Children's Museum of Atlanta Announces Retirement of Beloved Ball Machine Ahead of Reimagined Interactive Experience
Tuesday, July 21st, 2026
For generations of Atlanta families, a visit to Children's Museum of Atlanta hasn't been complete without a stop at the Ball Machine. This August, the beloved exhibit will take its final spins as the Museum begins the next phase of its $2.5 million Lilly Endowment Inc.-supported initiative to create new interactive experiences that inspire learning, curiosity and character development through play.
Families are invited to Have a Ball Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, to experience the Ball Machine one last time before it is retired. Throughout the weekend, guests can receive 10% off admission with the code HAVEABALL, enjoy complimentary doughnut holes at the Snack Stop while supplies last and take home a ball from the exhibit as they exit. Orange, white and light blue balls will be available while supplies last.
"Some exhibits become part of a city's childhood, and the Ball Machine is one of them," said Edwin Link, executive director of Children's Museum of Atlanta. "We're grateful for the memories it has created and look forward to introducing a new generation of families to an experience inspired by everything they loved about the original."
The Ball Machine has been a beloved part of the Museum experience since Children’s Museum of Atlanta opened its current location in 2003, delighting generations of guests among the more than 3.8 million visitors who have explored the Museum over the years. The attraction remained in place through the Museum’s 2015 renovation by popular demand, and its reimagined replacement will preserve the fun mechanics and interactive play families love.
Following the Ball Machine's retirement, the area will temporarily close while preparations begin for a series of rotating pop-up experiences. The first installation, Outside the Box, is expected to open before Labor Day weekend, with additional experiences planned ahead of the debut of the Museum's reimagined Ball Machine in 2027.
The transformation is part of the Museum's broader Lilly Endowment initiative announced in 2025, which is designed to help children and caregivers discover and strengthen positive character traits – including compassion, neighborliness, perseverance, curiosity and critical thinking – through immersive exhibits, workshops and at-home resources.
Families have until Aug. 2 to experience the Ball Machine before construction begins. As the Museum prepares for its next chapter, families are invited to share favorite memories, photos and traditions inspired by the Ball Machine. More details about farewell activities will be announced in the coming weeks.
