Events in the Atlanta Area for Kids
- The laser show at Stone Mountain park is held every night and, according to the park, is the world's longest-running laser-show production. The show has been seen by more than 20 million people in the past 26 years. Kids and adults are treated to vividly choreographed light displays that are set against the bas-relief canvas of Stone Mountain. The laser show is scored to popular musical tunes. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to view the 45-minute show. The show, as of 2011, was free with a $10 vehicle fee to enter the park.
- Dialog in the Dark is an exhibit in which visitors are guided through a specially constructed indoor landscape that allows them to experience city life in total darkness, comparable to what a blind person encounters. Complete with city sounds, textures and other characteristics that are typical of an urban environment, this exhibit is ideal for school-age children. Tours are led by visually impaired guides, who at the conclusion of the tour share their experiences of living without sight. Tickets, as of 2011, were $24 for adults and $16 for children. Group rates are available.
- Kids can explore the worlds of dinosaurs, rain forests and marine life on a 3-D movie screen that is five stories high and 72 feet wide and features state-of-the art surround sound. Shows run daily. Make a reservation to guarantee seating, because shows tend to sell out quickly. Tickets, as of 2011, cost $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $11 for children and $8 for museum members. Matinees, offered daily between 4 and 5 p.m., cost $9 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $7 for children and $6 for members.
- The Center for Puppetry Arts has been an Atlanta landmark for more than 30 years and introduces kids and adults to the art of puppetry. The center hosts a number of educational programs, special exhibits and entertainment productions year-round. Puppet shows include contemporary adaptations of classic children's stories such as "Beauty and the Beast," along with new works produced by American and international puppet artists. The center also has hand-on workshops where children can make puppets while learning about the history of puppeteers.