Athens, Georgia a beautiful city filled with plenty of  summer camps and opportunities for kids.  Summer will be here before we know it and some Athens summer camps are already holding registration.  Many camps fill up quickly and start registration as early as February.

I have compiled a list of summer camps near Athens that you will want to check out.  There are options available for both overnight and day summer camps in the Athens area.

As more camps are added, this information will be updated.  Feel free to send me a message or leave a comment and let me know about others.   [Read more…]

Currently Being updated for 2021!

It’s the most wonderful time of year here in Athens, GA.  I’m working on this list of Christmas activities in Athens, Georgia and am also including ones nearby.  If you have any to add, please comment and let me know or send a message.  Thanks so much!

Christmas Activities Around Athens:

Multiple Days:

Botanical Gardens Christmas Wonder Lights:  The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is transforming into a glittering winter wonderland of lights. The inaugural walk-through light show extravaganza features 11 illuminated displays along a half-mile path that is certain to delight and inspire. Meander with your family and friends and create magical memories among twinkling displays, colorful decorations and a mesmerizing multi-colored light tunnel.

Athens on Ice Public Skating: Please visit their website for the most updated information regarding dates

Stone Mountain Park Christmas: Each day of Stone Mountain Christmas, you can enjoy some of your favorite park attractions like Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, and more! Then, immerse yourself in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows, and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters!

Six Flags Holiday in the Park: Six Flags Over Georgia is continuing its new holiday tradition as it extends its season with the addition of Six Flags Entertainment’s annual holiday festival — Holiday in the Park. More than one million LED lights and dozens of Christmas trees will create the perfect magical atmosphere this holiday season from November 20 through January 2 on select days.

Christmas On Dixie: Christmas light display located at the corner of Dixie Hwy. and Wilson Rd. in Madison, GA. It was started in 2013 by the Seabolt and McCurley families.

World of Illumination:  The world’s largest drive-through animated light show is bigger and better than ever, so buckle up – you’re in for the ride of your life.

Light the Night – Church of Nations:  Come see 130,000 Christmas Lights Dancing to your favorite Christmas songs!

Christmas on Lunsford Farm: The most magical walk through Christmas light experience begins Thanksgiving night and runs until New Year’s Eve. This is a Free event put on yearly to share Christmas joy with our community. Donations are accepted but never expected.

December 2:

Downtown Athens Parade of Lights: Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and Athens Downtown Development Authority are proud to present the Downtown Parade of Lights. The theme for this year is “A Super Hero Holiday.” All participants are encouraged to embrace this year’s theme by highlighting heroes: real and/or fictional. 7pm.

December 5:

Watkinsville Christmas Parade: Expected activities include Christmas Market on Main Street, hot chocolate by Oconee State Bank, annual Christmas carolers for the tree lighting ceremony and pictures with Santa.  Parade at 4:30, Tree Lighting – 6.

December 11:

Christmas at Wire Park:  It will be a night of family fun with music by Athens A-Train Band, a wide selection of food trucks (including a few that will be making their home at Wire Park), s’mores, photos with Santa, hot chocolate from Java Joy, and more!   5:30pm.

December 12:

Lessons and Carols: Join us for Redeemer’s Annual Lessons & Carols; a service that celebrates the birth of Christ with scripture reading, Christmas carols, and hymns.   A nursery will be provided for young children and a reception will follow in the Lower Warehouse. 6:30-8:30

December 17:

Movies by Moonlight:  Celebrate the holidays with a Special Double Feature showing of family favorites “The Year Without A Santa Claus” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Friday, December 17 at Sandy Creek Park.  This event is FREE, but a ticket is required per group.

Currently updating for 2021!  Remember to double check that the event is still happening before you head over.  Have fun, but be safe!

Please leave me a comment and let me know of others that you find!  I’ll be happy to add to the list!

Various Days throughout October:

World of Coca-Cola FANTAstic Halloween Event: Looking for the perfect fall outing? Join us all October long for the first-ever FANTAstic Halloween at World of Coca-Cola! It’s festive fall fun for everyone! Tickets are available for a limited time and include all aspects of general admission.

Milledge Avenue Baptist Church Pumpkin Patch: We have pumpkins of all sizes for sale. The cost of the pumpkin depends on the size and kind.  Come on out to our front lawn and pick out a few pumpkins  Pumpkins arrive October 3!

Zombie Farms: They will be OPEN every Friday and Saturday night of October for the 2021 season.

Washington Farms: Corn Maze, Farm Activities, Pumpkin Patch, and more.  Information and hours on their website.

Six Flags Fright Fest: Fright Fest is back and spookier than ever!  Dare to enter the Halloween event of the season, featuring family-friendly attractions during the day…and thrills once the sun goes down.

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival: Play by day, Glow by night!

Watkinsville Haunted History Ghost Tours: Walking tour to hear the spooky legends and tales of Watkinsville.  Limited dates available.  Book online.

Boo at the Zoo – Bear Hollow:  Join us for Boo at the Zoo from October 15-31 from 10am-6pm* daily!  Follow the scavenger hunt clues to decode a code word for a prize!  At the zoo’s front gate, you’ll start the adventure. We have orange clues for our younger visitors as well as more challenging purple clues! One clue will lead you to the next. When you complete the scavenger hunt and decode the code word, you can claim your prize!  Prizes can be claimed on Sundays during the event (October 17th, 24th, and 31st) at the zoo’s front gate from 1-6pm where staff will be located!  *Note that the zoo’s hours will be adjusted to 10am-6pm during Boo at the Zoo!

October 9:

UGA Health and Development Lab Family Fun Event: We want to welcome all families to the Health and Development Lab’s first Family Fun Event on October 9th, 2021! Come join us at Memorial Park, which is located in Athens Five Points area, where we’ll have crafts, snacks, and karaoke. Children of all ages are welcome and the event is completely free of charge. We hope to see you there!

Community Celebration with Athens Area Humane Society: FREE event, purrfect for individuals of all ages—here at our brand new campus! Enjoy entertainers like CANOPY STUDIO and their flying aerial dance trapeze performers; the amazing AcroCats (Tuna and The Rock Cats Rescue); Live music from Five Eight ; and original balloon creations from Up N Away Balloons for the kiddos! We’ll also have a kid’s station with crafts and fun activities for all children. Between these wonderful groups and hanging out with our shelter pets, there won’t be a moment of boredom.

October 16:

Oconee Fall Festival: Join Rocket Field in Downtown Watkinsville, GA from 9 AM – 4 PM.  Masks encouraged.

October 21:

YMCA Trunk or Treat: Lots of new details for this fun event.  Be sure to visit their website for details and how to register.  Must pre-register to participate.

October 23:

Train or Treat: The museum’s popular take on trick or treating. This year’s event will be hosted in a covid friendly manner where everyone is expected to wear masks and maintain social distances between family groups.  There will be tables with sponsors handing out candy, a mask/costume contest and music.

October 24:

Faith Fall Festival: We hope you will join us (rain or shine) for our annual celebration! Children, students, and adults of all ages can enjoy games, prizes, hot dogs, refreshments, cake walk, photo booth, and more… all FREE! Come in costume, if you like! Relax with friends, enjoy dinner, or pick up a game of cornhole. Families with little ones will enjoy the carnival style games, train ride, and bounce house.

October 27:

Oconee County Parks and Rec Trick or Treat Trail: 4-6pm at Herman C. Michael Park. FREE EVENT! Bring your family out for an afternoon of Halloween fun, presented by DGD FARMS! At the Trick or Treat Trail, attendees are encouraged to wear their costumes and participate in the activities. Event is rain or shine!

October 29:

ACCPD Drive Thru Trunk or Treat:  Drive Thru TRUNK OR TREAT, an Evening of Fun and Treats.  TIME: 6:00PM to 8:00PM.  LOCATION: 3035 Lexington Road at Jail Road

October 31:

Briarwood Baptist Pumpkinpalooza: 3-5pm. Fun for the entire family, and the best detail is…. everything is free!!

Fall Crafts to do at Home:

• Spooky Spider Cookies
• Vampire Doughnuts
• Cookie Monster Sandwich Cookies
• Creepy Crawly Bug Soap
• Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Treats

Gosh, I can’t believe it’s already time to make a roundup of Athens 4th of July Activities!  I’m glad to see that things are looking more normal this year.  We typically we go to the Colbert parade and then watch some fireworks somewhere.  I’ll add to this post as things are announced.

Here’s what you can find this Fourth of July around Athens:

Stone Mountain’s Fantastic Fourth Celebration:  Join us any day, July 1 – 5, for the Fantastic Fourth Celebration.  Pre-buy your lawn spot to guarantee seating.

June 27:

Cornerstone Church: Join us for fireworks and enjoy some BBQ, hotdogs and other sweet treats. Parking lot opens at 6:00 PM with fireworks at 9:00 PM.

July 3:

Star Spangled Classic: Athens-Clarke County Unified Government welcomes the community to celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display at the Star Spangled Classic on Saturday, July 3!  Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Athens Ben Epps Airport. The display will be viewable from many locations around the Lexington Road, Cherokee Road, & Gaines School Road intersection as well as two locations provided by Athens-Clarke County.

City of Colbert Fourth of July Parade: This year, 2021, the annual July 4th Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 3, at 9:00 a.m. with a PARADE ONLY!

Pendergrass Block Party: 5-10pm.  Come for the food and fun, stay for the fireworks!

July 4:

Celebrate Braselton: Bring the family to Downtown Braselton to celebrate July 4th with a patriotic parade, festival and BIG fireworks show! Highlights include a concert by GlowBand on the Town Green, kid-friendly activities throughout downtown, food trucks, local dining and shopping. Fireworks begin at dark.

Know of any other events for this Athens 4th of July roundup?  Message me so I can get them added!

It’s almost time!  We are counting down the days in our family!  So, When do the splash pads open in Athens?

2021 Pool Season: Pools will re-open May 29, 2021

2021 Splash Pad Season: The Walker Park Splash Pad, located at 200 Trail Creek St, will be open weekends only, Saturday, May 1-Sunday, May 23 and will then operate under regular seasonal hours from Saturday, May 29 -August 1.  The splash pad will be open weekends only, August 7-September 6.  Splash pad hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  The splash pad is closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The Rocksprings Park Splash Pad, located at 291 Henderson Ext, will open for the season May 29.

Splash pad admission is $1 per person, cash only. Pool passes are available for purchase and may be used at both splash pads and at all of the Department’s five public pools.  Individual pool passes are $20 and Family of Four pool passes are $40.  Passes may be purchased onsite with forms of payment accepted including cash and check.

Due to COVID-19, a series of requirements are in place to ensure a safe experience for all visitors:

• Walker Park Splash Pad capacity is limited to 75.  Patrons will receive a colored wristband upon entry and will be utilized if pool capacity is met.  If a line forms, staff will impose a time limit to ensure all residents have the opportunity to utilize aquatics facilities.

• Splash Pad patrons will see signage and visible markings leading up to the entrance of each pool to indicate six feet for social distancing purposes.

• Anyone displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied entry. Those symptoms include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.

• Social distancing and wearing of masks are recommended. Masks will not be required while in the water.

• Water fountains are closed and patrons are encouraged to bring their own water in a non-glass container.

The splash Pads are also perfect and affordable for summer birthdays.  See how we threw my daughter an inexpensive party there.  

For more information, visit the Athens Leisure Service website.

There’s something new for Athens this year!  The Star Spangled Classic fireworks display will be held on Friday, July 3!   The fireworks display will be launched at approximately 9:30 p.m. from Athens Ben Epps Airport.

In light of COVID-19, this Athens tradition has a new launch location this year and citizens are encouraged to view the display as a “drive in” type spectator experience. Limited parking will be available at the Airport and Satterfield Park. Residents are encouraged to enjoy a windshield view of the celebratory display safely from their cars at the vantage point of their choosing. All spectators are reminded to respect private property when choosing their viewing location. The public is also reminded not to park on the side of roads to view the fireworks. Motorists should tune in to Bulldog 93.3 for traffic updates.

According to Leisure Services Department Director Kent Kilpatrick, “In the midst of this unprecedented time, we are excited to provide this opportunity for the community to safely celebrate Independence Day in a unique way. Our staff has worked to determine a launch location that will allow for outstanding viewing and social distancing.  I look forward to continuing the tradition of the Star Spangled Classic.”

The community is encouraged to wear masks and enjoy this patriotic celebration from their cars.  Spectators are encouraged to stay arm’s length from their vehicle. Social distancing is encouraged.

The event is sponsored by The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County and Bulldog 93.3.

For more information, call 706-613-3800 or visit www.accgov.com/fireworks

Let me start this off by saying that this free summer lunch program in Athens, Georgia is available for all children ages 1-18.  I’ve heard from several people that said that they have to throw away so many meals every day, so please do go and take your children for a free lunch.  Meals do have to be eaten at the location and it’s $3.75 for an adult to eat.  We’ve taken the kids before and there is always more than enough food to go around.

Here’s the scoop – I’ll add more information as it’s released.

Dates:

June 3-28, 2019 from 11-12:30.

Locations:

Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals High, Clarke Middle, Coile Middle, Barrow Elementary, Barnett Shoals Elementary, Howard B Stroud Elementary, and Oglethorpe Elementary

Meals Include:

• Entree
• 3 Fruit and Veggies
• Milk

You can find out the menu for the free meals here.

See the menu here for the mobile route.

For more information, please visit the school district website.

Finally!  I’ve been keeping watch and they are finally here!  The 2019 University 16 Cinemas Summer Kid Movies here in Athens, GA!  We love going to these shows!

• $1.50 Movies!
• $1.50 Popcorn!
• $1.50 Drinks!
• One feature will play each week at 10:00 AM.
• Doors open at 9:15.

 Movie List

• June 4 & June 6 – Small Foot
• June 11 & June 13 – Peter Rabbit
• June 18 & 20 – Early Man
• June 25 & 27 – Paddington 2
• July 2 & July 4 – Sherlock Gnomes
• July 9 & July 11 – The Lego Movie 2
• July 16 & July 18 – How to Train Your Dragon – The Hidden World
• July 23 & July 25 – Wonder Park

Sometimes it can be hard taking little ones to the grocery store.  Mine always like to ask for a cookie for a treat during our shopping trips to Kroger.  I was at our Alps Road, Athens Kroger last week, I placed a deli order and then told the lady I was going to go get my son a cookie.   She let me know something that I wasn’t aware of before.  In the produce area at our Kroger, there is a little fruit stand with free fruits for the kids.

As part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger/Zero Waste plan, they allow kids to enjoy a healthy snack.  Ours offered bananas and clementines during that visit.  I’m very happy to offer my kids something delicious and healthy during our trips.

It’s worth noting that ours was kinda hidden and not easily seen. I had walked by it without even noticing it was there.  If you haven’t seen one at your Kroger, be sure to ask to see if it’s not in an easily visible area.

Have you seen this Free Fruit stand at your Kroger?

One of our favorite places around Athens, GA to visit is the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.  We are so excited that March 23rd will be the Grand Opening of Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden.  Activities and free play will fill every part of this much-anticipated destination which is loaded with learning adventures relating Georgia’s natural history and resources.  The Theater-in-the-Woods stage will inspire families with rotating performances throughout the day from your favorite artist including Allegro Music School, Canopy, DanceFX, Center City Movement among others.  Food trucks will be onsite with refreshments available for purchase throughout the day.  Be ready to get your hands dirty, enjoy community and learn about what makes our state so unique by beginning your Garden Earth Explorers passport in this new playscape!  The event will take place between 9am-4pm.

Are you as excited as we are?