Planning ahead when grandparents come into town can save you from a lot of stress. Plus, having enjoyable activities to do when they're here can really make the visit memorable.
Check out these five things to do when your kids' grandparents visit you in Atlanta.
Paint your own pottery at All Fired Up. 1563 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30307. 404-270-9048. www.allfiredupart.com. Prices vary
Give grandparents a memory they can take back home with them. Select from more than 700 types of ready-to-paint items, like mugs, plates, figures and display pieces, then choose from more than 50 paint colors to personalize and decorate it. Once overglazed and fired in the onsite kiln, each piece will be microwave and dishwasher safe. No experience is necessary, and kids of all ages will enjoy taking part in this creative endeavor with their grandparents.
Play in the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park. 265 Park Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30313. 404-223-4412. www.centennialpark.com Free
Visiting grandparents will have a blast splish-splashing through this interactive fountain (the world's largest) with their grandchildren. This free activity at Centennial Olympic Park features a dancing water program synchronized to music, lighting and sound. Visitors of all ages can enjoy these water spouts every day of the year.
Construct a Masterpiece at Legoland Discovery Center. 3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30326. 404-848-9252. www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com. $20.95 for adults and children ages 3 and up, free for children ages 2 and under. Save over 30% by booking online.
At Legoland, children and their grandparents can spend all day exploring hands-on activities, taking part in interactive quests and rides, watching the "Lego Movie" at the 4D cinema and building with Lego bricks to their heart's content. Legoland offers visitors a chance to experience Lego construction like nowhere else, with themed stations, a build-and-test zone and out-of-this-world displays.
See the city on SkyView Atlanta. 168 Luckie St., Atlanta, Ga. 30303. 678-949-9023. www.skyviewatlanta.com. $13.89 for adults and children ages 12 and up; $12.50 for seniors, military and students; $9.26 for children ages 3 through 11; free for children ages 2 and under.
Imagine the look on grandpa's and grandma's faces as they climb almost 20 stories on a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel overlooking the city. The SkyView wheel features 42 gondolas that give guests a bird's-eye view of metro Atlanta. These climate-controlled gondolas will make everyone feel comfortable on the ride, whether you go during the day or at night.
Experience a story at Wren's Nest. 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30310. 404-753-7735. www.wrensnest.org. $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students and children.
Experience folklore in a meaningful way by listening to one of the storytellers at the Wren's Nest, one of the city's national historic landmarks. Designed to help educate the community about African American heritage and culture, this storytelling adventure will entertain the adults in the audience just as much as the children.
Looking for a vacation destination just right for the entire extended family? Don't take grandparents to a crowded beach. Instead, check out these grand getaways for grandparents and grandchildren.
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