10 Indoor Activities In and Around Clemson, SC for Families

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Are you looking for indoor things to do in Clemson, SC? Need to keep your kids busy and entertained on rainy or unbearably hot days? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered up ten great indoor places to visit in and around Clemson, SC.

Things to do indoors in Clemson, SC

When it’s super hot in the summer or rainy, it’s hard not to default to staying at home. However, if you are like me, another day spent in the house might make you scream. I try hard not to let my child watch TV for hours on end, but there are only so many Pinterest ideas I am crafty enough to create with my little guy. 

Here are some great ideas of things to do to get your cooped-up kids out of the house in and around the Clemson area.

Indoor Things to Do in Clemson, SC

Glazed Pottery

If your children love to paint, Glazed is one of the funniest things to do in Clemson, SC with kids. It is a great way to bring out their inner Picasso.  Located in Clemson, there is a wide array of paint-your-own pottery pieces at different price levels for your children to choose from.

Also, for a fun ladies night out, Glazed also offers paint-your-own canvas nights. Get a group of girlfriends together and enjoy a relaxed night out painting your very own picture. Be sure to follow their Facebook page for details.

Glazed pottery studio in Clemson, SC

Oconee Lanes

Bowling is a fun and affordable day out for children of all ages.  Oconee Lanes is located in Seneca, just a ten-minute drive from Clemson.  They provide children’s sized shoes and balls, as well as bumpers for the lanes.  This bowling alley also provides ramps for the littlest bowlers who need help getting the ball down the lane.

The Library

We are surrounded by some amazing libraries in this area.  The Central-Clemson Regional Branch Library is one of many libraries in this area that offer children’s programs on a regular basis. Some examples of the programs include Wiggles and Giggles, Preschool Story Time, and Lego Story Builders.

The Oconee County Library System has similar programs for small children as well as teens. Be sure to check out your local library for specific times for these wonderful programs. 

If a program doesn’t interest you let your little ones pick out a few books off the shelf, curl up in a comfy chair, and enjoy some precious moments on a cold or rainy day. Check out the websites for the Pickens County and Oconee County library systems for more information.

Pickens County Library in Pickens, SC

Restaurants with Indoor Playgrounds

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, visiting a restaurant with an indoor playground is a win-win for the family. Children love playing in the indoor playgrounds, and someone else gets to do the cooking!

There are a few choices in the greater Clemson area, including Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s. Speaking from personal experience, the Chick-fil-A playground is for younger children and the McDonald’s playground is for older children.

Chick-fil-a Seneca also offers special date nights for you and your children as well as other special events.

Swimming at the Central-Clemson Recreation Center

Do your children love to swim? The Central Clemson Recreation Center offers day passes for families who enjoy swimming and they are available year-round. They have a lap pool, a therapy pool, and lifeguards on duty.  Day passes for ages 6 and older are $7 and $5  for 3-5-year-olds. Kids under the age of 3 get in free.

Central Clemson Recreation Center, Clemson, SC

Sweet Retreat Fun Center

This is an all-in-one family fun center, including laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, an arcade, and an ice cream parlor. It is located in Walhalla, just twenty minutes from Clemson. Laser tag and ice cream are the perfect combinations to get your kiddos out of the house and run off some energy.

They run daily specials as well, different ones for Monday through Thursday. You can find these specials, as well as updates on their Sweet Retreat Fun Center Facebook page.

Clemson Arts Center

Does your child want to be the next Van Gogh, or would love to try making clay pottery at the wheel? The Clemson Arts Center offers a wide variety of classes for the children in the community. There are classes for preschool-age children as well as several options for older children.

The Arts Center also offers after-school art classes for school-age children. Looking for something fun for your kids for summer break? Check out the summer art camps that they are offering. The classes and costs are all available on their website. Please be aware that preregistration is required for every class.

Clemson Arts Center in Clemson, SC

Duke World of Energy

The World of Energy, located at the Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca, is a fun way to teach your little ones about electricity. This is a free activity that will entertain your kids for hours. You can explore the Story of Energy, a self-guided tour with so many interactive exhibits that your children won’t even realize they are learning.

There is also a video game area that tests your children’s knowledge about electricity, as well as a play table for younger visitors. This is such a fun and free way to spend a rainy day with your kids.

Duke World of Energy, Seneca, SC

Central Railway Museum

If you have a train lover in your house, this is the place for you! The Central Railway Museum is located in downtown Central. It is now open each Saturday of the month from 9 am – 2 pm, but you can stop by and see if anyone is there during the week.

This is a small building that is filled with running model trains and work crews working on new tracks and very elaborate scenes.  Your children will be delighted to see the trains speed by! They have an annual train show in February that the whole family can enjoy as well.

Central Railway Model Trail Museum, Clemson, SC

Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina

This hidden gem sits across from the Tri-County Technical College Campus in Pendleton. The agricultural museum currently has all indoor exhibits which are perfect for a rainy or really hot day. It is of the funniest things to do in Clemson, SC with kids.

Some of the hands-on exhibits that kids can interact with include corn shelling, Clarabelle the milking cow, water pumping, weaving, and spinning. They are currently working on expanding their exhibits outdoors as well.

They focus on historic practices in agriculture, as well as the future of sustainable farming. The museum is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. Admission is $3 for anyone 6 years old and older, with a limit of $10 per household.

Bonus: Bowling at the Underground Recreation Center at Clemson University

Located in the Edgar A. Brown University Union building, the Clemson bowling alley can accommodate children with small shoe sizes, small bowling balls, and bumpers. The alley has ten lanes, and you must make a reservation if you want to bowl there Monday – Thursday.

This article was originally written by Marissa McFarland and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

parks with swings
About the Author
How does Kidding Around® bring readers high-quality and up-to-date content month after month and season after season? We have a dedicated team of writers and editors who regularly update our fabulous content to keep it current and relevant for our readers. This team combs lists of events, heads out into the community to experience new Upstate offerings, and communicates with local businesses. Many of our updated articles and event lists, like this one, reflect the contributions and hard work of multiple Kidding Around® team members.

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Adam Smith
5 years ago

You should check out the Bob Campbell Geology Museum inside the SC Botanical Garden.

Jennifer
1 year ago

Clemson CFA and McD do not have playgrounds