Gimme 5 Friday!

It's Friday and we've got FIVE fun activities for you around town. Click on the highlighted links to get more info!

1. Celebrate Fall by making an Autumn Tree Collage at Lakeshore Learning in East Cobb. FREE workshop from 11am-3pm on Saturday.

2. See a movie!

• Children's Saturday Cinema at the Central Library: Mary Poppins at 3pm on Saturday
• Sherlock Holmes Film Festival at East Cobb Library at 2pm on Saturday
• Madagascar 3 at The Picture Show at Merchant's Exchange - showtimes vary so visit movies.com to check times

3. Fun with Food!

• Celebrate Fall and have fun with apples at Harry's Farmers Market during their Healthy Eating Kid's Club at 1:30 Saturday. Best to call ahead so they can be sure they have enough for everyone but drop-ins are welcome.
• Make Your Own Healthy Wrap Fundraiser at Whole Foods at Merchant's Walk from 11am-2pm on Saturday. For only $3 each, make your own wrap for lunch - fun way to get kids to experiment and try new foods. Proceeds go to the Whole Kids Foundation in support of school garden grants and salad bars. 

4. Enjoy a fun day on Sunday at East Cobb Park's Sunday Funday from 4pm-7pm. Pack your picnic and enjoy the evening set to music and fun!

5. Field Trip!

• Going on all weekend - Fall Fun on the Farm! Corn Maze, farm tours, and evening Bonfire Hayrides at Cagle's Family Farm. Check online for schedule of activities & ticket prices
• Atlanta History Center's Fall Folklife Festival Saturday from 10:30-4:30. Traditional cooking, craft, farming, and blacksmith demos, music, food for purchase, and more! Included with admission. If you haven't been to AHC with your kids, check out my "Beyond Cobb" Guide.

There is a lot going on this weekend! If you are looking for something else, be sure to check out our website calendar and follow us on Facebook for daily posts.

Gimme 5 Friday

FIVE FUN & FREE ideas for your weekend! Click on the highlighted link to learn more.

1. Kid's Fishing Rodeo at Lost Mountain Park from 9:00am-11am Saturday.

2. Free Classes Saturday at Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw to celebrate National Parks & Recreation Month:

• KidzArt Demo (Class) from 9:15 to 10 a.m.
• Jump Rope Jam (Workout) from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

3. Wear your favorite Hero Costume to the Touch-A-Truck event at Roswell Corners Chick-fil-A 4pm-7pm Saturday. (FREE)

4. Create an Olympic Torch at Lakeshore Learning Saturday from 11am-3pm to inspire your family to take part in your own Backyard Olympics (FREE)

5. Pack a picnic and enjoy an Outdoor Movie at Roswell's Riverside Park. Puss in Boots (PG) starts at dusk.

Be sure to check our website calendar for even more to do this weekend!

Gimme 5 Friday!

Five fun things to do this weekend! Click on the highlighted link to learn more.

1. Its a "Day of Discovery for Kids" at the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville. On Saturday from 1-3pm, kids will learn what archaeology is from a professional archaeologist. Hear about history and see real artifacts. Take part in mock excavations and learn how to clean and identify treasures that you find. COST: $3.50-$5.00 770-387-3747. 813 Indian Mounds Rd., S.W., Cartersville.

2. Hear ye, Hear ye, you are invited to join the Royal Court...well, actually it's the Upper level of the JC Penney Wing at Town Center Mall but a grand event just the same! Simon Kidgits Club Prince & Princess Party is Saturday from 1pm-3pm. The festivities will include special prizes, fun activities and a DJ! Wear your favorite prince/princess costume OR your Kidgits shirt, to receive a special prize (while supplies last). COST: FREE for current Kidgits Club Members; $5 for nonmembers includes an entire year of fun activities!

3. Meet the Author Event at the Town Center Prado Barnes & Noble Saturday at 11am. Author Anthony Pearson will read his new book, Baby Bear Eats the Night. He will also sign copies for sale. COST: FREE

4. Enjoy all things butterfly this weekend at the Butterfly Festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Saturday (10am-3pm) & Sunday (12pm – 5pm). Be a part of butterfly releases & encounters, crafts & face painting, sidewalk art & fairy house construction. Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and so much more! Little ones can wear their butterfly or caterpillar costumes and take part in the Butterfly and Caterpillar Costume Parade. Go online to find schedule of the weekend activities! COST: 
$10 General Public/$8 CNC Members 

5. Get creative and leave the mess on someone else's floor!! FREE crafts for kids around town this weekend.

• Michael's Passport to Imagination is taking everyone to Japan from 1-4pm Saturday.
• Kids can make "My Pet Fish" with their handprint from 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning East Cobb on Saturday
• Lowe's is celebrating kid's favorite movie characters this summer. This month's project at Lowe’s Build & Grow Workshop for Kids is a "Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack" on Saturday at 10 and Sunday at 2pm. Register online!

Looking for something else? Check our website calendar & follow us on Facebook!

Gimme 5 Friday

Five fun things to do this weekend! Click on the highlighted links to find out more.

1. Kids Karate on Saturday at 10:00am at the Ben Robertson Center. Kennesaw Parks & Recreation is celebrating Parks & Recreation Month by offering a calendar full of FREE Drop-In classes for kids & adults at the community center and their parks. Click HERE to get the calendar and try something new this month!

2. Send Dad to your neighborhood Home Depot with the kids to build a Moving Truck Saturday morning while you relax (HA- yeah right! Catch up on laundry, dishes, paperwork, vacuum, mop, change sheets…) Kids workshop is from 9am-12pm...drop-in anytime but give yourself plenty of time to finish the project. Our experience with these FREE fun workshops – the later you go, the more crowded.

3. Head to the mountains and make tasty treats that your backyard birds will love. Red Top Mountain is hosting a kid’s Pine Cone Birdfeeder Workshop from 3pm-4pm on Saturday. Meet at the park office. The cost for the workshop is $1 (plus $5 State Park Parking fee). Make a day of it and enjoy a hike on one of their trails before or after the workshop. Address for GPS: 50 Lodge Rd SE, Cartersville

4. B at the Movies is at East Cobb Park Saturday for Movie Night! Bring the family out for Rio. Music by B98.5 begins at 7:30, movie starts at dusk. Event is FREE but Friends for the East Cobb Park will  host a concession stand to benefit the park. Arrive early for a picnic & beat the crowds!

5. Insect Field Day for ages 7+ at the Chattahoochee Nature Center on Sunday from 10:30am-11:30am. Observe and identify insects you collect in nets and learn why these small creatures are vital to our world. Stick around for a guided trail hike at 1pm. Both activities are included with admission: $8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-12, 2 and under FREE.

Looking for something different? Check our website calendar & follow us on Facebook to find the fun!

One Man's Trash...

Who doesn't love a bargain and one way to get one is to buy used! Here are some upcoming "used goods" sales you should check out to find your next treasure!

1. Pick up a good read for yourself at the Cobb County Library Book Sale and restock your kids bookshelf while your there too! Aren't you getting a little tired of Good Night Moon?? The sale is being held March 23rd & March 24th from 9am-5pm and on Sunday, the 25th from 1pm-5pm at Jim Miller Park. Cash or Check only!
        PS - while you are at Jim Miller Park on Saturday be sure to stop by the Cobb Library Foundation's fundraiser Wild West Fest on Saturday from 10am-4pm. Sure to be a root-tootin' good time!

2. St. Ann's Garage Sale runs March 22nd-25th at The Catholic Church of St. Ann on Roswell Road in Marietta. On Thursday & FRiday the sale is from 9am-6pm and on Saturday 9am-1pm.

3. Junk Day at The Woodstock Market from 9am-4pm Saturday March 24th. Community garage sale at it's best. Dealers, vendors and anyone with something to sell set up for a day of bargains. Located at 5500 Bells Ferry Road: Click here for directions!


**Get $30 worth of gently used sporting equipment for $15 with Play It Again Sports Groupon at their Kennesaw location!

Weekend Family Fun!

You don’t have to spend much money this weekend to have some family fun.

• Let their creative juices flow at Lakeshore Learning’s FREE craft on Saturday. Drop by their East Cobb location between 11am-3pm to make a Honeybee Hive.
• Barnes & Noble at Town Center Prado has their storytime at 11am on Saturday. Grab a Starbucks for yourself, sit back along with your kiddos and enjoy finding out what happens when Itsy Mitsy tries to run away!
• Get your work boots on and head to Lowe’s for their Build and Grow Kid Clinic on Saturday at 10am. Kids will have fun building and decorating their own school locker. Each participant receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit along with their project. Although not required, it is best to make reservations online!
• Princesses (age 3 +) will be jumping for joy if you take them to the Disney Store at Town Center Mall on Saturday for their “The Story Begins with You” craft event on Saturday. Two 30 minute sessions are offered - stop by at 10:30am or 1pm dressed up as a princess for their enchanting crafts. If your princess is anything like mine, she will love any excuse to be in costume!
• Beyond Cobb, Centennial Olympic Park has their Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day from 12pm-4pm on…Saturday! The event is full of interactive, entertaining and educational activities for children based on this month’s theme “Games & Gadgets”. Activities include educational programming, specialty workshops, touring shows, street performers, family-friendly performances, children’s crafts, life-size chess games, appearances by on-air personalities, local sports mascots, contests, prizes and more. Oh, and don’t forget bathing suits and a towel so you can splash in the Fountain of Rings!
• If you want to get away from the city, scoot north on I-75 to Red Top Mountain. Pack a picnic, hike around a bit, then stop by the Visitor Center at 3pm for a special program about “Snaaaaaakes”. Everyone will get to touch a few of Georgia’s non-venomous snakes…if you want! Program is free but you’ll have to $5 for parking.
• Our pick for family flicks this weekend is the Coca Cola Film Festival at the Fabulous Fox Theater. On Saturday, catch Mr. Popper’s Penguins at 2pm & on Sunday, Cars 2 is showing also at 2pm. Be on time so you and yours can sing-a-long with “Mighty Mo” and watch a classic cartoon before the movie! Tickets are $8 each at the box office or online but B98.5 has a “Buy One Get One FREE” ticket deal! To take advantage of it, click here!
• Do a good deed on Sunday, eat ice cream! The 7th Annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ is happening on the Roswell Square from 2pm-4pm. For $5 per person or $15 per family, you can eat all the ice cream you want and you will help raise money for The Drake House, a crisis center for women and children. There will be entertainment, children’s activities, contests, and loads of hand cranked ice cream!

Looking for more fun, follow us on Facebook to get daily tips, deals, and activity ideas for family fun.

Last Days of Summer!

The count down to the first day of school has begun but there is still time for summer fun!! Here are a few field trip ideas to squeeze in before summer vacation is over. Be sure to stay connected with Cobb Tots & Kids on facebook for daily activity ideas for your kids of all ages – and a few fun things for you too!

Zoo Atlanta – This month they are offering an early bird special to beat the heat. Arrive by 10:30 am and get $5 off admission when you mention “Beat the Heat”. The deal is good daily through August 28^th. The zoo opens at 9:30am and with the discount adult admission is $15.99, children 3-11 are 10.99, kids 2 and under FREE!

If you have a little person interested in “things that go”, consider heading to the Southeastern Railway Museum located in Duluth this weekend! August 6th & 7th from 10am-5pm they are having their “Trains, Trucks, & Tractors” Event! Exhibits of tractors and trucks with a mixture of current and antique equipment, hayrides, food, a craft corner for kids and The Jr. Model RR Club will do a demonstration. Admission is $8 for adults, $5.00 for kids 2-12 and children 2 and under FREE. To find out more about visiting the museum, click here!

Learn how milk gets from the farm to your fridge! Cagles Family Farm in Canton offers “Ag-venture Tours” Tuesday through Friday starting at 10am. Tours are $7 for everyone ages 3+. Make reservations online or call 770-345-5591. Mayfield Dairy in Braselton also offers tours weekdays (except Wednesdays) from 10am-4pm. Get the inside “scoop” on Mayfield milk, ice cream, and their famous yellow jugs! You can even try to “milk” a life-size replica Jersey Cow. Call 1-888-298-0396 for more information or visit them online.

My Cobb kids and I love Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville on any old ordinary day but on August 6th they are having their “Night at the Museum 3” event when the museum will come to life from 6pm-10pm. Meet characters from science fiction and science fact throughout the night, get your thrills on “roller coaster” rides in the planetarium, and more! Purchase tickets in advance by calling 770-606-5700 ext. 431. Cost for the event is $10 for members and for non-members $20. If your children are like mine and are not fans of costumed characters (yet) then go on a “regular” day to enjoy the exhibits of dinosaur fossils, gorgeous glowing gems, and old-fashioned cars & planes in the Science of Motion Gallery. You will have fun too in the hands-on science area, “My Big Backyard”, and everyone can dig for their own fossils and gems which you actually get to keep! There is a café onsite or pack your lunches and eat it outside in the pavilion. They are open seven days a week (except major holidays) from 10 AM - 5 PM. Non-member admission is $12 for adults, Children (3 - 17) & students with ID are $8 and Active Military with ID are FREE! Planetarium shows are an additional $3 if you are interested! FYI: this weekend (August 6th & 7th) is “Museums on Us” – a special program for Bank of America customers. Get FREE admission on Saturday and Sunday at Tellus by showing your ID and Bank of America Bank Card. For more information about this program and other participating museums, click here!

At Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn, you will meet “people friendly” wildlife as you stroll along a 1-mile trail. Over 600 birds and animals are waiting to be fed, admired and petted by you! The animals favorite treats are available along the way. During August, watch Whitetail Deer munch at "The Salad Bar" in the Barnyard daily from 4:00 to 4:30 pm. Yellow River Game Ranch is open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm (last ticket sold at 5pm) until Labor Day. Ages 12+ are $8, ages 2-11 are $7 and one child under 2 is admitted free with each adult admission.

What Kind of Mother Are You?

Do you plan your own Mother's Day? It's really OK to speak up and tell your family what you want to do- It's your day after all! To help you decide what you might like to do this weekend, we are asking...What kind of mother are you?

Artsy:

• Colors Festival of Arts in Roswell Sat. & Sun.: Colors Festival of Arts
• May--retta Daze Sat & Sun at the Marietta Square.: May-retta Daze Festival,
• Second Sunday Funday at the High: “Jet Set with Mom”, 1-4 Sunday, $5 off “walk-up” admission for moms! High Museum

Nature Loving: 

• Make Paper Blossoms at the Chattahoochee Nature Center with your kids on Sunday: Chattahoochee Nature Center  
• "Gardens for Connoisseurs" through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Tour 8 private gardens Saturday & Sunday: Atlanta Botanical Gardens
• Take a day trip to go hiking or enjoy a park!

Animal Lover:

• The Atlanta Zoo is going "apes" for moms! FREE admission for mom's with the purchase of a child's ticket! Atlanta Zoo
• Mother's Day Brunch at the Georgia Aquarium by The Wolfgang Puck catering Team! Georgia Aquarium

Foodie:

• "Gourmet Parfait" on Saturday 10 am or 3 pm at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, $6/child plus Garden Admission: Atlanta Botanical Gardens,
• Mother's Day Brunch Workshop at Young Chefs Academy in Sandy Springs from 12-2, $45 for 2, call 404-255-9263 to reserve spots, Young Chefs Academy
• Mother/Daughter Tea from 4-7pm Saturday, Chick-fil-a at Woodstock Dwarf House, Cost: $12 for 2 , call 770-591-4575 to reserve
• Taste of East Cobb Saturday at Merchant's Walk: Taste of East Cobb

Charitable:

• "Mothers Helping Others", Mother's Day Open Houses in Roswell, tours of Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, and Smith Plantation from 1-3 Sunday, FREE admission with food donations at each house for the North Fulton Food Bank. Begins at Barrington Hall,
  535 Barington Drive, Roswell
  : Mother's Day Tour of Homes

Musical:

• Enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music with your family…maybe these young musicians will inspire your young ones! Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Spring Concert at 3pm Sunday: ASO Youth Orchestra Spring Concert

Bookish:

• Barnes & Noble special Mother's Day Storytime & Craft, Town Center Prado & The Avenues at West Cobb locations @ 11; Barnes & Noble
• Special Storytelling event for the whole family at the Central Library  @ 3pm: Storytelling Event

Handy:

• Build a Heart Vase at area Lowe’s Build & Grow workshops Saturday 10 am , FREE,  best to register ahead but can “walk-in”: Lowe's Build & Grow
• Build a Tulip Planter at  Local Home Depot stores,  “Kids Workshop” Saturday, 9-12; no registration necessary. Home Depot

"Top 10 Picks " Continued!

Today is Part 2 of "Top 10 Picks for Things to Do this Weekend"! If you missed yesterday's post, scroll down to see the 1st 3 on our list!

4. Kids Fun Skate at Sparkles Kennesaw on Saturday (4/23) 10:30-1pm: Although not age restricted, Sparkles gear this session towards children 8 and younger with kid friendly music including Disney and “bubble gum” pop. Our mascot, Sparky the Bear, makes an appearance and dances with the children $8 admission, 3.50 skate rental; http://www.sparklesrollerrinks.com/index.php?pr=K-Home

5. See the Circus! Last weekend before the circus train departs from Jim R. Miller Park; Saturday Midway opens at 10 & Sunday opens at 12,  Check the schedule of performances and the circus parade. http://www.marietta.com/yaarab-shrine-circus

6. Pick Strawberries @ Harry Stacy’s Strawberry Farm in Smyna. They are closed Saturday but open at 1 on Sunday. (they will be at the Marietta Famer’s Market Saturday morning) According to their facebook page, a small basket runs about $8 and a large basket (about a gallon) will cost you $12. Stop at the ATM because it’s Cash Only! Check their Facebook page for up to date info on their farm – hours, field conditions, etc. and get strawberry picking tips before you go on their website! http://www.harrystacyfarms.com/

7. Bring the gang to a festival: Spring Jonquil Festival on Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-5 on the Village green next to Smyrna Market Village: 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, 30080; FREE Admission to over 150 hand-made arts & crafts booths, puppet shows, live music, festival foods, and all types of children’s activities, & the Smyrna Library Book Sale: http://www.smyrnacity.com/index.aspx?page=15&recordid=797, Taste of Marietta - Eat your way through the Square Saturday 11-7 pm on Marietta Square,  www.tasteofmarietta.com; menu items from participating restuarants: http://www.marietta.com/taste-of-marietta/2;  Sweet P’s Festival on Saturday 9am-7pm & Sunday noon-5pm; arts & crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, & food. http://www.sweetpfestival.com/

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook because I continually post worthy "stuff" I find throughout the day! I am on a mission to sift through all the "noise" and share the best of the best for you and your munchkins!