Athens features more than college hang outs and townie hot spots; there are plenty of places to see and things to do for children, too. Here are some highlights and hidden gems for a variety of interests, from physical activity to mental stimulation.

Go Play Outside

Biking, kicking around or just playing—whatever you prefer—Athens-Clarke County parks have you covered. Some are large with expanses of playing fields while others are small “pocket parks” that are a fun diversion from the nearby neighborhood. Note that parks close a few hours each week for regular maintenance; find a full list with amenities at accgov.com/playgrounds.

Need some quality play time? Check out the large structures at Southeast Clarke Park’s World of Wonder playground (325 Whit Davis Road). For a smaller space or more imaginative play, hit up Reese and Pope Park (375 Reese St.) or Boulevard Woods (298 Barber St.). As of summer 2024, a new all ages and abilities playground has opened at Sandy Creek Park (400 Bob Holman Road; $2 per person for ages 4-64) near the beach area featuring a turf carpet mat, misting station, perimeter fence and more.

Looking for a space to get closer with nature? Explore Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park (293 Gran Ellen Drive), then continue the walk out Birchmore Trail through the surrounding woods. Sandy Creek Nature Center (205 Old Commerce Road or via the Greenway) is also a great spot to play in the naturescape play area or explore the trails. There are also trails at Southeast Clarke Park connecting the Lexington Road side with the Whit Davis side. For a paved path that connects with a playground (great for learning a new bike), check out Bishop Park (700 Sunset Drive).

Want to get wet? In addition to the seasonally open splash pads and county pools, you can bring your waders to Ben Burton Park (615 Mitchell Bridge Road) and enjoy the creek that leads to the Middle Oconee River (you can also launch your kayak nearby). Or, hit up the beach and lake at Sandy Creek Park.

Want to speed it up? Clarke County has the Greenway network of trails for walking, biking or skating (accgov.com/greenway) that connect to all sorts of parks as well as the Firefly Trail. Park at Dudley Park and explore the new Firefly Trail Bridge or pack some snacks and head to Sandy Creek Nature Center or even Winterville. For more off-road excitement, head to Walker Park (200 Trail Creek St.) for a pump track (built for cycling with a circuit of rollers and banked turns) and trails maintained by the local chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (full list: sorbaathens.org/trails). Southeast Clarke Park also has a popular skate and BMX park.

Beyond county parks, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia has a can’t-miss play area, the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden (2450 S. Milledge Ave.). There are also extensive trails at the Bot Garden and the nearby Oconee Forest Park (110 Lake Herrick Drive), adjacent to the UGA intramural fields. You can even bring your fishing poles or non-motorized boats for Lake Herrick.

Head indoors

If it’s raining, too hot, or you just need a change of scenery, find several options among Athens’ community venues. 

Looking to get creative? Check out the latest art exhibits at the Lyndon House Arts Center (211 Hoyt St.) throughout the year; check accgov.com/lyndonhouse for details on classes and events that are geared toward kids and teens. The Georgia Museum of Art (90 Carlton St.) is also a prime place for getting creative, whether it’s viewing the latest exhibits or watching the water work its way through the patio garden; visit georgiamuseum.org for kid-friendly events, such as Family Day on the third Saturday of each month. 

For a deeper dive into nature—in an air-conditioned space—check out Sandy Creek Nature Center. Inside the facility, kids can explore STEM topics such as electricity, our food, planets and pollinators. Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park is another great option for exploring animal habitats.

For fun ways to learn, look to the Athens-Clarke County Library (2025 Baxter St.). In addition to regular storytimes (for infants and older kids), the local branch of the Athens Regional Library System offers chess, book clubs, special interest clubs and visiting speakers for kids of all ages (including teens). For a full schedule, visit athenslibrary.org/events. Kids can also feel welcome at the Historic Athens Welcome Center (280 E. Dougherty St.) and the Ware-Lyndon House adjacent to the Lyndon House Arts Center. Both are open for self-guided tours during business hours, and the Welcome Center offers kid-friendly scavenger hunts and online tours of other notable buildings on its Facebook page.