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iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival: The Interactive Festival You Won’t Want to Miss

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 2 Comments

Has your family visited the STEAM festival, iMAGINE Upstate?  iMAGINE Upstate STEAM Festival is a free, interactive festival held annually in downtown Greenville. The 2024 iMAGINE UPstate Festival will be on Saturday, April 6th, 2024 so head to Main Street from 11 am to 5 pm. The outdoor festival is free, family-friendly, and will inspire your kids (and you) to learn about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

iMAGINE Upstate

The festival features more than 75 interactive exhibits and stage shows along Main Street in Downtown Greenville. The festival stretches from Main Street and Court Street and ends at Main Street and River Street. Free parking is available at the Richardson Garage and W. Washington Parking Deck. Trolleys will shuttle visitors throughout the festival. Or, ride the bus with your kids (they will think it’s so cool!) You can follow the Real-Time Bus Tracker app to find out where the bus is and where to be picked up and dropped off.

Thank you to iMAGINE Upstate for sponsoring this content.

Featured Exhibits at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

There will be dozens of exhibits from local organizations and companies that are grounded in STEAM backgrounds, including BMW Manufacturing, GE, ScanSource, World Explorers, and so many more! You can find a full list of sponsors and exhibitors on the iMAGINE Upstate Festival website. Exhibitors will have unique STEAM based demonstrations, crafts, and hands-on learning opportunities that will engage both you and your children. All of the activities are free, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of thinkers, tinkerers, and brilliant minds!

Coolers, pets, skateboards, skates, and bikes will not be allowed in the festival area. This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free festival too.

iMAGINE Upstate Festival
Some of the fun happening at the festival

Some of the Exhibitors to Visit at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

Kyocera-AVX : How do Electronics Work?

Take a look at science and technology and their usage in electronics by observing physics and the relationship between electricity, magnetism, power storage, and more!

Dodge Industrial: Friction!

See if you can fight the friction on different surfaces. Can you dodge a windmill to get your golf ball into the hole? Ever wonder how a conveyor belt works and maintains an optimal speed? Find out at this exhibit.

NCEES: Build an Earthquake Resistant Structure

Learn about why earthquakes happen and engineer a structure to resist an earthquake.

Food Trucks at iMAGINE Upstate 2024

There will be food trucks on-site at iMAGINE Upstate, including HipBurger, Luckei D’s Cafe, The Snickering Coyote, and Clare’s Creamery. You can find everything that the festival has to offer, including additional information, on the iMAGINE Upstate interactive map. And don’t forget to visit the Info Tents to pick up your free goodie bag and brochure with site map.

Find more information on the iMAGINE Upstate website and the iMAGINE Upstate Event page.

The event will happen rain or shine.

About iMAGINE Upstate
iMAGINE Upstate fueled by ScanSource is a program of the Upstate SC STEM Collaborative and part of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University. Its mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and professional growth with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in South Carolina. For more information visit www.iMAGINEUpstate.org and follow on Facebook and @imagineupstate on Twitter. #iMAGINEif

Also, see our list of the best family festivals in Greenville this spring.

Upstate, SC Birds: Birds and Birding at Conestee Nature Preserve

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 1 Comment

Have a love for the birds of Upstate, SC? My family enjoys visiting Conestee Nature Preserve not just because of its wonderful play areas but for its easy trails that are teeming with wildlife, especially birds. I didn’t realize until recently that Conestee Nature Preserve is an Upstate, SC birds watcher paradise with over 200 different species of birds.

Birds and birding at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

I’m so excited that Paul Serridge from the Greenville County Bird Club has agreed to share with us more about the birds at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve and the presentations and free guided bird walks that they offer to the Greenville Community. All of the following photos are taken by local Greenville County Bird Club member Don Faulkner and depict birds that you can look for at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve.

Birding at Conestee Nature Preserve

Are you interested in birds and want to know more?

Cedar Waxwing bird at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Cedar Waxwing (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Cedar Waxwing

There are currently 1138 species of birds on the ABA (American Birding Association) checklist for the area covered by the Continental US and Canada.

Wood Duck at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Wood Duck (Photo Credit: Don Faulker) – learn more about the Wood Duck

There are 472 species on the official bird list for South Carolina.

And….there are 226 species on the checklist for Conestee Nature Preserve birds of Upstate, SC that live right here in Greenville. Use this Conestee Nature Preserve Bird Checklist.

Red-shouldered Hawk at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Red-shouldered Hawk (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Red-shouldered Hawk

In other words, a birding bonanza is right here on your doorstep in Greenville, SC. Of course, many of the birds found at Conestee are common and some will visit backyard feeders or eat insects from your yard. The accompanying photographs by Don Faulkner show some of the species regularly found in the park but which many people are not aware of in our local area.

Killdeer at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Killdeer (Photo Credit: Don Faulkner) – learn more about the Killdeer

Some common birds of South Carolina you may catch a glimpse of at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve include Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinals, Chipping Sparrows, Blue Jay, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Brown Headed Nuthatch, Red Shoulder Hawk, Mourning Dove, European Starling, American Robin, and the star of the park, the Great Blue Heron. Many of these birds can be seen in fall and winter, so you can visit any time of year and still go birding at Conestee Nature Preserve.

Free Guided Bird Walks at Conestee Nature Preserve*

The Greenville County Bird Club (GCBC) offers free guided bird walks on the third Saturday of each month at Conestee Nature Preserve (CNP).  Details can be found on the outings page of the GCBC website. Check the website before heading out, because the club occasionally adds walks or changes the weekend.  It is not necessary to be a GCBC member to participate. (Please note that minor children should be accompanied by an adult.)

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker at Conestee Nature Preserve

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Photo Credit: Don Faulker) – learn more about the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Birding Events at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

In addition to exploring the beauty of the Preserve, you can also participate in any of their events. They offer small Community Events and Youth Programs. Their Annual Events are larger in size and include Hops & Herons in the fall and the Great Blue Gathering in the Spring. They also offer occasional bird-watching events. You can stay tuned to their Events page for more details.

Blue Heron nests at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve
Blue Heron Nest at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Lake Conestee Nature Preserve

Check out our full Conestee Nature Preserve Guide before heading out on your bird-watching trip.

More Birding Opportunities

Want to see an incredible hawk migration? You can visit Caesar’s Head in the fall for the hawk watch.

Caesars Head
Sassafras Observation Tower

Sassafras Mountain is another great place to catch the fall hawk migration.

Have you been birding at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve? We love seeing the Blue Heron nests!

8 Awesome Park Playgrounds Greenville, SC: Your Kids Will Beg Not to Leave

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 39 Comments

If you are looking for a fun park day, then here are the best parks with playgrounds Greenville, SC has! They are free, offer kids a chance to run and play, and also provide great lunch or play-date locations. We have tried to visit as many playgrounds in the Greater Greenville area as possible, and these are our Top park playgrounds in Greenville. These park playgrounds are based on unique play structures, imaginative themes, and scenic surroundings.

8 best park playgrounds in Greenville, South Carolina
Kids Planet
Herdklotz Park
Cleveland Park
Runway Park
Conestee Park
Simpsonville City Park
Unity Park
Trailblazer Park

Best Outdoor Playgrounds Greenville, SC

You voted, and here are the 2024 KABOOM Award-Winning Outdoor Playgrounds in Greenville, SC!

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20+ Free or Cheap Things to Do in Spartanburg, SC

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 3 Comments

Are you looking for free things to do in Spartanburg, SC? Do you have an idea in your head that doing something fun with your kids in Spartanburg is going to cost money (and probably a lot of it)? We are setting the record correct today once and for all: Spartanburg has tons of fun free things to do and even more that are really cheap.

free things to do in Spartanburg, SC
Things to do in Spartanburg, SC

And here’s where you can find a giant list of things to do in Spartanburg, SC!

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100+ Things to Do Over Spring Break: Greenville, SC

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 3 Comments

Are you looking for the perfect way to keep those kids busy during Spring Break? Greenville has so much to do, you’ll never be bored! Spring Break for public schools in Greenville County is from March 18th to March 22nd, 2024. We have a list of things to do over Spring Break including day trips and great places to visit.

Things to do over Spring Break
Spring Break Camps
Free Things to Do Over Spring Break
Trip Ideas During Spring Break
Local Places to Go During Spring Break

This list focuses on things to do that are appropriate for families with school-age children, so while there will still be activities listed that are appropriate for smaller kids, we didn’t include activities that are only for toddlers or preschoolers. The best place to find those activities is our Greenville calendar.

Looking for more about spring break in Greenville? Go to our Ultimate Guide to Spring Break in Greenville for things to do, budget-friendly ideas, local travel, and more.

Things to Do in Greenville, SC.

For more great adventures, see our huge list of Things to Do Near Greenville and Upstate SC

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10 Cheap Birthday Party Ideas in Greenville, SC for $100 or Less

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 9 Comments

Are you looking for cheap birthday party options or free places to have a birthday party for your child in Greenville, SC? Birthdays on a budget are totally possible. Here’s a list of local birthday party venues and services that cost less than $100 (some are even free).

Birthday Party Guide, Upstate, SC

For even more birthday party ideas be sure to see our Ultimate Guide to Birthday Parties in Upstate, SC.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the work involved in throwing a birthday party completely by yourself at home but don’t have the budget to spend hundreds on a venue or entertainment?

No worries! Here’s our list of cheap and inexpensive birthday parties to the rescue. We have several ideas for venues and entertainers that offer budget options under $100. Some of these parties are almost free and others include a venue and entertainment for a low fee.

This article does include information about our sponsors as well as other reader-recommended businesses in Greenville. Prices and details may change without notice.

Cheap Birthday Party Ideas: Greenville, SC

Mini Golf Party Package at McPherson Park

McPherson Park has a free and beautiful mini-golf course. So gather a few friends, some putters, and balls, enjoy the park, and make party planning easy. And, for just $75 you can have the City of Greenville help out with their Mini Golf Party Package! The package includes 20 putters, 20 balls, scorecards, and pencils. You can reserve your package on the City of Greenville reservation website. There are also shelters to rent, or if your party is small, there is ample shade to spread some blankets for a birthday picnic or tea party.

Free mini-golf at McPherson Park in Greenville, SC

Local Parks

A popular way in the warmer months to save money on a birthday party is to rent a picnic shelter near a fun playground. The price is typically dependent on the area and the size of the pavilion, so a good way to save money is to look for small shelters at the nicer parks. Some great choices are:

Runway Park – Greenville’s Downtown Airport’s Runway Park shelter is popular due to its location right beside an active runway and its airplane-themed playground. The small shelter rents for just $90 for a two-hour rental on Fridays-Sundays to $60 for a three-hour rental on Mondays-Thursdays.

This playground is very hot and has little shade though so plan an evening party if your party is in one of the hottest months of the year, otherwise, you may find it too hot to really enjoy the play equipment.

See our review of Runway Park for more information.

Kids Planet at Century Park in Greer is also a great park to have your next affordable birthday party. They rent several picnic shelters in various sizes that are budget-friendly, all of which are located beside all the playgrounds. Your kids can play around the parks and come back for pizza and drinks at the picnic table. Shelter rental prices range from $20-$30 for small or large shelters if you are a resident of Greer, and $30-$40 for nonresidents. Rentals are for 2-hour time slots and must be reserved ahead of time.

Of course, there are many, many more picnic shelters available in town. You can find a complete list of the websites for information on these shelters in our Birthday Party Guide to Greenville.

There are also several Community Centers available for not much more than $100. One reader mentioned that the Bobby Pearse Community Center was great and even came with a kitchen and easy access to a playground.

Fire Stations

Some fire stations offer birthday parties for free, though a donation is typically requested. The best way to determine if your local fire station offers this benefit is just to call and ask. Plus, what kid doesn’t love a firefighter birthday party theme? Please note that this list is subject to change, but these local fire stations have allowed birthday parties in the past, though pricing is unknown.

Pepsi Party Pack

If you have a child turning 6, don’t forget to pick up their Pepsi Party Pack. This free special package is filled with tickets to area attractions and also includes supplies for a Pepsi Party. It’s completely free but there are only specific days that you can claim it. It comes with some simple party favors like soda, pencils, tattoos, and balloons to create the perfect birthday party at home.

Climb@Blue Ridge

KAG-Reader-recommended Climb@Blue Ridge offers parties at $12 per person with a minimum of 8 people. Bring your birthday cake or ice cream and party decor and enjoy 1 hour of climbing and 30 minutes of cake and presents at your kid’s next birthday bash!

Greenville Zoo

Though the Greenville Zoo is currently restructuring its birthday party packages, a cheaper and more informal option for a birthday is to purchase Greenville Zoo tickets. You can purchase adult tickets for $12 each, and children’s tickets for $9 each online. For a small birthday party of 5 kids and 4 adults, the total would be less than $100, and the zoo activities will make for a special day.

The adjoining Cleveland Park also has several small shelters (not the large ones right beside the big playground) available to rent for as little as $60/day or $40/half day.

Craft Stores

If you have a group of craft lovers looking for a place to create, then ReCraft Creative Reuse Center may be a good option for your kid’s birthday party. The center does not have birthday party packages specifically, but for a nominal fee of $7 per crafter, your kids can create from a collection of over 100 loose parts materials. Reservations can be made for up to 10 crafters by calling ahead of time.

Recraft Creative ReUse Center in Greenville, South Carolina

Find out why we LOVE ReCraft Greenville in our Kidding Around Review!

Restaurants

Several fast-food restaurants offer party packages or will allow you to reserve a table and bring in a cake if you make prior arrangements for a simple birthday celebration.

Birthday Party policies and offerings vary from location to location, but Chick-fil-A is also a popular place to host a kids’ birthday. Their Taylors, SC Wade Hampton location has an indoor playground, which would be a good option for smaller parties.

SC State Park

An interesting birthday party idea for families who love the outdoors is visiting a SC State Park! You can have a huge picnic, and in the summer months play on the sandy beach at places like Paris Mountain State Park or Table Rock State Park.

Admission varies by location, but it is typically less than $20 for a family of 4. Plus, if anyone is a SC All Parks Passport holder, you can get your carload in for free! Paris Mountain State Park is a great option! It has a sandy beach, playground, large green space, easy hiking trails for kids around Lake Placid, and even volleyball. You’ll have the perfect birthday party relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying your friends and family.

Carolina Cheer

This indoor gym offers birthday parties for a gym venue rental fee + $6/child so if you have 10 kids, the cost is less than $100. Parents can bring in anything they like and Carolina Cheer provides tables, chairs, and tablecloths. They are located in Greer. *Note: We are still waiting on pricing confirmation or changes for 2024. Please contact Carolina Cheer directly for pricing.

Cleveland Park

If you live on the Spartanburg side of the Upstate, be sure to also check out our list of Inexpensive Birthday Parties in Spartanburg.

What inexpensive birthday party packages would you recommend in Greenville?

Partner with Upstate SC’s Top Family Website

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 9 Comments

“Kidding Around is my go-to source for all things kids and family. It is an invaluable resource and asset to the community!” ~ Kidding Around Greenville reader

If you’re interested in connecting with local families in the Upstate, showcasing your business, event, or service, you’ve come to the right place. Kidding Around Media is an established entity with a highly engaged audience and readership.

Just Ask Parents Who They Follow!

Kidding Around Greenville stands out in the Upstate with its strong social media presence on both Facebook and Instagram. Our pages are known for their strong engagement, creative content, and thriving audiences.

What Sets Kidding Around Media Apart in the Upstate

Our Content Is Local, Comprehensive, and Unique

Our content is more than lists, reviews, and guides. All our writers are local parents. We write about what we love, what our kids love, and all the wonderful places to make memories together to last a lifetime. We are competitive, knowledgeable, and experienced and love nothing more than to show our readers all the cool things to do in town, write about the unique offerings of local businesses, and pass on our experiences to locals and visitors alike. 

“Awesome site for comprehensive information about events, family friendly businesses, and things to do in Greenville.” ~Kidding Around Greenville Reader

Your Ads Directly Reach Parents that Live in Upstate SC

Stretching your dollars matter. And with Kidding Around Media, your ad budget will go further than anywhere else because you’ll be reaching your target customers and making meaningful and lasting connections with them. 

If this sounds like something up your alley, shoot us an email – sales@kiddingaroundgreenville.com. We can customize any of our offerings and create a partner package that works for you and accomplishes the goals you’ve set. 

Is your business regional? We’d love to partner with you as well! We have done dozens of reviews of kid-friendly businesses, including hotels, attractions, and adventures, within driving distance in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. See our Travel page for a sampling of places we like to visit and write about!

We Work with Over 100 Local Partners Every Year with a High Retention Rate

We’ve partnered with hundreds of businesses and organizations over the past eight years, including The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, YCMA of Greenville, and Christ Church Episcopal School.

Request Our Complete Media Kit

Part of the Minority Business Accelerator 2022 Cohort

Grab Your 6 Year Old’s Pepsi Party Pack in Greenville, SC!

Posted on by Bethany Winston | 54 Comments

It’s a Greenville tradition of 50+ years to pick up a Pepsi birthday Party Pack! Have a little one turning 6 this year? One thing that I love about raising my family in the same city that I grew up in is the shared experiences that my kids and I have from our childhoods.

The free Pepsi Party Pack is one of those special experiences that crosses both of our generations. I remember our excitement as kids when each of us received our Pepsi Party Pack at age 6. Watching my own 6-year-old experience the same excitement was double fun!

Pepsi Party Pack in Greenville, SC for 6 year olds.

Pepsi of Greenville is a Kidding Around Greenville Sponsor.

What is the Pepsi Party Pack?

When a child turns 6 in Greenville or Laurens counties, the Pepsi Plant in Greenville awards that child with a FREE Pepsi birthday party pack, which comes in a cool box and includes:

  • 12 Pepsi Cans
  • 12 Pepsi Balloons (not inflated)
  • 12 Pepsi Pencils
  • 12 Pepsi Tattoos
  • A Pepsi party birthday certificate

These items could be used for a party or just a fun treat for your kids!

How do you get your Party Pack?

It’s easy to pick up your Pepsi Party Pack in Greenville, SC. Just bring your child’s birth certificate to the office located at 751 State Park Road, Greenville, SC 29609.

  • Pepsi Party Packs are available the month of or the month after your child’s 6th birthday.
  • The Party Packs are available during the first full week of the month between 1–5 pm, M-F.
  • Park in front of the building and enter through the front office.

Dates for 2024 Pepsi Party Pack: Greenville, SC Location

  • January 2nd-5th, 2024
  • February 5th-9th, 2024
  • March 4th-8th, 2024
  • April 1st-5th, 2024
  • May 6th-10th, 2024
  • June 3rd-7th, 2024
  • July 1st-5th, 2024(Closed Independence Day, July 4th)
  • August 5th-9th, 2024
  • September 3rd-6th, 2024
  • October 7th-11th, 2024
  • November 4th-8th, 2024
  • December 2nd-6th, 2024

If you have any questions, call the Pepsi Bottling Plant at 864.242.6041.

Have your kids picked up a Pepsi Birthday Party Pack? What did you think?!

Birthday Party Guide, Upstate, SC

Plan the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER with Greenville’s Ultimate Guide to Upstate, SC Birthday Parties!

Greenville Guides

Family Fun in Greenville, SC

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