Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown Atlanta is one of the city's best-kept secrets for family entertainment, and it consistently ranks among the top things to do with kids in Atlanta. This nonprofit organization has been bringing puppetry to life since 1978, and the quality of their productions rivals professional theater anywhere in the country.

A typical visit includes three components: a live puppet show, the museum galleries, and a create-a-puppet workshop. The shows are professionally produced adaptations of classic and contemporary children's stories, running about 45 minutes — perfect for young attention spans. The performers are skilled puppeteers who bring multiple puppet styles to life, from marionettes to rod puppets to shadow puppets.

The museum is divided into two major collections. The permanent Worlds of Puppetry gallery showcases puppetry traditions from cultures around the world, with interactive stations where kids can try different puppet styles. The Jim Henson Collection, housed in a dedicated wing, displays original puppets from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and other Henson productions.

For parents who grew up with these characters, it's genuinely moving.

The create-a-puppet workshop is where the visit comes together. Led by an instructor, kids build a puppet related to the show they just watched. The puppets are well-designed kits that even young children can assemble with some help, and the finished product is sturdy enough to survive the trip home. Most kids leave clutching their puppet and already asking to come back.

The Center is fully accessible and stroller-friendly, with clean restrooms and changing facilities. There's no on-site restaurant, but the Midtown location puts you within easy reach of dozens of family-friendly dining options. Free parking in the on-site lot is a rare Atlanta bonus.