Have you visited Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest? With weekly events like farmers markets, concerts, and movies, plus pop-up seasonal events, Trailblazer Park is often full of people enjoying Travelers Rest. Here’s what you’ll find at Trailblazer Park.
This park includes:
Looking for the next FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop Kit? 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.
And 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. In this article, we’ll take you along on our visit to a Home Depot Kids Workshop and tell you exactly what to expect when you visit!
This article includes:
Kids Workshop: The Next Project at Home Depot
2023 Home Depot Kids Workshop Schedule
How Do the Free Kids Workshops at Home Depot Work?
Home Depot continues the kid workshops in 2023 on the first Saturday of each month. In-person workshops and take-home projects are both available!
Time to hit the putting green this June. Or, at least make one! The next Home Depot Kids Workshop Kit of 2023 is an adorable desk-top toy putting green. This just might make a nice Father’s Day gift, hand-made by his kids!
We sat down with local news outlet, Fox Carolina to chat about these workshops.
We love taking kids to the Home Depot workshops. We pooled our experiences in this review, so you’ll know what you can expect when you attend.
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.
They provide all the materials you need to make whatever the craft of the day is and you just show up with your kid. With the take-home kits, you’ll have to do some of that yourself.
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.
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.
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. My daughter has a bunch of pins on her Home Depot apron 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.
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.
Free Home Depot Kids kits are available the first Saturday of the month for completion in-store.
January 7th, 2023: Snowball Game
February 4th, 2023: Valentine’s Vase
March 4th, 2023: Pinball Game
April 1st, 2023: Poolside Birdhouse
May 6th, 2023: Flower Planter
June 3rd, 2023: Putting Green
July 1st, 2023: Fireworks Bean Bag Toss
August 5th, 2023: Treasure Chest
More 2023 events coming soon!
Toss Game
Valentine’s Photo Box
Airship
Window Bird Feeder
Mother’s Day Fence Picket Planter
Fish Tank
Constellation Viewer
Summer Camper
Pencil Desk Organizer
Fire Rescue Boat
Scarecrow Napkin Holder
Train Ornament
Santa Letters Mailbox
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
We LOVE free things to do!
So mark your calendars and have fun!
Are you looking for things to do this month or even this weekend in Greenville, SC? From concerts to shows to children’s programming, sporting events, festivals, and free events, there is almost always a great answer when you’re searching for things to do near you, at least there is when you live in South Carolina’s Upstate!
Never be bored and never miss an event your family will love! We’re highlighting some of the coolest, most unique, most interesting, and most popular events this month. But, don’t forget to check out our FULL event calendar for even more amazing options. Here’s what to do this month near Greenville, SC.
For a HUGE list of things to do year-round in the Upstate, don’t miss our
Guide to Things to Do in
Greenville and Upstate, SC.
This article includes:
Things to Do This Weekend in Greenville, SC
Theater, Shows, and Sporting Events
Free Things to Do This Month in Greenville, SC
Educational Things to Do and Events
Things to Do With Younger Kids
Our Top Picks: Don’t Miss These Events in Greenville
Travel Highlight
Do you think you can beat the clock at Escape Artist Greenville SC? Several years ago, some friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to meet up. When we asked them what they would like to do, they suggested that we meet up at one of Greenville’s top escape rooms, Escape Artist Greenville. We are very glad that we said yes. In fact, we had such a great time we can’t stop recommending Escape Artist to all of our friends in Greenville.
Looking for more fun things to do downtown? Check out the KA Guide to Downtown Greenville.
Upon arriving, we were energized immediately by owners Will and Kim Rutherford’s enthusiasm. It was impossible to not catch the excitement about trying to test our group’s wits against one of their escape rooms.
After a short explanation of rules such as “don’t tear apart the ceiling” followed by a creepy story intro we handed over our iPhones and headed into “Dr. Fratelli’s cabin”. Inside the mad scientist’s cabin, we quickly got to work looking inside and under the many objects in order to start finding clues. These clues then led to puzzles that had to be solved in order to find the special locked exit and escape the room where Dr. Fratelli had trapped us. Of course, the primary entrance remained unlocked so we weren’t actually physically locked in. It is just a game!
We were given just one hour to escape the room, but we had the ability to ask for three clues during our hour. Will was watching us through his surveillance cameras and was quick to offer the exact help needed for each clue. The puzzles were challenging but still simple enough for a group to solve.
Of course, the first question everyone asks is “Did you escape?” Actually, Will told us that only 20-25% of the groups that try the room “get out”. We made it though with only a couple of minutes left to spare and we used all 3 hints.
Will greeted us after we finished and shared his own observations of how we solved the puzzle. We then were allowed to grab our phones again so that Kim could take a victory photo for us showcasing our time.
Escape Artist is a little bit more expensive than most of the attractions my husband and I visit, starting at around $30/person. It was worth every penny we spent. We had so much fun working together, laughing at our mistakes, and bragging about what we solved. The room was very well designed, all of the clues were clear and worked correctly, and Will & Kim executed everything wonderfully. It’s no wonder that they have received so many 5 star reviews.
Well, of course, I can’t give any hints on how to solve the puzzle because that would ruin the fun, but here are a couple tips to help you have the best chances of victory:
I visited Escape Artist Greenville with 3 other adults and I thought that it was a great adult activity but older children and teens would definitely enjoy it as well. Children under 16 are allowed to attend with an adult, and Will told us that he had even recently hosted a party of 11-year-olds. Will did tell us that he adapts the clues as necessary for children and that the children who have come through really have enjoyed the puzzle. All of the content in the story and inside the room was appropriate for any age audience and there weren’t any thematic elements that would scare a child.
Be sure to book your time ahead of time online. Due to the nature of the event, space is limited and 2 hours advanced reservation is required.
This attraction is completely unique to Greenville. While there are other “escape rooms” in Greenville and in other cities, Will & Kim specifically designed this room and story making it a one-of-a-kind adventure.
The attraction can fit 2-8 people at a time. Your group may get placed with another group if you don’t purchase the entire 8 tickets.
In addition to Dr. Fratelli’s Cabin, there are four other escape rooms including our current favorite Starlight Motel (a spooky, interactive room for adults). You can read about Starlight Motel in our review.
There is a second location of Escape Artist Greenville, located at Hampton Station. The Hampton Station location has fewer rooms (Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby), but the proximity to dining, breweries, and shopping makes it a great activity.
209 East Stone Avenue, Greenville, SC
864-509-9305
[email protected]
www.escapeartistgreenville.com
Book the Downtown Greenville location
Hampton Station
1320 Hampton Avenue, Bay 11C, Greenville, SC
Book the Hampton Station location
Have you ever visited The Escape Artist or another Escape Room in Greenville? We would love to hear what you thought in the comments!
There is still fun to have indoors!
Enjoy great food, breweries, activities, and more at Hampton Station in Greenville, SC
Have you found the fairies in Hendersonville, NC? Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC, just a little over an hour north of Greenville, SC has an adorable fairy garden over the summer. And it’s free.
What could be cuter than finding fairies in the woods? Finding them in a beautiful and fun trail at Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC, of course.
C.S. Lewis, a prolific and famous author of the Narnia chronicles, wrote this to his goddaughter, Lucy, in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:
My Dear Lucy, I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I shall still be your affectionate Godfather, C.S. Lewis
As a grown-up, are you ready to be old enough to read – or see – fairy tales again? If so, step into the Bullington Gardens Fairy Trail.
Bullington Gardens is only a little over an hour north of Greenville and is a beautiful spot to stop and literally smell the roses. The gardens are public and encompass 12 acres right in the middle of the apple orchards in that part of Western North Carolina.
They also do several events and programs aimed at education and carry on the legacy and vision of Bob Bullington, who collected many unusual trees and plants. They often have school groups come out and learn about horticultural science.
I found the gardens to be just beautiful and so peaceful. The volunteers I interacted with were all so kind and helpful. It’s really a great place to visit for any occasion.
The Gardens received a grant for new restroom facilities, where were scheduled to be completed by April 2023. We have not been able to confirm if this has happened yet.
The fairy trail is exactly as it sounds except cooler. The trail winds through shaded woods and guests are encouraged to find all the little fairy houses and trolls and llamas and bridges. It is really fun and entertaining!
The little worlds that the fairies inhabit are all unique and my kids and I just loved trying to find them all and figure out what was happening in each scene. The exhibits change every year (photos are from the summer of 2022) but the creativity and genius stay the same.
The trail isn’t long, maybe a quarter-mile on natural, unpaved ground, but there are plenty of fairies and gnomes to find. Be sure to stop at the side trail before you get to the very end where there are lots of fairies and trolls and toadstools and gnomes doing yoga amongst the trees.
Bullington Gardens asks that guests be respectful of the fairies, only touch gently, and to stay on the trails. The trail is one way only so if you want to take your time, go for it but make room for others to pass. And please follow the rules of Leave No Trace, don’t litter, and don’t move the fairies from their little houses.
The Fairy Trail is open Mondays – Saturdays from June 1 – August 31, 2023 from 9 am – 4 pm.
During the summer of 2023, the Fairy Market will be set up at Bullington Gardens on June 24, 2023 from 9 am – 3 pm. This event will include face painting, arts and crafts, a photo booth, Dulcimer lessons, and storytimes for kids. You can also buy adorable fairy accessories like wings and crowns or purchase your own fairies for a garden at home. Definitely a not-miss summer event.
This year there will not be timed entry so it’s first come, first serve. Per the gardens, parking is limited and please do not park on Zeb Corn Road.
The gardens are open year-round but the Fairy Trail is only open June 1 – August 31, 2023, Mondays – Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm.
There is no charge to visit the fairies or Bullington Gardens but as a nonprofit, they gladly accept donations.
I saw some people with strollers but I’d say that unless you have an all-terrain stroller, it’s best to carry your littles or baby wear. The trail is natural, so not paved, which makes it hard to roll wheels on.
Please keep your children and dogs on the trail and don’t litter. The trail is one-way only.
Bullington Gardens recieved a grant for new restrooms that were supposed to be ready by April 2023 but we have not been to the Gardens since then and have not been able to confirm this information yet.
There are plenty of cool things to do in Hendersonville to make your trip up to the see the fairies a day trip.
You can visit the goats at the Carl Sandburg Home (be sure to get pizza at the nearby Village Bakery), let the kids play on the awesome playground at The Park at Flat Rock, check out the free train museum, or visit the aquarium in downtown Hendersonville. Apple orchards open up in July usually so you can add those to your day trip as well.
Bullington Gardens
95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC
828.698.6104
Check out our full guide to Hendersonville, NC and don’t miss out on any of the fun!
Think your child would like to visit Takeoff Mini Golf for a plane ride for their birthday? This is such a unique birthday party package sure to make any kid soar with delight.
Birthday parties give me anxiety. I’m not one of those moms that likes to plan them so when the opportunity comes along for a turnkey birthday party, count me in. Thankfully, a lot of businesses around the Upstate totally understand moms like me and have countless options for awesome birthday parties where parents have to do nothing but show up. Thank you to all of them!
But one birthday party package is extra special and that one is offered at super cool Takeoff Mini-Golf right next to Runway Park in downtown Greenville.
If you’ve never heard of Kings Mountain State Park or maybe it’s crossed your radar and you want to learn more, we’ve got all the details on why this park is a history-lover’s paradise that also has lakes, hiking trails, and equestrian trails.
One day I was specifically searching out less-traveled hiking trails and state parks that I could take my kids to. Since my third grader is studying South Carolina state history, I was hoping to throw in a few places that could also serve as teaching lessons. Kings Mountain State Park fits both of those goals.Â
Kings Mountain is the site of the Revolutionary War battle that took place on October 7, 1780. Thomas Jefferson called it “The turn of the tide of success.” It was the first major battle the Patriots won over the Loyalists since the British invaded Charleston in May of that year. So this was a big deal. It was also fought between Americans except for Patrick Ferguson, a British national, who led the Loyalists in the battle and ultimately perished on that day.
The Kings Mountain State Park and the Kings Mountain National Military Park are right next to each other. Coming from Greenville up I85, I had to drive through the national park to get to the state park and was momentarily confused I had messed up directions somewhere. You also cross into North Carolina and then back into South Carolina to get to the park so I was sure I had went the wrong way. But I didn’t!
There is a visitors center at the National Military Park where you can watch a video about the battle and learn more about the history. It has artifacts and exhibits talking about the battle but it was closed when we went because of the pandemic. There are restrooms and an amphitheater for events there as well.
Kings Mountain State Park is one of the 47 South Carolina State Parks and one of 16 that the Civilian Conservation Corps had a hand in building during the Great Depression. It’s located a little over an hour from Greenville past Gaffney.
The park has a really neat Living History Farm that shows that a Carolina farmstead may have looked like in the Upstate during the revolutionary era. There is a two-story farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, carpenter/blacksmith shop, sorghum mill and cooker, corncrib, and cotton gin. My kids loved checking out these structures and reading the informational stands along the way.
There are events that highlight the farm and what it was like living there so be sure to check the website for updated information and dates.
Kings Mountain State Park also has 20 miles of equestrian trails, a 1.2 mile nature trail, and 16-mile hiking loop of moderate difficulty.
Two lakes are part of the state park and you can either rent canoes and kayaks or launch personal non-motorized boats for a small fee. You can fish in these lakes but no swimming is allowed.
Picnic shelters, a playground, volleyball court, basketball court and ping pong table are available for use for guests when covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
If you like to camp, that’s also available at Kings Mountain State Park. There are 15 equestrian campsites, 115 standard camping sites with electricity and water, and 10 tent sites without water and electricity. The park can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet as well. For groups of up to 30 people, the primitive camping site serves them well, as there is water and toilets nearby.
There is a small fee to enter the state park. If you have a State Park Passport, then it’s free.
The Kings Mountain Battlefield Trail is located within the Kings Mountain National Military Park adjacent to the state park. There is no fee for the military park.
The 1.5 mile battlefield trail is rubber-paved and takes you through the forest and along the ridge where the battle between the Loyalists and Patriots took place on October 7, 1780. It’s a foot traffic trail only except for motorized wheelchairs. You could take a stroller but you’d need to be careful because there are hills.
I loved this trail and my kids really enjoyed the nature walk combined with the historical aspect. There are several information stands along the way that tell you what happened right where you are walking. There is even a phone number you can call for an audio tour.
There are several monuments along the way, including the Centennial Monument, U.S. Monument and Ferguson’s Grave. One of them looks identical to the Washington Monument except on a smaller scale. My kids were convinced it was a pencil.Â
We all really enjoyed the trail and learning component. We even got to see where President Hoover stood to address a huge crowd of 70,000 in the forest to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the battle. And the trail is so peaceful and quiet despite what happened there more than 200 years ago.
Kings Mountain National Military Park is ideal for field trips. They even have a curriculum filled with materials for learning (looking at you, homeschoolers) and a Traveling Trunk that has lesson plans, 18th century clothes, and games. I don’t think I’ve seen this kind of educational opportunity anywhere in the Upstate. If I’m missing those places, tell me in the comments!
I didn’t know about any of this until after I went to the battlefield but I do plan to return and check out some of these learning materials. I’m a big advocate of kids experiencing history rather than learning about it in books. You can do both, of course, but for me personally, I will remember something I learned if I went to see where it happened and saw artifacts or things from the place itself. I love those kinds of history lessons.
Have you been to either Kings Mountain National Park or Kings Mountain State Park?
Kings Mountain State Park
1277 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC
Kings Mountain National Military Park
2625 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC
Looking for more hiking ideas? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hiking for Families and Kids.
Are you looking for indoor things to do in Clemson, SC? Need to keep your kids busy and entertained on rainy or unbearably hot days? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered up ten great indoor places to visit in and around Clemson, SC.
Love visiting our National Parks with your family? If you have a fourth-grader living in your home, you can get a free 4th-grade national park pass for your child. As an added bonus, the pass will cover your whole family, with free access to national parks and other federal recreation lands! We have all the details on this awesome program so you’re able to take full advantage!
The National Park Service offers a free national park pass to 4th graders through the Every Kid Outdoors Program. The free annual pass is good for national parks and federal recreation areas and covers kids and their families (up to 3 adults and all kids traveling with the 4th grader).
Use your free fourth-grade student annual national park pass for a family adventure or field trip. It’s good for the entire school year your child is a 4th grader and the following summer, ending August 31st. You can use the kid outdoors pass again and again.
The process is simple. If you have a fourth-grader in your home, just visit the Every Kid Outdoors website. You will be taken through the steps that lead to your park pass. The pass is valid only when printed out. They will not accept passes shown on smartphones.
Then, go to this Every Kid Outdoors planning page and use your imagination to create an adventure.
When you visit your first park, simply take your printed copy and exchange it for a park pass. If there is no park ranger at the park you visit, simply leave the pass on your dashboard where it will be visible.
If the park you visit has an entrance fee, all children and up to three adults riding in the same vehicle will be free.
The pass does not cover any extras such as camping fees, boat rentals, tours, etc. State parks or local parks that charge a fee are not included in the pass.
There are plenty of parks near Greenville that could be done in a day. One of our favorites is the home of Carl Sandburg up in Flat Rock, NC. If you visit there, make sure to say hello to the goats. Others include The Blue Ridge Parkway, and historic battlefields Cowpens, King’s Mountain, Congaree National Park, and Ninety-Six.
The Smoky Mountains National Park is on the list. And if you’ve never enjoyed it, you’re missing out. It’s some of the most beautiful hiking I’ve ever done.
Or why not make it an incredibly memorable trip with a vacation to Grand Canyon National Park?
Looking for more fun ideas as you travel with your family? We’ve got you covered with Kidding Around’s Travel Guides!
Your adventure is good for one year, expiring on August 31. So, what are you waiting for? Check out this find your park page to see what is close to home. Or find a park that will be worth the drive and make some memories!
More deals: As you travel to visit your parks for free, keep costs down by using Kids Eat Free Deals. The 20+ restaurants in our article offer national kids eat free or cheap deals (may vary by location, so, do check before you dine!)
What’s your favorite park to visit with your kids?
Find more FREE fun for kids!
This article was originally written by Tina Mackey and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.
The best way to beat the humid, summer heat is at a local splash pad or by going swimming! Greenville, SC, and the surrounding Upstate area has plenty of options. We’ll tell you all about local pools, splash pads, creek stomping places, and swimming holes. If you want to know where parents can take kids to swim or get wet near Greenville, we have all the details.
If we missed any places to swim, let us know in the comments!
Love our content? Get it delivered right to your inbox twice a week with our free newsletter! Sign up here.