Arts Agenda: Family-friendly arts events

Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one area in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. This week, our look at family-friendly highlights just scratches the surface of the many events and experiences aimed at families and children. Most of our local arts organizations and venues have programming for the youngsters. Check out their websites to get details.

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Ongoing

At the Goizueta Children’s Experience at the Atlanta History Center, kids can experience the city through play, exploration and storytelling. The immersive design will delight children from crawlers (ages 1 to 3) to second graders (ages 6 to 8). There will be a new theme each year, but this year it’s Our Great Big City, exploring Atlanta’s history, spirit, geography and our dynamic arts and culture scene. 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW. 404-814-4000

Through May 25

Have a rhyming good time as the Center for Puppetry Arts presents Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, in a version originally produced by the National Theater of Great Britain. There will be sensory-friendly performances on April 27 and ASL-interpreted shows on May 18. Tickets are $22.75.1404 Spring St. NW. 404-873-3391

Through Aug. 3

Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles at the Fernbank Museum showcases the extraordinary vision of these renowned Oaxacan artists Jacobo and María Ángeles, offering visitors an unparalleled journey into the spiritual landscape of Southern Mexico’s indigenous traditions with brightly colored and richly patterned sculptures depicting imaginary hybrid animals throughout Fernbank’s WildWoods. Saturday, April 19, is also Little Critters Day at the museum. 767 Clifton Road. 404-929-6300

April 18

Sen. Raphael Warnock will read his new children’s book, We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunch Box at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta at noon on April 18. The reading will be followed by a book signing, with copies of the book available in the museum for $19.99. The storytime event is included in the price of museum admission ($19.95). This is one of many events at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which offers a wealth of family-friendly programming every day, though it’s closed most Wednesdays. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. 404-659-5437

April 19

Learn about two different Indonesian art forms when the Emory Gamelan Ensemble accompanies a performance that showcases Wayang Kulit (Javanese shadow puppetry) in Lakon Anoman Obong: A Scene from the Ramayana. There will also be an opportunity for kids to create their own shadow puppets. It starts at 1 p.m. on April 19 at the Michael C. Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall. 571 South Kilgo Circle. 404-727-4282
Atlanta

April 27

The Atlanta Contemporary’s Contemporary Kids is a free and interactive program that introduces children to contemporary art and artists through hands-on activities. Next up is a drop-in event inspired by Free the Land (2023), a work by Atlanta-born artist Kristan Woolford. Woolford and artist Makiko Maekawa will guide young artists in creating their own contemporary art projects beginning at noon on April 27. The next Contemporary Kids event is scheduled for May 11. 535 Means St. NW. 404-688-1970

May 2-4

The Little Shop of Stories Children’s Book Festival takes place alongside this year’s Decatur Arts Festival. Meet authors and illustrators of children’s picture books, explore middle-grade literature and graphic novels and check out the young adult stage. The inaugural event gets underway Friday night with the keynote speaker and there will be vendor booths and author tables on Saturday and Sunday, along with author talks held throughout the weekend. On Decatur Square. 404-373-6300

May 3

The High Museum of Art’s Family Saturdays offer arts programming for everyone. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., experiment, play and make art in studio workshops and learn about art on view through gallery tours. Among the events scheduled on May 3 are Toddler Saturday, Studio Sessions and Teen Art Afternoon. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400

May 31

Hudgens Family Day will celebrate the sculptures of German-born Atlanta artist Steffen Thomas (1906-1990) at The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning. Thomas created many public monuments, among them the statue of Gov. Eugene Talmadge that adorns the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, #300, Duluth.

June 2-Aug. 1

The Art Place offers a wide array of specialty camps and sessions on specific art movements all summer long. Things get underway on June 2 with sessions on abstract expressionism, mixed media art and wheel-thrown pottery. Pop art, street art, surrealism and more are on the schedule in the coming months. 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. 770-509-2700

June 25-July 27

Milo is a curious boy with a vivid imagination and a sketch pad full of dreams. In the Alliance Theatre’s new musical, Milo Imagines the World, he transforms subway passengers into larger-than-life characters. With playful songs by Atlanta’s own Christian Magby and Christian Albright (The Incredible Book Eating Boy) and a book by Atlanta native Terry Guest, the show celebrates how we see ourselves and others. 1280 Peachtree St. NE. 404-733-4600

June 28

Kidz Bop leads the pack when it comes to children’s music. These talented youngsters offer family-friendly versions of today’s pop hits. The Kidz Bop Kids’ current lineup is heading out on tour with Kidz Bop Live, taking the stage at 6 p.m. June 28 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.404-733-5010