Got an hour or two to take a walk on the wild side at the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, SC? The Greenville Zoo offers a quick and easy zoo experience. While not large, it includes many animals kids love, and it’s an easy activity even if you only have an hour or two. Here’s all you need to know to plan your visit.
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YMCA Camp Greenville Family Camps: Come One, Come All
Looking for the perfect summer camp for your family? YMCA Camp Greenville family camp options offer multiple camps to spend time outdoors together, including the Spectrum & Stargazers Camp for kids who have Down Syndrome or Autism and their families.
Thanks to our partner YMCA of Greenville for sponsoring Kidding Around.
YMCA of Greenville has owned and operated Camp Greenville for 110 years. With 1,400 acres, a mountaintop setting located directly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and multiple adventurous programs for members of all ages, Camp Greenville provides unforgettable experiences and a lifetime of memories.
Spectrum & Stargazers: YMCA Camp Greenville Family Camp is for families with members who have Down Syndrome or Autism
Following the example of Christ, the Y builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In this spirit, Camp Greenville offers Spectrum & Stargazers Family Camp for families with members who have Down Syndrome or Autism over a weekend in both the Spring and Fall. Activities are steered towards parent and child participation, all while providing a fun and safe environment to have unforgettable family adventures alongside others who understand how amazingly unique and talented we all are in our own different ways.
Bridget Walter, whose daughter Addi has Down Syndrome, looks forward to participating in Stargazer Camp with her family year after year. She says, “Stargazers is more than a camp. It’s a community of families, camp counselors, and staff who truly ‘get it’. It’s a time and place where individuals with special needs, along with their siblings and parents can unwind, have fun, and enjoy connecting with others on a similar journey in life. At this camp, you can 100% be yourself, go at your own pace, and create your own adventure! You will find accommodations and acceptance for all ages and abilities. I’ve always said if you could bottle up and share the energy, enthusiasm, love, support, and smiles from the weekend, it would make the world a better place. My daughter, Addi, says her favorite part of the weekend is the talent show. She and her sister also look forward to canoeing, archery, crafts, hiking, and square dancing.”
“Stargazers is more than a camp. It’s a community …”
Bridget Walter, parent
YMCA Camp Greenville has a Prisma Health Center on campus
Something that makes Camp Greenville unique is its state-of-the-art Prisma Health Center on campus. When camp is in session, the center is staffed 24/7 with Prisma Health RNs, paramedics, and a health center coordinator. This feature helps parents feel at ease knowing that there are qualified health professionals onsite to help with something as small as a scraped knee to managing more complicated issues so that all children can experience the joy of camp.
When is Spectrum & Stargazers Family Camp?
The YMCA Camp Greenville Family Camp spring weekend for Spectrum & Stargazers is scheduled for May 5-7, 2023, and the Fall weekend is scheduled for September 15-17, 2023.
How Do You Register?
To register or learn more, visit Camp Greenville’s website.
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YMCA Camp Greenville
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120+ Summer Camps Near Greenville
More resources for families with special needs in the Upstate.
Beyond stacks & storytimes: Check out Greenville County Library System’s Download & Stream services
Can’t go to the library but need something new to read, watch or listen? The Greenville County Library System has a large offering of digital content. You can borrow e-books, audio books, movies and more right from your computer, phone or tablet. Find out about the apps the library uses and what you can borrow using them.
Christmas Dinner 2022 Near Greenville, SC: These Restaurants Are Open!
Looking for restaurants for Christmas in Greenville, SC? We have a list of places to eat open on Christmas Day! If a catered Christmas meal or dinner out in Greenville this Christmas would make your holiday a little merrier, this is the list for you. Consider dining out or ordering in from a local restaurant for all of your fixings!
Our list has restaurants offering dine-in service, full take-out meals, and even restaurants where you can just grab a turkey, a ham, or a few sides to supplement your own home-cooked meal. There are lots of great restaurant options in Greenville to make some delicious Christmas dreams come true. Most of our local grocery stores are also offering Christmas items for pickup.
Celebrate the holidays in Greenville! Find holiday events, restaurants, pies, and more in our Holiday Guide.
(more…)35+ Christmas Parades (2022) to Captivate Your Kids Near Greenville, SC
Thinking about bringing the family to a Christmas Parade? You really can’t beat the tradition of attending a Christmas Parade with your kids. It might be a little bit nippy but thankfully we live in the Upstate where early December isn’t typically bone-chilling cold. Grab your jackets, lawn chairs, and maybe a mug of hot cider to check out this list of Christmas Parades in Greenville, Spartanburg, and nearby areas!
If you don’t see your town’s parade in the list under Greenville or Spartanburg, scroll all the way to the calendar listings. There are a lot of parades this year and we have tried to list as many as we could find.
This article includes:
Christmas Parades Near Greenville, SC
Christmas Parades Near Spartanburg, SC
More Christmas Parades in the Upstate and Western North Carolina
Tips for Attending a Christmas Parade With Kids
Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Break in Spartanburg, SC
Looking for something fun to do with friends and family over Thanksgiving break in Spartanburg? Local mom India Menon offers ideas for Thanksgiving family-fun activities in Spartanburg. Whatever the weather or your family’s interests, there is something for everyone.
- Need something to do indoors? Here’s our huge list of things to do and places to play indoors in Spartanburg!
- If you’ll be in Greenville this Thanksgiving season, check out Things to Do over Thanksgiving Break in Greenville
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Spartanburg! Find things to do, restaurants, pies, and more in our Spartanburg Thanksgiving Guide.
In our household, in addition to eating a filling home-cooked meal, Thanksgiving means making memories with family and friends. If you’re looking for ways to have fun together in the Spartanburg area during Thanksgiving week, here are some ideas to consider.
Note: Because schedules are always subject to change, be sure to call locations ahead of time to double-check event details and/or hours of operation.
Explore at TCMU-Spartanburg
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Spartanburg is always a fun option for families with young kids. The museum is designed for children under the age of 5 and also includes Toddler Zones for guests under the age of 18 months. During Thanksgiving week, the museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The museum is in the heart of downtown Spartanburg at 130 Magnolia Street. Admission is $7 for SC residents and tickets can be purchased in advance. Members and children aged 6 months and under are free.
Get Outside
Whether you like the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, the feel of brisk cold rushing through your lungs, or enjoy a good old-fashioned leaf fight, Spartanburg and the Upstate offer a variety of outdoor venues for exploring, exercising, and playing. Hatcher Garden and Cleveland Park are two of our favorite outdoor spots in Spartanburg and Croft State Park is on my list of places to check out.
For more hiking options, check out the Kidding Around Ultimate Guide to Upstate Hiking for Families & Children. If parks and playgrounds are more your speed, check out this list of Spartanburg County Parks and Facilities.
Get Moving!
My family gets some exercise during holiday breaks and Spartanburg does not disappoint in that regard. In addition to a variety of outdoor spaces, Spartanburg offers roller skating, bowling, indoor trampolining, indoor rock climbing, and indoor bounce houses. For these and other indoor activities, check out our Indoor Guide to Spartanburg.
Turkey Trot
Spartanburg’s USC Upstate hosts the Gobble Your Giblets 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Thanksgiving morning. 2022 information will be available soon. Runners will also take to the streets of downtown Spartanburg for the Annual United Community Bank Turkey Day 8K. Most of these races benefit local charities. Runners and walkers also earn cool swag like race t-shirts, finisher medals, and giveaways. In most cases, strollers are welcome. Register sooner than later!
Lighten Up
A family friend reminded me of a self-guided tour of the Lighten Up lightbulb sculptures that decorate downtown Spartanburg. A walking tour of these 30 bright bulbs is a good way to get in some exercise and/or do some important holiday-related window shopping.
Shop Til You Drop
If shopping is on your agenda, there are plenty of options for shopping local. Our Spartanburg Ultimate Shopping Guide promises something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
Wild About Lights
Friday following Thanksgiving is the kickoff for a bunch of the Holiday Light displays! The Kidding Around Driving Routes of Upstate, SC Christmas Light Displays is a fun way to start the holiday season. Head out to view some FREE lights, and don’t forget to submit yours if you go all out!
Volunteer
In addition to crafting our first gratitude turkey this fall, my family will explore ways to give thanks by giving back to our community. Spartanburg offers a wide range of volunteering options for families. Learn more about volunteering opportunities in Spartanburg.
Check Out The Things on The Kidding Around Event Calendar
Spartanburg Events
november, 2022
Greenville Events
- Disney Junior Live on Tour: Costume Palooza
- Yuletide Unicorn Festival with Santa
- Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at SCCT
- Christmas at the Farm: Arran Farms
For more fun things to do the week of Thanksgiving, and every day, head to the Kidding Around Event Calendar!
Greenville Zoo: Go Globetrotting at Zoo Tots in Greenville, SC
Do you know about the Zoo Tots program at the Greenville Zoo? Zoo Tots is a great way to liven up your preschooler’s weekend. With storytime, plenty of sensory play, and a meeting with a zoo animal, Zoo Tots is sure to have something that your child will enjoy! Kidding Around’s India and her 3-year old went to a recent Zoo Tots and a good time was had by all! Read on to find out about the Zoo Tots program and how you can sign-up!
(more…)Piano Central Studios Prepares Your Budding Musician for Music Lesson Success (& Fun!)
Want your child to learn the beauty of music? Kidding Around had a lively chat with Theresa Case, owner of Piano Central Studios, about why any time is the right time to learn – and make! – music. Thank you to Piano Central Studios for sponsoring this article!
(more…)India Day Celebrates Sites, Sounds, & Flavors of India
Want to introduce your family to the culture of India? If you have never been to the India Day Celebration, you will not want to miss this year’s celebration.
On Saturday, August 20, 2022, the India Association of Greenville hosts its 6th annual India Day and celebrates the 76th India Independence Day. Events for the day will take place at the TD Stage Wyche Pavillion at the Peace Center in Downtown Greenville and all activities are FREE. The event starts at 9 AM and goes until 10 PM.
Greenville Goat Yoga: Attend a Fun-filled Yoga Class with Goats in Greenville, SC
Looking Greenville goat yoga? Or perhaps just a fun-filled way to burn calories? When you combine yoga with goats, your face will hurt from smiling afterward. Kidding Around contributor India spent an hour with Greenville Goat Yoga and got the scoop on what to expect when you sign up for a class with a seasoned yoga teacher and a small team of goats.
(more…)Greenville Guides
- Birthday Parties
- Preschools and Daycare
- Private Schools
- Greenville County Schools
- After School Care
- Summer Camps
- Things to Do Inside
- Homeschool
- Classes, Activities, and Sports
- Moving to Greenville
- Healthcare in Greenville
- Dental Care in Greenville
- Special Needs
- Baby and Maternity
- Greenville Parks
- Field Trips
- Christmas Trees
- KABOOM Awards: Greenville's Best
- U-Pick Apples and Apple Orchards