Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan Joe Donehoo, 4, runs away from his friend Grace Hauge, 4, both of Norcross as she attempts to shoot him with her bubble gun at at the Jones Bridge Park in Norcross on Thursday. The children spent the day playing in the park with their families soaking in the sunshine.

Spring Break 2012 is only a couple weeks away, which means it's time to plan some family fun for you and the kiddos instead of sending them away to camp. Here are a few ideas of what to do around the county and metro Atlanta.

-- Complied by Staff Writer Meghan Kotowski

GWINNETT SPOTS

Lake Lanier Islands Resorts offers campsites for families to grill out, sleep under the stars and tell ghost stories into the night

• When: During week of spring break

• Where: Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford

• Cost: $39 to $48 per night

• For more information: www.lakelanierislands.com

———

Treetop Quest in Buford is an easy way to get the kids outdoors for a day full of climbing and exercise

• When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during spring break and the weekends in April

• Where: Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford

• Cost: $19 to $45

• For more information: www.gwinnettehc.org

———

Medieval Times is holding free knight training for students the week before Gwinnett County's official spring break by watching exclusive weapons demonstration by the knights

• When: March 31 to April 8, times vary per dates

• Where: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville

• Cost: $36 to $52

• For more information: www.medievaltimes.com/atlanta

———

Children love to see the Gwinnett Braves because there's nothing better than a hot dog, baseball and Chopper to keep the day interesting

• When: 7:05 p.m. April 12-14

• Where: Coolray Field, One Braves Ave., Lawrenceville

• Cost: $5 to $35

• For more information: www.milb.com, then search for the G-Braves

———

Bring the kids out to Sky Zone to jump off some of that extra energy. They can play dodgeball, dunk basketballs and swim in a foam pit

• When: Closed Mondays, 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays

• Where: Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 560 Old Peachtree Road, Suite 300, Suwanee

• Cost: $9 to $20

• For more information: atlanta.skyzonesports.com

———

Need a cheap way to entertain the young ones? Visit one of the 40 plus parks in the county and take a hike, play some Frisbee or enjoy a picnic

• When: Any time the parks are open

• Where: Find one in your neighborhood by visiting the Gwinnett County website

• Cost: Free

• For more information: www.gwinnettcounty.com

———

ATLANTA SPOTS

Recently opened LEGOLAND has rides, games, activities and more for children interested in the imaginative world of LEGOS

• When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays

• Where: LEGOLAND Discovery Center on the top floor of Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta

• Cost: $13.50 to $20.52

• For more information: atlanta.legolanddiscoverycenter.com

———

The Fernbank Museum offers molding minds entertainment while learning with science activities, enormous dinosaur bones and another interactive exhibits

• When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays

• Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta

• Cost: $15.50 to $17.50, but doesn't include IMAX tickets

• For more information: www.fernbankmuseum.org

———

Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the area housing whale sharks, beluga whales, Bottlenose dolphins, Great hammerhead sharks and manta rays

• When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays

• Where: Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St., Atlanta

• Cost: Prices range per day. Check website for specific pricing.

• For more information: www.georgiaaquarium.org

———

Imagine It! is the one and only "children's museum" where everything is hands-on, while being educational at the same time

• When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

• Where: Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, AtlantaCost: $12.75

• For more information: www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org