Atlanta Braves Kids Day (Next Kids Day is Aug. 8 Kraken Water Polo Home Depot Workshop

Silver Scream Spookshow (Sat. show is Godzilla on Monster Island) Fulton Free Days at the High Museum (Dali: The Last Work opens Aug. [...]]]> If you missed the Field Trips with Sue segment this week on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta, here is what we discussed:

Atlanta Braves Kids Day (Next Kids Day is Aug. 8
Kraken Water Polo
Home Depot Workshop

Silver Scream Spookshow (Sat. show is Godzilla on Monster Island)
Fulton Free Days at the High Museum (Dali: The Last Work opens Aug. 7)
Target Free Days at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta (Newest Exhibit is Conservation Quest)

If you are looking for something a little different to pass the last few weeks of summer, why not [...]]]> What: Free Water Polo Lessons
Where: Kraken Water Polo, 20 Willow Glenn Dr., Marietta, Ga.
When: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 – 11 am for middle and high school
Cost: Trail Week is Free ($40 a month dues after)

If you are looking for something a little different to pass the last few weeks of summer, why not try a little football in the water or water polo.  Thanks to Stuart Sheldon for telling me about Kraken Water Polo.

Kracken Water Polo began in 2006 when a group of 13 high school swimmers got together for a friendly scrimmage.  Now the group has several teams of differing age levels and offers instruction for new players. Best news, you can try it out for FREE.

Middle and high school aged kids are invited to practice with the team for a week FREE to determine if they want to play. Practices are Mon., Tues., and Thurs., from 8 – 11 am. Instruction is broken into water and land practice. All swimming abilities are welcome. Wed. evenings, there is an official game.

For more information on the youth practices, contact Owen Sweitzer at owen.sweitzer@gmail.com.

I know summer is actually winding down for many. We only have two more weeks until school starts! However, if you are looking to get in a whole summer’s worth of fun into the next few weeks, here’s another great list of activities. [...]]]> What: A list of Summertime Activities
Where: Atlanta Area
When: Summer 2010
Cost: Free and Cheap

I know summer is actually winding down for many. We only have two more weeks until school starts! However, if you are looking to get in a whole summer’s worth of fun into the next few weeks, here’s another great list of activities. Thanks to Sonia Winfield for forwarding this on from her building concierge.

If you need even more ideas, check out the links in this post we did earlier this summer.

If your kids are like mine, it can be hard to pry them away from the wii to get them outside. REI has a good summer adventure guide to help your children (and you) get outside and really take in the world around you. When kids [...]]]> What: REI Family Adventure Program
Where: Download a guide online
Cost: Free

If your kids are like mine, it can be hard to pry them away from the wii to get them outside. REI has a good summer adventure guide to help your children (and you) get outside and really take in the world around you. When kids complete the adventure, they receive a certificate for their efforts. Not sure where to go on your adventure? REI has a list of family friendly hiking and biking spots. Share pictures of your adventures and you could win a REI gift card. Don’t want to lead the adventure yourself? REI has guided family adventures.

Another great outdoor guide is the Jr. Ranger Program from the Georgia State Parks. Complete sections of this guide and receive a patch like in scouting.

B*ATL (145th Anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta) Piedmont Park Green Market (Tango Lessons and Kids Cooking Workshop) Shrimpin’ Aboard the Lady Jane

Tree Climbing at Panola State Park Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Flying Colors Butterfly Festival Webkinz Road Trip

This is one of my favorite festivals for the kids. It’s been a few years since we’ve been, but [...]]]>
What: Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Willeo Rd., Roswell, Ga.
When: Sat. July 17, 9 am – 2 pm and Sun. July 18 12 – 5 pm
Cost: $8 CNC Members/$10 Non-Members, Children 2 and under FREE

This is one of my favorite festivals for the kids. It’s been a few years since we’ve been, but from the website, it looks like it’s still going strong and even growing!

The main event is the butterfly release, where the Center lets the swallowtail butterflies go. Release times are 10 and 12:30 on Saturday and 1:30 and 3:30 on Sunday. The releases can get crowded, and every time we’ve been, it’s been REALLY hot, so bring an extra dose of patience if you want to get up close for the butterfly release.

Although the release is the main event, there are TONS of other activities including face painting, crafts and some fabulous entertainers. This year’s entertainment includes Andy Offut Irwin and his Environmental Epic Show! If you’ve never seen Andy, I promise your cheeks will hurt from smiling so much. During his show, kids can meet a piece of talking fruit, a cricket that lives in the kudzu and bullfrog tadpoles yearning to break free from a pickle jar! On Sunday Mr. Greg’s Musical Madness entertains with an interactive sing along celebration.

There is also a butterfly costume parade led by Ms. Chrysalis, a pollinator scavenger hunt and a center where kids can build a fairy or gnome house out of natural objects. American Girl is sponsoring a Nature Activity Day with Lanie, American Girl Doll’s 2010 Girl of the Year. Not sure if that means Lanie will actually be there or if there are just American Girl themed activities. Either way, there is a ton of fun to be had at the Chattahoochee Nature Center this weekend.

What: Shrimpin’ on the Lady Jane Where: Golden Isles, Ga. (Includes Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons and Sea Island) When: Generally Wed. – Sun., but check the schedule online Cost: $39.95 per person, $25 6 and under

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a shrimper, then a tour on the Lady Jane is for you. It’s [...]]]>

What: Shrimpin’ on the Lady Jane
Where: Golden Isles, Ga. (Includes Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons and Sea Island)
When: Generally Wed. – Sun., but check the schedule online
Cost: $39.95 per person, $25 6 and under

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a shrimper, then a tour on the Lady Jane is for you. It’s the Deadliest Catch, Golden Isles style.

After boarding the authentic shrimp boat, the vessel heads out into the marsh to see what adventure awaits. A few minutes out you hear “Lowering the nets” and watch as the shrimp nets go into the water. After about 10 – 20 minutes of trawling, the nets are brought up and the sea’s bounty spread on a table before you. In addition to shrimp, we caught puffer fish – all puffed out, grouper, squid, crabs, shark and even a 4 foot spotted eagle ray. The catch is laid out and guests are encouraged to pick up the sea creatures as first mate Cliff, explains a little about the fish we caught. Once all the shrimp are pulled out and guests have touched all the fish, everything is returned to the sea where the hearty swim away and the not so hearty become food for the flock of seagulls following the boat.

The crew of the Lady Jane generally drags the net two to three times each trip, depending on tides, crowds and the catch. After the first catch, boat guests feast on boiled shrimp, caught fresh the day before. While waiting for the next catch, we watched shore birds and even spotted a few dolphins along the marsh. There is bottled water on board for guests and some enterprising folks brought their own cooler with additional kid and adult beverages. Even in mid-July, the trip was pleasant with a cool sea breeze. There is ample shade on board and guests can duck inside the cabin where there is air conditioning if it gets too hot. This is also where the on-board bathrooms are located.

The best part is seeing what comes up in the nets, followed closely by feeding the seagulls and seeing if they can catch the fish in mid-air. A shrimp boat cruise is a great way to not only learn about the sea life that lives along the Georgia coast, but also get up close and personal with it.

Nothing says “summer” like baseball. Although I’m a huge fan of little league – anything can happen, and usually does – I also like to take in a professional game now and then. If you’re [...]]]> What: Atlanta Braves Games
When: All summer long
Cost: There are lots of ticket specials, we’ve listed some below, but check the website

Nothing says “summer” like baseball. Although I’m a huge fan of little league – anything can happen, and usually does – I also like to take in a professional game now and then. If you’re looking for Atlanta Braves ticket deals, there is a dizzying array to fit any ballpark experience. Here’s a few:

Buck Belue Buck Night – $1 for all Upper Reserved Seats on select games in Aug. and Sept.
$1 SkyLine seats
Two for One Mondays – two Golden Moone Casino Pavilion tickets for the price of one (2 for $28)
Coca-Cola Two for One Tuesday – two Upper Reserved tickets for the price of one (2 for $8)
Toyota Two for One Wednesdays – two field/pavilion tickets for the price of one (2 for $24)
Ultimate Kids Days – $5 Upper Box Tickets for all fans 14 and under + pre-game parade around the field and a chance to win prizes.

When going to a Braves game with kids, I say go cheap, because if your kids are like mine, you don’t stay in the seats anyway. They’re always running around the stadium. Here are some other kid friendly ballpark activities:

Cartoon Network’s Tooner Field: This Cartoon Network themed play area is perfect for smaller kids. There is a mini-ball field, a playground and slide, ball throwing and more. If you want to see any of the game, get to the park early to experience this area as you’ll have a hard time getting kids out of this FREE playground.

Run the Bases at the Coca-Cola Sky Field: Near the 22,000 square foot Coke bottle made of baseball equipment is a base path for kids to run. Parents can still watch the game from the railing while keeping an eye on junior too. While you are there, have a seat in one of the HUGE Adirondack chairs. Even a parents will feel small. All of these activities are FREE.

Kids Run the Bases: On most Sunday games (excluding July 4) Kids can run the actual bases down on the field after the game. I think this is SOOO cool! Meet at the Hank Aaron Ramp, aisle 129 after the game.

Publix Friday Night Fireworks: After every Friday night home game, Publix sponsors Friday Night Fireworks.

If you are a true baseball fan, check out my friend and former client Abe Schear’s book, I Remember When. It chronicles interviews with baseball greats and those who have watched them. It’s a wonderful gift for anyone who has enjoyed the game for years, or wants to know more about its history.

Field Trips with Sue readers already know you can get Free Bowling at AMF Bowling Centers, but here’s more deals for free bowling at 300 Atlanta and Brunswick Lanes.

At 300 Atlanta (2175 Savoy Dr.), kids can pick [...]]]> What: Free Bowling for Kids 12 and Under
Where: Brunswick Lanes and 300 Atlanta
When: June, July and August, September
Cost: FREE

Field Trips with Sue readers already know you can get Free Bowling at AMF Bowling Centers, but here’s more deals for free bowling at 300 Atlanta and Brunswick Lanes.

At 300 Atlanta (2175 Savoy Dr.), kids can pick up a 2010 Kids Club Card. It’s good for one free game & shoe rental every day this summer. Must be 12 years or younger to qualify. The card is redeemable Sun-Fri before 4pm and expires Sept. 7. For more information, call 770.451.8605.

Join Brunswick’s Bonus Zone and include your child’s birthday and receive free bowling coupons by mail. Brunswick will email the coupons for free games to your inbox each week. The coupons are good for June, July and August. Note this deal does not include shoe rental.

Recently I did a post on FREE Outdoor Movies in Atlanta, but the East Cobb Park schedule wasn’t finished. It was such a good schedule, I thought I’d post it here. I love Grease and [...]]]> What: Outdoor Movies
Where: East Cobb Park
When: Friday, July 9: Grease (1978)
            Friday, Sept. 10: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) 
Cost: FREE

Recently I did a post on FREE Outdoor Movies in Atlanta, but the East Cobb Park schedule wasn’t finished. It was such a good schedule, I thought I’d post it here. I love Grease and Willy Wonka. I’m especially excited that it’s the original. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I think Gene Wilder makes a much better Willy Wonka than Johnny Depp. Every time I go to the High Museum and get in the elevator from the parking lot to the Plaza, I imagine I’m Charlie and wonder if it will just keep going.

Children’s activities begin at 6 pm and the film is shown at dusk. There is a playground and park for the kids to play prior to the movie. Plan to arrive early and enjoy a picnic. The Friends for East Cobb Park host a concession stand that includes popcorn, candy and drinks. All proceeds benefit the Friends for East Cobb Park. There is also a raffle with great prizes, so bring a bit of extra cash and help keep the program going.