Ever wondered what it’s like to keep bees—without, you know, actually keeping bees? That’s exactly what we’re about to find out thanks to Happy Hive Bee Co.’s Adopt-a-Hive Program, and we’re bringing you along for the ride!
This year, we’re officially the proud owners of our very own hive at Happy Hive Bee Co. And over the coming months, we’ll be sharing what it’s like to follow the journey of our bees—from their first buzz to their sweet golden harvest.
Thanks to Happy Hive Bee Co. for giving us a hive this year so we could share this experience with our readers.
What Is the Adopt-a-Hive Program?
Happy Hive Bee Co. has a passion for education, bringing the experience of keeping bees and the wonder of the honeybee to others. Their Adopt-a-Hive Program gives families (like yours!) the chance to support local pollinators and experience beekeeping from the comfort of home.
Here’s how it works:
You sponsor a hive in the Happy Hive apiary.
You get monthly updates with photos, videos, and stories from your unique hive.
You receive honey from your very own bees at the end of the season.
You’re invited to a pollinator picnic and hive visit, where you can suit up and see your bees in action!
Yes, you can actually visit your hive in person—and there’s even lunch involved.
Why It Matters
Pollinators are in trouble. Bees play a huge role in our food system and environment, but their numbers are dropping. Adopting a hive is an easy (and super fun) way for families to get involved, without actually maintaining hives themselves.
Your sponsorship supports real, local pollinator care—and your kids get to learn about science, sustainability, and teamwork from the bees themselves.
Bonus fun fact: Beekeepers mark queen bees to help spot them quickly in a busy hive. This year’s queen color is blue.
See, we’re learning things already!
What You’ll Get When You Adopt-A-Hivbe
When you adopt a hive, here’s what’s included:
🌼 A full year of educational updates from your hive
📹 Monthly videos and photos to share with your kids or classroom
What’s happening at our hive? From the first days to our hands-on hive visit and honey harvest, we’re sharing it right here. Make sure you’re following us on social media to see our hive’s progress!
The Kidding Around Hive
First, we got a chance to paint the outside of our bees’ new home.
Second, we asked all of you to suggest a name for our Queen Bee. You all came up with some pretty good names, but one stuck: Queen BEEyonce.
Update #1: Our NEW Hive
Watch below to learn about how new hives are made AND see Kidding Around’s very own hive!
We’re so excited to watch our hive grow!
Update #2: Queen BEEYonce Gets Her Pretty Blue Dot
Hey, Hey, Hey! We’ve got another hive update from Happy Hive!
Our hive and Queen BEEyonce are doing great!
In this video:
BEEYonce gets her special blue queen dot
We learn about a honey bee parasite- mites!
We watch bees bringing pollen and packing cells
Update #3: Baby Bees and all about the hive
Wow, our bees are looking great. In this video update below:
Get a good look at the hive this month
See one of BEEYonce’s babies born
Learn about the parts of a beehive
A Winter Update: Hive Visit Coming Soon!
📅 Stay tuned for:
What we learn about bees.
Pictures and videos about our hive
Photos from our hive visit this spring
And what it’s like to get that first taste of our hive’s honey!
March 2026 Update
In this video, our hive gets a new box. When does a beekeeper need to add a new box? Timing is crucial! But don’t take our word for it. The beekeepers at Happy Hive Bee Co can explain it much better. Watch below to learn more!
Coming soon! Our visit to Happy Hive!
May 2026: We visited the hive!
We got to visit our beehive for a Hive Experience at Happy Hive, and it was fabulous! Check it out: Our trip to Happy Hive Bee Co.
Are you looking for things to do in Downtown Greenville, SC? Here at Kidding Around Greenville, our goal is to make sure people in Greenville can always find something to do, whether they are looking for a free activity, an experience of a lifetime, or a way to spend a fun weekend. We love our city and all it has to offer. This guide has everything you need to enjoy time in Downtown Greenville, SC and its updated for 2026!
Quick Guide: Downtown Greenville, SC in 2026
Explore the best things to do in Downtown Greenville all in one place – from iconic attractions and scenic parks to museums, restaurants, events, and family-friendly fun right in the heart of the city.
Plan your visit by exploring: • Top attractions & landmarks • Free things to do downtown • Parks, trails & outdoor spots • Shows, sports & entertainment • Downtown dining & local favorites • Parking + visitor tips
Downtown Greenville has some of the best museums in the upstate, is home to the Greenville Zoo, offers supreme walkability, and features the postcard-worthy Falls Park on the Reedy and Liberty Bridge. There is nothing quite like being downtown.
Falls Park and Liberty Bridge
Everyone in Greenville needs to be sure to visit Falls Park and the iconic Liberty Bridge that is suspended over the Reedy River Falls. During the warmer months, you may find free outdoor movies, plays, family festivals, and other events in the park. Grab your picnic basket and set it up beside the Reedy River for a fun summer day. Don’t forget to take a photo by Greenville’s famous Medusa Tree.
Main Street
Don’t miss a stroll down Main Street in downtown Greenville. Grab a coffee at one of our local coffee shops such as Coffee Underground, browse books at M. Judson Bookstore, and find an assortment of candy bins at the Mast General Store. Make sure to bring your camera, with beautiful backgrounds found in places like Camperdown Plaza and all along Main Street, you will need it!
HIGHLIGHT FOR KIDS: Don’t forget to find the Mice on Main.
This path will take you past some of Greenville’s most popular parks, interesting art installations, and the Liberty Bridge.
Greenville Zoo
The Greenville Zoo is located right in the heart of the city of Greenville. The zoo is full of shade and has play spaces for children, and it is a great addition to any itinerary if you are visiting Greenville.
Greenville Zoo at Cleveland Park, Greenville, SC
Museums in Downtown Greenville
Four notable Greenville museums are located at Heritage Green in downtown Greenville.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate: Families with children will want to plan at least 4 or more hours for their children to explore the 3 floors of exhibits at TCMU. Be aware that the bottom floor is full of water exhibits, so you may want to save that floor for last.
If you’re not in the mood to walk during your tour, take a Segway tour with Greenville Glides Segway Tours! Your legs will thank you later.
You’ll also find some interesting foodie and explorative tours on our list of 20+ Greenville, SC Tours, many of which are downtown.
Ride the Downtown Trolley
If you are looking for an easy (and FREE) way to travel around Downtown Greenville while also seeing the sights, check out the Trolley! All you need to do is find a trolley stop, and you can even track the trolley with the GreenLink app. The trolley operates year-round and on Fridays from 4–11 pm, Saturdays from 10 am–11 pm, and Sundays from 10 am–8 pm.
Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC
We like free things to do, and there are a lot of them right in Downtown Greenville! You could spend a whole day and not spend a dime. Here’s a list of free things to do in Downtown Greenville.
Mice on Main– Sometimes you just want to take a stroll down gorgeous Main Street. Finding bronze mice on the way is an excellent bonus and will keep the kids busy!
Explore the gardens that are found around Downtown Greenville! There are multiple professionally designed gardens to spend some time in that do not even cost a penny. Even when not in bloom, there is still beauty found in the rocks, waterfalls, and evergreen foliage.
Hughes Main Library
The Greenville County Library System’s headquarters is Hughes Main Library, and it’s located on Heritage Green in Downtown Greenville. The large library is a great place to spend some time reading books, using the computer, playing with friends, or taking part in one of the library’s free programs for children, families, and adults. It is even open on Sunday afternoons!
Watch a Show, Concert, or Sporting Event
Greenville offers plenty of high-quality theatre and opportunities to experience the performing arts, including full Broadway performances at the Peace Center. You will also find several sports teams that make Greenville their home, including the Greenville Drive baseball, the Greenville Triumph soccer, the Greenville Liberty soccer, and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey!
Peace Center – The Peace Center hosts classical and professional musicians, ensembles, and orchestras in addition to a full slate of Broadway performances.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena – At the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, you can purchase tickets to hear famous pop musicians, attend large shows such as Monster Jam, and even catch an ice hockey game.
Fluor Field– Home to the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team, Fluor Field also regularly offers special events.
Greenville Theatre – The Greenville Theatre showcases local talent with a wide selection of dramas and musicals each year.
South Carolina Children’s Theatre – The South Carolina Children’s Theatre performs multiple mainstage performances each year at their Bell Mainstage located downtown at 153 Augusta Street (across from Gather GVL).
Alchemy Comedy offers weekly improv comedy shows at Coffee Underground.
The Comedy Zone is where to go for some of the best professional comedic performances.
Centre Stage offers performances like musicals, comedies, dramas, and events that spark magic. They have performances year-round.
Peace Center, Downtown Greenville, SC
Entertainment Venues Near Downtown Greenville
If you’re looking to have some fun, Downtown Greenville is the place to go. With escape rooms, indoor playgrounds, and mini golf courses, the downtown area has something fun for the entire family!
Group Therapy Pub & Playground is an excellent way to tap into your inner child while also enjoying some adult-friendly drinks! The pub offers large-scale, interactive art installations, indoor mini golf, and special events!
Escape Artists Greenville– If you’re craving the opportunity to solve a mystery, then Escape Artists will give you that with their detailed escape rooms.
Flying Rabbit Adventures is the place to go if you’re a thrill seeker! This high ropes and zip line course is located right off Laurens Road near the Greenville Zoo.
Take Off Mini Golf – Located at the Downtown Airport, this mini golf course is situated on the outskirts of an airport! You can watch the planes come and go as you play a round or two.
Fireforge Crafted Beer is much more than a brewery! They consistently have live music, bingo nights, and family-friendly events.
If you’re seeking a little culinary experience, you can try out the Greenville Culinary Tours At the Chef’s Table.
Downtown Greenville During the Holidays
Greenville is magical during the holiday season, and there are lots of unique things to do. Ride on Santa’s sleigh, go ice skating, or check out professionally decorated trees while sipping cocoa.
Falls Park: Liberty Bridge, waterfall on the Reedy, many paths for walking along the river and gardens, right in the heart of Downtown Greenville, along Main Street
Unity Park: Large nature-themed playground in walking distance from Falls Park. The park has two parks, a splash pad, and a large communal grassy area to laze in.
Cleveland Park: Two large playgrounds, access to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, home of the Greenville Zoo
Linky Stone Park Children’s Garden: This Sweet little park is hidden away in Downtown Greenville with pretty gardens and whimsical fairytale features for children
Paris Mountain State Park: Just north of downtown Greenville and near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this park offers great hiking trails and even swimming in Lake Placid in the summer.
Where to Park in Downtown Greenville
You’re headed downtown with a long list of fun things to do, but where should you park? Fortunately, Greenville has tons of affordable garages and plenty of street parking. Here’s a guide to where to park in downtown Greenville.
Events Happening in (& near) Downtown Greenville, SC Soon!
Spartanburg, SC, also known at the Hub City, has a little of everything for families: amazing parks, cultural venues, a bustling food scene, plus a walkable and growing downtown with shops and lots of things to do. Residents of Spartanburg enjoy ever-changing seasonal festivities and holiday traditions. Children have a wide variety of educational options. It’s all right here in Spartanburg, SC!
Things to Do in Spartanburg, SC: If you’re looking for things to do in Spartanburg, this is your list. It is our giant guide of things to do near Spartanburg full of adventures and things to discover in the Hub City.
Indoor Things to Do Near Spartanburg: Looking for something to do indoors? Whether it’s too hot or too rainy, you’ll find somewhere to go and something to do on this list of indoor things to do in Spartanburg.
Spartanburg Restaurant Guide: Want to find the perfect place to grab a bite to eat? No matter what type of cuisine you’re after or dining experience you’re looking for, you’ll find it here in the Spartanburg, SC Restaurant Guide.
Preschools Near Spartanburg: There are a lot of preschool options near Spartanburg. Use our list to sort by location, hours and program offered.
Homeschooling in the Upstate: If you’re a homeschooling family in Spartanburg, you’ll want to bookmark this guide. It’s full of resources, classes, field trip opportunities and more.
Are there school-aged children in your family? This guide contains all our content that’s especially for school-aged kids. We have tons of ideas about things to do, plus information on schooling options, childcare, dining out with kids and a lot more.
Valentine’s Day cards for kids do not have to be complicated or expensive. No, you don’t have to include candy, stickers, tattoos, or any other little trinket that’s got a pretty good chance of being dropped on the way home anyway. A simple card that says “Hey, thanks for being my friend,” is heartfelt and in keeping everything good about Valentine’s Day.
Of course, you can include little gifts if you’d like to and they do make the Valentine’s Day festivities at school a little more sparkly. Either way, here are some ideas for FREE (or very cheap) Valentines.
These ideas are also a good substitution for the boxed Valentine’s that seem to be a little difficult to find right about now.!
Valentine’s Day Card: Free Print Options
Your first, and maybe the easiest, option for a replacement of the boxed Valentine variety are free printables. If you have card stock, that’s probably your best option. (Or, pick up a pack at the store. You likely won’t spend more than those boxed cards anyway). Print them off on card stock, color and you’re done! As an alternative, cut them out and paste them onto a blank index card. If you’d like to include a little gift, you can cut two slits in the card and slide in a pencil or lollypop.
You can do a quick search for printable, free Valentine’s Day Cards and you will find a lot of options. Here are a couple of free printable Valentines that some of the Kidding Around kids tried out for our readers.
Printable Valentines With Envelope
These totally free printable valentines even come with a cute envelope your kid can cut out and glue together. The envelope is big enough to slide in both a card and a little gift like stickers or a piece of candy to accompany these sweet valentines if you’d like.
Cute Frog and Dino Valentines
Get these frog Valentines Day Cards free. Print on card stock and cut them out. Write on some names and you’re done, because they come pre-colored. Or, glue them onto some index cards and add a little extra decoration for a personal touch. The choice is yours.
Want to add a little extra something? Run by the party section of a local store and see if you can find any plastic frogs. I’m thinking those ones that hop when you press down on them, or even the simple molded plastic frogs. Cut a couple of slits for the frog legs into your card and slide in the frogs. Done.
Have a dino fan? You can do the same things with these cute dino printable Valentine’s Day cards. We used a construction paper base and regular printer paper for the printed part of the card.
Quick Homemade Valentines
No printer? No problem. Grab a pack of index cards. Raid your sticker and stamp collection or pick up some at the dollar store. A few stamps, a printed name, and maybe an attached lollypop or heart-shaped candy, and you’re good to go.
“You Rock” Valentines
Check out these cute Valentines made out of rocks. All you need is some google eyes, a sharpie, and of course, rocks. I don’t know about you, but my kid has a serious rock collection both in and out of the house. He could easily give out some rock Valentines and would love to receive a pet rock Valentine like these to add to his collections.
What are your kids handing out at school this Valentine’s Day?
Where are the best playgrounds in Greenville, SC? There are no shortage of excellent parks in Greenville, and great indoor playgrounds. Kidding Around readers let us know their favorite.
Our annual KABOOM Awards winners are some of the best playgrounds in the Upstate to get outside with your family and enjoy Greenville, SC.
Top Playgrounds in Greenville, SC
2026 Kaboom Awards Winners
1st place: Century Park
Finalists:
Tyger River Park
Unity Park
Conestee Nature Preserve Nature Playscape
Roper Mountain Science Center
Century Park
1ST PLACE SPONSOR
3605 Brushy Creek Rd,
Greer
, SC
Century Park is a premier recreational destination in Greer, SC anchored by the Benson Automotive Kids Planet Playground. The playground features modern, inclusive play areas with zip lines, hillside slides, and age-specific structures within fenced zones, along with paved walking trails, exercise stations, misting stations, and picnic shelters that make it ideal for families and visitors of all ages.
Beyond the playground, Century Park offers an 18-hole shaded disc golf course that winds around Kids Planet playground, a creek with areas for play, and the park’s three baseball fields/batting cages. The park is also home to a vibrant pollinator garden, where the city’s recreation team hosts educational programs and Monarch butterfly releases, encouraging hands-on learning and environmental stewardship in a fun, welcoming setting.
Roper Mountain is the place to bring your families for a hands-on and engaging experience whether it’s during the school year for field trips or during the summer for Summer Adventure and Summer Camps. Just ask other families in the area about their experiences and you’ll see why Roper Mountain continues to be a “must-see” experience in the upstate and beyond.
The beautiful 62-acre campus contains an array of state-of-the-art educational facilities including a Planetarium and Observatory, Marine and Ecology labs, a Rainforest, a Living History Farm, Dinosaur Adventure trail and a new Environmental Science and Sustainability Center.
Families can attend numerous events throughout the year including Friday Starry Nights, Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, Laser Days of Summer, Summer Exploration Camps, and seasonal holiday laser shows. Regardless of age, you’ll surely find a plethora of engaging activities and fun for everyone to enjoy.
Are you looking for the best newborn photographers in Greenville, SC? We have a whole photography guide, but if you’re looking for a quick list of the best newborn photographers in Greenville, SC, you’ve found it. Our readers voted as part of our KABOOM Awards contest. These are the top newborn photographers in Greenville, SC
Best Family Photographer: First Place Best Newborn Photographer: First Place
Abbey Vitou Photography has won First Place in the Kaboom awards for Family Photographer three years running, won First Place for Newborn Photographer 2025 & 2026, won Best of the Upstate for 2024, has been published in online magazines, and has art displayed in two medical offices.
Abbey is an upstate photographer that strives to capture the beauty of life no matter what stage you’re in! From maternity and newborn to cake smashes and updated family pictures, she does it all. Photography is her passion so give her a call and make some memories together!
Parkkonen Photography is an upscale boutique studio off of main street inTaylors, with outdoor options. We specialize in family photography, with a true specialty in newborns. Our studio is fully stocked with everything you need for your session—clean props, wraps, outfits, backgrounds, and plenty of setup options—so you don’t have to stress. Also, we don’t limit you to only 10–25 images. After your session, you’ll receive an online proofing gallery with 45+ professionally edited images (often more, depending on the session) so you can view your favorites and decide what you’d like to purchase.
Wild Oats Photography, owned by Morgan Underwood, has been capturing real, raw emotion in beautiful true-to-color imagery since 2024. Specializing in families, maternity, newborns, and weddings, Morgan is passionate about preserving life’s most meaningful milestones with authenticity and care. Her approach centers on connection and storytelling—documenting the in-between moments, quiet details, and joyful celebrations that make every story unique. Through timeless images, Wild Oats Photography creates tangible memories that allow clients to relive their most precious moments for years to come.
You can get a great deal on almost anything at resale stores. Greenville, SC has a whole heap of thrift shops and consignment stores. In fact we have a whole thrift shop driving tour of Wade Hampton Boulevard and a huge guide to Budget Shopping. But if you’re looking for a quick list of the best resale stores in Greenville, SC, you’ve found it. Our readers voted on their favorite resale shops as part of our annual KABOOM Awards contest. Here are the best family resale shops in Greenville, SC.
The Safe Harbor Resale Shop is integral to Safe Harbor’s mission to provide a continuum of services for survivors of domestic abuse and their children.
Our clients receive vouchers to shop for themselves and their children free of charge and all sales help to fund our programs and services for survivors and the community, including emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, support groups, classes, and community prevention and outreach efforts.
Come visit us to shop or donate, and be sure to follow us on social media!
Who should you go to for exceptional family photography in Greenville, SC? We have a huge photography guide, but finding a photographer who fits your vision while providing artistic talent is easier thanks to our Kidding Around readers who voted for their favorite.
Our annual KABOOM Awards contest of family favorites winners are some of the best family photographers near Greenville, SC.
Best Family Photographer: First Place Best Newborn Photographer: First Place
Abbey Vitou Photography has won First Place in the Kaboom awards for Family Photographer three years running, won First Place for Newborn Photographer 2025 & 2026, won Best of the Upstate for 2024, has been published in online magazines, and has art displayed in two medical offices.
Abbey is an upstate photographer that strives to capture the beauty of life no matter what stage you’re in! From maternity and newborn to cake smashes and updated family pictures, she does it all. Photography is her passion so give her a call and make some memories together!
Capturing memories since 2014, K. Elizabeth Photography is a Family, Weddings & Lifestyle Photography company. Wherever your story takes you, or whatever chapter you’re in, let me be the one who documents it for you to cherish for a lifetime.
Each session is tailored to fit your vision and captured with a “whatever it takes” approach bringing out natural smiles and laughs through my stress free poses and prompts. Accessing your images after the session is simple, easy, and included with your fun session with me! You can reach out directly to me to start planning, or book online at your own convenience.
Wild Oats Photography, owned by Morgan Underwood, has been capturing real, raw emotion in beautiful true-to-color imagery since 2024. Specializing in families, maternity, newborns, and weddings, Morgan is passionate about preserving life’s most meaningful milestones with authenticity and care. Her approach centers on connection and storytelling—documenting the in-between moments, quiet details, and joyful celebrations that make every story unique. Through timeless images, Wild Oats Photography creates tangible memories that allow clients to relive their most precious moments for years to come.
I am a photographer who loves working with families and documenting real connection. My sessions create space for genuine moments and captures families just as they are in their season of life. I aim to capture each season in a way that feels timeless and true to the people in front of my lens.
Parkkonen Photography is an upscale boutique studio off of main street inTaylors, with outdoor options. We specialize in family photography, with a true specialty in newborns. Our studio is fully stocked with everything you need for your session—clean props, wraps, outfits, backgrounds, and plenty of setup options—so you don’t have to stress. Also, we don’t limit you to only 10–25 images. After your session, you’ll receive an online proofing gallery with 45+ professionally edited images (often more, depending on the session) so you can view your favorites and decide what you’d like to purchase.
What are the best overnight camps near Greenville, SC? Our readers voted as part of our annual KABOOM Awards Contest of family favorites across the Upstate. These are the reader-voted top overnight camps near Greenville, SC.
Top Overnight Camps in Greenville, SC
2026 Kaboom Awards Winners
1st Place: Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands
Finalists:
BJU EDUcamp
YMCA Camp Greenville
Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands
Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Supported by adult volunteers and mentors right here in our community, as well as millions of alums around the globe, Girl Scouts lead the way as they discover who they are and how they can make the future a brighter place.
BEEYonce gets her special blue queen dot
