Kickstart School in Macon: Educational and Fun Must-see spots
As the summer comes to a close and school returns to session it can be difficult to get kids back into the swing of learning. Why not take them to some fun places where they can also tap into some educational fun?!
Museum of Arts and Sciences
4182 Forsyth Road
The perfect place to check out art exhibits, planetarium shows, a mini zoo and more! The mini zoo has a replica Banyan Tree with varieties of birds, turtles, mammals and snakes. The Scientist’s Workshop allows kids to forecast the weather and search for fossils in the archaeology dig. Try your hand at writing some poetry before heading to the current art exhibit.
“Now rebuilt and expanded, the Museum’s 44-foot, full-dome planetarium is state-of-the-art with the digital technology of the Konica-Minolta Super Media Globe II – the brightest, highest resolution, highest contrast single projector available.” Planetarium shows are Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm.
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
301 Cherry Street Road
Did you know Macon is home to one of the country’s largest state sports hall of fames at 43,000 square feet?! Take a tour and learn all about the different sports teams and athletes from our state.
Museum of Aviation
1942 Heritage Boulevard
Robins AFB
With free admission and free parking this museum is a steal of a deal! The Museum of Aviation opened in 1984 and since then has grown to be the second largest museum in the Air Force. You can see bombers, cargo planes, fighters, drones, reconnaissance planes and so many more all up close. In addition to these year round exhibits special educational events are held year round- including Saturday STEM labs.
Jarrell Plantation
711 Jarrell Plantation Road
Juliette, GA
Between initial construction in 1847 and 1863, Jarrell Plantation grew from a simple house to a 600 acre plantation farmed by as many as 42 enslaved African peoples. Initial owner John Fitz Jarell’s son, Dick, would take over operations and diversify the farm. Steam engines would be added to power a sawmill, sugar cane press, cotton gin, gristmill, planer, shingle mill and syrup evaporator.
When going to Jarrell Plantation, visitors can take in the history trail, interpretive programs, and geocaching.
Middle Georgia Regional Library
Multiple locations
With multiple services and events offered, the Middle Georgia Libraries has something for nearly everyone. There are storytimes, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, Georgia Degrees Pay- specifically geared towards older teens to prepare them for college, craft events, book clubs… be sure to go to their event page to check out their wide range of offerings!
Macon Giggles and Wiggles
6443 Zebulon Road
For the little ones they can learn from Montessori- styled playtime! There are also music classes on Mondays and toddler styled simple sciences classes every 4th Thursday.
Ocmulgee Mounds - National Park Service
1207 Emery Highway
With more than 17,000 years of human habitation the Ocmulgee Mounds cover Middle Georgia history from the Paleo-Indian Period, to the Mississippean Period, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Cold War. The Ocmulgee Mounds were also the site of the largest archeological dig in North America- which provided much needed jobs through President FDR’s Works Progress Administration (WPA), Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Civil Works Administration, and later the Civilian Conservation Corps. Even the Smithsonian Institute was involved!
Finding educational fun in Middle Georgia to ease into that back to school routine is as easy and one, two, three with our above list! Have you taken your kids to any of these places? Are there others that should make our list? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
The Johnson-Felton-Hay House
934 Georgia Avenue
Did you know this 18,000 square foot mansion, built from 1855-1889, had hot and cold water when it was built?! And these are just some of the technological advances the Hay House had in the mid 19th century. This exquisitely built home has been nicknamed The Palace of the South- and older children and teens (and adults!) will enjoy learning about this history. The home is constantly updating it’s restoration and currently has an exhibit dedicated to Chester Davis: butler and chauffeur for the Hay Family.
