Fernbank's NatureQuest is a nature lovers indoor playground

During the cold winter months, everyone heads indoors. For families looking for things to do in Atlanta with kids indoors, there are lots of options for every age. Here’s a list of twelve great indoor activities for everyone in your family from toddlers to teens. Even the adults will have fun. What are your favorites?

Waiting to get on the main court for the SkyMania session

1. SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park: This is the latest attraction for families in the Atlanta area and a great place for tweens and teens.

2. Indoor Water Parks in Atlanta: Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming. These indoor water parks offer water slides, lazy rivers and play structures. NOTE: This link is to a post I did last year. Check current times and prices with the location before visiting.

3. Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Nature Quest: I love this nature themed indoor playground for the under 8 set. There are so many things to explore, it will take your little one several visits.

4. Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Atlanta: We’ve visited Stone Summit Climbing Gym, which was great for kids. I know other folks who like Atlanta Rocks.

5. Silver Scream Spookshow: This quirky variety show followed by vintage horror flick is free for kids under 12. In 2012 the Silver Scream Spookshow will run every other month at the Plaza Theatre on Ponce de Leon in Midtown starting in February.

Sagebrush Ranch is the indoor playground at the Booth Western Museum

6. Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta: This indoor museum is a great place for kids to play and parents can feel good about knowing their children are learning at the same time. Check out their When I Am cards to find out exactly what they are learning. The video on this link gives you a great overview of the museum’s permanent exhibits.

7. High Museum of Art: I love the High Museum for Kids. Be sure to check out a Discovery Backpack and the Green Family Gallery. Toddler Thursdays are a great way to introduce your little ones to art.

8. Home Depot Workshop and Lowe’s Workshop: No matter what time of year, my boys love donning an apron and hammering some nails.

9. LEGO Mini-Builds: This free activity can get crowded, but for the LEGO fan, it’s worth it.

10. Booth Western Museum: This Cartersville museum has become one of my favorites for kids. They have lots of hands-on activities.

11. Tellus: Another Cartersville museum, this one will keep them busy for hours.

12. National Infantry Museum: This fantastic museum is in Columbus Georgia, but it’s worth the drive, especially if you have tween and teens. You can even shoot on the rifle range.

Atlanta

Waiting to get on the main court for the SkyMania session. SkyMania is specifically for kids 11 - 15.

What: SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park
Where: 590 Old Peachtree Rd., Suwanee, Ga.
When:
Tuesday – Thursday 3 – 9 pm
Friday 12 – 9 pm, SkyMania (10 – 15 years old) 9 – 11 pm
Saturday 10 – 9 pm, SkyJam (ages 16+) 9 – 11 pm
Sunday 11 – 7 pm
Monday – Closed
Cost:  Prices start at $9 for 30 min. Most people will jump for 90 min ($17)
Photos: For additional photos, visit SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park on Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park is not your backyard variety trampoline. That is unless your backyard trampoline has side walls to jump on, a dodgeball court, basketball net and a foam pit to jump into.

Last weekend I took a group of tween boys to SkyMania night at SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park to check the place out. SkyMania is a Friday night event especially for teens and tweens ages 10 – 15. SkyJam is a similar event held on Saturday nights for teens 16 and older. The program runs from 9 – 11 pm and includes 90 minutes of jumping, 2 slices of pizza and a drink for $16. A bargain given a normal 90 minute jump session is $17. And drop off is totally acceptable. If you have toddlers, a special toddler time is scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 11 am. Parents are asked to stay with the toddlers.

Shooting hoops at Skyzone. Court Monitors allow one person at a time to shoot.

SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park Facility
SkyZone  is located in a warehouse complex. There are four main jumping areas, a game section with air hockey, pool and video games for those that need a break from jumping, plus a parents lounge and various decks for viewing or snacking. Jumpers can either wear shoes provided by the facility or go barefoot, but just socks are not allowed.

• Main Court: The main court is 9,000 square feet and divided into 8 x 8 ft. squares, plus a few longer strips, so jumpers are not double jumping or crashing into each other.  There is also a small kid court off to the side that was perfect for my youngest to get his bearings before heading out into the masses of people.
• SkySlam: Two basketball nets are set up along trampolines. Try your hand at dunking on either the 10 ft. net or the 7.5 ft net.
• 

  The foam pit is 5 ft. deep. Climbing out is exercise too!

  Foam Zone: There are four lanes of trampolines that lead into a 5 ft deep foam pit. Just getting out of the foam pit is a workout in itself!

• Dodgeball Courts: There are two dodgeball courts and monitors do their best to ensure that kids of the same size are playing together. This was the highlight for all the boys, but also an area for improvement by the facility. Kudos to management for separating the bigger kids from the smaller ones. However, there was a larger crowd of younger kids and the system for switching people in and out was a bit random, resulting in some of our group complaining they had a hard time getting on the court. The court monitors were all very nice, so educate your children before they go to speak up if they can’t get on the court and let the monitors know they’ve been bypassed.

Court Monitors keep everyone safe.

Safety at SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park
Safety is a big concern for parents. SkyZone has court monitors at each station. Four in the main jump area, two for each dodgeball court, one at the foam pit and another at the basketball court. At the foam pit and basketball areas only one child goes at a time. The Dodgeball courts do their best to keep same size kids playing against each other and only allow 13 people on each side. The way the main court is separated into squares of individual trampolines discourages double bouncing. In addition, the facility only holds 147 jumpers at any one time, so although it can get crowded at the dodgeball court, it doesn’t feel too crowded on the main court and the lines are not overly long for the basketball or foam pit. In fact, it’s a welcome relief to stop bouncing for a minute. Walking after all that jumping makes your feet feel like lead boots!

Cleanliness at SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park
As soon as the kids were off the trampolines, staff was beginning to wash down the courts. Each night they spray the trampolines and pads with sanitizer and scrub them down. The foam pit is sprayed nightly and weekly the 5 ft pit is emptied and throughly cleaned. It’s a five hour job!

Trampolines and pads are sanitized and scrubbed every night.

SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park Tickets
As we’ve mentioned, SkyZone Atlanta Indoor Trampoline Park has a limited capacity of 147 people. Although they do accept walk-up ticket sales, often on weekends and holidays they are sold out prior to the session time through advanced sales. Especially while the facility is so new, I recommend securing your tickets before you go. The Friday we went, they had sold out by 11 am that morning.

Although we were provided a complimentary admission for the purpose of reviewing this establishment (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.

What: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club
Where: Innisbrook, Fla. (near Tampa)
Cost: Special $695 for a week in a 1-bedroom suite, $995 for a 2-bedroom suite
Photos: For photos of the resort, go to photo album on Field Trips with Sue’s Facebook page.

We spent Memorial Day weekend enjoying the Florida sunshine at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club near Tampa, Fla. Innisbrook is best known as a golf resort, hosting the Transitions Championship, part of the FEDEX Cup, on the Copperhead course. There are three other courses on property with the most scenic being the Island Course. Golf is still a big draw, but for families there are lots of wonderful activities in addition to hitting the links. For Summer 2010, Innisbrook is offering a great deal, $695 for a week in a one-bedroom suite or $995 for a two-bedroom suite. All suites offer full-sized kitchens, a real plus when traveling with kids.

The resort encompasses 900 acres, has four golf courses, six pools, a playground, mini-golf course, shuffleboard, nature walk and four restaurants. There are lots of activities for families including complimentary junior golf and tennis lessons on specific days. Daily from 4 – 7 pm, families can golf together at the 9 hole, par 3 Fox Squirrel course for free.  The Loch Ness Pool is the center for family fun and has two water slides, zero entry with sandy beach and fountains, good for little ones and crawlers, and beach and water volleyball for older kid fun. There are also poolside crafts for an extra charge. During our visit, family programming included a dive-in movie and family whiffleball tournament.

If the kids like to fish, poles and gear are available from the tennis center. While you fish, look for several of the native Florida birds that live on property. Pick up picture cards at the Loch Ness Pool and head out on an early morning bike ride for the best viewing and bring some bread to feed the turtles along the Nature Walk. In the evenings, the golf courses are open as walking trails. The Island Course is the most scenic of the four.

If you want more excitement, Innisbrook is near Busch Gardens Tampa or take in a Ray’s baseball game at Tropicana Field. Although the resort is not along the ocean, they offer shuttle service to nearby Honeymoon Island. Guests can then take a ferry to Caladesi Island, recently voted as a “best beach.”

On your way home, have a Greek lunch at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.

Although we were provided a complimentary room for the purpose of reviewing it (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.

What: A list of Summertime Activities
Where: Atlanta Area
When: Summer 2010
Cost: Free and Cheap

Last week Field Trips with Sue posted Cheap things to do in Forsyth County, Ga. and a list of Summer 2010 activities. Here’s another list of cheap and inexpensive things to do with kids for the Summer of 2010.

Thanks to Donna Blanton, the resident storyteller at 45 South Café in historic Norcross, for sharing this wonderful list. And thanks Heneghan’s Dunwoody Blog author John Heneghan, for sending me the list.

I’m especially excited about the Sunflower Farm where you can pick your own bouquet for $5. Sunflowers are my favorite. You can’t help but smile when you see a bouquet of sunflowers. I can hear my boys groaning already about the pictures I’m going to take in that field.

What: Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show and a Movie
Where: Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 * 404-873-1939
When: 2nd Saturday of every month, 2:30 pm
Cost: $7 for all ages, which includes the live comedy show, the movie and balloons

The Plaza Theatre on Ponce de Leon is really offering some fun and unique entertainment. In addition to the Silver Scream Spookshow on the last Saturday of every month, they’ve added Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show and Movie on the second Saturday of every month.

The afternoon begins with Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show. The show is filled with magic, clowning, puppetry and some “serious fun.” Children from the audience are asked to help with the mayhem and the audience is invited to stick around afterwards and learn how to make balloon animals, perform a magic trick, or even how to juggle.

Following the Silly Circus Show is a family friendly film. On June 12, 2010 they’re showing “Hey There It’s Yogi Bear”, a G-rated 1964 Hanna/Barbera animated musical film. Starring the voices of Mel Blanc, Daws Butler and singer James Darren, this was Yogi Bear’s first theatrical feature film. All that’s old is new again. There is a new Yogi Bear live action/animated/3D movie is slated for release in December of 2010, starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake.

What: Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! Stage Show
Where: Fabulous Fox Theatre
When: June 11 – 13, 2010
Cost: Prices start at $12, Win tickets here!

Last fall we went to the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando. The boys loved meeting Dora, The Wonder Pets and their friends at the character breakfast. Now you can see Dora and her friends at the Storytime Live! stage show at the Fox Theatre. Order your tickets through ticketmaster today!

Want to win tickets? Leave a comment below with your full name. We’ll pick one winner of a family four pack on Wed. evening – so check back.

Want an extra chance to win? “Like” Field Trips with Sue on Facebook and leave a comment on this entry.

Want a third chance? Follow @suerodman and tweet “@suerodman, I want to see Storybook Live! @foxtheatre”

What: Kids Love I-75 Travel Book
Where: From Michigan to Florida
Cost: $16.95

As we get into summer travel season, you may want to check out my twitter friend, Michelle Zavatsky’s new book “Kids Love I-75.” It’s a great guide for families traveling along I-75, which runs from Michigan to Florida and through Georgia and Atlanta. Michelle, her husband and two children have logged more than 30,000 miles along the route and stopped at most of the locations mentioned in the book, an impressive feat.

The book is well organized by state and offers maps of the route. There is also a list of what is available by exit. Attractions are all within 10 miles of I-75. Although some lodging is mentioned, most of the entries are attractions. I’ve visited several of the places on the Georgia list and based on my knowledge of those, Michelle and her family do a great job of letting you know what to expect, in terms of hours and prices, as well as what families will be most interested in seeing. There are even fun facts about many places. New this year is an online companion guide to keep travelers updated on the latest.

If you are planning a trip to Florida, a trip up North or just a day visit along I-75, this is a great travel companion.

First, the winners of our Center for Puppetry Arts tickets are Jennifer H and Natalie. Congratulations! Send me your full name and address and we’ll have the tickets mailed to you.

This morning I spent some time with Jeff Quattrocchi , aka The SwampMaster on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Jeff has risen to fame because of a YouTube video of an alligator eating his arm. I knew Jeff way back when (about two years ago) when he did an alligator show at the Illinois State Fair in DuQuion. Ok, so I didn’t know him, but I saw his show. How weird to meet him now. He was a very nice, normal, (well except for the wrestling alligator part) guy. His show was quite good too, so if you get a chance to see it, by all means, do.

So here is what we discussed this morning on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. As always, you can view the Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS’ website.

FREE Outdoor Movies
Flips & Flapjacks
Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus and Family Movie at the Plaza Theatre (look for this post next week)

All-Comers Track Meet
Center for Puppetry Arts Passport to Summer Kick-Off (we’re giving away tickets next week too!)
Storytime Live! at the Fox Theatre (look for a ticket giveaway in the next week)
Summer Activity List (This is a link to one list. Next week we’ll have another)

Field Trips with Sue is excited to introduce you to another great family blog and local blogger. Jenni Hilton is the author of Forsyth County, GA for Families, a blog about things to do with kids in the northern Atlanta suburb of Forsyth County. The following is an excerpt from a recent post. Thanks Jenni for sharing.

By Jenni Hilton, Forsyth County, GA for Families
I was a working mom until about a week ago and now am transitioning to a stay at home mom. It is an odd but exciting feeling to be able to stay home with my daughters for the summer. So now I am planning on things to do that are low or no-cost in North Atlanta.

I will share the places I find and hope it helps you add to your summer adventures. I live in Forsyth County, GA so this will focus on this area for the most part. I will also update this as I go. Happy trails!

Forsyth County Parks – we are fortunate to have a wealth of parks available for our leisure. Here is a list with plenty of resources. Central Park is a favorite hangout.Poole’s Mill has a wonderful creek and shady playground.

Movies 400 – free summer movies on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10:00 am. The concession stand offers a special size $1.00 Popcorn and $1.00 Soda for these showings only. Join us this summer for free movies. Bring a can of food to support our can food drive and receive a free popcorn! (Free Family Film Festival Size only, Limit One Per Customer)

Forsyth County Public Library – activities, puppet shows and a calendar for story time keep the library a fresh fun place to go. Plus checking out books keeps our reading library replenished at no cost!

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center- Autrey Mill, located in Alpharetta, has miles of walking trails, a Heritage Village with original buildings and artifacts from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, animal exhibits and replicas of Native American dwellings. All activities on the grounds are free.
9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Chattahoochee Nature Center – walking trails and educational sessions with a low cost admission is fun for the whole family.

Wills Park Wacky World and Disc Golf is a 110-acre park featuring baseball fields, a disc golf course, lighted tennis courts, picnic pavilions, walking trails and two large playgrounds, including “Wacky World,” a unique kingdom that kids rave about. Situated at the edge of the park is the Alpharetta city pool, which has a diving well with three boards, a shaded kiddie, shaded and open deck areas and a concession stand.

Suwanee Town Center Park and Playtown Suwanee – a little bit further away but adventure awaits with an interactive fountain, lots of greenspace and a great playground.

For more great ideas for families in Forsyth County, go to Jenni’s post on Free and Cheap things to do in Forsyth, Ga.

What: Center for Puppetry Arts, Passport to Puppetry
When: Kick-off event is Sat. June 5, 2010, 12 – 2 pm, but the event goes all summer
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. Atlanta
Cost: Passport program is free, puppet show and create a puppet workshop is $16
Win tickets here!

If you’ve never been to the Center for Puppetry Arts, you should make a point to go this summer. As an added bonus, the Center is offering a “Passport to Summer” program. See three or more shows and win prizes including finger puppets, museum gift shop gift certificates, free guided museum tours and free show tickets. See all six summer shows and get all the prizes plus a photo with a real puppeteer!

This Sat., June 5, the Center is kicking off the program with Rita’s Italian Ice. From 12 – 2 pm guests can enjoy free samples of Rita’s Italian Ice, pick up their passport and see the puppet show Stellaluna. All puppet shows include free admission to the museum exhibits and a Create-A-Puppet-Workshop where kids can make a puppet of their own to take home. If you can’t stay for the workshop, ask for a Create-A-Puppet To-Go kit.

Showtimes on June 5 for Stellaluna are 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. The show runs through June 6. Other shows this summer include:
June 8 – 20 – The Lion, the Mouse & other Aesop’s Fables
June 22 – July 3 – Hansel & Gretel
July 6 – 18 – Billy Goat’s Gruff & other Stuff
July 20 – Aug. 1 – Everybody Loves Pirates
Aug. 6 – Sept. 12 – Rumpelstiltskin

Want to win tickets to see a Center for Puppetry Arts show? Leave a comment below and let us know what you have planned for this summer. We’ll choose four winners to receive a family four pack good through the season. We’ll announce two winners on Thursday evening and then two more next week.

Want an extra shot at winning? Follow @suerodman on twitter and tweet the following: @suerodman, Can’t wait to see the puppets @ctrpuppetryarts.

You can also follow up on Facebook. Leave a comment under this post on the Field Trips with Sue Facebook page and you’ll get a third shot at winning.