More and more, families are using the holiday season to spread kindness and teach children the spirit of giving. Local mom Kristen Alcock and Kidding Around’s Melanie Coblentz are here with a number of ideas about how to include young children and volunteer as a family. Spread some cheer this season and give back!
For more volunteer opportunity ideas for older kids and adults see our list of ways to volunteer with kids in Greenville.
(more…)The new exhibit Downton Abbey: The Experience is an immersive experience that includes costumes, set replicas, and more from the show.
The recent success of the Regency-era drama Bridgerton has brought new eyes to the Downton Abbey franchise, while fans eagerly await the following season. This newfound fan base, plus the release of the follow-up to the Downton Abbey motion picture, is a perfect opportunity for an immersive experience to exist. New fans, die-hard Downton fans, and those that have never seen the show will appreciate this history-rich exhibit.
We sent Kidding Around’s Melanie to Sandy Springs, Georgia, to check out the exhibit.
Make a weekend out of a trip to the Downton Abbey Exhibit, and Enjoy The Hidden Gem of Dunwoody In The Shadow Of Atlanta, GA.
(more…)No matter what you or your children want to transform into for Halloween (or any other occasion), there’s a place in Greenville, SC that is one-stop shopping for costumes. Carolina Fashions is a costume factory that offers shoppers daily access to thousands of options year-round.
(more…)Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL? This October, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, will begin an 18-month long celebration of its 50th Anniversary, providing generations of kids (and kids at heart) with lifelong memories.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, will last from October 1, 2021, until April 1, 2023. That means there’s still time to save up for and plan your family trip to the most magical place on earth!
Kidding Around Contributor and former Florida resident, Melanie, shared some of her secrets to getting the most out of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort. So grab those Mickey Ears, and let’s get busy planning a trip to visit him in sunny Orlando, Florida.
(more…)Looking for the Noodle Lady food truck in Greenville, SC? If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine and haven’t paid The Noodle Lady a visit, you are in for a treat! This husband and wife team brings Asian street food to their loyal, hungry fans in Greenville, SC.
The Noodle Lady food truck is becoming a force to be reckoned with, and if you’ve not partaken of these delicious noodles and other offerings, we have all the info you’ll need to get that taken care of! Here are some menu suggestions and how you can find the Noodle Lady in Greenville!
Are you a fan of local food trucks? Check out our Guide To The Food Trucks Near Greenville, SC
Do you love authentic Tex-Mex food and creativity? Comal 864 owner Dayna Lee is bringing delicious Tex-Mex with a twist to Greenville, SC.
Since July of 2019, Comal 864 has been serving up authentic street-style tacos, and more to taco lovers! Keep reading to learn more about the Upstate’s most popular taco pop-up and info about the new brick-and-mortar location opening in November.
If you’re a fan of the real deal, here’s a list of Authentic Tacos That Will Have You Craving Tacos Daily in Greenville, SC
(more…)Are you looking for some educational things to do online for the kids? Maybe you’re wondering what you’re going to do with the kids now that some of us are embarking on a new adventure with home-based learning. Or, maybe your elementary-age child is under quarantine for COVID-19 exposure at school, and you need some quality things to keep them busy. Or, maybe you just need something fun and different to look at with the kids. Either way, we are here to help.
Kidding Around’s Melanie has gathered together many of the online resources the kids use regularly at school, plus some additional educational programs you can use to supplement and keep things rolling. She’s also included a list of fun virtual field trips to places like Yellowstone National Park that you can take right from your computer.
Keeping Greenville County Parents Informed – Greenville County Schools News and Updates, Greenville, SC
(more…)Are you trying to figure out which South Carolina beach is the best for that next weekend getaway? We asked our readers to vote in our inaugural Summer Family Favorites contest, and these are the beaches they voted as the best in SC.
Are you looking to just relax and listen to the waves crash, are you looking for a coastal adventure to write home about, or maybe a little of both? These top 5 South Carolina beaches include the perfect beach for any type of family.
During our first Summer Family Favorites contest, we had readers vote on three different categories:
For more family-friendly beach locations in the Southeast, check out this guide to The Top Beaches Located in the Southeast
1st Place: Best South Carolina Beach (Summer, 2021)
4 hours and 15 minutes from Greenville
The picturesque seaside town of Hilton Head offers families lots to do in the way of vacation activities! It’s Kidding Around Contributor, Kristina’s favorite salty South Carolinian destination.
It’s not hard to see why Hilton Head Island was The Kidding Around Family Favorites Winner For Best South Carolina Beach! We’re sharing some of the things the coastal town of Hilton Head provides and why readers love vacationing there, so you can plan a trip to see for yourself.
We know all about the great things to do in Hilton Head Island, but don’t take our word for it! Check out what readers had to say about some of the most popular things to do when visiting Hilton Head Island.
Make Your Mermaid Dreams Come True On This Magical Boat Tour in Hilton Head Island
We just loved the Mermaid of Hilton Head cruise – the kids were mesmerized by seeing a **real** mermaid!
Kristina HernandezTake Your Family To See Dolphins and Explore a Vanishing Island in Hilton Head
We did their tour and it was great – 2 parents, 2 Grandparents, and 4 kids and we got the boat to ourselves. The captain was so nice to all of us and we loved it.
Shawn Murphy KendrickIf you have young children, the pirates of Hilton Head is a blast! Before you board their boat that looks like a pirate ship, the kids get face paint, a pirate name, pirate attire, and they teach them how to talk like a pirate. Then on the boat, there is a store line and they are trying to find treasure in the water. A sneaky pirate comes up in a small boat who has stolen the keys and the kids get to blast him with water cannons. It’s such fun!!
Dawn Thorpe SabeanTake Your Family To Some Of Our Favorite Family-Friendly Things to Do on Hilton Head Island
Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf of Hilton Head Island is our favorite (and veteran owned) mini golf course. Coligny Plaza is a great place to shop, eat, and relax. We especially love getting ice cream from The Ice Cream Cone it is the best place to get ice cream – expect a line, so worth it! The Sandbox Children’s Museum is fun for the littles. The Crazy Crab Hilton Head is so so good! If you like crab legs, get their low country boil. It’s the only place I’ve ever been able to say that I was full from crab legs. The Salty Dog is a must! There are so many outlets to shop. HHI is our favorite beach to vacation at! You can get some really great, oceanfront condos on airbnb & VRBO
Jessica ThompsonFinalists: Best South Carolina Beach (Summer, 2021)
4 hours from Greenville
The Kidding Around Visitor’s Guide to Edisto Island can help you plan a family trip to this non-commercial beachfront destination. This is the perfect spot to head when you just want to listen to the sound of the waves and your kids playing in the sand to be on the itinerary.
They are one of the few beaches that are family driven and not commercialized. They also have been the least effected by erosion in the past years.
4 hours and 30 minutes from Greenville
Close enough to the attractions of Myrtle Beach but quiet neighborhoods to relax
This beach just minutes from Myrtle Beach is known as “the family beach”. It offers visitors several beach access points, with lifeguards and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Your next family beach trip awaits at the Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort
The Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort towers right over the beach with stunning views of the ocean out of the rooms overlooking the water. It’s closer to the South end of Myrtle Beach and 40 minutes north of Huntington Island State Park. It took us just over four hours to get there from Greenville and we never even got back in the car while at the resort until it was time to go home, since everything we did was within walking distance.
Kristina4 hours and 15 minutes from Greenville
This island on the coast of Charleston, SC is home to one of the nation’s top-rated beaches Beachwalker Park.
There is such a relaxing atmosphere but still lots to do with the family.
It’s quiet, not crowded, and plenty of space for the kids to run around!! Also, it’s always felt very safe.
Secluded, private, upscale, and remote.
3 hours and 40 minutes from Greenville
This Charleston beach is not only a great place to swim but also is in close proximity to several historic sites. It’s a less crowded beach that has lots of parking.
Things to Do, Places to Eat, and More at Sullivan’s Island
Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island
RELATED:
2021 Kidding Around Summer Family Favorites Contest Winner: Best Indoor Spot To Beat The Heat
2021 Kidding Around Summer Family Favorites Contest Winner: Best Place To Get A Frozen Treat
Where can families go when it’s too hot outside? We’ve got the answer to where you can go to beat the summer heat! During our inaugural Summer Family Favorites contest, we had readers vote for their favorite indoor spot when it’s hot outside and these are the top 5 places!
During our first Summer Family Favorites contest, we had readers vote on three different categories:
1st Place: Best Indoor Fun to Beat the Heat (Summer, 2021)
36 Park Woodruff Drive, Greenville
660 Spartan Boulevard #200, Spartanburg
Kidding Around readers LOVE trampoline parks! Big Air is always a popular spot when we get questions in the Kidding Around Community Groups about where people can have birthday parties. Big Air is great for getting the kids out and active any day, not just for birthdays! But don’t take our word for it, check out why readers voted Big Air The Kidding Around Family Favorites For Best Indoor Spot To Beat!
We’ve just blended our family, and trampoline parks have been a great outlet for stress and opportunity for us to play and bond! We are SO excited to have Big Air right around the corner from us
Madelyn MoserIt is a great place for a party
Lucinda HollifieldWe love this place…it is a great place to take the kids to burn off energy
Heather O’Brien JuddFor more indoor options for fun to escape the rain, or heat during the summer check out our Indoor Activities Guide to Greenville, SC, and The Indoor Activities Guide to Spartanburg, SC
Finalists: Best Indoor Fun to Beat the Heat (Summer, 2021)
164 S Main Street STE B, Travelers Rest
Find out why Kids (And Parents) Won’t Want to Leave This Play Spot in Travelers Rest, and why voters named it one of the top spots to beat the heat!
300 College Street, Greenville
130 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg
Another reader favorite is The Children’s Museum of the Upstate! It’s a great way to have an enriching day’s worth of fun, and beat the heat of the summer!
22 Congaree Road, Greenville
If you are looking for a fun day out or birthday party spot, SpareTime Greenville offers plenty to do, including:
400 Scottswood Road, Taylors
The Pavilion is one of Greenville’s oldest indoor spots to have fun, and it just recently had a full remodel. This one-of-a-kind facility in Greenville has a full ice rink as well as a bounce house.
RELATED:
2021 Kidding Around Summer Family Favorites Contest Winner: Best South Carolina Beach
2021 Kidding Around Summer Family Favorites Contest Winner: Best Place To Get A Frozen Treat
Looking for a place where all the kids can play? We Rock the Spectrum Kids’ Gym offers a unique play space designed with special needs children in mind. But all kids are welcome to visit the gym, use the unique equipment and play together! Kidding Around’s Melanie Coblentz visited We Rock the Spectrum Kids’ Gym with her kids and is bringing our readers some first-hand information about this new kids’ gym!
Current Safety Policies: The policy announcements, changes, and more can be found on the We Rock The Spectrum Corporate website.
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