Looking for things to do with toddlers in Greenville, SC? If you get the urge to take your mini-hurricane out to do fun stuff, we’ve got a list of things that will be 1) easy, 2) entertaining, and 3) designed to wear the little tikes out.
Want more tips, tricks, and resources for raising a tiny human? We’ve got a guide to raising babies and toddlers in Greenville, SC you won’t want to miss!
And if you’re still looking for community, check out our article on 10+ Great Ways to Meet Mom Friends in the Upstate.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Designed for both big and small kids, TCMU really gets it when it comes to entertaining and fascinating children (heck, and adults). They have a special farm-themed area designed for kids under five years old, and their exhibits are very engaging, especially for toddlers. We also love the pretend Publix grocery store, the car racing tracks, and the water tables.
Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery
Swamp Rabbit Cafe is one of my absolute favorite places to go because not only do my kids adore their freshly baked stecca, but their outdoor play area is perfect for hours of imaginative play. And it’s fenced in because….kids. Their coffee is also awesome and they are located right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, so I’ve often taken my kids in the jogging stroller for a run and then let them play after in the kids area.
The Library
Lots of free books, games and toys, and perfect no matter what the weather. I feel like I often overlook the library and I really shouldn’t. The Greenville Library system has tons of story times and free events geared towards smaller kids, which are totally worth checking out on a frequent basis.
Parks and Playgrounds
Greenville is an incredibly family-friendly area and has dozens of parks for kids to get out their energy. There are parks with shade, parks with rubber mats, enclosed playgrounds, and stroller-friendly parks.
Here is our huge Guide to Greenville Parks to help you out as well.
Take Your Toddler Hiking
Their little legs go further than you think and they may love the experience of finding new things outside or choosing their own walking stick (maybe a bad idea…). Here is a great list of places to hike with a toddler. If the weather is bad and you’re just looking for a place to go for a walk and stretch those little legs, consider Well Walkers at Bon Secours.
Enjoy an Art Class at Yellowbobbypins or Bloomhouse Studios
You’ll love enjoying a fun, creative art class at Yellowbobbypins or Bloomhouse Studio. The teachers do such an amazing job facilitating the activities while letting your little one play with paint and enjoy the growing love of art! These weekly classes are perfect for bonding!
Roper Mountain Science Center
The Roper Mountain Science Center has tons of great events all year, like afterschool adventures and Starry Nights Planetarium Shows, but they also have animals on display including touch tanks (probably the closest thing to an aquarium in Greenville), a dinosaur trail, and a pirate themed playground.
Take a Music or Fitness Class
A bunch of places offer free classes when parents want to try out their class. Piano Central Studios offers lots of classes from newborn to age 7. The Little Gym also offers fun classes for babies and toddlers. Check their schedule for a list of current classes.
Toddler Times
There are lots of great ‘tot times’ in the area that have times and days of the week set aside just for the littles to play without fear of getting run over by the big kids. These include places like Acrosmith Gymnastics and Play Cafe at Judson Mill.
Greenville Zoo
A trip to the Greenville Zoo is always fun. It’s small enough that you can get to everything but large enough to be diverse. They also have a great little playground inside the zoo and plenty of family sets – mama, daddy, and baby animals (Orangutangs, Leopards, and Giraffes). The playground outside the park is fantastic as well. You can bring a lunch and make a day of it.
Bass Pro Shops
Neither a hunter nor a fisherman, I still really like Bass Pro Shops and will bring my small children there on a rainy day. They have a little aquarium with lots of cool fish to see plus a large number of animals that have been stuffed and look totally real.
It’s easy to spend time here and let toddlers see the fish and learn about the animals. Sometimes the store will have fun special events where customers can try out some of the gear or Santa will pay a visit. And their fudge is very good if you’re looking for a treat to end the visit.
Barnes & Noble
With story times, a train table, and a café, Barnes & Noble is great place to knock out some time with little kids. Their story times often include a craft as well. See the schedule on their website.
What are your favorite things to do with your toddler in Greenville?
