Lately, my children have been a lot less enthusiastic about going outdoors to play. Sometimes it is just too hot or muggy or rainy to have fun outdoors in Decatur. Luckily, there are some places around town where you can play and find relief from the weather at the same time. Here are a few favorite places to play in or near Decatur, GA on hot or rainy days.
Decatur Library - 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA
Decatur Library Features: the children’s area has low hanging bookshelves and child size furniture that makes it easy for kids to grab a book and a seat without assistance. The Decatur Library also offers story hours for children that are fun and interactive. Toddler Time, Music Time and Rhyme and Musical Mother Goose are offered on select days in July. Check here for more information.
Scott Park – sits directly across the driveway from the Decatur Library behind the Decatur Rec Center and gets my vote for the Decatur park with the most shade. Pack a lunch when you go to story hour at the library and take the kids to Scott park for a picnic under a shady tree directly after. Scott Park features a community garden, picnic tables under shady trees, and nice playground equipment
Fernbank Natural History Museum – 767 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA, corner of Ponce de Leon Ave. and Clifton Rd.
Fernbank Features: a variety of natural history exhibits as well as two exploratory playrooms; one more suitable for toddlers, the other for bigger kids. The playrooms make it a nice place to go back to on hot or rainy days, even if you’ve already seen the current exhibit.
Glenlake Pool and Park - 1121 Church St., Decatur, GA
Glenlake Pool Features: a huge shallow end (only 1 ft. 6 inches deep) that is great for toddlers, free life vest rental, adult swim, bring your own snacks. You may also want to check out the brand new pool at McKoy park, 534 McKoy St. Decatur, GA, with even more kid-friendly features.
Glenlake Park – sits right in back of Glenlake Pool and is one of the few in town parks with lots of shady trees. Glenlake Park features both toddler-friendly and big kid playground equipment PLUS an open soccer/baseball field and basketball court.
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum – 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA
Jimmy Carter Library Features: Monday story hours in the book nook for preschool aged children – July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2008 at 10 a.m. There’s also a Garden Safari immediately following the story hour in the museum gardens. Check here for more information.
Leapin’ Lizards – 185 Sams St., Decatur, Ga, the newest jumping gym in Decatur
Leapin’ Lizards Features: a toddler area as well as big kid jumping fun, healthy snack bar and frequent jumper passes. Decatur Mom reader, Susan, says “it’s absolutely fun and the place is one of the best jump places we’ve been.” Check here pricing and more information.
Little Shop of Stories – 133 E. Court Square, Decatur, GA
LSOS Features: a special place for little browsers with child size seating, low hanging bookshelves and a large collection of board books PLUS story hours on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., as well as a wide range of special events from storytellers to summer camps. Check here for more information.
Nothlake Mall – 4800 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta, GA, a short drive up 285, exit at Lavista Road.
Northlake Features: a big fountain which is always a crowd pleaser, a large screen that projects interactive games on the floor near the fountain keeps kids busy, an assisted bungee/trampoline jumping area for bigger kids, and quite a variety of food in the food court PLUS a Crescent Moon near the mall entrance.
Scrap Chick Boutique - 906 W. College Ave., Decatur, GA
Scrap Chick Boutique Features: a variety of projects for kids throughout the summer for under $5.00.
Wiggle Atlanta - 305 E. College Avenue, Decatur, GA, children’s boutique now offering classes for summer
Wiggle Atlanta Features: a variety of mommy and me classes including Musikgarten, Play to Learn and Baby Sign for babies and toddlers. Check here for more details.
Please feel free to add to this list!
This is such a great blog — thanks for all the good info! I just wanted to post a correction and website for Scrap Chic (no “k”!) Boutique: scrapchicboutique.typepad.com. It has moved to 2774 E College Ave. It’s a scrapbooking / cardmaking /paper arts store. I love to shop there! Kids’ crafts are 12-4 on Wednesdays this summer.
Thanks for the great info. Moving to Avondale Estates and was looking for things to do with my son who will 7 months old in May.
love this!
by the way, on a recent trip to berlin we noticed all the wonderful “kinder cafe’s” where parents could take their tots to play in full site, while they used the wifi and had coffee or snacks. they had lots of toys for kids and you never lost sight of the children, so you could stay in one place and work for a bit. this would be ideal in decatur for all the DYI and self-employed parents. i’m thinking of how we can start one. i have a two year old and can only do leaping lizards and library so much. and its way too hot for parks mostly.
i run pushpush theater and we are not active with traffic during the day. and we already have wireless in the big lobby. hmmm…