workshops for parents. amshq.org n Montessori Administrators of

Georgia-MAG: Many Montessori schools in metro Atlanta belong to this organization, which supports teacher training and schools. Montessori-mag.org

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Over 35 years of nurturing your children as they naturally develop.

Accredited by AMI, the most prestigious Montessori organization.

Leadership, respect and academic excellence are cultivated in a peaceful environment.

Your child’s future begins now

“Give them Roots and Wings!”

AGES 14 MONTHS - 15 YEARS 2997 Main St., Duluth, GA 30096 1768 Old Peachtree Rd., Duluth, GA 30097

770-476-9307

www.duluthmontessori.com March 2016 Atlanta Parent 33

Photo courtesy of Kennesaw State University

MONTESSORI:

A Beginner’s Guide Check individual schools to see if they provide year-round programs. Some local schools do not offer summer programing for students, but many do.

If you want your child to continue through the elementary or middle school years, choose a school now that features that option. Many schools offer continuous education through age 15. Just this year, Montessori at Emory in Decatur added middle school, and now serve students from 15 months through eighth grade.

“We wanted to open up this wonderful education for older students,” says MaryAnn Barnhart, education coordinator at Montessori at Emory. The middle school curriculum remains faithful to the Montessori method of learning-by-doing while challenging students at an advanced cognitive level.

Public Montessori Options In DeKalb County, Briar Vista Elementary, serving the Emory/North Druid Hills area, and Huntley Hills Elementary in Chamblee both have Montessori tracks. Sixteen years ago, Huntley Hills pioneered public

34 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Kennesaw State University

Montessori education in the Atlanta metro area. Now, Fulton County is following suit with two K-5th grade Montessori schools scheduled to open Fall 2016.

Beyond Montessori When students leave Montessori, whether in first grade, sixth grade or high school, research suggests that they are well prepared for their future. Brian Parks attended Arbor Montessori as a child until age 11.

“I can confidently say that our Montessori experience enabled us to flourish in diverse

scholastic environments,” he says of himself and his classmates. Lauren Pilliner also attended a Montessori school as a child.

“When I entered conventional schooling, I was more self-confident and independent than many of my classmates,” she says.

The research agrees. One study found a significant positive effect on high school students’ math and science scores five years after they transitioned out of Montessori classrooms. The Montessori teacher is not preparing the child for school,” Dr. Meadows says. “She is preparing the child for life.” c More Montessori on page 37

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Spotlight on Montessori Schools Arbor Montessori School

Carlisle Montessori School of Buckhead

rbor Montessori School Founded in 1970, Arbor is one of the largest and oldest Montessori schools in the Southeast, serving 300 students from ages 18 months to 14 years. Arbor is one of only two Montessori schools in Georgia accredited by AMI, SACS and SAIS. For over 100 years, the hallmarks of a Montessori education have been creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem-solving; communication; collaboration; and focus on character. These are the same core competencies being advocated in today’s education arena as the necessary “21st Century Learning Skills” for students to meet the challenges of a changing world. Montessori is the originator of projectbased learning. An Arbor Montessori education cultivates concentration, motivation, self-discipline and love of learning in every child. This is accomplished through specially designed sensorial materials, multi-age classrooms, and teachers who are specifically trained to put the child in touch with exactly what he or she needs at that very moment to learn. In addition to an outstanding academic curriculum, Arbor offers art; music; Spanish; a before and after-school program; clubs and teams; and a close-knit community of families. Now enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year. Call 404-321-9304 to schedule a tour. Visit www.arbormontessori.org.

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arlisle Montessori School of Buckhead/Atlanta was founded in 2008 by Gina Ward, an AMI trained teacher and director with 24 years of experience in Montessori Education.

Carlisle’s goal is to follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s educational methods and philosophy in guiding and nurturing the “Whole Child”, both academically and spiritually. To provide a beautiful, safe and challenging environment that inspires independence, creativity, social consciousness, responsibility and a love for learning.

The Montessori Method provides a scientifically designed environment that has been honored and revered worldwide as one of the most popular Preschool educations available and has grown into hundreds of successful Elementary, Middle and High School programs throughout the US and World. Many independent public and private schools strive to emulate the Montessori Method to enhance their modern approach with individualized learning experiences and social awareness.

Carlisle Montessori School of Buckhead is an Atlanta Montessori School for students 18 months (walking securely) – 6+ years and is AMI Accredited.

Curriculum includes Language, Math, Science, Geography, Sensorial, Practical Life, Art, Music, Spanish, Care of Self, Care of the Environment, Gardening, Environmental Awareness, Cooking, Social Graces, Respect, Accountability and Problem Solving.

For more info visit carlislemontessori.com or call 404-949-0053.

Country Brook and Covered Bridge Montessori Schools

Cresco Montessori School

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ountry Brook and Covered Bridge Montessori Schools are among the longest operating Montessori programs in the Atlanta area. Established in 1981, Covered Bridge Montessori School serves children 14 months to 9 years from Smyrna and it’s neighboring communities. Operating since 1988, Country Brook Montessori School welcomes children 18 months to 9 years of age from Norcross and the surrounding areas.

Both campuses continue the Montessori legacy that has successfully served so many children during their past 30+ years. Affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS), all students are provided a true Montessori school experience in classrooms specially prepared with Montessori designed materials and under the guidance of experienced and dedicated Montessori trained teachers.

For more information about Country Brook and Covered Bridge Montessori Schools, visit our websites at www.countrybrookmontessori.com or www. coveredbridgemontessori.com. Better yet…pick up the phone, give us a call, and schedule an appointment today.

770-446-2397 (Norcross) or 770-434-3181 (Smyrna).

Teaching children HOW to learn. atlantaparent.com

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resco Montessori School is a year-round GAC certified private school, and full-service childcare center. Serving families in Marietta, Buford, Johns Creek and Woodstock for over 10 years.

Cresco Montessori School is open 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., for children from 6 weeks old to 6 years old. Students can attend for a half day, school day or full day. Cresco Montessori offers free Georgia Pre-K, scholarships and a GA Tax Redirection Program. Cresco also provides an afterschool and summer camp program along with many enrichment activities for children up to 12 years old.

A focus on family is an important component of the school. Each year, Cresco Montessori hosts fall flings and spring carnivals for students, parents and siblings to enjoy.

Each Montessori classroom is prepared with a range of materials to allow children to progress through the curriculum as their skills develop. Montessori classrooms intentionally include a mix of ages, so that younger children can learn from older children, and older children develop leadership skills and confidence.

Visit www.crescomontessori.com for more information.

Daily tours are available at each location from 9:30-11:30 am.

Special Advertising Section

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 35

Spotlight on Montessori Schools The Duluth Montessori School

Montessori School at Emory

ith over 30 years of providing the highest level of AMI Montessori education, at The Duluth Montessori School we continue to maintain our integrity, core values and beautiful environments that foster the child’s natural inclinations toward independence, self-esteem, respect for others, self-discipline, cooperation, and above all, an undeniable love for learning. Children are grouped together in the Toddler Community from ages 14 months to 36 months, in the Primary Community from ages 3-6, in the Lower Elementary Community from ages 6-9, in the Upper Elementary Community from ages 9-12 and the Adolescent Community from ages 12 to 15. In this way, every child experiences a cycle of introduction, familiarity and leadership.

Accredited by AMI, The Duluth Montessori School holds the prestige of being the only authentic Montessori School in our area. We are now enrolling children between 14-months and 3 1/2 years of age. Please call to schedule a tour at one of our two locations: 2997 Main Street, 770-476-9307; 1768 Old Peachtree Road, Duluth, 678-474-9967or visit www.duluthmontessori.com.

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ontessori School at Emory was founded over 22 years ago becoming accredited as a Montessori School in 1993. With over 175 students, from 15 months through 14 years, the Montessori School at Emory supports the whole child and prepares them for life through accredited, authentic quality Montessori programs. Children are given one-on-one instruction from their teacher which creates an individualized program that engages their interests and skill levels.

Montessori School at Emory offers several options.

Full day, half day, 10 month or year round formats are available. Afternoon enrichment programs are also offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., in which children enjoy experiences in the creative arts and sciences such as music, art and foreign language. Also, early morning drop-off is available at 7 a.m. For more information about the Montessori School at Emory, call 404-634-5777 or visit www.MontessoriSchoolatEmory.com.

Northwoods Montessori School

Stepping Stone Montessori School

o see the joy of learning in action, come visit Northwoods Montessori School! The school offers innovative early childhood education programs catering to the needs and abilities of children at each stage of their development — from toddler care and primary (preschool) through elementary levels. There is also a robust extended-day program and a Montessori summer camp for the students. Northwoods enrolls preschool children from 12 months to three years of age. It has long been recognized at the highest level of excellence by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and has served the Atlanta area for over 40 years. Northwoods teaches with traditional Montessori methods, providing a unique combination of philosophy, educational theory, and instructional materials — all guided by a deep understanding of childhood development.

Visit the website at www.northwoodsmontessori.org or call (770) 457-7261 to schedule a private observation visit.

Location: 3340 Chestnut Drive, Atlanta GA, 30340: Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

tepping Stone Montessori School offers an authentic, fully-implemented Montessori experience. The school presents the same philosophy at both of its campuses, in Cumming and Suwanee/Sugar Hill, where serenity and concentration permeate the classroom environments.

Children and parents alike take comfort in their calm spaces, which allow for optimum child development.

Ages served: Infants (6 weeks to 15 months), Toddlers (16 months to 3 years) and Primary (3 years to 6 years).

The school provides hot, catered lunches and operates the authentic Montessori program year-round.

Stepping Stone Montessori School understands that children learn through curiosity, exploration, and experience and that working freely and independently is an art form that lays the foundation for all future academic and life possibilities. Montessori outcomes that can be expected include resilience, adaptability, selfdetermination, independence, creativity, responsibility and excellent communication skills.

They also provide amazing outdoor environments where children play, explore, plant gardens – discovering the beauty and wonders of nature. Learn more at www.steppingstonemontessori.com, and find them on Facebook. Call to schedule a tour today! Cumming 770-205-0317 or Sugar Hill 770-614-4310.

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MONTESSORI METHODS at Home

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ot every family can afford a Montessori education, but parents can teach some of the same principles at home.

“The foundational experiences of a Montessori environment – independence, freedom of choice, freedom of movement – are all aspects parents can encourage at home,” says Alyssa Schwartz, Education Programs Director for Association Montessori International.

Give your child choices within healthy limits. Allow them to develop concentration and self-confidence by completing tasks themselves.

Make time to explore the natural world, touching and playing with dirt, rocks and plants. Produce plays, create puppet shows, play games, and sing silly songs. Help your child start a journal where he can write notes and sketch what he’s learned. Include practicing life skills such as meal preparation, cleaning the house, and assisting with the yard and pets.

The American Montessori Society also recommends these strategies: n Create an Ordered Environment: This allows children to find what they need and offers fewer distractions, so kids can focus on the project at hand. Suggestions: Provide low shelves or drawers for clothing, keep a step stool in the bathroom and kitchen so kids can reach the sink, put toys and games on low, open shelves, put healthy snacks on a low shelf so kids can serve themselves, put drinks in small pitchers and allow kids to pour their own. n Teach Real-Life Skills: Let kids wash tables, organize shelves, prepare their snacks and assist younger children; younger children can peel vegetables, fold clothes, match socks or care for pets. Tweens can prepare dinner, read to siblings, help with home maintenance or manage their own bank account. n Promote Concentration: Figure out what interests your child, then set him or her up with the tools to explore that interest. n Nurture Inner Motivation: By expressing

encouragement and appreciation for your child’s efforts, you help develop pride and pleasure from within; children will apply themselves when they feel there is value to their work.

Some of the traits that set Montessori schools apart from traditional schools, according to the society: n Emphasis on creating a love of learning, not memorization of facts. n Teacher serves as a guide for learning. n Self-discipline is encouraged. n A child learns at his own pace and chooses his own work based on his interests. n Children are encouraged to collaborate and help each other.

A place where... children LEARN TO THINK. Now enrolling for the 2016-17 school year.

Call 404-321-9304 to schedule a tour.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

18 months - 6+ | AMI www.carlislemontessori.com atlantaparent.com

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 37

EXPLORE...TODAY

DESIGN...TOMORROW

BUILD...YOUR FUTURE

Do you know a child who resides within the city of Atlanta that may be in need of special education services? Atlanta Public Schools Child Find services can open a window of hope for a brighter future for infants, children and young adults identified with a disability or developmental delay.

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Y.A.S.A. Weekend Warrior Program A fun learning atmosphere to generate excitement about S.T.E.M. • Coding • Robotics • Mobile App/Game Development Join us today where Readiness is not an Option, it is a Requirement!

For more information, call Dept. of Special Education at 404.802.1690 or 404.802.2613.

www.ATLStemAcademy.com 470-231-9214

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Porter Academy

NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR

www.porteracademy.org 770-594-1313

Enabling children with learning differences to succeed • Pre-K–8th • Small group instruction • Therapeutic Support • Hands-on Academics • Project Based Learning

Helping your child grow in character and faith while being successful in the modern world

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• ITBS scores in the top 2% nationwide • 12 months-8th Grade • Extended Care • ACSI & SACS Accredited • Low Student / Teacher Ratio

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for bright children with autism and related issues Dually certified teachers offer differentiated and communitybased instruction. Children complete a regular ed curriculum including: • GA Standards • PE • Art • Culinary Arts • and Foreign Language Instruction Call

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38 Atlanta Parent March 2016

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Tips to Hook

Reluctant Readers

by Cindy Hudson

he ability to read well contributes to a child’s overall success in school. But what if your child says, “I hate reading” or “Reading is boring?” Try these tips to change his mind.

Look beyond books. Kids can read all kinds of things to learn new words. This includes labels on items in the grocery store; ingredients in their favorite cereal; magazines written just for their age group or rules for how to play games

Let them listen. When kids listen to an audio book or tune in to their favorite songs or go to story time at the library, they are tied in to a story, which actively engages them in learning and may pique their interest in reading on their own.

Use technology. Have you ever read a book you liked so much you wanted to know more about the author? If you find a book your child likes, see if the author has a website. Many children’s authors include fun facts about their books online.

Start your child on a series.

After the first book in a series, your child will devour the sequels one by one. Series popular with reluctant early readers include Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon, The Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, and Dork Diaries by Rachel Rene Russell.

Middle readers may appreciate books by Rick Riordan, who wrote his Percy Jackson series to appeal to his dyslexic son.

Try nonfiction. Does she love dogs and horses? Does he want to know more about sharks and snakes? Some kids love learning facts, and they’ll turn page after page to find out more about animals or machines.

Cont’d on page 40

ATLANTA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

‘A small school... with a big heart’

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8725 Dunwoody Place • Sandy Springs • 30350 March 2016 Atlanta Parent 39

A Boutique Language School Offering Spanish, Mandarin & French

Tips to Hook

Reluctant Readers

Read Across America Day

Happy Linguists

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Playful Linguists

Healthy Linguists

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THE GREEN SCHOOL: Pre-K-3rd THE EAST POINT: Preschool Campus THE DECATUR: Preschool Campus

www.LittleLinguistsPreschool.com 404-768-2111

40 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Camp 2016

The national day to celebrate reading is March 2, kicking off several days of reading-related events sponsored by the National Education Association.

The association is ending its six-city tour at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta on March 4 with day-long activities with a Cat in the Hat theme. From 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2 will be greeting kids. At 2 p.m., kids can take part in a Stray Cat Strut with Cat in the Hat, and at 3 p.m., a Cat Nap Storytime.

Libraries and many schools in metro Atlanta also are planning special reading and storytelling programs; check with a library branch near your home for a schedule of events.

Try another genre. Just as you may enjoy certain types of books more than others, it’s likely that your child does, too. Children’s authors write in all kinds of genres that may appeal to your reluctant reader including: science fiction, fantasy, mystery, historical fiction and contemporary fiction.

Make them laugh. Funny poems for kids, which are usually short and end with a punch line, are especially good at keeping the pages turning. Often kids are laughing so hard they don’t even think about the fact that they are reading. Find a collection by an author like Jack Prelutsky or Kenn Nesbitt and sit with your child and read a few poems out loud.

Go short. Thick books can intimidate children who don’t think of themselves as good readers. Look for books with less than 200 pages or large type that makes it easy for them to feel they are making progress.

Look for graphics. You may be inclined to dismiss graphic novels, which use pictures and words to tell a story, as less than a “real book.” But with their vivid images, unconventional typefaces, and word bubbles, graphic novels are often the ideal books to draw in reluctant readers.

Partner with the library. Children’s librarians are great at finding just the right book to put into the hands of all kinds of readers. Another plus? You can go to the library and come back with a stack of books without paying a penny. c atlantaparent.com

Atlanta Parent

is the go-to resource for finding that perfect

summer camp! visit atlantaparent.com atlantaparent.com

Camp 2016

March 2016    Atlanta Parent 41

Look for our Camp Guide online.

Hit the Mark This Summer!

Reserve her bunk today For more information call 828-627-2470 skylandcamp.com

Science

Go to atlantaparent.com to find a camp today.

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42 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Camp 2016

Our Summer Camp atlantaparent.com returns

HOORAY FOR SUMMER History & Writing Camp

— at Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House

AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Summer Camp

First-Time Camper?

If you’re considering sending your child to camp for the first time, expect a little anxiety – your child’s and yours. Even though you know it will be fun, you’re both trying something new. Here’s how to prepare.

Most children are ready for overnight camp by age 8, though some are eager to go as young as age 5 or 6. If your child is fairly self-reliant, he’s ready. n Make sure your child has a few sleepovers with friends or relatives before committing to a week away. n Choose a camp that’s close to home and visit in advance so your child will be familiar with the surroundings. n If your child is shy, consider whether he might feel more comfortable attending with a friend or sibling. If your child will be attending alone, be assured that camp counselors are experts at helping new campers make friends. n Some camps let you test before you commit to a week or more, with a two- or three-day camp for just the child or for a parent and child. n Get your child involved in choosing the camp and excited about going. She’ll look forward to a camp that offers activities she’s interested in – hiking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, technology, sports, music, ballet, art, crafts, archery, tennis and more. n Talk about how much fun it will be to make new friends and learn new skills, and not about whether he’ll miss his parents or siblings. Don’t talk about any worries you might have about whether she’ll be homesick or whether you’ll miss her too much. n Plan how you’ll stay in contact for the week with letters, or if the camp allows, emails, phone calls and texts. Expect to send a care package of treats he can share with other campers.

Most kids get over nervousness about overnight camp within a few hours. They start making friends and having fun, and can’t wait to return the next summer.

– Amanda Miller Allen

44 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Camp 2016

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Camp 2016

March 2016    Atlanta Parent 45

A Camp for Everyone

There are camps to meet every interest, price range and schedule. Knowing your options, as well as your child’s personality, will help you identify the best programs for your child. The following information will help you as you start your search.

n Overnight Camp: Most offer a variety of programs for children starting at age 7.

Overnight camp options include coed, single sex and specialty camps that focus on a particular program. Overnight camps offer varying overnight accommodations, such as cabins, tents and tepees. n Day Camp: Similar to resident camps, these camps take younger children, starting at age 4, and everyone returns home at the end of the day. n Specialty Camps and Programs: Campers can embark on adventures as varied as learning how to ride a horse, water ski or dance.

If your child has a special interest, there likely is a camp that specializes in it. n Special Needs Campers: A physical, medical or mental disability is not a roadblock to a camp experience. Each year more than 1 million children with special needs benefit from summer camp. Some camps specialize in serving certain groups while other camps integrate campers with special needs into the total camp population. n Session Lengths Vary: Children may stay at camp for a few days, a few weeks or the entire summer. At camp, there’s a session length for every child, budget and schedule.

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Camp 2016

n Cost: Camp prices vary greatly. Most day camps cost from $100-$500 per week. Overnight camps range, on average, from $400-$850 per week. Many camps and other organizations offer financial assistance based on need. c atlantaparent.com

Presented by

2 016 DAY CAMPS OVERNIGHT CAMPS SUMMER PROGRAMS

Atlanta Parent – the trusted source for day & overnight camp information for more than 30 years

Mark Yousr !

Calendar March 5 & 6

Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm Sunday, 1 - 5 pm Perimeter Mall Atlanta

30 Different Camps Per Day

To exhibit or for info call Jordan Lisvosky at 678-222-1911 or JLisvosky@atlantaparent.com www.atlantaparent.com/campexpo

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Camp 2016

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 47

48 Atlanta Parent    March 2016

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Family Fun Guide * Eating Out

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Free Fun

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Exhibits

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Not-to-miss events for March

Calendar

Top gg rE Easteunts H 5 5 Page

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade Starts at the intersection of Peachtree and 15th streets and continues south on Peachtree to 5th St. / March 12, Noon The 134th Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade celebrates Irish culture with more than 2,000 dancers, musicians, cheerleaders, clowns, marching bands and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Free. atlantastpats.com

atlantaparent.com

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Sound of Music

Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Camp Expo

Fox Theatre / March 1, 8 p.m., March 2-3, 7:30 p.m.; March 4, 8 p.m.; March 5, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 6, 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Perimeter Mall / March 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; March 6, 1-5 p.m.

A new production of what may be America’s favorite family musical features all the songs that made the original show a big hit on Broadway more than 50 years ago. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. Tickets $30$125. 855-285-8499; foxtheatre.org

Our first two-day Camp Expo includes 30 camp programs each day.

Meet with camp representatives, former campers and gather all the info you need from more than 60 day and overnight summer camps throughout Atlanta, the Southeast and beyond. 4400 AshfordDunwoody Rd., Atlanta (Dillard’s court). Free. 678-222-1911. For a list of exhibitors each day, see atlantaparent.com/campexpo.

Family Fun Guide

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 49

Family Fun Guide Folk Art

465 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta 404-537-4493; folkartrestaurant.com Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. No reservations.

Head over to Inman Park, and be prepared to put a new favorite restaurant on your list. Folk Art has become popular with families.

The restaurant is decorated wall-towall with old timey art collected through the years by Head Chef Jason Hill. Be on the lookout for both the classic GE ad featuring Mr. Magoo, and the Fisher-Price Doll sign.

The place was featured in August 2015 on Guy Fieri’s Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Folk Art’s co-owner Randy Parks and Hill have come up with a menu that Parks describes as “Southern with a twist.” n What’s on the menu: Breakfast is served all day, and there are lunch and dinner options. Kids can order from an

Be a Superhero for a Day!

EATING OUT

extensive list of food items from French Toast to Fried Shrimp. One of my twins told me that her Mac and Cheese ($2.99) was, “Yummy,” and she still beams at the memory of her Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($3.99). All Kids’ menu options range from $2.99 to $5.99. Grown ups can choose from a vast array of appetizers, salads, specialty burgers, sandwiches, entrees, craft beers and alcoholic beverages. My husband ordered an angus beef burger ($10); my Fried Chicken Sandwich ($9.99) came with a side of a Cucumber Avocado Salad that was deliciously light and refreshing. All adult food items range from $8.50 to $18.99. n Why kids will like it: My older daughter, 8, and my twin girls, 4, loved coloring on the cleverly-designed kids’ menu. One of my girls liked the old fashioned diner counter. n Why parents will like it: The extensive menu has something to please every family member.

– Cindy Moss

Georgia Aquarium is hosting Superhero Day 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 12. Kids age 12 and younger dressed in costume get free admission to the aquarium with a paying adult.

Heroes for a day will enjoy special activities including a Make-YourOwn Superhero Mask, Superhero Academy, games, photo stations and superhero appearances. n Info: 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta. 404-581-4151; georgiaaquarium. org. Adults $38.95; ages 3-12, $32.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Put on a costume and bring your sense of play – you could be Batman, Supergirl or another superhero at these two events celebrating super powers.

50 Atlanta Parent March 2016

It’s Superhero Science Saturday at Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 19. Kids can dress as their favorite superhero and learn how to save the world with the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One of the highlights of the evening is a Science Spectacular Show featuring Professor Labcoat. Children will receive their own pair of colorful safety goggles. n Info: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404659-5437; childrensmuseumatlanta. org. Tickets $15, not available at the door; purchase in advance at http:// bit.ly/1TnHYDW

Family Fun Guide

MARK YOUR CALENDAR I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle

High Museum, 1280 Peachtree St. Opens April 2 Eighty illustrations by the author of A Very Hungry Caterpillar and other popular picture books for young children will be on display in this special exhibit, which will explore Carle’s varied subjects and artistic techniques. Exhibit included in museum admission, $19.50 adults, $12 ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and younger. Exhibit runs through Jan. 8, 2017. high.org

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FREE FUN

Fire Drill!

Take a ride to your local fire station to see some cool fire engines and learn some hot facts about the history of firefighting in metro Atlanta. Most stations are happy to show visitors around, but always call before you go. Here are three stations that house fire history.

Marietta Fire Museum

Marietta Fire Station Museum

Roswell Fire Museum

Fire Station No. 6 Museum

Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. by appointment only.

This two-story museum is home to a horse-drawn pumper, a restored 1879 Silsby Steamer, one of only five in existence. Visitors can also view a 1949 Pirsch Ladder Truck, originally one of the longest reaching ladders in North Georgia. It was last used during the United Plastics fire (Nov. 1, 1981).

The fire museum also has antique clothing and equipment, a “Wall of Flame” photo wall and other vintage fire trucks. 112 Haynes St., Marietta.

770-794-5491

Daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Based in Roswell Fire Station 1, this museum is filled with historic pictures. One such photo is of Atlanta’s Great Fire (May 21, 1917), which destroyed 73 blocks just east of downtown.

The museum’s main draw is a 1947 Form American LaFrance Pumper. The city occasionally removes this piece from the museum for maintenance. Note: The museum closes when station personnel leave to respond to emergency calls. 1002 Alpharetta St., Roswell. 770-641-3730

Daily: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 4-May 28; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., May 29-Sept. 3 This fire station, built in 1894, served the Sweet Auburn community of Atlanta for 97 years. It played an integral role in desegregation of the Atlanta Fire Department in 1963. Managed by the National Park Service, this retired station reopened in 1996 as a museum and proudly displays a 1927 LaFrance fire engine. The museum is also home to the Eastern National Bookstore, which carries over 200 titles that emphasize AfricanAmerican history. Boulevard at Auburn Ave., Atlanta. 404-331-6922

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March 2016 Atlanta Parent 51

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Fly a drone! Make slime!

See explosive demonstrations!

Explore, learn, discover – and have fun – at the Atlanta Science Festival March 19-26. With 100 events to choose from, there’s no doubt something will spark your family’s curiosity. See AtlantaScienceFestival.org for more details.

Here are some highlights: n March 19: Sci-cycle: A Competitive Scavenger Hunt on Two Wheels, starting at Atlanta Beltline Bikes. n March 20: Family Science Day at the Woodruff Arts Center n March 21: Maker Monday, open houses at various locations n March 24: Restoring Native Plants Along Peachtree Creek, at The Confluence Trail, 210 Armand Rd., Atlanta. n March 25: Wonder Workshop’s Dash & Dot Robot Programming for Children, at AT&T Foundry at Tech Square n March 25: Physics Live! at Emory University

Exploration Expo

March 26. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Centennial Olympic Park The biggest interactive science event featuring games, exhibits and science-oriented performances. Free, family-friendly fun.

Advertise your family-friendly event to our 270,00 readers.

770-454-7599 52 Atlanta Parent March 2016

n Encounter Zone, sponsored by Emory University: Meet real and unusual animals, plants and creatures. n Discover Zone, sponsored by Mercer University: Experience the power of chemical reactions and the beauty of the night sky. n Invent Zone, sponsored by Georgia Tech: Spark creativity and innovation with 3-D imaging, robotics, and molecular machines. n Thrive Zone, sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Learn how science is helping us stay healthy and live well. n Innovator’s Playground, sponsored by The Children’s School: Turn your young children into future scientists and innovators with creative play and activities specially designed for kids age 5 and younger. n Engineer’s Workshop: Drop in for 30-minute projects to construct geodesic domes, thaumotropes, and other “make and take” projects for kids.

Family Fun Guide

n Science Café: Grab a hot cup of steaming chemistry with interactive demos and publicfriendly talks on chemical sciences. n Live Entertainment: Singe your eyebrows with explosive chemistry from ChEmory, snuggle up to a snake and other live animals from Zoo Atlanta, and chill out with Tellus Science Museum’s liquid nitrogen demos.

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Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

It’s at The Center for Puppetry Arts New Worlds of Puppetry Museum featuring the Jim Henson and Global Collections

J

im Henson, the creative genius behind Sesame Street and the Muppets, helped open the Center for Puppetry Arts with his pal Kermit the Frog in 1978. Nearly 30 years later, Henson’s family donated an extensive collection to the center, the country’s largest museum dedicated to puppetry art performance. Kermit and all his friends have a spectacular new home at The Worlds of Puppetry Museum. Here are our tips for making a day of exploring this special new attraction.

Find your favorite friend

See Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Miss Piggy and so many more of Henson’s iconic characters up close. And look for Gumby and Pokey in the Global Collection!

Read a Book with Big Bird

A quiet reading nook stocked with character favorites is a great spot to take a break from the excitement.

Make Your Own Show

An interactive gallery with props, puppets and cameras give kids a chance to be a producer.

My 6-year-old thought it was cool that the sets are up high – so the puppeteers can stand and hold the puppets!

Get Hands-On Photos by Jason Crawley

Walk through exhibits that bring the puppet creation process to life. Don’t miss interactive stations to sketch your own creations, try on masks and manipulate puppets.

If You Go New Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta 404-873-3391; centerforpuppetryarts.com n Hours: Tues.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun.: noon-5 p.m.; closed Mon. n Cost: Museum only tickets are $10.50 per person, younger than 2 free. Free parking. n Information: Museum and behind-thescenes tours offered. Combination tickets that include a show and puppet workshop also available. No food service, but vending machines available for snacks.

Go Without the Kids

Seriously! There’s a lot to read and see, so a trip without the kiddos will give you a chance to let the nostalgia take hold. Can you find the Star Wars reference?

– Sherry Crawley

Family Performances Price: $20.50 per show; ages 2 and younger, free. Price includes museum admission and puppet workshop.

Photo by Clay Walker

SPACE! Through March 10 atlantaparent.com

Photo by Warren Johnson

Galapagos George, The Little Tortoise That Could March 11-April 3 Family Fun Guide

Photo by Kathryn Kolb

Beauty & the Beast April 7-May 22 March 2016 Atlanta Parent 53

Silver Comet Linear Park, Powder Springs It’s a challenge to find free activities that will entertain all four of my kids, ranging in age from toddler to pre-teen. Linear Park is a game changer for our family and a great addition to the West Cobb community. n Features: The playground layout is well designed and adorable, with a whimsical treehouse theme. I can easily keep my eyes on everyone, while they each take interest in a variety of age-appropriate activities. I stroller-walk with my little one, while my 4-year-old enjoys the play area. My older kids could spend hours in the giant climbing web or biking on the nearby Silver Comet Trail.

As if that wasn’t enough, the park has two covered pavilions, one with picnic tables, perfect for a lunch playdate or birthday party!

The second pavilion features a fitness area with exercise equipment – great for workouts while older kids play. n Amenities: The Silver Comet Trail, paved walking and stroller paths, ample parking, bike racks, benches, clean restrooms, dog walking baggies, water fountains, concession stand (during special events), three play areas and giant climbing web, picnic tables under covered pavilion, and covered fitness pavilion. n Location: 1301 Richard D. Sailors Pkwy., Powder Springs – Alicia Garcia

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www.pregnancymassage.com 54 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Family Fun Guide

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Eggstravaganzas!

For an egg-citing day, hop on over to one of the many metro area’s Easter egg hunts. These hunts are some of the best.

Traditional Hunts Eggstravaganza: Callanwolde’s Easter Egg Hunt Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta March 26, 10 a.m.-noon.

Hunt for thousands of eggs; also, costumed Easter Bunny, cake walk and arts and crafts. 404872-5338. Parking, $5; ages 12 and younger, $14. callanwolde.org/events Easter Egg Scramble Laurel Park, Marietta March 18, 6:30-8 p.m.

Egg hunt by ages with candy and prizes; visit with the Easter Bunny afterward for pictures.

770-794-5601. Free. www.mariettaga.gov

What Do We Do?

Easter Eggstravaganza

Easter Eggstravaganza Northside Hospital-Cherokee March 19, 1-3 p.m.

Egg hunts by ages and for children with special needs; also, petting zoo, moonwalks, carnival games, face painting, food and more.

770-720-5474. Free. northside.com

Underwater Hunt and Bunny Bonanza Bogan Park Aquatic Center, Buford March 19, 9 a.m.

Hunt for eggs underwater, visit with the Easter Bunny, and make crafts. Reservation by March 16 required. $15 per person.

678-277-0853. gwinnettcounty.com

Taste of Forsyth Cumming Fairgrounds March 26, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

More than 25,000 eggs will be spread across the lawn. Afterward, enjoy sample restaurant food, play in the kid’s zone, and touch-a-truck. Groups are divided by age. Free. Kids Zone costs extra.

770-781-3491. cummingfair.net

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt Tolleson Park, Smyrna March 19, 7:30 p.m.

Grab a flashlight and hunt for eggs at night with a movie under the moonlight afterward.

Groups are divided by age. $10 per family.

678-631-5541. smyrnacity.com

Hunts with a Twist North East Cobb Community Egg Drop Sprayberry High School, Marietta March 26, 10 a.m-5 p.m.

About 50,000 Easter eggs will drop from the sky for egg hunts divided by ages; also, kid zone and photos with the Easter Bunny. Times vary by age group. Free. Kid Zone unlimited rides, $7. communityeggdrop.com

Eggstravaganza Under the Stars Al Bishop Softball Complex, Marietta March 26, 7 p.m.

Hunt for eggs by flashlight, and enjoy children’s art activities, live entertainment, inflatables, a Hula Hoop contest, tug-of-war, musical chairs and food vendors. Free. 770-528-4333. cobbcounty.org Please visit atlantaparent.com for a complete listing of egg hunts.

Page Turners’ specializes in literacy activities for elementary-aged students.

We effectively communicate the importance and pleasure of reading to even the most indifferent students through:

1.

After-school book clubs for students

2.

School-wide and communityinvolved Read-a-Thons where students can experience reading in a fun and engaging way while interacting with community role models and leaders from a broad spectrum of businesses and professions; and

3.

Book donation drives to provide books to underprivileged and deserving students.

If you’d like Page Turners Make Great Learners, Inc. to host your next school Read-a-Thon, please contact FeFe Handy at fefehandy@ptmgl.com.

Implementing Innovative Learning www.pageturnersgreatlearners.org Taste of Forsyth

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Family Fun Guide

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 55

Child Models We’ve booked kids for $2,000 per day and more, others at $50 - $60 per hour.

Get Ready for Cherry Blossoms!

The blooms of cherry trees signal Spring in Georgia.

Celebrate with three fun festivals:

Could your baby, toddler or kid be one?

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3 56 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Macon Cherry Blossom Festival March 17-April 3 More than 300,000 cherry trees in bloom form the backdrop of this festival, which adds events every year. This year’s parade is 3 p.m. March 19 (free). Festivities at Central City Park, including live music, amusement rides, food vendors and encounters with Bengal tigers, reptiles and more is March 25-April 3. Check cherryblossom.com for event times, locations and prices.

Photo by Matt Alexandre

Atlanta, New York, LA

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival Blackburn Park April 2, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; April 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

The second annual festival features arts and crafts, food trucks and vendors, musical performances, pet parade and costume contest, Children’s Village with games and bounce house, and 5K run and walk (at 7 a.m. April 2). Free. brookcherryfest.org

Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival Georgia International Horse Park April 2-3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

In its 35th year, the festival has more than 300 arts and crafts booths, a costume contest, music and dance entertainment, children’s activities including games and a puppet show, and food vendors. Free. One-day parking pass, $5. conyersga.com

Family Fun Guide

atlantaparent.com

Mystery of the Mayan Medallion

! d e Solv

If You Go Mystery of the Mayan Medallion Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437; childrensmuseumatlanta.org n Exhibit: Through May 31 n Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10- 5 p.m.; closed Wed. n Cost: $14.95 per person; younger than 1, free. Free admission 1-6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month; $5 discount on each ticket after 3 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. weekends.

atlantaparent.com

T

hough we didn’t leave Atlanta, my family had a fun time visiting Mexico in search of a priceless jade medallion buried in a temple.

In the new exhibit at the Children’s Museum, kids follow clues to help archeologists solve the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion.

A clipboard with a list of questions coded with Mayan glyphs helps you navigate throughout the exhibit. Each tent offers educational information about the Mayan culture – including how to decode Mayan glyphs, the use of constellations and the sun to help track time and seasons, types of critters one might find in the Mayan jungles, and even a skeleton.

My girls, Natalie, 10, and Kate, 7, were able to create pictures rubbings on the activity page, as well as figure out how to write their birthdays using Mayan glyphs.

One of their favorite parts was mustering up the courage to stick their hand into a hole that contained a “venomous spider.” Watching their reaction was priceless!

Family Fun Guide

n Know Before You Go: Parents should plan to

walk through the exhibit with their children – a few parts may need some explaining. Be sure to visit the entire Children’s Museum before or after the exhibit. The museum allows you to leave and return (with a stamp) if you want to have lunch or picnic across the street at Centennial Olympic Park.

– Jennifer Joyner

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 57

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.

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 31

ATLANTA FAIR

classes

Turner Field Gray Lot THROUGH APRIL 2

Mommy and Me Preschool Program. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Different activities each week. March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. 10 and 11:30 a.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117.

Recommended for ages 3-5. Adults, $7.50; ages 4-12, $5.50; 3 and younger, free.

Hop on amusement rides, play in the fun house, munch on a funnel cake or corn dog and see live entertainment at this annual urban fair. 655 Central Ave., Atlanta. 404-913-3247; atlantafair.com. Tickets $3-$8 over 36 inches tall; $1 under 36 inches tall; rides and games cost extra.

Toddler Thursdays. High Museum of Art. Create masterpieces to compliment the museum’s current exhibits. Ages 2-4. March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400. Free with admission. Adults, $19.50; ages 6-17, $12; 5 and younger, free.

Home Depot Kids Workshop. All locations.

Learn tool safety and make a craft. March 5.

9 a.m.-noon. Homedepot.com. Ages 5-12.

Free.

Toddler Time. Georgia Aquarium. Introduction to marine life, see costumed characters, story time, craft activities and a snack. Ages 0-3. March 7. 10-11:30 a.m. 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta. 404-581-4000. Advance registration required. One adult/child pair, $16. Does not include Aquarium admission.

Mice Tours. Marietta Museum of History.

Mascots Murray and Etta mouse introduce history through tours, storytime and crafts geared towards ages 3-5. March 9. 10:30 a.m. 1 Depot St., Marietta. 770-794-5710.

Reservations required. $5.

Second Thursday Program. Southeastern Railway Museum. Parents and tots program includes circle time, an activity and craft.

Ages 2-4. March 10. 10:30 a.m.-noon. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth. 770-495-0253. $9 per child, one adult free, additional adult, $11.

Magic Monday. Atlanta History Center. A different theme each month lets parents and children explore history together, with hands-on activities including arts and crafts projects, music and story time. Ages 18 mos.-5 years.

March 14. 10 a.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Adults, $6.50; ages 5 and younger, $5.50.

Build and Grow Clinics. Lowes. Clinics teach kids to build wooden crafts. Free apron, goggles and merit patch. Visit lowesbuildandgrow.com for times and locations. 800-4456937. Pre-register. Free.

Crafts at Lakeshore Learning. Lakeshore Learning. Make a different craft each week.

Every Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 4287 Roswell Rd., Marietta. 770-578-3100. Free.

Drop-In and Draw. Gas-Art Gifts at North DeKalb Mall. Make a different project each week. Anytime between noon-3 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur.

404-801-4926. $5.

58 Atlanta Parent March 2016

INK Craft Weeks. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. Enjoy different themed crafts each week. Check inkfun.org for schedule and times. $1 with museum admission. Mon.Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 1-5 p.m. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900.

Mon.-Sat., $8; Sun., $6.

Mystery of the Mayan Medallion. Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Become an archeologist to uncover the mystery of the dig site and search for a priceless jade medallion buried in the temple. Through May 31. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Weds. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437. $14.95; younger than 1, free.

Turtle Tours. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum. Museum mascots Sandy the chipmunk and Spring the turtle introduce history through stories, hands-on exhibits and crafts. Every second Wed. of the month. 11 a.m. 6075 Sandy Springs Cir., Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111.

Recommended for ages 2-5. Free.

Donations encouraged.

Atlanta in 50 Objects. Atlanta History Center. Parents can show the kids the past with objects from Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech manuscript to Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck, and see a collection that showcases 50 city-defining pieces that make Atlanta “Atlanta.”

Through July 10. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun., noon-5:30 p.m. 404-814-4000. Adults, $16.50; ages 4-12, $11; ages 3 and younger, free.

Saturday Morning Art Classes. Vinings School of Art. Drawing, painting or pottery classes. Supplies included. Ages 2-13. Every Sat. 10 and 11 a.m. 1675 Cumberland Pkwy., Smyrna. 678-2134278. Pre-register. $15, siblings $12.

Wild Music. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Explore sound and music in nature and in life through whimsical, hands-on activities. Through July 31.

Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $18; ages 3-12, $16; ages 2 and younger, free.

exhibits TreeHouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees. Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center. Forest explorers of all ages can enjoy an indoor nature exhibit with hands-on ways to explore the important roles that trees play in providing homes for all sorts of wild things. Through May 7.

Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., last Sun. of the month, 1-5 p.m. 2020 Clean Water Dr., Buford. 770-904-3500. Adults, $13; ages 3-12, $10; ages 2 and younger, free.

Family Fun Guide

Spin. Tellus Science Museum. Learn how objects spin, why things spin at different speeds, and how we use spinning objects in our daily lives through interactive exhibits and real-life examples. Through Sept. 5.

Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 100 Tellus Dr., Cartersville.

770-606-5700. Adults, $14; ages 3-17, $10; ages 2 and younger, free.

Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Observe the extraordinary organisms that produce light, from backyard flickering fireflies, alien-like deep-sea fishes and other fantastic creatures that illuminate the perpetually dark depths of the oceans. March 26-Aug. 14. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $18; ages 3-12, $16; ages 2 and younger, free.

atlantaparent.com

Calendar movies Wild Africa. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Travel from enchanted forests to the edge of the underworld, from ice-capped mountains and lava-spewing volcanoes.

Through April 28. See fernbankmuseum. org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta.

404-929-6400. IMAX tickets: Adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; ages 2 and younger, free.

National Parks Adventure. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Follow modern-day explorers as they discover spectacularly wild and beautiful places, including Yellowstone, the Everglades and the Redwoods. Through June. See fernbankmuseum.org for show times. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6400. IMAX tickets: Adults, $13; ages 3-12, $11; ages 2 and younger, free.

nature ECOExplorers. Dunwoody Nature Center.

Children and their adult partner will explore the Nature Center in this fun, interactive class with a nature-based theme, craft, activity stations, circle time and hike. March 12. 10-11:30 a.m. Ages 2-5. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody. 770-3943322. $12 per child.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK 2828 Cherokee St., Kennesaw MARCH 12, 10 A.M.-2 P.M. 120 W. Trinity Place, Decatur MARCH 26, 10 A.M.-1 P.M. Get up-close and personal with largerthan-life trucks, heavy construction equipment, police cars, fire trucks and more at these two hands-on events. Children’s activities and food vendors. Free admission. Kennesaw event rain or shine; Decatur alternative date, April 25.

Information at kennesaw.com/touch-a-truck and decaturga.com

Feeding Time. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Join a naturalist for an in-depth look at one of the resident animals as the Wildlife Dept. feeds them.

Every Tuesday and Saturday. 4 p.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; ages 2 and younger, free.

Friday Night Hike. Dunwoody Nature Center. March 18. Hike starts at 8 p.m. and returns to the meadow around 9 p.m. followed by cocoa, stargazing and sitting by the fire. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody.

770-394-3322. Free.

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. 404-929-6300. Activities included with price of admission. Adults, $18; ages 3-12, $16; ages 2 and younger, free.

Daffodil Day. Oakland Cemetery. Features include garden walks, presentations, a cut flower display, dialogue with local daffodil and gardens experts, and a craft and story time area for kids. March 19.

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 248 Oakland Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107. Free.

Get Your Tickets Today!

APR. 20 – 24 Buy Tickets: InfiniteEnergyCenter.com 770-626-2464 • Venue Box Office Groups of 10 or more call 770-578-5125

336475

DisneyOnIce.com

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Family Fun Guide

#DisneyOnIce

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 59

Calendar

The Magic of Stars in STARLAB. Chattahoochee Nature Center. See nature inside an inflatable planetarium and take a journey through the night sky to view stars and locate constellations. March 20. 1-2 p.m. Ages 5 and older.

9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell. 770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

MUSICAL STORYTIME WITH THE ASO Photo by Jeff Roffman

Fernbank Forest Bird Walk. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Join Atlanta Audubon Society to discover more about the feathered inhabitants of Fernbank Forest. March 19.

8:30-11 a.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-9296400. Pre-register. Free.

Atlanta Symphony Hall MARCH 20. 3 P.M. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra showcases some of the most exciting children’s musical stories of all time, including Huckleberry Finn, Empress of the Pagodas from Mother Goose Suite and the retelling of a West African tale made famous by a children’s book, “Anansi and the MossCovered Rock.” 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta.

404-733-5000. aso.org. Tickets, $15-$20.

Stroller Cubs. Zoo Atlanta. Programs for babies-2 years and parents/caregivers to learn about plant-eating animals. March 23 and 26.

10-11 a.m. 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. 404624-5822. Reservations requested. $12 per person includes zoo admission.

special events Cirque du Soleil: Kurios. Atlantic Station. Step into the curio cabinet of an ambitious inventor who defies the laws of time, space and dimension in order to reinvent everything around him. March 3-May 8. 241 20th St., Atlanta.

877-924-7783. Tickets, $35 and up.

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 until 1 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5000. Free.

60 Atlanta Parent March 2016

Frozen: A Tale of the Ice Queen. Infinite Energy Theater. The Ice Queen and her sister are best friends until one fateful day. Presented by Southern Ballet Theatre. March 4-6. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sun. 2:30 p.m. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth.

770-626-2464. $11.50-$30.

Harlem Globetrotters. Infinite Energy Center and Philips Arena. The iconic Harlem Globetrotters will bring fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. March 5 (Infinite Energy Center). Sat. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth. March 12-13 (Philips Arena).

Sat.-Sun. 1 p.m. 770-626-2464. $28.50 and up. One Philips Dr., Atlanta. $22 and up.

Family Fun Guide

Monster Jam. Georgia Dome. Watch 12-feet-tall Monster Jam trucks race, soar and smash through obstacles.

March 5. 7:00 p.m. 1 Georgia Dome Dr., Atlanta. 404-223-9200. $33-$96.

Atlanta Parent Magazine’s Camp Expo.

Perimeter Mall. Last chance in 2016 to visit Atlanta Parent’s Camp Expo!

Talk with camp representatives and former campers from more than 50 day and overnight camps in the Southeast and beyond. March 5-6.

Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.

4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta.

678-222-1911. Free.

atlantaparent.com

Calendar Atlanta Blooms. Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Celebrate springtime surrounded by meadows of tulips, daffodils, crocus and more. Through April. Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; ages 3-12, $12.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Atlanta International Car Show. Georgia World Congress Center. Domestic and import cars, events for car enthusiasts, and appearances

by Ant-Man, Spider-Man and Scooby-Doo. March 9-13. Wed.-Thur., noon-9 p.m.; Fri., noon-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 235 Northside Dr., Atlanta. 770916-1741. Adults, $10; ages 6-12, $5; ages 6 and younger, free. Cash only.

Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Booth Western Museum. March 10-12. Thurs. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Events include gallery walks, sculpting demonstration, Southeastern Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, Western music, Cowboy Poetry, characters and children’s activities, and closing concert. 501 Museum Dr., Cartersville.

770-387-1300; See boothmuseum.org for event prices.

American Craft Council Atlanta Show. Cobb Galleria Centre. Show features over 225 craft artists. Visitors can touch, feel and experience the hands-on process of creating artwork.

March 11-13. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 2 Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. 612-206-3100. Adults, $13 one day, $29 three day; ages 12 and younger, free.

Model Train Show. Cobb Galleria Centre. Show includes kid’s train operating area, vendors, door prizes, and a train resale table. March 12-13. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

2 Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. Adults, $10; ages 12 and younger, free.

Family Festival. Woodruff Arts Center. Participate in art-making activities, listen to a storyteller, make kites and crowns and dance to the rhythms of Brazilian and Haitian music. March 13. 1-4 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404733-5000. Free.

Family Event: Sand Mandalas. Michael C. Carlos Museum. Observe images of sand mandalas constructed by monks. Children will then use traditional tools and multicolored sand to create individual mandalas and sand paintings.

March 26. noon-4 p.m. 571 South Kilgo Cir., Atlanta. 404-727-0519. Included with admission. Adults, $10; ages 6-16, $8; ages 5 and younger, free.

Purim Carnival. Congregation Beth Shalom. Enjoy carnival games. Also see “Knock Out Haman”, Queen Esther’s Karaoke Lounge and other carnival games and prizes. March 27. noon-2 p.m. 5303 Winters Chapel Rd., Atlanta. 770-3995300. Wristbands, $15 for first child; $12, each additional child. Wristbands include lunch and unlimited games. Individual tickets, 50 cents.

storytelling Storytime by the River. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Join the volunteer librarian as she uses books, puppets and songs to share stories about nature. Ages 3-5. March 2.

10:30-11:30 a.m. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell.

770-992-2055. Adults, $10; ages 3-12, $6; 2 and younger, free.

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Specializing in the Detection and Treatment of Pediatric Digestive Disorders

Expert GI Care for Your Children At Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, our Board Certified pediatric gastroenterologists care for infants, children,‘tweens, and teens with any type of digestive or liver condition, including: • Abdominal Pain • Acid Reflux • Celiac Disease • Lactose Intolerance • Constipation/Diarrhea • Colic • Eosinophilic Esophagitis • Feeding Difficulties • Crohn’s Disease • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Hepatitis/Liver Disease • Ulcerative Colitis

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For appointments: 404.843.6320 AGA is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.

Family Fun Guide

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 61

Calendar Tadpole Tales. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Preschoolers will enjoy a story with a Fernbank educator along with an activity or song. March 12 and 19. 11:30 a.m. 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Free with admission.

Adults $18; ages 3-12, $16; 2 and younger, free.

Storytime at Little Shop. Little Shop of Stories.

Thurs. nights kids can come in pjs for milk and cookies. Tues. 11 a.m., Thurs. 7 p.m., and Sun. 3 p.m. 133 A East Court Sq., Decatur.

404-373-6300. Free.

Children’s Storytime. FoxTale Book Shoppe.

Storytimes are followed by dance and songs.

Every Sat. 11 a.m. 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989. Free.

Wren’s Nest Storytelling. The Wren’s Nest. Ramblers host storytelling each Sat. 1 p.m. 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-7537735. Adults, $9; ages 4-12, $6; ages 4 and younger, free. Price includes storytelling.

E V O B A , A T N ATLA D...

N O Y E B RA EXHILA

st. patrick’s day Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Midtown Atlanta. This year’s parade includes bag pipers, drum corps, Irish dancing, decorated floats and drill teams. The parade starts at Peachtree and 16th Streets and continues south on Peachtree to 5th St. March 12. Noon-1:30 p.m. atlantastpats.com. Free.

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Family Fun Guide

The Luck of Avalon. Enjoy Irish music, dancing and other special events by restaurants and retailers. March 17. 4-10 p.m. 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. experienceavalon.com. Free.

theater Sound of Music. Fox Theatre. Watch the spirited, romantic and beloved story of Maria and the Von Trapp family. March 1-6. Tues.-Thur. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sun. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-2100. Tickets, $30 and up.

Shrek, The Musical Jr. MJCCA’S Jerry’s Habima Theatre. Everyone’s favorite ogre and fairytale characters go on an adventure. Through March 6. Thurs. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 7:30 p.m.

Sun., 3 and 7 p.m. 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Atlanta.

678-812-4002. Tickets, $15-$35.

SPACE. Center for Puppetry Arts. Learn out-ofthis-world facts about planets, stars and meteors, gaze at Saturn’s rings with Galileo, and rock out on the asteroid belt. Through March 10. Tues.-Fri., 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3089. $20.50; ages 2 and younger, free.

Galapagos George, The Little Tortoise That Could. Center for Puppetry Arts. Journey to the far-off Galapagos Islands and meet George in this uplifting eco-fable that tells the true story of the famous, not-so-little tortoise and the islands he called home. March 11-April 3. Tues.-Fri., 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. 1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-3391. $20.50; ages 2 and younger, free.

atlantaparent.com

GAZOYKS! A VARIETY SHOW

Plaza Theatre MARCH 19. 10 A.M. A variety show for kids and families – starring talented kids – is making its debut, produced by Good Gracious Show, which has been staging variety shows in Atlanta since 2014. Expect comedy from Dad’s Garage Comedy Improv and music from HeavN Beatbox, among other acts. 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-895-9276; gazoyks.com.

Tickets $12.

Sleeping Beauty with live Orchestra! Infinite Energy Theater. The Northeast Atlanta Ballet performs the timeless fairy tale. March 11-13.

Fri. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth.

770-626-2464. $15.50-$21.50.

Fancy Nancy the Musical. Synchronicity Theatre. Fancy Nancy and her best friend, Bree, can’t wait to star as mermaids in their school’s ballet production of Deep Sea Dances. See what shenanigans Fancy Nancy has up her sleeve. Through March 19. See synchrotheatre.com for show times.

1545 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-484-8636.

Adults, $20; ages 2-12, $15; ages younger than 2, free.

Carousel. Serenbe Playhouse. Follow the tale of a couple and their daughter in this Rogers & Hammerstein musical which transforms the rolling hills of Serenbe into a turn of the century carnival, complete with cotton candy, games, wonders on display, and a real-life carousel. March 24-April 10. See serenbeplayhouse.com for showtimes. Fair open one hour prior to performance. 10496 Serenbe Ln., Chattahoochee Hills. 770-463-1110.

Adults, $35; ages 18 and younger, $30; ages 2 and younger, free.

atlantaparent.com

Don’t Miss our Camp Expos: Sat., March 5 and Sun., March 6

atlanta

PaRTY

BABY FROM ATLANTA

Atlanta

t Magazine’s Atlanta Paren

PARENT

GuiDe

PARENT MAGAZINE

The city’s best Calendar of family-friendly events

+

March 2016 / atlantaparent.com

Easter Crafts and Egg Hunts

Oh, Baby, Let’s Have Fun

Atlanta Paren t Magazine’s

Education Guide

Atlanta Paren t Magazine’s

Camp Guide

2O16

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Alliance Theatre. See the adventures of four siblings through the wardrobe and into the land of Narnia. Through March 20. See alliancetheatre.org for show times. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4650. Tickets, $20-35.

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Call 770-454-7599 for advertising information.

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Family Fun Guide

March 2016 Atlanta Parent 63

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DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE!

beyond atlanta The Bunny Train. Tennessee Valley Railroad. Trains will depart from Grand Junction and travel toward East Chattanooga where passengers will disembark for special activities including storytelling, temporary tattoos, coloring pages, goody bags, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. March 12, 19, 20, 25-26. Train departs at 10:40 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:25 p.m. 4119 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga, Tenn. 423-894-8028. Ages 2 and older, $22; younger than 2, free.

Macon Cherry Blossom Festival. Macon. Events and activities throughout Macon. March 17-Apr. 3. cherryblossom.com.

Prices vary.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Savannah. Irish pipe bands, floats, military units, Irish dancers and more. March 17. 10:15 a.m.

Downtown Savannah. savannahsaintpatricksday.com. Free.

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, $29.95; ages 3-12, $18.95; 2 and younger, free.

Peanuts Easter Beagle Express. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Take a round-trip train ride along the Tuckasegee River with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the Easter Bunny. Stop in Dillsboro for an egg hunt, crafts, snacks with Snoopy, and temporary tattoos. It is a four-hour excursion. March 25-26. Train departs promptly at 11 a.m. 226 Everett St., Bryson City, NC. 800-872-4681. Reservations required. Adults, $51-$94; ages 2-12, $29-$54; ages 1 and younger, $0-$20.

St. Patrick’s Day. BabyLand General Hospital. Good luck comes your way on St. Patrick’s Day. Prize drawings, coloring pages, gold chocolate coins and costume character. March 12. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 300 N.O.K. Dr., Cleveland. 706-865-2171. Free. c

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre MARCH 31, 6:30 P.M. Daniel Tiger and friends from the PBS show hop aboard Trolley for a live, interactive show with stories, singing, dancing and surprises. 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta. 770-916-2800; cobbenergycentre.com. Tickets $17-$47.

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Family Fun Guide

ity & Matern ens’ Childr s!

Clothe

SPRING & SUMMER Clothes Arriving Every Day 800 Miami Circle • Buckhead 404•261•7519 atlantaparent.com

Cover Kids Contest All mail entries must be postmarked by May 20, 2016.

Online entries due May 23, 2016.

To register and more info visit:

Atlantaparent.com/coverkids l

Ages 0-12 years / $25 entry fee

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Group category / $45 entry fee

2016

Yes!

cover kid search 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) or $45 group entry fee (per photo) and a recent photo (4x6 preferred), to the address at the right. Sorry, photos will not be returned.

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

e h t r fo e fridg

“

A 2-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.

”

– Jerry Seinfeld

66 Atlanta Parent March 2016

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Who loves birthday parties?

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The parents!

Atlanta Parent has teamed up with six local party places to each give away a birthday party for 8.

Did your child just celebrate their birthday?

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Superior Play Systems Norcross: 678-380-5551 Alpharetta: 678-624-7529 superiorplay.com

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Enter to win at atlantaparent.com/winaparty now through March 31!