Looking for things to do this summer in Spartanburg, SC? The sun is shining and the kids are ready to play. No need to fear! We have compiled all you need to enjoy summer from start to finish.
Looking for summer-only events? We’ve got them! Want to find ways to entertain your kids outdoors or indoors? We’ve got them! Need ideas for day trips or summer vacations? We’ve got them! Want to save money while having fun? We have tons of ideas!
Here’s your guide to summer in Spartanburg! Wear sunscreen! Stay safe! And, have fun!
If you prefer to do your swimming in a natural setting, check out our Guide to Swimming Holes in the Upstate! You’ll find lakes, creeks, and waterfall pools that are great for wading and swimming!
Also, kids bowl free through theKids Bowl Freeprogram at participating bowling alleys. Don’t miss the free fun!
Summer Camps in Spartanburg
Kids can learn about almost any topic in Spartanburg area summer camps. For great free fun, check out the VBS programs offered by local Spartanburg churches.
The Ultimate Upstate Summer Camp Guide – Here’s a huge list of summer camps in Spartanburg. Sort them by topic, age and more to find the perfect camp for your kiddos!
VBS programs– Area churches open their doors for Vacation Bible School Programs to local children for free (or really cheap). We’ll be updating our list of VBS programs soon!
Summer Events
In addition to Memorial Day and 4th of July, there are plenty of exciting events that only happen during the summer. The following are things you can only enjoy while school is out for summer:
Watch free Outdoor Movies in Greer City Park this summer!
Embrace the sunshine by heading outdoors this summer! We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful location that makes exploring outdoors a reality. To help you get started on your outdoor ventures, here are some ideas:
Summer is also a great time to visit new parks! By checking out the following reviews from our team, you will find out which parks offer shade (or splash pads) from the blistering heat and which ones to avoid in the middle of a hot summer day.
Discover all of Spartanburg’s Parks in our Upstate, SC Park Guide. Use the guide to sort parks by location and features to find the perfect place to play!
If you need even more ideas for summer fun, we’ve got you covered! These last ideas are sure to fill up the days and keep you and your kids busy between May and September.
Do you have a child who loves to dance? Maybe they were born with dancing shoes on or have grown to love the art form. Artistic Edge Dance Center, located in Greenville, SC, will light the fire in their dancing feet and keep it lit! Find out more about the recreational and competitive dance classes they offer for all ages in addition to why parents love AEDC!
Dance Classes for All: Children and Adults!
At Artistic Edge Dance Center, you’ll find more than tiny tutus. They have classes that cater to all dancers – from those seeking a fun class while learning with friends to those with professional aspirations. Children and adults will thrive at Artistic Edge thanks to expert instructors with a love for dance. This love, paired with an encouraging and supportive studio environment, is what makes an excellent dance studio.
Melanie Benson, owner and Artistic Director of Artistic Edge Dance Center says “Whether you dance for fun or want to pursue a career in dance, we provide each student with the training, encouragement, and support they need. We strive to create a space where dancers can express themselves, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships.”
Classes Offered at Artistic Edge
AEDC offers recreational and competitive dance classes for beginners to seasoned dancers honing their skills. You’ll find Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Acro classes year-round.
Recreational Dance Classes
The supportive and inclusive dance center has dance classes for both children and adults with a passion for dance, with classes for ages 2 through adulthood. Classes are 30 to 45 minutes long and become more advanced as techniques of each dance style are mastered. Students participate in an annual Spring Performance to showcase what they have learned throughout the year. As a student advances, they can choose to audition for the competitive Company.
Competitive Dance Classes
Have a child who wants to dance competitively? Company at Artistic Edge Dance Studio offers two competitive levels that dancers can audition for each May. Children ages 4.5 – 18 can audition for Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Production companies. They are then placed based on performance ability and skill level. Company ranges from Mini’s, which are the youngest dancers just getting started in competitive dance, to Dance Company 2 and Elite Level Competitive Dancers.
A dance center wouldn’t be complete without an annual homage to The Nutcracker! At AEDC, “Nutcracker Sweets” is performed each November. Dancers dress in gorgeous costumes with stunning set designs, showcasing their talent through one of the world’s most famous ballet productions. The audience will watch the Corps De Ballet dancers along with Soloist dancers perform many of the classic scenes from The Nutcracker. Auditions for the annual Nutcracker Sweets performance are August 10th, 2024.
Ready to join AEDC? Mark your Calendar for These Important Performance Opportunities
Competitive Companies Auditions: May 11, 2024
Annual Nutcracker Sweets Auditions: August 10, 2024
Annual Spring Performance – each May – all students eligible
Reviews From Parents of AEDC Students
One of the most important things to do before committing to a dance studio is to learn what other families think, and families love AEDC! The studio strives to make each student and their families feel they are a welcome member of the AEDC family. Clearly, AEDC has done just that, just see what the parents of AEDC students have to say:
Quote from an AEDC Parent: “AEDC is absolutely amazing! My niece has danced here for 10 years. They have not only taught her dance techniques but also lifelong lessons. The instructors…old and new…are compassionate and personable with each individual dancer. The teachers, dancers, and their families are one big family in which my niece loves to be a part of! I’ve encountered these dancers in the studio, at competitions, and outside the “dance” world where they are all respectful and caring in every setting. I’m so glad we are a part of this incredible studio! AEDC ROCKS!!”
Quote from an AEDC Parent: “The instructors and staff are always friendly and welcoming. They not only teach dance skills but other skills are incorporated with their time at Dance. I’ve seen my daughter’s time management skills, interpersonal skills, and Personal responsibility grow and blossom over the years of being at the studio. This has become a second home for my daughter and she loves it!!”
Are you looking for VBS near Greenville, SC? There are dozens of Vacation Bible Schools to choose from in Greenville and Spartanburg. Maybe you’re looking for the VBS closest to home, or maybe you’re looking to visit a VBS that fits your vacation schedule! Either way, we’ve got the list of the 2024 VBS Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC programs from June through August. All of these have a link to the church so you can get all of their contact information, directions, and information.
NOTE: This list is currently being updated for 2024.
For accuracy and to ensure that the programs were open to the public, we only listed VBS programs that were publicly listed online or submitted by the coordinator of the event. If you would like your church’s VBS program added or modified, please email bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.
While we try our best to provide accurate information, we always encourage our readers to check original sources before making plans. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement.
What’s the first thing your child asks you when they know a doctor is going to perform a procedure? “Is it going to hurt?” From a child’s perspective this notion largely consumes their thoughts and spares little room for feelings of encouragement. Dr. Lisa M. Cherry, Cherry Orchard Pediatric Dentistry, is highly sensitive to this scenario and has incorporated the use of the latest technologies so that she can often confidently tell her patients, “No, it will not hurt.”
Thank you Cherry Orchard Pediatric Dentistry for sponsoring this article.
South Carolina Children’s Theatreis giving away a FREE Flex Package for the 2024-2025 show season! Win four free tickets to three different shows (a total of 12 free tickets), early access booking for additional purchases, discounts and more. You choose the shows you want to see! Terms & Conditions apply. Thank you to SCCT for sponsoring this giveaway!
Looking for a place to go strawberry picking? Greenville, SC and the surrounding area have over a dozen farms just waiting for you to pick those juicy berries! If you don’t like doing the hard work yourself, you will also find farms that have prepicked berries for you. Here’s the inside scoop about which local farms to go strawberry picking in Greenville, Spartanburg, and the Anderson areas.
And since we know how much you all love maps, we made one for all these strawberry farms:
Giveaway: One Kidding Around reader will win 4 TICKETS to The Spongebob Musical at SCCT!Show runs April 26th-May 19th.This is NOT your typical Spongebob experience. This is an SCCT Spongebob experience filled with hope, positivity & fun! Scroll down to enter.
Have you heard about all the marvelous things that the South Carolina Children’s Theatre in Greenville, SC has to offer? Maybe you are excited about an upcoming theatre performance. Or, perhaps you are curious if there are theater classes and camps for your children to immerse themselves in. Spark a little magic and wonder in your child’s life with a kid-friendly play, musical, class, or camp at SCCT! You will find all the information you need about the South Carolina Children’s Theatre below in our handy guide. Thank you SCCT for sponsoring this article!
Theatrical Productions at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre is pretty special, and its professional theatrical productions are a great way to entertain your children. Productions are all family-oriented and designed to elicit wonder and excitement in your child (and you!)
The 2023-2024 South Carolina Children’s Theatre Season
Theatre productions are detail-oriented, bursting with color and costume, and bring to life and reimagine a popular story or play. Theatre productions run by season, with each season having around 8 performances spread out over several months. Each production has multiple showings, so you can plan a date night out with your kids! Both stages are also accessible, so productions can be enjoyed by everyone.
Bell Stage performancesuse large set designs, costumes, puppets, and anything else needed to help bring the story from the pages of the book or script onto the stage. You can find big musicals and plays on this stage. Bell Stage productions have longer run times with intermissions. You can find run time information on the SCCT website. There are also assigned seats for Bell Stage productions, so make sure you purchase tickets early if you have large groups that want to sit together.
Younts 2nd Stage
Younts 2nd Stage performances also offer the pop, color, and costumes that the Bell Stage productions do, but performances are more intimate and held on a smaller stage. This allows performers to really engage with the audience. These productions are shorter, approximately 45 minutes to an hour long, so they are an excellent choice for younger (with shorter attention spans) audience members. Tickets for Younts Stage are also cheaper than Bell Stage productions, so that’s great on the budget!
Performances Right For Your Family
All theatre productions at SCCT have an age range recommendation, so be sure to check to see which performance best suits your child. SCCT does recommend that most productions are for children 3 and older.
The majority of these theatre productions are held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, with daytime and evening showings available, so they make an excellent parent/child date day!
Want to see a stage performance for a field trip? If you’re a teacher or homeschooling group, you can check out performances at SCCT through their weekday school performances on the Bell Stage and the Youths Stage. All students, teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers will need a ticket to view the performance.
SCCT Flex Pass for Performances
Looking to save some money while also seeing all of the amazing upcoming shows at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre? The SCCT Flex Pass program offers first-priority seating, unlimited free ticket exchanges, discounts on classes, and discounts to downtown stores. There are three price points to choose from, Blue, Green, or Orange, that allow for a specific number of tickets per package.
Pay What You Can Tickets
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre offers a “Pay What You Can” ticket program for select performances of select shows throughout the year. You’ll find these performances labeled as a “Pay What You Can Performance” within each show’s schedule on the South Carolina Children’s Theatre Website.
The first Pay What You Can Performance of the 2023-2024 season was the September 24, 2023 performance of Charlotte’s Web. When you see a Pay What You Can Performance on the website, follow the directions on that link to purchase your tickets.
Free Performances at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre
One of the best things about SCCT is that they offer free performance events through their Tell-Me-a- Story Theatre and Once Upon an Orchestra programs.
Tell Me a Story Theatre is a high-energy telling of a popular children’s story or book that is engaging for younger children, think PreK to early elementary students. The event is completely free, and is located in the Prisma Health Lobby. The performance and story reading lasts around 30 minutes, great for squirmy kids. You can check out Tell-Me-a-Story once per month.
Once Upon an Orchestra is a partnership between SCCT and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra that brings children’s literature and music together through storytelling. Your child (and you) can enjoy Once Upon an Orchestra three times per year, for free! Performances last around 30 minutes and are perfect for children age K3 through 5th grade. You can find upcoming performances of Once Upon an Orchestra on the SCCT website.
Theatre Classes at the SCCT
Support your child’s interest in the performing arts with classes at The South Carolina Children’s Theatre! SCCT’s Theatre Arts Conservatory offers a variety of classes for kids interested in learning about acting, drama, stage management, directing, musical theater, and so much more!
Classes use a lot of fun activities to strengthen your child’s imagination, self-expression, confidence, and self-discipline. These classes also build a foundation for theatre arts concepts. Classes build onto one another, so SCCT encourages parents to not rush their child through the classes, but to allow them to make natural progress. Classes are grouped by age, so even your budding three-year-old Broadway star can enjoy these immersive classes!
Ages 3-6: Children in this age range will play games, sing songs, explore characters, and engage their imagination in a low-pressure environment. Classes are typically once per week for one hour. Multiple classes are offered, with classes in theatre exploration, singing, and stage production available.
Grades 1-6: Children in this age range will explore theatre training through improv activities and high-energy games. There are several classes available for this age range where they can learn about process acting, singing, musical theatre, or improvisation.
Grades 6-12: Classes for this age range become more technical and build on their knowledge of the performing arts. Kids can learn about process acting, singing, musical theatre, solo singing, and improvisation.
All The Colors of the Spectrum: For children in 2nd through 12th grade with developmental or processing challenges, SCCT offers All The Colors of the Spectrum! Through modified activities, children with special needs can engage in theatre arts through immersive storytelling, sketch creation, collaboration, and more.
Acting for Adults: SCCT offers FREE classes for adult students college age and up! Classes are for both beginner and seasoned actors to engage in the theatre arts.
Workshops at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Sometimes you need a date night, or a morning out. Sometimes you even need some extra help when your kids are out for holidays. SCCT can help you out with their workshops!
Workday Workshops occur during school break days when children are out of school on a random Monday or Friday for a teacher workday. These workshops engage children in group-based activities but are not usually themed.
Kids Night Out happens once per month, where parents can drop off their kids for a few hours. Kids Night Out is a fun night of themed activities, with theatre games followed by a movie and snack. Kids Night Out is from 6 pm to 10 pm, with pre-registration required.
Saturday Morning Mania is when parents can drop off their kids for a few hours of shopping or a fancy brunch in Downtown Greenville. Saturday Morning Mania happens once per month. There are themed drama games and activities with a picnic lunch. Parents should preregister ahead of time.
SCCT Summer Camp
SCCT’s Summer Camps are an excellent way to keep your kids busy over the summer! Summer camps are offered for ages K3 through high school. Each camp is designed to boost confidence while having fun learning about theatre.
2024 KABOOM AWARD Winner: South Carolina Children’s Theatre
Did you know the South Carolina Children’s Theatre was a 2024 KABOOM Family Favorites 1st place winner for Best Performing Arts Theatre? Check out all of the finalists and winners in Kidding Around’s 2024 KABOOM Awards Guide.
SCCT Ticket Giveaways
The Spongebob Musical
The underwater town of Bikini Bottom is in danger in this epic and electric musical based on the popular cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. Though underestimated as a “simple sponge,” SpongeBob manages to unite the citizens and save the city from impending doom. This wildly entertaining show features songs by famous musical artists and bands that parents will love such as Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At The Disco, and The Flaming Lips to name a few.
Artistic Director Matt Giles: “I couldn’t be more excited to produce this ambitious whale of a musical. Not only does it feature one of the most iconic children’s characters of the past 20 years, but it also includes songs from some of the most iconic musicians. This show is a fun, heartfelt spectacle. Hattie Claire Andres (who works at Seattle Rep) is coming to stage this piece, and I can’t wait to watch her bring it to life.”
Based on the series by: Stephen Hillenburg
Book by: Kyle Jarrow
Original songs by: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I.
One Kidding Around reader will win 4 FREE TICKETS to see The Spongebob Musical at SCCT. This giveaway runs from April 1st-April 15th, 2024, 11:59PM. Good luck!
Terms & Conditions
Winning tickets may not be redeemed for the April 27, 2024, 7:00 pm show.
Tickets are redeemable for dates based upon seat availability. Space is limited.
You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
One entry per person per day.
We will contact the winner via the email address provided within two [2] days of the giveaway ending. The winner will have two [2] days (48 hours) to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the two [2] days (48 hours), the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.
If you have any issues with the giveaway not appearing, please contact bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.
Looking for more kid-friendly classes and activities in Greenville, SC?
Ready to move to or around Greenville, SC but want to avoid that high cost of living? Hamilton & Co is here to help! Thank you to Hamilton & Co for sponsoring this article!
It’s no secret Greenville, SC is a city on the rise. “Best Small City in America,” “Best Food City in the US,” and “Happiest City in America” are just a few of the many accolades our city has received in recent years.
But rising popularity means rising house prices and overall cost of living.
If you’re considering a move – either local or from out of state – but are intimidated by the rising cost of housing, this article is for you!
Ready to do something a little out-of-the-box with your family to see the best of Greenville, SC? Let us introduce you to Greenville Bike Taxi, where you’ll get treated like a VIP while exploring some of the coolest places near downtown Greenville.
Imagine being in the back of a pedicab – a bike with a comfortable cart that can carry four people – cruising around downtown Greenville, taking in the sights with your kids, enjoying a couple cool shops and playgrounds, and taking photos in front of iconic places like Unity Park and the Medusa Tree, then have we got just the thing for you to do.
You may have already heard of Greenville Bike Taxi if you did the Earle Street Santas bike tour during Christmastime (wasn’t that fun?!), but if you haven’t, we will tell you all about them and their new Tikes on Trikes tour to some pretty neat places!
Phil Gonzalez grew up in Greenville and moved to the coast to go to school. In Charleston, he ended up working for a bike taxi company and loved it. He peddled all over King Street and through the historic district, taking people to restaurants, markets, bars, and on shopping trips. Literally anywhere they wanted to go.
When he decided to move back home to the Upstate, he wanted to bring that same experience to Greenville. So he did. After obtaining the necessary permits and navigating all the business paperwork, Phil opened up Greenville Bike Taxi in the spring and people have loved it.
Unity Park sign
It’s easy to see why. It’s such a unique way to get around town and since Greenville is so beautiful and since there is lots to see, it’s far from a boring way to be stuck in traffic on Main Street.
If you’re in town and want a bike taxi, you can book it right from the website. A standard ride is $7/person for 10 minutes. We’ll give you pricing info on the new kids tour below.
The Tikes on Trikes Bike Tour
We got to collaborate with Phil on putting this tour together and we can confidently say it’s awesome because you’ll get a taste of some of the most iconic places in town that kids will absolutely love.
Here’s where you’ll go on the Tikes on Trikes tour:
Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn
Poinsett Statue on Main Street
Linky Stone Park: The Children’s Garden
Unity Park
Falls Park
O.P. Taylor’s
Mast General
You’ll start and end the tour with free gifts, too, which is fantastic. We absolutely love Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn and you’ll see why when you go because you’ll get a free sample of their delicious popcorn. At the end of the tour, you’ll also get a free gift from O.P. Taylor’s and Mast General. If you haven’t stepped foot in O.P. Taylors, it is an amazing little toy shop with a wide variety of not only the latest toys but some of the very best toys and games from the past few decades. And we are big fans of Mast General for their great outdoor clothing and gear selection and candy barrels.
Skyler Burkett at Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn
At the statue of Joel Poinsett on Main Street, you’ll learn some neat tidbits about him and why in the world there’s a statue of him downtown. At Linky Stone Park, you’ll be transported to the world of Peter Rabbit.
At Unity Park, you’ll get to ride past the wind chimes and get about 10-15 minutes of playtime. The splash pad opens May 1 so bring towels if you want to do that!
At Falls Park, you’ll get to take a photo with the backdrop of the Reedy River Falls and iconic Liberty Bridge plus see the Medusa Tree. If you don’t know what that is, here’s a photo.
Medusa Tree
Overall, we had such a great time on this bike tour. The novelty of the pedicab is a lot of fun and is a unique way to enjoy our beautiful city. I think this tour would be particularly fun for someone who wants to take their kid on a one-on-one date or families who want to do an outing together and something different.
The bikes can hold up to four smaller adults or two adults and up to four kids. If you have more people than that, you can reserve two (or however many) bikes to accommodate everyone.
Tips on Enjoying the Tikes on Trikes Bike Tour
While the name is geared towards smaller kids, kids of pretty much any age will enjoy this. I took my daughters, ages 13 and 9, on the tour, and they really had a lot of fun – who doesn’t love free popcorn and Unity Park?
Since you will see a lot of the iconic places in Greenville, the tour goes by quickly. You’ll get time to enjoy each spot but not spend a lot of time so just prepare your kids, letting them know they cannot spend the entire hour playing at Unity Park. You can bribe them with the free gift at O.P. Taylors at the end of the tour!
Unity Park
The weather changes in Greenville a lot so be prepared with layers of clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You can bring water with you also.
If you want to allow your kids to use the splash pad, bring towels.
Booking Your Tikes on Trikes Bike Tour
The cost for the tour is $40/adults and $30/kids. They are an hour long and run Sundays – Fridays 11 am – 3 pm.
Our Kidding Around readers are like family—which means we’re here for the early and later stages of parenting. If you’re starting to think about college, Method Learning is a critical element when building your college prep toolbox!Don’t miss the amazing giveaway in this article & access to valuable free test prep and college admissions resources!
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