Archive for the ‘Things to Do Inside’ Category

FREE Home Depot Kids Workshops (2024): Quality time with the kids

Looking for the next FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop Kit? The Home Depot Workshops for kids have always been a Kidding Around favorite. We’ve been, we love them, and our readers do, too! We’re going to tell you what we love, why we love it, how to register, and some parent tips to help you make the most of your visit to the free workshops for kids at Home Depot.

By the time you’re done, you’ll be an expert on the Home Depot Kids’ Workshops, just like us!

This article includes:

Kids Workshop: The Next Project at Home Depot

Experience the Home Depot Kids Workshop: What We Love

See For Yourself: Video Review

2024 Home Depot Kids Workshop Schedule

How Do the Free Kids Workshops at Home Depot Work?

Home Depot Kids Workshop Schedule and news

I have always looked forward to the first Saturday of the month for the past several years as it has been my mommy-daughter date at the Home Depot kids workshop. I grab my coffee and my two young kids get their hammers and paintbrushes and we build whatever the kids’ workshop has deemed the project of the month at our local store.

It’s all free! Home Depot offers workshop kits for kids, including all materials needed to complete the project, totally free. These projects are an amazing way to spend some quality time with the kids, without spending a dime.

June 2024: Home Depot Kids Project- Grill Gift Card Box June 1st

Make Dad something special for Father’s Day with the Home Depot Kids Workshop in June. You’ll make a fun grill box that can hold a gift card. Dad will love it! Visit on June 1st, 2024 from 9 am to 12 pm. Registration in advance is encouraged.

Working on a Home Depot Kids Workshop project.

Assembling a FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop kit at Home Depot

Home Depot Kids Workshops in the News

We sat down with local news outlet, Fox Carolina to chat about these workshops.

Experience The Home Depot Kids Workshop

We love taking kids to the Home Depot workshops. We pooled the experiences of our KA Team in this review, so you’ll know what you can expect when you attend. Here are the top 3 things you need to know!

First, the Home Depot has workshops of all kinds for their customers and they have these awesome kids workshops on the first Saturday of every month from 9 am-Noon.
Secondly, know that they provide all the materials you need to make whatever the craft of the day is. Just show up with your kid. With the take-home kits, you’ll have to do some of that yourself.
Third, you, and your child, don’t need any kind of handyman experience. I’ve certainly made mistakes helping my daughters build all sorts of stuff but it’s a great learning time for all of us and it also helps with hand-eye coordination for the kiddos.

See for Yourself! A Video of Our Home Depot Kids Visit

Building and Painting

The crafts always consist of something that you have to hammer together and then paint. My daughters both are great with handling a hammer and have only hit my fingers a few times. They also absolutely love the painting part too.

We have made all kinds of stuff together – a birdhouse, a car, a plane, a mailbox, a little sled, a planter (these are all kid-size, not big people, normal-sized things).

Thankfully there are instructions on how to put it together. I also cheat and see what the other parents do.

Free Home Depot Kids Workshop Kit, working with Dad on a project

How Kids Workshops at Home Depot Work

Check out your local Home Depot by going to the kids’ workshop link to make sure they have the kids’ workshop available. Most of the stores in the area have them.

All you do is show up between 9 am and Noon (look around for the area where they have the workshop or ask an associate) and the nice people at Home Depot will give you a packet that contains the craft, along with a kids apron and a commemorative pin, and step by step instructions.

You can register online to be sure you get a kit. If inventory levels of the kits are low, those who registered online will get them first. But usually, there isn’t a problem!

At the stores, Home Depot has benches and tables set up where you can sit down and get to work. They provide the little paintbrushes, the hammers, and the paint. I try to have my kids wear clothes I wouldn’t mind getting paint on because it can get a little messy.

I have to stop myself from helping them too much because it’s so fun. I’ve seen parents really get into it and do all the painting while their child watches. It’s a kid’s thing so let the kids do it! And they are learning how to woodwork in the process, which helps build their confidence.

Working alongside Dad at Home Depot free kids workshop

Having fun at a Home Depot Workshop for kids

More Details: Free Home Depot Kids Workshop

The kids’ workshops are on the first Saturday of the month. I started taking my oldest daughter when she was 3-years-old, which worked out great and my youngest when she was around two-and-a-half. It really depends on the child and how many kids you can control at once.

I have found it’s an awesome parent-kid date idea, especially for parents whose time is more limited during the workweek.

My daughter has a bunch of commemorative pins from each project on her Home Depot apron, which she wears each time we visit. Its fun to see all of the projects we’ve created together.

2024 Home Depot Kids Workshop Kit Schedule

Free Home Depot Kids kits are available the first Saturday of the month for completion in-store.

January 6th, 2024: Delivery Truck
February 3rd, 2024: Valentines Basket
March 2nd, 2024: Butterfly House
April 6th, 2024: Lattice Planter
May 4th, 2024: Bloomin Picture Frame
June 1st, 2024: Grill Gift card Box
July 6th, 2024: Soccer Game
August 3rd, 2024: Whiteboard
September 7th, 2024: Field Goal Game
October 5th, 2024: Fire Rescue Truck
November 2nd, 2024: Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
November 30th, 2024: Cocoa Ornament
December 7th, 2024: Holiday Snow Globe
January 4th, 2025: Piggy Bank

Past Projects Included

Kids workshops 2023 made:

Snowball Game
Valentine’s Vase
Pinball Game
Poolside Birdhouse
Flower Planter
Putting Green
Fireworks Bean Bag Toss
Treasure Chest
Build a Microscope
Rescue Floatplane
Horseshoe Game
Penguin Photo Ornament
Gingerbread House

Free things to do for kids across the USA

We LOVE free things to do!

Find more in the Kidding Around Guide to Free Things to Do for Kids

Don’t want to wait? Purchase Wood Kits for Kids

This section contains Amazon affiliate links.

You can purchase woodcraft kits for children instead of waiting for the free Home Depot kits each month. Help children develop woodworking skills, practice following written directions, get a little creative, and just enjoy some quality time with you!

You also find some of the Home Depot Kids Kits on sale at Home Depot online. You can even purchase a kid party pack. What a great idea for a kids’ party!

The Home Depot Kids page also has virtual workshops and virtual field trip videos about plants that kids may enjoy.

Home Depot Free Kids’ Workshops FAQ

How do I sign-up for the free Kids’ Workshops at Home Depot?

Sign-up at Home Depot Kids. It just takes a minute and it’s the best way to make sure there will be a kit there for your kids.

Are the Home Depot Kids’ Kits hard to build?

Don’t worry. Picture instructions are included and you don’t need any special prior knowledge of building things to complete the project with your kids. Just go and have a good time. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Are the Home Depot Kids’ workshops really free?

Yep. Totally free. Sign-up and then spend a little time building something fun with your kids. Few things in life are free anymore and opportunities to do something cool with your kids for free are definitely limited. We love that Home Depot is keeping these workshops free. Go make some memories. You’ll never regret spending time with your kids.

What ages are good for the Free Home Depot Kids’ Workshop

We’d recommend about age 3 and up. At 3, the kids will need lots of help from you. but as kids get older they’ll be able to do more and more of the project independently.

Are there more free kids’ workshops and events at other stores?

Lowe’s offers similar Free Kids’ Workshops once a month.

And, JCPenney offers free kids craft events each month.

Show Us Your Work!

Thanks for sharing your awesome Home Depot Kids’ Workshop Projects. We love them!

One child's project made at Home Depot Kid's Workshops

One child's birdhouse, made at Home Depot free workshops.

More Free Projects for Kids

Lowe’s Home Improvement Free Kid’s Workshops Schedule

JCPenney Kids Zone Free crafts every month

Free Crafts for Kids

JCPenney Free Kids Zone Crafts Schedule

So mark your calendars and have fun!

The Taylors Mill: Restaurants, an Arcade, and More Entertainment!

Have you visited Taylors Mill? Taylors, SC is home to an old mill that is quietly becoming a stand-alone entertainment destination in the Upstate. If you’ve not been to this repurposed mill in Taylors yet, there are so many reasons to go. Here are the restaurants and entertainment venues available at Taylors Mill.

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(2024) Cheap Summer Movies to Enjoy Near Greenville, SC

Looking for a “dollar movie theater” or cheap summer movies? Greenville, SC and the Upstate have many theaters offer low-cost movie deals to keep the entire family entertained throughout the summer. So, find that “cheap movie theater near me” with the help of this list, then grab some delicious popcorn and escape the humid summer heat. These upstate movie theaters offer showings of popular movies at an affordable price.

Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Deals

Anderson, SC Cheap Summer Movies

Gaffney, SC Summer Movie Deals

Spartanburg, SC Movie Deals

Seneca, Easley, & Greenwood Free Summer Movies

These promotions are so cheap that even your kids might break open their piggy bank and treat you to a movie date!

With plenty of hot afternoons ahead and cranky kids to entertain, catching one of these movies would be the perfect way to spend your afternoon. Please check with venues before attending as information may change.

Check out our guide to Free Things to do This Summer Near Greenville, SC to have an amazing, inexpensive adventure!

$2 Movies at Regal Cinemas

Have a Regal Cinema near you? Regal Cinemas offer Summer Movie Express all summer long! Regal offers these showings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a $2 ticket price. What a deal! All movies have either G or PG ratings.

Regal Cinema has two Greenville locations, two Spartanburg locations, and theaters in Anderson, Simpsonville, and Asheville.

The Regal Summer Movie Express Titles have yet to be announced, we will update when they are released.

Regal Kids Summer Movies: Titles, schedule, plus tips and tricks

Summer Movie Titles

Here’s the list of movies and dates at Regal Cinemas in our area. These are fairly consistent at all our local locations. Times do vary – usually between 10 am – 12 pm start times – so be sure to plug in your location to get the correct time and movie playing. We will add all upcoming showings once we have information for 2024.

Cheap Movies in Anderson at AmStar 14

You can enjoy Super Saver Tuesday at AmStar 14 in Anderson $5.99 gets guests admission, which is much cheaper than a normal ticket.

The theatre typically has a Summer Kid’s Flicks series. Their carefully curated list of kid’s films occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am and it includes fun favorites like Despicable Me, Curious George, and Sing 2. The theatre is currently going through a merger with Santikos Entertainment, and we will confirm if there Free Summer Movie program will continue at the Anderson location.

$5 Movies In Gaffney, SC at The Big E

The $5 Summer Movie Series at The Big E in Gaffney returns in May 2024. The promotional series will begin on May 27, 2024. Movies showings occur Monday-Saturday at 10:30 am.

More than just a movie ticket! The $5 package includes one summer series movie viewing, popcorn, soda, and a $2 game card.

Kids Bowl Free: Your Kids Can Go Bowling for Free All Summer Long: The Big E is also a Kids Bowl Free location! Get your Kids Bowl Free Coupons now.

2024 Summer Movie Titles at The Big E

Summer Camp at NCG Cinema in Spartanburg

Take your kids to “summer camp” at NCG Spartanburg! They will be offering $2 movies for kids all summer long (parents can join too of course). You can purchase a Kids Mini Combo for $5 (1 per ticket). Movies titles include movies like Shrek 2, Migration, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and even the classic The Land Before Time!

See also Regal Cinema Summer Express for more summer movie options in Spartanburg, SC.

FREE Summer Movies! Movies in Easley, Seneca, & Greenwood

Premiere Cinemas in Easley, Seneca, and Greenwood will offer free kid movie deals all summer long. Showings of movies typically occur on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am and 11 am with a wonderful lineup of family-friendly movies. The 2024 Summer Kid Series titles will be released sometime the first week of May.

Have you been eagerly awaiting these Summer movie deals?

Want to go see a free outdoor movie near Greenville, SC? Be sure to check our guide for all the latest opportunities!

Heading to Columbia, SC? Here are the free and cheap summer movies in Columbia, SC.

Spa H: Absolute Peace and Tranquility Await in Greenville, SC

Need a gift for Mother’s Day or a special treat for a birthday or just a day of relaxation in Greenville, SC? Let us introduce you to Spa H at Hotel Hartness.

Thank you to Spa H for inviting us to experience their amazing oasis.

Rest and relaxation are not part of my vocabulary, especially as a parent and working mom. There is just no time and if there is time by some miracle, it’s usually spent catching up on laundry or the dishes or meal planning or making deadlines. So when Bethany and I had the opportunity to review Spa H at Hotel Hartness, we carved out the time (and threw some responsibilities to the side) to make it happen because it’s a rare thing to be able to truly relax and just forget about life for awhile.

Spa H was even better than I had pictured or imagined. It is the absolute perfect way to gift that woman in your life who deserves some time alone or to gift yourself!

About Spa H

Spa H is part of Hotel Hartness right off Highway 14 in Greenville. It’s set back on a beautiful, quiet nature preserve next to a small lake. While it is a part of Hotel Hartness, the building is separate from the hotel but within a minute or so walk. So if you book a hotel room, you can easily just walk over to your spa appointment (which we absolutely recommend).

The spa is beautiful and peaceful and it’s easy to see how the designers thoughtfully created the space so that relaxation is encouraged. From the soft music when you walk into the spa to the comfortable couches to the delicious scents – it is all meant to be relaxing as soon as you walk through those doors.

There are six treatment rooms, locker rooms for men and women, a relaxation room, and a patio that overlooks the small lake with a garden.

Let’s Get to Relaxing

We were scheduled for an 80-minute Seasonal Treatment, a body treatment that involves an exfoliating scrub, shea butter, a cactus toning wrap, and shimmer air oil. The products were all orange-scented, which smelled heavenly. The scents change every few months with the seasons.

When we got to Spa H, the kind receptionist greeted us and gave us a bamboo cloth that smelled so good! She poured hot water over it so we could use it to wipe our hands or faces. We filled out an intake form and headed to the locker room.

Lobby at Spa H — Reception room at Spa H

We each had individual lockers – welcoming us with a little chalkboard by name – that had an amazingly soft and fluffy robe with sandals. We each had a key so felt safe locking our valuables inside while we had our treatments.

The locker rooms have showers and bathrooms along with shaving kits, toothbrushes, hair brushes, deodorant, you name it. It was a well-stocked locker room.

For body treatments, it’s best to remove all clothing except underwear. It may be different for facials so be sure to ask the attendant what you should do. We felt comfortable the whole time and cozy in our robes. Everything at Spa H is professional, tranquil, and comforting.

The Seasonal Treatment

For the seasonal treatment, the back, arms, legs, feet, and arms are rubbed down with a body scrub, then taken off with heated, wet towels. Then shea butter is massaged into the skin along with the shimmer air oil. At the end, you are all wrapped up like a cocoon with a cactus toning wrap.

My clinician, Beverly, was amazing. She explained everything that would happen and asked what I was comfortable with or preferred to skip and then got to it. The treatment began with several deep breaths while facedown. Beverly had some water that was scented with something that immediately made my body relax. It was heavenly.

Spa H — All about relaxation and comfort!

Then she worked on my back with the body scrub. Never having had a body treatment like this before, I thought it may be messy with the scrub needing to be rinsed off. But it wasn’t at all. That’s what the heated towels were for. Everything was the perfect temperature and I soon began to forget about my life for a bit.

She continued to do my legs and then I turned over for my feet and arms. My feet were wrapped in hot towels for awhile, which made them oh-so-soft (yay for summertime!). She then took the bottom of the blankets on the table where I was laying and wrapped me up. It wasn’t tight and it wasn’t as I thought it would be at all. I was wondering how I was supposed to be wrapped up. Would I have to sit up or get off the table or something like that? Nope, all I did was lay there.

When I was all wrapped up, she gave me a scalp massage. I nearly fell asleep. I can’t even describe how relaxing this was. All the stuff that had been on my mind when I walked into the spa was somewhere else. I didn’t even care where. I was just happy it wasn’t inside my head any longer. I wasn’t thinking of work or dinner or answering a million questions from kids or trying to remember if I ordered enough toilet paper from Amazon.

I could have stayed there another hour.

Relaxation Continues After Treatment

I really didn’t want to go anywhere after the treatment and luckily, I had some time to just sit and do nothing. Bethany and I got time to hang out together in the relaxation room, which had comfortable chairs, blankets, books, and cold green tea. It was amazing.

We headed out to the sunny patio for a little while to enjoy the beautiful day. The sun was warm and we just felt really good. We started Googling how much it would be to do an overnight stay at Hotel Hartness and a spa treatment. Dads – if you’re reading and have forgotten birthdays and Mother’s Day and need to make your wife happy, give her an overnight stay at the hotel with a spa treatment. It will make her very, very happy.

You are also welcome to hang out at the Relaxation Room as long as you like.

Booking Your Spa H Appointment

I don’t go often for massages or facials or really anything that was as relaxing as this trip to Spa H was. But goodness, I really should do this more. It just felt so good to have a couple hours of doing nothing and focusing on nothing but being in the moment and letting go of worries and concerns.

You can book your appointment online at the Spa H website. They are currently offering a Mother’s Day and weekday discount. You can also become a member at the spa where you receive a 50-minute relaxation massage or balancing facial every month plus discounts for spa products, hotel rooms, and additional services.

Be sure to get there 15-30 minutes early to have time to fill out the intake form and get changed. We both walked out of there so much happier and more relaxed than when we came in. All the staff are so kind and considerate and just really good at their jobs. Make the appointment. Buy the gift card.

Spa H
90 Traverse Dr, Greenville
864.373.9802
Spa H Website

Adventure Brews Play Haven: New Upstate Indoor/Outdoor Play Space for Kids

Adventure Brews Play Haven, a new indoor/outdoor play space for kids and their families is coming to the Greenville, SC area in 2025. We’ve got all the details for you!

Inspired by nature and the need for families of different dynamics to be able to connect with others, Adventure Brews Play Haven was born. The new play space will open in the Greer/Taylors area of Greenville County with both indoor and outdoor facilities and will be a welcome addition for families to bring their kids and feel welcomed and happy!

Adventure Brews Play Haven

Inspiration Behind Adventure Brews Play Haven

Katie Winn Sarbacker and her husband had a very long and difficult journey to parenthood. After their son was born, they loved getting out in nature and found that the outdoors really helped bond them as a family and aid in their son’s development.

“The journey to becoming a family for us was long and difficult. Years of infertility, including a miscarriage and ultimately a very long NICU stay, showed us the lack of support for different family dynamics,” said Katie. “As aunts and uncles with children in our lives we care deeply for, we found it difficult to find a space to bring my nieces and nephews where I felt ‘part of the club.’”

Kate found that many communities are more “mom-centric” and she and her husband felt left out before having their son since they spent a significant amount of time with nieces and nephews. Finding a community that focused on nature was also a challenge.

“After the birth of our son three months early we found nature to be very healing and supportive of his growth and development post NICU stay,” she said. “Finding a local community of other parents who were also focused on a connection with nature took significant effort with a lot of difficulty.”

She wants Adventure Brews Play Haven to be welcoming of all kinds of families and caregivers and use nature to further connection with each other and others.

About Adventure Brews Play Haven: The Indoor Space & Outdoor Spaces

Adventure Brews Play Haven will focus on a space that is inspired by nature and intimate enough where caregivers won’t lose track of their kids but where they can connect with each other as well.

The indoor space will have a playground and cafe and be geared towards children ages 0-5. There will be a nature-themed play area designed by Tiger Play for these children to wander and explore. The space will also incorporate imagination stations but Katie and her husband want them to be entertaining without tons of small toys strewn everywhere so they are considering options on how to best make that dream a reality.

Babies will get their own state-of-the-art soft play space. The plan for this area is to give babies a nature-inspired space where they can explore and exercise their little bodies and minds.

The outdoor space will be used for classes, events, and special play times. There will be immersive nature classes, gardening, and special “messy play” sensory events. Katie said she wants to focus on homeschool classes as well where older kids can enjoy the time during an outdoor class and the smaller kids can have somewhere to play indoors.

“Our mission is to provide a stimulating and safe environment where kids can explore, learn, and grow through outdoor-themed play and educational activities while caregivers can relax and enjoy themselves,” Katie said.

Adventure Brews Play Haven will host birthday parties and special events.

In line with their philosophy about taking care of both caregivers and kids, the play haven will have on hand spare hygiene items, nursing items, diapers, wipes, clothing, and breastfeeding supplies.

Additionally, they plan on having a full-body changing table in the bathrooms for special needs families.

About Adventure Brews Play Haven: The Cafe

Why a cafe inside a play area for kids? The better question is why not a cafe inside a play area, right?

“I like food and drinks,” said Katie. “It’s just really nice to enjoy some kind of beverage and food that I didn’t have to make myself while my son is doing something he enjoys. I want caregivers to feel like they are taken care of as well and that their needs are met.”

Coffee, snacks, and other food will be locally sourced as much as possible.

Adventure Brews Play Haven Memberships & Play Passes

The new play space will offer day passes, recurring memberships, multi-passes, class pass upgrades, and premium events like character events with a membership upgrade.

While prices have not been determined yet, Katie says that passes will be comparable to other local kid-focused play cafes.

About Adventure Brews Play Haven: Pop-Up Events

Adventure Brews Play Haven will focus heavily on relationships within the local community. They already have partnerships with yoga instructors and local farmers’ markets and are looking for others to work with for classes and events.

For their pop-up events, think kids yoga classes, STEM-based classes, arts and crafts, and messy play. Sign up for their email list so you don’t miss anything.

Once Adventure Brews Play Haven opens, they are planning to continue pop-up events as well as host other special play times, including:

STEM-based classes
Kid yoga classes
Arts and craft classes
Storytimes
Sensory-friendly hours
Toddler hours
Messy play hours
Character events
Homeschool class series

Visiting Adventure Brews Play Haven

Adventure Brews Play Haven is not open yet. They are planning to open hopefully in early 2025. But until then, the best way to stay updated is to join their email subscriber list and follow them on Facebook.

They are going to start having pop up events over the summer so you can meet the owners and get a feel for what the new place will be like. We are going to try to make sure we have them on our calendar but in case we miss something, the emails from Adventure Brews Play Haven will be your best bet on current news.

Of course, we will update this story as the space evolves and construction begins and make an announcement when it opens.

Adventure Brews Play Haven
Adventure Brews Play Haven Website | Adventure Brews Play Haven Facebook

Guide to things to do indoors near Greenville, South Carolina

Can’t wait to play indoors? Here’s our HUGE Indoor Guide to Greenville for some additional ideas!

Yellowbobbypins: Your Young Artist Will Love Creating at This Local Art Studio for Kids in Greenville, SC

If you are looking for art classes for kids in Greenville, SC, then you have to try Yellowbobbypins! Make art, get messy with paint, learn something new, and take home their creation. What could be better?

Yellowbobbypins Art Camp in Greenville, South Carolina

Art Classes at Yellowbobbypins

4 and Under Playgroup

Summer Camps at Yellowbobbypins

Birthday Parties at Yellowbobbypins

My four-year-old daughter and I were invited to create some art at one of Yellowbobbypins’ art classes at their Hampton Station location. It was such a joyful experience that further strengthened her interest in the creative arts. Yellowbobbypins has art playgroups, art classes, party packages, and even art camps for the budding artist in your life. Find out more about Yellowbobbypins below.

A special thank you to Lauren Runion, owner of Yellowbobbypins, for having us for this review!

Art Classes for Kids: Yellowbobbypins Art Camp at Hampton Station

My daughter loves to create art, but finding art classes for kids that fit her age range hasn’t always been easy. Good thing Yellowbobbypins has art classes for kids ages 0 – 13! From the moment we walked into Yellowbobbypins owner Lauren Runion’s studio space at Hampton Station, I knew we were in the perfect place to create comfortably.

Firstly, Lauren exudes creativity and kindness. It was beautiful watching her interact with the children in a kind, calm, and direct way. Her passion for art is delightful and she is such a talented art educator. Her knowledge stems from many years of experience as an art teacher in the public school system.

Throughout the class, she patiently guided the kids through each step of their project and addressed each child by name. She was helpful and attentive to each child and their project.

My daughter is a little nervous in new situations (as am I), and Lauren made it a point to ask her questions about her art pieces and to include her with the other children who regularly attend classes. This really brought out her creativity and interest in the class, making for a memorable experience for both of us.

Variety of art classes offered at Yellowbobbypins in Greenville, SC

Drop-in and Semester Long Art Classes

For the budding artist in your life, Yellowbobbypins offers semester classes, drop-in art classes, homeschool classes, holiday camps, summer camps, and classes for ages 4 and under. Classes strengthen creative problem-solving, build confidence, and teach about various art techniques such as painting, drawing, and mixed media art.

The in-person art classes are located at the Hampton Station studio. Kids of all ages are welcome, with classes in groups of different age ranges. Parents can opt to have their child in the classes for the full semester, exploring a core theme throughout. Or, drop-in classes are also available, where the child can join the group to explore the theme for that day.

There are class options for morning, afternoon, and evening classes throughout the week. When my daughter went for a drop-in visit, she explored Mexican Hojalata metal and mirror art! These classes are 1 hour long, guided classes with the instructor, and the kids constantly learn as they go. Classes are available throughout the school year, but there are no classes during the summertime (but there are summer camps your child can join!). Find out more and register for art classes at Yellowbobbypins on their website.

Creating metal art at Yellowbobbypins art classes in Greenville, South Carolina

4 and under Art Playgroup: Wee Create and Painted Paci’s

Have a young kid who loves to make art? Worried about the mess that usually comes along with arts and crafts with small kids? Worry no more! Yellowbobbypins offers Wee Create art playgroups for ages 2-6. Plus, you do not have to worry about cleanup. These classes are currently offered twice per month during the school year. You will also be pleased to find art classes for babies! The Painted Paci’s Playgroup is wonderful for younger children ages 6 months – 2 years to explore with paint and other art mediums while playing with mom or dad.

Here, parents and children can engage in art play that strengthens creativity through engaging and interactive lessons. Kids will build on their fine motor skills, explore with their hands with art materials, socialize with other kids, and engage their senses through sensory play.

During the art playgroup, the kids will explore different sensory stations with different topics, like oceans and cities. Adult participation is required for the art playgroups, but parents will have just as much fun creating as their kids will. Art playgroups are 1-hour long morning classes, with some parent/child activity classes occasionally offered during evening hours. You can register for classes on the Yellowbobbypins website.

Van Gogh lesson at Yellowbobbypins in Greenville, South Carolina

Art Summer Camp with Yellowbobbypins

Summer camp at Yellowbobbypins is a fun way to keep your child engaged during summer break! They have several themed art camps available to choose from, with camps like Interior Design, Mythical Creatures, or Harry Potter! There are several additional camps to choose from. Each camp is 1 week long from Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 12 pm. Check out the current availability for summer camps on the Yellowbobbypins website!

Of course, you can see all the summer camps in Greenville on our huge Summer Camp Guide to Greenville, SC.

Art Birthday Parties at Yellowbobbypins

Yellowbobbypins also hosts parties for ages 2 and up! The space is perfect for an intimate birthday party centered around art and learning new things. Parents can choose from three party packages, including painting parties for ages 7 and older, Little Parties for ages 2-6 years old, Delux Parties for ages 6 and older that involve potions and slime, or a custom event of your choosing! Party packages start at $265 and can be offsite or at the Yellowbobbypins studio at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC.

For 2024, Yellowbobbypins even won Best Kids Birthday Party Venue in our KABOOM Awards!

Would your child love a visit to Yellowbobbypins?

Yellowbobbypins
1320 Hampton Avenue Extension
Greenville, SC

More Kid-Friendly Places to Make Art
Near Greenville, SC

Movies, Arcade Games, Bowling, and More at The Big E: Gaffney, SC

Have you visited the awesome indoor entertainment complex, The Big E, in Gaffney, SC? We sent Local mom Rebecca Parrish for a fun day with her family! She shares what her family loves about The Big E in Gaffney, SC and all of the activities you will find there.

What You’ll Find at The Big E: Gaffney, SC

Our family took a quick 45 minute road trip north on I-85 to exit 90 to visit Gaffney, South Carolina. Nestled next to the Gaffney Outlet Marketplace (A Simon Center), locally known as the “yellow mall”, The Big E in Gaffney, SC is an entertainment center promising fun for every age. It is a great place to spend the day and enjoy new experiences with your child, or a spot for birthday party joy.

The Movie Theatre

The Big E Gaffney features eight (8) movie theatres screening wide-release new blockbuster movies. They strictly enforce rating policies for ticketing. The theater is comfortable and has a high quality sound system, digital projection, and stadium style seating. You can purchase tickets ahead of time through The Big E online theatre portal, where you will find showtimes, movie ratings, and run times for each moving showing. Ticket prices run from $$8.25 – $10.25, which is slightly more affordable than some other movie theatre chains.

A Bowling Alley

The Big E also has a large bowling alley with 16 lanes where they feature open bowling ($5 per person plus $3.00 per person for shoes) and cosmic bowling ($6 per person) on weekends. You can choose to rent a lane by game or by the hour. Big E has mixed and youth leagues, and they participate in the Kids Bowl Free program in the spring and summer.

The bowling area also has flat-screen TVs and an area for food and beverages. The concessions include a variety of snacks and fries, pizza, wings, and “plates” like chicken tenders and hot dogs/corn dogs.

Bowling at The Big E in Gaffney, South Carolina

Playland Indoor Playground

Younger children will love the indoor playland which involves climbing up levels, over rope bridges, on swings, and down slides. They even have a Ballocity Blast Center, where hundreds of foam balls are propelled out of mini air cannons. The playland is padded, which is always a plus. Parents are welcome to hang out in the cafe area located nearby while their children play. The cost is $7 per child for an unlimited day pass. Be sure to bring socks, but they do have them for $3.00 in case you need to purchase a pair.

The Arcade

The playland shares space with the 60 game arcade area, which houses lots of arcade games (including old favorites like Skee Ball to high-tech games like a Star Wars simulator), and the bumper cars (my personal favorite). Don’t leave the Big E without taking a spin on these spinning, neon-round cars.

The best part about playing is the ease of it; the Big E Gaffney sells a “ Big E Fun Card” that parents can load with an amount of money. This card is used at each of the attractions and the arcade, so rather than keeping up with dollars and loose change, kids or adults just use the card. We found this so simple and a lesson for our child about making smart choices about what he wanted to try. They often run promotions for Fun Cards, which is a good way to get extra bang for your buck!

Bumper cars at The Big E in Gaffney, South Carolina

Laser Tag

By far, our favorite part of our Big E adventure was Laser Tag. For $8 per person, you get an amazing, action-packed game lasting about 10-15 minutes. Individuals are suited up with high-tech vests that react with vibrations and sound, and laser guns (called phasers) that you reload as you play on the multi-level course with teammates. Black lights, glowing barriers, fog, and music add to the excitement; and spectators can watch the action on a screen outside the arena. At the end of the match, points are tallied and a winner is revealed. My son is still buzzing from his victory!

Mini Golf and Zip Line

Outside, the complex includes an adventure mini golf course and a challenging zip line. The day we ventured out, it was too cold and windy to try these. However, the area looked fun for a future warm day when we have some funds for fun!

Host Your Birthday Party at The Big E: Gaffney, SC

Having a birthday party at The Big E would make a epic memory for you kids. You can have a Mini Golf Party, Playland Party, Movie Party, or a Bowling Party. You can even add on laser tag. Parties for up to 10 guests cost around $205. You’ll get access to one attraction, pizza, drinks, ice cream, and arcade cards. You’ll also get a party host to make everything go seamlessly.

Plan Your Trip to The Big E: Gaffney, South Carolina

The Big E Gaffney
1100 Factory Shops Blvd.
Gaffney, SC 29341
864.489.1515
Hours vary by day and by attraction.

Does a family outing to The Big E Gaffney sound perfect for your crew?

Meet Rebecca Parrish

Rebecca Raulerson Parrish is a former English teacher turned non-profit administrator who currently works with Women Giving for Spartanburg and Five Twenty Consulting. She serves on the board of the Spartanburg Little Theatre and is proudly balancing books as Treasurer for the Jesse Boyd Elementary PTSO. A native of Lakeland, Florida, Rebecca loves living in Spartanburg, where she enjoys lots of adventures (and four seasons) with her husband, nine-year-old son, dog, bird and three pet chickens.

SC Children’s Theatre: 10 Marvelous Things to Do (Win Tickets too!)

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!

2023-2024 SCCT Season

Ticket GIVEAWAYS

SCCT Performance Stages

School Weekday Shows

SCCT Flex Pass

Free SCCT Performances

Pay What You Can Tickets

SCCT Classes

SCCT Workshops

SCCT Summer Camps

KABOOM Finalist

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

Charlotte’s Web: Sept 22-Oct 8, 2023

Our review of Charlotte’s Web

Writing in Charlotte's web for Wilbur at the South Carolina Children's Museum

Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse: October 20 – October 29, 2023

Mary Poppins: November 17 – December 10, 2023

The Watsons Go to Birmingham: January 19 – February 4, 2023

D is for Dance Party: January 26 -February 4, 2023

Pinkalicious the Musical: February 23- March 10, 2023

Dragons Love Tacos: April 5 – April 21, 2023

The Spongebob Musical: April 26 – May 19, 2024

The SCCT events calendar is the best way to keep track of what’s to come.

The SCCT Performance Stages

Bell Stage

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 performances use 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!

To find out more information about the upcoming SCCT performances on both the Bell and Younts stages, head to the SCCT website.

Cat in the Hat riding — The Cat in the Hat at SCCT 2021-2022 Season

Weekday School Performances

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.

Parents can pre-register their kids for a variety of theme camps. Camps explore musical theatre, creative drama, improv, and more in a fun and engaging way! Camps are typically half day, with full day options available for older children by combining camps. Learn more about summer camps at The South Carolina Children’s Theatre on the SCCT website.

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.
And songs by: David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Additional lyrics by: Jonathan Coulton
Additional music by: Tom Kitt
Musical production conceived by: Tina Landau
Directed by: Hattie Claire Andres
Run Time: 2 hours with one intermission
Age Recommendation: 3rd grade to adult
Ticket Price: $25

Show Schedule & Tickets

The musical runs April 26th-May 19th. For the full show schedule, visit the SCCT website.

Purchase The Spongebob Musical tickets online today! Get a multiple tickets discount with Flex Pass.

Win 4 Tickets To The Show!

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?

The Ultimate Guide to
Kids’ Classes & Activities

Huge New Indoor Play Area and Cafe Now Open in Greenville, SC

Play Cafe at Judson Mill in Greenville, SC is about to make every parent of little kids’ dreams come true with their huge indoor play area and cafe.

Austin Motes and Daniel Kingsbury are both dads with little kids. They acutely understand the challenge of finding fun, safe, and affordable places for their kids to play indoors but not at the expense of the sanity of the parents. And with Greenville growing so fast and so many new families coming to put down roots here – many of whom work from home – they also saw the need for a massive indoor space that allows parents to work but where their kids can get out energy and play.

Inside of play cafe — Play Cafe at Judson Mill

They started dreaming up something big. Like really, really big. Enter the new Play Cafe of Judson Mill, a massive new indoor play space with structures up to three stories tall and a cafe and comfortable tables and chairs for parents to get some work done.

It took over a year to make their dream come true and now, as of mid-March 2024, they are making it happen.

Watch! See inside Play Cafe!

About the Play Cafe

Austin Motes works in construction and has extensive knowledge of what it takes to navigate building codes and permits. Daniel Kingsbury owns SC Party Rentals so his expertise lies in entertainment. These Greenville natives are the co-owners of the Play Cafe and it’s their experience as parents and their knowledge of their respective industries that will make this new business venture appealing to families in Greenville (and beyond).

The vision behind the Play Cafe, they both told me, was to have a fun and relaxing place for kids to play safely but also to make sure parents didn’t need a vacation after spending a couple of hours there with their kids.

smaller playground at Judson Mill — Smaller play area at Judson Mill

To that end, there is no arcade, no loud air blowing through inflatables, and no musical aspects. Of course, kids will be loud but none of the play structures will add to that noise.

The Indoor Playgrounds

Austin and Daniel have quite literally scoured the world to find the coolest indoor play structures to bring to Greenville. They have gone to the biggest convention of theme park operators and inventors to find unique aspects to bring to the Play Cafe. This is no small deal to say the least.

The entire Play Cafe occupies more than 14,500 square feet, which is enormous.

There are two huge play structures, one of them two stories high and the other three stories high. They are netted, and have several slides, climbing structures, balls to throw and play with, tunnels, ladders, and other surprises.

Bridge at the playground at Judson Mill — Bridge at the smaller playground

Smaller kids will have an enclosed area to play apart from the bigger kids as well as a sensory area to explore. One side of the enclosed space has a bartop counter where parents can sit with their coffee and laptops and watch their kids.

The Play Cafe is designed for toddlers through around middle or early high school and while kids can play on any structure they’d like, one structure will be geared more for younger kids and the other for older kids.

It’s obvious two dads and their wives planned this space, which I so appreciate!

Imagination Stations

For kids who may not want to play on the larger structures, the Play Cafe has several Imagination Stations. These are small areas that are themed where kids can use their imaginations to become whatever their little hearts desire.

Some of the themed Imagination Stations are a veterinarian’s office, a fire station, a taco truck, and a doctor’s office.

Safety at the Play Cafe

Safety is, of course, of utmost importance at the Play Cafe. All the play structures are sturdy, strong, and basically indestructible. These aren’t flimsy structures.

Additionally, when parents and their kids come to play, they will be given wristbands. To exit the facility, the kids must have the same wristband as their parents or they cannot leave. And there is only one entrance and exit so parents don’t need to worry about their little escape artists wandering off.

The Cafe

The Cafe has comfortable seating throughout the space and service coffee, smoothies, pizza, and sandwiches (this will come a bit later after their opening but they will initially have snacks, drinks, and coffee). The Play Cafe will also be working with Feed & Seed, also located at Judson Mill, to offer healthier options if parents want to choose those.

Working parents at Judson Mill playground — You can work at the Play Cafe

And working parents, this is your place to bring the kids so you can get some work done. There is plenty of space to bring your laptop, connect to the Wifi, and let your kids get some energy out while you meet your deadlines. In fact, parents will be able to rent out the party rooms during the week to have meetings and get work done while their kids play. I nearly jumped up and down when I heard this. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

There are high top tables surrounding the toddler area and next to the huge play area for the smaller kids. There are also plenty of outlets for phone charging and laptops.

Birthday Parties & Special Events

The Play Cafe at Judson Mill offers several different birthday party packages for guests, ranging from a more budget-friendly version to an all out turnkey event where the parents only need to reserve the room and everything else will be handled for them. Um, yes please. Party packages range from $249 up to $599.

There are seven birthday party rooms – yes, seven. So if the weather looks bad for your outdoor party, you have a pretty good chance of snagging one of the birthday party rooms here at the Play Cafe. The party rooms are separated by beautiful barn doors so if you wanted to rent out several, that’s an easy desire to make a reality.

Birthday party rooms at Play Cafe at Judson Mill

Additionally, all the party rooms will be the same with the option of projecting a theme throughout the room. Think a princess castle or jungle full of dinosaurs.

Play Passes & Memberships + Cool Employee Perk

An all day play pass is $12/child Monday-Friday and $15/child on Saturday & Sunday. For kids two years and younger, there is no cost if they come with paid sibling. A monthly membership is $29.95/child and kids can play for an unlimited amount of time during operating hours.

Sibling discounts will be 20% off for three or more kids and kids ages two and under are free with a paid child. All packages and discounts are available on their website.

Grip socks must be worn on the play areas. The Play Cafe will sell them but you can also bring your own.

Tot times and special needs hours will also be part of the new Play Cafe at Judson Mill.

For parents who work at the Play Cafe, the owners will allow them to bring one child per shift.

NEW: OPENING DAY IS MARCH 20, 2024

We’ve seen this place right from the beginning when it was just a big, empty warehouse and whoa, they have done a ton of work to make it a place that families can really enjoy!

Flooring

An inch-and-a-half padded flooring covers most of the floors. It’s super soft and fluffy.

Playground for smaller kids and tots area

The playground for the smaller kids is about 18 feet high with multiple slides and tunnels. There is also an adjacent, enclosed area for kids about age one and under. The high top tables surround this area so parents can work, chat, or just enjoy their coffee while their kids play.

High top tables surrounding tot play area

Large Playground

The equipment for the bigger playground is up and it is enormous. It’s 22 feet high – almost three stories. There are slides, several entrances, a huge tower in the middle, and lots of nerf guns that will shoot balls. The nerf guns were a favorite for our kids. Good luck trying to get your kids to leave.

Bathrooms & Full Body Changing Table

The bathrooms are just off the main play area and get this: there are baby changing stations in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. Yay. There is also a larger changing table in the women’s restroom, normally used for children with special needs.

Women's restroom at Play Cafe at Judson Mill — Women’s restroom at Play Cafe at Judson Mill

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening day is March 20, 2024 at 10 am. Drinks and snacks will be able to be purchased but the more substantial food and drinks won’t be available until later.

Follow Play Cafe on Facebook for the latest updates and special events.

Here are a few questions you may have with answers:

When will the Play Cafe open? March 20, 2024

When will the cafe part of the Play Cafe open? Hopefully a few weeks after the Play Cafe at Judson Mill opens. Drinks, coffee, and snacks will be available for purchase at opening.

What ages is the Play Cafe designed for? The Play Cafe is designed for crawlers and toddlers through around middle or early high school and while kids can play on any structure they’d like, one structure will be geared more for younger kids and the other for older kids.

Do special socks need to be worn? Yes. The Play Cafe sells them or you can bring your own.

How do I get there? The Play Cafe is in a big warehouse with other businesses. If you walk into the front of the building, Feed and Seed will be on your right and BlocHaven will be on your left. Walk straight and then when you get to the bathrooms, make a left. Play Cafe will be on your right.

Will the Play Cafe be booking birthday parties soon? You can use their booking feature on their website.

Will the Play Cafe have WiFi and areas for parents to work? Yes, indeed. This will be a great place for working parents.

What are their hours? Monday – Friday from 10 am – 7 pm, Saturdays from 9 am – 8 pm, and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm.

Play Cafe at Judson Mill
701 Easley Bridge Road, Greenville
864.203.0330
Play Cafe Facebook

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Your Kids Will Love the TCMU Location in Spartanburg, SC

Have you been to Spartanburg’s children’s museum yet? TCMU Spartanburg offers a fun and educational indoor activity geared specifically for children five years of age and under. This location of the museum is perfect for your littlest ones. With padded play areas, water play, and a new Publix mini grocery store, there’s plenty for them to explore!

Looking for more indoor activities to entertain the kiddos this summer?
Check out our Indoor Guide to Spartanburg!

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The Movie Theatre

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Host Your Birthday Party at The Big E: Gaffney, SC

Plan Your Trip to The Big E: Gaffney, South Carolina

Theatrical Productions at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre

The 2023-2024 South Carolina Children’s Theatre Season

The SCCT Performance Stages

Bell Stage

Younts 2nd Stage

Performances Right For Your Family

Weekday School Performances

SCCT Flex Pass for Performances

Pay What You Can Tickets

Free Performances at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre

Theatre Classes at the SCCT

Workshops at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre