6 evenings out for all ages in your holiday family group

By Rose Kennedy, for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Of course, you love each other and you want to have a warm, glowing holiday experience. But when you’ve got an all-ages group of 10 or more during the holidays, you might be seeking an outside-the-house experience. This not only saves sanity, but it can also offer that experience that trumps all gifts. Where to start? These places welcome large groups of all ages in Atlanta:

Panola Mountain State Park December events

2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge. 770-389-7801.

Unlike a lot of family-friendly spots near Atlanta, Panola doesn’t wind down in December. It still offers numerous opportunities for the extended family to head into the outdoors together for fresh air and maybe even a new hobby. A few examples of its “December is for state parks, too” approach: A rain or shine guided hike on Saturday, Dec. 7 or Sunday, Dec. 15 ($10 admission); intro to tree climbing Saturday, Dec. 21 (for ages 8 and up) and a Sunset Mountain Hike complete with s’ mores on Dec. 28 ($15 admission).