We experienced a night of wonder and merriment at Atlanta’s holiday pop-up Santa’s Fantastical. My four-year-old described it as a visit to the North Pole. This indoor attraction offers interactive photo booths, games, a stage show and visitations with Santa and a bunch of adorable North Pole characters. From the moment you walk-in, you’re transported into a land of magic. Your adventure begins in a large, library viewing area. The walls come to life with interactive characters welcoming you and explaining what to expect inside. Once the doors open, you’re greeted by a breathtaking forest of lit Christmas trees, massive light-covered ornaments, snowflake coated, interactive walls and adorable photo ops. We didn’t get a lot of time to spend in the forest, as my ambitious child followed the sign directing you toward the man in red. Following that sign, we went down a long corridor at “crunched” as you walked as if snow were beneath your feet, the walls glistening like the northern lights. When the hall ends, you’re greeted with numerous options for your holiday excitement. Some of the features you can expect include: Numerous photo opportunities: Many of these photo booths are optical illusions. One photo op placed […]

Taking your child to a live show is known to have many more benefits than watching a movie or television episode. In fact, studies have shown live theatre provides your child with a lasting impression, children will reference to a character or moment for months to come. Increases Awareness of Emotions: Seeing a live show builds a deeper connection with live, tangible characters than most shows on screen. Young theatre-goers can sympathize with a character’s emotions as well as gain exposure to new emotions and ways to cope with these new feelings. Influences imagination: Oftentimes, a stage show requires a bit of imagination to come to life. A regular stair is a balcony, a broom becomes a tightrope and arms are the wings to an airplane. Seeing a live show teaches your child ways to improvise. The heightened theatrics in movement and props will inspire your child’s imagination. Allows for a more technical experience: Unlike television, a live show gives your child the opportunity to view stage resets, lighting and costume changes. For some children, this technical aspect may be the star of the show. Tips for Going to a Live Show Choose a show based on interests and age: For your child’s first […]

You hear it all the time, kids aren’t spending enough time outdoors. It’s an astounding change in the upbringing of America’s children. Their parents spent everyday outdoors, sometimes dawn to dusk.  Today’s children often are too busy in structured activities and technology to experience finding a cicadid shell or collecting as many rocks as their shirt can hold. If you’re trying to reconnect your child with nature, consider going on a nature walk at one of these area locations: Fall Line Trace This trail runs through part of Columbus, starting at Pslamond Road in Midland and ending at the 14th Street pedestrian bridge Uptown. The trail is smooth concrete and has access points throughout town, with occasional rest stops along the way. It connects to the Riverwalk for a total of 26 miles of walkable terrain.  Riverwalk This 15-mile linear park spans the riverfront from the Lake Oliver city Marina south to the National Infantry Museum. When on this concrete path, expect to see fishermen, bicyclists, rafters and more. It provides a great view of the river and wildlife. Roosevelt State Park 2970 GA-190, Pine Mountain, GA Georgia’s largest state park has 42 miles of hiking trails. Experience rolling mountains, small […]

It may be the first you heard of it, or you may celebrate and not even be aware. Pumpkin Destruction Day is a nationally recognized holiday. It’s the Saturday after Halloween dedicated to smashing, crushing and destroying gourds. “It is a legit holiday, an obscure one, but it is official on the books!” boasts Adam Pugh. The holiday got its start at the Rock Ranch. “It’s cool to say… I created a holiday.” Adam Pugh is the general manager of the Rock Ranch, a 1,500-acre ranch created by Chick-fil-A founder, S. Truett Cathy as a foster home for children. In 2006, to continue being a good steward to the land, the ranch opened to the public. It started as a small operation, with Fall Family Fun Days, offering a pumpkin patch and other fun attractions. At the end of the season, half a patch of pumpkins remained, enough to fill a tractor-trailer. Pugh approached the acting manager with an idea, “we teach people about being good stewards [to the land], so we should at least compost the pumpkins,” the manager agreed and asked for a press release inviting neighbors to compost their pumpkins too. However, Pugh wanted more, “Do you […]

This school year, help bring the history of our region to life for your kids by visiting some of the historical sites and venues in the Chattahoochee Valley. National Civil War Naval Museum This is a must-see for Civil War history buffs. The museum is full of authentic Civil War artifacts and contains the largest surviving Confederate warship, the USS Jackson. It also includes a replica of the USS Hartford. Visitors can view a timeline exhibit that walks them through the naval events of the Civil War. portcolumbus.org Roosevelt’s Little White House The home in Warm Springs that Franklin Delano Roosevelt built in 1932 has been preserved and is open to the public for tours. FDR suffered from polio and visited Warm Springs to swim in the therapeutic 88-degree spring water. The home has remained very close to the way it looked when it was occupied by FDR for the last time in 1945. gastateparks.org/LittleWhiteHouse Historic Westville This venue located in Columbus provides an opportunity to experience what life was like in the South in the 19th century. Visitors can walk through a village of 19th century buildings filled with artifacts from that time period. Kids will enjoy seeing the live interpretations of […]

Supplies: High-Melt Paraffin Wax Party Balloons Double Boiler Cookie Sheet   Directions: Fill a balloon with tepid water. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax just below the water level in the balloon.  Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool. While it is still warm, carefully set the balloon down, level, onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness, 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool. When completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and melt the edges until level. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder. Courtesy […]