Have you visited Build-A-Bear Workshop? There’s something special about selecting a furry body and stuffing it just right to create a furry friend that kids enjoy. Kids love their custom furry friends, but it can get a little pricey. One of the great things about Build- A- Bear is their birthday treat bear offer through the Pay Your Age program (formerly the “Count Your Candles” program.
Your child can build a birthday bear for a fraction of the cost, which can give you a pretty great deal on a birthday bear for your child. Use the program to make your child’s special day or mark a milestone like giving up that pacifier!
Are you looking for a kid-friendly race in Greenville this season? Check out this list of some of the fun races for the whole family.
Greenville is a great place to go for a run, a jog or a walk. The weather is fairly cooperative, even during the colder winter months, to run outside all year round. But as the trees bloom and the milder temperatures are more predictable, getting in daily exercise is pretty easy and enjoyable. If you have little ones and a jogging stroller, running is a great way to get in a workout and entertain your kids. While you may not be as fast as you are without the jogger, entering a local race is a fun way to enjoy the great weather, meet other runners, and run your way around Greenville.
Looking for a free place to enjoy the great outdoors around Rutherfordton, NC? Check out our complete guide to the city parks in Rutherfordton, NC, all with FREE parking and located conveniently within 5 minutes of historic downtown!
Main Street Park
This precious piece of brickscape is located right in the center of historic downtown Rutherfordton! If you are looking for the perfect place to stop while browsing along Main Street, look no further.
With brick buildings on either side, shade covers this broad alley most of the day. There are benches and tables with chairs, and the archways, trellises, and a water feature make it easy on the eyes. There is even a stage where you might catch a street performer, or where little ones can put on a show of their own while mom and dad rest their feet!
Location: Right between 195 & 187 N Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Kiwanis Park
Kiwanis Park is easily the crown jewel of Rutherfordton’s city parks. Here, you’ll find everything in one convenient place! The main building offers restrooms, water fountains, a town map, and a community bulletin board. A paved path winds throughout, perfect for walking, biking, and more.
Two different scenic bridges lead you over Cleghorn Creek, and on the other side, you find a double-decker wooden playground! There is also a cozy covered pavilion, two separate dog parks, and the perfect starting point to venture down the Purple Martin Greenway.
If you are looking for a quick play-and-potty stop, Fairview Park is just the ticket! Part of Rutherfordton’s redevelopment efforts, this small neighborhood playground offers a single-covered picnic shelter, unisex restroom, and water fountain.
There is an incredibly unique climbing structure to engage curious explorers, a basketball court, and a swing set. This park is also accessible just by walking uphill on 2nd Street from the Purple Martin Greenway.
Location: E 1st Street on the block between N Toms Street & N Cleghorn Street
Crestview Park
If you are looking for the perfect play spot for little ones, the playgrounds at Crestview Park are FANTASTIC! There are multiple options ideal for your littlest climbers, toddlers, and big kids.
There is a toddler playground, one geared towards slightly older kiddos, a climbing dome, and a swing set. There is a paved loop path around a wide-open greenspace, perfect for free play or riding bikes.
But one of the highlights of this particular park is the incredible expanse of baseball fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts—Come at the right time, and you could easily catch a game underway!
This park also connects by a paved path to the Purple Martin Greenway. Location: 223 Park Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Norris Recreation Complex
It may not look like much for now, but Norris Recreation Complex is under construction and bound to be a major attraction by the end of 2025! The complex will be located right behind the hospital and feature a community garden, walking track, greenway, and disc golf course.
Location: 191 Twitty Ford Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
BONUS: Purple Martin Greenway
While not technically a park, Purple Martin Greenway deserves an honorable mention! This is a nearly 3-mile paved trail that follows closely along Cleghorn Creek, conveniently connecting to 3 of the major parks in Rutherfordton: Kiwanis, Fairview, and Crestview! It is handicap-accessible and open to bikes and pets.
The trail is mostly level with a few hills, and there are scattered stretches of both shade and sun. One note of caution: The Purple Martin Greenway does cross several intersections, so may not be ideal for little ones! Hikers are encouraged to use the buddy system, and there is a walking club that meets on the trail twice weekly.
Location: Best access points at Kiwanis Park and Park Crossing Apartments!
There’s nothing quite like a building FULL of educational, interactive, and indestructible exhibits designed just for kids! KidSenses Children’s Museum in Rutherfordton, NC is one of the highlights of Western North Carolina for families with young children. Local mom, Sarah Burnett, recently visited with her 3 kids and shares everything you need to know to plan your own adventure!
Coming from Upstate South Carolina, our family’s experiences with children’s museums have included The Children’s Museum of the Upstate at both their Greenville and Spartanburg locations, EdVenture in Columbia, and the Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville, NC. Then a friend invited me to KidSenses—wait, what? How had I not heard of that? I thought I was becoming quite the connoisseur! But no, this was a BIG one we had managed to overlook.
KidSenses originally opened more than 20 years ago, and it offers 2 stories of indoor fun—all geared towards children from birth to 10 years old! There are also 2 major expansions in the works, with a goal to open by end of 2025: Discovery Garden, an outdoor interactive nature experience for all ages, and The Factory, a learning laboratory for tweens and teens!
Getting to the Museum: KidSenses
KidSenses Children’s Museum is located smack in the middle of historic downtown Rutherfordton, NC. This town is roughly 45 minutes from Spartanburg, SC, 1 hour 15 minutes from Greenville, SC, and 1 hour 15 minutes from Charlotte, NC. Talk about centrally located!
When you pull into the city limits of Rutherfordton, you know it: Large signs welcome you to this historic mint town, and the speed limit drops to 25-35 depending on the area. Their downtown may be small, but there is heavy foot traffic, so local police are vigilant to carefully enforce safe speeds.
There is free, 2-hour parking on either side of Main Street through almost all of downtown, and this includes several spaces directly outside KidSenses Children’s Museum’s front door! There is also free public parking directly behind the museum, and sidewalks to take you up the hill back to the main entrance.
Admission and Discounts to KidSenses
Visitors enter the museum through a small gift shop and then purchase tickets at the front desk. Tickets for adults and children ages 1 year and older cost $8 plus tax. There are discounts available for seniors aged 62 years and older and active military members.
Memberships start at $70 for one person, but you can add up to 4 more people to one membership for just an additional $20 per person. Families with more than 5 total people can add additional members for $25 each, but this option is strictly limited to immediate family only. Membership benefits include free admission for one year, one free guest pass per member, and discounts on other museum purchases.
The museum requires 1 supervising adult per every 5 children, so larger families or those visiting with groups will want to keep that in mind when purchasing tickets or memberships.
1st Floor Exhibit Highlights
Right when you walk in, you will see the At Your Service interactive fire station exhibit! It is right next to the admission counter, so my kids always run right to it while I’m buying our tickets. This exhibit features a kid-sized stationary fire truck, firefighter costume pieces, dalmatian statues, and lots of engaging noise-makers!
If you have any animal lovers, your kids will love what comes next: the PetSenses veterinary exhibit! Here, you’ll find a variety of stuffed animals for pretend play, alongside all kinds of veterinary equipment to explore. Our kids’ favorites are the x-ray machine and grooming station.
Got a child with a knack for engineering or who just love running around? The Gears and Gadgets exhibit is for them! There are gears to turn with a crank, a see-it-yourself tornado machine, and a wall of pneumatic pipes with scarves and puff balls that kids can send flying across the room!
That child who loooves attention? They’ll delight in the WFUN Studio space! There is a kid-sized anchor desk, wall-sized green screen, and multiple background options to project—from weather to a parade of puppies! Your child will rest assured that all eyes are on them when they see themselves on the TV monitors all around them.
Another family favorite is the Little Family Dollar, a kid-sized grocery store complete with carts, checkout counters, and every category of food. Of course, my kids have no trouble finding the sugary stuff, but as a mom, I a big fan of the fact that roughly a third of this exhibits centers around healthy fruits and vegetables.
There is also an arts and crafts exhibit called Creation Station, where a museum employee could be leading a DIY activity depending on the timing of your visit!
The Alphabet Trail
As a mom of 3 preschool-aged kids, I cannot go without spotlighting this area of the KidSenses Children’s Museum! This is a special space JUST for kids ages 4 years old and younger, and while most of the exhibits are wide open to the main lobby, this one can only be accessed through a closed door.
Walking into the Alphabet Trail feels like entering a different world from the rest of the museum, combining a beautiful forest and farm scene. My oldest absolutely adores all the hidey-holes, and my 3-year-old delights in going up and down the baby ramp which doubles as a slide! My youngest keeps himself busy pulling up and “planting” all the crops.
Here, everything is geared towards the youngest crawlers and cruisers…and the weary parents who have been carrying them! There are busy baby toys, a couple options for little climbers, a cave crammed FULL of stuffed animals, a large play-barn, a reading area complete with sofa, and rocking chairs for both parent and child.
If you are a nursing mother, this may be your most ideal space when that need arises. Just keep in mind that other moms and dads may be coming in and out with their children, too!
Downstairs Exhibit Highlights
There are 3 ways to get downstairs to the rest of the museum: the elevator, the central staircase, or the “Big Climber” in the middle of the floor!
The Big Climber is a series of platforms surrounded by netting which extends from the ceiling, through the main floor, and into the downstairs. With a hole on each floor, it’s an exciting way for kids to travel… But parents be warned: You do NOT want to have to squeeze in there to catch one of them!
When we get downstairs, our kids run straight to Lights! Camera! Action! This exhibit is a performing arts space complete with a stage, curtain, and puppet theatre. If you’ve got a performer in your family, settle in on the benches for audience members and watch how long your child’s imagination can keep you all entertained!
Another unique space is the Bubble-Ology room. This exhibit was thoughtfully designed with non-slip floors and multiple soap stations with a variety of bubble-makers. A popular feature is the child-sized platform surrounded by a ring of soap: A rope allows a child standing on the platform to pull a ring up over their heads, encasing them in a giant bubble!
Our absolute family favorite downstairs is the Kids Pueblito Café. We have a little play kitchen at home for the kids, and they absolutely love playing “restaurant.” Imagine their excitement when they saw THIS! A play restaurant big enough for multiple cooks in the kitchen, tables and chairs for grown-ups, and all the aprons, menus, and food items they could want!
The downstairs is also home to the ZAP Theatre, where museum staff could be putting on a show about the infamous rivalry between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla—complete with lightning bolts! The HealthWise exhibit is also downstairs and open at limited times for children to conduct real experiments to learn about the food they eat.
Private Party Packages
Some exhibits are only open when a museum employee is scheduled to lead an activity there, but you might also notice a party in progress during your visit!
KidSenses offers multiple party packages for kids, with prices ranging from about $150 to $325. All birthday packages include admission for up to 20 kids, use of the private party room, and a birthday crown, balloon bouquet, and teddy bear for the birthday child.
Parent Tips: KidSenses Museum in Rutherfordton, NC
KidSenses is a popular destination for field trips! To avoid a crowd, call ahead to find out whether any field trips are scheduled which could coincide with your visit.
The best time of day to visit is DEFINITELY when they first open! Not every child who visits will know to put things back where they belong, so arriving early ensures that your children will be able to find everything in its proper place.
Pick your parking based on how long you plan to stay! 2-hour parking is available right outside the front door, and those spots are most often available first thing in the morning. For longer visits, you will want to park in the lot behind the building.
Expect each floor to take at least 2 hours to fully explore. I was pretty intentional to keep our kids moving, and they easily could have spent a lot longer in each room. We typically only tackle one floor per visit, because my kids’ energy starts to bottom out after that much time.
If you visit in the morning, consider packing a picnic lunch and heading to Kiwanis Park after your visit! Or if you’d rather dine indoors, check out one of the great family-friendly restaurants available right in downtown Rutherfordton!
Have you visited the Climb@Blue Ridge gym before? Whether you are a seasoned climber or just starting out, you’ll fit right in at CBR. With classes for kids, homeschool events, parent’s night out events, high school hangouts, and lots more special events it’s a place for families, kids, adults, and everyone! Climb@Blue Ridge is one of the more affordable climbing gyms in the Greenville, SC area and has an extremely supportive, helpful, and personable staff. Here’s everything you need to know about Climb@Blue Ridge to plan your awesome climbing day.
About Climb@Blue Ridge
This article is pretty much not necessary. Yep.
We said we’d tell you what you needed to know to have a great time at CBR. But the bottom line is, you don’t need to know much of anything. Really.
Want to climb? Total 100% complete beginners of all ages can have a great time climbing at CBR, and so can seasoned climbers. The gym has everything you need from harnesses to climbing shoes that you can rent for a small fee when you climb. Just show up.
The staff is awesome, and they’ll help you get the right size shoes and get your harness and point you in the right direction of climbing walls and bouldering spaces. I say this to you as a non-athletic and sometimes painfully introverted mom. (Really, I write so I don’t have to talk to people.) But seriously, at CBR they’ll teach you to belay for your kids and show you how to hook up to the auto-belays. There are no stupid questions. Your kids will be climbing before you know it, and so will you!
But, there are so many cool things happening at CBR, so, we’ll use the rest of this article to tell all about the programs for kids, families, and adults, plus those nitty-gritty details like hours and cost.
Climbing at CBR
Climb@Blue Ridge has climbing spaces for bouldering, top roping, and lead climbing.
There are several places for bouldering at CBR, a cave area, walls, and a room off the main gym. These areas do not require the use of harnesses or ropes as they don’t go high. These areas are about traversing across, up, around, or under obstacles.
Top roping is the style of climbing with ropes. Basically, this is what you’re doing when you are hooked to a harness with a rope up above you and either a human or auto-belayer. The gym has three auto belays so you can climb even if you don’t have a climbing partner.
Last but not least, lead climbing is more like outdoor climbing. You must have your own equipment to lead climb at CBR.
The climbing routes at CBR are changed regularly. This means in all of the climbing areas you’ll find new challenges and problems to solve. You won’t be bored once you’ve mastered a route or two!
For the Kids at CBR
Homeschool Kids
Intro to Climbing Class:My kids have been taking an introduction to climbing class at CBR for homeschoolers since the fall. Each semester is 10 weeks of classes that cover top roping and bouldering, plus safety! The tuition is $200 for the semester and that includes harness and shoe rental plus a gym membership. That means your climber can climb for free anytime the gym is open.
Homeschool Climb: Every second Monday from 2 to 4 pm, homeschoolers can climb at CBR for just $12 which includes the harness. Shoes can be rented for $3 (but you don’t have to if you’d rather just use sneakers).
Parents’ Night Out
Every second Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm bring the kids to CBR for parents’ night out. This parents’ night out is for kids ages 6 and up. They’ll have a blast climbing while you get a night out. The cost is $20 per child. Do sign-up in advance because the program only runs if there are at least 3 kids enrolled.
Preschool Rocks
It’s CBR’s version of tot time. At Preschool Rocks, kids 2-6 get the gym all to themselves with their parent or guardian from 8 to 10 am on Tuesdays. The cost is $20 per parent/child team and that includes harnesses. CBR has full-body harnesses for little ones. And don’t forget, kiddos don’t need to harness up if they are bouldering. So, even if your little one won’t want to put on a harness, there’s still plenty of climbing fun.
Highschool Hang Out
High school kids climb at CBR on Saturday nights for just $10, including harness and shoes. It’s a great deal and a great way to spend a Saturday night.
Climbing Team
Have kids who want to learn more about climbing? The climbing team meets weekly for beginning through advanced students. Kids learn climbing skills and encourage each other to be better. The team even takes outdoor climbing field trips!
Climbing team is $70 a month and also includes a gym membership. That means kids can climb anytime the gym is open for free. Gear rental is another $15 a month, or kids can purchase their own.
CBR also offers summer camps for kids, as well as camps during days off from school, and other special events.
For the Adults at Climb@Blue Ridge
In addition to climbing, CBR also offers weekly Yoga classes. There’s also a ladies’ meet-up on Monday nights, plus special events, competitions, and more throughout the year.
CBR also offers a place for extremely affordable parties, lock-ins, and group events.
Just want to go climb?
Do it!
When you climb at CBR you get full gym access for the entire day. You’re not limited to an hour or two, and you’re not limited to certain areas of the gym or certain routes.
Adult day passes are $24. Kids 10 and under are $10. If you want to rent harnesses and shoes, they are $3 each.
First-time climbers pay $24 and that includes both harness rental, shoes, AND some time with the staff for them to show you how to belay, ensure that you can do it safely, and make sure you don’t have any questions. Don’t worry about this, it’s really easy.
That’s it. You’re ready to go!
If you love climbing, you’ll want to check out the Climb@ Blue Ridge memberships. A family membership is just $85 a month. Individual memberships start at $50. This doesn’t include gear. You can buy your own harness and shoes, plan to spend a couple of dollars each visit to rent a harness and shoes, or add on to your memberships with a monthly fee for gear. ($15 a month for individuals or $25 for families.)
Trying Something New: The adult beginner
This is the section where I admit I am not athletic. I was the kid in gym class who kept sneaking to the back of the kickball line so I didn’t have to actually participate. I was also the kid who couldn’t climb to the top of the ladder in the elementary gym because I was terrified of falling. Yes, I went my entire elementary school career without my name on that PE ladder sticker chart.
So, here I am, with kids who are taking climbing classes and recently joined their climbing team. They’re at the gym a couple of times a week and are really loving it. I have a strong belief in taking an interest in your kids’ hobbies. (You’ll always have something in common and have ways to share quality time when you’re active in your kids’ interests.) So, that’s how I found myself in a harness and climbing shoes one afternoon for a little climbing myself, having never climbed before. This is how I can say with absolute certainty that total skill-less beginners are welcome at CBR!
If you’re worried about being embarrassed. I get it. Me too. Just go do it.
Let me just take this one moment to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new with your teens and preteens! The kids and I had a blast. I did get to the top of a couple of routes, if you’re wondering, along with some seriously ungraceful falls and trips down the auto-belay. But, the best part was having my 13 year-old son coach me through my attempts on the wall. It was priceless. And, so was watching him encourage and cheer on his younger sister. I’m looking forward to going again!
How it’s going
Since writing this piece in 2023, I now climb several days a week with friends and still sometimes my kids. It’s such great exercise and we laugh a lot. Good for the body and the mind. We love climbing at CBR.
Searching for things to do in spring in Spartanburg? Spring is in the air! The flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. The kids can play outdoors! Spartanburg comes to life in the spring with family-friendly events, Easter Egg hunts, and more.
If you are looking for ways to have fun with your family this spring in Spartanburg, you’ve come to the right place. Want to play outside? We’ve got it. Want to know about local Easter events? We’ve got the information. Want to know about some day trips for spring break? We’ve got some ideas for those, too.
Here’s a guide to all things spring in Spartanburg. Have fun!
Looking to get away with your family but not actually leave Greenville, SC? Look no further than the Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort. It’s the perfect overnight staycation for families.
Thank you to the Embassy Suites for hosting us.
Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from your normal, everyday routine with your family and try something new without traveling far. The Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort in Greenville is just the place to go for family relaxation and fun without the gas expense!
Inside the Embassy Suites hotel
Every Room is a Suite
As you may have guessed by its name, every room at the Embassy Suites is literally a suite. There is a bedroom with a door that closes and an adjacent living space.
Each has their own televisions, desk and lights. The main bedroom has either two beds or one king and the living space has a pullout couch for sleeping. I really think this is such a great setup for families because it gives everyone their own space to relax at night, especially for the adults who often put their kids to bed before they are able to turn in for the night.
Sleeping area of our room
You can also watch two different shows due to the multiple TVs if you want. There are movies to rent as well if you want to go that route.
Indoor Pool
We can’t talk about Embassy Suites without discussing the indoor pool. This particular Embassy Suites location has both an indoor and outdoor pool but when we were there during the cooler months, only the indoor pool was open, which was perfection.
The pool has late hours and is honestly such a fun place to hang out together, especially if you’ve got kids who love the water. While I personally love swimming, I’d rather read a book at a hotel pool while my kids enjoy swimming – and this pool is perfect for that. They have plenty of seating in a nice, warm space.
The indoor pool at Embassy Suites
And really, isn’t swimming the best way to wind down for bed and really tire out the kids?
There’s also a great little fitness room with cardio machines and weights. It’s 18+ only so I wasn’t able to use it since I had my kids with me but it looked sufficient for a good workout.
Happy Hour and Snacks
One of the best parts about staying at Embassy Suites is their free happy hour and snacks in the evening.
You get a little card when you check in that gives you two free drinks each night you are there. It’s awesome. I got a glass of wine and my kids got Shirley Temples and we toasted to a fun time together, of course.
Then onto the snack bar. If you have kids, you know nothing motivates them like snacks. They have a snack bar with pretzels and cheese and crackers and other goodies. I liked that it wasn’t all junk foods.
Snack time
Once we got snacks and drinks, we headed outside to the comfortable seats lining the gas fire pit. It was a pleasant evening and a nice time to hang out before dinner.
The amount of free things they have at Embassy Suites Golf Resort is seriously awesome. It’s not only great for your budget but takes the stress out of finding things to do and where to hang out. The hotel provides it all!
Amazing Breakfast
If there’s one thing you may already know about Embassy Suites is that they have an amazing hot breakfast every morning that is included in your stay.
Every Embassy Suites I’ve stayed at always has the best breakfasts and this one here in Greenville was even better. They had so many options: oatmeal, pancakes, bacon, eggs, made-to-order omelets, lots of coffee, juice, tea, and fruit.
The lobby area in the center of the hotel is huge and filled with plenty of seats and tables, perfect for enjoying a leisurely and filling breakfast.
Honest Mom Review
My daughters and I really enjoyed this hotel for its indoor pool and snacks and drinks at happy hour. Plus, the breakfast was a huge hit. My kids love good food and it was plentiful here. The hotel also has one of those cool glass elevators so my daughters were highly entertained every time we used it. Ah, the small things.
The room was also comfortable and spacious and honestly, you cannot beat the indoor pool. Plus, the hotel is literally ten minutes from my house so it was such fun to have a getaway but without the long drive.
Outdoor fire pit
I also have to give the staff a shout out. From the check-in desk person to the breakfast chef to the servers at the bar and restaurant, every single person we met that worked at the hotel was kind and considerate and helpful.
I’d highly recommend this hotel if you’re looking for something fun to enjoy with your family locally.
Embassy Suites Golf Resort and Conference Center 670 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville, SC | 864.676.9090 Embassy Suites Gof Resort Website
Looking for Spring Break things to do near Greenville, SC? Spring break for Greenville County Schools is March 17th-21st, 2025 (with March 14th off for a Teacher Workday). Spartanburg County School Districts have their spring break from April 7th-11th, 2025. Whether you are staying in Greenville or desire to travel for a little family vacation, Kidding Around® has the information you need. From budget-friendly ideas, to spring break camps, and nearby vacation rentals, our spring break content has you covered.
Looking for something that’s not here? Let us know in the comments so we can grow this guide!
Looking for ways to pack your schedule over Spring Break?
Head to our Event Calendar and find something to do every day!
Spring Break Things to Do Near Greenville, SC
Staying in Greenville for spring break? We have a bunch of suggestions for fun things to do in town. You can take a bike ride on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, a stroll through Falls Park on the Reedy, visit a local state park and hit the hiking trails, enjoy a day a the Children’s Museum of the Upstate or the Greenville Zoo, and so much more!
Are you worried about being bored over spring break? This is the list you want. It is jam-packed with ideas to keep the kids busy and help you make some family memories. You’ll find events, plus places to explore outdoors and inside. We’ll be updating this list with new events as they are announced so check back often!
School breaks can be tricky when parents have to work. Even stay-at-home parents can find themselves searching for something to keep the kids busy and maybe a few minutes of quiet. Fortunately many places in Greenville offer spring break camps for the kiddos. We have a list of spring break camps in Greenville and we’ll keep updating it as more camps are announced.
If you’re sticking around Greenville for spring break, consider a day trip. This list is full of day trips perfect for spring.
Great Spring Break Travel Destinations in the South East
Planning to travel for spring break? Here are some fabulous destinations and vacation rentals that are in the Southeastern United States. Many are close to Greenville for a short road trip, and full of adventure and family fun.
These vacation rentals on the South Carolina Coast all had availability for Greenville and Spartanburg schools’ spring break at the time of publishing.
Transport your family to a fantasy land in one of these fantasy-themed vacation rentals. Wave your wand and sleep at Hogwarts, tuck into a Hobbit Hole or head out to space.
Spring in the mountains can be a little chilly at times, but that won’t bother you when you rent a mountain cabin with a private indoor pool. And, you won’t have to stake out any space in a crowded shared resort pool, either.
Charleston is not too far from the Upstate, and it’s a great place to explore full of history and nearby beautiful beaches. This list of vacation rental homes near Charleston has great options whether you want to stay near the city or out by the beach.
Thinking about going out of town for spring break? Here’s a list of places that are just a few hours from Greenville. These destinations make great family vacations.
Are you looking for a quick list of new day trip ideas from Greenville, SC? While we have a huge day trip guide we also asked our readers to vote on their favorite day trips near Greenville, SC in our annual KABOOM Awards contest. Here’s what they voted the best day trips: Greenville, SC.
Where can you find the best summer camp in Greenville, SC that fits your kid’s interest? At Kidding Around, we’re kind of the Upstate summer camp experts. Thanks to our readers voting for their favorite summer camps in Greenville, we now also have this list of reader-reported 2025 BEST summer camps in Greenville.
So, since summer camp is an excellent way to keep your kids busy during the summer, while also being educational and fun, it’s time to get going and pick one of these reader-favorite camps!
Our annual KABOOM Awards contest winners are some of the best summer camps near Greenville, SC.
Best After School Program – First Place Best Birthday Party -Finalist Best Childcare- First Place Best Indoor Fun – First Place Best Preschool – Finalist Best Summer Camp- First Place
Our summer camp is Giggles-On-The-Go! We go on awesome field trips every single day of our our summer camp. Some exciting places we visit include Shipwreck Cove waterpark, Kangaroo Jax, Roper Mountain Science center and so many more! Our low prices include 8 hours each day plus all activities, lunches and snacks. You never have to pay anything extra.
We are proud to have been voted best summer camp in 2024 and 2025.
Spaces are limited to 28 campers each day so your child will get the individual attention that they deserve. Our early bird special starts February 15 and is a discount of $600 off for the whole summer. Don’t miss out!
Please feel free to call us with any questions. 864-252-4252.
Best Overnight Camp- First Place Best Sports Program- Finalist Best Youth Organization- First Place Best Family Membership- First Place Best Place to Splash or Swim- Finalist Best After School Program- Finalist Best Summer Camp- Finalist
For more than a century, the YMCA of Greenville has strengthened the foundations of the community we serve. We’re proud of our diverse population and are passionate about keeping our promise to be a force for good.
We serve people from all walks of life in the Greenville County area through YMCA memberships and programs.
We’re committed to nurturing the potential of children through Youth Development, improving the nation’s health and well-being by promoting Healthy Living, and fostering a sense of Social Responsibility by providing opportunities to give back and support our neighbors.
The YMCA of Greenville, following the example of Christ, builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The YMCA of Greenville includes the following branches: Caine Halter Family YMCA, Eastside Family YMCA, George I. Theisen Family YMCA, Prisma Health Family YMCA, Verdae YMCA, Life Center YMCA, YMCA Judson Community Center and YMCA Camp Greenville.
Best Dance Studio – Finalist Best Baby/Toddler Program – Finalist Best Summer Camp – Finalist
Southern Dance Connection and Southern Cheer Elite are proud to offer a wide range of classes for children and teens in Greer, SC, where they can learn valuable life skills through movement and performance. With classes for ages 2 through adult, our programs provide the perfect opportunity for students to build confidence, improve fitness, and develop discipline while having fun!
At Southern Dance Connection, we offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and acro dance, taught by experienced instructors who nurture creativity and personal growth. Whether it’s for recreation or the competitive stage, we meet every student where they are, helping them achieve their potential. Our dance students also have the opportunity to be part of exciting performance teams.
Southern Cheer Elite offers tumbling and cheerleading classes for all skill levels, focusing on stunts, jumps, tumbling, and team spirit. Our teams compete at local and national events, creating lasting memories and friendships along the way. Both Southern Dance Connection and Southern Cheer Elite emphasize teamwork, leadership, and perseverance, providing children with the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the studio and gym. Join us today and see why our students shine!
Best Gymnastics School -First Place Best Field Trip -First Place Best Sports Program- First Place Best Baby/Toddler Program- Finalist Best Birthday Party- Finalist Best Indoor Fun- Finalist Best Summer Camp- Finalist
Join us for our first ever Summer Camp! We are offering 2, 4 day camps this summer! June 23-26 and July 21-24! Be on the lookout for more details to come!
Best Art Studio- First Place Best Birthday Party- First Place Best Educational Fun- First Place Best After School Program- Finalist Best Baby/Toddler Program- Finalist Best Summer Camp- Finalist
Yellowbobbypins Art Camp is a kid-favorite and parent-approved summer program, offering a fun and dynamic experience tailored to a variety of interests.
New for Summer 2025!
We’re excited to introduce morning and afternoon camps to better suit your schedule and child’s needs:
– Morning Camps (9:00 AM–Noon): Designed for Ages 4–7
– Afternoon Camps (1:30–4:30 PM):Perfect for Ages 8–12
What Makes Us Special:
– Weekly Themes: Each week brings a new and exciting theme, including:
Interior Design
Circus
Axolotl
Unicorns & Mermaids
Outer Space
Sweet Treats
Magical Makers Academy
Fashion Design
Miniature Marvels
– Age-Appropriate Fun: Each camp is tailored to match the fine motor skills and developmental needs of the participants, ensuring every child has a meaningful and engaging experience.
– Spectacular Art Shows: At the end of each week, campers showcase their amazing creations in an art show, celebrating their hard work and the friendships they’ve made.
Why Parents Love It:
Our camp goes beyond art by fostering creativity, self-expression, and meaningful connections in a safe and enriching environment.
