Visiting Atlanta with kids on a budget: free and low-cost homeschool field trips
Often the cheapest way into a metro Atlanta attraction is the homeschool, student or group rate the venue sells directly. Here's what venues list on their own pages, from free library programs to discounted group admission.
Prices, dates and rules are copied from each venue's own page (or the official listing we cite), last checked 2026-10-21. Click a program for its source link. Confirm with the venue before you go.
Free, or no fee listed
6 current programs are free or list no fee. Most are public library meetups.
| Program | City | When | Price (as the venue lists it) | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeschool Drop-In DeKalb County Public Library – Scott Candler Library | Decatur | Next: Fri, Oct 30, 2026 | No fee listed (public library program) | Ages 5–12 |
| Homeschool Curiosity & Creativity Cobb County Public Library – West Cobb Regional Library | Kennesaw | Next: Thu, Nov 5, 2026 | No fee listed (public library program) | Ages 5–12 |
| Homeschool Hangout Cobb County Public Library – Vinings Library | Atlanta (Vinings) | Next: Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | No fee listed (public library program) | Ages 5–17 (elementary, tweens, teens) |
| Homeschool Hangout Fulton County Library System – Fairburn Branch | Fairburn | Next: Thu, Nov 12, 2026 | No fee listed (public library program) | Recommended for elementary school students |
| Homeschool Hangout: Native Americans Gwinnett County Public Library – Peachtree Corners Branch | Peachtree Corners | Next: Wed, Nov 18, 2026 | No fee listed (public library program) | Ages 6–11 |
| K–12 student group visits Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum | Atlanta | Mondays–Saturdays during the school year | Free for K–12 students, plus one free adult per 10 students; other adults $12; college students $10 | K–12 |
Low-cost homeschool and group rates
These list a price on the venue's own page. Several need a group, so read the booking rules.
| Program | City | Price (as the venue lists it) | Booking rules (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planetarium group visits Fernbank Science Center (DeKalb County School District) | Atlanta | $5 per student, $10 per adult; one free adult per 10 students | Request at least 10 days ahead with the FSC Program Request Form. Not confirmed until paid. |
| Weekly homeschool PE (Mondays) Unite Homeschool Network at Kennesaw rec center | Kennesaw | $7 per child per week (coaches' children free) | Register online for Mondays in Kennesaw. |
| Homeschool field-trip programs Bartow History Museum | Cartersville | Student $7; parent/chaperone $11 | Guided programs need at least 10 students. Book via the museum (programs@bartowhistorymuseum.org or 770-382-3818 ext. 7352). |
| Homeschool tours and Homeschool Days Michael C. Carlos Museum (Emory University) | Atlanta | Ages 5 and under free; ages 6–17 $8 each; one adult free per 10 children; additional adults $10 | Schedule online at least 2 weeks ahead. 5–65 guests per tour. One chaperone per 10 students required. Custom invoice after booking. |
| Homeschool classes and Environmental Expedition Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center | Buford | Homeschool classes: not listed on source. Environmental Expedition: $8 per person. | Reserve in advance (770-904-3500 or EHCeducation@gwinnettcounty.com). Expedition has a 10-student minimum. |
| Homeschool group rate LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta | Atlanta | $9 per person (students and adults); one free adult per 5 students | Minimum 10 child tickets. Pay online at booking. No outside food. |
| $10 homeschool tickets and homeschool events Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | Atlanta | $10 per ticket (Classical Series) | "Purchase Now" link on the page. |
| Home School Friday art classes (ages 7–12) Booth Western Art Museum | Cartersville | $12 non-members; $10 members | Registration required; deadlines Oct 30 (for Nov 6) and Nov 27 (for Dec 4). Minimum 10 students. Info 770-387-1300 ext. 7271. |
| Homeschool field trips Tellus Science Museum | Cartersville | $12 per student (10-student minimum); parents and chaperones $20 or membership; planetarium add-on $2.50 | Reserve at least one week before. Pay at registration (cards only). Siblings and adults do not count toward the 10-student minimum. |
| Self-guided field trips for homeschool groups Zoo Atlanta | Atlanta | $18.99 per student. One chaperone free per 10 students; extra chaperones pay the student price. | Reserve and pay at least 14 days ahead. Minimum 10 students. No walk-up groups. Full refund if cancelled 7 days before. Optional $9.50 pre-ordered lunch. |
Ways to pay less that venues mention
- Free chaperones. Several group rates include free adults: Zoo Atlanta, the Carter Library, the Carlos Museum and Fernbank Science Center each list one free adult per 10 students or children, and LEGO Discovery Center lists one free adult per 5 students. Fernbank Museum gives one free chaperone per 10 students to groups of 10 or more.
- Team up to reach a group minimum. Zoo Atlanta, Tellus, LEGO Discovery Center, Bartow History Museum and the Booth's Home School Fridays all list a 10-student minimum. A co-op or a few families together can fill it. At Tellus, siblings and adults don't count toward it.
- Member prices, if you'll go back. Some programs list lower member prices: Zoo Atlanta HomeSchool Academy ($40 a program for members vs. $45), Autrey Mill ($45 for family-level members vs. $50), Chattahoochee Nature Center ($50 member vs. $70), Dunwoody Nature Center (10% off for members) and the Southern Museum workshop (free for members). We don't list membership prices, so check whether one pays off for your family.
- Season-ticket style deals. Zoo Atlanta's HomeSchool Academy lists a semester price ($130, or $105 for members) as well as the per-program price ($45 or $40).
- Promotions don't always stack. Georgia Aquarium says Aqua Passes, Kids Free and other promotions aren't valid for Tuesdays in the Field. Compare any pass or deal against the homeschool rate before you buy.
- Ask. Many venues sell school-group pricing without mentioning homeschoolers. Our script for asking about a homeschool rate helps.
Plan the rest of the day
See what's on in the next few weeks, browse by city, or use our field trip planning checklist.