If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family this weekend, use some cardboard, duct tape and ingenuity to create a vessel for Tucker’s Cardboard Boat Regatta, or simply show up to watch the race. You can also head to Zoo Atlanta to watch a sheep or goat create unique art your crew will be able to take home.
Check out the following 15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:
Enjoy two days of halal food from around the world, cultural experiences, entertainment, shopping and live FIFA quarterfinal screenings. (Note: The festival originally scheduled for last weekend was postponed because of weather. Tickets from last weekend will be honored, and new ones are on sale online and will be available at the gate.)
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19. $15 admission, free entry for ages 7 and under. Historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark, Eastside Trail Beltline, 830 Willoughby Way NE, Atlanta.
Designed to be appropriate for the entire family, the Center for Puppetry Arts’ monthly Cereal Saturday program is a two-hour block of favorite TV puppet shows from the past. Guests can relive some of the classics that brought them joy and introduce them to their kids. The laid-back environment is made to look like a comfortable living room and has cereal, milk, juice and coffee available for purchase.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Included with $18 regular admission. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th Street. 404-873-3391.
Wild Encounter: Petting Zoo Painters
Join Zoo Atlanta’s animal care team to meet either “VanGoat” or “Baaahlo” and take home a unique work of art (one per group). You’ll also learn about the positive reinforcement training process of becoming an animal artist.
3:15 p.m. Saturday, July 18, plus additional scheduled Saturdays. $75 per group of up to four people. Zoo admission of $23.30 and up is also required. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453.
Christmas in July 5K/10K/Half Marathon
Don your Christmas gear and run in one of three distances, and if you want to try the 5K, you’ll have your choice of a morning run or an evening one with glowsticks and other light-up items.
7:30 a.m. half marathon, 7:45 a.m. 10K, 8 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. 5K, Saturday, July 18. 5Ks $47.50, 10K $52.50, half marathon $67.50. New Realm Brewing, 550 Somerset Terrace NE, #101, Atlanta.
The Beach Boys bring their Sounds of Summer tour to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, with original member Mike Love, along with Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continuing the iconic band’s legacy.
8 p.m. Friday, July 17. $75.20 and up. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2852.
Pop-In for Family Fun: Revolutionary America
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the Marietta History Center by exploring colonial life, Marietta history and the Revolutionary Era through interactive activities for all ages.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Free. Marietta History Center, 1 Depot St., Marietta. 770-794-5710.
Credit: Photo courtesy of the city of Tucker
Credit: Photo courtesy of the city of Tucker
Design and build a boat made entirely of cardboard and duct tape and then race head-to-head in a Tucker pool competition. For ages 10 and up.
8-11 a.m., Saturday, July 18. $25 per team of two. Kelley Cofer Pool, 4259 N. Park Drive, Tucker. 470-481-0205.
Brookhaven is hosting an art competition for all ages and skill levels. Art supplies are provided while supplies last, and the fun also includes a DJ, face painter and popsicles.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Free. Brookhaven City Centre, 4001 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven. 678-879-4620.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Fernbank natural history museum
Credit: Photo courtesy of Fernbank natural history museum
Celebrate 25 years of Fernbank natural history museum‘s “Giants of the Mesozoic” exhibit with hands-on dinosaur-themed activities and visit other Dinosaur Summer highlights, including “T. REX” in the Giant Screen Theater and the “T. rex: The Ultimate Predator” exhibit.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Included with general admission of $25.95-$27.95. Fernbank natural history museum, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. 404-929-6300.
United Church in Atlanta hosts its second annual event to help families of K-12 children by providing free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, haircuts and hairstyling services as well as access to the Care Closet, a free clothing resource.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Free. United Church, 1775 Water Place, Atlanta. 404-414-0589.
Styx & Chicago: The Windy Cities Tour
Styx and Chicago team up to play their numerous hits in their first co-headlining tour.
7 p.m. Friday, July 17. $27.50 and up. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5010.
View artwork, meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and visit the art market at the opening reception of this Suwanee Arts Center exhibition.
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, opening reception, exhibition continuing through Thursday, Sept. 3. Free. Suwanee Arts Center, 3930 Charleston Market St., Unit B6, Suwanee. 678-878-2818.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Explore Gwinnett
Credit: Photo courtesy of Explore Gwinnett
The MidSummer Kids Festival in Peachtree Corners features the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, with more than 40 kid-run businesses, along with rides, face painting, giant bubbles, chalk art and interactive activities.
2-7 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Free admission. Town Center, 5140 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners. 678-691-1200.
Browse the latest supplies, discover ideas from vendors, join workshops, attend a themed crop party and more.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 18. $15 admission. Gas South Convention Center, Exhibit Halls C-D, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 951-403-9781.
“James and the Giant Peach Jr.”
On the Stage Children’s Theatre presents a new take on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories.
2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18. $10 and up. Eagle Theater, 5029 W. Broad St. NE, Sugar Hill. 678-765-2244.
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