Talking free summer fun with the AJC's Atlanta Bargain Hunter Lauren Davidson for an online chat.

School is finished next Tuesday for us. The Countdown to Summer is in single digits. Are you ready?

Summer fun has been the topic of conversation on the Field Trips with Sue CBS Better Mornings Atlanta segment and a special online chat I did yesterday with the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Atlanta Bargain Hunter, Lauren Davidson.

If you missed the Field Trips with Sue chat with the AJC Bargain Hunter, you can view it online. We talked about summer reading programs, free and cheap movies and ways to get kids outside and active. All topics mentioned in my book 100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta (announcer voice: don’t wait, order Today!)

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

On this mornings Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta we talked about one tank trips from Atlanta to Chattanooga including:

• A stay at the Chattanoogan
• Rock City
• Tennessee Aquarium

We also discussed Summer Fun in Atlanta including:

• The new edition launch of the Field Trips with Sue book 100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta
• World of Coca-Cola’s Vault of the Secret Formula
• Stone Mountain’s Family Value Pass including the new Geyser Tower

Great ready for summer. Order your copy Today!

We have giveaways for all of these attractions and more this week and next on Field Trips with Sue, so subscribe to Field Trips with Sue (and answer the verification email you’ll receive after registering) so you don’t miss anything.

What: Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale
When: Several times a year including May 3 – 23, 2012
Where: Kennesaw, Covington, Duluth, Cumming, Peachtree City
Cost: Free admission, cheap books

It’s time for the Scholatic Warehouse book sale. It’s a great way to get summer reading and birthday presents for up to 80 percent off retail. The big Scholastic Warehouse sale is in December. I’ve been to this sale in the past and got some fabulous deals. I’ve also been when the deals weren’t as good, but the selection was better. Each sale boasts up to 80 percent off. At an August sale I was able to fill a bag for $5, which was an incredible deal. Some of the titles were slightly misprinted, either a cover too big or some pages cut funny, but all were readable books. There were also some novelty items that were in fine shape, but the packaging was opened or damaged.

If you go, download a coupon from the Scholastic website and you’ll get $10 off a $50 purchase or $25 off a $100 purchase. To get your coupon, register to attend the book fair of your choice and print your fast cart pass. If you’ve ever worked at your child’s book fair, register as a volunteer.

Here are some of our favorite book series from Scholastic:

For younger children:

• David Shannon’s Pirate Series
• The Duck Books (Duck on a Bike, Duck for President)
• Magic Tree House

For older childen and tweens:

• Hunger Games
• 39 Clues
• Ranger’s Apprentice
• Harry Potter
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• Alex Rider
• The Hardy Boys

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

This morning was a Field Trips with Sue morning on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. If you missed it, here’s what we talked about…

Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings in the 5 am hour

• Atlanta History Center’s Sheep to Shawl Day
• UGA’s Spring G Day Football Game

Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings in the 6 am hour

• Atlanta Rocks Family Night
• Strawberry Picking 

What: Annual Atlanta Braves Open House
When: March 31, 2012 12 – 5 pm
Where: Turner Field
Cost: FREE (even parking in the Green lot is free)

I’ve always thought that running the bases at Turner Field was one of the coolest things you could do. How awesome to be able to go down on the field and pretend to be a major leagues baseball player whose just hit a home run!

Running the bases down on the field is one of many activities during the Atlanta Braves Annual Open House. Best of all, it’s totally FREE!

The event is a countdown to the Braves home opener on Friday, April 13. Free activities include:

• Watch the Braves take on the Detroit Tigers live from Disney at 1:00 p.m. on SportSouth, on one of the world’s largest high definition scoreboards, BravesVision, in center field.
• Pitch and Hit in the game cages in Scout’s Alley
• Visit the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
• Tour Turner Field – sit in the dugout  and see the press box and broadcast booths
• Run the Bases, weather permitting
• The Heavy Hitters drumline and Tomahawk Team will be on hand to entertain fans in the Plaza.
• For parents, Braves ticket reps are on hand to give you a tour of season ticket locations and take orders.

Yes, this is my crew (and their cousins). Charming don't you think.

What: Easter in Atlanta
When: March 24, 2012 to Easter April 8, 2012
Costs: Vary

There’s a lot to do during Easter in Atlanta and it’s almost time for the rabbit to hop down the bunny trail and litter the landscape with jellybeans and chocolate eggs. Here are some activities for a fun Easter in Atlanta.

It's always fun until someone cries.

Easter Egg Hunts in Atlanta
Local blogger Atlanta with Kid has a comprehensive list of Easter Egg Hunts in Atlanta. There are traditional hunts at local churches and Atlanta area attractions, but, if you are looking for something different, Atlanta with Kid gives you the scoop on a flashlight egg hunt and even an underwater egg hunt!

If your child has food allergies, Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta, Inc. is hosting a fun filled hunt without candy at Garrard Landing Park in Roswell on Sat. March 24 at 10 am. RSVP at confirm@fakidsatl.org with the ages and number of children attending.

Easter Bunny at Atlanta Area Malls
On March 24, the Easter Bunny will arrive at several area malls. Many also have Easter Celebrations including a 50′s themed Hop at Towne Center and a Garden Party at Northlake Mall. On March 31st, Gwinnett Place Mall has a Hip Hop Bunny Party. All of these events are part of the Simon Kidgit’s Club. A great, inexpensive club that has celebrations all year for kids at local area malls. Membership is $5 per year.

This isn't at the mall, but thought I'd show that my children don't always have baskets on their head.

Atlanta Opera’s Rabbit Tales
For something a little different, take in a performance of Rabbit Tales, an original commission by the Atlanta Opera  and written and composed by Atlanta based artists. The show is specifically for children and is based on the Brer Rabbit stories of Joel Candler Harris. The program is at 11 am on Sat., March 24 at the Fulton County Arts & Culture’s SW Arts Center at 915 New Hope Rd.. Admission is $6. For home school parents or teachers, there is a Rabbit Tales downloadable Opera Guide.

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Twice a month, Field Trips with Sue is a featured segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. We generally talk about what’s going on around Atlanta and fun places we’ve visited. Here’s a round up of this weeks show.

In the first Field Trips with Sue on Better Mornings Atlanta segment we talked about:

• Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies Celebration
• Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
• Opening of Six Flags Over Georgia on March 17 (correction: admission price on March 17 is $19.67 (not $19.97 as I had stated)

In our second Field Trips with Sue on Better Mornings Atlanta segment we talked about Spring Break 2012 Ideas including:

At Southern Cross, it's fun to just meet the horses.

• Southern Cross Guest Ranch in Madison, Ga.
• Disney World on the Cheap – Stay tuned for a post on this next week!
• Biltmore Estates with Kids (Through March 31 children 16 and under are free)

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Field Trips with Sue is a travel blog that features things to do in the Southeast and Atlanta with kids. Twice a month we talk about places we’ve featured on the blog during a Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. If you aren’t up early in the morning or you missed the segments, here’s a wrap up of today’s show. The first link will take you to the segment. The links below go to a website or post for more information.

In the first segment, we talked about Dirt Bike Racing and  Dirt Bike Riding in Atlanta including:

• Supercross Championships at the Georgia Dome Sat. Feb. 25
• MSF Dirt Bike School
• Durhamtown Plantation (See this post for a Half-Off Depot deal for 53% off)

In the second segment, we talked about Spring Break Vacations from Atlanta including:

• Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Tales
• Marineland Dolphin Adventures in St. Augustine, FL
• Castillo de San Marco, St. Augustine, FL

Looking for more things to do with kids in Atlanta this weekend? 

The Mad Hatter at Woodruff Arts Center

The Mad Hatter Event at the Woodruff Arts Center is on Sat., Feb. 25, 2012 from 10 am – noon. It’s a morning of whimsical flair, artist performances, raffles and hands-on fun for the entire family!

Walmart Sunday Funday at Zoo Atlanta. On Feb. 26, 2012 guests mentioning this special promotion enjoy $5 admission across all ticket categories.

Elephant Brunch Gwinnett Arena

What: Lunch with the Ringling Bros. Elephants  at a Pachyderm Picnic
Where: Gwinnett Arena
When: Wed., Feb. 22, 2012 at 11:45 am
Cost: FREE

I love it when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus comes to town and they do an elephant brunch. Long before I started working with Feld Entertainment, I took my boys to the Pachyderm Picnic at Centennial Park. Don’t tell anyone, but I took the oldest out of school to go. I figured it just as educational as the lunch room at school. I’m not advocating taking your kids out of school, but if you can, pack a sack lunch tomorrow (Wed., Feb. 22) and head to the Gwinnett Arena for a lunch break you won’t soon forget! Here are some photos from previous years. To see more, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook.

Preparing the feast. An elephants favorite? Bread.

Here come the stars of the show!

As my son once said..."Look mom, they're holding tails."

I love how they try to snag the best stuff from the elephants beside them. See the middle one's trunk. Just like the kids.

How does an elephant pick up an apple? Very carefully.

There will be a few clowns there too!

Just like the kids - everything always ends up on the ground. It's fun to watch them smash the melons with their feet before eating them.

What: Yellow River Game Ranch
Where: Lilburn, GA
When: February 20, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm (last ticket sold at 4 pm)
Cost: $1 per person (normal prices are $8 for adults and $7 for children 2 – 11)
Photos: See Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

The Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn is a great place for young and old and on Monday, Feb. 20, you can “pay a buck to see a buck.” This is a great deal, and it’s VERY popular. The best part of this attraction is feeding the animals, so get there early (like 9:45 am) so you are one of the first in the door when the animals are hungry. The earlier you go, the better your experience. You may also want to head to the back of the preserve, past all the folks that are stopping at the first deer they see, and work your way to the front.

In addition to paying a buck to get in, you’ll want food to feed the animals. You can purchase food at the center (and the price will help center operations) or bring your own carrots, saltine or graham crackers. My boys had a BLAST when we did this! There is just something about feeding a petting animals that just never gets old. Here is our photo album from last year’s visit.

The game ranch is set on 24 acres and has more than 600 birds and animals indigenous to Georgia that you can feed and pet. The Ranch is also famous as the home of General Beauregard Lee, the groundhog that predicts the beginning of spring, or the continuance of winter each year on Ground Hog Day.

For more information, contact Art at 770-972-6643.

For early birds, twice a month you can catch Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. We highlight posts from the blog and other interesting things to do. Here’s what we talked about this morning. If you’d like to see the segment, just follow the link.

In the 5 am hour on Field Trips with Sue talks about Things to do in Atlanta with Kids on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop
Yellow River Game Ranch Dollar Days – The next dollar day is Feb. 20. 2012
Twyla Tharp’s Princess and the Goblin by the Atlanta Ballet

In the 6 am hour on Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta we focus on the High Museum of Art for Families. Including:

Toddler Thursday
Teen Programs – Monthly Poetry Slam and Teen Nights (Next Teen Night is Feb. 25, 2012)
Discovery Backpacks