Elsa Simcik

Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.

Latest posts by Elsa

Georgia State Fair, Disney on Ice, Fall Festivals, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 09/24/2025 - 12:10pm

The McNair High School marching band entertains the crowd during the East Atlanta Strut parade. Photo courtesy East Atlanta Strut

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

Fall is in full swing and with it comes awesome Atlanta events like the Georgia State Fair, with fun rides, yummy food, and live shows. Disney fans jump for joy as Disney on Ic e: Jump in! comes to Gas South Arena this weekend. (FYI, the skaters are performing EIGHT shows!) Folks in East Atlanta will strut their stuff on Saturday at the annual East Atlanta Strut, a celebration of the funky neighborhood's culture and personality. And enjoy lots of fall festivals this weekend, including fun ones in Midtown, Alpharetta, and Duluth. Read on for more family-friendly fun in Atlanta!

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 40 Top Things To Do in Atlanta This Fall

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 09/07/2025 - 9:25am

Celebrate fall by touring the Atlanta Botanical Garden for its Scarecrows in the Garden fall event. Photo courtesy of the garden

Fall in Atlanta is pretty much the peak of our seasonal activities—there are just so many things to do in Atlanta this fall with kids! We've got leaves changing colors, amazing weather (not too cold, not too hot), and lots of fall festivals. Atlanta families are also abuzz about football season, apple picking, Halloween, and all the opportunities to get outdoors without breaking a sweat. In fact, there are so many fun fall things to do in Atlanta with families that we decided to narrow it down with a list of merely 40 ideas.

Forty ideas aren't enough for you? We've got more where that came from in our Fall Fun Guide for Atlanta Kids!

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals for Atlanta Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 08/31/2025 - 9:01am

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival runs weekends September 13-November 2. Photo courtesy Stone Mountain Park

Fall festivals in Atlanta mean pumpkins + football + months ending in the suffix -ber! Every weekend Atlanta families can fill their calendars with the best Atlanta pumpkin festivals and harvest fairs, taking advantage of cooler temps and fall colors.

We've rounded up our favorite fall festivals in Atlanta, including pumpkin festivals, harvest events, wholesome county fairs, and even a festival all about a covered bridge! Some of our favorite fall festivals are in Atlanta and some involve a fall day trip (we kept these to 1.5 hours or less from Atlanta). Need more fall ideas? Use our Atlanta Fall Fun Guide to make the most of the season. And get ready for our upcoming monster Atlanta Halloween Guide for all things sweet and spooky!

24 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:04am

The fun of the beloved Georgia State Fair kicks off on September 26 and runs through October 5! Photo courtesy of Georgia State Fair

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching Atlanta's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Families have lots of opportunities to make memories this September in Atlanta. The only way to properly start September events in Atlanta is Dragon Con, the five-day, comic/costume/superhero extravaganza that happens Labor Day weekend. Every weekend in September Atlanta families can get into fall fun with the Buford Corn Maze (animals, jumpy pillow, hay rides) and the Apple Pickin' Jubilee in Ellijay (train rides, mini golf, pig races). Get your fill of fried food at several different fairs in September —Gwinnett County Fair, North Georgia Fair, and the Georgia State Fair!

Since we're on the subject of fall and apples, check out our list of the Best Apple Orchards Near Atlanta with Kids as the ultimate fall activity. Get more ideas in our Atlanta Fall Activities Guide!

Labor Day Weekend 2025 in Atlanta: Dragon Con, Art in the Park, and More Fun Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 12:31pm

Kids can enjoy making art at Marietta's Art in the Park this Labor Day weekend! Photo courtesy Art in the Park

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the three-day holiday weekend!

Labor Day weekend brings extra fun events for an extra long weekend, like Labor Day Weekend at Stone Mountain Park. Guests enjoy an extended fireworks finale for three nights (Saturday - Monday) after the popular laser show. Labor Day weekend in Atlanta means five days of costumes, comics, and characters as part of our fair city's beloved Dragon Con. (Kids especially enjoy the colorful parade on Saturday morning.) And get artsy at Art in the Park, held in Glover Park on Marietta Square, with artist vendors, food trucks, and a children's art section happening all weekend. Read on for more memory-making events happening this weekend!

Take Kids to Your 3rd Spot for Major Gaming Fun

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 08/24/2025 - 1:14pm

Your 3rd Spot is a massive entertainment attraction in Atlanta, with an arcade, yard games, bowling, and much more. Photo courtesy of Your 3rd Spot

Your 3rd Spot (Y3S) in West Midtown has 100+ games and experiences plus yummy food and a fun outdoor play area. Why the name? Here is how they explain it: If home is your first spot and work is your second spot, then this colorful entertainment venue where families can connect is Your 3rd Spot! Y3S is part of the dining and retail district, The Works, and offers 27,000 square feet(!) of fun, including arcade games, corn hole, bowling, ping pong, curling...and that's just inside. Outside guests enjoy lawn games, porch swings, and firepits. Top it all off with a large dining room offering shareable bites, creative cocktails, and a kid-approved menu.

Y3S is 21+ during the weekdays and after 6pm on weekends. On weekends before 6pm, it's all about family fun —kids and parents have the run of the place, enjoying games, food, and fun. Read on for more info on how to have an awesome family day at Y3S!

23 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids August 2025

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 07/27/2025 - 9:01am

Sandy Springs is combining its annual Back-to-School Bash with its National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of the City of Sandy Springs

School is starting in Atlanta, but that doesn't mean summer fun is over! August in Atlanta is a great time to enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and cool events.

August brings fun family events like the Sandy Springs Back to School Bash as well as the Piedmont Park Arts Festival in Midtown. The City of Kennesaw parties with the community at its yummy August event, Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival, which includes music, a kids' zone, and delicious barbecue. And don't miss one of the most popular events in Atlanta...Dragon Con, kicking off on August 28.

Even as kids head back to school, there's still time for summer fun on the weekends —check out our list of 46 Ways to Beat the Heat in Atlanta and our Ultimate End-of-Summer Bucket List for inspiration!

Best Ice Cream Spots in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 11:01am

Ice cream never fails to put a smile on kids' faces! Photo by the author

Who wants ice cream? Everybody, especially in the summer! Fortunately, we have no shortage of ice cream near Atlanta. We've got all the big ice cream chains, but we especially love local ice cream spots—these ice cream parlors are the ones that really hit the sweet spot. It was a tough job, researching and tasting various flavors and styles of ice cream near Atlanta, but somebody had to do it! Read on for the "scoop" on the yummiest ice cream spots near Atlanta, including local mobile ice cream and popsicle stands.

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

Pages