Things to do with kids in Athens, GA
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Athens time)
Coming up in Athens: Give Thanks 8K & Kids Fun Run (Nov 26), Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden (from Nov 19), Downtown Parade of Lights (Dec 3) and 2 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Bear Hollow Zoo. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Athens
Give Thanks 8K & Kids Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8K 8:30am; Kids Fun Run 10am
- Cost
- Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under) $10; 8K $40 through Nov 13 (plus sign-up fees)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Athens’ Thanksgiving-morning 8K run/walk at 8:30am, then a one-mile Kids Fun Run for ages 12 and under at 10am. Proceeds support The Center at ACCA. Register by Nov 14 to guarantee a shirt size.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden
- When
- Thu, Nov 19 – Wed, Dec 30 (Select nights Nov 19–Dec 30) · Timed entry from 5:30pm (last entry 9pm)
- Cost
- $15 per person ($18 on peak nights) plus taxes and fees, bought online in advance; children 3 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A half-mile, fully accessible light trail with more than 2 million lights: Jingle Bell Lane, the Northern Lights, a Frosted Forest and a 50,000-light tunnel, with s’mores and hot chocolate for sale. Free parking and shuttles from UGA’s Turner Soccer Complex (2330 S Milledge Ave).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Downtown Parade of Lights
- When
- Thu, Dec 3 · Starts 7pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Athens-Clarke County and the Athens Downtown Development Authority’s nighttime holiday parade through downtown; the 2026 theme is “Holiday Party.” It goes on rain or shine unless severe weather cancels it.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Wednesday Storytime at Athens-Clarke County Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Nov 25 (Wednesdays (not Nov 18; posted through Nov 25)) · 9:30–10am and 10:30–11am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Stories, songs, puppets and movement for children and their caregivers (all ages). Two sessions each Wednesday; monthly themes.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tuesday Storytime at Athens-Clarke County Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Nov 24 (Tuesdays (sessions posted through Nov 24)) · 9:30–10am and 10:30–11am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Stories, songs, puppets and movement for children and their caregivers (all ages). Two sessions each Tuesday; monthly themes.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Bear Hollow Zoo
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Small zoo of native Georgia animals inside Memorial Park; open daily 9am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
- Price
- Free admission and parking (donations welcome)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
323 acres of themed gardens and nature trails; grounds open daily 7am–7pm (except UGA holidays); visitor center Tue–Sat 9am–4:30pm, Sun 11:30am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Georgia Museum of Art
- Price
- Free general admission every day for everyone (reserve free tickets online)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
The state’s official art museum on the UGA campus; Tue–Wed and Fri–Sat 10am–5pm, Thu 10am–9pm, Sun 1–5pm, closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Nature center with trails and live-animal exhibits; center open Tue–Sat 8:30am–5:30pm, trails sunrise to sunset daily
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Memorial Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City park around Bear Hollow Zoo; open 8am to sunset
Athens-Clarke County Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Main library with weekday storytimes in the children’s department; open Mondays 9am–9pm and Sundays 2–6pm (see site for other days)
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Athens this weekend?
Bear Hollow Zoo, State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Georgia Museum of Art are open most days, but we don't have an Athens event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Give Thanks 8K & Kids Fun Run (Nov 26) and Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden (Nov 19).
What time is trick-or-treating in Athens?
Sunset on Halloween in Athens is at 6:41 p.m. Athens doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Athens?
These are free according to their official sites: 4 places in Athens, including Bear Hollow Zoo, State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Georgia Museum of Art. See all 4 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Athens when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 2 indoor places in Athens: Georgia Museum of Art (Free general admission every day for everyone, reserve free tickets online) and Athens-Clarke County Library.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Athens?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Athens: Give Thanks 8K & Kids Fun Run (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Athens?
We list 2 holiday light events in Athens: Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden (Nov 19 – Dec 30) and Downtown Parade of Lights (Dec 3).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Athens?
We list 2 everyday programs in Athens: Wednesday Storytime at Athens-Clarke County Library (Wednesdays, not Nov 18; posted through Nov 25) and Tuesday Storytime at Athens-Clarke County Library (Tuesdays, sessions posted through Nov 24).
What is there to do with toddlers in Athens?
We list 5 places in Athens that welcome kids under 2, including Bear Hollow Zoo, State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Sandy Creek Nature Center. See all 5 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
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How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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