Kids' activities in Marietta: city playgrounds, the splash pad, free library story times at Switzer Library, toddler art time and rainy-day picks.
Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Park details come from the city’s own facility pages; library programs from Cobb County’s event pages; everything else from each venue’s own site. Prices are listed only where the venue publishes them.
Marietta’s city parks include several with large playgrounds, and the Square and the streets around it hold a playground, three museums, a classic movie theater and, a few blocks east, the Switzer Library.
Who to call
- City parks and the splash pad: Marietta Parks and Recreation, 770-794-5601
- Switzer Library children’s department: 770-528-2331
- Marietta History Center: 770-794-5710
- Marietta Cobb Museum of Art: 770-528-1444
- Emergency: 911
Playgrounds
From the city’s facility pages (city parks list):
| Park | Address | Hours | Also there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Park | 151 Manning Road | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Large playground, 1-mile walking track, two ponds, restrooms |
| Henry Memorial Park | 81 Reynolds St. | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Large playground, short walking trail, basketball, restroom |
| Tumlin Park at Hickory Hills | 400 Chestnut Hill Road | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Large playground, half-mile paved track, restrooms |
| Glover Park | 50 N. Park Square NE | 6 a.m. to 3:25 a.m. | Playground, fountain, gazebo, on the Square |
| Lewis Park | 475 Campbell Hill St. | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Playground, paved path, restroom, dog area |
| Franklin Gateway Sports Complex | 1034 Franklin Gateway | Playground 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Playground, walking track, restrooms |
| Merritt Park | 501 Wallace Road | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Playground, paved trail |
| Birney Street Park | 475 Birney St. | 6 a.m. to sunset | Playground, picnic pavilion |
Splash pad
The Elizabeth Porter Park sprayground, 370 Montgomery St., opened May 1 in 2026 and ran into September, with daily admission of $2 for Cobb County residents and $3 for others, bought online per person, according to the city’s sprayground page. Hours and pools are in our summer guide.
Story times and library programs
Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., runs free weekly programs, according to Cobb County’s event pages:
| Day | Time | Program | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 a.m. | Baby Storytime | Birth to 18 months, with an adult |
| Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. | Toddler Storytime | 18 to 36 months, with an adult |
| Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. | Preschool Storytime | 3 to 5, with an adult; includes crafts |
| Select Fridays | 4 p.m. | Lego Free Play | 5 to 12 |
| Select Saturdays | 11 a.m. | Family Storytime | All ages |
Check the library’s events calendar for holiday closures and changes.
Museums for kids
- Marietta History Center, 1 Depot St.: free admission and family activities on the third Saturday of each month at its Pop-In for Family Fun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; upcoming themes are Trains and Planes on Nov. 21 and Holiday Celebrations on Dec. 19, according to its Pop-In page. Children under 5 are free any day.
- Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St. SE: Toddler Time for ages 1 to 3 with a guardian on select Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m., a story and an art project, $7 in advance online or $8 at the door, as listed by Visit Marietta. Under 6 are free for regular admission, and the museum runs youth art camps (visit page).
- William Root House, 80 N. Marietta Parkway NW: touchscreens, activity books and scavenger hunts inside its 180-year-old walls, open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; students 6 to 17 are $6, according to the museum.
- Aviation History and Technology Center, 555 Perrin Road: 15 aircraft, including the inside of a C-141B StarLifter; Friday to Sunday, under 5 free (center’s visit page).
Rainy-day picks
- A library story time or Lego Free Play at Switzer Library.
- Toddler Time at the art museum or a History Center Pop-In.
- The Strand, 117 N. Park Square, shows family films; in summer 2026 it ran Disney Princess morning screenings with a princess meet-and-greet. Its calendar is on its site.
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, 1255 Roswell Road: indoor go-karts and arcade games, according to Andretti’s Marietta page.
What this means for you
- Library story times are free; check the county calendar for the week’s schedule.
- The History Center’s third-Saturday Pop-Ins pair free admission with family activities.
- For more free ideas, see our free things to do guide; for holiday events, Halloween and holiday lights.
Related: parks and trails, summer camps and pools, spring break and dog-friendly Marietta.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best playgrounds in Marietta?
The city lists large playgrounds at Laurel Park, 151 Manning Road; Henry Memorial Park, 81 Reynolds St.; and Tumlin Park at Hickory Hills, 400 Chestnut Hill Road. Glover Park on the Square also has a playground.
When is story time at the Marietta library?
Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., holds Baby Storytime Mondays, Toddler Storytime Tuesdays and Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, each at 10:30 a.m., plus Family Storytime on select Saturdays at 11 a.m. All are free.
What can kids do in Marietta on a rainy day?
Try a library story time or Lego Free Play at Switzer Library, Toddler Time at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, the Marietta History Center, a family film at the Strand or Andretti Indoor Karting and Games on Roswell Road.
Is there a splash pad in Marietta?
Yes. The city’s sprayground at Elizabeth Porter Park, 370 Montgomery St., runs from May into September; daily admission in 2026 was $2 for Cobb residents and $3 for others.
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