Elsa Simcik

Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.

Latest posts by Elsa

New Year's Eve Weekend in Atlanta with Kids: Count Down to 2026!

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:29am

Start 2026 with furry performers at Mutts Gone Nuts, a showcase of the most talented, hysterical four-legged performers! Photo courtesy Mutts Gone Nuts

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

It's New Year's Eve weekend of 2025, which means it's the last call for popular holiday events like Lights of LIFE in Marietta and Holidays at the Georgia Aquarium. On New Year's Eve, families welcome 2026 with plenty of kid-friendly (i.e. early) events like Zoo Year's Eve and Noon Year's Eve at Skyline Park. This weekend also brings other fun for animal lovers like Repticon in Lawrenceville and Mutts Gone Nuts in Sandy Springs.

However you choose to celebrate, have a happy New Year from everyone here at Mommy Poppins!

Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Atlanta in January 2026, According to MP Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/28/2025 - 10:21am

The Atlanta History Center is offering a free event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, on MLK Day. Photo courtesy of Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center

Coming off the holiday season, Atlanta parents truly appreciate free things to do in January. After all, creating holiday magic isn't cheap and our bank accounts could use a month to catch up. Luckily, we've found free events and activities in Atlanta throughout the month of January—from MLK Day parades in Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, and Lawrenceville to the return of B raves Fest and free storytimes in between.

Besides our list of fun, free events in January, we also have an entire guide dedicated to saving money and having fun: Free Things to Do in Atlanta with Kids. This Atlanta catalog has the best scoop on Free Museum Days, Free Things to Do on Cold and Rainy Days, and much more! Happy savings for the New Year!

Atlanta New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 12/26/2025 - 11:16am

Kids and parents can party into 2026 at the daytime New Year's Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum

Usher in 2026 with New Year's Eve events for families in Atlanta! We've got the details on Noon Year’s Eve and NYE activities for kids in Atlanta—many of which end early since the kids usually can't last until midnight. Another fun way to celebrate the new year? Drive or walk through one of Atlanta's many holiday light shows! It's your last chance to catch some of our favorites like Noel Magic Light Show and Brook Run Park's Holiday Lights.

For more inspiration over New Year's weekend, read our Fun Things to Do Over the Christmas Vacation with Atlanta Kids, as well as our Winter Activities Guide in Atlanta. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletters to stay in the know of all the 2026 kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta!

Christmas Weekend 2025 in Atlanta Top Things To Do: Ice Skating, Holiday Lights, and More

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 7:15am

The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

Christmas weekend is almost here, and kids in Atlanta are bursting with anticipation. Luckily, we here at Mommy Poppins have lots of ways for your family to make amazing memories all Christmas weekend long. Hit one of Atlanta's festive ice skating rinks like Skate the Station at Atlantic Station and High Street Skate--both open on Christmas Day! It's also a great time to drive through Candy Rush Light Show in Marietta, Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville, or Noel Magic Light Show in Hampton. We also have the scoop on all the best Atlanta Neighborhoods with Spectacular Christmas Lights!

Whatever you celebrate, we at Mommy Poppins wish you happy holidays!

What's Open on Christmas Day 2025 in Atlanta: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/21/2025 - 9:43am

Millions of twinkling lights completely transform the Atlanta Botanical Garden into the magical winter wonderland of Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Photo courtesy of the garden

Get out of the house during the holidays and visit great places open on Christmas in Atlanta.

Peach Bowl Fan Fest, Atlanta Boat Show, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 10:08am

Head to the Fox Theatre to see Elf the Musical this weekend! Photo by Evan Zimmerman, courtesy of The Fox

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

College football fans head to downtown Atlanta on Friday for the FREE Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Fan Fest, filled with interactive attractions like punting, passing and kicking games, obstacle courses and zip lining. Also downtown this weekend: The 2026 Atlanta Boat Show! Parents love to peruse the boats and kids enjoy the kids' zone with VR games, a surfing simulator and crafts. One of our favorite monthly FREE events takes place this weekend, UPS Second Sunday at the High Museum of Art. It's a great day to visit for free, family-friendly programming and performances. Read on for more fun things to do this weekend in Atlanta!

Atlanta Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 12/12/2025 - 12:45pm

Head to Ponce City Market's Skate the Sky event to ice skate during winter break! Photo courtesy Ponce City Market

Christmas vacation is one of the best things about the holiday season for many Atlanta kids. Parents, on the other hand, may dread the thought of keeping their children entertained for the winter break. Have no fear! We've got amazing Atlanta events and activities after Christmas to make the holiday break bearable, even blissful! Read on for our favorite events, activities and tips for the ultimate winter break fun for Atlanta families.

As always, you'll want to check out our Atlanta Family Activity Calendar for the best events and things to do with kids!

35 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 12:15pm

Enjoy Halcyon Holiday Magic at this annual Alpharetta event featuring live music, performances, and beloved characters...including Santa! Photo courtesy of Halcyon

Christmas lights, Hanukkah celebrations, and holiday activities are in full effect for December, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Atlanta this month!

December in Atlanta starts with Christmas tree lightings all over town, including those in Decatur, Sandy Springs, Woodstock, and Brookhaven. As the month continues, Atlanta families get into the holiday spirit with Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows. Mid-December brings Hanukkah and eight nights of celebrating with events including Chabad Intown's various menorah lightings. After all those holiday and Christmas gifts are ripped open, ring in 2026 with family-friendly, daytime events like the New Year's Eve Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta.

And from all of us at Mommy Poppins, have a happy and healthy holiday season and new year!

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

Pages