The Fun, Kid-Friendly Activities At This Year’s Dragon Con
Brynn Thompson, 10, of Smyrna, Ga., avoids Brian Burke’s dragon during the Dragon*Con parade on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 in Atlanta. The 25th annual science fiction convention draws thousands of participants to downtown Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Erik S. Lesser / Associated Press
This weekend, downtown Atlanta will be bustling with cosplayers, science fiction fans and other fanatics from all over the country. Accomplished filmmakers, artists, actors, writers and puppeteers will be sharing their insights on panels and in workshops at Dragon Con—an annual convention that has planned around 3,500 hours of programming this year.
The convention has been known to attract fans of all ages and interests. There’s plenty for the younger audience to enjoy. Almost every track at Dragon Con has something appropriate for children, Dan Carroll, the event’s media relations director, said. So don’t be afraid to bring your whole family to the convention this year.
Below are six activities your kids can enjoy at Dragon Con.
Annual Dragon Con Parade
The annual Dragon Con Parade is free to the public and begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. At least 3,200 costumed marchers will make their way down Peachtree Street, Carroll said. Arrive early so your family doesn’t miss the action.
Kaleidoscope Track
The Kaleidoscope Track is designed for kids ages 9-13. It focuses on kid-friendly entertainment including TV shows from Disney Channel, Disney XD, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
With events scheduled Friday through Monday, kids and parents can discuss entertainment, hear from famous filmmakers and meet others who share their interests. The track also hosts a couple of workshops Friday and Saturday evening to educate parents on internet safety for their children.
Create-A-Puppet Workshop
This year “Sesame Street” introduced a new Muppet to appear in the children’s TV show’s current season. Her name was Julia, a 4-year-old girl with autism. The puppeteer behind Julia, Stacey Gordon, is coming to Dragon Con this year and will be participating in the Create-A-Puppet Workshop with fans of all ages. The workshop begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and should last at least 20 minutes.
Not all events scheduled in Dragon Con’s Puppetry Track are appropriate for children, but there may be other workshops and panels that children might want to check out.
Space And Science Tracks
Carroll said many families will be interested in the event’s space and science tracks. In the Science Track, kids can look through telescopes and view sunspot activity.
The Space Track is hosting many interesting events, including the Kid’s NASA Workshop, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday.
“Star Wars” Track
The “Star Wars” Track will be hosting a “Younglings Pod Race” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday for younger children. Kids will decorate their own pod made from a cardboard box and then race each other on foot.
The Kaleidoscope Track will also be hosting a discussion on Disney and “Star Wars” Sunday afternoon.
Dragon Con’s Arcade
The Dragon Con Arcade is available for all badge holders, Carroll said. There is no extra charge. Kids can enjoy board games and video game and competitions all weekend long.
Find More Events Through the Dragon Con App
If you’re looking for more kid-friendly events this weekend, you can refer to the free Dragon Con app. Events and their details will be posted in the app, and you can find more information at dragoncon.org.
The Apple app for iOS users can be installed here. Android users can get it here. Click here to view it on a desktop.
“Regardless of the child’s interest,” Carroll said, “Dragon Con will have something to excite the child in all of us!”
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