Sports and Athletic Parties: Kids at Play Atlanta

Looking for a fun, non-stop, active birthday party for your sports fan? Kids at Play Atlanta brings the activities and excitement to you with their high-energy sports and games for kids! Craig Drilling launched the concept in November of 2020 and has been inspiring and motivating kids all over Atlanta ever since. Let’s get moving with Kids at Play Atlanta!

Getting the Team Back Together: How Kids at Play Atlanta Started

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when virtual school had become the norm and indoor sports were put on hold, Craig knew we needed a new way to provide a safe social gathering for kids but also contribute to their physical well-being and social development.

“It’s so important for kids to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and motor skills. All of that was missing, so I wanted to provide those things in a safe way,” shared Craig. Kids at Play Atlanta launched in November of 2020, aiming to bridge the gap left by the pandemic by offering a unique blend of sports, exercise, social interaction, skill-building activities, and of course, fun.

“Kids at Play Atlanta is a portable gym class. We come to the home, offer weekly classes in the backyard. This was not something that was available at the time. We aim to be a springboard for kids to learn sportsmanship, motor skills, and the basics of multiple sports. And we have a lot of fun while doing it!” shared Craig.

All the Details: The Coolest Sports Parties for Kids

Kids at Play Atlanta comes to your home or location of choice and transforms your backyard into a hub of excitement, cheers, learning, and non-stop action.

The team includes trained coaches who facilitate a range of engaging activities. Whether it's an obstacle course, balloon race, or interactive game, the aim is to make the birthday child feel like the ultimate rockstar. With the expert guidance of Kids at Play coaches, kids of all skill levels can participate, succeed, and leave with newfound confidence.

Birthday parties include 45 minutes of structured activities for kids ages 3-4 and 60 minutes of structured activities for kids ages five and over. Birthday parties for children ages 3-4 start at $125 and ages five and over start at $150. Pricing includes parties for up to 20 kids. Parties with more than 20 kids are an additional $10 per kid.

Packages include:

• 45 minutes or 60 minutes of fun, active, structured games
• Kids at Play Atlanta Certificate
• Kids at Play Atlanta String Bag
• Kids at Play Atlanta Tee Shirt

Q&A with Craig Drilling, Owner at Kids at Play Atlanta

We got a chance to catch up with Craig to learn more about his innovative approach to sports, kids' birthday parties, and how he inspires and motivates kids around Atlanta through sports.

We love this concept and I know so many parents with sports-loving kiddos will too! Tell us about some of the games and activities you facilitate at parties.

We do a lot of relay races! We are really creative with these activities and use different equipment, balloons, paper towels, toilet paper, and more. We do obstacle courses, running under a cover or over a bush. Lots of tag games. We also work to cater to the birthday boy or birthday girl. If they are interested in a certain sport – football, volleyball, soccer, baseball – we will include more of that activity.

The younger kids love the Brookhaven Bear game – I chase all the kids around like a bear and they have so much fun and get really into it. The older kids like the Tiger Tale game - we put a yellow jersey in the back of their shorts, and the goal is to snag the “tiger tale” off the other kids. We have so many games and keep them running and active the whole time!

What is something that makes Kids at Play particularly unique?

Our ability to neutralize the game and make everyone feel special ensures every child playing builds confidence and feels a sense of accomplishment. We give everyone a fair chance to get the recognition, which is so important to strengthen their confidence.

What is the funniest thing you have had happen at a birthday party?

Oh man, quite a few things! The funniest thing has been when I do my favorite game; the Brookhaven Bear. I pretend to be a bear and the kids go on an imaginary bear hunt. Seeing them scatter, scream, jump into their parents’ arms is always funny.

What should parents know about your events?

The kids are going to be moving the entire time - be prepared for them to be tired after! We are SO loud and enthusiastic; we will dominate the house and event. They should also know that their birthday boy or girl will be in the spotlight and will be recognized.

What areas of Atlanta do you travel to?

We are located in Brookhaven, but travel all over the Atlanta area. We have done events in Snellville, Gwinnett, South Fulton, Milton, and more. We charge a travel fee outside of 10 miles of Brookhaven.

What is the ideal age range for your kids' birthday parties?

The ideal range is 4-11. We have done 3-year-olds and older. Ages 6-7 are really the sweet spot.

How far in advance should parents book?

As a rule of thumb, booking a birthday party a month in advance generally works well. We offer a few options on Saturdays, and on Sundays we host events mid-day.

As we wrap up, can you share your favorite part of hosting kids' parties?

Seeing the smiles on their faces and excitement from the birthday boy or birthday girl, knowing that they are the center of attention is awesome. We really celebrate them. At a certain age, you grow out of that; there are really only so many opportunities for kids to have those truly special moments.

It’s also great to see kids working together, doing things they didn’t think was possible. We see them succeed and see their confidence grow; it’s really something special. It’s awesome to see how proud they are when they accomplish things they didn’t think they could do.

For more information or to book an event, check out Kids at Play Atlanta or join them on Instagram.