We try to travel with our family as often as we can. It's getting more challenging with a four-year-old, a two-year-old, and another baby on the way, but we still make time for local adventures! One of our recent favorites was visiting the Sloomoo Institute Atlanta, which was an enjoyable and memorable experience. If you're looking for family-friendly activities in Atlanta, especially something hands-on and unique, this interactive slime museum is a must-visit. I took both of my kids solo, and while I wasn't sure how it would go with a toddler and preschooler in tow, it turned out to be completely manageable. The recommended age is four and up, but my two-year-old was able to tag along and enjoy many of the activities. My youngest is easily overstimulated; he often covers his ears and prefers being held, but he walked through the whole space independently. The only moment that seemed to overwhelm him was during the slime show his older brother joined (which was very fun and theatrical!). Overall, it was a sensory-friendly experience that he handled well.
We kicked things off with a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour, which gave us a look at how the slime is made and packaged. It was such a terrific, hands-on way to start our visit! My oldest was fascinated watching the staff work—he loved learning that the Atlanta location ships out a lot of the slime sold online and produces massive batches every week for all the exhibits like the slime vacs and Sloomoo Falls. He proudly says he wants to be a "slime maker" growing up! The tour also shared some of the touching history behind the Sloomoo Institute. One of the co-founders, Karen Robinovitz, discovered the calming effects of slime while going through a personal loss, and that healing turned into a place for others to find joy through sensory play. It was so inspiring to learn that the experience was born out of love, creativity, and the need for emotional wellness. Something I appreciated as a parent: Sloomoo Institute is very supportive of neurodivergent guests. They offer dedicated sensory-friendly hours, but even outside those times, they provide tools like headsets and nose plugs to help with sound and scent sensitivity. They've put a lot of thought into making the space accessible for all.
After the tour, we each got our slime name based on the fun viral trend where you replace all the vowels in your name with "oo." That's actually where the name "Sloomoo" comes from! My kids found it a little confusing, but they got a kick from hearing the staff call us by our new silly names. Each room was a new experience, and there are over 25 vats of different slimes, each with a unique color, scent, and texture. We had a lot of fun comparing and inspecting them all. My toddler had trouble reaching into the vats independently, but there were stools in every room to help him. I had no idea slime activities could come in so many variations beyond the usual gooey kind we play with at home! The kids also got to custom-make their slime to take home, choosing from textures like snow fizz and butter, then adding colors, scents, and charms from the wall.
One of my toddler's favorite spots was Lake Sloomoo, a pool of super-soft, squishy slime where he got to lie down and play. And yes, we ended up buying one to take home. My oldest loved the slime runway, where you take off your shoes, wipe your feet, and walk (or run) through a strip of slime. All the areas were well-maintained, everything was well-sanitized, and everything was taken care of. The biggest hit of the day was Sloomoo Falls. It's an interactive game-show-style slime drop, and my oldest was SO excited to be slimed. The host had such great energy and made him feel comfortable going up alone. Watching it felt like being on the set of a Nickelodeon game show!
We visited the Atlanta Sloomoo Institute, currently the most prominent location. We heard from staff that more locations are in the works (fingers crossed they bring one closer to our hometown!). Other cities currently include New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, so if you're nearby, be sure to check it out. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, the staff was incredibly kind and welcoming. Even during one of their busiest days, the entire venue felt clean, organized, and easy to explore. This is one of the best things to do in Atlanta with kids, especially if you're into sensory-friendly experiences, STEM-inspired fun, or want a break from the typical museum or play space.
