Why the Center for Puppetry Arts Belongs on Your Atlanta Itinerary
One of the quiet highlights of our family trip to Atlanta – the Center for Puppetry Arts. A true “hidden gem” in the city of the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Braves baseball, the Center for Puppetry Arts is one I will recommend to every family visiting Atlanta. I love balancing our trips, and this stop truly added a calming, grounding feeling to our day. It was uncrowded, thoughtful, and engaging for everyone. From seeing Big Bird and Kermit, to exploring shadow puppets from Asia and coloring in the atrium, this was truly a stop that the whole family loved. I’ll be sharing what to expect, and do my very best to convince you that this gem deserves a spot on your family-friendly Atlanta itinerary.
What Families Will Love About the Center for Puppetry Arts
If you’re looking for a place that shares art, culture, and creativity with your children, the Center for Puppetry Arts is it. As a former museum educator, the quality of this small museum gets an A+ from me. There are beautiful, colorful exhibits and many opportunities for hands-on learning. From exploring drawers with puppet materials to building silly faces with magnets, there is learning naturally built-in to exhibit exploration.
A Calm, Creative Attraction for Kids
We visited on a day without a puppet show, and the museum was very quiet. If your family prefers quieter spaces, consider choosing a non-show time for your visit. The kids were able to spend as much time as they wanted exploring without crowds, timed visits, or “hustling” from place to place.
After you purchase your tickets (which are inexpensive, by the way!), ask for the scavenger hunt! The kids loved helping me find each puppet, and they both received a small prize for finishing it.
A Rare Spot That Adults Love, Too
Another reason to love the Center for Puppetry Arts? My husband and I both enjoyed it. As adults. So yes, this museum is grown-up approved, too! The nostalgia of the Muppets and Sesame Street (and my personal favorite – Lamb Chop!) makes this one extra special.
Inside the Museum: What to Expect with Toddlers & Preschoolers
There are two ways to visit:
- Explore just the Worlds of Puppetry Museum. (Which is what we did, as there was no show running the day we visited!)
- Attend one of the puppetry shows. Productions through 2026 include Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, and Pete the Cat. Show tickets include museum admission and a Create-A-Puppet™ Workshop.
Length of Visit
Plan between 60-90 minutes for this stop (if you’re not experiencing one of their puppet shows!). We spent about 75 minutes here, between the exhibits, coloring time, and a little time on the playground, which I’ll share more about below.
Little Moments of Hands-On Exploration
There are two areas of the Worlds of Puppetry Museum. The first is the Jim Henson Collection, featuring puppets from the Muppets, Sesame Street, and even The Dark Crystal. I loved learning about how these puppets were created with everyday objects, from yarn to socks.
The second area – The Global Collection – shares puppets from all around the world. My kids loved moving marionette-style knight puppets fighting a dragon, and even got to explore the movement of shadow puppets. I loved that my children had a peek into a variety of cultures, united by the arts!
Don’t Skip the Puppet Store (and the Create-A-Puppet™ Kits!)
The Create-A-Puppet™ kits crafted in the workshops after performances are also sold in the gift shop for $6! I love that this isn’t just a souvenir – it’s a learning experience and opportunity for creativity! The kits are often a variety of animals (think dolphin, fish, crocodile) and typically only need tape or glue and whatever supplies you’re using to decorate.
How We Used the Kits Later in Our Trip
Because this was just the start of our trip, the puppet kits were a wonderful addition to a relaxing afternoon at the cabin. They played with them for a long while – even testing them as shadow puppets! We were also able to reminisce together about our time at the Center for Puppetry Arts as a family.
How This Stop Fits into a Family-Friendly Atlanta Itinerary
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a great choice for the afternoon, particularly after a busy morning. It is calmer, indoors, and perfect for a strolling, relaxing pace.
Perhaps my favorite surprise of the trip – the Center for Puppetry Arts has its own playground! Just walk around the left side of the building toward 18th Street. It was perfect for getting the wiggles out after the museum. There are some really unique climbing structures for kids 5+, and even our littlest loved pretending he was “on stage.”
A Relaxing Contrast to Bigger Attractions
As I’m sure the Georgia Aquarium is on your itinerary, I think the Center for Puppetry Arts is an excellent addition to keep your itinerary balanced. The ticket cost is significantly lower, there are a lot more hands-on learning opportunities, and many opportunities to let kids explore and play. If you’ve just navigated the crowds at the aquarium (and explored some of my favorite exhibits!), this experience is a chance to slow their pace, and learn while exploring!
All Your FAQ’s: Visiting the Center for Puppetry Arts with Kids
Is It Worth It?
You can probably guess my answer – but the Center for Puppetry Arts is the hidden gem that every family needs to add to their Atlanta itinerary. The ticket cost, genuine enjoyment, quality exhibits, and overall relaxing atmosphere all get a 10/10 from me! This is one spot I’ll recommend every time.
