Finding kid-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy can feel like a challenge when you don’t know where to look. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta (Haynes Bridge Road) put together this list of five great attractions to check out close to home the next time you need some inspiration to plan your day. Featuring parks, playgrounds, interactive museums and even delicious desserts, our area has it all.

Big Creek Greenway

If you’re looking for a fun-filled day that’s totally free, you can’t go wrong with a family visit to Big Creek Greenway. You’ll find eight miles of trails connecting Alpharetta, Forsyth, and Roswell, making this a great spot for outdoorsy kids. Go for a bike ride or simply stroll and take in the scenic river views as you go. You can even take the family dog along with you for a day outside (just make sure to keep your pup on a leash as you walk).

The trails offer a variety of parking opportunities along the way. In Alpharetta, you’ll find parking across from North Point Mall as well as on Haynes Bridge Road, Kimball Bridge Road, Preston Ridge Road, and Marconi Drive. The trail is open from March through October from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and from November through February from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. All in all, families love this trail since it offers an easy way to get out and enjoy nature, without traveling far from home.

Four Fat Cows

Image via Unsplash by isotopon

What’s one thing most kids love? Ice cream, of course! If you’re searching for a sweet treat for the whole family, you’ll want to stop by Four Fat Cows. This Georgia chain has a location right here in Alpharetta where you can enjoy a fun gathering spot complete with delicious ice cream.

It’s not just ice cream you’ll find here, though. In addition to mouthwatering, creative ice cream flavors (think: Nutella Cookie Dough, Banana Bread, Strawberry Balsamic, and Cotton Candy Explosion, to name only a few options!) the shop also serves sorbet, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. They also offer a range of gluten-free flavors, making it easier than ever to find a tasty treat, no matter your family’s dietary needs.

The Alpharetta location is at 64 North Main Street, and they’re open Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. as well as on Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Four Fat Cows also runs a program providing ice cream parties to local community schools that wouldn’t otherwise have access, making this a great place to show the kiddos the importance of helping others.

Will’s Park and Wacky World Playground

You’ll find a wide range of kid-friendly activities at Alpharetta’s own Will’s Park. The park’s official address is 11925 Wills Road. Whether you want to get in a game of tennis (it’s free to use the courts, but city residents can rent a court for only $7.50 to get priority access), use the pool, or participate in equestrian activities, there’s something for every family here.

If you want to get in some laid-back outdoor activity with the kids and your family pet, head over to Waggy World Paw Park. This part of the park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk, and includes off-leash areas for both big and small dogs.

Will’s Park also features a large wooden playground. The structure looks like a castle and includes bridges, monkey bars, slides, swings, and towers. Kids will love the sandboxes, too, so make sure they’re wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Center for Puppetry Arts

Make the short trip to Atlanta to visit the Center for Puppetry Arts, located at 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th. You’ll find puppet shows, hands-on museum exhibitions, and even digital events here. 

The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. (it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). Go for an “all-in-one” ticket to visit the museum, see a family-friendly show, and create a puppet. These tickets are $19.50 for non-members and $9.75 for members. Tickets for the museum only are $15 for non-members and free for members. You can also buy separate tickets for special events and workshops. Children under two can enter for free.

The Center has connected visitors with the art of puppetry since 1978, and it’s easy to see why kids (and kids at heart) love this place as soon as you arrive. For a unique and inspiring experience, check out the create-a-puppet workshops. The workshops are for kids ages four and older, though kids who are two or three years old can participate as long as they have an adult to help them. Kids get to express their creative side by creating a puppet that they can then take home.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Children’s Museum of Atlanta is another top Atlanta attraction easily accessible from Alpharetta. The museum boasts a range of permanent exhibitions designed especially for kids to explore topics like science and travel around the world. It also offers daily programming and play sessions — and with virtual activities available, you can introduce your family to this cool museum even if you can’t make the trip in.

You can buy tickets for timed entry if you are visiting in person. Ticket prices range from $12.95 to $18.95 depending on the time of day, with discounts available for military families and educators purchasing a membership. The museum is located at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW in Atlanta.

There it is, Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta’s list of amazing kid-friendly places to explore close to home. We hope this list gets you excited to plan a family day out! No matter if you want to see a show with the kids, check out a hands-on exhibit, or have some totally free fun outdoors, there’s something for everyone near Alpharetta. Did we miss an activity or place you love to go with your kids? Let us know so we can check it out and add your go-to spot to our list!