25+ Indoor Things to Do with Your Preschooler in Greenville, SC

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Searching for ‘things to do with preschoolers inside near me’? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with preschoolers inside in Greenville, SC. Let the indoor fun begin!

I love kids. I especially love my kid. Want to know what I don’t love? I do not love sitting at home for hours trying to come up with a variety of activities that both entertain and accommodate his non-existent attention span.  

Enter Kidding Around Greenville.

We have compiled a list of 25 things to inside to keep you and your preschooler busy! This list focuses on indoor and cold weather activities so stay tuned for a future sequel that focuses on the summer months. Of course, regardless of the weather outside unless the activity requires cold weather most of these activities are a fun choice any time of year!

Things to do in Greenville with preschoolers

For even more “things to do” check our really big list of what there is to do near Greenville, SC.

Things to Do with Preschoolers Inside

Acrosmith Gymnastics

This gym is located on Rocky Creek Road and offers gymnastic classes for kids of all ages.  Plus they offer Family Gym Time for your little ones at various times throughout the week. These times are split into two sessions depending on the age of your kid: walking through 6 years old and for kids up to age 12. Pre-registration is required.

Trampoline Parks

Does an hour of running, bouncing, climbing & maybe even flipping sound like something your preschooler would love?  Most of the local trampoline parks in the Upstate offer kids’ jump periods just for the littlest jumpers.

TReehouse Cafe & Art Studio

Grab lunch and coffee while your preschooler colors, paints, plays, and attempts to hula hoop at this cool cafe and art studio in downtown Travelers Rest. See our Kidding Around Review of TReehouse Cafe & Art Studio.

Restaurants with Play Areas

Chick-Fil-A has an indoor play areas for the kids. Check the Chick-Fil-A calendars for information on weekly programs. Also try Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery . Bring a friend, order a coffee and put together a puzzle on the table while you chat.  And if it happens to be a nice day, there is a great little outdoor play area for the kids!

Roper Mountain Science Center

The new building at RMSC includes a Nature Exchange and other interactive exhibits. When Harrison Hall is open, children will enjoy a chance to pet stingrays in the Marine Lab, check out turtles in the Ecology Lab, and visit the Rainforest. Kids can also visit the Living History Farm (when opened to the public) to experience the animals and gardens, explore the Butterfly Garden, and play in the Wildwood outdoor play area. And don’t forget to take a walk on the Dino-Trail, where you will encounter life-sized dinosaur replicas. Tickets are best purchased in advance on-line.

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate

TCMU is the perfect rainy day spot. Your kids will climb, play, create and enjoy three floors of interactive activities. Admission is $12-18/person. Be sure to also check out their programming for preschool children.

The Greenville Libraries

This is one of my favorites. In addition to the rows and rows of children’s books (and computers), each branch includes an awesome play area specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. The Main Library also offers a light table, wooden castles, and the PAL Center. And the Five Forks library is amazing – it even has an outdoor play porch. The Greenville County Library calendar is loaded with storytime and events perfect for preschoolers.

Five Forks Greenville library

Bounce Houses

Rain or shine, bounce houses are favorite for many kids!  Who doesn’t love to jump? Well, I don’t, but I DO love the afternoon nap that follows!  Here is a list of bounce houses in the area. Local favorites include Pump It Up and The Pavilion. Kangaroo Jax, located on Laurens Road, is a great option as well.

Indoor Playgrounds in Greenville

When it doesn’t look like the weather is going to cooperate with your plans, Greenville offers a handful of indoor places to play. Haywood Mall and Chick Fil A are a few of our readers’ favorite indoor playgrounds! Check out our list of more Indoor Playgrounds in Greenville.

Barnes and Noble

Don’t forget to stop by Starbucks on your way to the children’s section. Grab a book or magazine and sip away while the kids look at books and play with trains. Make sure to check their website because you don’t want to miss storytime during the week! Generally Barnes and Noble on Woodruff Road offers storytime on Saturday mornings. Check their website for details.

The Little Gym of Greenville

Another place perfect for your little gymnast!  The Little Gym offers dance, gymnastics, sports skills and parent/child classes – for kiddos as young as 4 months old.


Every day is a good day at Shipshape Farm! Come on out to the farm this summer and have an old-fashioned, tech-free, good time. We will be getting our hands dirty with critters, gardening, games, projects, and just playing around! The theme for each camp is based on a classic Children’s book. Shipshape Farm makes everyday moments into memories!

Thank you Shipshape Farm for sponsoring this article.


Palmetto Proper & Village Play

The Greenville area has welcomed two indoor play places to the scene recently: Palmetto Proper and Village Play. Each is designed with little kids and their caregivers in mind. With one located in Travelers Rest and the other in Fountain Inn, each lets adults enjoy a cup of coffee in a relaxing space while little ones play and explore together.

Color Clay Cafe

This charming pottery shop waives the studio fee for kids 12 and under on Wednesdays. Paint your own unique piece and then leave it to be glazed and fired. Pottery prices are between $12-45.

O.P. Taylor’s

You’ll have plenty of time to check out the unique toys while your little loves are playing with the Thomas the Train table at the back of the store. The fact that it’s located on Main Street in the heart of downtown is an added bonus.

Kangaroo Jax

Inflatables, carousel, arcade, and Pre-K only jump time on school day mornings. See our review of Kangaroo Jax for more!

M. Judson Booksellers

This beautiful bookstore offers free storytime on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am and kids get a treat afterward. Miss Debi is a pro at telling stories and your kids will love it. Being downtown is nice as well. Take a ride on the free trolley afterward.

Mountain Play Lodge

Indoor Play and Party Center is located in beautiful Asheville, NC! It is ideal for children aged 10 and younger. They are a sock facility, meaning no shoes or bare feet are permitted in the play area. Mountain Play Lodge hosts birthday parties in well-appointed themed party rooms. The party rooms are approximately 1000 square feet, have real wood furniture, and are themed as a Castle and Pirate Ship. For more about this play place see our Kidding Around Dad Review: Mountain Play Lodge

Planetarium Show at Roper Mountain Science Center

Each Friday night, our local planetarium show is a must-see. You will enjoy this one as much (if not more) than your children do. Read our mom review of Starry Nights. In addition to the feature show, the show includes a Live Sky Talk and a chance to view the stars from the Daniel Observatory (weather permitting).

Three shows are shown each Friday, but the two earlier shows are better suited for children. Reservations need to be made ahead of time online. Note: Members need to be sure they are logged into their accounts to receive their free tickets. Shows aren’t recommended for kids under 4.

Hands On! Children’s Museum (Hendersonville)

This fun (and educational!) children’s museum is tucked in the mountains of Hendersonville, NC, making it a perfect day trip. Admission is $10 per person.

RELATED: Mom Review of Hands On! Children’s Museum

Greenville Gemstone Mine

If my son had to pick his favorite spot in downtown Greenville, this would be it. While the cost is minimal, the reward is GREAT!

Greenville Swamp Rabbits

You’re missing out if you haven’t been to a Greenville Swamp Rabbits game yet!  It is fun for the whole family.

Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios

All kids love music! I don’t know about you, but I love a place that both entertains and educates my child through song. Kindermusik is also offered by the South Carolina Children’s Theatre.

Cabelas

Taking your kid into Cabela’s on Woodruff Road to see the giant fish tanks is a great way to spend an hour indoors.

Workshops at Home Depot

Select Saturday mornings are the perfect morning to grab a hammer and build as a family. You’ll love these age-appropriate crafts. And you get to keep the apron! Free but be sure to register. Read our review of Home Depot Kids Workshops.

Did we leave out your favorite spot to play with your Preschooler during the cooler months?  If we did, please share it in the comments below!

Indoor things to do in the Upstate, SC

For more things to do inside, see our Guide to Things to Do Inside in Greenville.

Things to Do in Greenville, SC

If you’re still looking for even more “things to do” check our really big list of what there is to do in Greenville.

What’s your favorite place to bring your preschooler?

About the Author
Andrea Beam works for the Greenville County School System, but her passion is writing! Greenville has always been her home. Her family enjoys exploring everything the town has to offer. In addition to Kidding Around Greenville, she blogs at Sunshine & Rain.

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Lisa
8 years ago

I may be in the minority here but I think Swamp Rabbit Cafes “play ground” is disgusting. We went out there on a sunny day but it was still a mud pit from past weather. There were toys sitting in stagnant water (hello bacteria!) And a lot of the toys they have out there are just old broken down toys that were never supposed to be outside in the first place. My kid wanted to play with a ball but he would have had to walk into murky water to get it so I had to shut it down. I… Read more »

Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

With all the rain, I’m sure it is muddy. I know that many families though don’t mind the dirt but it is good to mention that is does get muddy since its a dirt area especially during rainy periods like we have had this year.

AP
8 years ago

Sky Zone has a “Jumping Beans” program every Wednesday from 9-11am. It’s one hour of play time for $6 (socks included) for ages walking to 5 years old and one caregiver plays free. They let the kids stack the foam cubes and have different size balls scattered about the huge open jump court.

4 months ago

Yellowbobbypins Art Camp offers Painted Paci’s Playgroup (6 months – 2 years) and Wee Create Playgroup (2 year-4years) for cold days, hot days, rainy days. 😉 you can pick up a “drop-in” ticket on the website anytime. http://Www.Yellowbobbypins.com