Let's get this new year started right, Atlanta families.
Whether you're trying to pick up new skills, work on healthy habits or just seeking the joy of spending more time together, these Atlanta outings will put you on the right track.
Welcome 2017 with these can't-miss family happenings:
Indoor scavenger hunts at Chattahoochee Nature Center
All month in January and February
Included with admission, which is $10 adults, $7 seniors and students, $6 children ages 3-12
Chattahoochee Nature Center
9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055 x238
http://www.chattnaturecenter.org
Start the year with a family activity you can do any day of the month and rain or shine. The more items you find on the Nature Exchange's themed indoor scavenger hunt list, the more points you can earn.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Sur la table
Credit: Photo courtesy of Sur la table
Kids Kitchen Pasta class
3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4
$45 for one child and adult pair
Bellina Alimentari-Ponce City Market
675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, N-131
http://bellina-alimentari.com/
Bellina is an Italian inspired farm to table restaurant and gourmet market and this class can inspire your family's healthy eating in 2017. Plus, teaching your middle-schooler to make food the whole family enjoys from scratch is a win-win.
School Spirit Skate Nights at Atlantic Station
4-10 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25
General admission: $13, children under 12: $10; elemntary school students wearing their school spirit gear —any clothing with their school's name — get in for $5 on Wednesdays. All prices include skate rental.
1380 Atlantic Drive NW. 323-608-7633
www.skateatlanticstation.com
http://atlanticstation.com/
You can still ice skate together at Atlantic Station throughout January. What a cool family night idea to support those "active family" resolutions.
Junior astronomy workshop
6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6
$10 members, non-members $25
Tellus Science Museum
100 Tellus Drive, Cartersville. 770-606-5700
http://tellusmuseum.org/
Make this a lifelong learning kind of year with workshops like this one, which introduces the young scientist to the wonders of astronomy at the Bentley Planetarium. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult and reservations close at noon the day before the workshop.
Princess Brunch: Frozen Sing-a-long at Venkman's
10:30 a.m. every Saturday in January
The show is free, but reservations are encouraged. www.venkmans.com
Venkman's
740 Ralph McGill Blvd NE
470-225-6162
www.venkmans.com
Get an upbeat start to the new year with this sing-a-long. Or, if you're already feeling complications in 2017, feel free to belt "Let it Go." The kitchen will offer an appropriately royal brunch feast, including Princess Flapjacks for the little ones.
Movin' With Mom Zumba event
6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
$8
https://ruth4kidszumba.eventbrite.com
Pro-Fit Fitness & Rehab
7342 Stonecrest Concourse, Lithonia. 770-482-8622
http://pro-fitatl.com/
Celebrate the start of a new year with a mom-daughter activity full of fitness cardio and muscle conditioning. Presented by the RUTH 4 Kids Foundation, a self-esteem organization for girls and special needs children, the event will be followed by others this year. The instructor is certified Zumba instructor and wife of former NBA player Jerry Stackhouse, Ramirra Stackhouse.
Puppetry 101: A Performance Primer
7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9
$30 general, $20 members
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St. NW. http://www.centerforpuppetryarts.com/
Celebrate creativity and begin a new craft in the New Year with this all-experience-levels kickstart to puppetry. This could be the family's new hobby!
Westminster Choir in Concert
7:30 p.m. Jan. 10
$30
634 West Peachtree St. NW.
https://allsaintsatlanta.org/
404-881-0835
Let your spirits soar with this classical concert from the students at Westminster Choir College. It's a great time to reflect with your teen as the concert is designed to explore the gifts and challenges each day presents to the world.
Credit: Contributed by Atlanta Track Club
Credit: Contributed by Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club's Spring 5K In-Training presented by Northside Hospital
Various locations beginning Sunday, Jan. 8
Put your best foot forward this new year and then do it over and over for mental health benefits and
physical fitness. This coed training program will help you jumpstart a running or walking habit, with the end goal of participating in the 2017 Atlanta Women's 5K the last Saturday in March. There's an introduction opportunity Wednesday Jan. 4 at West Stride at 6 p.m. to learn more about the training program and pick up a schedule.
West Stride, 3517 Northside Pkwy. #11.
www.atlantatrackclub.org
Disco Skate Night at Avalon
6-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
$18 person includes skates, or $14 child
Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta
770-765-2000
Ah, ah, ah... stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Introduce your kids to joys of disco classics while being active and sharing lots of laughs. Bring out the bellbottoms and other 70s attire for $2 off admission.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free History Center admission
10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road NW. 404-814-4000
http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
In this season of setting goals, admire the efforts of superb role models with free admission to two historic places in Atlanta.
Atlanta History Center and the Margaret Mitchell House will honor the contributions of African-Americans in Atlanta on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
For more ways to enjoy food, happenings and shopping this winter in Atlanta, check out the AJC’s winter guide.
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