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Author Archive

This is Where Kids Can Get Free Breakfast and Lunch This Summer Near Greenville, SC

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Summer is getting close and I know you are wondering “Where can we find my kid’s free lunch near me?”. The upstate has programs in place to provide FREE breakfasts and lunches for kids in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Pickens Counties. So many families rely on the school system to assist with meals for their children. Local school districts are helping kids by eliminating the cost of school lunches and breakfast from parents’ worries.

This article includes:
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Greenville County Schools
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids from Spartanburg County Districts
Free Summer Meal Locations for Kids in Pickens County Schools

Things to Know about 2023 Free School Summer Meals for Kids

  • ALL kids 18 and under in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greenville Counties qualify for free summer school food service breakfast and lunches, no questions asked. Your child doesn’t need to attend a specific school or financially qualify. T
  • There are some districts in Spartanburg County that require the student to be enrolled at that school, and we have notated this restriction if the information was provided.
  • Children will be required to eat their meals on-site. There will not be takeaway meals for 2023 for Greenville County Schools or the School District of Pickens County.
  • Pickens County will also offer free meals for anyone enrolled in school-age 21 and older with mental or physical disabilities.

For more assistance with getting food for your family, check out our guide to Finding Help in the Upstate

Where to find free lunch during the summer: Greenville, Spartanburg, and Pickens County, SC
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Vive Greenville is Therapy for Your Entire Family

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Vive Greenville has KABOOM! Need extra guidance with current challenges you or your family are facing? Check out this 2023 KABOOM Awards Best Pediatric Therapy Office Finalist Winner!

Vive Greenville is an Upstate psychology practice that works with all ages and strives to help others attain lasting, life-changing results. Vive is passionate about people and driven to help you reach your goals by providing the guidance and tools required to help you face challenges.

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Free 4th Grade National Park Pass: Every Kid Outdoors

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Love visiting our National Parks with your family? If you have a fourth-grader living in your home, you can get a free 4th-grade national park pass for your child. As an added bonus, the pass will cover your whole family, with free access to national parks and other federal recreation lands! We have all the details on this awesome program so you’re able to take full advantage!

How does Every Kid Outdoors work?

The National Park Service offers a free national park pass to 4th graders through the Every Kid Outdoors Program. The free annual pass is good for national parks and federal recreation areas and covers kids and their families (up to 3 adults and all kids traveling with the 4th grader).

Use your free fourth-grade student annual national park pass for a family adventure or field trip. It’s good for the entire school year your child is a 4th grader and the following summer, ending August 31st. You can use the kid outdoors pass again and again.

The process is simple. If you have a fourth-grader in your home, just visit the Every Kid Outdoors website. You will be taken through the steps that lead to your park pass. The pass is valid only when printed out. They will not accept passes shown on smartphones.

Then, go to this Every Kid Outdoors planning page and use your imagination to create an adventure.

Every Kid in a Park

When you visit your first park, simply take your printed copy and exchange it for a park pass. If there is no park ranger at the park you visit, simply leave the pass on your dashboard where it will be visible.

If the park you visit has an entrance fee, all children and up to three adults riding in the same vehicle will be free.

The pass does not cover any extras such as camping fees, boat rentals, tours, etc. State parks or local parks that charge a fee are not included in the pass.

Use Your Pass: National Parks Near You or Make a Trip

There are plenty of parks near Greenville that could be done in a day. One of our favorites is the home of Carl Sandburg up in Flat Rock, NC. If you visit there, make sure to say hello to the goats. Others include The Blue Ridge Parkway, and historic battlefields Cowpens, King’s Mountain, Congaree National Park, and Ninety-Six.

Plan a National Park Trip

The Smoky Mountains National Park is on the list. And if you’ve never enjoyed it, you’re missing out. It’s some of the most beautiful hiking I’ve ever done.

Or why not make it an incredibly memorable trip with a vacation to Grand Canyon National Park?

Huntington Beach jetty

Looking for more fun ideas as you travel with your family? We’ve got you covered with Kidding Around’s Travel Guides!

Your adventure is good for one year, expiring on August 31.  So, what are you waiting for? Check out this find your park page to see what is close to home. Or find a park that will be worth the drive and make some memories!

Keep Your Trip Cheap

More deals: As you travel to visit your parks for free, keep costs down by using Kids Eat Free Deals. The 20+ restaurants in our article offer national kids eat free or cheap deals (may vary by location, so, do check before you dine!)

What’s your favorite park to visit with your kids?


Free things to do for kids across the USA

Find more FREE fun for kids!

Free Things for Kids Near You

This article was originally written by Tina Mackey and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

Southside Park in Greenville, SC Offers More Than Just a Water Park

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Have you visited the playground and park at Southside Park in Greenville, SC? Popular for it’s waterpark, there are lots more ways to enjoy Southside Park. Here are all the details about the playground and surrounding area at Southside Park in Greenville, SC.

To read more park reviews see our Kidding Around Greenville Parks page.

Many of you may have headed to Southside Park in Simpsonville to visit Discovery Island Water Park, but there is so much more to do there. Let me share with you some of our favorite things about the park!

Southside Park Greenville SC Waterpark

What else you’ll find at Southside Park

A playground for everyone

The playground area at Southside Park is huge! There a several different play zones set up for children of various ages.

There is an area just as you enter the playground for small children.  My son used to love sit by the activity spinner and spin it around. It also has swings and a climbing structure just the size for small children.

Just below the small children’s area is the riding and rocking area. The four-person bouncer is so much fun to explore with your kids. The bouncy animals are fun to ride too.

The large child play area is filled with three large structures that feature slides, climbing spaces, and bridges. They are perfect for pretend play and burning off energy! There is so much to do that children will want to explore them for a while.

playground at Southside Park Greenville SC

Sport Areas

Southside Park has a number of sports areas to play on. Some were designed for specific games while others are more open ended.

There are a number of tennis courts that are in good shape.  When they aren’t being used for tennis, I bet your kids will like tossing balls over the net.

Beside the tennis courts are basketball courts. While the baskets are all high, I think children will have fun trying to make baskets there.

No far from the basketball courts are two soccer fields with goals. They are tucked away from the other play areas right next to an eating pavilion. What a great place to play soccer or tag in a small space after having a picnic lunch.

Southside Park has several big open grassy areas. They are large enough for a number of people to play Frisbee, fly kites or play football.

tennis courts at southside park greenville sc

Plan a trip to Southside Park

417 Baldwin Road
Simsponville, SC 29680
Visit their website Soutside Park here.

Don’t just think of Southside Park as the home of Discovery Island! Think of it as a fun place to play and explore.

Southside Park is one of the destinations  on the 2023 Park Hop passport. To learn more about how you can earn prizes for visiting parks this summer read our Ultimate Guide to Park Hop.

10 Fun Things to Do With Kids In Spartanburg, SC’s Downtown Area

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Are you looking for some fun things to do in downtown Spartanburg, SC with kids? We have compiled a list of our favorite places to go in the downtown area of Spartanburg. This list includes local kid-friendly museums, playgrounds, and even free mini-golf.

Fun Things to do with kids in Spartanburg SC downtown

Things to Do With Kids in Downtown Spartanburg include:
Hub City Railroad Museum
Happy Hollow Playground
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate- Spartanburg
Chapman Cultural Center
Sparkle City Mini-Putt: FREE mini golf
Barnet Park
Cleveland Park
Headquarters Library
Mary Black Rail Trail
Hot Spot Skate Park

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Your Kids Can Get Rewards for Good Grades in Greenville, SC

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Where can you bring your child to celebrate great grades? In Greenville, SC there are a number of local businesses that will give your kids rewards for good grades.

So, you and your child (and hopefully the teacher) have survived the school year!  WAHOO!  Now- what else are those awesome grades good for?  Lots!

Here are a few places where you can get rewarded for great grades!  Be sure to bring your child’s report card with you, just in case.

Here's where you can find rewards for good grades in Greenville, SC
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McPherson Park Has a Free Mini-Golf Course in Downtown Greenville, SC

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Have you been to McPherson Park? This popular park is one of the only parks to have mini-golf in Greenville, SC, and it’s FREE! Be sure to pack your own putters and balls and get ready for a great time. The park is located in downtown Greenville and has long been a family favorite. Find out all you need to know about McPherson Park below!

McPherson Park Mini Golf in Greenville SC
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Stoneledge Park: The Park That Should Definitely Be On Your Summer Bucket List In Duncan, SC

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Have you visited the water park at Stoneledge Park in Duncan, SC? With a great playground and a water park, this Upstate park is a local favorite. Kidding Around has all the info you need to plan a day at Stoneledge Park and Shipwreck Cove this summer.

The playground at Stoneledge Park

Stoneledge Park In Duncan, SC

Stoneledge Park is a local favorite. Situated next to the town water park, it has a great playground with picnic shelters and restrooms. The park even has a delicate water feature that our family has used as a backdrop for photos.

The town of Duncan regularly utilizes this space for community events and decided to expand the park to include a recreation center, woodland trail, an outdoor amphitheater for movies, and a multipurpose field. In addition to the new features being added, they also plan to upgrade some of the existing things, including a new and improved playground surface.

Stoneledge Park Events Center

The park’s new 3.500 square foot event center is ready to host your event! The rental rate is $100 per hour but includes a free hour before and after your event for set-up and break-down. The rental includes event tables and chairs, which makes this a great deal if you are looking for a venue.

Event space features of Stoneledge Park

Shipwreck Cove Water Park

Shipwreck Cove recently saw some upgrades too! Adding a bigger slide, an additional pool, and adding an area for toddlers will be added to the park’s existing features. Feedback visitors shared was listened to, and Town Administrator Cam Fant was excited to share the city’s management of the concessions. The hope in doing this is to offer a better quality selection of food for a better value to the park’s visitors. The waterpark hosts special events too.
Shipwreck Cove Opens May 27, 2023, and tickets range from $6 – $12

Local mom’s review of Shipwreck Cove in Duncan

Shipwreck Cove is the water park at Stoneledge Park

Duncanfest

This is an annual spring festival in Duncan that includes rides, live music, and local vendors. The festival also includes a 5K run and golf tournament that are held away from the park.

There are so many exciting things happening for this little corner of Spartanburg! If you haven’t enjoyed these parks, we encourage you to check them out!

Does your family enjoy spending time at Stoneledge Park?

parks and playgrounds spartanburg greenville

The Upstate is lucky enough to have a ton of parks. Check out our Park Guide to find your next adventure!

Sadlers Creek State Park: Fishing and Swimming Spots Abound in this Anderson Park, SC

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Have you visited Sadlers Creek State Park? There are 47 South Carolina State Parks and many are definitely worth the drive from Greenville. KAG Contributor Andrea Beam is exploring the state parks across South Carolina. After she visited Sadlers Creek State Park she wanted to share her visit with our readers. We think you’ll love the beautiful scenery and amenities of this state park in Anderson, SC.

Love SC State Parks as much as we do? Be sure to check out Kidding Around Greenville’s State Park Guide to All 47 State Parks!

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