Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler is an LSU grad (Geaux Tigers!), wife, and mom to twin girls in Atlanta. She enjoys writing about parenting, hiking, and travel. Follow her family’s vacation adventures at FindingFamilyAdventures.com.

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin

Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 9:28am

See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt

Head to the Center of Puppetry Arts in Atlanta if you’re looking to spark creativity in your little ones and expose them to an entertaining and ancient art form. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Center for Puppetry Arts —parents especially enjoy seeing Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, and other favorite Sesame Street characters from their childhoods. And because the museum rotates its collection of 5,000 items, guests often see different puppets and props on subsequent visits.

Visit just the museum or purchase the Family Series Performance ticket, which includes a live puppet performance, a 20-minute puppet-making workshop, and museum admission. Insider tip: Before entering the museum, be sure to ask for the children’s scavenger hunt at the ticket counter. Kids will be asked to find certain objects in the museum and pose for photos with certain puppets. Upon completion, they receive a prize!

3 Days in Atlanta with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 02/10/2023 - 9:19am

Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler

Welcome to Atlanta! There are a ton of things to do in Atlanta, the delicious land of peaches, peanuts, and Coca-Cola. You’ll find our city jam-packed with kid-friendly activities sprinkled with large doses of Southern hospitality. From Atlanta museums, sports events, theater performances, and delicious food, our city offers it all!

We’ve put together a three-day itinerary for things to do in Atlanta guaranteed to satisfy everyone in your family. To save money, purchase the Atlanta CityPASS ticket, which bundles five major Atlanta attractions at a discounted price. Also, our Kid-Friendly Hotels in Atlanta will point you in the right direction for accommodations.

Best Coffee Shops in Atlanta to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 8:34am

Cafe Intermezzo's cappuccino will keep parents energized; the sky-high cake slices will keep kids ecstatic.

The best coffee shops in Atlanta provide life for overtired, under-energized parents. Let's be real —parenting is exhausting work, and sometimes caregivers need a caffeine fix to get through the day. Whether it’s from sleepless nights with baby or days schlepping kids all over the city, you deserve a caffeine pick-me-up. But what to do with the kiddos while you're enjoying a steamy mug? We've got you covered!

Don’t rely solely on drive-through spots for coffee when you have the kids in tow. Here's our curated list of the best coffee shops near Atlanta that are kid friendly, ranging from locations with fun, cozy rooms to cavernous spaces and expansive outdoor areas.

Best Blueberry Picking Farms and Festivals in Atlanta for Pick Your Own Berries

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 06/19/2022 - 7:09am

The only thing better than picking blueberries is eating them! Photo by Rebecca Leffler

The season is here to visit blueberry-picking farms! Featuring varieties of the native rabbiteye blueberry, most Atlanta farms open for the season from early June and end near late July. Now’s the time to gather your family (with hats, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes) and head to one of these u-pick blueberry farms in the area. These pick-your-own berries are delicious in baked goods, topped on cereal, or on their own as a tasty treat.

26 Things to Do on Father's Day: Father's Day Events in Atlanta

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 06/05/2022 - 8:19am

Take dad on a tubing or kayaking trip this Father's Day for some outdoor fun.

Father's Day is almost here so take the time to thank your dad for all he does! Today’s fathers take on many various roles in their families, so let's show dad how much he means to us with some great Father's Day events in Atlanta. Don’t settle for buying Super-Man (aka dad) cliche ties, cologne bottles, or typical gifts this Father’s Day; instead, read our list of Father's Day activities to celebrate him and make memories together. Let this be the best Father’s Day ever!

And with school officially out for summer, check out these Free Outdoor Movies in Atlanta this Summer for Kids and Atlanta Summer Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss.

Atlanta Camping and Campgrounds To Take the Whole Family

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 10:28am

KOA campgrounds are great places for family camping, like KOA Blue Ridge Riverside Cabins (pictured here). Photo by Ali Kieffer

If you’re looking to spend quality, electronic-free time with your family without breaking the bank, consider an Atlanta camping trip. Gaining popularity during the pandemic, Atlanta camping and tent camping provides an escape to the great outdoors. And better yet, you don’t have to travel far since campgrounds near Atlanta, GA are plentiful.

Whether you’re looking for tent camping or RV and yurt camping, we’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly campgrounds near Atlanta (within two hours....depending on traffic). Although not a hard and fast rule, private campgrounds tend to cost more but offer a host of amenities and special events. On the other end of the spectrum, U.S. government campgrounds near Atlanta provide an affordable, no-frills experience. And as a happy medium of Atlanta camping, lies the Georgia State Parks campsites that showcase some of the most scenic spots in Georgia.

Refer to our Outdoor Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids if you’re looking for more outdoor inspiration. And be sure to sign up for the Mommy Poppins newsletter, so you never miss out on upcoming events and helpful reviews.

Zipping Across the Best Atlanta Zipline and Ropes Courses

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Fri, 03/11/2022 - 8:07am

Every step matters at TreeTop Adventure & Ziplines at Callaway Gardens. Photo by Bill Leffler

Looking for a great family activity to get you out of your comfort zone? Imagine soaring among a tree canopy on an Atlanta zipline or ropes course. Everyone will get a good workout and have fun while improving gross motor skills, balance, and concentration. An added benefit of the ropes course and zipline is the adrenaline rush and boost of self-confidence that completing an Atlanta zipline or ropes course provides.

Whether your family consists of novices or experienced thrill seekers, check out our list of Atlanta ziplines and ropes courses in the area. (Don't worry if the weather isn’t cooperative, we’ve included several indoor places as well.) Book reservations to ensure availability and make sure your group meets any age, height, or weight requirements. Wear sturdy sneakers and save time by completing waivers online.

For more fun ideas this spring, check out our Spring Fun Guide, as well as our Outdoor Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids.

Festive and Delicious Birthday Cakes for Atlanta Kids

Submitted by Rebecca Ruffin ... on Sun, 02/13/2022 - 10:04am

A birthday cake from The Baking Grounds will make any child feel special on his or her big day. Photo courtesy of The Baking Grounds

After you’ve selected a birthday party location, booked an entertainer, and sent out invitations for your child’s birthday party, it’s time for the yummy part – picking out a birthday cake! No longer limited to round and rectangular shapes, today's birthday cakes can be tiered like wedding cakes or sculpted into baseball bats, cars, purses, and more.

Look to our list to take the guesswork out of your sugary search. We’ve got everything covered, from a traditional sheet cakes to a custom birthday cake, throughout metro Atlanta. If you don’t want to slice into a beautifully decorated cake, consider cupcakes, cake pops, or cookies that many of these bakeries also prepare.

Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Latest posts by Rebecca Ruffin

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