Summer 2018 at World of Coca-Cola! #atlanta

Have you ever been to the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta? It's a fun attraction for the whole family. They have welcomed over 24 million guests in a span of 25+ years in Atlanta. Pssst... you should be next! I have a family ticket giveaway at the end of this post. Keep reading!
 

World of Coca-Cola offers interesting sights and experiences around every corner. Visitors can get closer than ever before to the vault containing the secret recipe, view over 1,000 artifacts and get a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process. Everyone in the family will enjoy a thrilling 4-D movie experience and the tasting room also.

The team at World of Coca-Cola provided a list of five things you won’t want to miss at the attraction this summer:

Beat the Heat – The moment you step in from the sun, World of Coca-Cola welcomes you with an ice-cold beverage to sip as you explore. Coca-Cola’s rich, 132-year history pops in each exhibit – from the Vault of the Secret Formula, where you can discover the myths and legends surrounding the famous Coca-Cola recipe, to Milestones of Refreshment, a trip down memory lane.

Blast from the Past – Ever heard of Sprite Boy? You may be surprised to learn he has nothing to do with the popular lemon-lime flavored soft drink. Die-hard Coca-Cola fans might remember the elfin cartoon from the 40s and 50s – and now you can meet him for yourself in a fun photo op experience. The Story of Sprite Boy is a new exhibit on display through spring 2019 in the Pop Culture Gallery. The pixie-like Coca-Cola character comes to life through original oil paintings, print ads, artifacts and photos from around the world.

Savor the Summer – After exploring the exhibits, pop over to the Taste It! Beverage Lounge, where over 100 familiar and exotic beverages will spice up your summer. You can sample fountain beverages from around the globe as well as recently released, limited-time offerings at the Sampling Bar. Find a new favorite flavor or simply savor the classics!

Drink in the Deals – If you are in search of hot summer deals, look no further than the Atlanta CityPASS, which gets you into five top Atlanta attractions – including World of Coca-Cola – over a nine-day period. Adult tickets cost $76, helping you save a sweet 40 percent on admission. You can purchase CityPASS tickets at World of Coca-Cola ticket windows or online at www.worldofcoca-cola.com.

Coca-Cola Red, White and Blue – Just in time for our nation’s birthday, the Coca-Cola Store at World of Coca-Cola is releasing a new Americana-themed assortment. Fans can rep both Coca-Cola and America the Beautiful with patriotic T-shirts, salt and pepper shakers, wooden signs, kitchen towels and aprons. Items in the collection feature the classic combination of Coca-Cola, stars and stripes.

Visit THIS POST on the BalancingMama Facebook page to enter the giveaway for a family 4-pack of tickets! You can enter with a "like" and/or a comment on the post. Good luck!  

World of Coca-Cola provided the tickets for the giveaway. They will be mailed directly to the winner.

Great Wolf Lodge opens in Georgia soon and they just shared THE BEST NEWS

Parents, you probably know that Great Wolf Lodge is opening soon in Georgia. You may also know that it will be an easy road trip from Atlanta, offering comfortable accommodations for families of all sizes, fun activities, restaurants, and an awesome water park. 

Today, they announced some pretty fabulous additional news.

Great Wolf Lodge Georgia will introduce a new concept called Camp H.O.W.L (Habitat of Wild Learning).  The space was designed to feel as though guests have stepped into the Northwoods forest, complete with a Great Wolf Kids cabin that serves as  a stage and play space with an assortment of interactive activities. It is a multi-functional space with a variety of complimentary family activities to enjoy together during the daytime. And here is the best part... in the evening, Camp H.O.W.L. transforms into a parent-free, secure kids’ club! Parents can relax after a day full of kid-friendly fun while the children enjoy supervised educational and entertaining activities.

Unique Halloween costumes for tweens who want to stand out

Halloween costumes for tweens, kids, and adults are everywhere beginning as early as September 25th. Does your family have have their Halloween costumes selected yet?  This year, the usual super heroes, princesses, and witches are joined with Minecraft and LEGO characters as some of the most popular. 

Tweens are at the age where they want to be cool and Mom and Dad do not want them to be too grown up (sexy tweens... not cool). So what if your 9-12 year old wants to choose from unique Halloween costumes for tweens? Where can you look? 

Most likely, Halloween superstores pop up in your area (or a nearby city) before the calendar reads October.  Take some time to walk around one of these stores or browse websites if you have time for shipping. You can find some great ideas that are unique for kids and fun-loving adults as well. 

Here are a few favorites that were approved by me (mom) and my daughter (tween):

Unique Halloween costumes for tweens  

Spirit Halloween and Halloween Megastore are two costume and decor themed shops that appear in the southeast US for holiday needs. We fell in love with these unique costume ideas:

Hooded Huntress Costume

This one from Spirit Halloween is a perfect mix of fantasy and toughness, with the hooded cloak and bow and arrow. This girl doesn't need a dress for a royal ball! She's outdoorsy and strong.

Cirque du Soleil LUZIA in Atlanta

LUZIA, the newest Big Top show from Cirque du Soleil will be opening on September 14 at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. Experience water inside the big top, jaw dropping acts and larger than life props in this unique production unlike any show you have seen before. LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul.

LUZIA opens on September 14 at Atlantic Station and runs through November 19. Get ready to be transported to a surreal world of wonders! 

Giveaway!

I have four (4) tickets to the LUZIA show on Thursday, October 5th at 8pm. To enter, like this BalancingMama Facebook post and leave a comment telling me who you will bring with you if you win. The giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook.

Do you want to go on another date and save a bit of cash? Right now, you can buy your tickets with a special 20% offer now before they sell out! Offer is valid on select show dates and times while supplies last.  This offer may not be combined with other offers or applied to previously purchased tickets. To see the shows and seats available at 20% off, visit Cirque LUZIA Atlanta Deals. But hurry, this back-to-school Cirque du Soleil LUZIA discount ends on September 8th.

Awesome preschool apps: Grandma and Grandpa

This post is not sponsored by Fairlady Media. 

Favorite preschooler apps

Have you discovered the Fairlady Media "Grandpa" and "Grandma" apps for your 3-6 year old yet? I stumbled upon these educational preschool games recently when my 3 1/2 year old had a case of "I'm bored" syndrome. I was trying to finish up a work project, so we downloaded a couple new apps on the family iPad. 

We started with Fishing With Grandpa (ages 3-6) and Grandma's Preschool (also for ages 3-6). My preschooler was "hooked" right away... fish pun intended. 

The Fairlady Media Grandma and Grandpa apps are loaded with educational mini games, puzzles, and short videos on each topic. There are no penalties for making a mistake in a game, which I always prefer for younger children. They simply try again until they get it right. This makes for a game the little ones can enjoy independently. And we all know that today's kids love videos. (Because let's face it, sometimes screen time is for Mom!) 

Sid the Science Kid is coming to Atlanta!

I have an inquisitive boy who would love to go on a Sid the Science kid adventure! This new exhibit is coming in mid-September 2017 to the Children's Museum of Atlanta. 

Here is what the creative folks at the museum have to say about the new Super-Duper exhibit, coming soon!

This exciting new traveling exhibit brings the award-winning PBS KIDS TV series Sid the Science Kid to life. For the first time ever, kids will be able to step into Sid’s world and become “science kids” themselves as they discover and investigate everyday science questions around Sid’s home, at school in the Super Fab Lab and on the playground. Through fun, hands-on activities, kids will use scientific tools to learn about simple machines, the laws of motion, magnetism, air power and the five senses.

Painted rocks: inexpensive summer fun

Thousands of families all over the country are getting into the painted rocks movement. Find a rock, hide a rock, paint a rock, leave a rock... it's a lot of fun! The painted rocks movement provides a perfect opportunity to step away from technology and have quality creative time with the kids. Your rocks can be found anywhere outdoors, so the only cost is that of paint and brushes.

Painted rocks: how to join the fun

Organized by state, county or town, painted rocks groups often launch on Facebook. These groups are made up of local members who join in the fun of this movement. Rocks often include words of wisdom or comfort. The joy of finding handmade art spreads happiness, so there really are no restrictions on what you create.

Dinosaur roadside attraction near Palm Springs, California #travelwithkids

The silliest stop on our southern California adventure was also one of the most memorable. We took the family to meet the large and amazing Cabazon Dinosaurs! 

These huge dinosaurs are an easy road trip from the Palm Springs, California area. The drive was about 22 minutes on Interstate 10. My husband surprised the kids with a stop to visit the dinosaurs on our way to Joshua Tree National Park. Parking was plentiful and we were able to snap some photos of the California dinosaurs and visit the gift shop. The Cabazon Dinosaurs roadside attraction is a must for dinosaur lovers! (And I know many of you remember the movie Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure, whether you will admit it or not.)

The kids, ages 3 and 9, thought the dinosaurs were funny and we had a good time snapping photos and waving hello to these giants, way up high. If you are near Palm Springs, California, do not forget to drive the kids over to this entertaining attraction. The Cabazon Dinosaurs certainly make a BIG impression!

This post was not sponsored, I just think you should visit! Especially if you have kids along on your adventures. Roar!

Have a super summer in Atlanta at World of Coca-Cola #giveaway

Have you visited the unique and refreshing World of Coca-Cola? Or the jaw-dropping Georgia Aquarium? How about the Atlanta Zoo? Atlanta is an exciting destination packed with family attractions and summer fun. We live here, and enjoy playing tourist at some of the best attractions in the USA. 

The team at World of Coca-Cola put together a list of five ways to savor summer at World of Coca-Cola.... check out some of the summer 2017 happenings!

World of Coca-Cola unveiled a new exhibit called “10 Artists, 10 Bottles” on Friday, May 19. The exhibit celebrates Atlanta’s creative community by featuring the work of 10 local artists who transformed four-foot sculpted Coke bottles into unique pieces of art.

In search of refreshing destinations for summertime fun? World of Coca-Cola is uncapping new experiences for everyone to enjoy – just in time for summer! With interactive exhibits celebrating everything from Atlanta artists to soccer around the world, World of Coca-Cola is bubbling with exciting ways for families and friends to create memorable moments together. 
 

1.    ICE COLD Summer Fun. When you arrive at Pemberton Place on July 15 and 16, expect a warm welcome with a cold beverage. During the “Share an ICE COLD Coke” experience, sip on free customized mini cans of Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero before interacting with the Bubble-izer, one-of-a-kind technology that virtually transforms you into an effervescent fizzy form. Be sure to snap a photo and share your new look with your friends!

Atlanta family attractions: special offers for spring

Whether you are driving or flying to the ATL or having a staycation in your hometown city, Atlanta has many attractions to offer. As you plan your activities, do not forget to browse each website for special offers. Many of the best Atlanta attractions have spring break offers and savings right now.

The Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker Street NW
If you want to visit the Georgia Aquarium in the evening, check out the Imagination Nights offer for 30% off admission after 4pm. This offer is valid Monday-Sunday after 4pm. Subject to exclusion dates.If you have young children, the Me and Mommy weekday offer is a tremendous deal. Georgia Aquarium's Me and Mommy ticket offer provides one adult General Admission ticket and up to 4 children's General Admission tickets (for ages 5 and under) for only only $44.95 plus tax. The aquarium also has Military Mondays and early bird pricing for visits prior to 11 am.

Favorite Atlanta attractions with holiday celebrations

It's almost Thanksgiving! Which, of course, means that Christmas events and attractions are open all around the Atlanta area. Our favorite metro family attractions have special holiday lights, shows, and magical fun.

Stone Mountain Christmas

Opened this year on November 12th, Stone Mountain Christmas is back with more sparkle than ever. Over two million lights and cheerful sounds will surround you at Stone Mountain Park. New for this season: character experiences with Rudolph, Clarice, and friends at Rudolph's Merry Little Meet and Greet, the Skylights Spectacular musical walk-through, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed-Reindeer 4-D! Plus, beloved favorites the holiday train, snow angel snowfall, and holiday fireworks have returned.

Center for Puppetry Arts: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

 "Rudolph soars back into town for this faithful adaptation of the wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us." This shows sells out quickly, so do not delay. Contact the Center for Puppetry Arts to see if you can still catch this holiday classic. You will feel like you are in your childhood television!

Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta: a local gem!

The Center for Puppetry Arts provided my family with free tickets to preview the newest show, Old MacDonald's Farm, this past weekend. All opinions, as always, are 100% mine. 

 

Kermit the Frog and creator Jim Henson cut the ribbon to open the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta when I was just a few months old. What began as a collection of puppets and community involvement has grown into a fantastic museum experience and a jam-packed calendar of shows and events. 

The Worlds of Puppetry Museum offers a few hands-on experiences for the young visitors, plus a perfect mix of history and contemporary entertainment via many puppetry exhibits. I was fascinated by puppets from the 1800s. My daughter was excited to see a scene from the movie Coraline (which, by the way, we learned took 18 months to create and two years of pre-production). Our little guy was especially thrilled to see Elmo and Bert and Ernie. And of course, I have a nostalgic soft spot for the Fraggles! 

FUNtastic improvements at Six Flags Over Georgia! #themepark #atlanta

Six Flags Over Georgia, located just west of the city of Atlanta, is one of the best all-day destinations for family fun, thrilling rides, entertainment, and water slides. 

Are you a Six Flags Over Georgia Super Fan? I am nearly there! I have enjoyed plenty of screams, laughs, and smiles at the park since I moved here fresh out of college in 1999. This means I know a thing or two about the park, the rides, and all of the new additions that have boosted Six Flags Over Georgia into superstar status over the past 3 or so years.

Here are a few recommendations based on the hot improvements recently debuted at the park...

#1: Definitely bring the kids!
This season, Six Flags Over Georgia opened the all new Bugs Bunny Boomtown featuring seven rides and attractions for the youngest theme park fans (most are 36" minimum height) including Tweety's Treehouse and the Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters. On Memorial Day weekend 2016, the world’s first DC Super Friends themed area debuted with thrill rides that are fast and fun, yet suitable for the entire family. Six Flags Atlanta Properties Park President Dale Kaetzel said, “This area, combined with the addition of Bugs Bunny Boomtown earlier this year, solidifies Six Flags Over Georgia as the perfect destination for family fun.” I toured the new family areas with my daughter a couple weeks ago. Even though she is over 54" and a mega coaster junkie, we still had fun riding the new family attractions together.

Mommy and Me! Playable Art Park - Sandy Springs, GA #play

I saw this park under construction a while ago, and managed to totally forget about it. So when I saw it featured again on Facebook (via Atlanta Parent) a few days ago, I insisted that we take a little drive over to Sandy Springs for some playtime.

The Playable Art Park is unique, creative, and fun for kids of all ages. No standard playground equipment here! Even the swings are hung on artsy red structures. The trees and shrubs were in gorgeous bloom this weekend, also. Bonus beauty! The park is part of a greenway path for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors. On the other side of the parking area, there is a picnic pavilion - and restrooms! (Anyone with small kids knows that park restrooms are a must.)

Click over to 365 Atlanta Family for more info and photos of this great playground park near the city.

I am linked up to Mommy and Me with Really, Are You Serious today! She's been encouraging moms to get in the photos with their kids for more than 300 Mondays!

What is there to do at the Children's Museum of Atlanta?

Our family received complimentary tickets to view the newly-renovated Children's Museum of Atlanta and the current exhibit, Mystery of the Mayan Medallion. As always, all opinions are 100% mine. 

 My family is new to the Children's Museum of Atlanta. I took a small toddler Amelia there many years ago, but other events, time, and distance kept us from returning. So the entire family jumped at the chance to view the new renovation and Mayan Medallion exhibit this weekend. An Atlanta attraction that none of us had really seen before? Yes! A perfect Sunday morning outing. 

With an almost 6-year age gap between my children, we were curious if the Children's Museum of Atlanta could entertain her as well as our little guy who just celebrated turning two. The museum did not disappoint! It has captivating exhibits and play spaces for all ages. (Even my husband and I played and didn't want to leave!) 

The current feature exhibit is The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion. While a bit over the toddler's head, it was a perfect mini archaeological adventure for our second grader. Andrew did enjoy running in circles through the "cave", as he called it, and peering at insect and arachnid specimens through a magnifying glass in a rotating display, before scampering off to play with the foam darts, magic sand, or to clomp up and down the piano stairs. Did I mention there is a lot of fun to be had at this museum?!

The big hit of the day for my children was the child-sized diner a'la Waffle House in the Fundamentally Food area. Kids gravitated towards this amazing kitchen where they could serve up pretend bacon and eggs, coffee, and (of course) waffles to grown-ups in diner stools or at a classic Waffle House booth. The Diner includes an interactive jukebox filled with kid-friendly music. The children of many ages seemed to play together exceptionally well, and everyone had a great time. 

Mommy and Me Monday: Snow, Anniversary, Birthday!

On Friday, we had early school closings. The flakes began to fall that night. On Saturday morning, we had more snow - and the kids went out to play! That evening, as is the norm for Atlanta winter, roads were clear and dry and life moved on. I enjoyed a grown-up dinner out to celebrate my 13-year wedding anniversary (today!). Tomorrow, my little guy turns two.

What a fantastic few days of events!

Here we are enjoying our southern snow day...

Linking up with Really, Are You Serious for Mommy and Me Monday! A snow day is a great opportunity for a fun photo with the kiddos.

Family fun: beating the winter blues

"For families with young children, the winter months can seem like the most punishing time of the year:  shortened days, cold temperatures, and snow days all drive kids indoors.  How do we keep our kids happy, healthy, and active when we are already struggling to do the same for ourselves?"  
-Battling Winter Blues Positive Parenting Solutions
 

The article mentions turning off the television, remembering routines, and encouraging enthusiasm for indoor activities. Some of our favorite indoor activities involve creative play and science.

Creative Play

• Play-Doh and Moon Dough are worth the mess when it is too cold to play outside and the weather has everyone feeling a bit too blah. Homemade play dough is fun too!
• Setting up a pretend store can keep kids entertained. Grab a play cash register and stock up on play money. The kids can "sell" books, snacks, toys... really anything they want to gather up into a display. 
• Make simple stick puppets with popsicle sticks, tape, and construction paper - then let the kids give you a puppet show from behind the sofa. They can even make and distribute tickets or create advertising posters before the opening act.

Holiday festivities at the World of Coca-Cola

Here is another Atlanta attraction with holiday fun in store for us this season! The interactive home of Coke launched its seasonal celebration earlier this month.

images courtesy of World of Coca-Cola

 “The World of Coca‑Cola is a favorite holiday destination for fans of all ages from around the world,” said General Manager of Retail and Attractions for the World of Coca‑Cola Russell Jacobs.  
“We are always planning new ways to surprise and delight our guests, and we’ve put together a list of our top ten reasons to spend the holidays with us this year.”

image courtesy of World of Coca-Cola

Guests can:

• Mail friends personalized letters from the desk of the Coca‑Cola Polar Bear inviting them to the attraction 
• Give a one-of-kind holiday gift that friends and family will always remember 
• Savor the season with signature beverages like Gingerbread Coke and Mistletoe Flow 
• Snap and share selfies with the Coca‑Cola Polar Bear and Santa Claus using #WOCCHoliday
•  Get the star treatment with personalized VIP Guided Tours 
• Give back with a gift from the 5by20 artisan collection, which benefits women entrepreneurs around the world 
• Ooh and ahh over the thousands of holiday lights and larger-than-life ornaments in Pemberton Place 
• Learn the real story behind the Santa Claus image we know and love, originally commissioned by Coca-Cola in the 1930s 
• Share favorite holiday memories of Coca‑Cola with other fans from around the world 
• Give the gift of happiness all year long with a World of Coca-Cola Annual Pass  

Holiday In The Park returns to Six Flags Over Georgia! #Atlanta

Looking for a memorable experience with out-of-town relatives or some thrilling family fun with the kids? I highly recommend Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia! We attended a media/blogger preview on Friday night. We left the little guy at home with a sitter and took our big girl and her friend to Six Flags for the tree lighting, holiday festivities, and roller coasters!

photo: Six Flags Over Georgia

We twisted and twirled and squealed for several hours and enjoyed the sparkling lights. Six Flags is a blast at night and the holiday lights make it even better! Holiday In The Park is back for the second year in Atlanta, and we look forward to it becoming an annual family tradition.

photo: Six Flags Over Georgia

What will you experience if you visit Holiday In The Park at Six Flags Over Georgia this year? Well, some of your very favorite theme park rides, of course! But in addition, this Six Flags winter event is all about festive shows, dozens of Christmas trees, more than one million LED lights, and a cozy meet with Santa Claus in the Santa Claus Cabin.  You may also stroll through Peppermint Plaza, the North Pole, and snowy Main Street Christmas. Walk through a mistletoe tunnel with your sweetie or journey back in time to simpler days of Christmas past with Retro Christmas USA. The magical event is open NOW and runs through January 3rd, 2015.

It's time for holiday revelry in #Atlanta

I spotted my first retail Christmas decoration on October 30th this year.... one day before Halloween. I get it. Christmas decorations make a lot of people want to spend money. Stores want to take that money. Therefore, stores push the holiday cheer into our collective faces as early as possible. I expect to see it on October 28th next year.

Now that Thanksgiving is almost upon us, I am cool with the holiday merriment. I still feel like it is September, but Christmas will be here before we know it. Life is just too fast sometimes!

If you are in the Atlanta area like I am, there are many activities and special events happening from now through early January. So if you are bummed by the darkness in both our weather and world events today, it is not too early for some Christmas cheer. Head out this weekend for one of these favorite family festivities:

Stone Mountain Christmas
Gorgeous lights, holiday music and shows, beloved winter characters (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Bumble!), Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas 4-D, the Snow Angel's magical snowfall, and fireworks, along with all of the attractions and shopping always offered at Stone Mountain Park. Open now! Visit Stone Mountain Christmas for ticket information and hours.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park 
For the second year, Six Flags Over Georgia will be transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland! Also included: holiday shows and special activities, plus the thrills and laughs you can only get from Six Flags! Opens this weekend, November 21st! Visit Six Flags Over Georgia for more information.